Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/58

 been originated, and appears to be carried on with considerable talent.

To the northward is the site chosen for the Carlton Gardens, lately inclosed, and from the design which it is the intention of the municipality to carry out, will in a few years equal in beauty some of those near London. About nine miles from the city is the very picturesque and beautiful township, Heidelberg, where there are several well-built residences and neat country-seats with rich and tastefully arranged grounds, equal to many of the same character in England.

We would next conduct our readers to Toorak, the viceregal residence. Leaving the city by Prince's bridge, over the Yarra, Emerald-hill to the right, and Prince's-bridge Barracks to the left, we pass the large reserve for Victoria Park; a good road leads you through a wooded plain by the fast rising suburb of Prarhan, four miles to the entrance gate. The grounds contain 150 acres, half encircling which is the Yarra; no expense has been spared to render them, and the place itself, worthy the residence of her Majesty's representative. The house, though of no architectural pretensions beyond that of a handsome modern mansion, is large and commodious, and every addition made that skill could devise, or wealth effect. The drive from Melbourne is exceedingly pretty, from the number of very handsome places you pass on either side of the road. In returning, a cross road leads through Prarhan to