REV. W. RIDLKV, MISSIONARY. 10»J This general description of the habits of the race must suffice for these pages. In the excellent '*Kainilaroi and other Australian Lan- guages," bj the Rev. William Bidley,^'^ will be foiiml most valuable information, not unattended with internal proof of the vague, second-hand manner in which knowledge has been sometimes assumed to have been gathered. The
- Australian Aborigines," by James Dawson,^ must be
commended for its fulness and general accuracy. The former life of the scattered tribes of AnstraUa quickly became impossible after settlers appeared in any district- The new comers, for the most part as ignorant of the manners and laws of the disinherited race as any unmoved denizen of Wapping, were ready to denounce it as an encuml»ering tree which ought to be cut down without delay or remorse. Not making allowances for the forced impoBsibilitj of living their former life, and the powerful obstacles to their adoption of a new one, the public soon accepted the local maxim that the Australian black was the lowest type of man. It is but just to show some of the influences which tended to crush hiin. It was common among the settlers to attract or inveigle into tbeir service some young lad wdio was able to run errands or to ride< He still associated with his tribe when they frequenterl the neighbourhood of the settler's house. He knew his native language; he venerated native traditions* He was duly initiated in the mysteries, and, having been long betrothed, when he reverted to his tribe as he grew to manliood, he was denounced as another proof of the incorrigibility of his race. An instance may be told. Sir George Grey tells of one Miago taken on boanl ILM;S. Beagle^ fuid found attentive, clean, and cheerful, wearing European dress and waiting at the gun-room mess. The Beagle left him at Swan River, and he became again a savage, wearing war-paint, and inbruing his hands in blood,
- Several pei-sons told tne," eontmiies Sir G. Grey. ** Yon see the ta ._,
for a savagd life was strong in him, ami ho took to the buah again directly.^ -« Government Printing Office. Sydney: 187*% -' Published hy Mr, Geo, Robertson in ilelbourue u V^'^V.
