Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-08-03
THE aBOslsIxEs OF AUSTRALIA.

in many respects to The Indian tribes of
our own continent, and eihuolegists have
not vet determined their relations TO 9th
er races. A correspondent Of the New
York Evening Post gives a glowing sketch
Of their character and habits -
Physically the Australian native is an
extraordinary being. His shoulders are
broad, and his arms are brawny. His
chest aud stomach .are well developed,
The latter rather TOO much so, Bot the
muscles ef his legs and thighs are
strangely attenuased, yet strong and wiry.
This gives them their unique appearance,
which may not be unaptly compared to
parsnip standing upright in its natural
position. with n portion of the footsialks
remaining upon its cap. Although black,
they have the Caucasian features, with
the exception, perhaps Of the lips of some
of the females, which are like those of
the Africans. Their hair is coarse, thick,
strong and wavy. yet not at all linky.--
do not think l ever saw one with a poor
poll While at the diggings, one of them,
kind Of acquaintance of mine, would
/ frequently beg hair oil of me, with which
TO anoint bis hair, its length and soft ap-
pearance being subject of pride in him,
aud OF envy TO bis companions. Though
once much more numerous, they now are
only about four thousand souls.
They possess a fair aptitude in making
literary requirements, but they do not
seem TO care to possess any. This may
be due 10 two causes-either their want
of energy or natural Incidence. Reli-
gion they have none, unless the corrobery
be religious ceremony, and it doubtless
is not, as any chief will "make corrob-
cry for a glass of liquor or piece Of
r money, and will take up collection on
, piece of bark after the performance.
In this dance they viii move the mus
cles OF their thighs outwards in a very
curious manner, so as to make them seem
7 much broader than they really are.
: The Wesleyan Melhodists labored long
and earnestly 10 bring them to a sense Of
sin and desire for pardon, but with so lit
tie success that they have al length given
il up in despair, perfectly disheartened.
5 Though when upon ibeir.drunken bouts,
! they will shout with such yigor as to be
: heard three-quarters of mile, they do
: not seem at all disposed to shout :" Gioyyf'
{ the Methodists TO the contrary, notwith-
i standing.
Their sense Of smell is exquisitely del
ieate. BY its aid they can tell a tree con-
tanning an opossum, and how long since
: he assembled il. Other stories, still more
d marvellous. are related to prove this fact,
II such as finding the body Of g Murdered
man. &c. Their perspective faculties are
very acute, and that part OF the skull just
above the eye is unusually prominent
Having once seen you, they will recog-
nize you twenty years afterwards.
Their cerebellnm is large, and they are
IN consequences proportionably amatory,
/; and possess good share Of the animal
passions generally.
Their - gins' or wives are crnelly
% treated, and are always made /" 10 bear
ie The burden and heat of the day" while
4 their lords and masters wander about the
lcamp IN inaIorious ease. Now and then
thew will kiil kangaroo OF opossum, but
AZ viii do little else. they have the great
IN est rspuenance to labor, aud if they do
"a earn half crown. they viii buy liquor
n and carouse till il is gone.
An efforts TO cisiiize them are in vain.
Children have been adopted 10 their ear
D ,iesi infancy by respectable aud iutelli-
al rent families. and have been educated
H. and habiiuated in all the usages Of en-
!. iehtened communities bat about the age
81 seventeen, they generally prove them
= selves unable 70 resist their innate love
g. of wandering life, by decamping with
A some s.ro!ling vagabonds of their owH
!, nation. They then throw Off all the
/, manners and customs Of the whites, and
- ia q great MEASURE, again become tbs
ha veriesi savages.
IS Inianticide prevails and is increasing
/ h spite of an The efforts OF the settlers tc
abafe Il. This il the main cause OF then
~ constantly diminishing numbers, and M
b. less soon stopped il viii doubtless in timt
I'd exterminate them. ! once asked wo
.er man. notorious for the number Of " plea
ainnies' thai she bad destroyed, why she
aid i. Her answer Was remarkable
81 showing that tlsey are not ignorant Of thell
d. degraded condition. Il wac this Blaes
to fellows picauiuny no good like 'possotn
:, Plenty of white picauinny.@ The man
y uer n which this horrible crime is con
ssssmaied 5 this The mother and chilt
~ retire 70 tie bnsli, and the former RETURN
oet alone. That & all that Is known about II
he Their women are Of easy virtue. but th'
mulasioes are almost invariably destroy
ed.
o. They never remain more than two o
10 tbree days il one place and then form !
10 hu, by LEANING a wide piece Of bari
agaiFs. tyso sticks. They have never ye
s. built 3 house. They cock their game b.
"a throwing Il into the fire. without any pre-
nasasion. The refuse IS taken out an
eiysn 10 The dog. They are also ION
esi IF gun They have spears which the.
s. throu viii, as.eagaey. BY meane OF shor
s.,ek with slse fsead followed out, winc
1ta4V al