LIFE OF JAMES DWIGHT DANA 



which will give you the particulars of his death. The 

 news was to me a severe shock ; we had parted with them 

 so shortly before, all in high anticipation of success, and 

 expecting to meet us again at Sydney. He leaves behind 

 a wife and one small child, besides a son who is lately 

 married. He has finished his work on earth, dying a 

 martyr in the very act of planting the Gospel on a heathen 

 island. 



"I shall not go south myself. The scientific corps 

 leaves the vessels here to join them at New Zealand on 

 the return of the squadron from the south." 



TO EDWARD C. HERRICK 

 Impressions of Australia 



" MAITLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES, Jan. 28, 1840. 



" We reached the port of Sydney early in December, 

 with the expectation of making preparations immediately 

 for our cruise in the polar seas. The scientific corps were 

 detached soon after as a worse than useless appendage to 

 an expedition cruising among the ice; for we should find 

 little or nothing in natural history in those frigid regions, 

 and would only add to the number of mouths that must 

 be filled from the stock of provisions on board. We were 

 satisfied of this ourselves, and very gladly took advantage 

 of the opportunity afforded to employ the season more 

 profitably in New Holland and New Zealand. We shall 

 soon be in the latter islands, where we are to meet our 

 vessels again in the course of next March. We have 

 been treated with extreme courtesy and kindness since 

 we landed here, all, from the government down, striving 

 by their attentions and favors to gratify our wishes or 

 further our objects in our several departments. Invita- 

 tions come from every side to visit this and that part of 

 the country and to accept of their hospitality ; horses are 

 sent to our doors to aid us in our excursions; letters of 

 introduction forced on us to every gentleman along our 

 way boxes of specimens often offered us. Indeed, we 

 have found open doors and open hearts everywhere. I 

 might mention many names of persons whom I shall de- 

 light to remember, but I will only state one or two that 



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