Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/169

1833.] and there are places that yield much more abundantly.—Many of the original settlers on Norfolk Plains, resided previously on Norfolk Island: being generally intemperate, many of them killed themselves, or came to ruin, and their property has passed into other hands.—Some of the finest land, on the Lake River, belongs to various branches of a family of the name of Archer, who have been very successful, both in agriculture and sheep-farming.

At the house of Rowland R. Davies, the Episcopal Chaplain of Norfolk Plains, we met with a man who was transported from Wiltshire for rioting: he said that he was thoughtful on religious subjects before he left home; that his wife kept a little shop, and that he was a carrier; that he was about his lawful concerns when a mob passed his residence, and compelled him to accompany them; that he was seen among them by some one who knew him, and who appeared against him on his trial: he did not however say that he was altogether clear of blame; but he thought he saw the hand of the Lord in permitting him to be apprehended; for in calling at public-houses, &c. in connexion with his business, he had been gradually sliding into habits of intemperance, which he thought might have proved his ruin. By means of his apprehension, this snare had been broken; and he now enjoyed more comfort in his bondage, as the Lord's free man, than he did when free in body, but Satan's bond servant. He said also, that he was educated in a Sabbath-school, and that he now found the benefit of such an education, and was, with his master's leave, doing what he could in assisting in the Sabbath-schools at Perth and Norfolk Plains. Himself and a few others in the lower walks of life, meet occasionally for mutual edification. A short time ago this man was ill, and appeared as if near his end, and his master told us that he often visited him, not so much to give him counsel, as to be edified by his pious remarks, to which it was delightful to him to listen.

The country along the Lake and Macquarie Rivers, is generally open forest, except where it has been cleared. To the west, it is bounded by a high mountain range, called the Western Tier.