ire families.

The streets of Melbourne present a busy aspect, and there is ample space
afforded for all legitimate business and pleasure purposes, these
thoroughfares being each one hundred feet in width,--a gauge which is
maintained throughout the city. They are all laid out at right angles,
with mathematical precision. This liberal allotment of space for public
use is carried out even in the suburbs, calculation having been made in
advance for the growth of the city which is sure to come. The streets
are for the most part paved either in blocks of granite or of wood,
being in a few instances macadamized; but all are kept in admirable
condition, both as to use and cleanliness. The stream of humanity
pouring through them at all hours of the day is indeed vast and varied,
though the population, while it consists of a mingling of nationalities,
is yet distinctively English. It seemed to the writer that more
Americans were to be found in this capital of Victoria than elsewhere in
the colonies, quite a number being prominently engaged in speculative
enterprises, and maintaining agencies for firms whose headquarters are
in the United States. Several of our popular Life Insurance Companies
are thus represented.

The busy activity in the streets was remarkable. Hansom cabs rattled
about or stood in long rows awaiting patrons; four-wheeled vehicles of
an inexcusably awkward style, also for hire, abounded; messenger-boys,
with yellow leather pouches strapped over their shoulders, hurried
hither and thither; high-hung omnibuses with three horses abreast, like
those of Paris and Naples, dashed rapidly along, well filled with
passengers; men galloped through the crowd upon small horses, carrying
big baskets of provisions on their arms; dog-carts driven by smart young
fellows, with a flunky behind in gaudy livery, cut in and out among the
vehicles; powerful draught-horses stamped along the way, drawing heavily
loaded drays; milk-carts with big letters on their canvas sides made
themselves conspicuous, rivalled as to the size of the lettering by the
bakers' carts of similar shape; light and neat American wagonettes
glided along among less attractive vehicles. Now and then a Chinaman
passed by with his peculiar shambling gait, a pole across his shoulders
balancing his baskets of truck; women with oranges and bananas for a
penny apiece met one at every turn,--and still the sidewalks are so
broad and the streets so wide that no one se