delled, and rounded off to
perfection. Her shoulders were of that description so generally
fashioned by the chisel of the sculptor, though, possibly, they were
rather a shade too broad; being such as would give the beholder the idea
of the owner, when more matured, of being a "fine woman." Her movements
were effected with a native grace, at once denoting the lady; and her
elasticity of tread, and firmness of step, were only equalled by her
loftiness of carriage. Her face was of the oval form, with a wide marble
forehead (which, but for her winning modesty and gentle manner, would
have been considered as bearing the stamp of coldness and hauteur);
eyebrows so well defined, as almost to give an idea of pencilling; deep
blue lustrous eyes, protected by long lashes; a nose slightly tending to
the aquiline; a mouth of enticing sweetness, and an alabaster cheek,
almost imperceptibly tinged with the faintest pink. Her hair of "bonny
brown," and of which she had a luxuriant crop, was worn slightly off the
cheek. Her dress was neatness and elegance combined; so made as to come
up to the throat, and there terminate in a neat open collar; under which
was a pink ribbon, contrasting pleasingly with the otherwise
pale-looking features of the wearer. Her sleeves ended in a band, which
encircled her wrists, and displayed a pair of hands, rivalling in
symmetry the choicest sculpture, and in whiteness the calico on which
she was industriously employing herself. Her features, though not
perfect, were calm and beautifully expressive, and the lustre of her
complexion at once struck the beholder with admiration; while, to her,
affectation being unknown, the easy confidence with which she
approached and welcomed a stranger, rendered her perfectly bewitching;
and to this description we may add, that, though in the florescence of
youth, she was in the full bloom of womanhood.

Start not, gentle reader, at the paradox we have uttered; for in
Australia, that land of precocity, where both vegetable and animal
nature shoots up into maturity so quickly, the transition appears almost
miraculous; and those we have known yesterday as children, we are
surprised, probably, after a year or two's absence, to see grown to man
or woman's estate. Such cases are not the exception, but the rule. So,
therefore, be not surprised when we state that at an age, when, in this
staid old-fashioned going country, match-making matrons may be thinking
of introducing their