156 CLERMONT DE TONNERRE. [1839. 



ing their way, soon compensated them for the absence of the 

 oeautiful scenes they had witnessed, and they had not been 

 out many days, ere they began anxiously to cast their eyes 

 over the western waters, and to fancy they already felt the 



" gentle airs which breathed, 

 Or seemed to breathe, fresh fragrance from the shore." 



On the afternoon of the 13th of August, they caught sight 

 of the feathery shrubs cresting the surface of Clermont de 

 Tonnerre, or Minerva Island. — English navigators have given 

 the latter name to this island, but the former, by which it is 

 at this time more generally known, was bestowed upon it in 

 1823, by Captain Duperrey, of the French navy, in honor of 

 his countryman, Count Clermont de Tonnerre, who fell a vic- 

 tim to his opposition to the Jacobins, in 1793. On approach- 

 ing the island, the boats were lowered, and some of the officers 

 and scientific corps started to reconnoitre. Though obliged 

 to swim through the strong surf, they succeeded in reaching 

 the shore, and obtained a number of specimens of shells, 

 plants, and coral. Several natives were discovered, but. could 

 not be induced to approach near enough to have any conver- 

 sation with them. A second attempt to hold communication 

 with the islanders, which proved equally fruitless, was made 

 on the 14th instant, by means of one of the crew of the Vin- 

 cennes, a New Zealander by birth, who spoke the Tahitian 

 language. It being evident that further efforts, even if suc- 

 cessful, would most likely lead to collisions with the natives, 

 the island was surveyed, by stationing the vessels at inter- 

 vals around it, and measuring base lines by means of guns 

 fired at each station in quick succession, and noting the lapse 

 of time between the flash and the report ; and the commander 

 then issued orders for the squadron to get under way. 



From Clermont de Tonnerre, the squadron proceeded to 

 Serle Island, further to the west and north, whieli was sur- 

 veyed in like manner. They then continued on their north- 

 westerly course, and on the. L9th of August made Hennake, 

 or Honden Island. On the. 23rd instant, they reached the 



