Rapid progress made hy Sydney. 7 



their stay was employed by the scientific staff in excursions 

 into the interior of the colony. 



Sydney at present has with its suburbs attained already to 

 the dimensions of a European city. Only thirty years ago 

 there stood but a few herdsmen's huts, where now the visitor 

 beholds block after block of handsome stone private resi- 

 dences, or magnificent shops. There is not one article of 

 luxury or comfort which cannot be supplied here. The 

 chief building stone of the locality, sandstone, is chiefly used 

 in the erection of churches, public buildings^ and private 

 dwellings. The Exchange, the Bank, the Houses of 

 Assembly, Government House, &c., are stately buildings 

 erected in a solid, massive style, and if " Hyde Park," a 

 treeless meadow in the centre of the city, by no means 

 answers to its sounding title, the Botanic Garden, on the 

 other hand, the park known as '' Lady McQuarrie's Chair," 

 '• Kissing-Point," and ^' Lovers' Walk," form promenades as 

 delightful as any capital of Europe can show in such im- 

 mediate proximity. Sydney, moreover, is amply supplied 

 with gas and water, as well as with every means of con- 

 veyance that can facilitate intercourse in a large town, such 

 as omnibuses, cabs, steamers, &c. 



The theatres hitherto, whether as regards scenery or per- 

 formance, have hardly exceeded mediocrity, but on the other 

 hand educational establishments, public libraries, and hos- 

 ;j)itals, are of singular excellence. It is truly marvellous, 

 and especially makes a profound impression upon the 



