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CHAPTER II.
July 7.weighed, and stood down the river; his Excellency Sir John Franklin, and many of our friends, came on board for the purpose of seeing us fairly off, and bidding us a long farewell. With a fresh northerly breeze we had soon passed the beautiful and placid scenery which each bank of the river presents to view; and here, as in many parts of the interior, the peaceful settlements and improving farms which are scattered profusely over the face of the country, in the highest state of cultivation, again recalled to our minds some of the richest and most beautiful scenery of our own country, and impressed us with a feeling, no doubt greatly influenced by the hospitality and affectionate friendship we had experienced from its inhabitants, that we were taking a final leave of our southern home, and perhaps should never again meet with many of those from whom we had experienced so much kindness. At 10 we hove to in Storm Bay, when Sir John Franklin and our friends took leave of us, giving and receiving three hearty cheers at parting. They returned to Hobarton in the government brig, and we pursued our course towards Cape Raoul. In the afternoon we passed the entrance of Port Arthur, one of the best harbours in Van Diemen's Land. It is situated
