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Be in North Wales. The grass in e is of a good quality and very a, and a rivutet of fine water runs from the eastward, which unites the western extremity of the vaie other rivulet containing still more The junction of these two streams very handsome river, now called Governor Cox's River; which takes berse, as has been since ascertained, Ja the Prince Regent's Glen, and is itself into the river Nepean; and onjectured, from the nature of the ry through which it passes, that it be one of the principal causes of the which have been occasionally felt on ow banks of the river Hawkesbury, which the Nepean discharges itself. vale of Clwyd, from the base of at York, extends six miles in a westdirection, and has its termination at s River. Westward of this river the try again becomes hilly, but is gene open forest laud, and very good urage.

European discoverer, gave the name of Mount Evans. Passing on from hence the country continues bitly, but affords good pasturage, gradually improving to Sidmouth Valley, which is distaut from the pass of the Fish River cight miles. The land here is level, and the first met with unencumbered with timber: it is not of very considerable extent, but abounds with a great variety of herbs and plants, such as would probably highly interest and gratify the scientific botanist. This beautiful attle valley runs north-west and south-east, between hills of easy ascent, thinly covered with timber-Leaving Sidmouth Valley, the country becomes again hilly, and in other respects resembles very much the country to the eastward of the valley for some miles. Daving reached Campbell River, distant 13 miles from Sidmouth Valley, the Governor was highly gratified by the appearance of the country, which there began to exhihit an open and extensive view of gently rising grounds, and fertile plains. Judging from the height of the banks, and its general width, the Camp

Three miles to the westward of the le of Clwyd, Messrs. Blaxiand, Went-bell River must be ou some occasions of rth, and Lawson had formerly teraated their excursion; and when the ious difficulties are considered which y had to contend with, especially unti *y bad effected the descent from Mount ark, to which place they were obliged to ss through a thick brush-wood, where ey were under the necessity of cutting a ssage for their baggage-horses, the seerity of which labour had seriously af- | ted their healths, their patient endurance 4 such fatigue cannot fail to excite much urprise and admiration.-In commemotion of their merits, three beautiful high is joning each other at the end of their tour at this place, have received their names in the following order; viz. Mount Blaxland, Wentworth's Sugar Loaf, and Lawson's Sugar Loaf. A range of very lofty hills and narrow valleys alternately form the tract of country from Cox's R ver, for a distance of 16 miles, until the Fish River is arrived at; and the stage between these rivers is consequently very severe and oppressive on the cattle. To this range the Governor gave the name of Clarence Hilly Range.

"Proceeding from the Fish River, and at a short distance from it, a very singular and beautiful mountain attracts the attention, its summit being crowned with a large and very extraordinary-looking rock, nearly circular in form, which gives to the whole very much the appearance of a hill fort, such as are frequent in India.-To this lofty hill Mr. Evans, who was the first

very considerable magnitude; but the extraordinary drought which has apparently prevailed on the western side of the mountains, equally as throughout this colony for the last three years, has reduced this river so much that it may be more properly called a chain of pools than a running stream at the present time. In the reaches or pools of the Campbell River, the very curious animal called the Paradox, or Water-more, is seen in great numbers. The soil on both banks is uncommonly rich, and the grass is consequently luxuriant.Two miles to the southward of the line of road which crosses the Campbell River, there is a very fiue rich tract of low lands, which has been named Mitchell Plains. Flax was found here growing in considerable quantities.-The Fish River, which forms a junction with the Campbell River a few miles to the northward of the road aud bridge over the latter, has also two very fertile plains on its banks, the one called O'Connell Plains, and the other Macquarie Plains, both of considerable extent, and very capable of yielding all the necessaries of life.

