of the Lydian country.

Many fortunes are staked and lost in the sinking of these deep shafts,
where the indications have been so promising at the surface, but which
not being thoroughly understood have led to operations ending in great
disappointment. As a rule, however, the miners have become sufficiently
experienced to work unerringly; and when a quartz-bearing vein has once
been discovered, they can follow its course, or strike it at various
levels, almost with certainty.

The trip from Launceston to Hobart, a distance of one hundred and twenty
miles more or less, takes us into the centre of the island,--the
direction being from north to south through lovely glades, over broad
plains, across rushing streams, and around the base of abrupt mountains.
The narrow-gauge railroad which connects the two cities is owned and
operated by a private company, whose charge for carrying a passenger
over the short distance named is six dollars. The cars are so poorly
constructed, so narrow, and so meanly upholstered, as to appear like
worn-out omnibuses built forty years ago. To add to the traveller's
discomfort, the road-bed is as bad as it can be and not derail the cars
constantly. One fellow-traveller suggested that there should be printed
upon each passenger's ticket the condition that the holder would be
expected to walk round all the sharp curves, and to help push the train
up the steep grades. The engine seemed to be of that minimum capacity
which always left a doubt upon the mind whether it would not give out
altogether at the next up grade. In short, this railroad is a disgrace
to Tasmania. Travellers, however, must learn not only to carry ample
change of clothing with them, but also an ever ready stock of patience
and forbearance,--better currency with which to insure comfort than even
silver and gold.

It was mid-winter in Tasmania, and yet ploughing, sowing, and harrowing
were going on at the same time along the route,--an agricultural anomaly
rather puzzling to a stranger. The road passes through many pleasant
though small villages. Ben Lomond, with its white crest, overlooks the
scene for many miles after leaving Launceston. This grand mountain is in
the north of the island what Mount Wellington is in the south,--the
pride of the residents who live beneath its shadow. It is prolific in
mineral deposits, including gold and coal; but at the present time
mining operations are only prosecuted for the purpose of producin