VOYAGE TO NEW SOUTH WALES. 
pilot. When you get within a mile of a ftrong fortified 
ifland which lies before the town (only feparated by a nar- 
row pafs), called the Iflc of Cobras, you are then in the 
great road ; where we anchored in fifteen fathom water ; 
or, fhould you have occafion to get nearer the town, you 
may run round this ifland, on the north fidcj and anchor 
above it, before the convent of Benedidine friars at the 
N. W. end of the city, before fpoken of. 
The city and harbour are ftrongly defended and fortified, 
but with very little judgment or regularity. The hills are 
very high, and fo is the coaft, which has fuch ftrange, 
romantic, and almofl: inacceffible terminations, that nature 
of her own accord, without the aid of military fkill, feems 
difpofed to defend them. Taking every thing into the 
account, I think it one of the beft harbours I have ever 
feen ; and, upon the whole, better calculated to fupply 
the wants of people who have long been at fea, and ftand in 
need of refreshment, than any part of the world, every 
thing being fo remarkably cheap. Beef may be purchafed 
at feven farthings per pound ; hogs, turkeys, and ducks, both 
Englifli and Mufcovy, were equally reafonable. Fowls were 
dearer, but ftill fold at a lower rate than in England, Fifh 
L was 
