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Show 606 CONCLUSION. Oct. 1836. human reason, or at least of arts consequent on that reason. I do not believe it is possible to describe or paint the difference between savage and civilized man. It is the difference between a wild and tame animal : and part of the interest in beholding a savage, is the same which would lead every one to desire to see the lion in his desert, the tiger tearing his prey in the jungle, the rhinoceros on the wide plain, or the hippopotamus wallowing in the mud of some African river. Among the other most remarkable spectacles which we have beheld, may be ranked the stars of the southern hemisphere- the water-spout-the glacier leading its blue stream of ice in a bold precipice overhanging the sea-a lagoon island raised by the coral-forming polypi-an active volcano- and the overwhelming effects of a violent earthquake. The three latter phenomena, perhaps, possess for me a peculiar interest, from their intimate connexion with the geological structure of the world. The earthquake must however, be to every one a most impressive event: the earth, considered from our earliest childhood as the type of solidity, has oscillated like a thin crust beneath our feet; and in seeing the most beautiful and laboured works of man in a moment overthrown, we feel the insiO'nificance of his boasted power. 0 It has been said, that the love of the chase is an inherent delight in man-a relic of an instinctive passion. If so, I am sure the pleasure of living in the open air, with the sky for a roof, and the ground for a table, is part of the same feeling : it is the savage returning to his wild and native ~abits. I always look back to our boat cruises, and my land JOurneys, when through unfrequented countries, with a kind of extreme delight, which no scenes of civilization could have created. I do not doubt that every traveller must remember t~e glowing .sense of happiness he experienced, from the simple consciOusness of breathing in a foreign clime where the civilized man has seldom or never trod. ' There ar.e several other sources of enjoyment in a long voyage, whiCh are, perhaps, of a more reasonable nature. Oct. 1836. CONCLUSION. 607 The map of the world ceases to be a blank ; it becomes a picture full of the most varied and animated figures. Each part assumes its true dimensions : continents are not looked at in the light of islands, or those islands considered as mere specl<:s, which are, in truth, larger than many kingdoms of Europe. Africa, or North and South America, are wellsounding names, and easily pronounced ; but it is not till having sailed for some weeks along small portions of their coasts that one is thoroughly convinced how large a portion of our immense world these names imply. From seeing the present state, it is impossible not to look forward with high expectation to the future progress of nearly an entire hemisphere. The march of improvement, consequent on the introduction of Christianity throughout the South Sea, probably stands by itself on the records of history. It is the more striking when we remember that only sixty years since, Cook, whose most excellent judgment none will dispute, could foresee no prospect of such change. Yet these changes have now been effected by the philanthropic spirit of the British nation. In the same quarter of the globe Australia is rising, or indeed may be said to have risen, into a grand centre of civilization, which at some not very remote period, will rule as empress over the southern hemisphere. It is impossible for an Englishman to behold these distant colonies, without a high pride and satisfaction. To hoist the British flag, seems to draw with it as a certain consequence, wealth, prosperity, and civilization. In conclusion, it appears to me that nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist, than a journey in distant countries. It both sharpens, and partly likewise allays that want and craving, which, as Sir J. Herschel* remarks, a man experiences although every corporeal sense is fully satisfied. The excitement from the novelty of objects, and the chance of success, stimulate him to increased activity. Moreoyer as "* Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy. |