NATURAL CAPABILITIES. 307 



constant fresh breeze at Cape York and the frequent 

 showers produce a greenness and freshness in the 

 grass and vegetation even in June, when at Port 

 Essington every green thing is turned to brown. If 

 the post were stationed in Evans' Bay, high dry 

 rocky places might be selected for the houses, easily 

 defensible, and exposed to the full draught of the 

 sea-breeze, and overlooking a strip of rich garden 

 ground between them and the sea ; close on one side 

 are several hundred acres of good grass land, lead- 

 ing to some fresh water pools, and environed by 

 some steep rocky hills, about 300 feet in height, 

 which are covered by an almost impenetrable 

 thicket, forming a natural fence. On this grass 

 land the cattle and horses for immediate use would 

 be kept. On the other side is Bremer Peak, 500 

 feet in height, where the signal-post would be 

 within sight to give notice of the approach of vessels. 

 A beautiful sandy beach, two miles long would be 

 in front of the garden, on which it would be per- 

 fectly safe to bathe at all times of the tide without 

 fear of sharks or alligators. In addition to these 

 means of health and support, might be mentioned 

 the frequent and comparatively rapid communica- 

 tion with the rest of the world, and the excitement 

 of passing intercourse with strangers, so cheering to 

 the spirits of a small and isolated party. Even the 

 varied scenery of the hills and islands around would 

 not be without its beneficial effect on the health and 

 minds of the residents ; as I believe, on the contrary, 



x2 



