savages of the southern seas, and the Admiralty instructed him as
follows:

"In stretching off from the Barrier Reefs to the eastward, in
order to explore the safety of the sea intervening between them
and Louisiade and New Guinea, you will have occasion to approach
these shores, in which case you must constantly be on your guard
against the treacherous disposition of their inhabitants. All
barter for refreshments must be conducted under the eye of an
officer, and every pains be taken to avoid giving any just cause
of offence to their prejudices, especially with respect to their
women."

The second warning concerned grave international matters. European
politics were in the unsettled condition which, after the illusive
international courtesies of the Great Exhibition of 1851, ended in the
Crimean War, and it was feared that in the event of hostilities
breaking out, the zeal of the officers for their country might tempt
them to transcend their peaceful occupation. The instructions with
regard to this ran as follows:

"In the event of this country being involved in hostilities
during your absence, you will take care never to be surprised;
but you are to refrain from any act of aggression towards the
vessels or settlements of any nation with which we may be at war,
as expeditions employed on behalf of discovery and science have
always been considered by all civilised communities as acting
under a general safeguard."

The great scientific expeditions sent out in recent times by the