PREFACE. 



manners, and morals were investigated and commented upon by an intelligent 

 black, what would be his verdict on them ? What would he think of the ' sin 

 of great cities,' of baby-farming, of our gambling hells, of our ' marriage market,' 

 of the imiversal practice of adulteration, of the frightful revelations made by 

 Mr. Plimsoll's committee with respect to rotten ships freighted and insured on 

 purpose to founder, of the white slavery in all great cities, and of the thousand 

 and one evils incidental to our highly artificial civilization ? Living, as we do, 

 in a conservatory constructed of such remarkably fragile materials, we should 

 hesitate before picking up the smallest pebble wherewith to lapidate the despised 

 blackfellow. 



To several friends who have assisted me in various ways in the publication 

 of this book my thanks are due : to Professor Strong, of the Melbourne 

 University ; to James Smith, Esq., Melbourne ; to Mr. Goodall, Superintendent 

 of the Aboriginal Station, Framlingham ; and especially to the Rev. F. R. M. 

 Wilson, formerly of Camperdown, now of Kew. 



To my sable friends who have kindly given us their aid I express my 

 gratitude for their patience and their anxiety to communicate information ; 

 especially to the very intelligent chiefess Yaruun Parpur Tarneen, whose 

 knowledge greatly exceeded expectation ; as also to Wombeet Tuulawarn, her 

 husband, who assisted her. In return for their friendship and confidence, I trust 

 that this little contribution to the history of an ill-used and interesting people, 

 fast passing away, may lead to a better estimate of their character, and to a more 

 kindly treatment at the hands of their ' Christian brethren ' than the aborigines 

 have hitherto received. If so, this volume will attain its chief object, and will 

 confer intense gratification on their sincere friend, 



JAMES DAWSON. 



