LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 427 



hitherto only known through the medium of books, may be sub- 

 mitted to the anatomist during the contemplated voyage. The 

 variety in the structure of living beings is immense ; almost every 

 distinct creature having some peculiarity of organization, and af- 

 fording opportunities to elicit truth. The same zoological laws 

 influence ourselves and the meanest insect ; and the muscle which 

 moves a finger at our wish, we know not by what secret connex- 

 ion between will and motion, acts from the same cause as does 

 that which controls the foot of a fly. 



From a corps organized on the present plan great accuracy of 

 research may be expected. Such has not been uniformly the re- 

 sult of expeditions despatched to the Pacific, nominally for scien- 

 tific purposes, by the " maritime powers of Europe." With the 

 facilities which the men of science attached to this expedition are 

 afforded in their preparation, and, more than all, from the princi- 

 ple of the division of labour that has been adopted, a decided im- 

 provement, even on " the most successful of the expeditions sent 

 out by the maritime powers of Europe" may be fairly anticipated ; 

 and this, you will find, the learned on the other side of the water 

 will not hesitate to acknowledge. Divided as their labours are, 

 they will be able to go over their ground thoroughly, and to glean 

 all possible information on every subject which comes within the 

 scope of their researches. Sir, would it not be honourable to our 

 national character if the observations and collections made through 

 the agency of our own naval and scientific intelligence should be 

 distinguished above all others by their accuracy and complete- 

 ness ; and if, when any doubt was raised concerning the position, 

 natural history, or language of any island, an appeal to the records 

 of the South Sea exploring expedition should be sufficient to set 

 the question at rest ? Sir, the man is to be pitied who could not 

 find more pleasure in the contemplation of such results than in 

 darkly brooding over the ways and means by which he might 

 prevent them ; but, while he is to be regarded with commiser- 

 ation for his want of sympathy with noble impulses, I think you 

 will own that the power to crush or cripple their designs should 

 be taken from him. 



I have spoken of the number and qualifications of the members 

 of the civil corps, as well as of the apportionment of their duties. 

 I would now say a word in reference to the preparations they have 



