III. — Ohservatlons on Tasmanian Statistics for the 

 Decennial Period 1844 to 1853, {comjnled from Official 

 Sources, and j^iillished hy Authority). By James 

 Baenaed, Esq. [Read llth October, 1854.] 



Since the date of the last published statistics of this colony 

 in 1849, upwards of four years ago, the changes that have 

 taken place in the fortunes of Australasia, by the magnificent 

 gold discoveries in New South Wales and Victoria, and 

 slightly shared in by Tasmania, have invested the authentic 

 records of the progress made by even the smallest and 

 weakest of the group with an interest, not only in the eyes 

 of those locally concerned, but in the estimation of the whole 

 civilized world. 



Secondary as she may be in point of size, and compara- 

 tively insignificant as she certainly is in extent of population, 

 yet it may be affirmed that, of all the colonies planted in 

 this hemisphere, Tasmania more fully displays the veri- 

 similitude which would justify the appellation of the Britain 

 of the South. The parallel is close and striking. In insular 

 position^ — bold and picturesque scenery, — sheltered harbours^ 

 — climate and soil adapted to agriculture, — forests of splendid 

 timber, scarcely, if at all, inferior to the English oak, — ship- 

 building, — whale fisheries, — an unlimited supply of the best 

 quality of coal for steam, gas, and domestic manufactures, 

 besides immense beds of iron ore, limestone, freestone, &c., — 

 all these, with other advantages superadded of free insti- 

 tutions and universal education, combined with mental 

 energy and industry of character, comprise the elements of 

 national wealth and prosperity, which cannot fail in their 



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