EUCALYPTUS TREES. 81 
fellow-citizens, who wished the slender means of my 
young establishments appropriated for the ephemeral 
glory of floral displays, and who wished to sacrifice 
lasting progress to unproductive gaiety, yet I feel 
assured that the fair feelings of the inhabitants of 
Victoria in general will approve of the path of pre- 
dominant utility which I struck out for myself, and 
will respect the considerations which prompted me, in 
an equitable spirit toward town and country , to attend 
in the first instance to pressing necessities, leaving 
the unnecessary or less useful for the exertions of a 
later time. 
If a census of the trees, which are to furnish us 
much seed for forest culture, could be held all over 
the colony, perhaps my early efforts would be viewed 
with more justice and gratitude. 
“ They did of solace treat, 
And bathe in pleasure of the joyous shade, 
Which shielded them against the broiling heat, 
And with green bough decked the gloomy glade.” 
SPENSER. 
In passing through a demolished forest, how sad- 
dening to us its aspect! What mind, capable of high- 
er feelings, can suppress its sympathy, when we see 
stretched and withering on the ground a princely tree 
which but a few hours previously was an object of our 
admiration and a living monument of magnificence 
and glory. Do you think it had its enjoyment ? 
Does it send mere automatically, without animation 
or sensibility of any kind, its crown to the sunny sky, 
or drink joyless the pearly dew ? Do you think it 
closes its flowers but mechanically, or unfolds them 
again to imbibe light and genial warmth, absolutely 
without gladness or pleasure of any kind? What is 
