The climate here was found very much colder than that of the mountain or of the settlements on the east side, where no signs of frost had made its appearance when the party set out.  During the night the ground was covered with a thick frost, and a leg of the kangaroo was quite frozen.

They now conceived that they had sufficiently accomplished the design of their undertaking, having surmounted all the difficulties which had hitherto prevented the interior of the country from being explored, and the Colony from being extended.  They had partly cleared, or, at least, marked out a road by which the passage of the mountain might easily be effected.  Their provisions were nearly exhausted, their clothes and shoes were in very bad condition, and the whole party were ill with bowel complaints.  These considerations determined them, therefore, to return home by the track they came.  On Tuesday, the 1st of June, they arrived at the foot of the mountain which they had descended, where they encamped for the night.

The following day they began to ascend the mountain at seven o’clock, and reached the summit at ten; they were obliged to carry the packages themselves part of the ascent.

They encamped in the evening at one of their old stations.  On the 3rd, they reached another of their old stations.  Here, during the night, they heard a confused noise arising from the eastern settlements below, which, after having been so long accustomed to the death-like stillness of the interior, had a very striking effect.  On the 4th, they arrived at the end of their marked track, and encamped in the forest land where they had cut the grass for their horses.  One of the horses fell this day with his load, quite exhausted, and was with difficulty got on, after having his load put on the other horses.  The next day, the 5th, was the most unpleasant and fatiguing they had experienced.  The track not being marked, they had great difficulty in finding their way back to the river, which they did not reach till four p.m. o’clock.  They then once more encamped for the night to refresh themselves and the horses.  They had no provisions now left except a little flour, but procured some from the settlement on the other side of the river.  On Sunday, the 6th of June, they crossed the river after breakfast, and reached their homes all in good health.  The winter had not set in on this side of the mountain, nor had there been any frost.

AUSTRALIA FELIX (VICTORIA)

+Source.+—­Hovell’s Journal, 1837, pp. 25-27, 39-42, 72-73

The country between Botany Bay and Bass Strait was unexplored until 1824, when Messrs. Hume and Hovell set out to discover if it were suitable for settlement.  They encountered difficulties among the Australian Alps, discovered the Hume (Murray) River and reached Port Phillip.  Oct. 2nd, 1824—­Jan. 16th, 1825.

Sat., Nov. 6th. They had now (it was noon)