CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER III. 



Sombre appearance of the Australian coast — Feelings of an 

 emigrant on approaching it — Improvement of Sydney — 

 Fruits produced in the colony — Extent of the town — Cul- 

 tivation of flowers and culinary vegetables — House-rent — 

 The streets — Parrots — Shops— Impolicy of continuing the 

 colony as a penal settlement — The theatre — Aspect of the 

 country in the vicinity of Sydney — The grass tree — Floral 

 beauties— Larva of a curious insect — The colonial mu- 

 seum — Visit to Elizabeth Bay — Valuable botanical speci- 

 mens in the garden of the Honourable Alexander Macleay 

 — New Zealand flax — Articles manufactured from that 

 vegetable — Leave Sydney — Residence of Mr. M' Arthur — 

 Forest flowers — Acacias — Paramatta — Swallows . . 50 



CHAPTER IV. 



Road from Paramatta to Liverpool — Arrival at Raby Farm— 

 The opossum — Prisoners and free men — Advantage of 

 being sentenced to an iron gang — London pickpockets 

 converted into Shepherds — Suggestion with regard to the 

 convicts — Leave Raby — Mr. Jones's farm — Cultivation of 

 the vine— Sameness of the forest scenery in Australia — 

 Lose our way— Journey resumed— Gloomy appearance of 

 the Australian vegetation — The tea tree — Colonial farms — 

 Emu-ford — Blue Mountain range — The Pilgrim Inn — 

 View from Lapstone Hill— Variety of flowering shrubs — 

 A beautiful garden — Road over the Blue Mountains — 

 Picturesque prospects — A mountain station — Bleak air of 

 the place — Our supper ...... 84 



