New HOLLAND

New HOLLAND, the largest island in the world, reaching from 10 to 44° S. Lat. and between 110 and 154 of E. Long. from London. It received its name from having been chiefly explored by Dutch navigators. The land first discovered in those parts was called Eendracht (Concord) Land, from the name of the ship on board which the discovery was made in 1616; 24° and 25° south. In 1618, another part of this coast, nearly in 15° south, was discovered by Zeachen, who gave it the name of Arnhem and Diemen; though a different part from what afterwards received the name of Diemen's Land from Tasman, which was supposed to be the southern extremity, in latitude 43°. This is now found to be an island separated from New Holland by Bafs's Straits. See DIEMAN'S LAND.

In 1619, Jan Van Edels gave his name to a southern part of New Holland. Another part situated between 30 and 33° received the name of Leuven. Peter Van Nuitz gave his name, in 1627, to a coast which communicates to Leuven's Land towards the westward; and a part of the western coast, near the tropic of Capricorn, bore the name of De Wit's. In 1628, Peter Carpenter, a Dutchman, discovered the great gulf of Carpentaria, between 10 and 20° south. In 1687, Dampier, an Englishman, sailed from Timor, and coasted the western parts of New Holland. In 1699, he left England, with a design to explore this country, as the Dutch suppressed whatever discoveries had been made by them. He sailed along the western coast of it, from 28 to 15°. He saw the land of Eendracht and of De Wit. He then returned to Timor, from whence he went out again; examined the isles of Papua; coasted New Guinea; discovered the passage that bears his name; called a great island which forms this passage or strait on the east side, New Britain; and

New Hol- failed back to Timor along New Guinea. This is the land. same Dampier who between 1683 and 1691, failed round the world by changing his ships. Notwithstanding the attempts of all these navigators, however, the eastern part of this vast tract was totally unknown till Captain Cook made his voyages; and by fully exploring that part of the coast, gave his country an undoubted title to the possession of it; which accordingly has since been taken possession of under the name of New South Wales.

Some have disputed whether the title of island can be properly applied to a country of such vast extent, or whether it ought not rather to be denominated a continent; while others have replied, that though the word island, and others similar to it, do indeed signify a tract of land surrounded by sea, yet in the usual acceptance it means only a land of moderate extent surrounded in this manner. Were it otherwise, we might call the whole world an island, as it is every where surrounded by the sea; and in fact, Dionysius Periegetes applies this term to it, with the addition of the word immense, to distinguish it from other islands. The best rule, according to Mr Stockdale, for determining when a country ought to lose the name of island and begin to be called a continent, is when it begins to lose the advantages of an insular situation. The first and principal of these, is the being capable of an union under one government, and thence deriving a security from all external attacks excepting those by sea; but in countries of great extent, this is not only difficult, but impossible. If we consider, therefore, New Holland as extending about a thousand miles every way, we shall find that its claim to be called a continent is undoubted; its length from east to west being about 2400 English miles, and 2300 from north to south.

This coast was first explored by Captain Cook in the year 1770; but his stay was too short to examine the nature of the country with the accuracy which he

would otherwise have done had he continued longer in it. In general, it was found rather barren than otherwise. Many brooks and springs were found along the eastern coast, but no river of any consequence. They found only two kinds of trees useful as timber, the pine, and another which produces a sort of gum. They found three kinds of palm trees; but few esculent plants, though there are abundance of such as might gratify the curiosity of the botanist. A great variety of birds were met with, which have since been particularly described; but the number of quadrupeds bears but a very small proportion to that of the other animals. The most remarkable insects seen at this time were the green ants (A), who build their nests upon trees in a very singular manner.

This country has now become an object of more consequence than formerly, by reason of the establishment of a British colony in it; where the criminals condemned to be transported are sent to pass their time of servitude. Before this plan was resolved on by government, another had been discussed, viz. that of employing these criminals in workhouses; and Judge Blackstone, with Mr Eden and Mr Howard, had considered of the best method of putting it in execution: but though this plan had been approved by parliament as early as 1779, some difficulties always occurred, which prevented its going forward; and at length on the 6th of December 1786, orders were issued by his majesty in council for making a settlement on New Holland, establishing a court of judicature in the colony, and other regulations necessary on the occasion. The whole received the complete sanction of legislature in the beginning of the year 1787. The squadron appointed for putting the design in execution began to assemble at the Mother Bank, the place of rendezvous, in the Isle of Wight, on the 16th of March 1787. It consisted of the Sirius frigate Captain John Hunter, the Supply armed tender Lieutenant

(A) These little animals form their habitations, by bending down the leaves of trees, and glueing the ends of them together so as to form a purse. Though these leaves are as broad as a man's hand, they perform this feat by main strength, thousands of them being employed in holding down the leaves, while multitudes of others apply the glutinous matter. Captain Cook's people ascertained themselves that this was the case, by sometimes disturbing them at their work; in which case the leaf always sprung up with an elasticity, which they could not have supposed that such minute insects were capable of overcoming. For this curiosity, however, they smarted pretty severely; for thousands of these little enemies instantly threw themselves upon the aggressors, and revenged themselves by their bites or stings for the interruption they had met with. These were little less painful at first than the sting of a bee; but the pain did not last above a minute. Another species of ants burrow themselves in the root of a plant which grows on the bark of trees like the misletoe, and which is commonly as big as a large turnip. When this is cut, it appears intersected with innumerable winding passages all filled with these animals; notwithstanding which, the vegetation of the plant suffers no injury. These do not give pain by their stings, but produce an intolerable itching by crawling about on the skin. They are about the size of the small red ant in this country. Another sort, which do not molest in any manner, resemble the white ant of the East Indies. They construct nests three or four times as big as a man's head on the branches of trees; the outside being composed of some vegetable matter along with a glutinous substance. On breaking the outer crusts of these hives, innumerable cells appear swarming with inhabitants, in a great variety of winding directions, all communicating with each other, and with several other nests upon the same tree. They have also another house built on the ground, generally at the root of a tree; formed like an irregular sided cone; sometimes more than six feet high, and nearly as much in diameter. The outside of these is well-tempered clay about two inches thick; and within are the cells, which have no opening outward. One of these is their summer and the other their winter dwelling, communicating with each other by a large avenue leading to the ground, and by a subterraneous passage. The ground structures are proof against wet, which those on the branches are not.

New Hol- land. nant H. L. Ball; three store-ships, the Golden-grove, Filburn, and Borrowdale, for carrying provisions and stores for two years; and lastly, six transports, the Scarborough and Lady Penrhyn from Portsmouth, the Friendship and Charlotte from Plymouth, and the Prince of Wales and Alexander from Woolwich. These were to carry the convicts, with a detachment of marines in each proportioned to the nature of the service; the largest where resistance was most expected, viz. in those which carried the greatest number of male convicts. On the arrival of Governor Phillip at the station, he hoisted his flag on board the Sirius as commander of the squadron; and the embarkation being completed, he gave the signal to weigh anchor on the 13th of May at day-break. The number of convicts was 778, of whom 558 were men. They touched at the island of Teneriffe on the 3d of June, without meeting with any bad accident. Here they staid a week, in order to procure such refreshments as were necessary for preventing the disorders mostly to be dreaded in such a long and perilous voyage. In this they succeeded to their wish; and were about to depart on the 9th of June, when it was discovered that one of the convicts had made his escape, having found means to cut away a boat and make off with it. He offered himself as a sailor aboard a Dutch vessel at that time in the harbour, but was refused; on which he attempted to conceal himself in a cove. In this he would probably have succeeded, had it not been for the boat, which he could not conceal; so that he was soon discovered and brought back to the ship, where, however, he obtained his pardon from the governor.

