358 PORT ESSINGTON. 



cess. A large mess of boiled rice, which had 

 been prepared by way of a feast for the new comers, 

 was then produced ; but it was not before they 

 saw their countrymen eagerly devouring it that they 

 could be induced to eat, as they evidently did not 

 know what it was. The result of Lieut. Vallack's 

 visit is hostile to the idea entertained that clothes 

 given to natives at Port Essington pass into the 

 interior, which I always much doubted. Had the 

 fence before alluded to by me been run across the 

 neck, and an out-station formed there, we should 

 have had further acquaintance with the natives of 

 the main, besides other advantages that would 

 necessarily have accrued. 



As it seemed extremely probable that the course 

 of events would not again permit the Beagle to 

 visit Port Essington, we naturally experienced some 

 regret on our departure, and were led to speculate, 

 with interest, on its future destiny A young settle- 

 ment, so remote and solitary, cannot fail to awaken 

 the liveliest sympathy in the voyager. How small 

 soever may be the circle of its present influence, 

 the experience of the past teaches us confidently to 

 expect that wherever a knot of Englishmen locate 

 themselves there are deposited the germs of future 

 greatness. For Port Essington, a sphere of action, 

 of great extent and importance, appears marked 

 out by the hand of nature ; though, to a careless 

 observer, unskilled in discerning the undeveloped 

 capabilities of geographical positions, it may appear 



