I have decided on going to Lima. I find I shall thus have an opportunity of seeing several other places,–besides that interesting and famous city,–on the western coast of South America, and the steamers are said to be tolerably comfortable.

Captain F ––, of H.M.S. ‘Daphne,’ dined here last night. He is, I believe, just come from Realejo, and was before that at the Fegee Islands. He told me he had invited the king of these islands, a reclaimed cannibal, to dinner, with his entire court. The invitation was accepted, and His Majesty and courtiers behaved very properly. It must be rather a nervous affair having a party of ex-cannibals to dinner. Suppose your viands should not be to their taste, and in consequence haply a sudden reaction of old habits should take place, and the knife and fork should be plunged into the hosts instead of into the mutton and turkey!

Captain F–– tells me nothing has transpired that gives any hopes of poor Sir John Franklin being found.

Mr. Catherwood, the eminent artist, who executed the splendid drawings which illustrate Mr. Stephens's celebrated work on Central America, is daily expected here; but his nonappearance for a length of time, during which he has been “due” at this place, begins to create some slight uneasiness respecting his safety and well-being. He is, I understand, surveying the country–for the American Railroad Company, I believe.