508 SUPERSTITIONS AND TRADITIONS OF AUSTRALIA. 



able are the miracles they perform. It is needless, however, to enlarge 

 on the subject. I have related sufficient to prove the influence they 

 have over the minds of the savages, their dupes. How they contrived 

 to gain this influence appears extraordinary, as I am not aware 

 that they possess one qualification superior to their neighbor? ; — 

 but that they have gained it, and that they do their best to retain 

 it, are equally true. 



This is the extent of the influence of superstition on this people, 

 and ttiere I think it ceases ; but here, also, must be noted a vague and 

 partial idea which they appear to entertain of a state of being here- 

 after. I say partial, in as much as it applies but to one portion of the 

 community, and that is to the young men, who, they say, upon taking 

 their departure from this world, go to the moon, or to a place beyond 

 it, where they remain in the midst of abundance of Kangaroos, upon 

 which they have unlimited feasting, an idea conveying to the mind of 

 an Australian a picture of the very essence of true felicity. But those 

 dying old and infirm enjoy no such happiness ; — on the earth, where 

 they lived and died, there they remain, and conclude their career by 

 furnishing a repast for the wild dog. 



The traditions current amongst these people, like those of most 

 other barbarous tribes, usually relate to some familiar object or 

 event. Nevertheless, they generally contrive to confer on them an 

 originality and marvellousness, not only amusing, but tending also in 

 a great measure to enlighten us relative to the ideas and modes of 

 thought of those from whom they are obtained. As specimens, let 

 me relate one or two narrated to me by a native youth, as we lay 

 around our bush fire ; and in doing so, I shall endeavour to follow, as 

 much as possible, the peculiar and simple language of my swarthy 

 companion. 



" The Kangaroo," said he " now jumps far — very far ; he jumps too 

 like the frog, but it was not always so. A very long time ago it was 

 not all jump, jump, jump. No, he then walked all the day, and when 

 the black man was hungry, he did not run after the Kangaroo, as he 

 now does, for the whole day, but arose from his fire, and knocked him 

 down with his Waddie, and so he ate plenty, aud without trouble. 

 One day a Frog came up out of the River to take a walk and look at the 

 country, and away he went, jump, jump, jump, and then sat down and 

 looked about him, again he started, jump, jump, jump, and once more 

 sat down in the glare of the Sun. And so he went on jumping and rest- 

 ing untilhefoundhimself inthe midst of the Kangaroos, who were crawl- 

 iug about eating the grass with their fore paws to the ground, and noses 

 very low, and backs very high. The Frog laughed when he saw the 



