Macquarie Harbour . 
21 
Proceeding further up, you pass two little islands, 
called Betsy’s Cap and Bonnet, and reach Liberty 
Point, so named by Mr. Kelly from the circumstance of 
some swans having been set at liberty by him at that 
spot. These poor birds had, according to the barbarous 
custom adopted by some unfeeling individuals, been 
penned up to starve to death, for the purpose of ob¬ 
taining the down on the skins free from grease. 
From Liberty Point you obtain the first glimpse of the 
settlement, which at this distance (nine miles), from the 
high fences bordering its western side, presented the 
appearance of a walled castle, the small island looking- 
like a detached fort. On the left, and four miles below 
the settlement, is Philip’s Island, one of the prettiest 
spots in the neighbourhood of the settlement, and a 
favourite resort of the officers. Its form is that of a 
wedge, presenting to the sea aspect an abrupt bank 
about fifty feet high ; from this edge it gradually slopes 
down. The whole of the top was brought into cultiva¬ 
tion, and yielded a plentiful crop of potatoes. 
Some of the government pigs were turned on Philip’s 
Island when the crop of potatoes was gathered, and 
found abundant food. About the centre of the island 
were built two huts, one occupied by the overseer, the 
other by the labourers : there was also a building for the 
temporary stowing of the potatoes when dug. 
These huts, kept very clean inside, and white-washed 
on the outside, added to the picturesque effect presented 
by the island; the water of which was so much prized, 
that, whenever it was possible, the officers of the settle¬ 
ment had some brought over for their table. 
The view from Liberty Point is that of the back of 
the settlement: on rounding the northern extremity of 
the island, the establishment presented a pleasing aspect 
to the eye. The buildings, all white-washed, indicated 
