128 AUSTRALIA AND THE AUSTRALIANS. 



cots, fifty-six figs. New varieties are annually imported 

 from Europe, America, Japan, and other countries. 



CHURCHES AND COLLEGES. 



The number of churches in the colony of Victoria 

 for 1855 was 349 ; for 1865 it was 1,695 ; for 1875 it 

 was 2,519 ; for 1885 it was 3,982. 



The increase in the number of churches and chapels 

 is greater than the increase of population. Victoria 

 may be said to be very well supplied with churches, 

 as there is offered by these nearly 4,000 buildings to a 

 population of one million room for all. 



Counting one hundred and twenty -five as a fair 

 average congregation, you have a seating capacity for 

 500,000 persons, which is as large a percentage of the 

 people as could reasonably be expected to attend ser- 

 vice upon any given day. 



I doubt whether any country in the old world could 

 give us a more favorable showing as regards provision 

 for the spiritual wants of the population. 



The number of Sabbath-schools in 1884 was 2,044 ; 

 in 1885 the number had increased to 2,157. The 

 children attending these schools is about 150,000. 



The Methodist denomination return the largest 

 number, viz. : 39,675. Next to them the Presbyterians, 



