Volume I Part 21 (1/2)

It not being the favourable season for co operations in Bass Strait, we remained at Sydney until Nove out the shi+p Our stay was undiversified with incidents, and itthe few occurrences worth , was the departure of the expedition sent out to forton on the northern coast

Its object was si been deemed advisable about that time to assert practically the supre some of its most prominent points; but as soon as its destination became known in the colony, several persons careatest anxiety to be allowed to accompany the expedition Their views extended to the establishment of a trade with the islands in the Arafura sea; and certainly they would have been far more likely to draw forth the resources of the country, than a garrison, whose supplies are brought to them from a distance, whose presence holds out no inducement to traders, and who are not impelled by any anxiety for their own support to discover the riches of the soil For these reasons the determination of Government not to throw open the lands, and their refusal to hold out the promise of protection to the individuals who expressed a desire to accoretted In a vast continent like Australia, so remarkably destitute of fixed inhabitants, it would seee thereat difference besides, between giving rise to delusive hopes--inducing people as it were under false pretences to repair to new settle the spirit of colonisation when it h a certain process It is necessary that some should pioneer the way for others; and endure hardshi+ps the beneficial results of which e been taken of the enterprising spirit that prevailed at the tierms of a fresh settleton, which reat strea into the south-eastern portion of Australia, and it would have been wise to open a channel by which soht have been drawn off to the northern coast But such were not the views entertained by the authorities concerning thisthe blaed so extensively at Sydney, and which has reacted with so pernicious an effect upon the colony the expedition accordingly retained its purely military character However, I may add, that the Bishop of Australia attended to the spiritual wants of the settle with it a church in frame

(Footnote On our arrival at Sydney in 1838, we found speculation at its height: land-jobbers were carrying on a reckless and ardless of that revulsion they were dooinally but 50 pounds were in some instances sold, three months afterwards, for ten times that sum Yet amid all this appearance of excessive and unnatural prosperity there were not wanting those who foresaw and foretold an approaching change To the withdrawal of the convicts, solely at the expressed wish of some of the most wealthy colonists, has been traced es in the history of Sydney will fully bear out the opinions expressed by Captain Fitzroy when he visited it in 1836: he says, ”It is difficult to believe that Sydney will continue to flourish in proportion to its rise It has sprung into existence too suddenly

Convicts have forced its growth, even as a hot bed forces plants, and premature decay may be expected fro our stay at Sydney we paid a visit to Botany Bay, which fro the point first touched at by Captain Cook, naturally possesses the greatest interest of any place in the neighbourhood Our way thither lay over a sandy plain, into which the coast range of low hills subsides There is little or no verdure to relieve the eye, which encounters aridity wherever it turns; and the sand being rendered loose by frequent traffic, the foot sinks at every step, so that the journey is disagreeable to both otten on our arrival at our destination, as excited and the associations raised by the objects that presented themselves

MONUMENT TO LA PEROUSE

Within the entrance of the bay, on the northern side, stands a monu the last spot at which the distinguished navigator was heard of, from 1788, until 1826, when the Chevalier Dillon was furnished with a clue to histhe handle of a French sword fastened to another blade in the possession of a native of Tucopia, one of the Polynesian group By this means he was enabled to trace hi which his shi+p was lost

(Footnote On the eastern side is engraven: A la Memoire de Monsieur de la Perouse Cette terre qu'il visita en MDCCLxxxVIII est la derniere d'ou il a fait parvenir de ses nouvelles

Also: Erige au noainville et Du Caate La Thetis, et la corvette L'Esperance, en relache au Port Jackson, en MDCCCXXV

On the western side: This place, visited by Monsieur de la Perouse in the year MDCCLxxxVIII, is the last whence any accounts of him have been received

Also: Erected in the na the frigate the Thetis and the corvette the Hope, lying in Port Jackson, AD MDCCCXXV

On the north: Le fondement pose en 1825; eleve en 1828

On the south: Foundation laid in 1825, completed 1828)

Close by, on the same point, stands the tomb of a French Catholic priest, named Le Receveur, who accoation of the globe, and died at this great distance fro near, ” the bones of the wanderer in search of materials to enrich the stores of science No doubt many a hope of future fame expired in that n clime, far from his home and friends and relations, such as his order allowed him to possess The applause of the world, which doubtless he fancied would have greeted his labours at the end of his perilous journey, he was now robbed of; and he must have felt that feould ever recollect his na encountered the saers that he had braved, should chance to read his short history on the narrow page of stone that rests above his grave

