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e southern entrance of D'Entrecasteaux Channel； a line of sunken rocks； known by the generic name of the Actaeon reef； attests that Bruny Head was once joined with the shores of Recherche Bay； while； from the South Cape to the jaws of Macquarie Harbour； the white water caused by sunken reefs； or the jagged peaks of single rocks abruptly rising in mid sea； warn the mariner off shore。
It would seem as though nature； jealous of the beauties of her silver Derwent； had made the approach to it as dangerous as possible； but once through the archipelago of D'Entrecasteaux Channel； or the less dangerous eastern passage of Storm Bay； the voyage up the river is delightful。 From the sentinel solitude of the Iron Pot to the smiling banks of New Norfolk； the river winds in a succession of reaches； narrowing to a deep channel cleft between rugged and towering cliffs。 A line drawn due north from the source of the Derwent would strike another river winding out from the northern part of the island； as the Derwent winds out from the south。 The force of the waves； expended； perhaps； in destroying the isthmus which； two thousand years ago； probably connected Van Diemen's Land with the continent has been here less violent。 The rounding currents of the Southern Ocean； meeting at the mouth of the Tamar； have rushed upwards over the isthmus they have devoured； and pouring against the south coast of Victoria； have excavated there that inland sea called Port Philip Bay。 If the waves have gnawed the south coast of Van Diemen's Land； they have bitten a mouthful out of the south coast of Victoria。 The Bay is a millpool； having an area of nine hundred square miles； with a race between the heads two miles across。
About a hundred and seventy miles to the south of this mill…race lies Van Diemen's Land； fertile； fair； and rich； rained upon by the genial showers from the clouds which； attracted by the Frenchman's Cap； Wyld's Crag； or the lofty peaks of the Wellington and Dromedary range； pour down upon the sheltered valleys their fertilizing streams。 No parching hot windthe scavenger； if the torment； of the continentblows upon her crops and corn。 The cool south breeze ripples gently the blue waters of the Derwent； and fans the curtains of the open windows of the city which nestles in the broad shadow of Mount Wellington。 The hot wind； born amid the burning sand of the interior of the vast Australian continent； sweeps over the scorched and cracking plains； to lick up their streams and wither the herbage in its path； until it meets the waters of the great south bay； but in its passage across the straits it is reft of its fire； and sinks； exhausted with its journey； at the feet of the terraced slopes of Launceston。
The climate of Van Diemen's Land is one of the loveliest in the world。 Launceston is warm； sheltered； and moist； and Hobart Town； protected by Bruny Island and its archipelago of D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Storm Bay from the violence of the southern breakers； preserves the mean temperature of Smyrna； whilst the district between these two towns spreads in a succession of beautiful valleys； through which glide clear and sparkling streams。 But on the western coast； from the steeple…rocks of Cape Grim to the scrub…encircled barrenness of Sandy Cape； and the frowning entrance to Macquarie Harbour； the nature of the country entirely changes。 Along that iron…bound shore； from Pyramid Island and the forest…backed solitude of Rocky Point； to the great Ram Head； and the straggling harbour of Port Davey； all is bleak and cheerless。 Upon that dreary beach the rollers of the southern sea complete their circuit of the globe； and the storm that has devastated the Cape； and united in its eastern course with the icy blasts which sweep northward from the unknown terrors of the southern pole； crashes unchecked upon the Huon pine forests； and lashes with rain the grim front of Mount Direction。 Furious gales and sudden tempests affright the natives of the coast。 Navigation is dangerous； and the entrance to the 〃Hell's Gates〃 of Macquarie Harbourat the time of which we are writing （1833）； in the height of its ill…fame as a convict settlementis only to be attempted in calm weather。 The sea…line is marked with wrecks。 The sunken rocks are dismally named after the vessels they have destroyed。 The air is chill and moist； the soil prolific only in prickly undergrowth and noxious weeds； while foetid exhalations from swamp and fen cling close to the humid； spongy ground。 All around breathes desolation； on the face of nature is stamped a perpetual frown。 The shipwrecked sailor； crawling painfully to the summit of basalt cliffs； or the ironed convict； dragging his tree trunk to the edge of some beetling plateau； looks down upon a sea of fog； through which rise mountain…tops like islands； or sees through the biting sleet a desert of scrub and crag rolling to the feet of Mount Heemskirk and Mount Zeehancrouched like two sentinel lions keeping watch over the seaboard。
CHAPTER II。
THE SOLITARY OF 〃HELL'S GATES〃。
〃Hell's Gates；〃 formed by a rocky point； which runs abruptly northward； almost touches； on its eastern side； a projecting arm of land which guards the entrance to King's River。 In the middle of the gates is a natural boltthat is to say； an island…which； lying on a sandy bar in the very jaws of the current； creates a double whirlpool； impossible to pass in the smoothest weather。 Once through the gates； the convict； chained on the deck of the inward…bound vessel； sees in front of him the bald cone of the Frenchman's Cap； piercing the moist air at a height of five thousand feet； while； gloomed by overhanging rocks； and shadowed by gigantic forests； the black sides of the basin narrow to the mouth of the Gordon。 The turbulent stream is the colour of indigo； and； being fed by numerous rivulets； which ooze through masses of decaying vegetable matter； is of so poisonous a nature that it is not only undrinkable； but absolutely kills the fish； which in stormy weather are driven in from the sea。 As may be imagined； the furious tempests which beat upon this exposed coast create a strong surf…line。 After a few days of north…west wind the waters of the Gordon will be found salt for twelve miles up from the bar。 The head…quarters of the settlement were placed on an island not far from the mouth of this inhospitable river； called Sarah Island。
Though now the whole place is desolate； and a few rotting posts and logs alone remain…mute witnesses of scenes of agony never to be revivedin the year 1833 the buildings were numerous and extensive。 On Philip's Island； on the north side of the harbour； was a small farm； where vegetables were grown for the use of the officers of the establishment； and； on Sarah Island； were sawpits； forges； dockyards； gaol； guard…house； barracks； and jetty。 The military force numbered about sixty men； who； with convict…warders and constables； took charge of more than three hundred and fifty prisoners。 These miserable wretches； deprived of every hope； were employed in the most degrading labour。 No beast of burden was allowed on the settlement； all the pulling and dragging was done by human beings。 About one hundred 〃good…co