ple of Melbourne part with the upright and learned
judge with infinite regret, softened only by the certain hope they
entertain of his immediate return. The resident judge holds civil courts
as in England during the several terms, and criminal courts of general
jail-delivery every month. The pleadings are conducted by barristers at
law, who have been duly admitted in England, Ireland, Scotland, or Isle of
Man. The agents or attorneys and solicitors are those duly admitted at
Sydney, at courts of Westminster in England, High Courts in Ireland, and
_writers to her Majesty's Signet in Scotland_. Others who may have served
a regular apprenticeship of not less than five years to any such agent,
after undergoing a necessary examination, are likewise suffered to
practise as attorneys. The supreme court has been established about twelve
months. Before that time all suits were carried on in Sydney. Conveyances
of land may be prepared by any one, and, before professional men appeared
amongst the settlers, there were some rare specimens of deeds in this
branch of English law. Now they are of course better--and those to which I
have adverted have fortunately paved the way for endless litigation. We
have a sprinkling of military and mounted police; two very large steam
mills for grinding flour and sawing timber; and in a word, all the
concomitants of a large and flourishing city. I should, however, except
the public streets. These are still unpaved, and consequently in wet
weather, in some places, impassable, and in dry weather insufferably dusty.
I have spoken of the sudden squalls which arise often in the Bay. Whilst
one of these prevails, clouds of dust are carried from the streets so
dense that you cannot see half a yard before you. If you are exposed to
the whirlwind, and chance to wear clothes of a dark colour, you issue from
it with the appearance of a man who has been confined in a mill for a week.
A house of furniture well cleaned in the morning, looks at dinner-time as
if it had been coated with dirt for a twelvemonth. Should there be a
sudden mortality among the ladies of Port Philip, it will undoubtedly be
occasioned by this warfare with the dirt, which is carried forward day
after day without any prospect of retreat on either side.

Having read thus far, you will very likely tap the floor impatiently with
your foot, and say--if you have not said it already--"Well, but what is
the fellow about himself?" Patience, gentle Ch