SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 51 



accompanied by Lady Raffles, who entered warmly 

 into his pursuits, and delighted in exploring those fairy 

 isles, the lands of eastern fable and magnificence, ce- 

 lebrated by all mariners as the most gorgeous water 

 scenery in the world : 



" So strong the influence of the fairy scene. 1 ' 



" It is impossible," writes Lady Raffles, " to con- 

 vey an idea of the pleasure of sailing through this 

 beautiful and unparalleled Archipelago, in which 

 every attraction of nature is combined. The smooth- 

 ness of the sea, the lightness of the atmosphere, the 

 constant succession of the most picturesque lake 

 scenery ; islands of every shape and size clustered 

 together; mountains of the most fanciful forms 

 crowned with verdure to their summit ; rich and luxu- 

 riant vegetation extending to the very edge of the 

 water; little native boats with only one person in 

 them, continually darting out from the -deep shade 

 which concealed them, looking like so many cockle 

 shells wafted about by the wind. Altogether, it is 

 a scene of enchantment deserving a poet's pen to de- 

 scribe its beauties." 



With the sanction of the government of the India 

 House, Sir Stamford had now in his employment a 

 regular establishment of naturalists and draughtsmen, 

 at the head of which were two French naturalists, 

 Messrs Diard and Duvaucel, who, in addition to 

 their knowledge in preparing specimens, added ac- 

 quirements in science of no ordinary kind. They were 



