RETROSPECT. 311 



are well-sounding names, and easily pronounced ; 

 but it is not vmtil having sailed for weeks alono- 

 small portions of their shores that one is thorough- 

 ly 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 in- 

 troduction of Christianity throughout the South 

 Sea, probably stands by itself in the records of 

 history. It is the more striking when we remem- 

 ber that only sixty years since, Cook, whose ex- 

 cellent 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 hemisphere. It is impossible for an Eng- 

 lishman to behold these distant colonies without a 

 high pride and satisfaction. To hoist the British 

 flag seems to draw with it as a certain conse- 

 quence, 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 al- 

 though 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 compari- 

 son leads to generalization. On the other hand. 



