Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-07-23
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.

NARRATIVE U. S. EXPLORING EXPEDITION. By
Capt. Charles Wilkes Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard
We have received from, the publishers. the closing
lumes Of this publication, and have word say about IL,
though former notice recommended the work t, the
beray Of readers from intrinsic worth. and from
desire that this record OF first national effort in the
Of Naval xploraiion might be welcomed by them.
twill prove esteemed present to American merchants
indeed all OF whaling ships and those trading
either Of South America; for heretofore they have
possessed msps of parts Of the Southern seas
had rely upon those which incorrect be
almost than from beguiling the into
false security from which he often reused by the
shock OF contact with a rock laid down in his chart.
To the correction OF these Capt Wilkes and his Of
cers devoted themselves skfuy and assiduousy, and
surprised discover how dangerously inaccurate
oil the guides upon which Captains had previously been
obliged depend. The abors Of the Exploring Squad
~l require a remodelnK Of the old charts, American
and Foreign. and merchantmen thread the coral
and other reefs with safety and certainly Let them
forget that the science labor and peous exposure Of
that ,e band they indebted for the security and
facility OF their voyages.
Thus i.thc crowning merit OF the Expedition though its
contributions Science various and otherwise I'M
portan,: and the reputation of every officer connected
with he exalted, when the country becomes
liar with ineir proceedings We have often convened with
them the subject o their cruise but, until this narrative
unodcd had conception OF the and
imminent danger of the task assigned them, and which
they fully performed. However the modesy they have
uniformly displayed in speaking Of their NIGH,
been expected capable Of surrounding such
obstacles and Drawing such dangers
In regard the magnitude Of their actual discoveries.
we have magnificent antcipa,ions; VIC doubt il any
practical benefit will ensue from possession OF the
land 1t should prove be continent, which
the Squadron have given our country title by right OF
discovery. Tits painful to check phanhrope aspirations
but caution Democratic friends lest they in
dulgc speculavey in the hope OF having thus obtain
cd fresh chance OF extending the free institutions;
do believe that fsis territory gill be
and fear that for the present. they conne themselves
IN their glowing reveres, aud in their waking exeron.
the probability Of incorporating Canada and California into
constellation Of mingled, yet distinct and indie
Only small portion Of the i've volumes occupied with
Soythern continent island the remainder OF
the work, besides the meteorological. and mis-
eeaneous scientific record and the observations and
plorations corrective OF the old charts taken up with
journal OF the voyage countries and groups OF islands,
all OF which have been often visited before and
whsk hsye been described by others Still the informs
ton aboui ,heiT manners and customs physical pecuari-
ties and general character usually far minute than
any which have previously had access. and beside
ing new, Is interesting and valuable.
Ii were disposed 10 find fault with this work we
might readily sustain doing but
when consider the difficulties inherent in the undeak
ing how much has been achieved, and how much useful
knowledge 20 he gained from the work. prefer to fol
low ProG's advice. ami
e Be to its faults little blind
Aud % It's virtues very kind"
especially Capt Wilkes in measure forced to be
the h,orognpher, be had already been the Comms nd
Of the Expedition. lie evidently more familiar with
the quadrant than with pen and throughout his he
guilty Of ineegancies, and inaccuracies of lam
guage; his style careless and spshod the dignity
Of print and besys only gos, ignorance the rules
Of composition, but inatenton and haste These faults
palaed by the supposed necessity Of publishing the
work before the appearance Of the publication OF the French
Commander, who claimed for France the night the land
discovered BY Capt w. and who had slready sent hi.
work press.
We hnd frequent mistakes the orhography Of foreign
particularly OF Spanish words and indeed have had
regret Capt Wilkes pretensions familiarity
with every subject including which requ
his high reputation to be scquained with But our
graves charge tsant him is the grudging engrenes.
with which he does forth hs p6asss Of his subordnates
if he feared that their merits known, would seset from
his reputation.
However many periodicals and journals have comment
ed severely upon tee faults Of the Narrative and we
gladly quit what unpleasant cupson; and will only
add that TO the community al large the interesting
history Of the Expedition may be found in the National In
Washington city, where many OF curiosties
and specimens bear ample testimony the utility OF the
Expedition and the competency and a,duy of the squad
ron engaged in H.
For sale by DKsSEER d MoERrs