On the 10th of June the fleet set sail from Santa Cruz in the island of Teneriffe, and on the 18th came in sight of the Cape Verd Islands, where they steered for St Jago: but the want of a favourable wind and other circumstances prevented their getting in; so that as Governor Phillip did not choose to waste time, they did not touch land till they came to Rio Janeiro on the coast of Brazil. It may seem surprising, that a voyage to the eastward, which of itself may be accounted of sufficient length, should thus be wilfully made so much longer, by failing twice across the Atlantic. The calms, however, so frequent on the coast of Africa, seem of themselves to be a sufficient inducement for navigators to preserve a westerly course; and even the islands at which it is so necessary to touch, are not far distant from the American coast. The returning tracts of Captain Cook's three voyages are all within a little space of the 45th degree of west longitude, which is even 10 degrees farther west than Cape St Roque; and that course appears to have been taken voluntarily, without any extraordinary inducement.

During the time of their stay at Santa Cruz the weather had been very moderate; the barometer about 30 inches, and the thermometer never above 72; as they approached the Cape Verd islands it rose to 82, and did not exceed 82° 51' all the way from thence to Rio Janeiro. Here they met with a very favourable reception, contrary to that which Captain Cook experienced on a similar occasion. Provisions were so cheap, that though the allowance of meat was fixed by the governor at 20 ounces per day, the men were victualled completely at 3½d. each, including rice, vegetables, and every other necessary. Wine was not at this time to

be had except at an advanced price: but rum was laid in, and such feeds and plants procured as were thought most likely to flourish in New South Wales; particularly coffee, indigo, cotton, and the cochineal fig. An hundred sacks of cassava were likewise purchased as a substitute for bread, if it should happen to be scarce. By the kindness of the viceroy also, some deficiencies in the military stores were made up from the royal arsenal, and every assistance given which the place could afford. They arrived here on the 5th of August 1787, and set sail on the 4th of September, receiving as the last compliment from the governor a salute of 21 guns.

From Rio Janeiro the fleet had a fine run to Table Bay, in the southern extremity of Africa, which they accomplished in 39 days: where they took in the refreshments meant to supply them during the remainder of the voyage. Here they arrived on the 13th of October; and having supplied themselves with a great number of live stock, they set sail on the 12th of November, but were long impeded by contrary winds from the south-east. On the 25th they were only 80 leagues distant from the Cape, when Governor Phillip left the Sirius and went aboard the Supply tender; in hopes, by leaving the convoy, to gain sufficient time for examining the country round Botany Bay, that the most proper situation for the new colony might be chosen before the transports should arrive. They now met with favourable winds, blowing generally in very strong gales from the north-west, west, and south-west. The wind shifted only once to the east, but did not continue in that direction above a few hours. On the 3d of Ja-
nuary 1788 the Supply came within sight of New South Wales; but the winds then became variable, and a current, which at times set very strongly to the southward, impeded her course so much, that it was not till the 18th of the month that she arrived at Botany Bay.

Governor Phillip no sooner landed than he had an opportunity of conversing with the natives, who were with the assembled on shore. As it was the intention of this gentleman to conciliate if possible their friendship, he used every method at this first interview to inspire them with a favourable idea of the Europeans. For this purpose he presented them with beads and other trifling ornaments, which they seemed pleased to wear, though Captain Cook found them very indifferent about any kind of finery he could furnish them with. They seemed, according to the account of that celebrated navigator, to be so attached to their own ornaments, that they made no account of any thing else. They received indeed such things as were given them, but made no offer to return any thing in exchange; nor could they be made to comprehend that any thing of the kind was wanted. Many of the presents which they had received were afterwards found thrown away in the woods.

Governor Phillip having parted with his new acquaintance in a friendly manner, next set about an examination of the country about Botany Bay, which had been strongly recommended by Captain Cook as the most eligible place for a settlement. He found, however, that the bay itself was very inconvenient for shipping; being exposed to the easterly winds, and so shallow that ships even of a moderate burden could not get

get far enough within land to be sheltered from the fury of the ocean. Neither did the land about any part of this bay appear an eligible situation for a colony; being in some places entirely swampy, in others quite destitute of water. Point Sutherland seemed to afford the situation most free from objections, but the ships could not approach it; and even here the ground seemed to be universally damp and spongy: so that, on the whole, finding no place within the compass of the bay proper for the new settlement, they found themselves obliged to remove somewhere else.

The rest of the fleet arrived in two days after the Supply; and that no time might be lost, Governor Phillip ordered the ground about Point Sutherland to be cleared, and preparations to be made for landing, while he went with several officers in three boats to examine Port Jackson, which was only three leagues distant. Here they had the satisfaction to find one of the finest harbours in the world, where 1000 sail of the line might ride in perfect safety. On examining the different coves, one was preferred which had a fine run of spring water, and where ships could anchor so close to the shore, that at a very small expence quays might be constructed for loading and unloading the largest vessels. This was named by the governor Sydney Cove, in honour of Lord Sydney, and the country around it destined for the place of settlement. It is about half a mile long, and a quarter of a mile broad at the entrance. On the governor's return to Botany Bay, the reports made to him concerning the adjacent country were so exceedingly unfavourable, that orders were immediately given for the removal of the fleet to Port Jackson. On the morning of the 25th, therefore, the governor sailed from Botany Bay, and was soon followed by the whole fleet. In the mean time, they were surprised by the appearance of two other European vessels, which had been first seen off Botany Bay on the 24th. These were found to be two French ships, named the Astrolabe and Bouffole, which had left France on a voyage of discovery under the command of M. la Peyrouse, in the year 1785. They had touched at the island of Santa Catharina on the coast of Brazil, and from thence gone by the extremity of South America into the Pacific ocean, where they had run along by the coasts of Chili and California; after which they had visited Easter Island, Nootka Sound, Cook's river, Kamtchatka, Manilla, the isles des Navigateurs, and the Sandwich and Friendly Isles. They had also attempted to land on Norfolk Island, but found it impossible on account of the surf. During the whole voyage none were lost by sickness; but two boats crews had unfortunately perished in a surf on the north-west coast of America; and at Masuna, one of the isles des Navigateurs, M. L'Angle, captain of the Astrolabe, with 12 of his people, officers and men, were murdered by the savages. This was the more surprising, as there had been an uninterrupted friendship with them from the time the French touched at the island, till that unfortunate moment. M. L'Angle had gone ashore with two long boats for the purpose of filling some water-casks. His party amounted to forty men; and the natives, from whom the French had already received abundance of refreshments, did not show any signs of a hostile disposition: But from whatever motive their resentment was excited, the men had no

sooner begun to get out the boats, than the savages New Hol-
made a most furious and unexpected assault with stones. land.

