242 LECTUKE XIX. 



lington every second house at that place is a 

 public-house ! 



But it is time to give you some account of the 

 gold discoveries in what were called the gold 

 fields of Australia. When the news of a gold 

 country burst upon the inhabitants of New 

 South Wales,, it occasioned the greatest excite- 

 ment. Almost every one that could flocked to 

 the diggings, so that both gentlemen and trades- 

 men were left without servants. It was soon 

 afterwards reported that there were 10,000 peo- 

 ple at the mines, who were earning from 10s. 

 to II. a- day each. The government at Sydney 

 issued licenses to diggers at about 30s. a- 

 month, to be paid in advance. Sober and in- 

 dustrious men generally did well ; but gin and 

 rum were the ruin of many others, and produced 

 quarrelling and riots to such a degree, that it 

 was said a drunken man with a loaded musket 

 was no better than a mad dog, and he was often 

 treated accordingly. 



The diggers rented what were called " claims," 

 consisting of so many square yards, according to 

 the number of miners who worked in them. 

 For instance, a grant of land to a party of 



