CHAPTER XXI.

THE RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.--POPULARITY OF HORSE-RACING IN AUSTRALIA.--CRICKET AND OTHER SPORTS.--SUMMER RETREATS AMONG THE MOUNTAINS OVERLOOKING MELBOURNE.--"A SOUTHERLY BURSTER:" ITS PECULIARITIES.--RAPID FALL OF THE THERMOMETER.--FLOODING THE STREETS OF MELBOURNE.--CHILDREN DROWNED IN THE GUTTERS.-- BALLARAT AND THE GOLD-MINES.--HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN AUSTRALIA.--THE RUSH TO BALLARAT AND BENDIGO.--SANDHURST: ITS PRESENT APPEARANCE.--REMARKABLE YIELD OF THE BALLARAT MINES.--"THE WELCOME NUGGET."--WESTERN DISTRICT OF VICTORIA.-- LAKE SCENERY.--AUSTRALIA'S POTATO-FIELD.--GIPPSLAND.--FROM MELBOURNE TO TASMANIA.--LAUNCESTON.--A CHAPTER OF TASMANIAN HISTORY.--MEMORIES OF CONVICT DAYS.--CORRA LINN AND OTHER SHOW-PLACES. 474