Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-08-02
A Few Chapters on Australia.
BY REV. JOHN FRASER.
DESCRIPTION OF AUSTRALIA

terles OF the interior, though discoveries
there have shown as much capacity and
daring as African travellers. There are
five colonies, New South Wales, Victoria,
South Australia, West Australia and Queen
land.
New South Wales, the northern colony,
is on the east coast. Victoria, formed
from the southern part of New South
Wales, was so called after the present
queen of England, as Virginia was named
after Queen Elizabeth. 1t was made by
the gold discoveries Melbourne, the chief
city of Australia, which in growth would
compare favorably with San Francisco, is
its capital. The population of the colony
IS about half a million; and it takes the
lead in wealth, inhabitants, enterprise and
progress. South Australia, with Adelaide
for Its seat of government, more nearly re-
sembles one of the States than the others
do. The land is divided into farms of
moderate extent. Wheat is the principal
product. And the colony is as we'll sup
piled with churches as any country in the
world, though unlike the other colonies, it
never had any state establishment of relig-
ion. Western Australia, or the Swan Riv-
er Settlement on the side of the continent
opposite Sydney is of slower growth than
the other colonies. Perth is the principal
town. The convict system fingered there
after it was no longer tolerated in the rest
of Australia. The last colony constituted
a separate province, is Queenstown, on the
northern coast, within the tropics. 1t is
the resort of invalids who need a warmer
climate than that of Sidney.
NEW SOUTH WALLIS.
This obtained its name from the mount
ain ranges near the coast, which are visible
from the sea. These add much to the
scenery and climate. The country rises
gradually from the sea till it reaches the
Blue Mountains, 80 miles in the interior
These are coast range the whole length
Of the colony, and in general 1000 feet high.
They afford balmy land breeze in the hot
weather, and have been called from the
azure tint given them by the light falling
through rare atmosphere. The air is SO
clear here that one can see to a great dis
lance and remote objects appear near
Plains stretch away behind these mount
aims. There are few rivers, such as the
Hunter, Shoalhaven and Darling. Every
variety of soil is found, from barren sands
W 4OlkAAC lOdhLis IIC
places in the interior seem to show that
Australia is chiefly intended for pastoral
country.
The original settlement was called by
the notorious name of Botany Bay, from
the specimens brought home by Sir Joseph
Banks and DR.. Solander, who accompan-
led Capt. Cook on the " Enterprise" Not
only are the flowers conspicuous by their
bright colors, but the birds are noted for
their gay plumage. Yet the former are
wanting in fragrance, and the latter in
song. What better could be expected
when instead of robins, larks and nightin-
gales we could hear only whip birds
cuckatoOs" and laughing jackasses. -
One is ready to laugh himself as he finds
all his ideas of natural history at fault
with such az these and flying foxes
comprised in his ANTHOLOGY.
New South Wales extends from 30 tC
BE south latitude, and from 14lo to 1914
east longitude. From having resided in
this colony so long l can speak intelligent
ly of the scenery, climate and inhabitants
NEWCASTLE.
The coal mines in this vicinity give this
city its name, commerce and importance
The shipping, outwards, from this port is
about 1000 vessels annually. 1t maintain:
an export trade with the Australian ports
San Francisco and South America w,
reached it in February, when the midsum
mer heats were Just over. We had letter.
for the harbOr master, whom We found &
kind hearted christian gentleman. H
first introduced US to Bible Society meet
Iprr inn -hiah n,l 8,
all the churches united We were ther
shown the CuriOsities and wonders of Aus
| tralian life 1t was q new sensation t
pluck oranges, bananas and passion frui
from the trees, and fill ourselves Will
grapes that might compare with the clust
ers of Eschol. We admired the palm tree
and other trees indigenous to the country
as the gum, iron bark and forest oak. W,
explored the mines. We were shown tn,
Hunter, which, compared with our rivers
appeared an Insignificant stream. We ex
perienced the barbarous fury of their un
cultivated winds, brickelders," anC
Southerly busters" that took the plac,
Of gentle zephyrs. We discussed nativ,
names, which delight in reduplicatives, a
ULIddutia, MerTymerry, GOordngOoree.-
what a doubling of letters there is il
this suburb of Sidney" said my friend, a
he read from the paper about HOoll00m00
loo, and stopped TO spell the name for m!
special benefit. Sure enough it nigh
spell down spelling school, and | hav,
yet to meet with the person, who on one,
being told the letters gets the hang of it
so as to repeat them.
That which gave me the most vivid ides
e s4r,1 e |,
indefinite and wonderful was the grandes
storm of thunder and lightning which
ever witnessed. was reallyat last in tn,
land about which | had read and heard 81
much. A land unknown to the scriptur,
and classic writers. The sun seemed lief
far behind me to the north. The sole
earth separated from my old friends Blu
l was as near Heaven as ever
The God who rules on high.
And thunders when He pleases;
Who rides upon the stormy sky,
And manages the seas.
This God was my Father and Friend.
THE CONVICT SYSTEM.
If individuals are tainted with origina
sin So are communities. Each people ha.
its own social and political problem Il
SOlfC. CfiSu udhIOLl LAd 10 own chlfdIlOA u
work out from some original sin The ne
gro is not yet eliminated from our politics
nor is the Indian. England still has Ire
land. Canada has R0manism and Riel OF
its hands. And Australia has the convic
and his progeny, Sidney coves," bandit
and bushrangers. The political wisdom
of the British rulers in the treatment o
America a century ago was so remarkable
that we might wonder why Providenc,
placed a new world of the South in theil
hands, were it not that communities o
British people will somehow or other grow
free, great and prosperous in spite of thu
worst their rulers can do. Providence ha.
peculiarly favored them with imbecile ru
lers that they should learn to rule them
selves. 1t was all Of piece to fasten the
slaves on this continent and the convict OF
that. Such policy reminds one of tn,
Scotchman's patriotism, who introduced
to Australia the thistle which now over
spreads it. Other philanthropists hav,
given it, Ceres like, such precious exoeic
as the " Bathurst burr" Unless this phil
osOphical race unfortunately die out the.
will not rest till the country is overruI
with noxious beasts now unknown, ant
can rank amongst its blessings, cholera
small pox and other scourges of mankind
| from which it has hitherto been free.
On visiting Botany Bay | was forcibl,
reminded of the arguments | had read ag
ainst transportation, by Sidney Smith
Macintosh and Whately. But reasonin,
and ridicule were alike thrown away Oh
the home government until the colonie
refused to be fertilized from the sewerag
of the old world or to be turned into prisol
ships. Under this "old dispensation"
was usual to allow colonists all the Ian,
they could work and convicts they coul
manage in working it. There was n
scarcely of either article in that Market
The massive stone walls that enclose tn
grounds around Sidney are significant mon
uments, showing the old relatives of labo
to capital. A part of the city have ofte
crossed used to be known as "Gallow
Hill" and friend hardly older than my
self, remembers having seen eight or te