49 



plantations all over the colony is, however, but the first step 

 in a great national work of progress; and I think we may 

 reflect, not without some pride, that this public step was 

 made in Australia here first of all. 



Half a million of plants, distributed by me to public insti- 

 tutions, is, after all, but a trifle in a country that requires 

 hundreds of millions of foreign trees, if it really is to advance 

 to greatness and the highest prosperity; a greatness that will 

 be retarded in the same degree as attention to this, as one of 

 its most urgent interests, is deferred. 



The gifts of plants from the establishment under my control 

 have provided the country with many a species that otherwise 

 would not have existed here yet. Many of the magnificent 

 or quick-growing Himalayan and Californian pines, not to 

 speak of others, became through my hand first dispersed by 

 thousands and thousands; and although I may have incurred 

 the displeasure of a few of the less thoughtful of my fellow- 

 citizens, who wished the slender means of my young estab- 

 lishments 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 inhabi- 

 tants 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 towards 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 saddening to 

 us its aspect! What mind pable of higher feelings, can 

 suppress its sympathy, when j see stretched and withering 

 on the ground a princely tree, which but a few hours pre- 

 viously was an object of our admiration, and a living monu- 

 ment of magnificence and glory. Do you think it had its 



