X 
PREFACE. 
the admirable drawings made from life, by J. Neill, 
Esq. of King George’s Sound, and now lodged at 
the British Museum. They are, however, both too 
numerous and too large to give in a work of this 
description, and will probably be published at some 
future time by their talented author. 
For the account given of the Aborigines the author 
deems it unnecessary to offer any apology ; a long 
experience among them, and an intimate knowledge 
of their character, habits, and position with regard 
to Europeans, have induced in him a deep interest 
on behalf of a people, who are fast fading away 
before the progress of a civilization, which ought 
only to have added to their improvement and pros- 
perity. Gladly would the author wish to see atten- 
tion awakened on their behalf, and an effort at least 
made to stay the torrent which is overwhelming 
them. 
It is most lamentable to think that the progress 
and prosperity of one race should conduce to the 
downfal and decay of another ; it is still more so to 
observe the apathy and indifference with which this 
result is contemplated by mankind in general, and 
which either leads to no investigation being made as 
to the cause of this desolating influence, or if it is, 
terminates, to use the language of the Count 
Strzelecki, c ‘ in the inquiry, like an inquest of the 
one race upon the corpse of the other, ending for 
the most part with the verdict of ‘ died by the visita- 
tion of God.’ ” 
