PREFACE. THE present Work commences with a bri review of Australia generally, and a narrativ of the discovery of the coasts and the interi of the great island continent. But the mai design of my work is confined to the colonie of New South Wales, Victoria, and Sout Australia. A journey through those importan and highly-favoured British provinces, in pur suit of health, has enabled me to colled information which I believe will be practical use to the emigrant on his arrivin in Australia, and also of service to the me chants and manufacturers of Britain who trad with the settlers. purposely addressed myself to the middle of society; and my object has been not s to amuse as to instruct; and all exagg has been scrupulously avoided. To aid the reader in forming a just e of everyday life, both in the town and districts of Australia, he will find a description of the social condition, the m and customs of the colonists-in fact, of it really exists in the great souther tinent. There are chapters on the climat Aborigines, the zoology, the botany mineralogy, the gold and copper min the colonial methods of agriculture, culture and vine culture, which I tru be read with advantage by persons re information on those subjects. To she cattle farming I have devoted but little the subject having already been fully an treated by others. Sses uch tion nate try ute ers, e as on the much of the information in the present Work has been obtained from the old colonists, several of whom were at great pains to answer my inquiries, and furnish useful particulars. In this respect I am greatly indebted to W. Allen, Esq., the talented proprietor of "Adelaide Times newspaper, and to Mr. Henry Kelley, of Woodside Farm, Mount Barker, besides several others, whose names I have not permission to mention, but whose kindnesses I equally appreciate, and have much pleasure in acknowledging. the |