95 after, the lubra renewed her call, but in her former garb of opossum skin. Strange to say, however, her old man appeared at the door with the said dress dangling about his legs, and his bushy, black beard obtruding among the frills of the muslin head gear. CIVILIZATION AND DECLINE. We have a sad story to tell when we speak of the effect of our so-called civilization upon the aborigines. Mr. Westgarth truly remarked, “ They have neither the desire nor the capacity to asso ciate with the Whites.” Even if able and willing to be influenced by our civilization, is it generally believed that they would have become either happier or more moral ? Mr. Threlkeld may well tell us, “ The frightful mortality among them weighed down the spirit of the Wesleyan Missionaries of Port Phillip.” By the time the youth and adult were taught to read, the scroll of eternity was unrolled before them. We taught them to handle the spade, but it was to dig their graves. Count Strzlecki declares them to be “ Spectres of the past.” To adopt our habits, they must be entirely removed from the associations of the Mia Mia. And what have we to offer in exchange for endearing relations, joyous freedom, and unanxious existence ? The man is thrust upon a competition society to earn his bread. He is exposed to the gibes and con tempt of the lowest of our countrymen. He is without sympathy and friends. He is herded with men from whom he learns the most obviously developed principles of European civilization,— swearing and drinking. It is true he eats better food, wears better clothing, sleeps in better dwellings. But where is his home? Who will be his mother, his sister, his brother ? Who will ally herself as wife to his dark skin ? Can he ever know the sweet ness of a child’s love ? No ! he soon tires of our work, our food, our confined habitations, our heartless ridicule ; and hastens back to his camp fire to find a friend, to feel himself a man, to dwell with those who can love him.
