Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir…

Sombre appearance of the Australian coast-Feelings of an emigrant on approaching it-Improvement of Sydney-Fruits produced in the colony-Extent of the town-Cultivation of flowers and culinary vegetables-House-rent-The streets-Parrots-Shops-Impolicy of continuing the colony as a penal settlement-The theatre-Aspect of the country in the vicinity of Sydney-The grass tree-Floral beauties-Larva of a curious insect-The colonial museum-Visit to Elizabeth Bay-Valuable botanical specimens in the garden of the Honourable Alexander Macleay-New Zealand flax-Articles manufactured from that vegetable-Leave Sydney-Residence of Mr. M'Arthur-Forest flowers-Acacias-Paramatta-Swallows.

As we sailed by the Australian coast, its barren aspect neither cheered or invited the stranger's eye; even where vegetation grew upon its shores, it displayed so sombre an appearance as to impart no animation to the scenery of the coast. To an emigrant, one who has left the land of his fathers, to rear his family and lay his bones in a distant soil, the first view of this, his adopted country, cannot excite in his bosom any emotions of pleasurable gratification; despondency succeeds the bright rays of hope, and he compares with heartfelt regret the arid land before him with the fertile country he has forsaken, because it afforded not sustenance for himself and family, and thus reluctantly caused him to sever the affectionate ties that united him to dear friends in his native land-the place of his birth-the soil and habitation of his forefathers for centuries.