AUTHOR'S ADVERTISEMENT.

No apology is necessary for the appearance of this work, if its utility be admitted.

My first intention was to place the names in alphabetical order; but, on farther consideration, it was found to be impracticable, unless the whole work were before me at one view. A chronological arrangement appeared, on the whole, equally proper, and more in my power. Should any deviation from the exact order take place, it must be ascribed to a deficiency of materials; which, however, it is hoped, will be supplied at some future time.

Boston, January, 1794.

THE author is so much indebted to HAKLUYT and PURCHAS, that he thinks it but just to give some account of them and their writings.

RICHARD HAKLUYT, prebendary of Westminster, was born in Herefordshire, 1553. He early turned his attention to geography, and read lectures in that science at Oxford, where he was educated, and where he introduced maps and globes into the public schools.

In 1582 he published a small collection of voyages and discoveries; and going two years after as chaplain to Sir Edward Stafford, ambassador to France, he there met with and published a MS. entitled The Notable History of Florida, by Laudonnierre and other Adventurers. He returned to England in 1588, when he applied himself to collect, translate, and digest all the voyages, journals, and letters that he could procure, which he published first in one volume, 1589, to which he afterward added two others, and reprinted the first in 1599 and 1600. He was a man of indefati. gable diligence and great integrity; much in favour with Queen Elizabeth's ministry, and largely conversant with seamen. He died in 1616, and his manuscripts fell into the hands of Mr. Purchas.-Wood and Northouck.

A complete set of Hakluyt's voyages is in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society.

SAMUEL PURCHAS was born at Thackstead, in Essex, 1577, and educated at Cambridge. He was first vicar of Eastwood, in Essex, then rector of St. Martin's, London. He published a folio volume, entitled Purchas his Pilgrimage, or Relations of the World and the Religions observed, in all Ages and Places, &c. The third edition of it is dated 1617. When Mr. Hakluyt's papers fell into his hands, he compiled

four other volumes, which were printed 1625; they are entitled, Purchas his Pilgrims. Part i., ii., iii., iv. The whole makes a set of five volumes. They consist of journals, letters, narratives, translations, and abridgments, comprehending all the travels and discoveries made in all parts of the world, and are, with Hakluyt's work, the largest and most authentic collection of the kind extant for that time. By the publishing of this voluminous work Purchas brought himself into debt, and it has been said that he died in prison; but Northouck says he died in his own house in London, 1628.

A complete set of Purchas's Pilgrims is in the library of Harvard College.

SKETCH

OF THE

LIFE AND CHARACTER

OF THE LATE

REVEREND DOCTOR BELKNAP.*

JEREMY BELKNAP, D.D., pastor of the church in Federal-street, was born in this town June 4, 1744; had the rudiments of his education at the Grammar School under the care of the celebrated Mr. Lord, and entered Harvard College in 1758.

He discovered, at this early period, such marks of genius and taste, such talents for composition, such a flow of sentiment in conversation, as to engage the esteem of the students, and arrest the attention of his instructers. His friends anticipated a life that would be distinguished, and soon beheld, with satisfaction, that it would be eminently useful.

Having received the honours of the University in 1762, he applied his mind to the various branches of science; but, feeling very serious impressions of Divine truth, he turned his attention to theology; and, the more he studied, the more he was captivated with the beauties of re

* First published in the Columbian Centinel, June 25, 1798. VOL. I.-B