LANDING AT NORFOLK ISLAND. 385 
I suppose to none more so than our worthy and 
indefatigable captain. 
Sunday, June 8th. Cloudy weather ; close in 
with Norfolk Island ; very much disappointed in 
its appearance from the present point of view, 
which is directly off the settlement, and presents 
a succession of hillocks and shallow ravines co- 
vered with short brown grass, but scarcely a tree 
to be seen. No doubt other parts of the island 
have a better appearance, but this side certainly 
loses in the comparison with our ' Rock of the 
West/ At eight o'clock the anchor was let 
go, and preparations made for landing. The 
Herald's boats also came to assist in landing the 
community. At ten A.M. left with my family 
and some others in the ship's life boat, but it 
blew fresh, and we were nearly two hours getting 
on shore, the wind being off the land ; during 
our passage several squalls of rain occurred, and 
the boat leaking badly, we were thoroughly 
drenched, the women and children presenting a 
most forlorn appearance. The landing was riot 
bad ; and we had no difficulty in crossing the 
reef, and running alongside the pier, steered by 
one of our own people. We were kindly received 
by Captain Denham, of the Herald, and Mr. 
Stewart, the gentleman in charge of the govern- 
ment establishment. Mrs. Stewart was also 
there, ? notwithstanding the rain, and conducted 
the females as they landed to the house prepared 
for their reception, where a large fire was made 
and hot tea ready; and greatly they needed these, 
kind attentions, for they were so cramped by the 
rain and the cold, that on landing many of them 
BB2 
