278 Voyage of the Novara. 



of acknowledgment is the constant endeavour of the present 

 Colonial Government to attract to itself fresh intelligence, 

 and so not alone stimulate the scientific activity of the pre- 

 sent, but also provide for the filling up of tlie various posts 

 by properly qualified persons. The magnificent and ex- 

 pensive works which have been published of late years in 

 Java by men of science, are the splendid fruit of that noble- 

 minded support, and it is much to be regretted that the 

 Government does not extend this liberality to their political 

 system, — that despite the glorious example in their own im- 

 mediate neighbourhood of the results of English Free Trade, 

 Government still cramps the energies of the colony with 

 monopolies and privileges, and thereby checks the develop- 

 ment of a country, which, alike by its position and its mani- 

 fold natural advantages, bids fair to be one of the wealthiest 

 and most prosperous countries in the world. 



At seven a.m. on the 29th May, the Novara weighed an- 

 chor in the roads of Batavia, after a stay of 23 days. Our 

 next visit was to be paid to the Philippine Archipelago, — to 

 the flourishing island of Luzon, or rather to Manila, the most 

 important settlement in the entire group. This was the 

 pleasantest trip throughout the whole voyage. The distance, 

 some 1800 nautical miles, was achieved in 17 days, with de- 

 lightful weather, and balmy south-west monsoons.* By the 



more appreciated, that this resolve will be regarded by his numerous European 

 friends as a satisfactory a&surance that the valuable materials relating to natural 

 history which he has collected will ere long make their appearance in a suitable 

 form. 



* Voyagers between Batavia and Manila must not, however, always expect to 



