the settlement.  In some places where they dug, in making wells, they found a substance which at first was taken for a metal, but which proving perfectly refractory in a very strong and long continued heat, has since been concluded to be black lead.  The kind of pigment called by painters Spanish brown, is found in great abundance, and the white clay with which the natives paint themselves is still in greater plenty.  The Abbe le Receveur was of opinion, that this clay, if cleared from the sand, which might easily be separated, would make excellent porcelain.

The climate at Sydney Cove is considered, on the whole, as equal to the finest in Europe.  The rains are not ever of long duration, and there are seldom any fogs:  the soil, though in general light, and rather sandy in this part, is full as good as usually is found so near the sea-coast.  All the plants and fruit trees brought from Brasil and the Cape, which were not damaged in the passage, thrive exceedingly; and vegetables have now become plentiful, both the European sorts and such as are peculiar to this country.  In the Governor’s garden are excellent cauliflowers, and melons very fine of their kinds.  The orange trees flourish, and the fig trees and vines are improving still more rapidly.  In a climate so favourable, the cultivation of the vine may doubtless be carried to any degree of perfection; and should not other articles of commerce divert the attention of the settlers from this point, the wines of New South Wales may, perhaps, hereafter be sought with avidity, and become an indispensable part of the luxury of European tables.

The rank grass under the trees, unfortunately proved fatal to all the sheep purchased by Governor Phillip, on his own and on the public account.  Those which private individuals kept close to their own tents, and fed entirely there, were preserved.  Hogs and poultry not only thrive but increase very fast; black cattle will doubtless succeed as well, and it will be easy in future to secure them from straying.  The horses have not met with any accident.

The last dispatches from Governor Phillip bring an account of his having sent a small detachment up to that ground at the upper end of Port Jackson, which he discovered in one of his excursions to be so highly fit for cultivation.  This party consisted of a captain, two lieutenants of marines, with twenty-five non-commissioned officers and privates:  about fifty convicts were added as labourers.  This spot is very pleasant, and has been named by the Governor, Rose-hill.  The flax-plant, which was seen at the first arrival of our people, has not been found since in any great abundance.  A most ample supply of this valuable article may, however, always be obtained from Norfolk Island.  Governor Phillip, when he judged the seeds to be ripe, ordered them to be collected, but at that time very few of the plants were found, and not any in the places where the greatest quantity had been seen.  It is thought that the natives pull up the plant when it is in flower to make their fishing lines.