London, March 28th, 1855.

On the 16th of August, 1854, I once more passed the heads of the bay of Port Phillip, and pushed out into the great ocean, on board the ship “John Banks,” for England; leaving Australia with the fullest conviction that it is destined to become one of the greatest and most flourishing countries in the world. God has done his part. He has planted her amid the southern seas in genial latitudes, and in a position calculated to develop all her resources through unlimited commerce. He has given rich lands for the plough and the pasture; mountains and prairies for the flocks and herds; forests and minerals for her arts; a bosom ample enough and rich enough to nourish myriads of inhabitants; and it depends alone on man whether her progress shall be slow or rapid.

In the course of these volumes I have so fully and so frequently discussed all the chief topics connected with the colony more particularly under notice, that but little remains to be said here, and that rather concerning the general interests and prospects of Australia at large.

The climate, which is a point of great importance to the intending settler in a new country, varies, of course, according to latitude in different parts of the continent, but may be pronounced, spite of all that has been said in interested eulogy, or in the depreciation of disappointment, a fine and genial climate.