78 MONTHtY REVIEW OP tlTEllATURE. 



Narrative of a Voyage Round the World : comprehending nn Account 

 of the Wreck of the Ship " Governor Ready," in Terres Straits ; a 

 Description of the British Settlements on the Coasts of New Hol- 

 land, more particularly Raffles Bay, Melville Island, Swan River, and 

 King George's Sound ; also, the Manners and Customs of the Abo- 

 riginal Tribes ; with an Appendix, containing Remarks on Transpor- 

 tation, the Treatment of Convicts during the Voyage, and Advice to 

 Persons intending to Emigrate to the Australian Colonies. By T. 

 B. Wilson, M.D., Surgeon, R.N., Member of the Royal Geographi- 

 cal Society. London : Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, Paternoster 

 Row. 1835. 

 There is no class of literature so instructive and amusing as voyages and travels: 

 while perusing the narratives of those who either from circumstances which they 

 could not control, or a love of adventure, have dared the numerous perils attend- 

 ant on savage lands, the thoughts of the reader transplant tiiemselves to the place 

 described, and he sympathises with that intrepidity of spirit which, reckless of all 

 obstacles, has accompanied the traveller in every enterprise and danger. 



We have been led into making these remarks by a perusal of Doctor Wilson's 

 highly interesting volume, which describes most minutely and graphically the 

 British Settlements on the northern coast of New Holland, viz. Raffles' Bay, Mel- 

 ville Island, and others hitherto undescribed, together with accounts of the Abo- 

 rigines, enlivened with amusing anecdotes concerning them. Swan River and 

 King George's Sound are also touched upon, and the first attempts made to form 

 these seldements are described with great accuracy. 



The events that led our voyager to these remote climes are too numerous to be 

 detailed here : suffice it to say, the book is well worthy of being read by all who 

 desire to be informed of tribes no previous traveller has afforded us a relation of, 

 and of the lands they inhabit, which although at present barren wildernesses at the 

 remote ends of the earth, may at no distant period become the settlements of 

 Europeans, and be replete with the produce of the civilized world. 



To conclude, our author has furnished diose who purpose emigrating to New 

 South Wales, or Van Dleman's Land, with an invalualile article, entitled "Hints 

 to Emigrants," which we sincerely commend as the best that has been written on 

 that very important subject. The good sense and observation that dictate the 

 whole, our readers will be able to form ajudgment of from the following specimen : — 



" The average sum, for cabin passengers, is from £70 to £80; but a family — 

 say a man, his wife, and five children — may be very comfortably accommodated 

 with a reasonable table for £300 or £350. 



" Although I am aware many are of a contrary opinion, yet I would not advise 

 a passenger to have any written agreement, as to what kind and quantity of meat 

 and drink is to be received by him during the voyage, as such conduct infers sus- 

 picion and mistrust. The owners of vessels trading to Australia from the port of 

 London, are wealthy ; and the masters highly respectable, and not bkely to act with 

 duplicity, after they have sailed. 



" Emigiantb have freq'iendy applied to me for information, as to what articles 

 they ought to take with them to the colonies ; and I have invariably advised them, 

 not to expend their money in die purchase, eitlier of merchandize, household fur- 

 niture, agricultural implements, or a superfluity of wearing apparel ; as they can 

 obtain all these articles, when they really want tliem, at Sydney, or Hobart Town, 

 nearly on as reasonable terms as in England. 



" On arrival at Hobart Town, or Sydney, the first care of die emigrant must be, 

 to get into the country as fast as possible, as a sellkr, who has a family, and mode- 

 rate means, ought not to idle away his time, and spend his money, which he may 

 do, in either of these places, with as much facility as in London. I would also 

 particularly caution him to be on his guard against purchasing extraordinary good 

 bargains, either in sheep, land, or catde, which may be offered to him immedi- 



