16th.—This is like a March day in Ireland, and I experience the novel sensation of cold feet.
The goat has had two kids; a pig is nearly fit to kill; a cask of pork has arrived at my house, and I have wheat and vegetables coming in, and the goat gives me a little milk, and the hens are beginning to lay, so that I am getting out of all danger of starvation. My plough is at work for the first time, and answers remarkably well. I paid two pounds for two pair of shoes this day; one pair for James, the other for myself. My Bluchers were completely worn out, and I have not had a dry foot for some time. I paid 17l. 12s. 6d. for forty-seven gallons of rum, and 18l. for a cask of wine.
A native has wounded a soldier on the Murray River with a spear, in a very treacherous way; but the man is recovering. It is said that the natives have had a severe retaliation, five being killed and many wounded.
18th.—The air is already fragrant with many flowers and shrubs coming into bloom; what will it not be when we have (as unquestionably we shall have) groves of oranges, limes, almonds, peaches, apples, &c.! We only want the plants; but sailors are careless of them on their passage hither, and a very small quantity of salt water kills them.
27th.—This has been a day of very active occu-
