und, thus breaking their delicate
spine. This process is repeated until life becomes extinct in the
victim, when the jackass proceeds leisurely to devour the body
piecemeal. As he is thus considered to perform an important service to
the settlers, who are much troubled with snakes, he enjoys complete
immunity from trap and gun.

Sydney fully illustrates the commendable passion which all the colonies
of Australasia evince for the establishment of public parks. If this is
a weakness it is a grand one, which we heartily wish was epidemic in
this country. Nothing is more conducive to health, beauty, and good
morals than these beautiful places in and about populous cities and
towns. Every capital or considerable town in Australia, New Zealand, or
Tasmania is thus beautified and improved; but Sydney and Melbourne have
endeavored in this respect especially to rival each other. Sydney being
the oldest settlement has had more time to perfect a grand system of
gardens and reserved lands which are not surpassed by any European
capital. First there is Hyde Park, situated in the centre of the town;
next the Domain, as it is called, containing one hundred and forty acres
on the north side of the metropolis, ornamented by broad paths and noble
shade-trees; close at hand are the beautiful Botanical Gardens of forty
acres in extent, which we have already described. Added to these there
is the Prince Alfred Park of twenty acres, and the Belmore Park of ten
acres. Virtually forming a part of this same system of reserved lands is
a tract of six hundred acres known as Moor Park, lying on the southeast
side, adjoining which is the popular metropolitan race-course. This list
of parks speaks for itself, representing an amount of open, ornamental
space which would serve a city of three millions, while Sydney has but
about that number of hundred thousands. No one thing is more indicative
of opulence, liberality of sentiment, and regard for the public good
than such grand free resorts.

Being in the vicinity, a flying visit was made to the township of
Bingera, situated in a northwest direction from Sydney on the Gwydir
River, at a distance of three hundred and fifty miles from the capital.
It possesses more than passing interest, as it has, besides some
valuable and paying "diggings" of gold near at hand, something still
more attractive to adventurous spirits,--namely, diamond mines. These
are being industriously worked and with paying results,