the islands in the Arafura Sea, and thus widely spread the pure blessings of Christianity.  It is highly characteristic of our countrymen, that where with other nations, the tavern, the theatre, the dancing-house, are among the earliest buildings in a new settlement, with us everywhere the church is first thought of.  In few corners of the world, where English influence has extended itself, is this otherwise than true, and it is a highly enviable distinction.  It seems, indeed, that wherever the flag of Britain floats, there is made known the Word of God in its purity; and as an empire has been vouchsafed us on which the sun never sets, the extent of our influence for good in this respect is incalculable.  We may venture to express our sincere hope, that our country will ever continue to enjoy this noble supremacy.

At the south-east extremity of the settlement, raised on piles, was the Government-house, fronted on the harbour side by a small battery.  Behind the table-plain, the land, producing very coarse grass, falls away to the south-west, and some clear patches which from lying in a low situation, are flooded during the rains, form tolerable soil.  Generally speaking, however, there is a great deficiency of land fit for cultivation.  On some of the best spots lying to the southward and westward, gardens have been commenced with some success.

Before proceeding further with our journal of events at Port Essington, it may be proper to introduce some brief account of the state and prospects of the settlement at that place.  The reader will remember an allusion in a previous chapter to the departure from Sydney of the expedition despatched for the purpose of forming it, as well as some remarks on the policy of giving it a purely military character.  That expedition reached its destination on October 27, 1838, having taken formal possession on the way, of Cape York and the adjacent territory.  Sir Gordon Bremer’s first care was to select a site for the proposed township; and after due deliberation, a spot was fixed on which was thought to combine all desirable advantages:  as good soil, the neighbourhood of fresh water, and easy approach from the ships in port.  In the selection of the spot to be occupied by a settlement, the capabilities of the soil must ever be the first consideration; still, however, there will always exist an objection on the ground of its great distance of 16 miles from the mouth of the harbour.  A similar disadvantage in the Falkland Islands, proved of great detriment to the settlement in Berkeley Sound.

The site of Victoria, for such was the name bestowed, in honour of her Majesty, on the new settlement, is raised in the loftiest part about fifty feet above high-water level.  Upon it the plans of a number of cottages and gardens were rapidly marked out; and it was not long before this hitherto desolate spot presented the appearance of a large straggling village.  A pier was speedily run out into the sea; and a good road cut to it.  The church, also, which I have before mentioned, was soon to be distinguished, rising above the Government cottage and officers’ quarters; while in order to ensure an ample supply of water, deep wells were sunk on the tableland within the settlement, which fully answered expectation, the water proving good and abundant.