this little excursion, I found that we were to expect nothing from these people but the privilege of visiting their country undisturbed. For it was easy to see they had little else than good-nature to bestow. In this they exceeded all the nations we had yet met with; and, although it did not satisfy the demands of nature, it at once pleased and left our minds at ease. Next morning we were visited by some hundreds of the natives; some coming in canoes, and others swimming off; so that before ten o’clock, our decks, and all other parts of the ship, were quite full with them. My friend, who was of the number, brought me a few roots, but all the others came empty in respect to eatables. Some few had with them their arms, such as clubs and darts, which they exchanged for nails, pieces of cloth, &c. After breakfast, I sent Lieutenant Pickersgill with two armed boats to look for fresh water; for what we found the day before was by no means convenient for us to get on board. At the same time, Mr. Wales, accompanied by Lieutenant Clerke, went to the little isle to make preparations for observing the eclipse of the sun, which was to be in the afternoon. Mr. Pickersgill soon returning, informed me that he had found a stream of fresh water, pretty convenient to come at. I therefore ordered the launch to be hoisted out to complete our water, and then went to the isle to assist in the observation. About one P. M. the eclipse came on. Clouds interposed, and we lost the first contact, but were more fortunate in the end, which was observed as follows: By Mr. Wales with Dollond’s 3-1/2 foot achromatic } refractor, at 3h 28ʹ 49-1/4ʺ} By Mr. Clerke with Bird’s 2 foot reflector, } Apparent at 3 28 52-1/4 } time And by me with an 18 inch reflector, made } by Watkins 3 28 53-1/4 } Latitude of the isle or place of observation, 20° 17ʹ 39ʺ south. Longitude per distance of the sun and moon, and moon and stars, 48 sets, 164° 41ʹ 21ʺ east. Ditto per watch 163 58 0 Mr. Wales measured the quantity eclipsed by a Hadley’s quadrant, a method never before thought of. I am of opinion it answers the purpose of a micrometer to a great degree of certainty, and is a great addition to the use of this most valuable instrument. After all was over, we returned on board, where I found Teabooma the chief, who soon after slipped out of the ship without my knowledge, and by that means lost the present I had made up for him.