"At the distance of seven miles from the, bridge over the Campbell River, Bathurst Plains open to the view, presenting a rich tract of champaign countr of eleven miles in length, bounded on both sides by gently rising and very beautiful hills, thinly wooded. The Macquarie River, which is constituted by the junction of the Fish and Campbell River, takes a winding comse

neral; Mr. Meehan, deputy surveyor-general; Mr. Lewin, pamter and naturalist; and Mr. G. W. Evans, deputy surveyor of lands, who had been sent forward for the purpose of making further discoveries, and rejoined the party on the day of arrival at Bathurst Plains.

thickly covered with timber. The length of this picturesque and remarkable tract of country is about 24 miles, to which the Governor gave the name of The Prince Regent's Glen.-Proceeding hence to the 33d mile on the top of a hill, an opening presents itself on the SW. side of the Prince Regent's Glen, from whence a view is obtained particularly beautiful and grandmountains rising beyond mountains, with stupendous masses of rock in the foreground, here strike the eye with admiration and astonishment. The circular form in which the whole is so wonderfully dispos

"The commencement of the ascent from Emu Plains to the first depot, and theuce to a resting place, now called Spring Wood, distant 12 miles from Emu Ford, was through a very handsome open forest of lofty trees, and much more practicable and easy than was expected. The facility of the ascent for this distance excited sured, induced the Governor to give the name prise, and is certainly not well calculated to of Pitt's Amphitheatre (in honour of the give the traveller a just idea of the difficul- late right houourable William Pitt) to this ties he has afterwards to encounter.-At a offset or branch from the Prince Regent's further distance of four miles a sudden Glen. The road continues from hence, for change is perceived in the appearance of the space of 17 miles, on the ridge of the the timber and the quality of the soil-the mountain which forms one side of the former becoming stunted, and the latter Prince Regent's Glen, and there it sudbarren and rocky. At this place the fa- deuly terminates in nearly a perpendicular tigues of the journey may be said to com- precipice of 676 feet high, as ascertained by mence. Here the country became altomeasurement. The road constructed by Mr. Cox down this rugged and tremendous gether mountainous, and extremely rugged-Near to the 18th mile mark (it is to descent, through all its windings, is no less than three-fourths of a mile in length, and be observed that the measure commences from Emu Ford a pile of stones attracted has been executed with such skill and attention it is close to the line of road, on stability as reflects much credit on him. the top of a rugged and abrupt ascent, and The labour here undergone, and the diffiis supposed to have been placed there by culties surmounted, can only be appreciated In order to Mr. Caley, as the extreme limit of his by those who view this scene. tour-hence the Governor gave that part perpetuate the memory of Mr. Cox's serof the mountain the name of Caley's Re-vices, the governor deemed it a tribute pulse. To have penetrated even so far, justly due to him, to give his name to this was at that time an effort of no small diffi- grand and extraordinary pass; and he ac. Having culty. From hence, forward to the 26th cordingly called it Cox's Pass. mile, is a succession of steep and rugged descended into the valley at the bottom of hills, some of which are almost so abrupt this pass, the retrospective view of the overas to deny a passage altogether; but at this hanging mountain is magnificently grand. Although the present pass is the only place a considerably extensive plain is arrived at, which constitutes the summit of the practicable point yet discovered for deWestern Mountains; and from theuce a scending by, yet the mountain is much most extensive and beautiful prospect pre- higher than those on either side of it, from sents itself on all sides to the eye. The town whence it is distinguished at a considerable of Windsor, the river Hawkesbury, Prospect distance, when approaching it from the inHill, and other objects within that part of terior, and in this point of view it has the the colony now inhabited, of equal inte- appearance of a very high distinct bill, rest, are distinctly seen from hence. The although it is in fact only the abrupt ter mination of a ridge. The Governor gave majestic grandeur of the situation, comthe name of Mount York to this terminabined with the various objects to be seen tion of the ridge, in honour of his royal from this place, induced the Governor to give it the appellation of The King's Table bishness the Duke of York. Land. On the SW. side of the King's Table Land the mountain terminates in abrupt precipices of immense depth, at the bottom of which is seen a glen, as romantically beautiful as can be imagined, bounded ou the further side by mountains of great magnitude, terminating equally abruptly as the others; and the whole

