First edition, and very scarce. Although intended as a supplement to Burney's great five-volume Chronological history of the Discoveries in the South Seas (1803-1817), this is of particular interest as it contains the first printing of any part of Burney's journal of Cook's third voyage, which includes his version of events at Kealakekua Bay and the death of Cook.

First edition, and very scarce. Although intended as a supplement to Burney's great five-volume Chronological history of the Discoveries in the South Seas (1803-1817), this is of particular interest as it contains the first printing of any part of Burney's journal of Cook's third voyage, which includes his version of events at Kealakekua Bay and the death of Cook.

'Burney, who had sailed with Cook on his Second Voyage, was also on the Third Voyage, and chapters 19-21… have an account of that voyage. The text includes Burney's own account of Cook's return to Hawaii in 1778-1779, Cook's altercations with the Hawaiians, and his death. He quotes from his own journals and discusses several points not found in other printed narratives' (Forbes).

The work is also important for Burney's detailed reports of the Russian discoveries, with accounts of English, Dutch, Russian and Danish voyages in the region. It includes discussion of the voyages of Cook, Vitus Bering, and Joseph Billings, among others.

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