278 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 
very weak stomach, no appetite, bad digestion, and great 
lassitude. But I am now living in good spirits, and in most 
pleasurable anticipations of what I hope to do in New Zea- 
land, and for my visit to those lovely islands of the Anthro- 
pophagi. I am in the midst of my preparations, hoping 
to get away early next month. Of the presents, and articles 
to pay my way, you can form an idea by the following list :— 
Thirty pairs of blankets, half a hundred weight of tobacco, 
pipes for smoking, (long ones for the chiefs), lucifers, gun- 
powder, fish-hooks, red woollen-shirts, red caps, linen-shirts, 
needles, pins, chisels, hatchets, and some other ironwork. 
Tell all that I have discharged the Government cabbage- 
garden in disgust, and am now about to enter with all my 
might, mental and corporeal, on a more legitimate occupa- 
tion for a few months.—15th January, 1838." 
Mr. Cunningham delayed his departure until Sir George 
Gipps should arrive, which he did on the 23d of February. 
On the following day a levee was held at the Government 
House, which Mr. Cunningham attended, and on the follow- 
ing day he received a letter from the Governor's Private Se- 
eretary, requesting him to wait on His Excellency at his ear- 
liest convenience. Mr. Cunningham called the next day, 
when he had a long interview with Sir G. Gipps, and an ar- 
rangement was made to meet the following morning at seven 
o'clock, in the Botanic Garden. Mr. Cunningham goes 
on to say—* I then took my leave, and next morning, at 
half-past six, was in attendance at Government House, and 
found His Excellency ready to walk with me to the Botanic 
Garden. He asked me many questions regarding it, and ex- 
pressed himself desirous of improving, provided the cost 
would be sanctioned by the Council. I pointed out in what 
way a botanic garden could be established in the colony, to be 
the depository of every species of useful and ornamental tree or 
rub of the numerous islands around us in these seas, that 
within it might be grown (or atleast the attempt made at accli- 
matization), the numerous fruits of India and South America; 
of the coasts of Africa, of Madagascar, &c., &c., but that the 
