268 Sketch of the Life of Mr. David Douglas. 



From the 3rd of June 1 830, tlie date of his arrival, until the period 

 of the leaving of the loaded boats for the interior, his time was 

 occupied in unpacking his boxes, in the adjustment and trial of his 

 instruments, and the determination of the position of Fort Yan- 

 couver, but during his leisure hours we had the enjoyment of his 

 enlivening society. 



Lewis and Clarke's Fork being a place of some note as the 

 point of confluence of the two great branches of the Columbia,the 

 North and the South, Mr. D. desired to adopt it as one of his principal 

 stations for astronomical and magnetical observations. I there- 

 fore had the pleasure of his company up to Wallawalla, to the 

 charge of which post I had been appointed. On the route, when- 

 ever an opportunity offered we were on shore together, and I was 

 much surprised to remark the quickness of sight he displayed in 

 the discovery of any small object or plant on the ground over which 

 we passed. When in the boats, as they proceeded along, he 

 would frequently spring up abruptly in an excited manner, and 

 with extended arms keep his finger pointed at a particular spot 

 on the beach or the shelving and precipitous rocks, where some 

 new or desirable plant had attracted his notice. This was the 

 signal to put on shore, and we would then be amused with the 

 agility of his leap to the land, and the scramble like that of a cat 

 upon the rocks to the object he wished to obtain, happy if he 

 achieved this without slipping, and falling into the deep water along- 

 side the boat. 



The boats being got rid of at Wallawalla he was immediately 

 busied in taking observations, and in that portion of the Columbia^ 

 there being scarcely ever a cloud or speck upon the sky his astro- 

 nomical work advanced surely and rapidly. The regularity of 

 barometrical and magnetical figurings v/as conspicuous, and the 

 diurnal variations of temperature remarkably equal, the humidity 

 of the atmosphere generally a mere trifle. The apparatus employ- 

 ed was of the most select kind of that day. Even the famous 

 Arago had furnished approved asbestus thread for suspending the 

 magnetic bars, and the zealous and persevering observer applied 

 to every operation the utmost of his care and skill. To enable 

 him again to visit the Blue Mountains, the heights of which range 

 he wished to ascertain and the distribution of plants at various 

 altitudes along its slopes, I furnished him with five horses, and 

 our interpreter with a sturdy boy. After a few days absence on 

 this excursion he returned, having accomplished all that he had 



