By training a lawyer, Daines Barrington (1727-1800) developed interests in many disciplines and became a member of both the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries. The present work collects together several papers on a variety of topics. Of particular interest is his 'Tracts on the Possibility of reaching the North Pole', which provides an overview of 16th, 17th and 18th century Arctic explorations (pp. 1-124, it appeared as a separate edition in 1818); and a translation of the journal of a Spanish voyage to the West Coast of North America in 1775. The Miscellanies also contains Barrington's account of his meetings with the young Wolfgang Mozart, who visited England at the age of 8 and gave both public and private audiences attended by Barrington; a portrait of Mozart prefaces this section of the book.