In this encounter M. L'Angle himself, with the people above mentioned, fell a sacrifice to the treachery of these barbarians. The remainder of the party escaped with great difficulty; the ships having at that time passed a point of land which intercepted their view of the affray. The convicts and others destined to remain in New South Wales being landed, no time was lost in beginning to clear ground for an encampment, store-houses, &c. The work, however, went on but slowly, partly owing to the natural difficulties they had to encounter, and partly to the habitual indolence of the convicts, which indeed was naturally to be expected considering their former way of life. Nevertheless, by the end of the first week of February, the plan of an encampment was formed, and places were marked out for different purposes, so that the colony already began to assume some appearance of order and regularity. The materials and frame-work of a slight temporary habitation for the governor had been brought out from England ready formed, which were landed and put together with as much expedition as circumstances would allow. Hospital tents were also erected; and the sickness which soon took place showed the propriety of so doing. In the passage from the Cape there had been but little sickness, and few of the convicts had died; but a little time after they landed a dysentery began to prevail, which proved fatal in several instances, and the scurvy began to rage with great violence, so that the hospital-tents were soon filled with patients. The disorder proved the more virulent as fresh provisions could but rarely be obtained; nor were esculent vegetables often obtained in such plenty as could produce any material alleviation of the complaint: the only remedy for the dysentery was found to be a kind of red gum, produced in plenty by the trees growing upon this coast. The yellow gum has the same properties, though in an inferior degree.

In the beginning of February, a most violent storm of thunder and lightning destroyed five of the sheep which had a shed erected for them under a tree, which proved a prelude to other misfortunes among the cattle. The encampment, however, was carried on with great alacrity; the foundations of the store-houses were laid, and everything began to wear a promising appearance. On the 7th of the month a regular form of govern-
ment was established in the colony, with all the solemnity which could possibly be given: the governor made a proper speech to the convicts, reminding them of the situation in which they stood; and that now, if they continued their former practices, it was impossible they could hope for mercy if detected; neither could they expect to escape detection in so small a society. Offenders, therefore, he said, would certainly be punished with the utmost rigour; though such as behaved themselves in a proper manner, might always depend upon encouragement. He particularly noticed the illegal intercourse betwixt the sexes, as a practice which encouraged profligacy in every respect; for which reason he recommended marriage: and this exhortation seemed not to be altogether in vain, as 14 marriages were celebrated that very week in consequence.

Heavy rains took place during the remainder of this month,

month, which showed the necessity of going on with the work as soon as possible. The want of carpenters, however, prevented this from being done so expeditiously as could have been wished. Only 16 of these could be hired from all the ships; and no more than 12 of the convicts were of this profession, of whom several were sick; so that the party were by far too few for the work they had to perform. A hundred convicts were added as labourers; but with every effort it was found impossible to complete either the barracks or the huts for the officers so soon as could be wished. On the 14th of February a small party was sent out to settle on Norfolk Island, who have since established a colony there which promises to be of considerable utility. It was soon found, however, absolutely necessary to make examples of some of the convicts at Port Jackson. Towards the end of February it was found necessary to convene a criminal court, in which six of the convicts received sentence of death. One who was the head of the gang was executed the same day: one of the rest was pardoned; the other four were reprieved, and afterwards exiled to a small island within the bay, where they were kept on bread and water. They had frequently robbed both the stores and other convicts. The fellow who was executed, and two others, had been detected in stealing the very day on which they received a week's provision; and at the same time that their allowance was the same as that of the soldiers, spirituous liquors only excepted.

In the beginning of March the governor went out with a small party to examine Broken Bay, lying about eight miles to the northward of Port Jackson. This was found very extensive, with many openings. One of the latter ended in several small branches, and a large lagoon, which they could not at that time examine. Most of the land about the upper part of this branch was low and full of swamps, with great numbers of pelicans, and other aquatic birds. Among the rest they met with an uncommon bird, called at that time the Hooded Gull, but afterwards found to be the species named by Mr Latham the Caspian Tern.

From this north-west branch they proceeded across the bay to the south-west branch, which is also very extensive, with a second opening to the westward capable of affording shelter to almost any number of ships, with depth of water for vessels of almost any burden. The land was found much higher here than at Port Jackson, more rocky, and equally covered with timber. Large trees were seen growing even on the summits of the mountains, which appeared totally inaccessible to the human species. Round the headland which forms the southern entrance into the bay is a third branch, which Governor Phillip thought the finest piece of water he had ever seen; which for that reason he honoured with the name of Pitt-water. This branch, as well as the former, is sufficient to contain all the navy of Great Britain; but the latter has a bar at the entrance of only 18 feet at low water. Within are from 7 to 15 fathoms. The land here is more level than on the south-west branch, and some situations are proper for cultivation. The governor determined to have returned by land, in order to explore the country betwixt Port Jackson and Broken Bay, but the continual rains prevented him.

On the 10th of March the French ships departed,

little intercourse having passed between them and the New Holland. While the former remained in Botany Bay, Father la Receveur, who had come out in the Astrolabe as a naturalist, died of the wounds he had received in the battle with the inhabitants of Masuna. A kind of monument was erected to his memory, with the following inscription:

Hic jacet LA RECEVEUR
E. F. F. minimis Galliae sacerdos,
Physicus in circumnavigatione
Mundi
Duce DE LA PEYROUSE,
Ob. 17. Feb. 1788.

This monument, however, was soon after destroyed by the natives; on which Governor Phillip caused the inscription to be engraved on copper and nailed to a neighbouring tree. M. de la Peyrouse had paid a similar tribute to the memory of Captain Clerke at Kamtchatka.

On the 15th of April, the governor, attended by several officers and a small party of marines, set out on an expedition into the interior parts of the country. Their first landing was at the head of a small cove named Shell-cove, near the entrance of the harbour on the north side. Proceeding in this direction, they arrived with great labour at a large lake, surrounded on all sides with bog and marshy ground to a considerable extent, and in which they frequently plunged up to the waist. Here they observed that bird so rare in other parts of the world, viz. a black swan. On being fired at, it rose, and flew that its wings were edged with white, the bill being tinged red. They spent three days in a very laborious manner in passing the marshes and swamps which lie in the neighbourhood of the harbour: and here they had an opportunity of observing, that all the small streams which descend into Port Jackson proceed from swamps, occasioned by the stagnation of the water, in the low grounds as it rises from the springs. On leaving these low grounds, they found them succeeded by a rocky and barren country; the hills covered with various flowering shrubs, though frequently inaccessible by reason of various natural obstacles. At about 15 miles distance from the sea, the governor had a fine view of the internal parts of the country, which were mountainous. To the most northerly chain of these he gave the name of Carmarthen, and to the most southerly that of Lansdown Hills; and to one which lay between these he gave the name of Richmond Hill. It was conjectured, that a large river must rise from these mountains; but there was now a necessity for returning. On the 22d, however, another expedition was undertaken. Governor Phillip with his party landed near the head of the harbour. Here they found a good country; but in a short time arrived at a close thicket through which they found it impossible to make their way, so that they were obliged to return. Next day, by keeping close to the banks of a small creek, they made a shift to pass that obstacle, and continued their course for three days to the westward. The country was now extremely fine, either entirely level or rising in small hills; the soil excellent, but stony in a few places. The trees grew at the distance of from 20 to 40 feet from each other, in general totally destitute of underwood, which was confined to the barren and stony spots.

