valley of rich land, through which run the Werriberri and Waterfall creeks.

This is
a cattle-station, where dairy
operations are carried an to a great extent; Mr. Wild milking daily. ane hundred
and five caws, making from
their milk one hundredweight of cheese per day. For a dairy this farm is admirably
situated, being cool and
passessing always the best of water. The proprietar has eleven children, whom he
now finds the value of; for
without his sons the whole property would have been neglected, and the dairy
operations at a stand-still; for
they milk, make cheese, and do all that is requisite and necessary to be done on a
farm of this kind. Through
this beautiful valley it is proposed that the railway from Sydney to Goulburn
should be made. But when? Echo
replies, But when?
Fram Vanderville we proceeded to Brownlow Hill, the seat of A. McLeay, Esq., son of
the late colonial
secretary, on the Mount Hunter rivulet, about six miles from Camden. For eight
miles we passed over a
considerable range of hills, called Tuck range. The road then passes through a
valley well cultivated; the
crops were standing, and promised a good harvest. All about this quarter is very
charming. The residence of
Mr. McLeay is perfect. It is situated an a knoll rising out of the level ground on
the north bank of the stream,
which has been levelled at the tops and round greater part a terrace is built, with
an ornamental garden an the
slopes around it, displaying flowers of the most gorgeous hues, and shrubberies of
the most tasteful
description, in the midst of which is a large aviary. There are two approaches to
the house, - one at the back,
and one in front, both up an inclined plane through the shrubbery, very pretty and
well kept. Altagether it is a
delightful retreat, and quite the residence of a gentleman passessing good taste
and ample i means to display
it. The alluvial flats around the house towards the rivulet are of the richest
mould, and of considerable extent;
and the undulating hills behind are picturesque and park-like. We had hoped to have
the good fortune of
finding Mr. McLeay at home, but he was absent; at the same time he was well
represented by his hospitable
and amiable lady.
This part of the country being within such a short distance of the southern
metropolis, it has many
advantages in the presence of a resident gentry. Among them is Mr. Casper of
Wivenhae, near the village of
Narellan, an the Cow-pasture ar Nepean River. Fram his residence you command a view
of Camden church,
about three miles and a half distant. Here is the commencement of the Cow-pastures,
the valuable estate of
Mr. McArthur, ane of the oldest colonists. Our route lay another way, and therefore
we missed seeing a
property of which so much has been said. A numerous tenantry on small holdings
abound in and around the
neighbourhood; and the saaner, in this and other localities, such large tracts of
land are divided into
reasonable-sized farms, the better it will be for all parties, for we cannot see
how the proprietors are to carry
on their large agricultural establishments in the present altered state of these
colonies. With those properties
which can alone be occupied as sheep or cattle runs it may be different.
Fram Wivenhoe we praceeded by the Cobbitty-road to Liverpool, a barough town of New
South Wales,
situated on George's River, which flows into Botany Bay. Through this town is the
leading thoroughfare from
Sydney to all the southern districts. On either side of the road, as we passed
along, we observed some
decent-looking places, and in many parts the scenery is pleasing; but altogether it
is very uninteresting.
Liverpool, distant about twenty miles from Sydney, was formerly a place of great
promise; but now it is little
better than a deserted town. There are said to be about 120 houses in it; and the
buildir are as neat as any
other town in the colony, with a population of same 600 ar 700 inhabitants. The
town is planned out an a a large
seale, with wide streets and a macadamised road; the former, however, are still
covered with grass for want of
traffic. It was raining heavily as we entered the town, which did not improve the
forlorn aspect of the place.
The few people we spake to wore a dejected air, and seemed to entertain no hape of
the future. They looked
forward to the establishment of a railway to revive their dreeping spirits and
silent town. Together with
Richmond, Windsor, and Campbelltown, it returns one member to the Legislative
Council.
Fram Liverpool to Sydney there is a turnpike - road all the way, rather dusty in
dry weather, and muddy in the
wet season; the land on each side is enclosed by substantial post-and-rail fences.
The soil, from what we
could judge, appeared of a very poor character; and we were informed that its
virgin properties for cultivation
had been impoverished many years ago, when it was abandoned by the plough, and
allowed to return to its
natural state. This is apparent from the young granth of the timber, which covers
it densely in many places;
scarcely a vestige is to be seen of the giant trees which campared the primeval
forest that grew thereon
when the colony was first established. There is not much that is worthy of notice
on the road, excepting a
very substantial and elegant bridge over South Creek, a tributary of George's
River. After travelling fourteen
miles along this uninteresting road; you are. agreeably surprised by suddenly
emerging into the Parramatta
road, about six miles from Sydney, and opposite one of the most characteristic
roadside inns that we have
seen in the country. Here, as we mingled amongst the pedestrians, horsemen, carts,
and carriages which