VICTORIA. 



55 



the sluggish ditch at Melbourne would imagine that five and forty miles 

 away it is a brisk and sparkling river, parrots and satin birds and king- 

 fishers floating about it, ferns bending over and hiding its waters, and the 

 giant gum rising from its banks to double the height of any city spire. The 

 improvements will make the Yarra below the city a grand stream, bearing the 

 commerce of the world on its bosom, and one may look forward to the time 



The Yarra Yarra, near Melbourne. 



when the city portion itself will be purified, and the river made worthy of its 

 romantic mountain home. 



The city has its drawbacks. There is dust in the summer, which the 

 water-carts seek in vain to control ; and there is mud in winter, which no 

 raving against the Corporation appears to affect ; and the less said on the 

 drainage question the better. Again, as to weather, there are people who 

 protest against the suddenness of the change when the wind in January chops 

 round from north to south, and after panting in the morning you begin to 