“On descending Cox's Pass, the Governor was much gratified by the appearance of good pasture land and soil fit for cultiva tion, which was the first he had met with since the commencement of his tour. The valley at the base of Mount York he called The Vale of Clwyd, in consequence of the strong resemblance it bore to the vale of

that name in North Wales. The grass in this vale is of a good quality and very abundant, and a rivulet of fine water runs aloug it from the eastward, which unites itself at the western extremity of the vase with another rivulet containing still more witer l'he junction of these two streams forms a very handsome river, now called by the Governor Cox's River; which takes its course, as has been since ascertained, through the Prince Regent's Glen, and empties itse.f into the river Nepean; and it is conjectured, from the nature of the country through which it passes, that it must be one of the principal causes of the floods which have been occasionally felt ou the low banks of the river Hawkesbury, into which the Nepean discharges itself. The vale of Clwyd, from the base of Mount York, extends six miles in a westerly direction, and has its termination at Cox's River. Westward of this river the country again becomes hilly, but is gene rally open forest laud, and very good pasturage.

Three miles to the westward of the Vale of Clwyd, Messrs. Blaxiand, Wentworth, and Lawson had formerly terminated their excursion; and when the various difficulties are considered which they had to contend with, especially unti they had effected the descent from Mount York, to which place they were obliged to pass through a thick brush-wood, where they were under the necessity of cutting a passage for their baggage-horses, the severity of which labour had seriously affected their healths, their patient endurance of such fatigue cannot fail to excite much surprise and admiration.-In comniemoration of their merits, three beautiful high his joining each other at the end of their tour at this place, have received their names in the following order; viz. Mount Blaxland, Wentworth's Sugar Loaf, and Lawson's Sugar Loaf. A range of very lofty hills and narrow valleys alternately form the tract of country from Cox's R ver, for a distance of 16 miles, until the Fish River is arrived at; and the stage between these rivers is consequently very severe and oppressive on the cattle. To this range the Governor gave the name of Clarence Hilly Range.

"Proceeding from the Fish River, and at a short distance from it, a very singular and beautiful mountain attracts the attention, its summit being crowned with a large and very extraordinary-looking rock, nearly circular in form, which gives to the whole very much the appearance of a hill fort, such as are frequent in India.-To this lofty hill Mr. Evans, who was the first

European discoverer, gave the name of Mount Evans. Passing on from hence the comtry continues bitly, but affords good pasturage, gradually improving to Sidmouth Valley, which is distaut from the pass of the Fish River cight miles. The land here is level, and the first met with unencumbered with timber: it is not of very considerable extent, but abounds with a great variety of herbs and plants, such as would probably highly interest and gratify the scientific botanist. This beautiful ttle valley runs north-west and south-east, between hills of easy ascent, thinly covered with timber-Leaving Sidmouth Valley, the country becomes again billy, and in other respects resembles very much the country to the eastward of the valley for some miles. Having reached Campbell River, distant 13 miles from Sidmouth Valley, the Governor was highly gratified by the appearance of the country, which there began to exhihit an open and extensive view of gently rising grounds, and fertile plains. Judging from the height of the banks, and its general width, the Campbeil River must be ou some occasions of very considerable magnitude; but the extraordinary drought which has apparently prevailed on the western side of the mountains, equally as throughout this colony for the last three years, has reduced this river so much that it may be more properly called a chain of poo's than a running stream at the present time. In the reaches or pools of the Campbell River, the very curious animal called the Paradox, or Water-more, is seen in great numbers. The soil on both banks is uncommonly rich, and the grass is consequently laxuriant.Two miles to the southward of the line of road which crosses the Campbell River, there is a very fiue rich tract of low lands, which has been named Mitchell Plains. Flax was found here growing in considerable quantities.-The Fish River, which forms a junction with the Campbell River a few miles to the northward of the road and bridge over the latter, has also two very fertile plains on its banks, the one called O'Connell Plains, and the other Macquarie Plains, both of considerable extent, and very capable of yielding all the uecessaries of life.

