The History of the Rise and Progress of the New British Province of South Australia; Including Particulars Descriptive of Its Soil, Climate, Natural P

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1839. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI. SATISFACTION OF THE COLONISTS. The most delightful feature in the picture is the domestic prosperity of the people, the happiness of individuals, which is the proudest object of a political constitution. The letters which continue to appear in the South Australian Record, sufficiently attest the content and satisfaction, of the colonists, high and low, rich--and we were about to say poor, but the term is hardly applicable to the circumstances of people who are making more than they need to spend, and who are looking forward to an old age of ease, possibly of wealth. In England, we are apt to associate with manual labour (except in a few isolated cases) .an idea of hopeless poverty; but, in a new country, especially in a country like South Australia, so constituted as to develop in the amplest measure the resources of the community and of individuals, labour is the road to comfort. The labourer for daily hire to-day, may be the landowner with his fructifying capital to-morrow. In a subsequent chapter, our readers will see, from the letters of the labouring emigrants, how contented they are with their situation. From those of the capitalist class of settlers, we shall find that they are equally well satisfied. You must tell all who inquire about us, says one, that we have found the country far to exceed our expectations, and have not a wish to return. There will, no doubt, be accounts from grumblers reaching England, * from people who would grumble any where; but I assure you * From the only letter of this kind which is known to have reached this country, a garbled extract appeared in the Times of September 3d. It contrasts so singularly with all the accounts, extracts from which, in abundance, are to be found in previoui and subsequent ch...