Clouds of dust were
travelling in every direction; and the wind felt as if it had
passed over a fire. I afterwards heard that the thermometer out of
doors had stood at 119 degrees, and in a closed room at 96 degrees.
In the afternoon we came in view of the downs of Bathurst. These
undulating but nearly smooth plains are very remarkable in this
country, from being absolutely destitute of trees. They support
only a thin brown pasture. We rode some miles over this country,
and then reached the township of Bathurst, seated in the middle of
what may be called either a very broad valley, or narrow plain. I
was told at Sydney not to form too bad an opinion of Australia by
judging of the country from the roadside, nor too good a one from
Bathurst; in this latter respect I did not feel myself in the least
danger of being prejudiced. The season, it must be owned, had been
one of great drought, and the country did not wear a favourable
aspect; although I understand it was incomparably worse two or
three months before. The secret of the rapidly growing prosperity
of Bathurst is that the brown pasture which appears to the
stranger's eye so wretched is excellent for sheep-grazing.
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