NEW SOUTH WALES. 103 



nearly with that of George Street, the Broadway of Sydney. The old 

 town lies on the east side of this line, and occupies the eastern promon- 

 tory of the Cove ; it is the least reputable part, and is almost filled 

 with grog-shops and brothels, except at its extreme eastern quarter, 

 where there are a few genteel buildings, in agreeable situations. The 

 streets to the south and west of George Street are well laid out, and are 

 rapidly filling up with good houses. 



George Street extends in a direction nearly north and south for two 

 or three miles, as far as Brickfield Hill, w T hich is also nearly covered 

 with buildings. On George Street are many of the public buildings, 

 among w T hich are the barracks, the markets, the post-office, and the 

 banks. The remaining buildings which front upon it are chiefly occu- 

 pied as shops, in which almost every description of European manu- 

 factures may be procured, and some of them at moderate prices. 

 Several streets run parallel, and others at right angles to George Street. 



The houses of Sydney are for the most part well built and commo- 

 dious. On the western side of the town are many handsome buildings 

 and extensive public grounds ; towards the eastern side is a large 

 square, called Hyde Park, upon w r hich are situated the offices of the 

 colonial government, the church of St. James, and the Catholic 

 cathedral. 



Sydney contains about twenty-four thousand inhabitants, which is 

 about one-fifth part of the whole population (120,000) of the colony; 

 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 7 

 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 build- 

 ings 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 Austra- 

 lian trees, among which the pines of Norfolk Island and Moreton Bay 