"At the distance of seven miles from the, bridge over the Campbell River, Bathurst Plains open to the view, presenting a rich tract of champaign countr of eleven miles in length, bounded on both sides by gently rising and very beautiful hills, thinly wooded. The Macquarie River, which is constituted by the junction of the Fish and Campbell River, takes a winding course

through the plains, which can be easily "The Governor here feels much pleasure traced from the high lands adjoining, by in being enabled to communicate to the the particular verdure of the trees on its public, that the favourable reports which banks, and which are likewise the only he had received of the country to the west trees throughout the extent of the plains. of the Blue Mountains have not been by The level and clean surface of these plains any means exaggerated,-the difficulties gives them at first view very much the which present themselves in the journey appearance of lands in a state of cultiva- from hence are certainly great and inevitation. ble; but those persons who may be inclin"It is impossible to behold this granded to become permanent settlers there, will scene without a feeling of admiration and | probably content themselves with visiting surprise, whilst the silence and solitude this part of the colony but rarely, and of which reign in a space of such extent and course will have them seldom to encounter. beauty as seems designed by Nature for the Plenty of water and a sufficiency of grass Occupancy and comfort of man, create a are to be found in the mountains for the degree of melancholy in the mind which support of such cattle as may be sent over may be more easily imagined than de- them; and the tracts of fertile soil and scribed. rich pasturage which the new country affords, are fully extensive enough for any increase of population and stock which can possibly take place for many years.

quality to that within the present colony: there is, however, a sufficiency of timber of tolerable quality within the district around Bathurst, for the purposes of house

"The Governor and suite arrived at these plains on Thursday the 4th of May, and encamped on the southern or left bank of the Macquarie River-the situation "Within a distance of ten miles from the being selected in consequence of its com- site of Bathurst, there is not less than fifty manding a beautiful and extensive prospect thousand acres of land clear of timber, for many miles in every direction around it. and fully one half of that may be considerAt this place the Governor remained for a ed excellent soil, well calculated for culti week, which time he occupied in making vation. It is a matter of regret, that in excursions in different directions through proportion as the soil improves the timber the adjoining country, on both sides of the degenerates; and it is to be remarked, that river. every where to the westward of the moun"On Sunday, the 7th of May, the Gover-tains it is much inferior both in size and nor fixed on a site suitable for the erection of a town at some future period, to which he gave the name of Bathurst, in honour of the present secretary of state for the colonies. The situation of Bathurst is ele-building and husbandry. vated sufficiently beyond the reach of any floods which may occur, and is at the same time so near to the river on its south bank as to derive all the advantages of its clear and beautiful stream. The mechanics and settlers of whatever description who may be hereafter permitted to form permanent residences to themselves at this place, will have the highly important advantages of a rich and fertile soil, with a beautiful river flowing through it, for all the uses of man. The Governor must however add, that the hopes which were once so sanguinely entertained, of this river becoming navigable to the Western Sea, have ended in disappointment.

"The Governor has here to lament, that neither coals nor lime stone have yet been discovered in the western country; articles in themselves of so much importance, that the want of them must be severely felt whenever that country shall be settled.

"Having enumerated the principal and most important features of this new country, the Governor has now to notice some of its live productions. All around Bathurst abounds in a variety of game; and the two principal rivers contain a great quantity of fish, but all of one denomination, resembling the perch in appearance, and of a delicate and fine flavour, not unlike that of a rock cod: this fish grows to a large size, and is very voracious. ral of them were caught during the Governor's stay at Bathurst, and at the balting

Seve

caught weighed 17lbs. and the people staioned at Bathurst reported that they had caught some weighing 25lbs.

