set forth on my journey in the direction of the Hawkesbury, along the
road leading to the ferry, across that river at Wiseman's. I should here
observe, that I had previously arranged that the exploring party which,
being slower in its movements, had been despatched two weeks before,
should await my arrival on Foy Brook, beyond the river Hunter, where I
expected to meet Mr. White also, the assistant surveyor, whom I had
selected to accompany me on this expedition.

My ride, on that day, was along a ridge, which extended upwards of fifty
miles, through a succession of deep ravines, where no objects met the eye
except barren sandstone rocks, and stunted trees. With the banksia and
xanthorrhoea always in sight, the idea of hopeless sterility is ever
present to the mind, for these productions, in sandy soils at least, grow
only where nothing else can vegetate. The horizon is flat, affording no
relief to the eye from the dreary and inhospitable scene, which these
solitudes present; and which extends over a great portion of the country,
uninhabitable even by the aborigines. Yet here the patient labours of the
surveyor have opened a road, although the stream of population must be
confined to it, since it cannot spread over a region so utterly
unprofitable and worthless.

It is not until the traveller has completed a journey of fifty miles,
that he enjoys the sight, doubly cheering after crossing such a desert,
of green, cultivated fields, and the dwellings of man. The broad waters
of the Hawkesbury then come unexpectedly in view, flowing in the deepest,
and apparently most inaccessible of these rock-bound valleys. He here
soon discovers a practical proof of the advantages of convict labour to
the inhabitants of such a country, in the facility with which he descends
by a road cut in the rock, to the comfortable inn near the ferry.

COUNTRY BEYOND THE HAWKESBURY.

Early next morning my ride was resumed, after crossing the river in the
ferry-boat, where the width is 280 yards. The Hawkesbury is here the
boundary between the counties of Cumberland and Northumberland. The
scenery is fine on those broad and placid waters, sheltered by
overhanging cliffs, 600 feet in height. The river appears smooth as a
mirror, and affords access by boats and small vessels, to the little
sheltered cots and farms, which now enliven the margin. These patches are
of no great extent, and occur alternately on each bank of this noble
stream, comprisin