The French have possession of the island of New Caledonia, which is not very far from here, and is a convenient place of rendezvous for them.

You will no doubt expect a long letter after so much delay, but I am afraid you will be disappointed, as long letters are not my forte.

I do not give up my position in the Observatory, having obtained leave of absence for the time during which we may be engaged in the exploration.

The news by the last mail has put us all in a state of excitement about our defenses, in the event of England being involved in the continental war.

It is to be hoped that the peace will be a permanent one, although people here generally appear to think that it will not prove so.

It seems very likely that I shall be leaving Melbourne in March, to accompany the expedition for the exploration of the interior of this continent.

We have been unable to leave the creek.

Mr. Burke and King are down on the lower part of the creek. I am about to return to them, when we shall all probably come up this way.

We shall be travelling through the country in the most favourable and pleasant season, when there is plenty of water, and everything fresh and green.