firm and muscular. There was not the least trace of colour in his cheeks; in fact, his skin was more like marble than ordinary flesh. Not the smallest trace of a wrinkle was discernible on his brow, nor an approach to a furrow on any part of bis countenance. His health and spirits, judging from appearances, were excellent; though at this period it was generally believed in England, that he was fast sinking under a complication of diseases, and that his spirits were entirely gone. His manner of speaking was rather slow than otherwise, and perfectly distinct: he waited with great patience and kindness for my answers to his questions, and a reference to Count Bertrand was necessary only once during the whole conversation. The brilliant and sometimes dazzling expression of his eye could not be overlooked. It was not, however, a permanent lustre, for it was only remarkable when lie was excited by some point of particular interest. It is impossible to imagine an expression of more entire mildness, I may almost call it of beniguity and kindliness, than that which played over his features during the whole interview. If, therefore, he were at this time out of health and in low spirits, his power of self command must have been even more extraordinary than is generally supposed; for his whole deportment, his conversation, and the expression of his countenance, indicated a frame in perfect health, and a mind at ease.
“We sailed next morning from St. Helena, and reached England in the middle of October, 1817, after an absence of twenty months. In that brief interval we had traversed a distance of nearly forty-two thousand miles, or little short of twice the circuit of the globe, having visited great part of the coast of China, many islands of the Eastern Archipelago and Japan Seas, several of the principal stations on the continent and islands of India, and twice rounded the Cape of Good Hope.”
Captain Hall obtained post-rank, Nov. 5, 1817; and subsequently made a tour on the continent of Europe. In May, 1820, he was appointed to the Conway 26; and on the 10th Aug. following, he sailed from England for the South American station. After touching at Teneriffe, Rio de Janeiro, and the River Plate, he received orders from Commodore Sir Thomas Hardy to proceed to Valparaiso, where he arrived “at a moment when the Christmas festivities were at their height; and multitudes of people had been attracted from the country to witness the bull-fights and other shews.” The following are extracts from a journal written by him while employed on the coasts of Chill, Peru, and Mexico, in the years 1820, 1821, and 1822:–
