Agriculture flourishes; the cultivated fields
look well, and the gardens abound with thriving vegetables and
fruit-trees. Some of the farmhouses, situated in retired spots, had
a very attractive appearance. The general aspect of the vegetation
is similar to that of Australia; perhaps it is a little more green
and cheerful; and the pasture between the trees rather more
abundant. One day I took a long walk on the side of the bay
opposite to the town: I crossed in a steamboat, two of which are
constantly plying backwards and forwards. The machinery of one of
these vessels was entirely manufactured in this colony, which, from
its very foundation, then numbered only three and thirty years!
Another day I ascended Mount Wellington; I took with me a guide,
for I failed in a first attempt, from the thickness of the wood.
Our guide, however, was a stupid fellow, and conducted us to the
southern and damp side of the mountain, where the vegetation was
very luxuriant; and where the labour of the ascent, from the number
of rotten trunks, was almost as great as on a mountain in Tierra
del Fuego or in Chiloe. It cost us five and a half hours of hard
climbing before we reached the summit.
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