and beauty of effect to all
around. There were here and there clusters also of the yellow-leaved
wattle, producing by its foliage almost the exact effect of blossoms;
and as the river is ascended, an abundance of the water-loving mangrove
is seen bordering the banks, like willows in New England. And if one
turns for a moment from the enchantment near at hand, far away over the
plains and undulating country, mingling with the very clouds, are seen
the Blue Mountains. All far-away mountains present an aspect of blue,
but those of New South Wales are indeed cerulean.

A quiet aspect of stupid respectability, if we may be permitted the
term, environed the town of Parametta. It is a dull place, and fully
merits its expressive nickname of Sleepy Hollow. One is half inclined to
look for a coating of blue mould over the streets and houses. While
driving in the neighborhood, where everything seemed so purely English,
one felt the sight of the many orange-trees in full bearing, or the
flitting about of small paroquets, to be a sort of incongruity. The
early colonists, as we were told, tried to raise wheat hereabout, but
the soil was ill adapted to that cereal, though for raising oranges and
semi-tropical fruits Parametta has since become quite famous.

The town is just fifteen miles from Sydney, and has in its environs some
beautiful drives. Rocky Hall, the residence of a hospitable and wealthy
citizen, not far from the town of Parametta, contains in its spacious
grounds an orchard with a marvellous variety of growing fruits. The
proprietor, Mr. James Pye, is good authority on all subjects relating to
horticulture. The salubrious character of the climate has enabled this
gentleman to produce in abundance thriving specimens of nearly every
known fruit either tropical or hardy, added to which he has a large and
choice variety of flowers.

We are reminded in this connection of one of the pleasantest drives in
Sydney, not to be forgotten by the visiting stranger,--that along the
shores of Port Jackson. Here, within a few minutes' walk of the heart of
a populous city, we have rippling waters, waving foliage, frequent
gardens, vine-clad cottages, a yellow pebbly shore, and a bay full of
maritime beauties,--all combining to form a lovely panorama full of
local color and of infinite variety.

But even the beautiful aspect of Sydney harbor has its drawbacks. With
a single oarsman we crossed the bay from Port Jackson shore, and as we
g