Title

Ben Lomond, from Arnolds Heights, a part of Tasmans Peak, Van Diemen's Land. [by Joseph Lycett].

Author

Author not identified

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

1825

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Ben Lomond, from Arnolds Heights, a part of Tasmans Peak, Van Diemen's Land.

THE Scene here depicted is taken from one of the most barren Hills in the whole Island, and includes a vast extent of country. The Stream, which is seen winding down the low land, is the head of the River SOUTH ESK. To the left is part of MACQUARIE PLAINS: they are very extensive, and the Soil is excellent. The Land in the extreme distance is part of an immense tract of Mountainous Land in the COUNTY of CORNWALL, lying to the right of LAUNCESTON; and which, being seen from the side of the river ESK, gives to the truly interesting View, a termination of the sublimest grandeur. A small portion of those extensive Plains, called Epping Forest, is visible on the left; but it admits of no comparison with the whole of that fertile tract of Pasturage, which runs nearly to the Road leading from HOBART TOWN to PORT DALRYMPLE.

TASMAN'S PEAK is about one hundred miles from HOBART TOWN and about twenty miles to the right of the Road leading to LAUNCESTON, which is about forty miles from the place at which this View was taken. The top of TASMAN'S PEAK is, for the most part, extremely rocky, though in places there is very fine grass. The Landscape from hence, in almost every direction, is picturesque and beautiful; but it wants the introduction of habitable Dwellings, to break the too-great sameness which prevails.

The Soil, in almost every direction in this vicinity, is excellent; and, upon the high Lands, there is a remarkable verdure, even in hot weather: so much so, that STOCKMAN remarks, that there has been plenty of grass upon these heights, at times when the Cattle are driven down to the valleys for water; as not a drop could be procured on the plains above, or in the forest-land adjoining.

PATRICK'S HEAD, a high conical-formed Hill, is about thirty miles from hence, and near the Sea-side. It is an excellent Land-mark, and may be seen many miles off at Sea.

Vast flocks of the large Forest Kangaroo inhabit this part of the country. There are also Emus. The Bush abounds with Pigeons, and the various kinds of Parrots, Paroquets, &c. c. The Timber consists chiefly of the different species of the Eucalyptus, and some species of the Casurina; but it is not so plentiful as in many other parts of the Colony.

Accompanying text, 1825.