of the Aborigines of Australia. 239 



tious usage, some temptation of uncontrolled appetite, or strong ap- 

 peal to the instinctive workings of an unreflecting mind, may sud- 

 denly throw aside the loose and cumbrous mantle of civilisation, and 

 return with unabated zest to his native woods and his original bar- 

 barism. >rlJ y/J 



Degree of aptitude for the employments of Civilised life. — In a 

 country like New South Wales, where there is generally a great 

 demand for labouring population, the most favourable opportunities 

 constantly offer for introducing the aborigines within the pale of 

 civilisation, and enrolling them in the ranks of the labouring com- 

 munity of the country. But all attempts, to effect this object have, 

 generally speaking, proved a failure. Accustomed to habits and pur- 

 suits and ideas altogether different, those exhibited by Europeans 

 appear to them incomprehensible, and they cannot be induced to re- 

 main steadily at any particular occupation. They soon exhibit symp- 

 toms of impatience, and a sensation of irksomeness under the mono- 

 tony of ordinary daily labour. Although they seem as intelligent, 

 comparatively speaking, as the working people around them, speak 

 English in some instances remarkably well, have a full knowledge of 

 the value of money, and are quite competent to form notions of the 

 comforts of civilised life, yet they appear totally indifferent to these 

 attractions, and prefer their own misery and wretchedness. 



But amidst the thousand varieties of employment useful and neces- 

 sary to society, it is not to be expected, but that even the wildest 

 passions and the most unruly habits may find some 'fitting sphere 

 of congenial activity. A number of the aborigines have been 

 formed into a body of "Native Police," for the protection of the 

 interior districts, and appear to have even exceeded expectation in 

 this capacity. According to Mr Powlett, about forty natives of 

 the tribe soutflf of the Yarra, are employed in this police force. 

 They are of great utility to travellers, from " their knowledge of 

 locality, quickness of perception, endurance of fatigue, and their 

 facility in procuring water and sustenance." The Messrs M' Arthur 

 employ two aborigines as shepherds, who receive the usual wages 

 of that class ; and according to Mr Powlett, about fifteen or twenty 

 are similarly employed in his district, who are remunerated by sup- 

 plies of rations and clothing. The Berrima tribes, during harvest 

 time, are generally employed in reaping, which they perform very 

 well, and are remunerated partly in money and partly in clothing, 

 and tea, sugar, and tobacco. But though active enough for a while, 

 and indeed frequently the best labourers in the field, they are not 

 enduring. Only a few can be induced to work at a time, and these 

 but for a short period. When fatigued, they will not work for any 

 consideration. The Pvev. Mr Schmidt, who also notices their want 

 of steadiness, though quite able to perform all kinds of manual labour 

 without difficulty, remarks that from five to seven weeks, at one 



R 2 



