Wilhems Plains .] 
TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
457 
language was pursued with increased application, and many books 
in it, particularly voyages and travels, were read. But what assisted 
most in dispelling this melancholy, was a packet of letters from 
England, bringing intelligence of my family and friends ; and the 
satisfactory information that Mr. Aken had safely reached London, 
with all the charts, journals, letters and instruments committed to 
his charge. 
No occurrence more particular than the departure in January 
of a prisoner of war, which furnished an opportunity of writing to 
England, took place for several months. In April the season for 
the arrival of ships from France was mostly passed, and the captain- 
general had still received no orders ; being than at the town, I re- 
quested of him an audience through the intervention of M. Beckmann, 
who engaged, in case of refusal, to enter into an explanation with His 
Excellency and endeavour to learn his intentions. On his return, 
M. Beckmann said that the general had expressed himself sensible of 
the hardship of my situation, and that he every day expected to re- 
ceive orders from France ; but being unable to do any thing without 
these orders, it was useless to see me, and he recommended waiting 
with patience for their arrival. 
In acknowledgment for the letter written to the National 
Institute by the Society of Emulation, I sent to it a description of 
Wreck Reef, with my conjectures upon the place where the unfor- 
tunate La Perouse had probably been lost ; and this letter, as also a 
succeeding one upon the differences in the variation of the magnetic 
needle on ship-board, was transmitted by the Society to the Institute 
at Paris. 
The effect of long protracted expectation, repeatedly changing 
its object and as often disappointed, became strongly marked in my 
faithful servant. This worthy man had refused to quit the island at 
the general exchange of prisoners in August 1805, and also in the 
following year when his companion, the lame seaman, went to 
America, because he would not abandon me in misfortune ; but the 
3 N 
isos. 
November. 
1807 - 
January. 
April. 
May. 
June. 
VOL. II. 
