different feelings from any before experienced. In no land does the
presence of water more rapidly enrich the landscape, changing it from a
thirsty-looking plain to a rich green spot, than in Australia, and it is
in journeying through such a country, when one suddenly meets with a
luxuriant valley, that the eye naturally dwells with delight on the
changing scene, and the impression, not easily forgotten, clings to us
even when far away. When gazing on the superabundant water that flows in
almost every corner of the earth, we cannot but reflect on the scantily
supplied Australian, nor fail to wish him a more plentiful supply.

BLESSING OF WATER.

Naturally we are disposed to reflect but little on the great blessings of
the most ordinary things. In the eyes of the civilized man, fire and
water are matters scarcely worthy of thought; but it is the traveller who
learns to appreciate how great blessings they are in reality.

An influenza appeared to be raging among the natives, all having the
remnants of colds, coughing severely when we met them. Several attempts
were made to induce them to come on board, but they proved vain.
Sometimes, just as the boat was leaving the shore, they would enter the
bow of it, as if about to accompany us; no sooner, however, was the boat
in motion, than out they jumped, laughing and apparently delighted to
deceive us, acting, in fact, exactly the part of noisy
children.

"IRRU, IRRU."

Our friendly intercourse with these natives sustained a shock, which at
first threatened to annihilate it, but which fortunately ended, as it