spots. On the 5th day they saw for the first time in this second expedition Carmarthen and Lansdown hills; but the country all round was so beautiful, that Governor Phillip gave it the name of Belle Vue. They were still apparently 30 miles from the mountains which they had intended to reach; but not having been able to carry more than six days provisions along with them, they found it necessary to return; and even with this small flock the officers as well as men were obliged to carry heavy loads. During all this time they had not proceeded farther in a direct line than 30 miles, so great were the obstructions they had met with from deep ravines, &c. Their return, however, was effected with much greater ease, having cleared a track, and marked trees all the way as they went along to direct them in their journey back. The country explored at this time appeared so fine, that Governor Phillip determined to form a settlement there as soon as a sufficient number could be spared from those works which were immediately necessary. On his return he had the mortification to find, that five ewes and a lamb had been killed very near the camp, and in the middle of the day. This mischief was supposed to have been done by some dogs belonging to the natives.

All this time the scurvy had continued to rage with great violence: so that by the beginning of May near 200 people were incapable of work. For this reason, and on account of the great difficulty of clearing the ground, no more than eight or ten acres of wheat and barley had been sown, besides what private individuals had sown for themselves; and it was even feared that this small crop would suffer from the depredations of ants and field mice. To procure as much relief as possible therefore in the present exigence, the supply was sent in the beginning of May to Lord Howe Island, in hopes of procuring some turtle and other provisions; but unfortunately the vessel returned without any turtle, having met with squally weather, and being obliged to cut away her best bower anchor. The natives now began to show an hostile disposition, which they had not hitherto done. One of the convicts, who had wandered away from the rest in quest of vegetables, returned with a very dangerous wound in the back; giving information also, that another who had gone out for the same purpose had been carried off in his fight by the natives, after being wounded in the head. A shirt and hat were afterwards found in some of the huts of the natives, but no intelligence of the man could be gained. This was followed by other misfortunes of the same nature. On the 30th of the month, two men who had been employed in cutting rushes for thatch at some distance from the camp were found dead. One of them had four spears in his body, one of which had pierced quite through it; but the other had no marks of violence upon him. In this case, however, it was proved, that those who suffered had been the aggressors; as they had been seen with one of the canoes of the natives which they had taken from one of the fishing places. All possible inquiry was made after the natives who had been guilty of the murder, but to no purpose. In the course of this inquiry, it was found that one of the natives had been murdered, and several wounded, previous to the attack upon the rush-cutters. The governor promised liberty to any convict who should discover the aggressors; but no information was

procured, though it is probable that it may prevent accidents of that kind for the future. About this time the two bulls and four cows belonging to government and to the governor, having been left for some time by the man who had the charge of them, strayed into the woods and could not be recovered, though they were afterwards traced to some distance.

The 4th of June being his majesty's birth-day, was celebrated with as much festivity as circumstances would allow; and on this occasion it was first made public that the governor had given the name of Cumberland County to this part of the territory. The appointed boundaries were Carmarthen and Lansdown hills on the west, the northern parts of Broken Bay on the north, and the southern parts of Botany Bay on the south; thus including these three principal bays, with Sydney Cove nearly in the centre.

The misfortunes which attended those convicts who strayed to too great a distance from the settlement, were not sufficient to prevent some of them from rambling into the woods, in hopes of subsisting themselves there and regaining their liberty. One of these, who had been guilty of a robbery, fled into the woods on the 5th of June, but was obliged to return half-starved on the 24th. He had found it impossible to subsist in the woods, and had met with very little relief from the natives. One of them gave him a fish, but made signs for him to go away. According to his account, they themselves were in a very miserable situation; and he pretended to have seen four of them apparently dying of hunger, who made signs to him for something to eat. He pretended also to have fallen in with a party who would have burnt him, and that he made his escape from them with difficulty. He said also, that he had seen the remains of a human body lying on a fire; and endeavoured to inculcate the idea of these savages eating human flesh when other provisions were scarce. This poor wretch was tried and executed for the theft he had committed before his departure, along with another criminal.

By this time the colony was so far advanced, that the plan of a regular town had been marked out. The plan of a principal street, when finished, is to be 200 feet wide, terminated by the governor's house, the main guard, and criminal court. The plans of other streets are likewise marked out; and it is the governor's intention, that when houses are built here, the grants of land shall be made with such clauses as will prevent the building of more than one house on one allotment, which is to consist of 60 feet in front and 150 in depth. Thus a kind of uniformity will be preserved in the building, narrow streets prevented, and many inconveniences avoided, which a rapid increase of inhabitants might otherwise occasion. It has likewise been an object of the governor's attention to place the public buildings in such situations as will be eligible at all times, and particularly to give the store-houses and hospital sufficient space for future enlargement, should it be found necessary. The first huts erected in this place were composed only of the soft wood of the cabbage palm, in order to give immediate shelter, and which had the further inconvenience of being used quite green. The huts of the convicts were constructed only of upright posts wattled with light twigs, and plastered up with clay. Buildings of stone might easily have been

been raised, had there been any means of procuring lime for mortar. There were three kinds of stone met with about Sydney Cove, one equal in goodness to Portland stone, an indifferent kind of sandstone or free-stone, and a sort which seems to contain iron; but neither chalk nor any species of limestone has yet been discovered. Lime was indeed procured from oyster-shells collected in the neighbouring coves to construct a small house for the governor; but it cannot be expected that a sufficient quantity can thus be procured for many or very extensive buildings. Good clay for bricks has been found near Sydney Cove, and very good bricks have been made of it; the wood also, notwithstanding the many reports to the contrary, is found abundantly fit for various purposes after being thoroughly seasoned. Such specimens as have been sent to England were fine-grained and free of knots, but heavy.

On the point of land that forms the west side of the Cove a small observatory has been erected, the longitude of which has been ascertained to be $159^\{\backslash circ\}\; 19\text{'}\; 30\text{'}\text{'}$ east from Greenwich, and the latitude $32^\{\backslash circ\}\; 52\text{'}\; 30\text{'}\text{'}$ south. Instead of thatch they now make use of shingles made from a certain tree, which has the appearance of a fir, but produces wood like English oak.

With regard to the state of this colony there have been various and discordant accounts. Some of these have represented the country in such a light, that it would seem impossible to subsist on it; and it has been said, that the people who have had the misfortune to go there already were in the utmost danger of starving before any assistance could be sent from Britain. These reports, however, appear not to be well founded. Difficulties must undoubtedly be felt at the first settlement of every uninhabited country; and we are not to expect that a colony, most of whom are wretches exiled for their crimes from their own country, can thrive in an extraordinary manner for some time. It appears, indeed, that so far from the transportation to this place having had any good effect in reforming them, the governor has been obliged to execute the utmost rigour of the law by hanging several of them. A good number of others have unaccountably disappeared, and are supposed to have been murdered by the natives, or perished with hunger in the woods; so that, unless the numbers be recruited by more respectable inhabitants, it is not likely that much can be expected from the Port Jackson settlement for a long time to come. Of this, however, there seems to be little doubt: the general spirit of emigration which prevails through most, indeed we may say all the countries of Europe, will undoubtedly soon supply a sufficient number; and even some of the Americans, notwithstanding the extent and fertility of their own country, and the liberty they enjoy in it, are said to be willing to exchange these blessings for the precarious hopes of what may be obtained in New Holland among British convicts and slaves. This rambling disposition may perhaps be accounted for from an observation which has been made, viz. that "it may admit of a doubt whether many of the accommodations of a civilized life be not more than counterbalanced by the artificial wants to which they give birth. That these accommodations do not give a satisfaction equivalent to the trouble with which they are procured, is certain;

and it is no wonder, then, to find numbers of people in every country who are willing to exchange them for independent ease and tranquillity, which belong, comparatively speaking, to few individuals in those countries which are called civilized."

