Meanwhile we enjoyed the fine weather, and our present companionship, as much as possible, while taking little trips here, there, and everywhere. The one I most enjoyed was a sail in the Bay. The captain of the vessel in which we left England, was still detained in Port Philip for want of hands--the case of hundreds--and offered to give us a sail, and a dinner on board afterwards. We soon made up a large party, and enjoyed it exceedingly. The day was lovely. We walked down to Liardet's Beach, a distance of nearly three miles, and were soon calmly skimming over the waters. We passed St. Kilda and Brighton, and gained an excellent view of the innumerable vessels then lying useless and half-deserted in the Bay. It was a sad though a pretty sight. There were fine East Indiamen, emigrant ships, American clippers, steamers, traders--foreign and English--whalers, &c., waiting there only through want of seamen. In the cool of the evening our gallant host rowed us back to the beach. Since our first landing, tents and stores had been erected in great numbers, and Little Adelaide was grown wonderfully. I think I have never mentioned the quantity of frogs that abound in Australia. This particular evening I remarked them more than usual, and without the least exaggeration their croaking resembled a number of mills in motion. I know nothing to which I can more appropriately liken the noise that resounded along the swampy portions of the road, from the beach to Melbourne. Much has been said of the climate of Australia, and many are the conflicting statements thereon. The following table contains all the information--personal and otherwise--which I have been enabled to collect. JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.--Generally the hottest months; average of the thermometer, 78 in the shade; thunder-storms and COLONIAL showers of rain occasionally visit us. MARCH.--Fine genial weather; average temperature, 73 in the shade. APRIL.--Weather more uncertain; mosquitos depart; average temperature, 70 in the shade: MAY.--Fine, till towards the latter part of the month, when sometimes the rainy season commences; average temperature in the shade, 64. JUNE.--Rainy, and much cooler; temperature at an average of 58 in the shade. JULY.--Coldest month in the year; midwinter in the colonies; average temperature, 53. Ice and snow may be seen inland. AUGUST.--Very rainy. Average temperature, 58 in the shade. SEPTEMBER.--Windy stormy month; weather getting warmer. Average temperature, 63 in the shade. OCTOBER--The presence of the mosquito, a sure proof that the weather is permanently warm. Average temperature in the shade, 66. NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.--Tropically warm. Locusts, mosquitos, and unnumbered creeping things swarm both in bush and town. Towards the end of December the creeks commence to dry up, and the earth looks parched for want of rain. No yule-log needed on Christmas Day. Thermometer as high as 97 in the shade; average 75.