IN THE COCOS-KEELING ISLANDS. , 41 



philosopher and student of human nature not a little to reflect 

 on, as to the effect on the colonists of a life so isolated, so apart 

 from the active stimulus of rivalry, and the sharp incentives to 

 advancement born of public opinion and the intercourse of 

 fresh minds, and so distant from the cheering influence of 

 the warm sympathies of their fellow men; yet among whom, 

 at least, instead of symptoms of physical, mental or moral 

 degeneration — despite the belief of Mr. Dana * that, " notwith- 

 standing all the products and all the attractions of a coral 

 island, even in its best condition, it is but a miserable place for 

 human development, physical, mental or moral," — he would 

 find continuous endeavoui-, industry and care crowned with 

 progress, and lives spent in contented happiness ; to myself 

 it had opened a field of study charged in every aspect with 

 all that was interesting and very much that was new. 



On the 8th of February Mr. Eoss brought me at last the 

 inevitable news that the Mabel was again freighted ^^■ith her 

 cargo of nuts and oil, and would sail next day for Batavia, 

 coupled, however, with a warm invitation to wait till her next 

 return from Batavia, and visit in the meantime the North 

 Keelings. Every consideration urged me to accept, but it 

 was with liveliest regret that I found it impossible to do so. 

 The recollection of its pleasures and its owner's Highland- 

 chieftain-like hospitality (born of his blood) will ever make 

 the Keeling atoll a memory to dwell on. 



On the 9th we set sail, and falling in a few days later with 

 the steadily blowing Monsoon wind we scudded gaily along 

 before it, and anchored in Batavia on the 16th, accomplishing 

 in a week what it had taken us thirty days to sail over on our 

 outward voyage. 



* Dana, ' Corals and Coral Islands,' p. 246. 