With regard to the geography of this extensive country, which may perhaps be reckoned a fifth general division of the world, Captains Cook and Furneaux so fully explored its coast, that succeeding navigators have added nothing to their labours. The only part which still remains unknown is that between the latitudes of $37^\{\backslash circ\}\; 58\text{'}$ and $39^\{\backslash circ\}$ south; and as none of the fleet which lately sailed from Britain could be supposed to undertake any voyage of discovery, it is unknown whether or not a strait intersects the continent in this place or not. Captain Tench, however, informs us, on the authority of a naval friend, "that when the fleet was off this part of the coast, a strong set-off shore was plainly felt."

A vast chain of lofty mountains runs nearly in a north and south direction farther than the eye can trace, about 60 miles inland. The general face of the country is pleasing, diversified with gentle risings and small winding valleys, covered for the most part with large spreading trees, affording a succession of leaves in all seasons. A variety of flowering shrubs, almost all entirely new to an European, and of exquisite fragrance, abound in those places which are free from trees; and among these, a tall shrub, bearing an elegant flower which smells like English may, is peculiarly delightful, and perfumes the air to a great distance. There are but few trees; and, as Captain Tench and others relate, so bad a grain, that they can scarcely be used for any purpose: This, however, Mr Stockdale ascribes to their being used in an unseasoned state, as has been already mentioned. In return for these bad qualities, however, the trees yield vast quantities of the gum already mentioned as a cure for the dysentery. It is of an acrid quality, and therefore requires to be given along with opiates. The tree which yields it is of very considerable size, and grows to a great height before it puts out any branches. The gum itself is usually compared to sanguis draconis, but differs from it in being perfectly soluble in water, which the sanguis draconis is not. It may be extracted from the wood by tapping, or taken out of the veins when dry. The leaves are narrow, and not unlike those of a willow; the wood fine-grained and heavy, but warps to such a degree, when not properly seasoned, as soon to become entirely useless.

The yellow gum is properly a resin, being entirely insoluble in water. It greatly resembles gamboge, but has not the property of staining. It is produced by a low small plant with long grassy leaves; but the fructification shoots out in a surprising manner from the centre of the leaves on a single straight stem to the height of 12 or 14 feet. This stem is strong and light, and is used by the natives for making their spears. The resin is generally dug up from the soil under the tree, not collected from it, and may perhaps be the same as Tasman calls gum lac of the ground. It has been tried by Dr Blane physician to St Thomas's hospital, who found it very efficacious in the cure of old fluxes, and that in many and obstinate cases. Many of the New Holland plants have been already imported.

imported into Britain, and are now flourishing in perfection at the nursery garden of Mr Lee of Hammer-smith.

The soil immediately around Sydney Cove is sandy, with here and there a stratum of clay; but hitherto the produce has not been remarkable. The principal difficulty hitherto experienced in clearing the ground arises from the size of the trees, which is said to be so enormous, that 12 men have been employed for five days in grubbing up one. Captain Cook speaks of some fine meadows about Botany Bay; but none of these have been seen by the present settlers, and Governor Phillip supposes them to have been swamps seen at a distance. Grass grows in almost every place, but in the swamps with the greatest vigour and luxuriance, though not of the finest quality. It is found to agree better with cows and horses than sheep. A few wild fruits are sometimes procured; among which is a kind of small purple apple mentioned by Captain Cook; and a fruit which has the appearance of a grape, but tasting like a green gooseberry, and excessively sour.

From the first discovery of this continent, the extreme scarcity of fresh water has been mentioned by every navigator. None have been fortunate enough to enter the mouth of any navigable river such as might be expected in a country of such extent. The settlers about Port Jackson found enough for the common purposes of life; but Captain Trench informs us, that when he left the country, towards the end of 1788, there had been no discovery of a stream large enough to turn a mill. Since that time, however, Governor Phillip has been more successful; as we are informed by a letter of his to Lord Sydney, of date February 13. 1790: In this letter he relates, that soon after the ships failed in Nov. 1788, he again made an excursion to Botany Bay, where he staid five days; but the researches he made there tended only to confirm him in the opinion he already entertained that the country round it was by no means an eligible situation for a colony. After having visited Broken Bay several times with boats, a river was found, which has since been traced, and all those branches explored which afforded any depth of water. This river has obtained the name of Hawkesbury, is from 300 to 800 feet wide, and seems navigable for the largest merchant ships as far up as Richmond hill, at which it becomes very shallow, and divides into two branches; on which account the governor calls Richmond hill the head of the river. As after very heavy rains, however, the water sometimes rises 30 feet above its level, it would not be safe for ships to go up so far; but 15 or 20 miles below it they would lie in fresh water, and be perfectly safe.

The country about Broken Bay is at first high and rocky, but as we proceed up the river it becomes more level, the banks being covered with timber, and the soil a light rich mould, supposed to be very capable of cultivation. The other branches of this river are shallow, but probably run many miles up into the country. Great numbers of black swans and wild ducks were seen on these rivers, and the natives had several decoys for catching quails.

Richmond hill, near which a fall prevented the boats from proceeding farther up, is the most southerly of

a large range of hills which run to the northward, and probably join the mountains nearly parallel to the coast from 30 to 60 miles inland. The soil of this hill is good, and it lies well for cultivation. There is a very extensive prospect from the top, the whole country around seeming a level covered with timber. There is a flat of six or seven miles between Richmond hill and a break in the mountains which separates Lansdown and Carmarthen hills; in which flat the governor supposes that the Hawkesbury continues its course; though the river could not be seen on account of the timber with which the ground is everywhere covered where the soil is good. Six miles to the southward of Port Jackson is a small river; and 20 to the westward is one more considerable, which probably empties itself into the Hawkesbury. As far as this river was at that time explored, the breadth was computed at from 300 to 400 feet. It was named the Nepan, and, like the Hawkesbury, sometimes rises 30 feet above its level. A party who crossed the river attempted to reach the mountains, but found it impossible, probably for want of provisions. After the first day's journey they met with such a succession of deep ravines, the sides of which were frequently so inaccessible, that in five days they could not proceed farther than 15 miles. At the time they turned back, they supposed themselves to be 12 miles from the foot of the mountains. With regard to the state of the colony, it appears from this letter to be as flourishing as could in any reasonable manner be expected. Another has been formed at a place called Rosehill, at the head of the harbour of Sydney Cove. At this place is a creek, which at half flood has water for large boats to go three miles up; and one mile higher the water is fresh and the soil good. Some ground having been cleared and cultivated, the governor in the above letter writes, that 27 acres were sown with corn, and that in December the crop was got in: That the corn was exceedingly good; about 200 bushels of wheat and 60 of barley, with a small quantity of flax, Indian corn, and oats; all which is preserved for seed: That if settlers are sent out, and the convicts divided amongst them, this settlement will very shortly maintain itself; but without which this country cannot be cultivated to any advantage. "At present (continues the governor) I have only one person, who has about 100 convicts under his direction, who is employed in cultivating the ground for the public benefit, and he has returned the quantity of corn above mentioned into the public store: the officers have raised sufficient to support the little stock they have: some ground I have had in cultivation will return about 40 bushels of wheat into store; so that the produce of the labour of the convicts employed in cultivation has been very short of what might have been expected, and which I take the liberty of pointing out to your lordship in this place; to show as fully as possible the state of this colony, and the necessity of the convicts being employed by those who have an interest in their labour." The country for 20 miles to the westward is very capable of cultivation; though the labour of cutting down the trees is very great. At Sydney Cove the stores had been infested by a swarm of rats which destroyed no less than 12,000 lb. weight of flour and rice. The gardens also had suffered very considerably; so that, having met with such a considerable loss of

