352 THE KOREANS. [1845. 



with sharp peaks, rising to the height of two thousand 

 feet. Having completed our work upon this reef, 

 from which we and our instruments were nearly swept 

 away by a sudden wave, we quitted, about 3 o'clock 

 and proceeded to the examination of this new group. It 

 was found to be composed of three islands, two large and 

 one small, deeply indented and forming a most complete 

 harbour within, as well as a very snug bay without. The 

 ship was anchored in the outer bay, and the day following 

 devoted to the survey of the island. The natives, which 

 occupied four distinct and exclusive villages were civil, 

 and conducted one of my assistants to the summit of the 

 highest peak. The necessity for expedition did not afford 

 us time to observe more of these people than that their 

 occupation seemed to be solely fishing, and that they had 

 a tolerable fleet of well-found substantial boats. There did 

 not appear to be any military persons amongst them, the 

 elder of the village, generally well marked by age and silver 

 hair, appearing as the sole authority ; they were all clad in 

 home-spun grass cloth, but of very poor material. In com- 

 pliment to the Secretary of the Admiralty, the harbour 

 formed by this group received the name of Port Hamilton. 

 Quitting this position we made another stretch northerly, 

 and with our customary good fortune discovered another 

 small group, amongst hundreds of islands in sight, offering 

 very complete shelter to the ship, and our term-day being at 

 hand it proved a most desirable spot for making our Magnetic 

 Observations. Here the ship was secured, and leaving the 

 Officer in command to make the necessary clearance of its 

 summit, erect a large cone for a signal, and prepare our 

 tents, we started with the boat-force to explore the terra 

 incognita, within ten miles to the northward of us, which we 



