12 



AT WALTHAMSTOW. 



1830. 



neighbourhood, as well as casual visitors, who became much 

 interested in their welfare, and from time to time gave them 

 several valuable presents. 



The attention of their instructor was directed to teaching 

 them English, and the plainer truths of Christianity, as the 

 first object ; and the use of common tools, a slight acquaint- 

 ance with husbandry, gardening, and mechanism, as the 

 second. Considerable progress was made by the boy and girl ; 

 but the man was hard to teach, except mechanically. He took 

 interest in smithes or carpenter"'s work, and paid attention to 

 what he saw and heard about animals ; but he reluctantly 

 assisted in garden work, and had a great dislike to learning to 

 read. By degrees, a good many words of their own languages 

 were collected (the boy^s differed from that of the man and the 

 girl), and some interesting information was acquired, respect- 

 ing their own native habits and ideas. They gave no particu- 

 lar trouble; were very healthy; and the two younger ones 

 became great favourites wherever they were known. Sometimes 

 I took them with me to see a friend or relation of my own, 

 wlio was anxious to question them, and contribute something 

 to the increasing stock of serviceable articles which I was 

 collecting for their use, when they should return to Tierra del 

 Fuego. My sister was a frequent benefactress ; and they often 

 talked, both then and afterwards, of going to see ' Cappen 

 Sisser.' 



During the summer of 1831, his late Majesty expressed to 

 Colonel Wood a wish to see the Fuegians, and they were 

 taken to St. Jameses. His Majesty asked a great deal about 

 their country, as well as themselves ; and I hope I may be 

 permitted to remark that, during an equal space of time, no 

 person ever asked me so many sensible and thoroughly pertinent 

 questions respecting the Fuegians and their country^also 

 relating to the survey in which I had myself been engaged, as 

 did his Majesty. Her Majesty Queen Adelaide also honoured 

 the Fuegians by her presence, and by acts of genuine kindness 

 which they could appreciate, and never forgot. She left the 

 room, in which they were, for a minute, and returned with one 



