CHAP. I.J GENERAL REMARKS. 13 



Australian colonies. Their trade is a species of 

 gambling, which is the more certain of success from 

 its being countenanced by Government, and from 

 its appealing to two of the most powerful of human 

 passions the love of independence, and the desire 

 of gain. They generally possess no large pecuniary 

 means in many cases no means at all ; they are the 

 first on the spot where town-sales take place, and 

 from the small number of lots which are put up for 

 sale, and the very short previous notice given by the 

 advertisements, they become the only purchasers. 

 Immediately after the sale the allotments are sub- 

 divided, and put up for public auction. With the 

 pertinacity of an old-clothes Jew, the land-sharks 

 follow the newly-arrived emigrant ; the advantage 

 of buying an allotment is pointed out to the ignorant 

 with systematic deceit and falsehood, and the victim 

 is at length secured. As the first purchaser has 

 only to pay 10 per cent, to Government at the time 

 of sale, and the remainder in a month, the land- 

 jobber stands the good chance of realizing before 

 that time a large profit upon his supposed capital, 

 which enables him to pay for his allotment; and 

 laughing at the credulity of those whom he has im- 

 posed upon, he leaves the town at the first oppor- 

 tunity, with his nefarious profits, seeking another 

 stage for his impositions. If the chances turn out 

 against him, he forfeits his deposit, which is no great 

 matter. Sometimes also the case happens that a 

 land-jobber buys the land adjoining that of a re- 



