which were furnished as they were issued, to the masters of vessels bound for foreign ports, who were invited to join Maury in collecting data for making other charts and new sailing directions. An active interest was soon excited, and in all parts of the world he had intelligent and zealous assistants.
The following extract is taken from a letter of one of these faithful co-laborers, Captain Phinny, of the American ship 'Gertrude', written to Lieutenant Maury in January 1855:—
"Having to proceed from this to the Chincha Islands and remain three months, I avail myself of the present opportunity to forward to you abstracts of my two passages over your southern routes, although not required to do so until my return to the U.S. next summer, knowing that you are less amply supplied with abstracts of voyages over these regions than of many other parts of the ocean. Such as it is, I am happy to contribute my mite towards furnishing you with material to work out still farther towards perfection your great and glorious task, not only of pointing out the most speedy route for ships to follow over the ocean, but also teaching us sailors to look about us and recognize the wonderful manifestations of the wisdom and goodness of the great God, by which we are constantly surrounded. For myself I am free to confess that for many years I commanded a ship, and although never insensible of the beauties of nature upon sea and land, I yet feel, that until I took up your work I had been traversing the ocean blindfolded; I did not think, I did not know, the amazing combinations of all the works of HIM whom you so beautifully term, "the great First Thought."
I feel that, aside from any pecuniary profit to myself from your labours, you have done me good as a man. You have taught me to look above, around, and beneath me, and to recognize God's hand in every element by which I am surrounded. I am grateful, most grateful, for this personal benefit. Your remarks on this subject, so frequently made in your work, cause in me feelings of the greatest admiration, although my capacity to comprehend your beautiful theories is but limited. I have spoken as I feel, and with sentiments of the greatest admiration,
