BANKING UNDER DIFFICULTIES;
OR,
LIFE ON THE GOLDFIELDS.
Victoria.
CHAPTER I.
Arrival in 1852.—Funeral at Williamstown.—To and from Brighton.—Canvas Town.—Rag Fair.
Land ahead! The crew looked, the people ran, and all were anxious for the land of promise—“Australia Felix” was looming in the distance. The Garland passed the Heads in safety, and dropped her anchor in Hobson’s Bay on the last day of July 1852.
The officer of health and the pilot had left, and all were alone to gaze on the vast and mighty land before them; to build “castles in the air” and dream of the gold in the land so near. Until the commissioner had inspected the ship none were supposed to leave, but the morning sun found us minus half the crew. “Jack Tar” could not resist the temptation of making a rapid fortune at the mines, for the pilot had brought an Argus on board, which was read aloud for the common benefit; and many ears listened to the golden news.
During the night a child died, and as we were too near land to bury it in the sea the carpenter made a little coffin, which was conveyed on shore in one of the ship’s boats, manned by a few sailors. I went with them to bear the father and grandfather company. We were soon at Williamstown, where all was bustle and activity, and no one had time to look at the little burial party. I asked one where the grave-yard was—he did not know, and passed; another where the sexton lived—he laughed. We walked on, got out of the crowd, and at length found a man who informed us where the grave-yard was, and said that folks who wanted graves had to make them, for all the idle folks of
