Charles Griffith

“ I stated at the beginning of this work that on my arrival at Port Phillip I was much struck by the progress that had even then been made, and I think that I cannot better conclude this account of the district than by briefly recapitulating the marked features which indicate its present state of advancement, at a period of somewhat less than eight years from its first settlement. In the first place, then, we have a population of 20,000 souls, occupying a territory larger than Ireland, for the greater part in perfect peace and security. ”

“ This is a very important point, as much of the comfort of the voyage will depend on the character of the captain.
Fourthly. He should find out the class in which the ship sails, and whether she be a slop-built ship, [2] or a good, staunch, wholesome craft. An old ship of the latter kind is better than a new one of the former. He need not be so anxious about the rate of sailing, as the fastest ships do not always make the quickest voyages, and are seldom the best sea boats, which is important when ladies are concerned. ”

“ There are in this town a Church of England church, a Scotch Church, a Roman Catholic, a Methodist, and an Independent chapel. All the congregations of these, with the exception of the Independents, receive government support, consisting of salaries for the ministers, [4] grants for building places of worship, and aid for schools. There is a supreme court, presided over by a judge, who is appointed permanent resident judge at Port Phillip, but who is created first one of the puisne judges of the supreme court at Sydney, to which in certain cases an appeal lies. ”

“ 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. ”

“ From what has been before said of the climate of Port Phillip some idea may be formed of the kind of clothing with which it is proper to be provided; and as a considerable degree of cold as well as great heat is to be guarded against, at different times of the year, it is necessary to have a good stock suited to each purpose. ”

“ There are two banks established at Melbourne—one a branch of the Bank of Australasia, and the other of the Union Bank of Australia. There was another entitled the Port Phillip Bank, which closed last year with loss to the shareholders, but having discharged all its liabilities, and paid a small dividend on each share. There is a mechanics' institute, the building belonging to which is used as a town-hall, and for holding public balls, concerts, &c. There are several hotels, some of which are very well conducted. ”

“ I do not think it wise to bring out a large stock of carpenter's tools, or even ironmongery, beyond some pots, pans, and kettles; for, although things may be purchased at a lower rate when an assortment is bought in London, yet so many things are in this case always taken which are never of the slightest use, that it comes dearer in the long run. If any large tools, such as axes, adzes, &c. are bought, they ought not to be too highly tempered, as where this is the case they fly like glass when used on hard wood. ”

“ Boots, known by the initiated as bullfinch boots, are very useful for riding in wet and muddy weather; and something in the shape of a short and loose cloth Taglioni coat, made to reach down to the knee, is indispensable, for carrying strapped to the saddle when travelling. I should recommend a good supply of boots and shoes, as well as the bringing of a man's own lasts, with which his shoemaker can furnish him. Hats and caps suitable to the country can be had at Melbourne, and there is no lack of variety ”

“ It is only fair, too, that women who sacrifice so much in leaving their native country, should have their tastes consulted and their comforts attended to, and be put to no greater privations than circumstances absolutely demand. ”

“ To a gentleman, a married man in moderate circumstances, who can land at Melbourne with a capital of from two to three thousand pounds, I should say that he ought to take with him such things as are likely to be conducive to his comforts, and which he may happen to have already, but that he should 'not buy many things of the kind for this purpose. A sofa and a couple of easy chairs would be useful on the voyage out, as well as when he arrives ”

“ 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. ”

“ There is now no necessity for roughing it; and the days are gone when, according to Hood, the pianoforte was gutted to make a press. "Quand on est mort, c'est pour long temps," says the French proverb; and so it is when a man emigrates; and he should remember that he is settling himself for the rest of his days, and that that man makes the best settler, and the best man, and probably the most prosperous one too, who has a cheerful home to return to, and happy faces to welcome him when the occupations of the day are over. ”

“ Also the man of smaller means will be able to pick out hints for his guidance; for the idea of giving detailed directions, which should be applicable to all cases, is as absurd as the idea of an universal medicine. ”

“ 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 his horses many a sore back. I should not, of course, recommend the bringing out any live stock. If, however, a man have a family, and the ship in which he sails carries no cow, it may be wise for him to bring out a good milch cow, either of the Yorkshire or Durham breed ”

“ In fact, a passenger is always more or less in the power of the captain; and where a man is so, the most likely way of being ill-treated is to show distrust. The best time for leaving England is from June to November. ”

“ What I mean to express is this, that if a man have things of this kind already, it is better that he should bring them with him than sell them by auction, probably at a great sacrifice, and either go without them, or have to buy them at Melbourne. The means of transport through the country are to be had at a very trifling expense, and freight from England is very low. ”

“ I should think that sixty or seventy pounds ought to be a fair price for a single man, in a poop cabin; and that about one hundred and twenty pounds would be enough for a married couple, in the stem cabin: but of course this varies according to the competition, and so will be higher at one time than another. ”

“ The voyage is a great bugbear to many people, and it certainly is a disagreeable way of spending three or four months—particularly to ladies, who may happen not to be good sailors; it is also, no doubt, attended with an ordinary risk; but neither man nor woman are worth their salt who will not encounter more than this, while they have in view any object worth pursuing ”

“ I should also recommend a moderate quantity of plate, and table-linen of course. These things, if taken, should be well packed in packages of convenient size; and they are none of them things that would occupy much room, or be able to much freight. Books, of course, a man should supply himself with. Even a pianoforte (if the womankind are fond of music) is not to be despised, nor pictures thrown away. ”

“ This population is in possession of upwards of a million and a half of sheep, one hundred thousand cattle, and about five thousand horses, which yield an export of about £300,000 per annum. This may be considered as the income of the population, giving an average of £15 a year for every man, woman, and child. ”

“ Every family should be provided with a medicine chest, and a simple book of directions for using the medicines. What I have said will be, probably, enough to direct the emigrant as to the principle on which he should act ”

“ They have the defects naturally incident to the newspapers of small communities, being much taken up with matters of personal rather than general interest, with frequent attacks on individuals, besides numerous squabbles amongst themselves, and infinite abuse of each other. ”