I never watched the slow downfal of a great commercial city; but I have seen what to him who thinks aright is an equally grand subject of contemplation--the rapid rise of one.

I have seen what but a small moiety of the world, even in these days, has seen, and what, save in this generation, has never been seen before, and will, I think, never be seen again.

I have seen Melbourne.

Five years in succession did I visit that city, and watch each year how it spread and grew until it was beyond recognition.

Every year the press became denser, and the roar of the congregated thousands grew louder, till at last the scream of the flying engine rose above the hubbub of the streets, and two thousand miles of electric wire began to move the clicking needles with ceaseless intelligence.
Unromantic enough, but beyond all conception wonderful.