Page:Tasman A Forgotten Navigator.djvu/20

 eager for trade. Voyages of merely geographical discovery had for them no attraction. It is this sordid spirit in his countrymen which has stunted his well-deserved fame.

There was nothing in this expedition to fire the imagination or attract the world wide admiration, as did the brilliant voyages of Drake or Anson, yet it was far more important than either.

Tasman ranks next to Cook as a navigator, and in the importance of his discoveries. They both possessed that happy combination of character which enforces discipline without tyranny, and also a humanity and sense of justice which conciliated the native races.

The unanimity of purpose and mutual good feeling displayed by all the members of this expedition is an agreeable contrast to the jealousies and quarrels, so common to our early exploring voyages.

Tasman lived sixteen years more. Two years after this voyage he was again in command of three exploring vessels, and made a partial survey of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and also established the continuity of the north coast of Australia, as far as the 22nd parallel of latitude. He was also employed in some minor voyages. His later years were passed at Batavia, in comfortable circumstances, and there he died, 1659.

Farewell, honest Tasman, grim, silent Dutchman; Carlyle might well have given thee a niche in his Temple of Fame.