i8 Voyage of the Novara. 



the flag of the Commodore, or it happens that the mail 

 packets are arriving or departing, or that there are many 

 ships of war in the Roads. The latter was not now the case, 

 hut so many visitors, letters, and newspapers arrived at once, 

 that neither the one nor the other could be thoroughly enjoyed. 

 The local authorities, the governor. Sir James Fergusson, 

 at their head, were extremely obliging and attentive; Mr. 

 Falkland, an officer of the Engineers, was placed at our dis- 

 posal ; a specially-reserved site was assigned us for astronomical 

 and magnetical observations ; huts were erected by the work- 

 men of the arsenal for the protection of the instruments, and 

 in short everything, calculated to promote scientific labours, 

 was provided. The Chancellor of the Austrian Consulate, 

 Mr. John Frembly, himself a geologist, proved likewise to be 



of oreat service to our scientific men : and it was considered 



o 



a fortunate omen to have found, at this our first anchorage, 

 so much sympathy with the objects of the Expedition. 



