Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/99

1832.] venomous Centipede, about three inches long, is found in similar situations, and among stones. Its bite is considered worse than the sting of the scorpion, producing gangrenous inflammation; but from the habits of these animals, which sting only in self-defence, and seek retirement, accidents rarely happen by them.

18th. Having received an invitation from a settler named Robert Mather, to pay him a visit at Lauderdale, on Muddy Plains, we made our way to his house, crossing a salt marsh on the side of which were large bushes of Shrubby Samphire. R. Mather sent notice to his neighbours, of our wish to have a meeting with them, and walked with us to the house of an industrious, sober couple, who, while prospering in temporal things, did not forget the importance of those that are spiritual. A well-worn bible was lying on their table, and the woman told us, that as she became unable to do needle-work by candle-light, she spent much of her evenings in reading this precious book to her family. Her husband was a marine, and is a pensioner. He was formerly addicted to the use of spirits, till, like many others in this country, he would bring rum home in a bucket, and drink it neat out of a pint tin. This, his wife would not allow, and he had the good sense to submit to her better government, by which he has become greatly raised in circumstances and in comfort. They have a neat, clean brick house, two tidy children, and a thriving garden, clear of weeds.—The hills on the peninsula of Muddy Plains abound with Blue Gum, Peppermint, and She-Oak: some of these trees as well as another kind called He-Oak, are also plentiful on the lower grounds.

19th. We had a meeting on R. Mather's premises, with about twenty-five persons, some of whom were prisoners, in which the people were warned against habitual sins. Drunkenness and swearing were particularly adverted to, as openly dishonouring God and serving the devil.

20th. Accompanied by R. Mather, we called on several of the settlers, many of whom are of the poorer class, to whom we spoke on the importance of attending to their spiritual concerns, and gave some tracts, for which they appeared grateful. We dined with a respectable family living