our minds that those streams fell into the Macquarrie, and to view it before it received such an accession, was our first wish. On the 19th, we were gratified by falling in with a river running through a most beautiful country; and which I should have been well contented to have believed the river we were in search of. Accident led us down this stream about a mile, when we were surprised by its junction with a river coming from the south, of such width and magnitude, as to dispel all doubts as to this last being the river we had so long anxiously looked for. "Short as our resources were, we could not resist the temptation this beautiful country offered us, to remain two days at the junction of the rivers, for the purpose of examining the vicinity to as great an extent as possible. "Our examination increased the satisfaction we had previously felt; as far as the eye could reach, in every direction, a rich and picturesque country extended, abounding in lime-stone, slate, good timber, and every other requisite that could render an uncultivated country desirable. The soil cannot be excelled, whilst a noble river of the first magnitude afforded the means of conveying its productions from one part to another. When I quitted it, its course was northerly, and we were then north of the parallel of Fort Stephens, being in latitude 30° 45 south, and at 148° 58 east longitude. "It appeared that the Macquarrie had taken a N. N. W. course from Bathurst, and that it must have received immense accessions of water in its course from that place. We viewed it at a period best calculated to form an accurate judgment of its importance, when it was neither swelled by floods beyond its natural and usual height, nor contracted within its pro per limits, by summer drought; of its magnitude, when it should have received the streams we had crossed, independent of any it may receive from the east, which, from the boldness and height of the country, I presume, must be at least as many,some idea may be formed, when, at this point, it exceeded in breadth, and apparent depth, the Hawksbury at Windsor. "Many of the branches were of grander and more extended proportion than the admired one on the Nepean River, from the Warragamba to Ėmu Plains. "Resolving to keep as near the river as possible during the remainder of our course to Bathurst, and endeavour to ascertain, at least on the west side, what waters fell into it,-on the 22d, we proceeded up the river, and between the point quitted and Bathurst, crossed the sources of numberless streams, all running into the Macquarrie; two of them were nearly as large as that river itself at Bathurst. The country from which all these streams derive their source was mountainous and irregular, and appeared equally so on the east side of the Macquarrie. "This description of country extended to the immediate vicinity of Bathurst; but to the west of those lofty ranges the country was broken into low grassy hills and fine valleys, watered by rivulets rising on the west side of the mountains, which, on their eastern side, pour their waters directly into the Macquarrie. "These westerly streams appeared to me to join that which at first sight I had taken for the Macquarrie; and, when united, fall into it at the point, on which it was first discovered on the 19th instant. "We reached this place last evening, without a single accident having occurred during the whole progress sof the expedition, which, from this point, "I feel the most particular pleasure in informing your Excellency of the obligations I am under to Mr Evans, the Deputy-Surveyor, for his able advice and cordial co-operation throughout the expedition; and, as far as his precious researches had extended, the accuracy and fidelity of his narration was fully exemplified. It would perhaps appear presuming in me to hazard an opinion upon the merits of persons engaged in a pursuit of which I have little knowledge. The extensive and valuable collection of plants formed by Mr A. Cunningham, the King's botanist, and Mr C. Fraser, the colonial botanist, will best evince to your Excellency the unwearied industry and zeal bestowed in the collection and preservation of them. In every other respect they also merit the highest praise. "From the nature of the greater part of the country passed over, our mineralogical collection is but small. Mr S. Parr did as much as could be done in that branch, and throughout endeavoured to render himself as useful as possible. "Of the men on whom the chief care of the horses and baggage devolved, it is impossible to speak in too high terms. Their conduct, in periods of considerable privation, was such as must redound to their credit; and their orderly, regular, and obedient behaviour, could not be exceeded. "It may be principally attributed to their care and attention that we lost only three horses; and that, with the exception of the loss of the dry provisions already mentioned, no other accident happened during the course of it. I most respectfully beg_leave to recommend them to your Excellency's favourable notice and consideration. "I trust your Excellency will have the goodness to excuse any omissions or inaccuracies that may appear in this letter. The messenger setting out immediately, will not allow me to revise or correct it. I have the honour, &c. &c. "J. OXLEY, Surveyor-General. "To his Excellency Governor OCCASIONAL AND FUGITIVE POETRY WHICH APPEARED DURING THE YEAR. LINES, BY MR ROSCOE, On receiving from Dr Rush, at Philadelphia, a piece of the Tree under which William Penn made his Treaty with the Indians, converted to the purpose of an Inkstand. The Tree had been blown down in 1812. FROM clime to clime, from shore to shore, And midst the storm that realms deplore, And of that tree, that ne'er again But, though no more its ample shade, Yet, midst the relic's sainted space, A health-restoring flood shall spring, So once the staff the prophet bore, The wither'd branch again shall grow, LINES, Said to have been addressed by LORD BYRON to his LADY, a few months before their separation. There is a mystic thread of life, So dearly wreathed with mine alone, That Destiny's relentless knife, At once, must sever both, or none. There is a form, on which these eyes There is a voice, whose tones inspire There is a face, whose blushes tell Affection's tale upon the cheek But pallid, at one fond farewell, Proclaims more love than words can speak. There is a lip, which mine hath prest, And mine-mine only prest it more! |