Copy 1, Volume 1
Three expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia, with descriptions of the recently explored region of Australia Felix, and of the present colony of New South Wales / By Major T. L. Mitchell.
- Thomas Mitchell
- Date:
- 1838
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Three expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia, with descriptions of the recently explored region of Australia Felix, and of the present colony of New South Wales / By Major T. L. Mitchell. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![e(juipineiit, and having as well as I could, under the circuni- stances, set my house in order, and bade adieu to my family, I left Sydney at noon, on Thursday, the 24th day of No¬ vember, 1831, to prosecute my journey, being accompanied for some miles ])y my friend Colonel Snodgrass. It was not until then that my mind was sufficiently re¬ lieved from considering the details of my department to enable me to direct my thoughts to the undiscovered country. I had yet to traverse 300 miles, for thus far the flocks of the colonists extended from Sydney, before I could reach that vast untrodden soil, the exploration of which was the object of my mission, I felt the ardour of my early youth, when I first sought distinction in the crowded camp and battle-field, revive, as I gave loose, at length, to my reflections and con¬ sidered the nature of the enterprise. But, in comparing the feelings I then experienced with those which excited my youthful ambition, it seemed that even war and victory, with all their glory, were far less alluring than the pursuit of researches such as these, for the purpose of spreading the light of civilization over a portion of creation as yet un¬ known, rich, perhaps, in the luxuriance of uncultivated nature, where science might accomplish new and unthought- of discoveries, and intelligent man would find a region teem¬ ing with useful vegetation, abounding with rivers, hills, and vallies, and waiting only for his enterprising spirit and improving hand to turn to account the native bounty of the soil. My first day’s journey terminated at the residence of my friend Mr. John Macarthur, near Paramatta. I was re¬ ceived by that gentleman with his usual hospitality, and although not in the enjoyment of the best health, he insisted on accompanying me over his extensive and beautiful garden, Avhere he pointed out to my attention the first olive-tree ever planted in Australia. Here 1 also saw the cork-tree in full luxuriance — the caper plant growing amidst rocks—the Knglisli oak—the borse-cbesnut—broom—magnificent mid-](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b29335966_0001_0039.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
