The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay: With an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island (1789)Phillip, Arthur
History
The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay: With an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island (1789)
Phillip, Arthur
Natural history -- Australia -- New South Wales; New South Wales -- Discovery and exploration; Norfolk Island
When the portrait was finished it was framed, and with a box, lock, and
key, by which it was secured, was delivered to O'too; who received it
with inexpressible satisfaction. He readily, and, as the event has
proved, most faithfully promised that he would preserve it always with
the utmost care; and would show it to the commanders of such ships as
might in future touch at the Society Islands. Who can fail to love a
character like that of O'too, in which unalterable steadiness of
affection is as conspicuous, as honest and natural ardour? Long may he
enjoy his authority and his health; and preserve the honourable memorial
of his friend, without being afflicted by the knowledge of that
melancholy catastrophe which terminated the career of his glory!
* * * * *
With respect to the yellow gum, or resin, mentioned in page 60, we are
informed by Dr. Blane, physician to St. Thomas's Hospital, that he has
found it remarkably efficacious in the cure of old fluxes; and this not
only in a few instances, but in many obstinate cases. Of the plants in
general which have been brought from Botany Bay, and the adjacent
country, no notice has been taken in this work, as it would have led to
such a detail as must too considerably have extended its limits. Many of
them are now to be seen in the highest perfection at the nursery gardens
of that eminent and learned botanist, Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith: who still
retains enough of zeal for his favourite science, to regret that the
discovery of those countries was not made at a period of his life, when
he could have gone personally to reap the glorious harvest they afford.
* * * * *
The following account of the weather in Botany Bay and Port Jackson,
communicated by Lieutenant Watts, may perhaps be found important.
During the seven days we were in Botany Bay the weather was generally
fine, and very warm. The thermometer on a mean stood at 78°. it never
exceeded 80°. and one day, which was thick and rainy, the wind blowing
strongly from the south, it fell to 63°. In Port Jackson the weather was
at first much the same, but afterwards, the days became very hot, and the
nights constantly brought on tremendous thunder, lightning, and rain. The
thermometer, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, was generally about 80°.
but when the sea breezes set in it usually fell two or three degrees. One
very sultry day was felt soon after the arrival of the fleet. The
thermometer, on board, stood at 88°. and on shore, though in the shade,
at 92°. On the 15th of March was a terrible squall of wind, accompanied
by thunder, lightning, and rain. The thermometer then fell from 80° to
50°. and in other squalls it frequently fell 15 or 20 degrees.
Such are the principal notices hitherto received from the new settlement
on the southern continent, which, if from unavoidable circumstances, they
are a little deficient in point of order, will, it is hoped, make ample
amends by their novelty, importance, and authenticity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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