of; the Mexicans stated that they had perceived the wreck of a vessel
off Cape Mendocino, and it was but natural to suppose that these were
the remains of our unfortunate brig.

All hands on board perished, and the loss was very heavy to us. The crew
consisted of the captain, his son, and twelve men; and there were also
on board five of our household, who had been despatched upon various
commissions, Giuseppe Polidori, the youngest of our missionaries, one of
our gunsmiths, one of our masons, and two Italian farmers. Melancholy as
was this loss, it did not abate the exertions of those who were left.
Fields were immediately cleared--gardens prepared; and by degrees the
memory of this sad beginning faded away before the prospect of future
happiness and comfort.

As soon as we were completely established, my education commenced. It
was novel, yet still had much affinity to the plan pursued with the
students of the Military Colleges in France, inasmuch as all my
play-hours were employed in the hardier exercises. To the two excellent
missionaries I owe much, and with them I passed many happy hours.

We had brought a very extensive and very well selected library with us,
and under their care I soon became acquainted with the arts and sciences
of civilization; I studied history generally, and they also taught me
Latin and Greek, and I was soon master of many of the modern languages.
And as my studies were particularly devoted to the history of the
ancient people of Asia, to enable me to understand their theories and
follow up their favourite researches upon the origin of the great ruins
in Western and Central America, the slight knowledge which I had gained
at the Propaganda of Arabic and Sanscrit was now daily increased.