1 70 Australian Life 



noticeable. The primitive discomfort that was 

 unavoidable during the early pioneer work of the 

 settler, often clings to his habitation when the 

 necessity for it has ceased to exist. The endur- 

 ance of inconveniences and makeshifts becomes a 

 habit, and money that might well be spent on 

 home comforts and necessities is laid out on im- 

 provements to the land, or saved against the bad 

 times for which the people of the bush are pre- 

 pared by the uncertain conditions of their life. 

 Brought up amid these surroundings, the 

 younger generation has learned the lesson of 

 doing without things, and perpetuated the cus- 

 tom. The unloveliness of the bush house, its 

 unfinished aspect, and its want of any homelike 

 appearance are only too noticeable. The crowded 

 capital cities are a standing proof of the distaste 

 of the people for life on the land, and there can 

 be no doubt that at present it is rendered more 

 unattractive for the younger folk by the extent to 

 which comfort and convenience are subordinated. 

 As a rule, the Australian is content with three 

 meals a day, and has meat at every meal. The 

 working-man will breakfast on chops or steak, 

 and at midday, if unable to go home, may 

 patronise a restaurant, where a plentiful dinner 

 costs him sixpence. At six o'clock, he has a 

 substantial tea, with cold or hot meat, and very 

 wisely dispenses with supper. At every meal, 

 he probably drinks two or three large cups of 

 tea, and appears little worse for it. London 



