The Express.
London, England, 1852-07-10 00:00:00

SWITZERLAND.

The central committee of the Patriotic Association
assembled on the 4th at Rochefort, have adopted a
proposition declaring that the people of Neufchatel
"desire to remain Swiss, and nothing but Swiss,"
and protest against any attempts to repudiate
the revolution of March and its results, regarding such
attempts u criminal and anti-national. The signers
of this declaration, received with a view to its adop-
tion at the assemblies which were to take place at
Vahusgia, declare that they will, by all means is
their power, make it respected.

THE AUSTRALIAN GOLD FIELDS.
The following is an extract from a letter just re-
"wired in Southampton :
" Ashby, Geelong, Victoria, Feb. 23, 1832.
" I promised to write to you immediately upon landing.
Business has hitherto prevented. You will read this with
the greatest pleasure as I can now give you the experience
of a few weeks. We landed Jan. 2, 1852. The steamer
came alongside the vessel. Four families chose this plate
as their residence. I make but little doubt you would like
to know something of the second town se regards its im-
portance in this supposed semi-barbarous region. I assure
yoga, if it be barbarous, it is the fault of the English them-
selves. There are no natives to trouble us. I have sees
but about half-a-dozen since I came hero. There 'soothing
in them to excite your fear, but • great deal to excite pity.
Poor, miserable, squalid-looking creatures, who generally
beg for bread. There are some few civilised, and labouring
in various capacities.
"The town of Geelong is seated on a bay (as that:acme,
I suppose, as the world can boast), and extending about two
miles inland, all the distance a Slight hill, with • church at
the top. I cenacit describe to you anything halloo heauti
fully pistaresque, as you stand at the top of either of
the streets, and look down upon the silvery bosom of this
extensity bay. The land on tee aides is prettily wooded
hill and dale, the other aide extending onward to the
great ocean—even till it reaches yourselves; and often do
I stand at the front door, look at it, and think we are only
seventy-five days apart.
We have a very large market square, with well built
streets at the four corners. There are many more streets,
but all wide and well built. Indeed, the town is well laid
out, and bids fair to rival Little England and Liverpool.
The shops are very large, even for home ; but here they
have such immense stocks. All are doing well, conse-
quently can afford to consume largely. Taking the sub
urbo—Ashby, Little Scotland, Newtown, die., I should
think the population to be about 40,000 or 60,000, that is
when all are at their houses., bet now most of the gentle-
men are at the diggings. It would take an abler pen
than mine to convey even • faint idea of proceedings here.
The fact is, everybody—old and young, rich and poor,
learned and illiterate—are all off to the diggings. A
church of England minister thought he should be justified
in quitting his ministerial functions and going. His first
efforts were crowned with success; the first pleas he dug
weighed 71bs. Two men came down last week with 901 b.
of the precious metal. Another with 481 be; this I weighed
for him. Through it all business is stopped. Though all do
not realise such immense sums, all do well. A young
man, whom I intended returning with, told me last week
he would not take 4001. a year from any house, for he had
worked a fortnight and a day and had got 2101. The same
person had been before, and when he came down he bought
a house for 2001., and hei is letting it for 601. per annum.
All buildings are stopped. I grieve to look at them,
though I rejoice that the time has at length arrived when
the half-starved poor mechanic can gain something
to raise him above future want. What is Ragland
doing that she is not sending oat her thousands
of able-bodied men and women crowding the workhouses ?
Tell the poor, both men and women, to get out bow
they can, but come. I heard it oontldintly asserted by some
gentlemen acquainted with those matters that 100,000
could be immediately employed at &highly remunerative
wages, though not at the present enormous ones. I hear
there are but three good millers in the colony ; they are
off to the diggings. The consequence is, the proprietors of
one of the largest mills declares he has lost 2,0001., and
that now he shall close. I will give you the present rate
of wages so far as I can remember them. A porter to take
out goods, per week ; a man to wash bottles at • spirit
stole, V. per week ; driving a bullock team, 51. per week ;
shoemakers, to, and 10s. a day ; carpenters, blacksmiths,
bricklayers, de., 20e. per day, and then it Is • favour ;
washing, 6S. a dogma, 34. in the rough. If • woman goes
out, she has 6,. a day and her board!. No servants to be
had. A nurse has Si. and 61. per month ; making a dress,
10s. ; • cotton one, Ts. 0.1. Provisions : meat is cheap
enough, though it has been half its present price.
Threepence per lb. for any part; 'beeps' heads
and fry given to the doge. You can buy • good bullock