Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/105

 one, each appearing too much absorbed with his own thoughts to indulge in the license generally extended on these occasions, and which often stimulate the weary and footsore to renewed exertions.

"The road through Flemington is macadamized, and the township consists of several straggling houses, some of a substantial character, and, combined with the farms, paddocks, &c., presents an appearance much after the style of the villages in the agricultural districts of England. Two miles further on, we arrived at Essendon, a most flourishing town, with two good inns. We then proceeded about seven miles over an excellent road, which brought us Keilor, a small township, through which is immense traffic. No fewer than twelve four-horse coaches here change horses daily—three running to Ballaarat, and three to Castlemaine, both places at a distance bordering on eighty miles from Melbourne, and generally accomplished in nine or ten hours,—a rate of travelling unusually great, considering the wretched state of the roads over which a considerable portion of the journey is performed.

"The country so far is very open, and consists mostly of immense farms. The soil is of a light description, but is undergoing considerable improvement. Keilor is situated in a deep hollow on the salt-water river which flows all the year round, and serves to remove the dearth in the summer season that otherwise would desolate this part of the country. An admirable suspension bridge has