Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, Volume 2Grey, George
History
Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, Volume 2
Grey, George
Natural history -- Australia -- Western Australia; Western Australia -- Discovery and exploration
Thus a species of emigration of which nothing is known in England takes
place in the colonies. Men, from the force of poverty, from the desire of
gain, or of founding a family and property in a new land, or for some
other reason, quit their homes and enter another portion of the globe.
There they find many who, having in the commencement of a settlement
realized the largest profits, are discontented with the percentage they
can now gain upon their capital; and what to the newcomer appears to be a
highly remunerating return they despise; gladly therefore do they dispose
of everything to the new emigrants and, animated by that restless spirit
of adventure which is common to all first settlers, away they start for
the last new colony or for unsettled lands--New Zealand, the Sandwich
Islands, the Indian Archipelago, it matters not which--a fresh field of
speculation has been opened, the tide of emigration from Europe seems to
be setting towards a certain quarter where there are numerous new
arrivals who can never compete with old and practised colonists. He who
has seen several cities rise can judge to a nicety, from local
circumstances, upon what site the capital of the new province must be
built; and in the same way he can foresee which must become the business
street, and hence knows exactly the relative value of every acre of land
in the province. In vain for him are reports spread that the capital is
to be built in such or such a spot, he but encourages them; in the
meantime rapidly and noiselessly his purchases are made, and a fresh
acquisition of fortune secured.
This class of men, amongst whom are many Overlanders, are never satisfied
or settled; they are constantly engaged in contemplating changes in the
prosperity of colonies and means of enriching themselves, they positively
disregard personal comfort, and a restless spirit of activity and love of
change animates them wholly. In these respects there is a great
similarity of character between them and the Americans, and it is
inconceivable in how short a period of time such a change is brought
about.
THE ABORIGINES.
CHAPTER 9. NATIVE LANGUAGE.
RADICAL UNITY OF THE AUSTRALIAN LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENT.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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