608 



CONCLUSION. 



Oct. 1856. 



a number of isolated facts soon become uninteresting^ the 

 habit of comparison leads to generalization. On the other 

 hand^ as the traveller stays but a short space of time in each 

 place^ his descriptions must generally consist of mere sketches, 

 instead of detailed observation. Hence arises, as I have 

 found to my cost, a constant tendency to fill up the wide 

 gaps of knowledge, by inaccurate and superficial hypotheses. 



But I have too deeply enjoyed the voyage, not to recom- 

 mend any naturalist, although he must not expect to be so 

 fortunate in his companions as I have been, to take all 

 chances, and to start, on travels by land if possible, if other- 

 wise on a long voyage. He may feel assured, he will meet 

 with no difficulties or dangers (excepting in rare cases) 

 nearly so bad as he beforehand anticipated. In a moral 

 point of view, the efi'ect ought to be, to teach him good- 

 humoured patience, freedom from selfishness, the habit of 

 acting for himself, and of making the best of every thing, 

 or in other words contentment. In short he should partake 

 of the characteristic qualities of the greater number of 

 sailors. Travelling ought also to teach him distrust ; but at 

 the same time he will discover, how many truly goodnatured 

 people there are, with whom he never before had, or ever 

 again will have any further communication, who yet are ready 

 to offer him the most disinterested assistance. 



