172 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



and about one-fourth of this number are convicts. In truth, the fact 

 that it is a convict settlement may be at once inferred from the 

 number of police-officers and soldiers that are every where seen, and 

 is rendered certain by the appearance of the "chain-gangs." The 

 latter reminded us, except in the colour of those who composed them, 

 of the coffee-carrying slaves at Rio; but the want of the cheerful 

 song, and the apparent merriment, which the Brazilian slaves exhibit 

 in the execution of their tasks, was apparent. 



When viewed from the water, Sydney appears to great advantage. 

 It lies on the south side of the harbour, and covers two narrow 

 promontories, separated and bounded by coves. The ground rises 

 gradually, and thus exhibits its buildings to great advantage, giving 

 it the air of a large commercial city. It is chiefly built of a drab- 

 coloured sandstone, resembling that employed in the new public 

 buildings at Washington, but of a lighter hue. Red brick is also 

 used in building, and the suburbs contain many neat cottages and 

 country-seats. The sandstone is a beautiful material, but is not very 

 durable. The view of the town is diversified with the peculiar 

 foliage of Australian trees, among which the pines of Norfolk Island 

 and Moreton Bay are most conspicuous. At the time of our arrival, 

 the trees were infested with locusts (Cicada), which made a noise 

 absolutely deafening. The sound this insect produces is the same as 

 that made by the analogous species in the United States, but is 

 continued here during the heat of the day, and ten times more 

 deafening. 



Handsome equipages abound ; and the stage-coaches are numerous. 

 These, with the costume and demeanour of the more respectable part 

 of the population, struck us as being more like what is seen in our 

 towns than in those of Europe. Every thing has a new look about 

 it, and the people manifest more of the bustle and activity of our 

 money-making and enterprising population than are to be seen in old 

 countries. The acquisition of wealth seems to be the only object of 

 all exertion here, and speculation was as rife as we had left it in the 

 United States. Cutting down hills, filling up valleys, laying out and 

 selling lots, were actively going on. There are in truth many par- 

 ticulars in which the people of Sydney resemble those of America. 

 This is observable, among other things, in the influence of the public 

 press. In Australia, however, it is more licentious than any except 

 the lowest of our newspapers; taking unwarrantable liberties with 

 private character, and is far from being remarkable for discrimination. 



