LAPSTONE HILL. 97 



the weather, a blazing wood fire and an excellent 

 dinner. The view from Lapstone Hill, on gain- 

 ing its summit, was very splendid : a large extent 

 of country appeared from this elevated site : the 

 Nepean river was seen winding its course through 

 lands rich for pasturage, as well as in the cul- 

 tivation of grain. During the harvest season, 

 the prospect must be much increased both in 

 richness and beauty. The situation of Windsor 

 was pointed out ; but a haze being over the dis- 

 tant village, the houses were not distinguishable. 

 Regent Ville, the beautiful residence and farm of 

 Sir John Jamieson, was included in the view. 



About this place there was a great variety of 

 flowering shrubs, among which the Dianella 

 ccerulea, and a variety or species with white 

 flowers, were abundant ; but the season (particu- 

 larly on this bleak range) was not yet sufficiently 

 advanced for Flora to distribute all her beau- 

 ties, without the bright sun to enliven them. The 

 rapidly advancing summer will, however, soon 

 strew the earth with a thicker carpeting of floral 

 beauties, which the earlier spring about Sydney 

 had already brought forth in such an infinite 

 profusion. It is difficult to eradicate from our 

 minds early impressions ; thus we find those who 

 have been accustomed to regard plants from 

 foreign climes, nursed in the conservatories at 



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