to dissipate itself entirely in swamps and lagoons. Mr. Oxley finding farther progress in this direction unavailing, and being unwilling to return from a fruitless expedition, was induced to change his route, and go in search of the Macquarie, another stream which had previously been seen, but which had been regarded only as a branch of the Lachlan.

"On the 7th of August, (1817,)' says Mr. Oxley, the scene began to change, and the country to assume a very different aspect: we were now quitting the neigh bourhood of the Lachlan, and had passed to the north-east of the high range of hills, which on this parallel bounds the low country to the north of that river. To the north-west and north, the country was high and open, with good forest land; and on the 10th we had the satisfaction to fall in with the first stream running northerly. This renewed our hopes of soon falling in with the Macquarie, and we continued upon the same course, occasionally inclining to the eastward, until the 19th, passing through a fine luxuriant country, well watered, crossing in that space of time nine streams, having a northerly course through rich valleys; the country in every direction being moderately high and open, and generally as fine as can be imagined.

66 6 No doubt remained upon our minds that those streams fell into the Macquarie, and to view it before it received such an accession, was our first wish. On the 19th we were gratified by falling in with a river running through a most beautiful country, and which I would have been well contented to have believed the river we were in search of. Accident led us down this stream about a mile, when we were surprised by its junction with a river coming from the south, of such width and magnitude, as to dispel all doubts as to this last being the river we had so long anxiously looked for. Short as our resources were, we could not resist the temptation this beautiful country offered us, to remain two days on the junction of the river, for the purpose of exam.ining the vicinity to as great an extent as possible.

Our examination increased the satisfaction we had previously felt: as far as the eye could reach in every direction, a rich and picturesque country extended, abounding in limestone, slate, good timber, and every other requisite that could render an uncultivated country desirable. The soil cannot be excelled, whilst a noble river of the first magnitude affords the means of conveying its productions from one part to the other. Where I quitted it, its course was northerly, and we were then north of the parallel of Port Stevens, being in latitude 32o 45′ South, and 148° 58′ East longitude.

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It appeared to me that the Macquarie had taken a north north-west course from Bathurst, and that it must have received immense accessions of water in its course from that place. We viewed it at a period best calculated to form an accurate judgment of its importance, when it was neither swelled by floods beyond its natural and usual height, nor contracted within its limits by summer droughts: of its magnitude when it should have received the streams we had crossed, independent of any it may receive from the east, which, from the boldness and height of the coun. try, I presume, must be at least as many, some idea may be formed, when at this point it exceeded in breadth and apparent depth the Hawkesbury at Windsor. Many of the branches were of grander and more extended proportion than the admired one on the Nepean River from the Warragambia to Emu Plains.

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'Resolving to keep as near the river as possible during the remainder of our course to Bathurst, and endeavour to ascertain, at least on the west side, what waters fell into it, on the 22d we proceeded up the river, and between the point quitted and Bathurst, crossed the sources of numberless streams, all running into the Macquarie ; two of them were nearly as large as that river itself at Bathurst. The country from whence all these streams derive their source, was mountainous and irregular, and appeared equally so on the east side of the Macquarie. This description of country extended to the immediate vicinity of Bathurst; but to the west of those lofty ranges, the country was broken into low grassy hills, and fine valleys watered by rivulets rising on the west side of the mountains, which on their eastern side pour their waters directly into the Macquarie.

"These westerly streams appeared to me to join that which I had at first sight taken for the Macquarie; and when united, fall into it at the point at which it was first discovered on the 19th inst." "

The course of this river is the object of two expeditions, of which we may soon expect to learn the result; the one by land, conducted by the gentleman who made the discovery; the other by sea, under command of Lieutenant King, R. N. On this subject our author makes the following remarks:

"If the sanguine hopes to which the discovery of this river has given birth, should be realized, and it should be found to empty itself into the ocean, on the north-west coast, which is the only part of this vast island that has not been accurately surveyed, in what mighty conceptions of the future greatness and power of this colony may we not reasonably indulge? The nearest distance from the point at which Mr. Oxley left off, to any part of the western coast, is very little short of two thousand miles. If this river, therefore, be already of the size of the Hawkesbury at Windsor, which is not less than two hundred and fifty yards in breadth, and of sufficient depth to float a seventy-four gun-ship, it is not difficult to imagine what must be its magnitude at its confluence with the ocean; before it can arrive at which, it has to traverse a country nearly two thousand miles in extent. If it possess the usual sinuosities of rivers, its course to the sea cannot be less than from five to six thousand miles, and the endless ac- . cession of tributary streams which it must receive in its passage through so great an extent of country, will without doubt enable it to vie in point of magnitude with any river in the world. In this event, its influence in promoting the progress of population in this fifth continent will be prodigious, and, in all probability, before the expiration of many years, give an entirely new impulse to the tide of colonization.”

