Introduction
Welsh poet and doctor David Samwell was Captain James Cook’s surgeon on his third voyage, aboard HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery. Samwell accompanied him from Plymouth in 1776 to Hawaii, where he saw the impulsive Cook killed in an altercation over stolen stores on February 14th, 1779.
HIS constitution was strong, his mode of living temperate.* He had no repugnance to good living; he always kept a good table, though he could bear the reverse without murmuring. He was a modest man, and rather bashful; of an agreeable lively conversation, sensible and intelligent.
In his temper he was somewhat hasty, but of a disposition the most friendly, benevolent, and humane. His person was above six feet high, and though a good-looking man, he was plain both in address and appearance. His hair, which was a dark brown, he wore tied behind. His face was full of expression, his nose exceedingly well-shaped, his eyes, which were small and of a brown cast, were quick and piercing; his eyebrows prominent, which gave his countenance altogether an air of austerity.
He was beloved by his people, who looked up to him as to a father, and obeyed his commands with alacrity. The confidence we placed in him was unremitting; our admiration of his great talents unbounded; our esteem for his good qualities affectionate and sincere.
Before joining the Royal Navy in 1755, Cook was a merchant seaman in the Baltic and prior to that an apprentice to John and Henry Walker, who operated collier ships out of Whitby. They were Quakers who encouraged him to study mathematics, astronomy and of course navigation, and they helped to lay the foundations of Cook’s self-discipline. None of this, however, stopped him meeting and marrying Elizabeth Batts, daughter of the keeper of the Bell Inn, Wapping, in 1762.
Précis
David Samwell, surgeon aboard James Cook’s ships on the great captain’s third and final voyage, described him as a handsome man who nonetheless dressed and behaved in an ordinary way, with an air of austerity belied by his kindly manner. The crew regarded Cook as a father-figure, and were eager to follow his commands. (54 / 60 words)
David Samwell, surgeon aboard James Cook’s ships on the great captain’s third and final voyage, described him as a handsome man who nonetheless dressed and behaved in an ordinary way, with an air of austerity belied by his kindly manner. The crew regarded Cook as a father-figure, and were eager to follow his commands.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, besides, despite, must, otherwise, since, until, whether.
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