CAPE SOLANDER

Another object of greater interest to the Englishman is observable on Cape Solander, the opposite point of the bay It is a plate set in the rock, recording the first visit of the immortal Cook, to whose enterprise the colonists are indebted for the land that yields them their riches, and which must now be invested in their eyes with all the sanctity of home Surely it would become them to evince a arded as in some respects the father of the colony Let us hope that they will one day raise a monument to his memory, which to be worthy of hi to point out to future generations the spot at which the first white man's foot touched the shore, and where civilisation was first brought in contact with the new continent

ILLAWARRA

But though Botany Bay is interesting from the associations connected with it--I ah the expression may raise a smile on so in the neighbourhood of Sydney, is Illawarra, coe in the formation from sandstone to trap, a soil this here produced capable of supporting a vegetation equal in luxuriance to any within the tropics In the deep valleys that intersect the country, the tree-fern attains a great stature, and throwing out its rich spreading fronds on all sides for rays of even an Australian sun It is is of surprise and pleasure that are excited in the mind of the traveller as he descends into any one of these delightful dells: the contrast in the vegetable kingdoazes around on the rich ly impressed with the idea that enchantment has been at work, involuntarily rubs his eyes and exclaims, ”Am I in Australia or in the Brazils?”

ABORIGINES

Few only of the aborigines of the neighbourhood of Sydney are now to be seen, and these are generally in an intoxicated state Like e tribes they are passionately addicted to spiritous liquors, and seek to obtain it by any , with a little water, they e to extract a liquor sufficient to make half a dozen of them tipsy; and in this condition, as I have observed, they most frequently presented theraded,but a favourable specimen of the benefits produced by intercourse with polished nations on an uncivilised people However, the natives of Australia vary as strangely as its soil; the members of the tribes that dwell about Shoalhaven and the sood-looking, useful fellows, and may hereafter be ation of the continent, a re reatest hostility and aversion My whole experience teaches me that these were not accidental differences, but that there is a marked contrast in the dispositions of the various tribes, for which I will not atteists to determine whether we are to seek the cause in minute variations of climate or in other circureat pains were foriven them, and numerous attempts e of European arts; but no advantageous results ensued, and it was at length deemed impossible not only to improve them, but even to prevent their deterioration I cannot detere to learn, or too great impatience in the teachers to witness the fruits of their labours, and a proneness to be discouraged by difficulties

”IS THIS GRass?”

In the journal of my residence at Sydney I find as the result of one day's experience, the following laconic and sorass?” The question implies a doubt, which it would not be easy for any person unacquainted with the circumstances of time and place, to solve: but the reader, when he has seen the explanation, will understand why very pleasing associations are connected with this brief note I was going down to the jetty late one evening, when I ers in this quarter of the world Their wandering and unsteady glances would have convinced me of this fact, had their whole appearance left any doubt about thethem were some ladies, one of whom suddenly detached herself froh the glooly with her foot, and exclaih which other erass?” The words were nothing They ht have been uttered in a thousand different tones and have not fixed theht and gratitude from the lips of the speaker, they told a whole story, and revealed an entire world of feeling Never shall I forget the simple expression of this newco the solid earth beneath her tread, and touching a remembrance of the land she had left in quest of another home, will be incomprehensible to no one who has crossed the ocean

CAPTAIN KING

We met several persons at Sydney from e received valuable infor, who, as the reader may recollect, cole was ereat scientific attainments must ever attach respect to his name, and his explorations on the Australian coast, previous to the survey in which ere engaged, together with his father's services as Governor of New South Wales, give hi claim upon the country The information he furnished on this and subsequent occasions was extremely valuable

RISING OF THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT

An observation of his gave rise in my mind to very curious conjectures; he told me that where he used formerly to anchor the vessel he commanded in the head of Sydney cove, there was now scarcely sufficient water to float even a boat As the deposits of the small streae, I was led to examine the shore of the harbour, when I found what seeher than its present level; this, coupled with the decrease in the soundings we found in Darling Harbour, leads to the legiti; and my reader will recollect that it is a prevalent theory that the whole of the vast plains of Australasia have but recently eed from the sea

CHAPTER 19 Bass STRAIT

Leave Sydney

Enter Bass Strait

Island at Eastern entrance

Wilson's Promontory