We cannot follow Mr. Wentworth through his learned and somewhat pompous disquisition on the natural superiority possessed by those countries which are most intersected by navigable rivers; but we cordially agree with him in his general result. If actual discovery shall verify, what there are strong reasons for conjecturing, that the Macquarie falls into the sea on the north-west coast, and thus passes through twenty degrees of latitude, the world does not afford any parallel of a river traversing so great a variety of climate; and hence, it may be hoped, that it possesses almost unheard-of encouragements for present colonization, and for the future exertions of commercial enterprise.

"The probable course of this newly discovered river," says our author, "being in every respect so decidedly favourable for the foundation of a rich and powerful community, there can be little doubt that the government of this country will immediately avail itself of the advantages which it presents, and establish a settlement at its mouth. What a sublime spectacle will it then be for the philosopher to mark the gradual progress of population from the two extremities of this river; to behold the two tides of colonization flowing in opposite directions, and constantly hastening to that junction, of which the combined waters shall overspread the whole of this fifth continent !"

Another encouragement to colonization which this vast island possesses over almost every other country is, the insignificance of its indigenous population. The soil, notwithstanding its fertility, does not teem with food adapted to the use of man; and hence the inhabitants seem to be principally confined to the districts bordering on the sea; and even there they are but thinly scattered, and in no respect formidable. The appearance and character of these aborigines are sufficiently peculiar, and any thing but flattering to our common

nature. Their colour is a dark chocolate; and in features they bear a strong resemblance to the African negro, having the same flat nose, large nostrils, wide mouth, and thick lips; but their hair is not woolly, except in Van Diemen's Land, where they have this farther characteristic of the natives of Africa.

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They occupy," says Mr. Wentworth, the lowest place in the gradatory scale of the human species. They have neither houses nor clothing; they are entirely unacquainted with the arts of agriculture; and even the arms which the several tribes have to protect themselves from the aggressions of their neighbours, and the hunting and fishing implements with which they administer to their support, are of the rudest contrivance and workmanship."

Nothing perhaps can more strongly mark the debasement of intellect under which these poor creatures labour, than the fact mentioned also by our author, that an intercourse of thirty years with Europeans, has not effected the slightest change in their habits; and that even those who have associated most with the colonists, have never been prevailed on to put in practice one of the arts of civilized life. It is pleasant, however, to think, that some efforts have lately been made by Governor Macquarie to educate the children of these savages, which promise to be attended with happy effects. About three years ago a school was opened for their instruction; which, according to Mr. Wentworth's information, contained eighteen children, who, that gentleman assures us, "were making equal progress in their studies with European children of their own age." By the last advices from the colony, we are informed that, at an annual examination of the pub. lic schools at Paramatta, a black native girl, belonging to the Orphan School founded by Mrs King, bore away the second prize; thus proving that the aborigines are susceptible of sufficient mental improvement to adapt them to the purposes of civilized association. It is certainly not the least valuable advantage of colonization, that it may be made the means of conveying the blessings of education and religious instruction to the dark corners of the earth. That it should ever fail in producing this effect, reflects infamy on European society, which boasts of its civilization, its humanity, and its Christian principles.

But to return from this digression. The chief objection to the colonization of this distant settlement with persons voluntarily emigrating from this country, is the great expence which it is supposed would attend any such scheme conducted by government, and the considerable funds which would be required by individuals or families removing thither without public aid. It does not appear to us, however, that the expence of emigrating to New Holland would necessarily be very much greater than that of emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope, especially if it should appear that the Macquarie takes the direction which has been conjectured; and if the territory near its mouth be considered the most advantageous place for planting a new colony. Should this river be found to fall into the sea on the north-west coast, this is precisely the nearest point of that immɛnse island, and cannot be more than seven weeks sail from the Cape. Now it has been calculated that a single individual may be carried

