ot
a single malady endemic to the country has yet been experienced. The
whole population enjoys the best of health. The children especially are
handsome and vigorous, though the temperature at certain times is very
high. We ourselves experienced towards the close of our visit very hot
weather, though we were there in the months of Fructidor, Vendemiaire and
Brumaire* (* Note 31: From Fructidor to Brumaire would be from September
22nd to December 20th.) nearly corresponding to our European spring. The
temperature of New Holland, rather more than a mean between those of
England and India, ought to be valuable in preparing for the latter
country that large body of soldiers which the Government despatches every
year to Bengal, the Coromandel coast, Malabar, etc., etc. Consequently
the loss of men will be much less, and you will easily realise the
advantage that will accrue to a power like England, when it contemplates
the invasion, with a mediocre population, of archipelagos, islands, and
even continents.

NOTE: This portion of New Holland appears to owe its salubriousness:--

(1) To a situation resembling that of the Cape of Good Hope (Port Jackson
is in about latitude 34 degrees).

(2) To the nature of the soil, which is very dry, especially round
Sydney;

(3) To the nature of the vegetation, which is not vigorous enough to
maintain a noxious stagnation in the lower strata of the atmosphere;

(4) To the great, or rather enormous, quantity of aromatic plants which
constitute the principal part of the vegetation, including even the
largest species;

(5) To the vicinity of the Blue Mountains, the elevation of which
contributes largely to maintain a certain salutary freshness in the
atmosphere;

(6) To the remarkable constancy of the light fresh breezes which blow
from the south-east towards the middle of the day.

I have not yet finished the account of the important advantages that
England draws from this colony. If time were not so pressing and if I had
at my disposal the abundant material consigned to our Government, I could
write more. I venture to sum up those considerations to which I have
referred, in a form which will be useful for determining your opinion
upon this important and rising colony.

(1) By means of it England founds an empire which will extend over the
continent of New Holland, Van Diemen's Land, all the islands of Bass
Strait, New Zealand, and the numerous archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean.