early australian voyages-第8节
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CHAPTER VIII： OBSERVATIONS ON； AND EXPLANATION OF； THE VARIATION OF THE COMPASS。
On the 16th we were in the latitude of 26 degrees 29 minutes south； and in the longitude of 199 degrees 32 minutes； the variation of the needle being 8 degrees。 Here we are to observe that the eastern variation decreases； which is likewise very agreeable to Doctor Halley's hypothesis； which； in few words； is this： that a certain large solid body contained within； and every way separated from the earth （as having its own proper motion）； and being included like a kernel in its shell； revolves circularly from east to west； as the exterior earth revolves the contrary way in the diurnal motion； whence it is easy to explain the position of the four magnetical poles which he attributes to the earth； by allowing two to the nucleus； and two to the exterior earth。 And； as the two former perpetually alter the situation by their circular motion； their virtue； compared with the exterior poles； must be different at different times； and consequently the variation of the needle will perpetually change。 The doctor attributes to the nucleus an European north pole and an American south one； on account of the variation of variations observed near these places； as being much greater than those found near the two other poles。 And he conjectures that these poles will finish their revolution in about seven hundred years； and after that time the same situation of the poles obtain again as at present； and； consequently； the variations will be the same again over all the globe； so that it requires several ages before this theory can be thoroughly adjusted。 He assigns this probable cause of the circular revolution of the nucleus that the diurnal motion； being impressed from without； was not so exactly communicated to the internal parts as to give them the same precise velocity of rotation as the external； whence the nucleus； being left behind by the exterior earth； seems to move slowly in a contrary direction； as from east to west； with regard to the external earth； considered as at rest in respect of the other。 But to return to our voyage。
CHAPTER IX： DISCOVERS A NEW ISLAND； WHICH HE CALLS PYLSTAART ISLAND。
On the 19th of January； being in the latitude of 22 degrees 35 minutes south； and in the longitude of 204 degrees 15 minutes； we had 7 degrees 30 minutes east variation。 In this situation we discovered an island about two or three miles in circumference； which was； as far as we could discern； very high； steep； and barren。 We were very desirous of coming nearer it； but were hindered by south…east and south…south…east winds。 We called it the Isle of Pylstaart； because of the great number of that sort of birds we saw flying about it； and the next day we saw two other islands。
CHAPTER X： AND TWO ISLANDS； TO WHICH HE GIVES THE NAME OF AMSTERDAM AND ROTTERDAM
On the 21st； being in the latitude of 21 degrees 20 minutes south； and in the longitude of 205 degrees 29 minutes； we found our variation 7 degrees to the north…east。 We drew near to the coast of the most northern island； which； though not very high； yet was the larger of the two： we called one of these islands Amsterdam； and the other Rotterdam。 Upon that of Rotterdam we found great plenty of hogs； fowls； and all sorts of fruits； and other refreshments。 These islanders did not seem to have the use of arms； inasmuch as we saw nothing like them in any of their hands while we were upon the island； the usage they gave us was fair and friendly； except that they would steal a little。 The current is not very considerable in this place； where it ebbs north…east； and flows south…west。 A south…west moon causes a spring…tide； which rises seven or eight feet at least。 The wind blows there continually south…east； or south…south…east； which occasioned the Heemskirk's being carried out of the road； but； however； without any damage。 We did not fill any water here because it was extremely hard to get it to the ship。
On the 25th we were in the latitude 20 degrees 15 minutes south； and in the longitude of 206 degrees 19 minutes。 The variation here was 6 degrees 20 minutes to the east； and； after leaving had sight of several other islands； we made that of Rotterdam： the islanders here resemble those on the island of Amsterdam。 The people were very good…natured； parted readily with what they had； did not seem to be acquainted with the use of arms； but were given to thieving like the natives of Amsterdam Island。 Here we took in water； and other refreshments； with all the conveniency imaginable。 We made the whole circuit of the island； which we found well…stocked with cocoa…trees； very regularly planted； we likewise saw abundance of gardens； extremely well laid out； plentifully stocked with all kinds of fruit…trees； all planted in straight lines； and the whole kept in such excellent order； that nothing could have a better effect upon the eye。 After quitting the island of Rotterdam； we had sight of several other islands； which； however； did not engage us to alter the resolution we had taken of sailing north； to the height of 17 degrees south latitude； and from thence to shape a west course； without going near either Traitor's Island； or those of Horne； we having then a very brisk wind from the south…east； or east…south… east。
I cannot help remarking upon this part of Captain Tasman's journal； that it is not easy to conceive； unless he was bound up by leis instructions； why he did not remain some time either at Rotterdam or at Amsterdam Island； but especially at the former； since； perhaps； there is not a place in the world so happily seated； for making new discoveries with ease and safety。 He owns that he traversed the whole island； that he found it a perfect paradise； and that the people gave him not the least cause of being diffident in point of security； so that if his men had thrown up ever so slight a fortification； a part of them might have remained there in safety； while the rest had attempted the discovery of the Islands of Solomon on the one hand； or the continent of De Quiros on the other； from neither of which they were at any great distance； and； from his neglecting this opportunity； I take it for granted that he was circumscribed； both as to his course and to the time he was to employ in these discoveries； by his instructions； for otherwise so able a seaman and so curious a man as his journal shows him to have been； would not certainly have neglected so fair an opportunity。
CHAPTER XI： AND AN ARCHIPELAGO OF TWENTY SMALL ISLANDS。
On February 6th； being in 17 degrees 19 minutes of south latitude； and in the longitude of 201 degrees 35 minutes； we found ourselves embarrassed by nineteen or twenty small islands； every one of which was surrounded with sands； shoals； and rocks。 These are marked in the charts by the name of Prince William's Islands； or Heemskirk's Shallows。 On the 8th we were in the latitude of 15 degrees 29 minutes； and in the longitude of 199 degrees 31 minutes。 We had abundance of rain； a strong wind from the north…east； or the north… north…east； with dark cold weather。 Fearing； therefore； that we were run farther to the west than we thought ourselves by our reckoning； and dreading that we should fall to the south of New Guinea； or be thrown upon some unknown coast in such blowing misty weather； we resolved to stand away to the north； or to the north… north…west； till we should arrive in the latitude of 4； 5； or 6 degrees south； and then to bear away west for the coast of New Guinea； as the least dangerous way that we could take。
It is very plain from hence； that Captain Tasman had now laid aside all thoughts of discovering farther； and I think it is not difficult to guess at the reason； when he was in this latitude； line was morally certain that he could； without further difficulty； sail round by the coast of New Guinea； and so back again to the East Indies。 It is therefore extremely probable that he was directed by his instructions to coast round that great southern continent already discovered； in order to arrive at a certainty whether it was joined to any other part of the world； or whether； notwithstanding its vast extent； viz。； from the equator to 43 degrees of south latitude； and from the longitude of 123 degrees to near 190 degrees； it was； notwithstanding； an island。 This； I say； was in all appearance the true design of his voyage； and the reason of it seems to be this： that an exact chart being drawn from his discoveries； the East India Company might have perfect intelligence of the extent and situation of this now…found country before they executed the plan they were then contriving for preventing its being visited or farther discovered by their own or any other nation； and this too accounts for the care taken in laying down the map of this country on the pavement of the new stadthouse at Amsterdam； for as this county was henceforward to remain as a kind of deposit or land of reserve in the hands of the East India Company； they took this method of intimating as much to their countrymen； so that； while strangers are gaping at this map as a curiosity； every intelligent Dutchman may say to himself； 〃Behold the wisdom of the East
