Allen, a short distance from Sydney. Conversation took place, on the views and practices which distinguish the Society of Friends. These we had in some measure to exemplify, in a religious opportunity, which commenced with the reading of the first epistle to the Thessalonians. I made some comments on this occasion, upon the text, "Pray without ceasing;" shewing, that the fulfilment of this injunction, depended upon a close attention to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, by which we are made quick of understanding in the fear of the Lord; and are enabled to discern our wants, so as continually to breathe our petitions in secret, to our Father who seeth in secret. Daniel Wheeler was also engaged in

the same line of service.

In an evening walk, on the North Shore, we saw a large, old, bushy Fig-tree, Ficus ferruginea, overhanging the water; some of its limbs were almost covered with Acrosticum alcicorne and Dendrobium linguiforme. A broad-leaved Loranthus, a parasite of the same tribe as the Mistletoe, but with much finer blossoms, was growing upon some of the branches. Plants of this genus are of frequent occurrence in this Colony. Some of them incorporate themselves with the wood of the foster tree, and others adhere to the bark by an external root.

2nd mo. 1st. We held our meeting, in the forenoon, on board the Henry Freeling. It was attended by most of the persons who generally assemble with us. Silence was only interrupted by a few words, near the conclusion, expressed by myself, on the doctrine of Christian love, as set forth by our Saviour and the apostle John, and a short addition on the same subject by Daniel Wheeler.

In the evening, we had a large meeting in the Old Court-house, the use of which was granted us for the purpose. It was an exercise of faith, to invite people to such a meeting, under an apprehension of religious duty. But I was enabled to believe, that whether it should be best for us to set an example of waiting on God in silence, or to speak in his holy name, qualification would be given at the time; and in this confidence, to fulfil the injunction, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall

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sustain thee." I was preserved in great mental quietude, through almost half the meeting, though feeling much of a blank in mind, except as regarded this sense of dependence. When, at length, the passage, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?" was presented to my view, with an apprehension that it was my duty to express it. I saw but little of the scope of these subjects, to what opened, as I gave utterance to them, and by which I was enabled to preach the new birth, Christ crucified, &c. Daniel Wheeler added a few sentences in the same strain. After I had given utterance also to prayer, on bended knees, the meeting separated. We felt thankful to Him who continues to be, to his dependent children, a present help in time of need, and who qualifies them for the labour to which he calls them, in such a manner as to prove, both to themselves and to others, that all the glory belongs unto Himself, and to Himself alone.

On returning to the Henry Freeling, the water was beautifully luminous, wherever it was agitated. This is often the case in calm nights. A train, like the tail of a comet, followed the boat; and each oar, as it dipped, became surrounded by a luminous patch, which became fainter for some time after the oar left the water, and at length died away. Sometimes brilliant shining points adhere to the oars, which may possibly be phosphorescent animalcules. The light, in the wake of the boat, and on the dip of the oars, is also probably occasioned by this race of minute, animated beings, or by phosphorescent matter disengaged from the water; and which may be formed by decomposing animal and vegetable substances.

4th. I had some conversation with Samuel Marsden, and with the Colonial Secretary, on the case of a New Zealander, who was on board the Henry Freeling a few days ago; he, and his wife and child, were brought away from their own country, as hostages, by a house in Sydney, that has a whaling establishment on that part of the coast of New Zealand, to which these people belong, and of which, this man is said to be a chief. The lives of the persons employed by this house were thought to be in danger, and this

expedient was adopted for their protection. There is reason to believe, it was with the consent of the man and his countrymen, that he and his wife became hostages, but they seem to have had no idea of being so long detained. The chief complains of the detention, and says, that, if an Englishman had been detained in like manner in his country, a man-of-war would have been sent to demand him. It is an important question, how far it is proper to allow of acts of this character, and one which merits the consideration of the British Legislature. In the evening George W. Walker and myself attended the committee of the Temperance Society. About a dozen persons were present. The cause of temperance appears to be gaining ground.

5th. We had a visit from a young physician, who was prevailed upon to join a ship at Liverpool, as the medical officer, with the understanding, that for his passage out, he was only expected to attend to the state of the crew; and that if his services were required by the passengers, they would pay him on their own private account. But he afterwards found, that the contract of the owners with the passengers, included medical attendance; and of this, the owners took care to apprize him, when the ship was on the point of sailing. Thus they availed themselves of his services for the whole ship's company, when he was unable to make a stand against their imposition. This is the second instance we have met with, of medical men being imposed upon, in connexion with voyages to these colonies. In the other case, the surgeon was invited to see the ship, when at Gravesend, and to sleep on board, and in the morning he found himself at sea!

Having believed it would be right for us, before proceeding to Norfolk Island, to hold a meeting with such of the crews of the numerous vessels, now lying in Port Jackson, as could be collected, application was made to John Hart, the master of the Henry Porcher, for the use of the deck of his vessel, for this purpose. This was readily granted, and arrangements were made accordingly.

8th. Notice of our intended meeting having been given on board all the ships, in the port, about a hundred and fifty

persons, chiefly masters of vessels and officers, assembled on board the Henry Porcher, this morning. It was a season in which Divine Mercy brought us under solemn feeling, and gave ability to preach the Gospel freely, without any compromise of principle, to the practices of men. When constrained by the love of Christ, to preach, it is a favour to be enabled to preach the Gospel fully, both with regard to faith and practice, even when we ourselves may feel, that we have not attained to the full measure of that which the Gospel requires; a feeling that ought to prompt to an increase of diligence, in making our calling and election sure. After the meeting, we distributed a number of tracts, confining ourselves, on this occasion, to those published by Friends, and those of the Temperance Society.-At our meeting on shore, in the evening, a long time of silence, preceded a lively testimony from Daniel Wheeler; I also addressed the company, and afterwards gave utterance to prayer, in the prospect of departing for a season from this land.

CHAPTER XXI.

Arrangements for visiting Norfolk Island.-Departure.-Adverse Winds.-Shark and Pilot-fish.-Seamen.-Spiritual Navigation.-Jelly-fish.-"The Elizabeth" Whaler.-Tropic Bird.-Norfolk Island.-Departure of D. and C. Wheeler.Orange Vale.—Oak.-Geology.—Features of the Island.—Norfolk Island Pine and Tree-fern.-Fruits.-Description of Prisoners.-Assemblies for Worship. -Jail.

2nd mo. 12th. Ar the request of the Governor, we again waited upon him, to receive further instructions respecting our visit to Norfolk Island; and, by his order, the Colonial Secretary furnished us with the documents needful to secure us a reception, addressed to the Commandant. In order to be ready for sailing, the Henry Freeling was yesterday removed from her mooring, into the stream, where she lay close by the Government schooner, Isabella, also bound for Norfolk Island, with soldiers and prisoners. In the evening we took leave of our friends in the town, and returned on board the little vessel, which had been our dwelling-place during our sojourn, at this time, in N. S. Wales.

13th. The Isabella sailed early in the morning; and we took a pilot on board, who brought us to the Heads of Port Jackson, by noon. We had not been long at sea before we all fell sick. Though the distance to Norfolk Island is only about a thousand miles, this voyage occupied nineteen days. Adverse winds drove us far eastward, toward New Zealand, and we were much delayed by calms.

17th. Being pretty well recovered, we were able to read, and to take exercise on deck. A Shark, about seven feet long, followed at our stern, most of the day. It had been attracted by the offal of a sheep that was killed in the morning. Having had its hunger appeased, it could not be