SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 61 



tion of his family, and as soon as he had again placed 

 them in a situation of comfort and safety, do we find 

 him endeavouring to repair tbe vast losses he had 

 sustained. The very day after, he commenced 

 sketching from recollection his map of Sumatra, 

 set to work draftsmen, and sent people to the forests 

 to collect new specimens. He repined not, but went 

 perseveringly on ; and the best proof of his success 

 is the large assemblage of subjects which he munifi- 

 cently presented to the Zoological Society upon its 

 institution. 



The anxiety of Sir Stamford and Lady Raffles, 

 after these severe trials, to reach England, natu- 

 rally increased, and another ship was engaged, in 

 which they again embarked on the 8th of April. 

 They experienced a most tempestuous passage, but 

 arrived in safety among their anxious friends. The 

 constitution of Sir Stamford was very much shatter- 

 ed by climate and the constant exercise of his mind, 

 for it was one of those which could never rest, but 

 which eventually actually wear themselves out. The 

 cares of his friends comparatively restored his health, 

 and his spirits never flagged ; mentioning his future 

 plans of life, he says, " I confess I have a great desire 

 to turn farmer, and have the vanity to think I could 

 manage about two hundred acres as well as my 

 neighbours. With this, I suppose, I should in time 

 become a county magistrate, an office of all others I 

 should delight in, and if I should eventually get a 

 seat in Parliament, without sacrifice in Principle, I 



