Address:
The Rev^d M^r Tyler
    Partney near Spilsby
        Lincolnshire
For M^rs Flinders
Annotation: Recd 26 Ag^t 1804
Annotation: April 27^th 1802

                      Investigator — Off Timor
                                    March 28. 1803
    Since leaving the Cape of Good Hope, my dearest love, the follow-
-ing letters have been addreƒsed to thee. One dated May 31 — June
1 and 4^th 1802. Another dated July 20. 1802, and another on Oct 18
1802. I mention them that thou mayest know whether any are
lost.
    Our voyage has hitherto gone on prosperously upon the
whole, but the poor ship is worn out, — she is decayed both
in skin and bone. I am going to Coupang Bay to get refresh-
-ments for my noble fellows, that they may the better stand the
fatigues of the remaining part of the voyage. It is neither
altogether proper, or would it be of any use detailing to thee
the particulars of our labour; it will be sufficient for thee
to know, that the voyage is nearly half completed, and that
we are all in good health spirits and tolerable health.
    Not knowing what opportunity may offer of sending home letters;
I have begun to write already: but as the greater part of what I
have to say must depend upon the occurring circumstances at Coupang,
my writing must cease till they are known. If I did not consider
aƒsurances of faith and love to be idle words between those whose
affection is so dear as mine to thee, thou shouldst not be without
abundance of them. Mankind being subject to change and I being
one of them may indeed be suspected; but I trust thou will find
that this characteristic of our species is far from universal. I am
indeed, my only beloved, thine with all the fervor with which I
loved thee after marriage; for before that time, I thought indeed
I loved thee much, but knew not what much was till afterward.
In evenings I oft take a book, reclining on my little couch, and
running o'er some pleasant tale or sentiment, perhaps of love,
my mind retraces with delight, our joys, our conversation, our
looks, our every thing of love. The loves and, alas! the fall
of our first parents, told with such majesty by him whose
eyes lacked all of what he threw with hand so masterly oer this
great subject, dark before and intricate; — these with delight
I last perused, not knowing which to admire most, the poets