of provision, and a sufficient supply not being procured from the Cape, Governor Phillip thought proper to send a further detachment to Norfolk Island, where the fertility of the soil afforded great hopes of their being able in a short time to subsist themselves independent of any assistance from the stores.

With regard to the civil establishment in this colony, Governor Phillip's jurisdiction extends from 43° 49' to 10° 37' south, being the northern and southern extremities of the continent. It commences again in 135° E. Long. from Greenwich; and proceeding in an easterly direction, includes all the islands within the above-mentioned latitudes in the Pacific ocean; by which partition it is supposed that every source of litigation will be cut off, as all these are indisputably the discovery of the British navigators.

The powers of the governor are absolutely unlimited, no mention being made of a council to assist him in any thing; and as no stated time is appointed for assembling the courts similar to the assizes and gaol deliveries in England, the duration of imprisonment is altogether in his hands. He is likewise invested with a power of summoning general courts martial; but the insertion in the marine mutiny act, of a smaller number of officers than 13 being able to compose such a tribunal, has been neglected; so that a military court, should detachments be made from head quarters, or sickness prevail, may not always be found practicable to be obtained, unless the number of officers in the settlement at present be increased. The governor is allowed to grant pardons in all cases, treason and wilful murder excepted; and even in these he has authority to stay the execution of the law until the king's pleasure shall be signified. In case of the governor's death, the lieutenant governor takes his place; and on his decease, the authority is lodged in the hands of the senior officer.

It was not long after the convicts were landed that there appeared a necessity for assembling a criminal court; and it was accordingly convened by warrant from the governor. The members were the judge advocate, who presided, three naval, and three military officers. The number of members is limited by act of parliament to seven; who are expressly ordered to be officers either of his majesty's sea or land forces. The court being met, completely arrayed and armed as at a military tribunal, the judge advocate proceeds to administer the usual oaths taken by jurors in England to each member; one of whom afterwards swears him in a like manner. The ceremony being over, the crime is laid to the prisoner's charge, and the question "guilty or not guilty" put to him. No law officer being appointed on the part of the crown, the party at whose suit he is tried is left to prosecute the prisoner entirely by himself. All the witnesses are examined on oath; and the decision must be given according to the laws of England, or "as nearly as may be, allowing for the circumstances and situation of the settlement," by a majority of votes, beginning with the youngest member, and ending with the president of the court. No verdict, however, can be given in cases of a capital nature, unless at least five of the seven members concur therein. The evidence on both sides being finished, and the prisoner's defence heard, the court is cleared, and, on the judgment being set-

tled, is thrown open again, and sentence pronounced. During the time of sitting, the place in which it is assembled is directed to be surrounded by a guard under arms, and admission granted to every one who chooses to enter it. Of late, however, says Captain Trench, our colonists are supposed to be in such a train of subordination, as to make the presence of so large a military force unnecessary; and two sentinels in addition to the provost marshal are considered as sufficient.

The first trials which came before this court were those of three convicts, one of whom was convicted of having struck a marine with a cooper's adze, and behaving otherwise in a most scandalous and riotous manner. For this he was condemned to receive 150 lashes, being a smaller punishment than a soldier would have suffered in a similar case. A second, for having committed a petty theft, was sent to a small barren island, and kept there on bread and water only for a week. The third was sentenced to receive 50 lashes; but being recommended by the court to the governor, had his sentence remitted. The same lenity, however, could not be observed in all cases. One fellow, who had been condemned to be hanged, was pardoned while the rope was about his neck, on condition that he would become the common executioner ever after. He accepted the horrid office, but not without a pause. Some examples of severity were undoubtedly necessary; and among these it is impossible to avoid feeling some regret for the fate of one who suffered death for stealing a piece of soap of eight pence value: but by a letter of Governor Phillip, we are informed that the convicts in general had begun to behave much better; more so indeed than ever he expected; and at this time one woman had suffered for a robbery; five children had died, and 28 had been born. The whole amount of the deaths 77, of the births 87.

The number of convicts already sent to New South Wales amounts to 2000 and upwards; above 1800 are since embarked for that settlement. The annual expense of the civil and military establishments at that place is nearly 10,000. This was previous to 1792.

Besides the criminal court, there is an inferior one, composed of the judge advocate, and one or more justices of the peace, for the trial of small misdemeanors. This court is likewise empowered to decide all lawsuits; and its verdict is final, except where the sum exceeds 300. in which case an appeal can be made to England from its decree. In case of necessity, an admiralty court, of which the lieutenant governor is judge, may also be summoned for the trial of offences committed on the high seas.

The quadrupeds on the continent of New Holland hitherto discovered, are principally of the opossum kind, of which the most remarkable is the kangaroo. There is also a species of dogs very different from those known in Europe. They are extremely fierce, and never can be brought to the same degree of familiarity with those we are acquainted with. Some of them have been brought to England, but still retain their usual ferocity. There are a great many beautiful birds of various kinds; among which the principal are the black swans already mentioned, and the ostrich or cassowary; which last arrives frequently at the height of seven feet or more. Several kinds of serpents, large spiders,

spiders, and scelopendras, have also been met with. There are likewise many curious fishes; though the finny tribe seem not to be so plentiful on the coast as to give any considerable assistance in the way of provisions for the colony. Some very large sharks have been seen in Port Jackson, and two smaller species, one named the Port Jackson shark, the other Watts's shark. The latter, notwithstanding its diminutive size, the mouth scarce exceeding an inch in breadth, is excessively voracious. One of them having been taken and flung down upon the deck, lay there quiet for two hours; after which Mr Watts's dog happening to pass by, the fish sprung upon it with all the ferocity imaginable, and seized it by the leg in such a manner that the animal could not disengage himself without assistance.

