Launceston,

Launceston, the second city of Tasmania, is to the north of the island what Hobart, the capital, is to the south—the chief port of entry and mart of trade. It stands in a valley enclosed by hills at the junction of the Esk with the Tamar, which, after a course of 40 miles, enters Bass Strait (q.v.) at Port Dalrymple. It is accessible to ships of considerable burden, and carries on a thriving commerce with the principal Australian ports, having steam communication twice a week with Melbourne, and with Sydney fortnightly. There is a railway (133 miles) to Hobart. The town is supplied with water from St Patrick's River, 15 miles E. The principal buildings are the government-house, new post-office, convent, theatre, town-hall, and mechanics' institute with a library of 13,000 volumes. Launceston was incorporated in 1858, and raised to a city in 1889. Pop. (1881) 12,753; (1891) 17,208.