The French, however, always represented this colony as a masterpiece of policy; an element of Anglican power, pregnant with events. Peron, when dwelling on the moral prodigies of the settlement, declared that these but disguised the real objects of its founders, which, however, could not escape the discernment of statesmen: they saw the formidable germ of great revolutions.[30] The expedition of Baudin was connected by English politicians[31] with a project of French colonisation. His instructions directed him to inspect narrowly the places eligible for occupation, and it was expected that an Australian Pondichery would become a new focus of rivalry and intrigue. The special injunctions to survey the inlets of Van Diemen's Land, seemed to indicate the probable site of an establishment so obnoxious. Dr. Bass had, however, already examined this country with similar views, especially the margin of the rivers. To him no spot on the eastern side of the Derwent appeared to equal the neighbourhood of Risdon Creek, around which he observed an expanding area of fertile land. He delineated not less favorably the valley of the Tamar. This country he considered preferable to New South Wales: with a greater proportion of fertile soil, more amply supplied with water, and well adapted for colonisation.[32] FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 24: _Introduction._ p. 120.] [Footnote 25: _Literary Chronicle_, 1822.] [Footnote 26: The incidents of the voyage are related by Captain Tench.] [Footnote 27: _Edinburgh Review_, 1803.] [Footnote 28: _Quarterly Review_, 1814.] [Footnote 29: On this medal an author, quoted in _Phillip's Voyages_, ventured a poetical prophecy, which has at least the merit of truthfulness:-- VISIT OF HOPE TO SYDNEY COVE. _Written by the author of the Botanic Garden_, 1791. Where Sydney Cove her lucid bosom swells, Courts her young navies, and the storm repels; High on a rock, amid the troubled air, HOPE stood sublime, and wav'd her golden hair. "Hear me," she cried, "ye rising realms record Time's opening scenes, and Truth's unerring word: There shall broad streets their stately walls extend, The circus widen, and the crescent bend; There, ray'd from cities o'er the cultur'd land, Shall bright canals and solid roads expand. Embellish'd villas crown the landscape scene, Farms wave with gold, and orchards blush between; While with each breeze approaching vessels glide, And northern treasures dance on every tide!" Then ceas'd the nymph: tumultuous echoes roar, And Joy's loud voice was heard from shore to shore. Her graceful stops descending press'd the plain, And Peace, and Art, and Labor, joined the train. _--Governor Phillip's Voyage to Botany Bay._] [Footnote 30: Vol. i. p. 12.] [Footnote 31: _Quarterly Review._] [Footnote 32: _Collins's New South Wales_, vol. i. p. 180.] HISTORY OF TASMANIA. FROM 1803 TO 1824. FROM 1803 TO 1824. SECTION I.