happier or more beloved than those who go forth from such homes to fulfil new duties, and to gather fresh interests around them.
Having given a detailed account of several years' residence in New Switzerland, as we liked to call our dominion, it is needless for me to continue what would exhaust the patience of the most long-suffering, by repeating monotonous narratives of exploring parties and hunting expeditions, wearisome descriptions of awkward inventions and clumsy machines, with an endless record of discoveries, more fit for the pages of an encyclopædia, than a book of family history.
Yet before winding up with the concluding events, I may mention some interesting facts illustrative of our exact position at the time these took place.
Rockburg and Falconhurst continued to be our winter and summer head-quarters, and improvements were added which made them more and more convenient as well as attractive in appearance.
The fountains, trellised verandahs, and plantations round Rockburg, completely changed the character of the residence which on account of the heat and want of vegetation had in former days been so distasteful to my wife. Flowering creepers overhung the balconies and pillars; while shrubs and trees, both native and European, grew luxuriantly in groves of our planting.
In the distance, Shark Island, now clothed with graceful palms, guarded the entrance to Safety Bay, the battery and flag-staff prominently visible on its crested rock.
The swamp, cleared and drained, was now a considerable lake, with just marsh and reeds enough beyond it to form good cover for the waterfowl whose favourite retreat it was.
On its blue waters sailed stately black swans, snow-white geese, and richly-coloured ducks; while out and in among the water-plants and rushes would appear at intervals glimpses of the brilliant
