Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/41

1832.] was deeply abased under a sense of unworthiness; notwithstanding a capacity was granted to trust in Jesus for mercy.

Our voyage was made between the 39th and 45th degrees of south latitude. Most of the way we had a strong breeze, and the weather so cold that we found it needful to use warmer clothing than we had been accustomed to wear in England.—Persons making voyages of this kind ought not only to be provided with warm clothing, but with such as is adapted for wet weather at sea.—Fin, Spermaceti, and Right Whales were often seen in this part of the voyage, also the Wandering and the Black Albatross. The latter is the bolder bird, though the smaller species. One taken, measured 3ft. from the tip of the bill to that of the tail, and 7ft. from the extremity of one wing to that of the other. Sometimes a few Sooty and other Petrels were also seen, and on the 10th of 1st month, 1832, when upwards of 100 miles south of the island of Amsterdam, a Penguin passed us. To the south of New Holland we saw a Fishing Eagle chasing the Albatrosses, and observed long pieces of sea weed.

On the first day of the week, during the voyage, we regularly assembled the pensioners along with such of the ship's company as could be present, and imparted religious instruction to them, according to the fresh ability, from time to time afforded us. On these occasions we read to them from the Holy Scriptures; directed them to the convictions of the Divine Spirit on their own minds, condemning them for sin; counselled them to seek mercy with God through a crucified Redeemer; and often prayed with them for the continuance of the long-suffering of the Most High. When approaching the land of our destination, under a fresh sense of duty, we had religious interviews with them singly or in families, in which several of them were much contrited.

On the 4th of 2nd month, we were cheered by the sight of Van Diemens Land, which we made opposite Port Davey, in consequence of the south-easterly direction of the wind. We had not seen land for fifty days, but had become so much accustomed to the solitude of the ocean, as to feel reconciled to it, and at home upon its bosom.—The water this morning presented the olive colour, common where the