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 " born 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 slight 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 the world of newspapers or proprieties. How correct is 

 all this ! 



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

 of these " born 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. 



