ng shot to the westward of the burning island, and the
funnel of it lying on the south side, we could not discern the fire there
as we did the smoke in the day when we were to the southward of it. This
volcano lies in the latitude of 5 degrees 33 minutes south, and meridian
distance from Cape St. George 332 miles west.

NEW BRITAIN.

The eastermost part of New Guinea lies 40 miles to the westward of this
tract of land, and by hydrographers they are made joining together: but
here I found an opening and passage between, with many islands; the
largest of which lie on the north side of this passage or strait. The
channel is very good, between the islands and the land to the eastward.
The east part of New Guinea is high and mountainous, ending on the
north-east with a large promontory, which I named King William's Cape in
honour of his present majesty. We saw some smokes on it; and, leaving it
on our larboard side, steered away near the east land which ends with two
remarkable capes or heads distant from each other about 6 or 7 leagues.
Within each head were two very remarkable mountains, ascending very
gradually from the seaside; which afforded a very pleasant and agreeable
prospect. The mountains and lower land were pleasantly mixed with
woodland and savannahs. The trees appeared very green and flourishing;
and the savannahs seemed to be very smooth and even; no meadow in England
appears more green in the spring than these. We saw smokes but did not
strive to anchor here; but rather chose to get under one of the islands
(where I thought I should find few or no inhabitants) that I might repair
my pinnace, which was so crazy that I could not venture ashore anywhere
with her. As we stood over to the islands we looked out very well to the
north, but could see no land that way; by which I was well assured that
we were got through, and that this east land does not join to New Guinea;
therefore I named it New Britain. The north-west cape I called Cape
Gloucester, and the south-west point Cape Anne; and the north-west
mountain, which is very remarkable, I called Mount Gloucester.

This island which I called New Britain has about 4 degrees of latitude:
the body of it lying in 4 degrees and the northermost part in 2 degrees
30 minutes and the southermost in 6 degrees 30 minutes south. It has
about 5 degrees 18 minutes longitude from east to west. It is generally
high, mountainous land, mixed with large valleys; which as well as th