The climate of this continent appears not to be disagreeable, notwithstanding the violent complaints which some have made about it. The heat has never been excessive in summer, nor is the cold intolerable in winter. Storms of thunder and lightning are frequent; but these are common to all warm countries; and it has been supposed (though upon what foundation does not well appear) that were the country cleared of wood, and inhabited, these would in a great measure cease. A shock of an earthquake has likewise been felt; but these natural calamities are incident to some of the finest countries in the world. It is not known whether or not there are any volcanoes.

The inhabitants of New Holland are by all accounts represented as the most miserable and savage race of mortals perhaps existing on the face of the earth. They go entirely naked; and though pleased at first with some ornaments which were given them, they soon threw them away as useless. It does not appear, however, that they are insensible of the benefits of clothing, or of some of the conveniences which their new neighbours are in possession of. Some of them, whom the colonists partly clothed, seemed to be pleased with the comfortable warmth they derived from it; and they all express a great desire for the iron tools which they see their neighbours make use of. Their colour, in the opinion of Captain Cook, is rather a deep chocolate than a full black; but the filth with which their skins are covered, prevents the true colour of them from appearing. At some of their interviews with the colonists, several droll instances happened of their mistaking the negroes among the colonists for their own countrymen. Notwithstanding their disregard for European finery, they are fond of adorning, or rather deforming, their bodies with scars; so that some of them cut the most hideous figure that can be imagined. The scars themselves have an uncommon appearance. Sometimes the skin is raised several inches from the flesh, and appears as if filled with wind; and all these seem to be reckoned marks of honour among them. Some of them perforate the cartilage of the nose, and thrust a large bone through it, a hideous kind of ornament, humorously called by the sailors their sprit-sail yard. Their hair is generally so much clotted with the red gum already mentioned, that they resemble a mop. They also paint themselves with various colours like most other savages; they will also sometimes ornament themselves with beads and shells, but make no use of the beautiful feathers procurable from the birds of the

country. Most of the men want one of the fore-teeth in the upper jaw; a circumstance mentioned by Dampier and other navigators; and this also appears to be a badge of honour among them. It is very common among the women to cut off the two lower joints of the little finger; which, considering the clumsiness of the amputating instruments they possess, must certainly be a very painful operation. This was at first supposed to be peculiar to the married women, or those who had born children; but some of the oldest women were found without this distinction, while it was observed in others who were very young.

The New Hollanders appear extremely deficient in the useful arts. Of the cultivation of the ground they have no notion; nor can they even be prevailed upon to eat bread or dressed meat. Hence they depend entirely for subsistence on the fruits and roots they can gather, with the fish they catch. Governor Phillip also mentions their frequent setting fire to the grass, in order to drive out the opossums and other animals from their retreats; and we have already taken notice of their using decoys for quails. As all these resources, however, must be at best precarious, it is no wonder that they are frequently distressed for provisions. Thus, in the summer-time, they would eat neither the shark nor sting-ray; but in winter any thing was acceptable. A young whale being driven ashore, was quickly cut in pieces and carried off. They broiled it only long enough to scorch the outside, and in this raw state they eat all their fish. They broil also the fern root and another whose species is unknown. Among the fruits used by them is a kind of wild fig; and they eat also the kernels of a fruit resembling the pine apple. The principal part of their subsistence, however, is fish; and when these happened to be scarce, they were wont to watch the opportunity when the colonists hauled the seine, and often seized the whole, though a part had formerly been offered or given them. They sometimes strike the fish from the canoes with their spears, sometimes catch them with hooks, and also make use of nets, contrary to the assertion of Dr Hawkesworth, who says that none of these are to be met with among them. Their nets are generally made of the fibres of the flax plant, with very little preparation, and are strong and heavy; the lines of which they are composed twisted like whip-cord. Some of them, however, appear to be made of the fur of an animal, and others of cotton. The meshes of their nets are made of very large loops artificially inserted into each other, but without any knots. Their hooks are made of the inside of a shell very much resembling mother-of-pearl. The canoes in which they fish are nothing more than large pieces of bark tied up at both ends with vines; and considering the slight texture of these vessels, we cannot but admire the dexterity with which they are managed, and the boldness with which they venture in them out to sea. They generally carry fire along with them in these canoes, to dress their fish when caught. When fishing with the hook, if the fish appears too strong to be drawn ashore by the line, the canoe is paddled to the shore; and while one man gently draws the fish along, another stands ready to strike it with a spear, in which he generally succeeds. There is no good reason for supposing them to be cannibals, and they never eat animal substances but raw or next to it. Some

New Hel- Some of their vegetables are poisonous when raw, but
land. deprived of this property when boiled. A convict
unhappily experienced this by eating them in an un-
prepared state; in consequence of which he died in 24
hours. The dislike of the New Hollanders to the Eu-
ropean provisions has already been mentioned: if bread
be given them, they chew and spit it out again, seldom
choosing to swallow it. They like salt beef and pork
rather better; but they could never be brought to taste
spirits a second time.

The huts of these savages are formed in the most
rude and barbarous manner that can be imagined.
They consist only of pieces of bark laid together in
the form of an oven, open at one end, and very low,
though long enough for a man to lie at full length.
There is reason, however, to believe, that they depend
less on them for shelter than on the caverns with
which the rocks abound. They go invariably naked,
as has already been observed; though we must not
imagine that the custom of going naked injures them so
to the climate as to make them insensible to the injuries
of the weather. The colonists had repeated oppor-
tunities of observing this, by seeing them shivering with
cold in the winter time, or huddling together in heaps
in their huts or in caverns, till a fire could be kindled
to warm them. It is probable, however, notwith-
standing their extreme barbarity, that some knowl-
edge of the arts will soon be introduced among them,
as some have been seen attentively considering the
utensils and conveniences of the Europeans, with a
view, seemingly, of making similar improvements of
their own. It has also been observed, that in some
things they possess a very great power of imitation.
They can imitate the songs and language of the Eu-
ropeans almost instantaneously, much better than the
latter can imitate theirs by long practice. Their tal-
ent for imitation is also discernible in their sculptures
representing men and other animals everywhere met
with on the rocks; which, though rude, are very
surprising for people who have not the knowledge even
of constructing habitations in the least comfortable for
themselves, or even clothes to preserve them from the
cold.

In their persons, the New Hollanders are active, vi-
gorous, and stout, though generally lean. Dampier
asserts that they have a dimness of sight; though later
navigators have determined this to be a mistake, ascrib-
ing to them, on the contrary, a quick and piercing
sight. Their sense of smelling is also very acute. One
of them having touched a piece of pork, held out his
finger for his companion to smell with strong marks of
disgust. The only kind of food they eagerly accept
of is fish. Their behaviour with regard to the wo-
men has been hitherto unaccountable to the colonists.
Few of them, comparatively speaking, have been seen;
and these have sometimes kept back with the most
jealous sensibility; sometimes offered with the greatest
familiarity. Such of the females as have been seen,
have soft and pleasing voices; and notwithstanding
their barbarism and excessive rudeness, seem not to be
entirely destitute of modesty.

