25 MARCH 1876, Page 23

could wish for. The author is evidently an enthusiast on

the subject of scenery, and we are grateful to him for the many glorious landscapes

that he has here so finely and feelingly described. The chapters that treat of "the diggings" are particularly interesting, as written by an actual resident, and not, as such accounts commonly aro, by a flying visitor. We fear it is only the bright side of " station " life that is here presented to us, or surely everyone would wish to become a squatter," or something as euphonious and utopian. As if in contrast to the beauty of nature, we are shown a very dismal view of the "Voluntary " system, than which nothing could be more unsatisfactory in every way. No book treating of Australia could be complete without the inevitable kangaroo, who here distinguishes himself by tucking a shepherd under his arm and bounding some yards before dropping him. Those friends of our boyhood, bush-rangers, too, tura up, but wo must own that neither of these staple products of the country is made too much of. It seems not unlikely, from a hint that is dropped, that the author may favour us with some further " sketches," and wo shall bo only too glad to renew our acquaintance with a showman of such good-taste and so much refinement.