PREFACE.
In the course of my travels and voyages round the globe, and which occupied twelve years, I had explored or visited both North and South America, part of the West Indies, the South Sea Islands, New Zealand, New South Wales, Van Diemen's Land, the Javanese Islands, part of China and the East Indies, and Egypt. On my return to England, I had the honour to receive, through the hands of Francis Corbould, Esq., the following address from the Tasmanian Public, dated Van Diemen's Land, June, 1843: —
“ We, the undersigned, cannot suffer you to depart from our shores without presenting to you the assurance of our sincere regret. The benefits which you have conferred upon our country have added other motives to those of private friendship, which call for a public and united expression of our esteem.
“ We are conscious that much is owing to your scientific knowledge, and to your indefatigable exertions; much that will, from henceforth, advance the progress of science, and the developement of the natural resources of Tasmania; and, in thanking you for these benefits, suffer us also to acknowledge one still more valuable than these, and still more worthy of our gratitude—that example, namely, which has testified among us the
