36 Thus were the hopes of the expectants dashed to the ground. We are not surprized to find that afterwards these men preferred a treaty with savages to dependence upon a government. SETTLEMENT OF PORTLAND BAY. In 1833, in consequence of information received from the coasters, the Messrs. Henty, of Launceston, merchants, inspected the capabili ties of Portland Bay, and in 1834 anchored there, and formed an independant location. Ostensibly a whaling station, it was really an entensive squatting establishment. The whales were plentiful ; three boats in one season took 300 tons of oil. The soil was good for cul tivation, and large herds of cattle roamed about the neighbourhood of Mount Clay. The government were . ignorant of the existence of anything but the rude huts of visiting whalers. No wonder that major Mitchell was so surprized at the evidence of wealth and progress. Doubtless his party owed their lives to the flour they obtained thence when their provisions were failing. The Hentys applied to the Govern ment for a grant of land; their solicitation was rejected. In 1834 another attempt was made to reach Western Port overland, with the view of introducing stock from the over-fed pastures of New South Wales. At the advice of Mr. John Gardiner, whose faith in Port Phillip never faltered, who was one of the first to try its virtues, and one of the fortunate to realize wealth from its soil, Mr. McKillop was induced to venture across. Western Port still possessed a marvellous charm in the eyes of colonists, a charm which did not lose its effect for years. Setting out for the Sydney side with instructions, we believe, from captain Hovel], he was not long before he became en tangled in the scrub of the Alpine gullies. He courageously pushed onward until he arrived near Lake Omeo, the first explorer of our lofty snowy region. But the brisling rocks frowned defiance on the attempt to penetrate those solitudes. The aborigines never dared the spirit of the mountains. The eagle alone held court there. The attempt cost £800. ■ LIFE OF BATMAN. ^.Heroism was the Deity of Ancient Ages. A Menes, a Theseus, a Hercules, a Bomulus, an Odin,—the personifications of great deeds, became gods to men. The development of civilization diminishes the
