INTRODUCTION.
The Visit to the Australian Colonies, a Narrative of which is contained in the following pages, occupied a period of six years, terminating with 1838. It was undertaken, solely, for the purpose of discharging a religious duty. During its course, the writer kept a Journal, in which, having been trained to habits of observation, records were made, not only on religious subjects, but also, on such as regarded the productions of the Countries visited, the state of the Aborigines, and of the Emigrant and Prisoner Population, &c.
From this Journal, the Narrative has been prepared, regard being generally had, to the point of time at which the record was made; but this has sometimes been deviated from, in order to give a more concise and clear view of a subject, and to avoid repetition. A copious Appendix is added to the work, containing a variety of documents, connected with subjects introduced into the Narrative.
The writer was accompanied in this visit, by his friend George Washington Walker, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne; who united in the service, under the belief, that he also, was called to this work. Under impressions of religious duty,
