bears the most resemblance to the mother - country by virtue of 
its insular position, its climate, its soil, and the whole form and 
structure of the country. It is an empire of islands, a double 
island, which, — thanks to the power of steam, that now-a-days 
shortens every distance, — lies towards the neighbouring Australian 
Continent, 1 like Great Britain towards Europe. Blessed with a 
genial oceanic climate, so admirable suited to the Anglo-saxon 
race; with a fertile soil well watered and splendidly adapted to 
agriculture and farming; with a manifold coast-line, suiting per- 
fectly to the notions and habits of the first maritime nation of 
the world: it is a country without dangerous animals, without 
poisonous plants, but rich in mineral treasures; a country, where 
horses, cattle and sheep thrive; where fruit, grain and potatoes 
grow most abundantly; a country adorned with all the charms 
and beauties of grand natural scenery; a country which can easily 
support a population of 12 millions; which promises the bold and 
persevering immigrant a lucrative and brilliant future. Such a 
country appears indeed destined before all others to become the 
mother of civilized nations. 
1 The distance from the const of New South Wales is 1200 sea-miles. Sydney 
may be reached from Auckland by steam in 5 or 6 days; sailing-vessels take from 
10 to 14 days. 
