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118 Capt. Lonsdale selected the original settlement formed by Mr, Batman on the Yarra Yarra as the scite of the infant metropolis of Port Phillip, The Government had commenced building a gaol (query—the old Police Office) and a Commissariat Store, and the town was named Glenelg.” After the sale, houses gradually increased and became of a superior style of architecture. While in June, 1837, there were only 36 houses, with property valued at .£1,800, there were, in June, 1838, 300 houses, 1800 people, and property £60,000. In June, 1839 there were 500 houses including 70 shops, 3,000 people, and £112,000 of property. When Mr. Latrobe arrived there were three breweries, one tannery, two felmongers, and 200 houses having stone foundations, though few had upper works in brick. The chimneys of the old sod huts were constructed of Launceston bricks. The first brick house is said to have been a store, in February, 1838, for Mr. Strachan, situated on the site of our Union Bank. Mr. Fawkner’s Hotel, now the “ Shakespeare,” arose soon after. Mr. Batman’s house, on the opposite site of Market Square, in Collins Street, was built about the same time as Mr. Fawkner’s Hotel. Mr. Hodgson’s house in Flinders Street, decidedly the finest private residence in the early days, was erected also in 1838 ; it is now the Port Phillip Club Hotel. The old “Herald” office, in Little Collins Street, was an established store iu 1838. The first burial place may be seen as the little en closure on the hill near the Flagstaff. The streets were in a fearful state in winter. Elizabeth Street was the worst; the rut in it, the watercourse of the town, being sufficient to entomb a waggon and horses. No wonder that an advertisement appeared for 1000 pairs of stilts. The soul of some Melbourne Milton •yras stirred to write,— A beautiful town is Melbourne, All by the Yarra side; Its streets are wide, its steets are deep,-- They are both deep and wide. Escaping from one quagmire There's room enough for more ; Such a beautiful town as Melbourne, Was never seen before. While in the poetic strain, we must give another effusion, full of patriotic indignation, dated Collins Street, February 14th, 1839, Melbourne left in her infant state To flourish as she may, Shall notwithstanding this hard fate, Behold a brighter day.