The New Hollanders generally display great per-
sonal bravery on the appearance of any danger. An
old man, whom Governor Phillip had treated with

some familiarity, took occasion to steal a spade; but New Hel-
land. being taken in the fact, the governor gave him a few
slight flaps on the shoulder; on which the old man
caught hold of a spear, and coming up to him, seem-
ed for some time determined to strike, though had he
done so, it would have been impossible for him to
escape, being then surrounded by the officers and sol-
diers. No encounters between parties of the natives
themselves have been observed, though from some cir-
cumstances it appears that wars are carried on among
them. They have more than once been seen assembled
as if bent on some expedition. An officer one day
met 14 of them marching along in a regular Indian
file through the woods, each man having a spear in
one hand and a stone in the other. A chief appeared
at their head, who was distinguished from the rest by
being painted. They passed on peaceably, though
greatly superior in number to our people. On another
occasion they offered no hostilities when assembled to the
number of 200 or 300, and meeting the governor attend-
ed only by a small party. With all their courage,
however, they are much afraid of a musket, and almost
equally so of a red coat, which they know to be the
martial dress of the Europeans. The mischief which
they have hitherto done has been exercised only on
some straggling convicts, most of whom probably have
been the first aggressors.

Though these savages allow their beards to grow to
a considerable length, it does not appear that they
look upon them to be any ornament, but rather the
contrary, as appears from the following instance. Some
young gentlemen belonging to the Sirius, one day
met an old man in the woods with a beard of con-
siderable length. This his new acquaintance let him
know that they would rid him of, stroaking their
chins, and showing him the smoothness of them at the
same time. At length the old fellow consented; and
one of the youngsters taking a penknife from his poc-
ket, and making the best substitute for lather he
could, performed the operation with such success, that
the Indian seemed highly delighted. In a few days
he paddled alongside of the Sirius again, pointing
to his beard; but could not by any means be prevailed
upon to enter the ship. On this a barber was sent
down to him, who again freed him from his beard, at
which he expressed the utmost satisfaction. It has,
however, been found impossible to form any kind of
permanent intercourse with the natives, though many
attempts have been made for that purpose; but in his
letter above quoted, Governor Phillip declares that he
has not the least apprehension of their doing any da-
mage to the colony. At first the colonists imagined
the spears of the New Hollanders to be very trivial
weapons; but it now appears that they are capable of
inflicting very grievous and mortal wounds. They
are sometimes pointed with a sharp piece of the same
reed of which the shafts are made, but more frequently
with the sharp bone of the sting-ray. They certainly
burn their dead, which perhaps has given rise to the
report of their being cannibals. Governor Phillip, ob-
serving the ground to be raised in several places, caused
one of these tumuli to be opened, in which were found
a jaw-bone half consumed and some ashes. From the
manner in which the ashes are deposited, it appears
that

New Hol- land. that the body has been laid at length, raised from the ground a little space, and consumed in that posture, being afterwards lightly covered with mould.

The only domestic animals they have are the dogs already mentioned, which resemble the fox-dog of England. In their language these animals are called dingo; but all other quadrupeds without exception they name kangaroo.—They seem very little given to thieving in comparison with the inhabitants of most of the South Sea islands; and are very honest among themselves, leaving their spears and other implements open on the beach, in full and perfect security of their remaining untouched. They are very expert at throwing their javelins, and will hit a mark with great certainty at a considerable distance; and it seems that sometimes they kill the kangaroo with this weapon, as a long splinter of one of the spears was taken out of the thigh of one of these animals, the flesh having closed over it completely. The people are more numerous than was at first imagined, though still the number of inhabitants must be accounted few in comparison to the extent of country; and there is great reason to believe that the interior parts are uninhabited.

The New Hollanders bake their provisions by the help of hot stones, like the inhabitants of the South Sea islands. They produce fire with great facility according to Captain Cook, but with difficulty according to later accounts, and spread it in a wonderful manner. To produce it, they take two pieces of dry soft wood: one is a stick about eight or nine inches long, the other piece is flat. The stick they shape into an obtuse point at one end; and pressing it upon the other, turn it nimbly, by holding it between both their hands, as we do a chocolate mill; often shifting their hands up, and then moving them down upon it, to increase the pressure as much as possible. By this method they get fire in less than two minutes, and from the smallest spark they increase it with great speed and dexterity. "We have often seen (says Captain Cook) one of them run along the shore, to all appearance with nothing in his hand, who stooping down for a moment, at the distance of every fifty or an hundred yards, left fire behind him, as we could see, first by the smoke, and then by the flame along the drift of wood and other litter which was scattered along the place. We had the curiosity to examine one of these planters of fire when he set off, and we saw him wrap up a small spark in dry grass, which, when he had run a little way, having been fanned by the air that his motion produced, began to blaze; he then laid it down in a place convenient for his purpose, inclosing a spark of it in another quantity of grass, and so continued his course."

²⁷ State of the colony in 1797. According to the most recent accounts we have seen respecting this country, the colony is already in as flourishing a state as can be expected, considering the many difficulties with which every infant settlement has to struggle for some time. At the close of the year 1797 the colony had of live stock, 26 horses, 58 mares, 132 bulls and oxen, 195 cows, 4247 hogs, 743 rams, 1714 sheep, 781 he and 1495 she goats. Of land in a state of cultivation, there were 3361$\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ acres in wheat, 1527 for maize, and 26$\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ in barley, besides a considerable quantity of garden ground, which produced potatoes, callevances, and vines.

New Hol- land. The increase of public buildings belonging to the government was also very considerable. At Tuongabbe a barn was erected 90 feet long, in which 18 men might thresh corn, without interrupting each other. At Sydney, an entire new suite of apartments was built of brick, for the accommodation of the two assistant surgeons, and a jail 80 feet long was erected at the same place. Two wind-mills, and a granary 72 by 21 feet, were among the buildings of public utility, as well as an elegant church 100 by 44 feet, with a vestry 20 feet long, erected upon pillars, besides a great variety of other edifices and useful improvements. These demonstrate the parental care of the British government, and evince the prosperity of the colony to be rapidly advancing.

From the 27th of January 1788, to the 7th of June 1800, not fewer than 120 ships and vessels of various descriptions, and from different quarters of the globe, have visited this country; a convincing proof that they either found it a place of refreshment after the fatigues of a long voyage, or an advantageous market for their commercial speculations. Thirty-seven of them went from England with convicts, to the number of 5000, of whom about 157 were females.

Besides the black swans already mentioned, which the ancients despaired of ever seeing, this country produces that beautiful bird called menura superba, of which an interesting description is given by Mr Collins, in the second volume of his Account of the English Colony. Here also there is a considerable number of very uncommon and exquisitely fragrant shrubs. There is also an extraordinary amphibious animal found here, called the ornithorynchus paradoxus, of which Mr Home has given a description, which was published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1801.

In 1801, there were in circulation the following coins, which were made legal tenders by authority of the governor.

²⁸ In the year 1801 the increasing prosperity of the colony was still conspicuous, for the live stock of different individuals consisted of 6269 sheep, 362 cattle, 211 horses, 1259 goats, and 4766 hogs; and what belonged to government consisted of 488 sheep, 931 cattle, and 32 hogs. Individuals had 4857 acres of land sown with wheat, and 3564 acres for maize; and government had 467 acres for the one species of grain, and 300 for the other.

²⁹ In the month of June 1801, there were 5547 persons of all descriptions in the settlement, which with

Holl. 961 at Norfolk Island, made a total of 6508 persons subject to the governor's authority.