2 



INTRODUCTION. 



Dispensing, therefore, with all preliminary ob- 

 servations, I shall place myself at once on board 

 his Majesty's Packet, Duke of York, sailing 

 from Falmouth on the 23d of April, 1827, on 

 her voyage to Monte Video, where she was to 

 land her passengers for Buenos Ayres, in conse- 

 quence of that port being closely blockaded by 

 the Brazilian squadron. 



If this had been the first time of bidding adieu 

 to my native land, I might probably have in- 

 dulged in some reflections on the occasion ; but 

 being accustomed from my childhood to a life of 

 wandering, such frequent departures from the 

 shores of old England have destroyed the no- 

 velty of those sensations which necessarily arise 

 when taking a last, long, and lingering look 

 at the white cliffs fading from the view. I will 

 not, therefore, weaken those feelings by attempt- 

 ing a description which would be devoid of all 

 the interesting charms of novelty ; yet I could 

 not help observing the extraordinary way in 

 which they worked upon those who had left 



