242 NATTJEAL HISTOET SKETCHES. 



Take it all in all, Melbourne bids fair soon to become 

 one of the most sporting towns out of England. There 

 is nothing strait-laced about the colonist. If he 

 wishes for a day's sport, he has it; and he backs his 

 opinion in a race, fight, or steeple-chase without caring 

 who knows it ; and is thought none the worse of for it. 

 Moreover, the tastes of most men out here are this way 

 inclined ; and as long as this is the case the good cause 

 must nourish. Eational and manly amusements will 

 always create a good feeling among the inhabitants of 

 any land, and nothing shows the character of a people 

 more than the choice of their sports and pastimes. The 

 encouragement of field sports gives a healthy tone and 

 manly bias to all classes, which will, I trust, long con- 

 tinue in Port Phillip ; although I myself have ceased to 

 bo personally interested in the doings of the colony. 



