land  is  evidently  destined  to  become  one  of  the  richest
and  most  extensive  cotton-producing  countries  in  the
world.
I  must  not^  in  common  justice,  omit  from  the  list  of
colonies  to  which  I  would  direct  the  especial  attention
of  emigrants^  the  delightful  and  English-like  little
island  of  Tasmania ;  although,  from  its  being  so  long
settled,  it  necessarily  stands,  according  to  my  argument,
secondary  to  colonies  of  more  recent  formation.  Gold
is  found  there  also;  but  I  do  not  recommend  any
country  upon  that  ground.
To  young  gentlemen  with  empty  purses,  who  do
not  rejoice  in  any  profession  or  calling,  and  who  never
earned  their  daily  bread,  I  would  unreservedly  say,
**  Pray,  for  your  own  sakes  as  well  as  for  the  credit  of
the  colonies,  stay  at  home ;  since,  for  young  men  of
your  helpless  stamp  to  leave  the  charitable  shelter  of
your  native  land,  is  downright  insanity."  Young  men,
desirous  of  emigrating  to  Australia,  but  scarcely
knowing  their  own  helpless  condition,  will  oftea
remark,  "  Oh !  FU  do  anything — go  shepherding,  hut-
keeping,  bullock-driving;  I  don't  care  what  it  is."
There  is  but  one  mode  of  reply  to  such  benighted
individuals,  namely,  "  My  dear  fellow,  who  in  their
senses  would  employ  a  person  totally  ignorant  of  the
duties  required  of  him  ?  Who  would  intrust  a  flock
of  2000  sheep,  valued  at  £2500,  to  the  care  of  aman^
who  hardly  knows  the  head  of  a  sheep  from  its  tail?'*


387


CHAPTER  XV.
CLIMATE,  ASPECT,  AND  PRODUCTIONS  OF  VICTORIA.
