Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/46

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16
HOBART TOWN
[2nd mo.

on several persons to whom we had letters of introduction, and engaged a lodging in Liverpool Street, near the entrance into the Government Domain.—When walking in the town, my companion met one of his nephews, whose residence was in a distant part of the island, and who was greatly surprised to see his relative, having had no notice of his intention to visit this part of the world. This unexpected interview was mutually agreeable; for thus far from home, (and every one in this country calls his native land Home) the mind clings with increased attachment to every tie and every recollection.

12th. We sat down together to wait upon the Lord, in our own sitting room, and were joined by the captain of a vessel who had lately taken some of the Aborigines to Flinders Island, where they are provided for by the Government.—We continued the practice of holding our meetings for worship, on first days and once in the course of the week, for a considerable period by ourselves, unless, as on this occasion, any one casually stepped in. In the evening we accepted an invitation from the Lieut. Governor, to take tea with him and his family—a numerous and interesting group. After tea, at the request of the Lieut. Governor, I read to them the 6th chapter of John, the servants being likewise assembled at the evening devotion of the family; and after a subsequent pause, I also expressed a few words, on the importance of an individual participation in the bread which came down from heaven, which Christ declared to be his flesh, that he would give for the life of the world. We were favoured on this occasion, to feel comfort from the Lord, especially in a short interval of silence, which terminated in vocal prayer.

15th. The little vessel which we saw on the 4th instant, proved to be the Liberty, she arrived at Hobart Town yesterday: we went on board of her to day, and learned from the captain that she was built out of the wreck of the Betsy and Sophia, which sailed from London on the 4th of the 6th month, 1831, on a whaling expedition, and which had gone to the Island of Desolation or Kerguelens Land, to take a kind of seal called the Sea Elephant: she had nearly completed her cargo from the blubber of this animal and that of the Black Whale, and was coming out of one of the bays,