THE ABOEIGIlfES. 261 



Of the many thousands who inhabited this colony 

 before the arrival of the white man, not 2,000 survive, 

 and most of these are on the banks of the Murray. 

 Although debased far below their own savage level since 

 their intercourse with the white man, the few that are 

 left still retain much of that free independent spirit, and 

 wild roving disposition, which characterizes all savages 

 who have to gain a living by the chase. For although 

 they can get their rations all the year round at the head 

 station, they never care to live long in one place ; but, 

 following up the habits of their early life, make periodi- 

 cal excursions into the bush at different seasons, when 

 the different game is in. Thus swans' eggs, kangaroo, 

 ducks, pigeons, eels, and crayfish, all furnish them with 

 food and occupation at certain seasons ; and it was but 

 rarely that many of these were on the reserve at one 

 time. I have often remarked, when wandering through 

 these forests, that the Blacks invariably fix upon the 

 prettiest situations for their camping places. I cannot 

 help thinking that the character of the Australian abori- 

 gines has been much belied by those writers, who have 

 described them as but one degree removed from the 

 brute. It is true that they possess inherently all the 

 bad qualities of the savage, and where is the wild man 

 whose character is not marked by ferocity, treachery, or 

 cunning ? But they have also many good attributes, 

 which might shame the white man. I always found 

 them honest, and fond of the truth ; and although they 

 will ask for anything they fancy, just as if they had a 



