386 PORT ESSINGTON. 



highly characteristic of our countrymen, that where 

 Avith other nations, the tavern, the theatre, the 

 dancing house, are among the earliest buildings 

 in a new settlement, with us every where the church 

 is first thought of. In few corners of the world, 

 where English influence has extended itself, is this 

 otherwise than true, and it is a highly enviable dis- 

 tinction. It seems, indeed, that wherever the flag of 

 Britain floats, there is made known the Word of God 

 in its purity; and as an empire has been vouchsafed 

 us on which the sun never sets, the extent of our 

 influence for good in this respect is incalculable. 

 We may venture to express our sincere hope, that 

 our country will ever continue to enjoy this noble 

 supremacy. 



At the south-east extremity of the settlement, raised 

 on piles, was the Government-house, fronted on the 

 harbour side by a small battery. Behind the table- 

 plain, the land, producing very coarse grass, falls 

 away to the south-west, and some clear patches 

 which from Ivingin a low situation, are flooded during- 

 the rains, form tolerable soil. Generally speaking, 

 however, there is a great deficiency of land fit for 

 cultivation. On some of the best spots lying to the 

 southward and westward, gardens have been com- 

 menced with some success. 



Before proceeding further with our journal of 

 events at Port Essington, it may be proper to intro- 

 duce some brief account of the state and prospects 

 of the settlement at that place. The reader will 

 remember an allusion in a previous chapter to 



