necessities--having made no previous provision for them--such sums as
render all their exertions hopeless; while at the same time they are
sacrificing health and strength.

The government of Australia has certainly been very successful in
preserving order at the gold placers there, and has given its sanction
upon moderate terms; for here, we believe, gold and silver mines are
_inter regalia_, and could have been entirely seized by the crown. We
sincerely trust it will appropriate the great and unexpected revenue
thence arising in improving the roads through this magnificent
country, and providing shelter for the traveller; for at this moment,
many of the roads being over the steepest mountains, and the gradients
unmitigated by cuttings, or any other act of engineering whatever,
they are all but impassable, and are travelled with the greatest
torture to the unfortunate animals concerned. It was the reproach of
Spain, that though in possession of South America for centuries, she
had formed few roads; and that the few formed were bad, and the
accommodation in their neighbourhood of the worst description--often
open sheds, without food or furniture, or indeed inhabitants; or if
inhabited, with only stones for seats, and raised mounds of earth for
beds. Even now, in little more than half a century, things are better
in Australia than this, at least wherever government has extended. But
there is a vast deal more to be done; and it is a pity that in the
first place suitable schools are not formed for the persons intending
to emigrate, and opportunity given them to do so, without the
degradation of crime, and the expense and disgrace of conviction.