y; it is upon the sea-coast, and adjoins Cumberland, being
bounded on the south by the river Hawkesbury, and on the north by the
Hunter. Its length is about 60 miles, and its breadth about 50: whilst
its general appearance is undulating, with high table lands dispersed
among the hills, and it is well watered by many streams and rivulets.
Within this county are two great sources of worldly wealth,--the
coal-mines near one of its principal towns, Newcastle, and the rich
productive farms in the valley of the Hunter. The last-named river is
navigable for small craft for fifty miles above Newcastle, which is a
thriving little port, and boats may ascend two of its three principal
branches for about 120 and 200 miles, but the navigation is liable to
be interrupted by sudden and tremendous floods.[134]

[134] This account of the navigation of Hunter's River is taken from
Martin's New South Wales, p. 75. Dr. Lang, vol. ii. p. 64, gives a
somewhat different account of it.

Coal is to be found in several parts of New South Wales, but it is most
abundant in the country to the south of Hunter's River, which forms part
of the county of Northumberland. Even at some distance from the shore,
the black lines of coal may be seen in the cliffs upon the coast, and
the coal-pits in this neighbourhood are worked with comparatively little
trouble. The Australian Agricultural Company have obtained a grant of
these from government: and, as a specimen of the demand for coals some
years ago, it may be stated, that, in 1836, there were sold at the
pit's mouth 12,646 tons for 5,747_l._, being at about the rate of nine
shillings per ton. Since that time the consumption has been very
rapidly increasing, and steam navigation has now become common in the
colony;[135] so that, besides the manufactories of Sydney, and the
supply of private families, there is an additional demand for fuel
created by the steam-boats plying constantly along that remote coast,
which only a century ago no European had yet beheld. It is also reported
that iron is to be found in New South Wales, at no great distance from
the coal which is so necessary to smelt it; and, if this be true, with
these two principal causes of the wealth of the mother country concealed
within its bosom, it is quite possible that, in the course of time, the
colony may rival, or outstrip, England itself in worldly prosperity.

[135] It was introduced in 1831.

But, however valuable these eleme