themselves. One who declined joining them, said he had not played for so long, that he had forgotton how, and that his recollections of card-playing were painful. On behalf of Daniel Wheeler and myself, I stated the objections of the Society of Friends to the practice, on account of its dissipating effect upon the mind, and its tendency to draw into an immoral risking of property. This elicited the remark, that the present company only played for nominal stakes. The same objection, however, lies against playing for nominal stakes in gaming, as that which lies against what is called moderate drinking, in the use of intoxicating liquors. It gives a sanction to the practice, and opens the door for the greatest excesses. Where money is risked in gaming, to take it one from another on such a ground, seems to me, not only objectionable for the reasons already stated, but as a breach of that consideration one for another, which is an essential ingredient in true politeness. And I have remarked, that the inconsistency of the characteristics of card-playing, forces itself so quickly upon the minds of persons, on their coming decidedly under religious conviction, that they soon discontinue the practice.

14th. On returning from Parramatta, a large Black Snake crossed the road close before the carriage; it alarmed the horses, so as to make them start to one side, and become difficult to manage.

15th. We walked to Elizabeth Bay, and met the Colonial Secretary, at his beautiful garden, which is formed on a rocky slope, on the margin of Port Jackson, of which it commands a fine view.-Here are cultivated, specimens of many of the interesting trees and shrubs, of this Colony, along with others from various parts of the world, intermixed with some growing in their native localities. Among the last, is a fine old Rusty-leaved Fig-tree, Ficus ferruginea, which is an evergreen, and has laurel-like leaves. A noble specimen of Acrosticum grande, a fern of very remarkable structure, from Moreton Bay, is attached to a log of wood, and secured by a chain to a limb of this Fig-tree. The walks at this place are judiciously accommodated to the inequalities of the sinuous bay, and are continued round a

point covered with native bush. Peaches are ripe in the open ground in abundance, and liberty to partake of them freely, was kindly given, by the open-hearted proprietor.— Dendrobium speciosum and linguiforme, remarkable plants of the Orchis tribe, are wild here, upon the rocks, and D. tetragonum is naturalized on a branch of Avicennia tomentosa, covered with Rock-oyster shells, and suspended in a tree near the shore. A fine patch of the Elks-horn Fern, Acrosticum alcicorne, retains its native station on a rocky point in the garden.

18th. Our meetings to-day were seasons of renewed favour and mercy. Several persons were present in the morning, who had not before met with us: at the conclusion of that in the evening, D. Wheeler alluded to the sense of divine influence that had prevailed over us, until it might rightly be said, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

19th. A meeting was held for the organization of an Australian School Society, auxiliary to the British and Foreign School Society. Some opposition was exhibited, but ultimately this was overruled, and measures were adopted for carrying the object into effect.

20th. In the evening, we went to the north shore, and again fell in with a group of the Aborigines, that we met with there a few days since. They were now sitting around a fire and smoking, not excepting a little, naked boy, about two years old, who seemed as busy with his short pipe as any of the company. They often obtain in Sydney, the washings of rum-casks, which they call "Bull," and get intoxicated with it. In this state they quarrel among themselves, notwithstanding they are very peaceable toward the white population.-A group of these people, as they are seen, degraded by contact with a population of European extraction, is represented in the accompanying etching from the pencil of Charles Wheeler.

27th. At the request of the Governor, we waited upon him, and he kindly desired to be informed, if he could do anything further to assist us in our anticipated voyages. In the afternoon we joined a company of pious persons, of various denominations, at the house of George

Allen, a short distance from Sydney. Conversation took place, on the views and practices which distinguish the Society of Friends. These we had in some measure to exemplify, in a religious opportunity, which commenced with the reading of the first epistle to the Thessalonians. I made some comments on this occasion, upon the text, "Pray without ceasing;" shewing, that the fulfilment of this injunction, depended upon a close attention to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, by which we are made quick of understanding in the fear of the Lord; and are enabled to discern our wants, so as continually to breathe our petitions in secret, to our Father who seeth in secret. Daniel Wheeler was also engaged in the same line of service.

In an evening walk, on the North Shore, we saw a large, old, bushy Fig-tree, Ficus ferruginea, overhanging the water; some of its limbs were almost covered with Acrosticum alcicorne and Dendrobium linguiforme. A broad-leaved Loranthus, a parasite of the same tribe as the Mistletoe, but with much finer blossoms, was growing upon some of the branches. Plants of this genus are of frequent occurrence in this Colony. Some of them incorporate themselves with the wood of the foster tree, and others adhere to the bark by an external root.

2nd mo. 1st. We held our meeting, in the forenoon, on board the Henry Freeling. It was attended by most of the persons who generally assemble with us. Silence was only interrupted by a few words, near the conclusion, expressed by myself, on the doctrine of Christian love, as set forth by our Saviour and the apostle John, and a short addition on the same subject by Daniel Wheeler.

In the evening, we had a large meeting in the Old Court-house, the use of which was granted us for the purpose. It was an exercise of faith, to invite people to such a meeting, under an apprehension of religious duty. But I was enabled to believe, that whether it should be best for us to set an example of waiting on God in silence, or to speak in his holy name, qualification would be given at the time; and in this confidence, to fulfil the injunction, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall

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