134 PHILLIP AST) EXPLORATION. 1738 Philup's plaoie in the ranks of Australian explorers seems to Lave been but faintly recognised in history. Notwithstand- The first ™S ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ name stands first on the list^ and that explorer, y^ discovories wore of very great importance^ it has been his unhappy fate to have his name and memory associated BO closely with the dismal days of the convict era that his achievements outside that gloomy circle have been almost ignored. When he told Sydney of the only consolation he Forgotten had f or his unpleasant position — the reflection that he was ^^^ rendering a very essential service to his country by founding a colony destined to prove the most valuable acquisition Great Britain ever made, it did not occur to him that his career in it would be, in many minds at least, identified with 80 much of the least attractive portion of its history. It was no doubt with a sense of relief that he turned his steps away BO frequently from the Gamp at Sydney Cove towards the sea-coast or the bush, for the purpose of making himself acquainted with the character of his new dominions. How- ever much he may have been impelled by that feeling, the A new field, love of travel and adventure must have been strong within him, for he was always moving from one point to another within the limited area of exploration then open to him.* His energy and activity in the character of an explorer were conspicuously shown from the very day of his arrival. He had no sooner dropped anchor in Botany Bay than he set to
- *' Phillip's jonmeys were almost continuous ; in fact,a8 lon^ as there was
a question unsolved, or a hill in sight which he had not visited, he was always exploring." — Woods, History of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia, p. 65. Digitized by Google
