The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-01-12
From the Bangor (Maine) Wing and Courier.
AUSTRALIA.

ne region WHICH is now known Oy Inc
title Of Australia, separates in measure
the basin of the Pacific from that of the
Indian Ocean. The distance from north
to south between lis extreme points,is about
100 miles; and the extreme distance easl
and west is about 2.40O miles. Its area
is estimated at 2.69O,81O square miles
The seacoastis 5000 miles, and is indent.
ed by numerous bays and harbors, without
being, penetrated by any large body o.
water excepting the vast Gulf of Carpen.
taria on the north. The eastern coas
is bordered by mountain range. The
southern coast consists of low and san.
dy formation without single water course
for 300 miles, and the northern coas: is
composed mostly of sandy beaches. Aus.
tralia is mostly surrounded by mountain
belt from 1000 to 5000 feet high, at a
distance Of from SO to 100 miles from the
coast. Short rivers run on this slope to
the sea; and on the interior slope the rivers
flow into basin or are swallowed up in
| the burning sands of desert.
| The climate is remarkably salubrious
excepting on the marshes on the north
west. The sky is generally without a
cloud, and the brightness Of the moon is
even distressing. 1t seldom freezes, and
snow never falls. The rain sometimes
pours in torrents, and there are gentle
showers.
Sandstone appears to be the most ex-
tensive geological formation There are
seams OF coal, beds. of ore, &c.
The native animals are few. The rep
tiles are numerous. The eagle and crow
are white and the swan black!
Gigantic gum trees form the most i'm.
posing feature OF the Australian forest.
The plants are numerous, luxurant and
beautiful; hence the name of one portion
of it, "Betany Bay"
The English Government having ex-
plored this country in l847, projected a
penal Colony, and. thus planted the germ
Of great empire. Within less than hall
a century from the planting Of the Colony,
land was sold in the town OF Sydney at
the rate of 100000 an acre. Other clas-
ses of immigrants were soon allured 10 the
Colony, by free grants OF land, and though
the progress was slow for many years, the
increase was sufficient 10 awaken lively
interest in the growing State
In 1850, New South Wales contained
265 500 inhabitants. and at the commence.
ment of l852, not less than 100000. The
city OF Sydney numbers population oil
$4,000. and the greatest activity prevails
in business, and contains all the outward
marks of wealth and civilization. Para
malta, about Is miles from Sydney, is
connected with that place by railroad !,
and has population Of 5000.
| The chief towns are Windsor, Maitland, =,
Newcastle, Bathurst, and Goulburn. The
settlement of Western Australia, or Swan
River, was begun in 1899. The popula.
ton is now about 5000.
! South Australia was founded, in 1896,
by company on public grant of land
which was to be sold at uniform price OF
IS per acre; and the funds derived from
sales to be expended in providing free
passage to laborers. South Australia has
an area of 100000 square miles. The
Murray river, about 500 miles in length,
Itraverses the colony. In 1916, the popu.
laton was $4,000. In 1845, the discove.
ry OF the copper mines Of this region was
made, and till the gold was discovered,
was the cause of rapid advance in the
colony. In 1851, the city of Adelaide
contained $4,000 inhabitants. The cli-
mate here is very bland and pulmonary
complaints almost unknown.
The colony of Port Philip or Victoria
was settled, in 1884, by few sheep own
ers from Van Dieman's Land. tits bet.
ter watered than any of the other districts.
Melbourne, the capital, contains present
population of $4,000, and rapidly increas-
ing.
The different districts vary greatly in
their characters, some are suited for graz.
ing, others yield well to the plough and
others are desert. The productions
have large range, from the tropical eli
mate OF the North to the mildly temperate
Of the Southern coast 1t is the greatest
wool-exporting country in the world
Grape vineyards are numerous; live stock
is becoming great article Of export
The number Of sheep is nearly 25,0O0,O 900.
The butter and cheese are particularly
fine. The exports Of lumber are to the
amount of some $4,000 to $4,000.
Breadstuffs annually shipped, 100000.
Manufactures are yet in their infancy.
The commerce of the country keeps pace
with the population.
The mineral treasures Of Australia are
only paralleled by those Of the United
States, in variety and abundance, and the
opening Of them has begun to shape out a
national destiny for the once convict col
ony.
In 1842, in South Australia, fine spe.
cimen Of green carbonate Of copper was
found by lad gathering flowers on one
Of the plains. Here are now the famous
Burra mines, from which 10000 tons Of
ore are annually raised.
| The oonfrnllino avonf IN tha h;osnrx, ~