Remarks on Mr. Forster's Account of Captain Cook's Last Voyage round the World,

Wales' attack on Forster

One of the rarest items concerning the Second Voyage. 'Wales, who was the astronomer in the Resolution, challenges the accuracy of a number of the statements in George Forster's account of [Cook's] Second Voyage and speaks in very disparaging terms of the elder Forster' (Holmes). The errors in the work were, apparently, only very minor, but there was considerable ill feeling directed towards the Forsters by some members of the expedition. It may be said that those who were inclined to support Lord Sandwich's shabby treatment of the elder and younger Forster were prominent among those only too ready to accuse the German scientists of all kinds of misdeeds.

On page 48 the words 'and his son' have been inked out, as in all known copies.

First edition. 8vo (22 x 14 cm), [ii], 110 pp., expert marginal restoration to last six leaves affecting 4 words on last page (now in ink facsimile), a couple on the penultimate, and page numbering to the others, old staining to title and first leaf of text, well bound in modern half-calf gilt, red morocco label, a well margined copy, untrimmed on the fore-edge, and, other than the defects mentioned, a good clean example.

Beddie, 1292; Hocken, 19; Holmes, 30; Sabin, 101031; not in Hill.