368 RETROSPECT. (CHAP. XM. 



solidity, has oscillated like a thin crust beneath our feet ; and in seeing 

 the laboured works of man in a moment overthrown, we feel the insig- 

 nificance of his boasted power. 



It has been said, that the love of the chase is an inherent delight in 

 man a relic of an instinctive passion. If so, I am sure the pleasure 

 of living in the open air, with the sky for a roof and the ground for 

 a table, is part of the same feeling ; it is the savage returning to his 

 wild and native habits. I always look back to our boat cruises, and 

 my land journeys, when through unfrequented countries, with an 

 extreme delight, which no scenes of civilization could have created. 

 I do not doubt that every traveller must remember the glowing sense 

 of happiness which he experienced, when he first breathed in a foreign 

 clime, where the civilized man had seldom or never trod. 



There are several other sources of enjoyment in a long voyage, which 

 are of a more reasonable nature. The map of the world ceases to be 

 a blank; it becomes a picture full of the most varied and animated 

 figures. Each part assumes its proper dimensions : continents are 

 not looked at in the light of islands, or islands considered as mere 

 specks, which are, in truth, larger than many kingdoms of Europe. 

 Africa, or North and South America, are well-sounding names, and 

 easily pronounced ; but it is not until having sailed for weeks along 

 small portions of their shores, that one is thoroughly convinced what 

 vast spaces on our immense world these names imply. 



From seeing the present state, it is impossible not to look forward 

 with high expectations to the future progress of nearly an entire 

 hemisphere. The march of improvement, consequent on the introduc- 

 tion of Christianity throughout the South Sea, probably stands by 

 itself in the records of history. It is the more striking when we 

 remember that only sixty years since, Cook, whose excellent judgment 

 none will dispute, could foresee no prospect of a change. Yet these 

 changes have now been effected by the philanthropic spirit of the 

 British nation. 



In the same quarter of the globe Australia is rising, or indeed may 

 be said to have risen, into a grand centre of civilization, which, at some 

 not very remote period, will rule as empress over the southern hemi- 

 sphere. It is impossible for an Englishman to behold these distant 

 colonies without a high pride and satisfaction. To hoist the British 

 flag, seems to draw with it, as a certain consequence, wealth, prosperity, 

 and civilization. 



In conclusion, it appears to me that nothing can be more improving 

 to a young naturalist, than a journey in distant countries. It both 

 sharpens, and partly allays that want and craving, which, as Sir 

 J. Herschel remarks, a man experiences although every corporeal sense 

 be fully satisfied. The excitement from the novelty of objects, and the 

 chance of success, stimulate him to increased activity. Moreover, as 

 a number of isolated facts soon become uninteresting, the habit of com- 

 parison leads to generalization. On the other hand, as the traveller 

 stays but a short time in each place, his descriptions must generally 

 consist of mere sketches, instead of detailed observations. Hence 



