STATISTICAL TABLE.

Estimated Value of Forts, Barracks, Arsenals, Artillery, and all Public Buildings.. L1,426,665 PRIVATE PROPERTY.

NOTES ON THE TABLE OF THE BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN

AFRICA.

(A.) The average annual income of all these colonies may stated at 150,000l.; and the expenditure at 200,000l. :

be

The Commerce to other places than Great Britain:

Exports to. Imports from.

Great Britain and Ireland .. 1829 £496,703 £895,206

1826 ...

(B). The population of this settlement does not exceed 26,000

souls.

420

SECTION IX.

SETTLEMENTS IN AUSTRALIA.

Capital, &c., of the English Settlements in Australia, viz. :-Van Diemen's Land-Swan River-and New South Wales, discovered by Cook-A Colony established for Convicts, in 1788-Soil-Natives-Animals-PopulationEstablishments-Trade-Shipping-Exports and Imports-Expenses, &c.

THIS new part added to the known world has a surface exceeding that of Europe by 307,000 geographical miles; and the greater part of it is under British dominion. The enterprising Cook first landed in the part now called New South Wales in 1770. Banks, on seeing the land covered with numerous herbs, called it Botany Bay; and, in 1788, Philips landed the first criminals in Sidney Cove, of whom 220 were females. Such was the humble commencement of this immense colony, which is perhaps destined to perform a principal part in human affairs.

The natives of this extensive country appear to be the last link in the chain which connects the human with the brute creation: they are, in general, the most weak and degraded of the human race. The quadrupeds are neither numerous nor of great strength, and are chiefly of the opossum species: the kangaroo differs from all animals hitherto known. The birds are far more numerous than other animals. The climate, in

a Cook was born at the village of Manton, in Yorkshire, in 1728: he was apprenticed to a small shopkeeper, but enlisted in the navy as a common seaman. He emerged from obscurity by his talents. and perseverance; studied mathematics and astronomy in his hours of leisure; and became one of the most scientific naval officers of the time; the government chose him, in 1768, to ascertain the observation of the approaching transit of Venus in the South Sea.

general, is various and excellent; the heat being never excessive in summer, nor the cold severe in winter. European productions and animals thrive and multiply amazingly. Van Diemen's Land wool has supplanted that of Estramadura and Segovia; its production is on the increase; is doubling-trebling. Five degrees south of Sidney are Port Dalrymple and Hobart Town; the public buildings in which, particularly the hospital, are magnificent, and vie with any in Europe. These places have increased in population, cultivation, shipping, and commerce, in the same, or perhaps greater proportion, than New South Wales. Swan River has lately been added to the number of these establishments, though at an immense distance from them. This colony, after overcoming very considerable difficulties, is likely, eventually, to become as prosperous as the other settle

ments.

All the European productions, plants, fruits, &c., have been introduced into these colonies; but grain, hemp, and flax, answer best. The European domestic animals, as the horse, &c., are propagated, and Merino sheep are to be seen in large flocks. Manufactures of wool, potteries, breweries, &c., have attained a comparative degree of prosperity. The population, since 1811, has quadrupled; the cultivation, commerce, and industry, have increased in a greater ratio; and the navigation and shipping have been augmented thirty-fold.

a

According to the official papers laid before parliament, the expenses of the establishment of New South Wales, in 1830, .£242,989 7s. 74d. 144,746 1 53

were.......

Ditto of Van Diemen's Land............

b See Wentworth's "New South Wales"; Cunningham's "Two Years in New South Wales"; "Friend of Australia; or, Plans for Exploring the Interior", &c.; Oxley's "Journals of Two Expeditions into the Interior of New South Wales "; Dawson's "Present State of Australia", &c.

a

But all these advantages are enhanced by the introduction and erection of scientific institutions and charitable establishments, &c. All the improvements of a nation, justly renowned for her commerce and unparalleled industry, are at once adopted in so remote a part. In fact, to form a perfect idea of these colonies, we ought to imagine an entire English town transported by enchantment to a distance of 12,000 miles, with all its courts of justice, sessions, town hall, female and orphan asylums, hospitals, charitable societies, public houses, stage coaches, markets, reviews, newspapers, &c., &c. If, in this magic manner, civilization begins at the extreme point of European refinement, what will that country become in the revolution of ages? Thus the British nation, at present so numerously spread throughout the world, will, in process of time, cover its great surface with an active and intelligent race, speaking one language, and ruled by the wisdom of the most fundamentally sound and happy institutions.

However, it is but too true, that the cost of these establishments to government is considerable. The expense of the transportation of convicts is too heavy: they might certainly be sent to other colonies nearer, cheaper, and with advantageous returns. But when we contemplate the grand general result to the happiness of the human

b

a A college has been, in the present year, established at Sidney, on the same principles as the London University. The Church people, even in those remote parts, attending to selfish interest rather than to public virtue, opposed the plans of the indefatigable institutor, Dr. Laing; but his praiseworthy exertions have triumphed over all obstacles.

Eight pounds are paid by government to each unmarried woman, between the ages of 18 and 30, who chooses to emigrate to New South Wales or Van Diemen's Land; the number not to exceed 1,200. The expenses of the passage are calculated at 167. for an adult, and 81. for a child.