ce, had not secured most that lasted to that time. Since which,
that Loss has been repaired by a vast number of new Accessions, which
besides the Satisfaction they have given to Curious and Inquisitive
Men by increasing their Knowledge, have excited many more to the
like Attempts, not only of Making but of Publishing also their
Discoveries. But I am not ignorant still; that as Discoveries have
been this way preserved, so many others nave been lost, to the great
Detriment of the Publick. It were very desirable therefore that the
Causes of these and other Defects being known, some Remedies might
be found to prevent the like Losses for the future. The principal
Causes I conceive may be these;

First, The want of sufficient Instructions (to Seamen and Travellers,)
to shew them what is pertinent and considerable, to be observ'd in
their Voyages and Abodes, and how to make their Observations and keep
Registers or Accounts of them.

Next, The want of some Publick Incouragement for such as shall perform
such Instructions.

Thirdly, The want of fit Persons both to Promote and Disperse such
Instructions to Persons fitted to engage, and careful to Collect
Returns; and Compose them into Histories; by examining the Persons
more at large upon those and other Particulars. And by separating what
is pertinent from what is not so, and to be Rejected; who should have
also wherewith to gratifie every one according to his Performances.

Fourthly, The want of some easie Way to have all such Printed: First
singly, and afterwards divers of them together. It having been found
that many small Tracts are lost after Printing, as well as many
that are never Printed; upon which account we are much oblig'd to
Mr. Haclute and Mr. Purchas, for preserving many such in their Works.

Fifthly, The want of taking care to Collect all such Relations of
Voyages and Accounts of Countries as have been Published in other
Languages; and Translating them either into English, or (which will be
of more general use) into Latin, the learned Language of Europe. There
being many such in other Countries hardly ever heard of in England.

The Difficulties of removing which Defects is not so great but that
it might easily fall even within the compass of a private Ability
to remove, if at least Publick Authority Would but Countenance the
Design, how much less then would it be if the same would afford also
some moderate Encouragement and Reward?

The Royal Society of L