EN TEB TA IN ME NTS DUBING OUB STAY. 
171 
all concerned, every one regretting that we were so 
soon to part. 
June * 1th . — We leave to-morrow, and I feel assured 
no one can visit here without being at once struck 
with the singular beauty of the harbour and the 
surrounding scenery; and I shall not easily for- 
get the feeling of regret with which my mind dwelt 
on the thoughts that I was bidding it a long, long 
farewell. 
It was a lovely evening ; not a single breath dis- 
turbed the glassy surface of the silent water; and yet 
how eloquently that silence spoke to the heart ! And 
as I leant over the vessel’s side, filled with all those 
nameless feelings which such an hour is so well 
fitted to call forth, I felt, notwithstanding all the 
temptations of promised adventure, the full bitter- 
ness of the price we have to pay for its excite- 
ments. 
That we had been great favourites, and had made 
many friends during our stay, was very evident, and 
there can be no doubt that the Challenger s visit will 
long remain in the recollection of our Australian 
cousins. 
It is worth remarking that the traveller, on reach- 
ing these shores, should remember it was here 
at Sydney where our Australian Empire was com- 
menced, amidst dangers and difficulties of which 
those in England at the present time think very 
little. 
