NEW SOUTH WALES. 253 



land, and from this cause it is in reality much more extensive than it 

 appears. The soil around is sterile, and its principal ingredient is 

 sandstone. The lake is surrounded by the sombre green of the gum 

 trees, and the landscape is uninviting. 



Many ant-hills were passed, each appearing to contain a numerous 

 colony of different species of ants. They are of various colours, red, 

 black, gray, and yellow, and of all sizes, from that of minute animal- 

 culae, to that of a wasp. Most of them were said to give poisonous 

 bites, and those of the largest kinds had visible stings. Most of the 

 snakes, small as well as large, are venomous to a high degree. 



Mr. Threlkeld, like many others in the colony, had convict servants 

 assigned for the use of the station. It is thought almost impossible for 

 a settler to manage his affairs without them, and it is somewhat 

 curious to see a clergyman associated and in daily intercourse with 

 thieves and abandoned felons. There is scarcely a person in comfort- 

 able circumstances, who has not derived much of his fortune from 

 their exertions, although not without suffering very much from the 

 constant vexations attendant on such aid. Mr. Threlkeld had hired a 

 family of emigrants as intermediate assistants, but he was doubtful if 

 he had benefited himself by it. 



The difference between the two kinds of servants is great. The 

 convict, on the one hand, is obliged to do the work his master appoints, 

 and in the exact manner he directs ; but the master suffers from his 

 vices and dishonesty ; and on the other hand, the emigrant is under all 

 his English prejudices : self-willed, and conscious of his superiority 

 over the other servants, he will not be driven, and is hardly to be 

 coaxed into adopting the necessary alterations which the difference of 

 soil and climate requires. Both try, in no small degree, the temper of 

 a settler in New South Wales. 



At Mr. Threlkeld's, Mr. Hale saw M'Gill, who was reputed to be 

 one of the most intelligent natives ; and his portrait was taken by Mr. 

 Agate. His physiognomy was much more agreeable than that of the 

 other blacks, being less strongly marked with the peculiarities of his 

 race. He was about the middle size, of a dark chocolate colour, with 

 fine glossy black hair and whiskers, a good forehead, eyes not deeply 

 set, a nose that might be described as aquiline, although depressed and 

 broad at the base. It was very evident that M'Gill was accustomed to 

 teach his native language, for when he was asked the name of any 

 thing, he pronounced the word very distinctly, syllable by syllable, so 

 that it was impossible to mistake it. Though acquainted with the 

 doctrines of Christianity, and all the comforts and advantages of civi- 

 lization, it was impossible for him to overcome his attachment to the 

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