"During the week that the Governor remained at Bathurst, he made daily excursions in various directions one of these extended twenty-two miles south-west.place on the Fish River. One of those and on that occasion, as well as on all the others, he found the country composed chief of valleys and plains, separated occasionally by ranges of low hills;-the soil throughout being generally fertile, and well circumstanced for the purpose of agriculture or grazing.

“The field game are the kangaroos, emus, black swans, wild geese, wild turkeys, bustards, ducks of various kinds quail, bronze, and other pigeons, &c, &c.

The water-mole, or paradox, also abounds | order them to be furnished with written in all the rivers and ponds. passes. It is at the same time strictly or "The site designed for the town of Ba-dered and directed, that no person, whethurst, by observation taken at the flag-ther civil or military, shall attempt to trastaff, which was erected on the day of Bathurst receiving that name, is situated in latitude 33° 27' 45" south, and in longitude 149° 37' 45" east of Greenwich being also 27 miles north of Government-house in Sydney, and 91 west of it, bearing west 20° 30' north, 83 geographic miles, or 954 statute miles; the measured road distance from Sydney to Bathurst being 140 English miles.

"The road constructed by Mr. Cox and the party under him commences at Emu Ford, on the left bank of the river Nepean, and is thence carried 101 miles to the flag-staff at Bathurst: this road has been carefully measured, and each mile regularly marked on the trees growing on the left side of the road proceeding towards Bathurst.

"The Governor in his tour made the following stages, in which he was principally regulated by the consideration of having good pasturage for the cattle, and plenty of water :

1st stage-Spring Wood, distant from Emu Ford

12 miles

28 miles

41 miles

vel over the Blue Mountains without having previously applied for and obtained permission, in the above prescribed form. The military guard stationed at the first depot on the mountains will receive full instructions to prevent the progress of any persons who shall not have obtained regular passes. The necessity for the establishing and strictly enforcing this regulation is too obvious to every one who will reflect on it, to require any explanation here.

"The Governor cannot conclude this account of his tour, without offering his best acknowledgements to William Cox, Esq. for the important service he has rendered to the colony in so short a period of time, by opening a passage to the new-discovered country, and at the same time assuring him, that he shall have great pleasure in recommending his meritorious services on this occasion to the favourable consideration of his Majesty's Ministers. "By command of his Excellency, The Governor.

"JOHN THOMAS CAMPBELL, Secretary."

This is not the only exertion made by our countrymen to obtain an acquaintance with the country in which they reside, and 56 miles with the neighbouring countries. The latest communication is from the Rev. Mr. 72 miles Marsden, dated Paramatta, May 30, 1815. That worthy gentleman had taken occa80 miles sion of accompanying several Missionaries aud Settlers to New Zealand; he travelled several miles into the country, in some places, and found the inhabitants, their ef forts of cultivation, and their readiness to receive intercourse, much more satisfactory than could have been expected. The Potatoe seems to have effected wonders, among them. One field of forty acres was not only fenced in, but reduced to garden neatness, and not a weed left in it.

91 miles

101 miles. At all of which places the traveller may assure himseif of good grass, and water in abundance.

"On Thursday the 11th of May the governor and suite set out from Bathurst on their return, and arrived at Sydney on Friday the 19th ultimo.

A village, containg about two hundred * "The Governor deems it expedient here houses, was found strongly fortified, by three to notify to the public, that he does not wide and deep trenches, dug at a few paces mean to make any grants of land to the distance from each other; and all three westward of the Blue Mountains until he were fenced with split, or entire, trees, shall receive the commands of his Majes-twenty feet high. The whole, on the ty's Ministers on that subject, and in reply to the report he is now about to make then, upon it.

"In the mean time, such gentlemen or other respectable free persons as may wish to visit this new country, will be permitted to do so on making a written application to the Governor to that effect; who will

summit of a hill. The reader, acquainted with the autiquities of his own country, will instantly recollect an ancient British town: nor will be deny the resemblance of the ancient Britous with these people, who are thus described: "The New Zealanders will not be insulted with impunity, nor 'treated as men without understanding."