PREFACE 



THE lectures, which make this book, were given to a class 

 in Sydney University in 1917. The quality of lectures 

 given in an Australian University is determined by the 

 mind of the students only less than by the mind of the 

 lecturer ; and with pleasure I take this opportunity to 

 thank the generations of students, who, for thirty years, 

 have not only made lecturing a happiness, but have also, 

 by kindly appreciation of good intention, well salted with 

 honest witness to evident failure, given reason to do one's 

 best. 



Chapters I. and VI. were given as lectures to the Royal 

 Australian Historical Society, and are printed in its Journal, 

 Vol. III. Part 10, and Vol. IV. Part 4. 



In preparation of the lectures, my chief debt was to the 

 Mitchell Library. Mr. David Mitchell of Sydney was a 

 gentleman of wealth and of culture, who devoted a large 

 part of his life to the collection of a Library of the Literature 

 of Australian History. This Library he gave to the State 

 of New South Wales, together with an endowment that 

 enables the Committee to purchase historical material of 

 the highest value. It is a marvellous collection of precious 

 things ; and in it the student of Australian History works 

 in an atmosphere of enervating luxury. I cannot suffi- 

 ciently express my gratitude to the Mitchell Librarian, 

 Mr. Hugh Wright, and to his Assistant Librarians, for the 

 infinite courtesy with which they have helped my work. 



