194 REMARKABLE PHENOMENA, [chap.' xxi. 



Among the other most remarkable spectacles which we 

 have beheld, may be ranked the Southern Cross, the cloud 

 of Magellan, and the other constellations of the southern 

 hemisphere — the water-spout — the glacier leading its blue 

 stream of ice, overhanging the sea in a bold precipice- 

 a lagoon-island raised by the reef-building corals — an 

 active volcano — and the overwhelming effects of a violent 

 earthquake. These latter phenomena, perhaps, possess for 

 me a peculiar interest, from their intimate connection with 

 the geological structure of the world. The earthquake, 

 however, must be to every one a most impressive event : 

 the earth, considered from our earliest childhood as the 

 type of 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 Insignificance 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 civilisation could; 

 have created. I do not doubt that every traveller must' 

 remember the glowing sense of happiness which he ex- 

 perienced, when he first breathed in a foreign clime, where j 

 the civilised man had seldom or never trod. i 



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- 

 sounded 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 pur 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 improve- 

 ment, consequent on the Introduction of Christianity 

 throughout the South Sea, probably stands by itself on the 



