Having thus endeavoured to give a description of the general character and climate of this limited but certainly beautiful portion of the Australian continent, without encumbering my description with any remark on the principal and particular sources of wealth it possesses, which not being usual, could not, or rather would not, have been considered applicable.  I hope the object I have had in view will be sufficiently clear to the reader.  I have endeavoured to point out with an impartial pen, the real capabilities of the province, and the nature of those productions which are most congenial to her soil.  Without undue praise on the one hand, or unjust depreciation on the other, it has been my desire to present a faithful picture of her to my readers, and I hope it will appear from what I have said, as is really and truly the case, that both in climate and other respects it is a country peculiarly adapted to the pursuits and habits of my countrymen.  That its climate so far approaches that of England, as to be subject to light and partial frosts, which render it unfit for the cultivation of tropical productions, but make it essentially an agricultural country, capable of yielding as fine cereal grain as any country in the world, of whatever kind it may be—­that at the same time the greater mildness of the climate makes it favourable to the growth of a variety of fruits and vegetables, independently of European fruit trees and culinary herbs, which put it in the power of the settler to secure the enjoyment of greater luxuries and comforts, than he could possibly expect to have done in his own country, except at a great expense, and that as far as the two great desiderata go, on which I have been dwelling, it is a country to which an Englishman may migrate with the most cheerful anticipations.

CHAPTER III.

Seasons—­cause why south Australia has fine grain—­extent of
cultivation—­amount of stock—­the Burra-Burra mine—­its
magnitude—­abundance of minerals—­absence of coal—­smelting ore—­immense
profits of the Burra-Burra—­effect of the mines on the labour
market—­reluctance of the lower orders to emigrate—­difference between
Canada and Australia—­the Australian colonies—­state of society—­the
middle classes—­the squatters—­the Germans—­the natives—­author’s
interviews with them—­instances of just feeling—­their bad
qualities—­personal appearance—­young settlers on the Murray—­conclusion.