411 



THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH. 



It was sensibly remarked by the editor of the Scotsman, when re- 

 viewing my little "Bush Wanderings," that every civilized society 

 produces an annual percentage of men who care nothing for what 

 they consider the " molly-coddle" comforts of civilization. Leaving 

 their brothers to wear fine linen, broadcloth, and patent boots — 

 to fare sumptuously every day, and sleep in curtained "four-posters," 

 under the protection of policemen, these "bom vagabonds " rush 

 forth to hard fare and hard work, and risk of life and limb in the 

 prairie or the backwoods, the bush or the diggings — " anywhere, 

 anywhere out of the world" of prim respectability which chokes 

 them. "Society" revenges herself for the contempt with which 

 these rovers treat her, by calling them " ne'er-do-wells," " scape- 

 graces," and other names expressive of shght esteem. It must be 

 owned, however, that " though poor in pelf," as they for the most 

 part continue, they are so rich in experiences that they make far 

 more entertaining company than decorous stay-at-homes — when 

 you can get hold of them bodily during one of their rare, brief 

 visits to tlie world of newspapers or proprieties. How correct is 

 aU this ! 



Perhaps no country on tht^ face of the globe sends forth so many 

 of these " bora vagabonds " as Great Britain. It is true that, as 

 as far as the limits of civilization extend — in the settled districts of 

 the world, if we may be allowed the term — we meet with adven- 

 turers of every European country, scattered here and there, engaged 

 in the all-engrossing pursuit of money-making. Their quarry, how- 

 ever, is man : where the game is thickest, there, of course, is the 

 best chance of securing their prey j and as long as we keep in such 

 fellowship there is little difference between one country and another. 



