town a hundred miles north, has about the same number of inhabitants.
Maryborough, on the banks of the Mary River, is another thriving town
equally populous; and Rockhampton, near the mouth of the Fitzroy River,
is a town of similar size and importance. Charter's Towers, Croyden, and
Table-Top are each productive gold centres; and there are many others
which might be named, as showing the populous and important character
to which Queensland has already attained. Of the gold-producing
localities, Charter's Towers is perhaps the best developed and the
richest. The particular "claim" at this point, known by the name of the
"Day-Dawn," is thought to be the most valuable, and has turned out a
very large aggregate of gold. Through the country, inside of the
coast-range, there runs a broad belt of gold-bearing quartz more or less
near the surface, but which requires organized capital to improve it
effectually. At first the localities are worked by a few hands for the
surface yield, and the excavation is continued as far down as can be
done without elaborate hoisting apparatus. Then the claim is apt to be
abandoned, or left to be eventually improved and worked by machinery
aided by wealthy organizations.

To the west of this mineral belt are situated the endless rolling downs
and prairies of the province, covered with herbage suitable for the
support of countless herds and flocks, and where some fourteen millions
of sheep are now yielding meat and wool for export, and where some four
millions of cattle are also herded. The real greatness of the country is
to be found in this agricultural capacity, this pastoral interest. Gold
will attract adventurers, but the substantial permanent population will
be found west of the auriferous range of mountains.

The pursuit of gold-mining has been called the triumph of hope over
experience, since notwithstanding the rich rewards so often attendant
on this pursuit, by it more seekers mar than make their fortune; and
when once a man has engaged in it, he seems to become utterly unfit for
any other occupation. Nevertheless, so great is the infatuation
pertaining to gold-mining, that when one seeker, broken down by
ill-success, ill-health, and perhaps the contracting of bad habits, is
finally forced to abandon the pursuit, his place is quickly taken by
fresh recruits, over-credulous and ever increasing in numbers.

We spoke particularly of Charter's Towers as being a remarkable mine in
its p