VOYAGE TO NEW SOUTH WALES. 
^ay of much folemnity and parade, I went on fhore with 
Lieutenant Ball of the Supply to fee the proceffion incident 
to the occafion. Before we landed we formed a refolution 
to avoid, as much as lay in our power, giving offence evcEi 
to the moft zealous devotee. But we found this was not to 
be done. When we arrived at the church, from whence the 
proceffion commenced, the Hoft was juft making its appear- 
ance ; a circumftance that is announced by ringing of bells-, 
and firing of guns. As it pafled by us we fell on our kneesi, 
as we obferved thofe around us to do ; but it unfortunately 
bappening, that the fpot we knelt upon confifted of fand 
intermixed with fmall rough pebbles, the pofture we were iri 
foon became fo exceedingly painful, that, in order to pro- 
cure a momentary eafe, we only let one knee remain on the 
ground. This heretical adl did not efcape the obfervation of 
one of the holy fathers, all of whom were intent on the exad: 
performance of every ceremonious etiquette. It procured for 
us a frown from him, and treatment that was not of the mofl 
civil kind ; fo that, in order to pacify him, we again dropped 
on both knees. He did not, however, pafs on, without exhi- 
biting ftrong marks of ill-nature and refentment in his coun- 
tenance, at this trivial and unintended breach of refpedful 
attention. 