out to Botany Bay for little more than £24; and the shortened distance to the supposed mouth of the Macquarie, as well as the great diminution of the risk in cutting off the voyage along several thousand miles of coast, must afford a considerable reduction of that sum. At all events, our navy might be advantageously used for the accomplishment of an object so truly national; and its gallant crews might thus be employed in peace to render a service to their country, less glorious indeed, but scarcely less valuable than that which so justly entitled them to the gratitude of their country in the time of war. In mentioning the Macquarie, however, as the probable theatre of future colonization, we are indulging in vague conjecture. Nothing is yet known of this river that can give any substantial foundation to our speculations; and even if it be true that it absorbs almost all the streams of the country, and, including its sinuosities, runs a course of five or six thousand miles; if it be true, in short, that it is, not merely one of the first, but the very first river, in point of magnitude, in the world, there may still be circumstances connected with it which may render our hopes abortive. We therefore look with considerable anxiety, as well as curiosity, for intelligence from the expeditions employed in surveying its course; and shall not fail to take the earliest opportunity of making our readers acquainted with the result.

The analysis we have given of Mr. Wentworth's publication, exhibits, we flatter ourselves, a pretty accurate view of its contents, and renders any farther critical remarks unnecessary. It has appeared at a time when several circumstances have combined to give a peculiar interest to the subject; and it is no unmerited praise to say, that it has thrown considerable light on two very important questions which now intensely occupy the public mind, the defects in our system of criminal jurisprudence; and the channel into which the tide of emigration may be most advantageously diverted.

ART. III. The Edipus Romanus; or an attempt to prove, from the principles of reasoning adopted by the Right Hon. Sir Wil liam Drummond, in his Edipus Judaicus, that the twelve Caesars are the twelve signs of the Zodiac; addressed to the higher and literary classes of society. By the Rev. G. TOWNSEND, A. M. of Trinity College, Cambridge. London, Hatchard. 1819. Pp. 147, 8vo.

THE merits of that very extraordinary work, the Edipus Judaicus, certainly the most ingenious, the most learned, the most fantastic and foolish production of the sceptical school in modern times, by which a good many individuals in the more elevated classes of society were so greatly delighted in private, a few years ago, and which gave rise to a curious enough controversy among some literary men, are now in a fair way to be open

ly understood and appreciated. The modesty of its author, though, to use a thought of Cowper's, it could do very impudent things, restrained him from courting popular admiration, by making them patent; and accordingly, in place of publishing his marvellous book in the ordinary way for sale, he chose to distribute it gratuitously among his acquaintance. There might perhaps be some policy in this device-as much, for aught we know, as diffidence. He might think it prudent, for example, that a work which threatened to destroy some prevalent and really well fortified prejudices, should be brought up silently to a proper place of attack, like the forlorn hope in a midnight assault, rather than announced in day-light by the vulgar blazonry of war. He might think it more expedient to undermine a bastion than to scale it. He might expect, moreover, that the vanity of those whom he signalized by his gift, would seduce their judgments, and that thus an important ally would be gained over to his obnoxious tenets. Farther, he might have flattered himself with a hope, sufficiently energetic to bear him up against sundry imminent difficulties, that having once made good a lodgment in society, he could successfully extend the range of his ominous attacks. In short, it may have been an object with him, independent of the immediate gratification of complimenting his friends, to dispose of his lethalic poison so that it should have the best chance of being effectual, consistent with his own safety, which would probably have been somewhat endangered had he ventured to emit it in public. But be these suggestions what they may, Sir William had no doubt very substantial reasons for his uncommon proceeding,-uncommon, we say, and we believe correctly, as there are few persons, who, after having been at pains to collect and to arrange materials for a pretty large book, to write, to decorate, and to print it, are possessed of self-denial enough, or find it quite convenient to relinquish the established means of obtaining compensation for their outlay of intellect, time, and money.

The Edipus Judaicus, thus insinuated, in the manner perhaps of a soothsayer and a Jew, into the houses of some favoured individuals, very naturally occasioned a good deal of wonder and merriment in those who were prepared to relish its peculiarities. It was not a work, to be sure, such as the Spectator or the Rambler, which the master of a family, whatever might be his own predilections, would wish to leave on the breakfast-table for general perusal and benefit. By its recondite and mysterious air, as well as by its mode of entrance, it seemed rather to solicit an asylum in the rear of a library, or the drawer of an escritoir. It could only be brought out occasionally, when the