M. Marion du Fresne was employed by the French government to conduct a native of Otaheite to the Isle of France, and also to proceed on a voyage of discovery. But the Otaheitan, who had been brought to Europe by M. de Bougainville, having died at the island of Bourbon, M. Marion altered the course of the two ships under his command, the Mascarin and Castries, and in February 1772, found himself with in the region of Australasia. He spent six days in Frederic Henry's Bay, Van Diemen's Land, searching • in vain for fresh water, and then made the bay of islands in New Zealand in the subsequent May. There lie exerted himself to conciliate the good will of the natives, and apparently succeeded ; but after ing thirty-three days on the most friendly terms, they, without any evident cause, found means to sur prise two boats, and cruelly massacre 27 persons, among whom was M. Marion himself. The place where this happened, the Ft zilch callediTraitor's Bay. They took the full measure of ven_geance on the na tives, and then, instead of prosecuting the voyage of discovery, sailed for the islands of Rotterdam and Guam.
>I It had now become of sufficient importance among some of the European nations to prepare expeditions for the purpose of geographical discovery, under the patronage of their respective governments. Of this kind was that under the command of M. de Boo gainville; and those from Britain under Byron, Wallis, Carteret, and Cook. Such expeditions were less liable to failure from the precautions taken in fitting them out, and the strict observance of sub. ordination ; for several of the former navigators we have named, were obliged to desist from further enterprise, owing to the murmurs of their crew. The voyages of Captain Cook are too well known, and too easily accessible, to require any notice in illus trating the progress of discovery in Australasia. It is only incumbent on us to observe, that, indepen dent of the new regions which he himself explored, he cleared up the doubts of preceding navigators con cerning different Australasian countries, and accu rately fixed their position on the globe. In his first voyage, he visited the coast of New Holland, and gave names to numerous islands, bays, and capes. In his second, he came in sight of Aurora island in July 1774; which he found lay in 168° 30' E. longitude, and then saw Lepers isle, which appeared to be cultivated ; but none of the inhabitants would come on board. He then landed at Mallicolo, the same which had been mentioned by Quivos, where the people put little or no value on European articles. Thty exhibited singular proofs of honesty ; but they seemed to dis trust their visitors, until they saw preparations for departure. They were a deformed race, with long heads, flat faces, and monkey countenances; and they wore cords tied so tight about the belly, that Captain Cook compares their appearance to that of an over grown pismire. Landing at another island, Erro
man_go, 2° south of Mallicolo, he was treacherously attacked by the natives ; but a friendly intercourse was established with; the isle of Tanna, the inhabi tants of which supplied him with provisions. Most of them had good features and agreeable countenances. Apparently, the women performed the most laborious occupations ; they wore a petticoat down to the knee, necklaces, ear-rings, and amulets. Here were seen a volcano and hot springs. in August of this year, -1774, Captain Cook anchored in a great bay of the Tierra del Espiritu Santo, sixty miles in ex tent of coast. He effected an accurate survey of the whole island, which he found twenty-two leagues long, twelve broad, and sixty in circuit. The island of Mallicolo he found eighteen leagues long and eight - broad, fertile, and well inhabited. Of the chain of islands which he here visited, the Pic de l'Eloile is the most northern, and the island of Annatom the most southern. The whole lie between the latitude of 14° 29' and 20° 4' south ; between 166° 41', and 170° 21' of east longitude, and extend 125 leagues from north north-west to south south-east. He called these islands the New Hebrides; thus changing their name a third time. Leaving the Tierra Austral, he next discovered an extensive country of Australasia, apparently about eighty seven leagues in length, and about ten in breadth, which he called New Caledonia. The people were courteous and friendly, and, unlike any other nation in the South Sea, they were not the least addicted to pilfering. Their houses were in general circular, somewhat resembling a bee-hive, and fully as close and warm : the entrance was by a small door, or long square hole,, just large enough to admit a • man bent double. Some of the houses had two floors, one above the other, and most of them two fire places. Captain Cook, after discovering the Isle of Pines, Botany Isle, and several inconsiderable ob jects, left, the coast, and made sail for New Zealand. In the way thither, he discovered Norfolk island, which has since acquired greater consideration, though its whole extent does not exceed 11,000 acres ; but this is amply compensated by its fertility. It was then uninhabited, and Captain Cook concluded that no human being had previously been there. At the time.when we make these remarks, it supports a nu merous population, though not of Australasians, and is chiefly in a high state of cultivation. Having made a short stay at New Zealand, Captain Cook left Australasia.