Page:The Present State and Prospects of the Port Phillip District of New South Wales.djvu/145

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OF PORT PHILLIP.
133

money. I am aware that he can enjoy nothing when this is the case; but all which I have enumerated may be done at a small original outlay, and with no additional expense. It is the habitual indulgence in the use of foreign imported articles, expensive wines, bottled ales and porter, and preserved delicacies of all kinds, instead of being contented with the simple but plentiful supply afforded by the station at no expense, that would really injure a man's pocket. This, which when carried beyond what a man can fairly afford, is one of the worst modes of wasting money, cannot in general be laid to the charge of the bushmen, but was some years ago far too common in and about Melbourne.

But to return to my inventory. I now come to articles of greater necessity, with which, or some substitute for them, a man must be supplied. The best kind of mattresses are those made of horse-hair, and they are dear in Australia. I should recommend a good supply of them, also of fine blankets. Cotton sheets are universally in use, and are in hot climates preferred to linen by people accustomed to them. I should also recommend a crate of crockery and another of glass. The former can be purchased at a very low price, if bought directly from the manufacturer; and on the other the emigrant would be entitled to a drawback to the amount of the duty. A strong "Whitechapel cart, with rather high wheels, with spare harness for an outrigger, would be found very serviceable; also a couple of saddles, made by a first-rate London maker, and stuffed rather full behind—this would save