nstantly."_ It is
distinguished by its title from the large majority of rivers, which are
nearly _still_, and which, after extending only for a mile or two, form at
length a species of swamp. Such rivers are generally styled _lagoons_. The
_Yarra-Yarra_ is navigable up to the town of Melbourne for ships of a
large size--say 400 tons; but the seven miles of distance being circuitous,
and the banks of sand at the mouth of the river occasionally shifting, the
larger class of ships generally remain at the anchorage ground in the bay,
and discharge by common lighters. At the present moment, from twenty to
thirty very large ships are riding in the bay. A pretty little steamer
plies three times a-day between the towns of Melbourne and
Williamstown--price five shillings, up and down. Another steamer, "The Sea
Horse," plies between Melbourne and Sydney once a fortnight; the passage
is made in three days, and the fares L12 for cabin, L6 for steerage. The
communication is a vast accommodation to this district. The steamer is in
private hands, and did not answer at first; she now carries the mail, and
promises to turn out a profitable _spec_. The coast is very dangerous, and
at _every_ season of the year liable to very violent gales. Even in the
bay the squalls are sudden, violent, and dangerous, and many lives are
lost for want of proper precaution and care, on board of small boats. Only
yesterday, my friend, Mr G----, and three men, were out in a pleasure boat;
in five minutes they were swept off to leeward, the boat was upset, and
they were all drowned.

Melbourne is perhaps the most surprising place in her Majesty's dominions.
Nothing, in the history of colonization, approaches her as regards the
rapidity of advancement and extent. Six years ago there were not twenty
British subjects on the spot, and at the present hour, Melbourne and its
suburbs boast of a population of ten thousand souls. There are already
built four splendid edifices for public worship--Episcopalians,
Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and Independents, are provided for--and there is
in addition a very large Roman Catholic chapel in the course of erection.
There are three banks all doing excellently well--"The Australasian," "The
Union Bank of Australia," and "Port Philip's Bank"--and there is yet a
good field for another, under prudent management. The rate of discount is
L10 per cent; and the interest given on deposit accounts L7 per cent. The
common rate of interest