"Finding that it is many times seen that a man that stands off and
somewhat removed from a plot of ground doth better survey it and discover
it than those which are upon it, I thought it not impossible but that I,
as a looker on, might cast mine eyes upon some things which the actors
themselves, being interested, did not, or would not see."-LORD CHAN-
CELLOR BACON.

J. CROSS, 18, HOLBORN, OPPOSITE FURNIVAL'S INN.

TO THE HONOURABLE

THE COLONIZATION COMMISSIONERS

OF

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

viz.

COLONEL TORRENS, C. B.

W. A. MACKINNON, Esq., M. P.
WM. HUTT, Esq., M. P.
GEO. PALMER, Jun., Esq.
JACOB MONTEFIORE, Esq.
SAM. MILLS, Esq.
EDW. BARNARD, Esq.

JOSIAH ROBERTS, Esq.

JAMES PENNINGTON, Esq.

THIS LITTLE BUT IMPERFECT ACCOUNT OF A COUNTRY THAT CANNOT

FAIL OF BECOMING ONE DAY OR OTHER A FINE ENGLISH COLONY,

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,

BY THEIR OBEDIENT AND VERY HUMBLE SERVANT,

THE AUTHOR.

PREFAC E.

THE Author of the following pages considers that some apology is due for the extreme scantiness of his information; but, as few materials can be expected to exist for forming any thing like an elaborate account of a country that was only discovered a few years ago, and occupied, as it were, but yesterday, he hopes that the timely appearance of a true and impartial account of the New Colony, by an eye-witness, will plead an excuse for all apparent haste and deficiencies. The object was, neither fame nor profit, but to give a short and familiar, rather than a full and labored, account of the placeas that will be much better done in a few years hence—and, instead of indulging in fanciful and florid descriptions of the country or climate-its brilliant vegetation-its noble rivers and precious