CHAPTER XIV.

FROM SYDNEY TO BRISBANE.--POLITICAL DIVISIONS OF AUSTRALIA.-- ORDER IN WHICH THE COLONIES WERE FOUNDED.--EXPLORATIONS AND THEIR EXTENT.--DOCTOR BASS AND CAPTAIN FLINDERS.--ABSENCE OF WATER IN THE INTERIOR OF AUSTRALIA.--A COUNTRY OF STRANGE CHARACTERISTICS.--NATURE'S REVERSES.--HOW THE COLONIES ARE GOVERNED.--RELIGION AND EDUCATION.--JEALOUSY OF THE COLONIES TOWARDS EACH OTHER.--NEWCASTLE AND ITS COAL.--RAILWAY TRAVELLING IN NEW SOUTH WALES.--TENTERFIELD AND STANTHORPE.-- COBB'S COACHES.--AUSTRALIAN SCENERY.--THE EUCALYPTUS, OR GUM-TREE, THE TALLEST TREES IN THE WORLD.--SILVER STEMS AND MALLKE SCRUB.--BRISBANE.--RELICS OF THE CONVICT SYSTEM.--QUEEN STREET AND THE BOTANICAL GARDENS. 317