32.

SKETCH OF AUSTRALIA AND POLYNESIA.

WHAT is Australia? The Terra-Australis, or Southern Land, of the old navigators. It was first seen by the Portuguese and Spaniards in their earlier expeditions ; to the Dutch we owe the first positive knowledge of it, but this was limited to the northern and western coasts; for it was not until the year 1770 that the eastern side was discovered and surveyed by Captain Cook.

What is the extent of Australia and how is it divided? Australia is about 2400 miles in extent from west to east, and 1900 miles from north to south. It is divided into two nearly equal parts, by the meridian of 135° east. * Of these the western part is called New Holland, and the eastern New South Wales.

Describe New Holland?

New Holland is bounded on the north, west, and south, by the Indian Ocean; on the east by New South Wales. The country has been little explored, and seems to be generally unproductive. It contains no European settlement. The inhabitants, thinly scattered over it, are black, go entirely naked, and rank among the most stupid and barbarous people on earth.

Describe New South Wales? New South Wales is bounded on the west by New Holland; on the north, east, and south, by the Pacific Ocean. An arm of the latter, called Bass' Strait, divides it from Van Diemen's Land. The indigenal inhabitants are similar to, but more

* This limit was originally defined in the patent of the governor of New South Wales.

numerous, than those of New Holland. The country, also, is more fruitful, and is partly peopled by Europeans from Great Britain; under the government of which the whole country is now protected. The only town is that of Sydney, in Port Jackson.

When was this colony founded? In the year 1788, at which time Port Jackson was first found to be so capacious that a thousand of the largest ships might ride within it in perfect security. Commodore Phillip, in that year, arrived with 600 male and 250 female convicts, &c., and the population at the present time, with that of Van Diemen's Land, to the southward, exceeds 26,000 persons; among whom are many free settlers from Europe. Botany Bay, to which place it was originally intended that the criminals should be sent, was so named from the variety of beautiful flowers and plants found there.

Describe Van Diemen's Land? Van Diemen's Land, discovered by Tasman, in 1644, was at that time supposed to be the southern part of New Holland. Captain Cook explored it in 1777, since which Mr. Bass has discovered the strait which divides it from New South Wales. This strait is 90 miles broad, and contains several clusters of little isles. The island is 170 miles in extent, from north to south, and nearly the same from

east to west.

What settlements are there on Van Diemen's Land? The town of Hobart, on the river Derwent, in the southeast, and Launceston in the north.

What is the climate? Exceedingly fine, and supposed to be, for a European constitution, the most salubrious on the globe. Its spring may be considered as commencing early in August, its summer in November, its autumn in March, and its winter in May: so that its

winter is not more than three months, and the severe part only half that time.

What is the face of the country? Richly variegated and diversified by ranges of moderate hills and gently undulating vallies, forming beautiful amphitheatres. The hills are finely wooded and the soil rich. Coal, fruits, cattle, corn, and all the other necessaries of life, are abundant.

What is New Zealand? Two great islands discovered by Tasman, a Dutchman, but more completely circumnavigated by Cook, who explored the strait between the islands, which now bears his name. The country is beautiful in appearance, but the natives are cannibals, and have been engaged in perpetual wars with each other. Ships frequently touch here to water and refit, and the vessels of Port Jackson visit the coast; particularly of the northern isle, where a British settlement is expected to be established. We may reasonably hope that this will be the mean of future civilization.

Norfolk Island?

A beautiful little island, upon which there was formerly a British plantation. It was fruitful in corn, rice, and fruits, but has been abandoned, from want of a harbour and the difficulty of landing. The population, in general, have removed to Van Diemen's Land.

The islands south of New Zealand? These are the Auckland, Campbell's, and Macquarie's Islands. They are all uninhabited, but are visited for the seals and other marine animals which frequent the coasts. The Auckland Group, which is the most considerable, was discovered by Captain A. Bristow, in 1806. It has a large harbour, on the N. E. side, distinguished by the name of