Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1836. PORT JACKSON — SYDNEY. 621 was running from the soutliward, the temperature of the ocean, a foot below, as well as at, the surface,* was only 67°. I ought to have remarked elsewhere, if I have not already done so, that the thermometer may be used at sea to detect and trace cur- rents ; but little, if any, confidence can be placed in its indi- cations as a guide to the approach of land. Icebergs may indeed affect it, but they will affect the temperature of the air probably sooner than that of the ocean. Near midnight, on the 11th, we saw the red, revolving light of Sydney Light-house, and next day entered Port Jackson, and anchoi-ed in Sydney Cove. Much as I had heard of the progress and importance of this place, my astonishment was indeed great, when I saw a well-built city covering the country near the port. Not many days previously I had been reading the account of Governor Phillip's voyage to Botany Bay in 1787-8, and little did I think that, in forty- eight years from the first discovery of Port Jackson, a city, upon a large scale, could have arisen out of a wilderness so near our antipodes. In the account just mentioned it is stated that " from a piece of clay imported from Sydney Cove, Mr. Wetlgwood caused a medallion to be modelled, representing Hope, encouraging Art and Labour, under the influence of Peace, to pursue the means of giving security and happiness; to the infant settlement. The following: lines, in allusion to this medallion, were written by Dr. Darwin.'' " Where Sydney Cove her lucid bosom swells, Courts her young' navies and the storm repels, Hif^h on a rock, amid the troubled air, Hope stood sublime, and wav'd her golden hair Calm'd with her rosy smile the tossing deep, And with sweet accents charm'd the winds to sleep To each wild plain, she stretch'd her snowy hand, High-waving wood, and sea-encircled strand. ' Hear me,' she cried, ' ye rising realms ! record Time's opening scenes, and Truth's unerring word. There shall broad streets their stately walls extend. The circus widen, and the crescent bend ; * For no difference could be detected, under ordinary circumstances.