1836.] ENJOYMENT OF TRAVEL. 405 



records of history. It is the more striking when we 

 remember that only sixty years since, Cook, whose excelient 

 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 

 civilisation, which, at some not very remote period, will 

 rule as empress over the southern hemisphere. It is inj- 

 possible 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 civilisation. 



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 tlie chance 

 of success, stimulate him to increased activity. Moreover, 

 as a number of isolated facts soon become uninteresting, the 

 habit of comparison leads to generalisation. On the otiier 

 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 arises, as I have 

 found to my cost, a constant tendency to fill up the wide 

 gaps of knowledge, by inaccurate and superficial hypotheses. 



But I have too deeply enjoyed the voyage, not to recom- 

 mend any naturalist, although he must not expect to be so 

 fortunate in his companions as I have been, to take all 

 chances, and to start, on travels by land if possible, if 

 otherwise on a long voyage. He may feel assured he will 

 meet with no difficulties or dangers, excepting in rare 

 cases, nearly so bad as he beforehand anticipates. In a 

 moral point of view, the effect ought to be, to* teach him 

 good-humoured patience, freedom from selfishness, the 

 habit of acting for himself, and of making the best of 

 every occurrence. In short, he ought to partake of the 

 characteristic qualities of most sailors. Travelling ought 

 nlso to teach him distrust ; but at the same time ho will 

 discover, how many truly kind-hearted people there arc, 

 with whom he never before had, or ever again will have 

 any further communication, who yet are ready to olTer him 

 the most disinterested assistance. 



