NEW SOUTH WALES. 281 



In consequence of this statement, Captain M'Arthur's plans were 

 investigated by a committee of the Privy Council — at whose meetings 

 he was present — and were recommended to be adopted. Some sheep 

 were supplied from the flock of George III., and with them he em- 

 barked for New South Wales, on board the " Argo," which vessel 

 was so named by himself in reference to the freight she bore. 



The government having granted him a large tract of land, in what 

 was termed in the colony the Cow Pastures, he, in gratitude for the 

 assistance he had received, named it Camden, after the distinguished 

 nobleman who had befriended him, and who was then presiding over 

 the Colonial Department. This is now a princely estate, with a 

 magnificent mansion and grounds. The land attached to it contains 

 thirty thousand acres on the Upham river. About the lawns of this 

 mansion, magnolias and other trees of North America flourish by 

 the side of the Acacia pendula, &c, and plants indigenous to the 

 Australian mountains. In the garden are found figs, peaches, pears, 

 plums, and small fruits in the greatest profusion and of the finest 

 uality, besides mulberries, grapes, pine-apples, oranges, &c, growing 

 in the open air. The grounds are in beautiful order, and their repu- 

 tation is deservedly great in the colony. 



Liverpool is a small town in this neighbourhood, fifteen miles from 

 Paramatta, to the westward. The government has here a large 

 hospital, under the direction of Dr. Hill, to whose kindness and atten- 

 tion Mr. Peale was much indebted. This institution is open to the 

 disabled and sick of all nations; is a large building, and admirably 

 kept. 



We are sorry that as much cannot be said for the " Wheelwright 

 Arms," at Liverpool, and other hotels in Campbelltown : a larger 

 supply of spiders, flies, and bed-bugs is seldom seen, than that with 

 which the bed-rooms swarm. 



In the neighbourhood of Liverpool, a dam is in progress at the head 

 of the tide-water of Cook's river, which empties into Botany Bay. 

 This is a noble work, and is intended for the purpose of giving 

 Sydney a supply of water, of which it is much in want. The work 

 is performed entirely at the expense of government, and the water is 

 led for a long distance by tunnel. 



While at Clifton, Mr. Peale made air excursion along the mean- 

 dering course of the Nepean river. He was much surprised at the 

 productions of the soil, although these were apparently every where 

 deficient of moisture; and also at the singular notes of the birds, 



VOL. II. 7 1 



