Thamanampalli Surekha

give a description of our repast, suffice it to say we had plenty. We enjoyed the blazing fire, and it is most important to provide a large quantity of wood for fuel, or otherwise towards morning you will suffer from the dews. The night was clear, and rather cold. In Australian they are very brilliant; more so, we consider, than in similar latitudes in the northern hemisphere. The stars appear intensely bright and glittering. Our companion being ill, soon felt disposed to prepare himself for the night, and these kind fellows gave him all they could to add to his comfort. Being quite well ourselves, it was late before we left the fire. There was not any thing to fear persanally, but as there had been several instances of some of the gentlemen on foot borrowing horses without the leave of the owners, it was necessary to be on the alert. However, all was well, and we rested soundly, and very early in the morning were on the road. Our fellow-traveller being still very ill, we pushed on to the "Bush Inn," around which a little village has gathered, or rather the commencement of one. It is delightfully situated in a valley thirty-three miles from Melbourne, near to the commencement of the Black Forest. The house itself is a very poor place, however, the accommadation being but very indifferent, and extremely dirty: allowances were to be made, certainly, from the multitudes of people coming in and out; but the only thing the innkeepers on this road appeared to think of was how, to turn the present chance to account; and there was no doubt but that they were making large profits from the sale of liquor, a for more certain mode than by digging for gold. We gave our horses a feed, and after resting them sufficiently long, we determined to proceed, preferring to trust to our own supplies rather than mix up in such a scene as presented itself to us. The Black Forest commences near this inn; it is a barren tract, with iron and stringy bark trees, and such as are sure indications of an inferior country. It was considered, however, to have very much the character of a gold country, and it would not create surprise in us to hear of some rich deposits being found there. It is about eleven miles in breadth, but how long we did not learn; the road from here passes Mount Macedon, which is on the right rising finely; and from a thousand points subjects worthy of the painter are before you, with that dark and frowning mountain forming a background. It is particularly striking as you descend to the "Bush Inn." This forest was a noted place for bush-rangers some years since; and it may again be the resort of robbers, as the recesses of this apparently inaccessible mountain would afford a good retreat, and the forest itself is lonely enough for any outrage to be committed there without fear of disturbance during its perpetration. The gold will be a great temptation to the unlucky and desperate: it behaves the government to be on the alert; by forming on efficient body of mounted police, we have no doubt good order will be maintained, and people enabled to travel in safety. The council, however, must not be niggardly; if good men are to be employed, they must be paid in these golden times liberally, otherwise they will not get them. In the midst of this forest we stopped for an hour, and managed to make a very good meal. Passing through the forest, we come to a small plain, at a place called the "Five-Mile Greek," the water was very good, but the thousands of horses and blullocks passing up and down the road had left no grass. from hence to Kyneton is about nine miles, through good pasture-land, though in places we considered it somewhat too wet and cold; but we were in a much higher country here than that hitherto traversed on the road, and we expected this change of temperature. From this paint you keep on ascending gradually, until your finally come to Forest Greek at Mount Alexander, thirty miles distant. At Carlsruhe, the next inn on the road, there is a chain of ponds and an excellent house of accommodation. This, we were told, it is the intention of the government to take possession of as a protective station. There is much land here enclosed; and we do not double but that the government will do that which is equitable to the praprietars. Positions must be had on the road, and this offers many advantages. We soon arrived at Kyneton, fifty-four miles from, Melbourne, -a good commencement of a village or town, having its blacksmiths' and butchers' shops, stores, accommodation-houses, & c/o, and something like a street of small and very uncomfortable-looking wooden houses. All the country around is very good, open and undulating, with plenty of water in a river a little below, then in pools. There had lately been finished a large hotel in this township called the "Robert Burns," which in sober times would have afforded every comfort that could be wished for, now, however, all is riot and confusion. If such is to be the result of this gold discovery, Victoria may be a country to make money in, but not to enjoy life. On the road we had been joined by an acquaintance of our sickly companion, and elderly man, who had formerly possessed considerable means; but fortune had not been favourable, and he was now, proceeding to the diggings with a part to court her smiles, he was a most pleasant man for the road, he seemed to know and be known to every one. He was the man for the occasion; and with his assistance a capital supper was provided for us at the "Robert burns," of which, however, our sick friend was too unwell to partake. Rest was