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An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies - Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author - and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's - Miraculous Escape by Robert Knox
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Thirdly, The want of fit Persons both to Promote and Disperse such
Instructions to Persons fitted to engage, and careful to Collect
Returns; and Compose them into Histories; by examining the Persons
more at large upon those and other Particulars. And by separating what
is pertinent from what is not so, and to be Rejected; who should have
also wherewith to gratifie every one according to his Performances.

Fourthly, The want of some easie Way to have all such Printed: First
singly, and afterwards divers of them together. It having been found
that many small Tracts are lost after Printing, as well as many
that are never Printed; upon which account we are much oblig'd to
Mr. Haclute and Mr. Purchas, for preserving many such in their Works.

Fifthly, The want of taking care to Collect all such Relations of
Voyages and Accounts of Countries as have been Published in other
Languages; and Translating them either into English, or (which will be
of more general use) into Latin, the learned Language of Europe. There
being many such in other Countries hardly ever heard of in England.

The Difficulties of removing which Defects is not so great but that
it might easily fall even within the compass of a private Ability
to remove, if at least Publick Authority Would but Countenance the
Design, how much less then would it be if the same would afford also
some moderate Encouragement and Reward?

The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, has
not been wanting in preparing and dispersing Instructions to this
end, and is ready still to promote it, if the Publick would allow
a Recompence to the Undertakers. The desirableness and facility of
this Undertaking may, I hope, in a short time produce the Expedients
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