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recklessness of despair, a copper boiler, some lead piping, and a cistern were secured, and dragged at low water to the coral island. This was the means of preserving the lives of the party, one of w h o m (Mr. Philip Beal) having been a ship's surgeon, applied his knowledge of chemistry to the distillation of fresh from salt water, and succeeded so well, as to be in a position without m u c h delay, to treat each of his fellows in misery to a delicious ration of half-a-pint of good water. W o o d for purposes of distilling, and other fuel, was obtainable from the wreck; and after some consideration, it was determined to construct a boat wherewith to seek extrication from their perilous condition, and the carpenter undertook to do it. In order to work systematically, the m e n were told off into three parties, viz., (i), to get materials from the wreck; (2), to assist Beal in working the fresh-water distillery; and (3), to build the boat. Tools and materials were obtained from the foundering craft, and the boat-making was commenced. In exploring the coral island, relics of a former wreck were found, such as a rusty chain, some pieces of iron, hooks, nails, the iron head of an axe, and some barrel hoops, and cinders, which left no doubt that a fire had been m a d e at no very distant period on the bank. Beal brought his improvised distillery to such perfection, that on the 25th he was able to secure 25 gallons of fresh water; but, unfortunately, as the water became abundant, the provisions began to shorten, and they were soon reduced to such straits, as to be obliged to subsist on half-a-pound of flour converted into pudding, per mouth, per diem. T h e very small quantity of biscuit secured, they resolutely reserved as a future sea stock. Matters went on in this way until the 29th October, when everything was announced ready for a start, and the roughly-finished craft was launched. In this was stowed the small stock of stores, and 25 persons went on board, 6 others being provided for in the safety-boat. They had a good start, and steered in what they believed to be the direction of Moreton Bay (Queensland), having for some time a favourable breeze; but a southerly change coming, they were obliged to run into a small cove to the south of Wide Bay. Here they were observed by some natives, w h o appeared anxious to board the boats; but were not permitted to do so. Another shift of wind induced a start for Brisbane ; and, after m u c h trouble and perplexity in looking for the mouth of the harbour, they ended their adventurous journey in safety. They were all comparatively well, after a 37 days' sojourn on a desolate coral reef in the Pacific, and their preservation was something akin to the miraculous. They were supplied by the colonial authorities with all the succour they were in need of. T h e reef on which the " Jenny Lind" struck was not marked upon any chart up to date.