250 Australian Life 



The restlessness which forms so dominant a 

 key-note to Australian character is obviously 

 inherited. The founders of the race were men 

 of enterprise and adventure, drawn across the 

 seas by tales of a new land with possibilities in- 

 definitely wide, or by dreams of easily won gold. 

 As one of the Australian poets 1 has written: 



Our fathers came of roving stock 



That could not fixed abide, 

 And we have followed field and flock 



Since e'er we learnt to ride. 

 By miners' camp and shearing shed, 



In land of heat and drought, 

 We followed where our fortunes led, 

 With fortune always on ahead, 



And always further out. 



The Australian is consequently a man of many 

 places, and of many occupations. He will aban- 

 don his settled avocation and assured income at 

 a moment's notice in order to enter upon a new 

 life that seems to afford possibilities of increased 

 prosperity. He can become prospector, company 

 promoter, journalist, or trader in turn, in the end 

 to fall back upon his original occupation. Even 

 his own great continent of three million square 

 miles does not contain him, and at the hint of 

 prosperity elsewhere, he is off to South Africa, 

 or Argentine, or any other spot far enough away 

 or little enough known to hold attractions for him. 

 1 Mr. A. B. Paterson. 



