board. There were also some very doubtful-looking erections, unlike dwellings, but too good for piggeries. In reply to an inquiry addressed to the captain, he informed his passengers that they were merchants' stores. Amongst the buildings were large stumps, with the parent stems laid low by their sides, cumbering the ground. Gigantic trees dotted the undulating country in the distance, and with tents pitched here and there made the back-ground of the picture. Huge heaps of heavy timber, piled up high above some of the humbler huts, were burning furiously, and dense columns of smoke were so numerous, that one might easily have imagined the town was on fire. Thus does civilization mark her first inroads in a new country.
"Melbourne," said the captain in an introductory style, pointing to the objects we have endeavoured to describe.
"Melbourne!" said Weevel,—"that Melbourne!! I have a plan of the town here;" and he produced one from his pocketbook. "Pray point out the several churches marked on it.—Where is the custom-house?—Where the gaol?—Where the wharf?—Where is government-house?—the barracks?—the police office?—and in short, where is the town?
" Easy," cried the skipper, "I'll point 'em all out to you directly, ony give me time.—The shade of the largest trees left standin are our churches for the present;" and he added with more feeling than might have been looked for from him, "and I tell you it's a pleasant thing, my lads, to hear the birds a cherruppin away above, whilst we are praisin God below—there's somethin very soothin in it arter one's been working this here crazy craft up and down the stream to'ther six days o'the week. That little crib, a short way up from the Yarra, is the custom-house. We aint got no regler gaol because we haven't wanted one yet—only a lock up, and I'll show you that by and
