530 ' CONCLUDING 



the reading public. Our political connexion with the 

 Chinese coast, has invested the numerous tribes, that 

 throng the approaches to their ports, with an interest 

 they never possessed before ; and the recent cession of 

 Labuan has, perhaps, laid the foundation of a British 

 interest in those seas, that may materially interest the 

 future destinies of our eastern possessions. 



All over the world Creative Intelligence has thrown 

 organic matter into living forms of such interest and 

 beauty, that the "divina particula animi," which ren- 

 ders man 



" Lord of the wide world and wat'ry seas, 

 Endu'd with intellectual sense and soul," 



cannot fail to observe them, and, having observed, to 

 appreciate, and endeavour to make others appreciate them. 

 Now, being engaged in the survey of seas hitherto but 

 imperfectly explored, and in the examination of islands, 

 many of them barely known beyond their existence on 

 the charts, it is hardly to be wondered at, that our harvest 

 has been plentiful and our researches crowned with suc- 

 cess. And really, when among those chosen individuals, 

 who are destined, " mid sands, and rocks, and storms, 

 to cruise for pleasure," I observe any of their number 

 pass unheeded by such golden opportunities as they might 

 enjoy, I am apt to exclaim with Beattie's Minstrel,- 



" O, how canst thou renounce the boundless store 



Of charms which Nature to her votary yields ! 

 ****** 



O, how canst thou renounce, and hope to be forgiven !" 



Keen perceptions of the sublime and beautiful in nature, 

 constitute in an intelligent mind one of the most pleasur- 



