The National tribune., 1888-11-22
BUSTR4LBSI4'S SHOW.
Celebrating the lOOih Anniversary at
Melbourne.
e. Z. S. HEATH, 9TH n. Y, FITzRoY AUS
TRALIA.

Gracious me- Baby's got tooth, and Ma
Victoria is just too proud for anything Allow
ne 10 explain that Australasia means the seven
Antipodal Colonies, viz: Tasmania, New Tea
land. New South Wales, Queensland, South
Australia. West Australia and Victoria, and
the great international Exhibition which was
opened in the city Of Melbourne, Colony OF
Victoria to-day is to commemorate the lOoth
anniversary of the settlement of Australia by
the British. and as there was no Melbourne
or Colony Of Victoria 100 years ago, the child
came very near being born before the father
but never mind that we have big show ION
the ouiside) and it is now open-l know IL is
omen for I saw the seven Governors-GeneraI
that opened it. and heard them open it with
cannon 1t opened something after the style
that VIC opened a big show Americans called
Bull Run: but the people here stayed until
after il was all over, but we got enough ana
left Bull Run before it was half Overland for
my part have never regretted that / did not
stay 10 hear the bonediction.
The Governors General are called
THE yIcE-REGAL PARTY.
I don't know why, SO don't ask me, but they
wore gilt cords and tape, and fringe and medals,
until Il seemed TO me that the springs of the
carriage would bump together with the load.
They had on the old Continental hat, which
came to a point both before and behind, and IN
the center Of the top were few white ieath-
ers fluttcring in the wind. At the head of the
Vice Regal party was 4 fun company of Regu-
lar Mounted Rifles fbrecch- lOaders). They wore
q uniform Of what you call dead-grass color,
with slOucb hats and leggins Of the same color,
and they looked well. They wore Topped belts,
not around The waist, bat over one shoulder
IS you would a sash, and each loop contains one
cartridge. I found one fault with them, which
was this: there was 10 connection with the
gun. either to the man or the saddle; If he
dropped his gun 10 hold 10 his reius or saddle
In jumping a ditch or fence. II was gone, and as
he had nOrevOlverO or saber, he would then be dis
armed. They also had the old citizen saddle,
with the little old iron man-trap OF stirrup.
The rear Of the PARTY was brought up by
company Of infantry and the marines from the
three British men-of-war lying in the bay. The
infantry wore a very blue-black uniform, with
black helmet cap and canvass black leggins, and
carried breech-lO2ding rifles with fine sword
bavonets They also had light ateT-proOf over
coats rolled up, the two ends held together with
strap and buckle, and carried over one Shout
der, the ends coming under the arm on the other
side, same way we carried cur piece Of tent or
rubber blanket when we had any to carry.
THE MARINES
wore the loose sailor suit of dark navy blue,
and sailor caps, canvas leggins, russell leather
belts around their waists with supporting straps
from the belt over each shoulder and rather
small cartridge-bOx attached to the belt They
the neatest and best sword bayonet l have seen
yet 1t took my eye at once; it was neat
shaped, light sword. with a guard for the hand
stamped out Of light steel, arranged so as 10
cover half the hand, with no Open-work or ribs;
the whole sword was blued. with no brass or
bright work to scour for inspections.
Next came the relocated volunteers, or
militia, with the same bronzed breech-loaders
and helmet caps; but all trimmings on these
were Of bright brass and white belts, white
haTersacks, and carried more style with them
than the Vice Regal Party, and nearly as much
brass. Next came the artillery. This was posted
on both sides Of the street; they were -
FOUNDER breech- loading cannon, seven men to a
gun-tWO on the cannon, four on the caiSsOn,
and one on the wheel horse. They wore blue
uniforms with red trimmings and white belts
and helmet caps. They were well equipped,
but the horses would last Just about one hour
IN the White Oak Swamp or Burnside's mud
march. They were evidently built to paved
streets ard for camp duty but for flying artil-
lery they were too much ike the kites made
when q boy-they Would not fly worth a leather
Darn. The only trouble found with these sol
diers was that / could not tell Second Lieu
tenant fcalled Leftenant here) from the Major
General, nor the Chaplain from Surgeon, nor
the Quartermaster from the Sutler, nor the
Maeonmaster from the Officer Of the Day, and
with the whole military body / only saw one
flag; so there was 10 use Of me fighting them,
Coz there would not be much glory in capturing
only one flag, and if ] did capture that / would
have had 10 place TO plant it, as there was one
on every prominent building already; and then
% think Of the trouble of boxing it up and
sending IT, after p years peaceable possession,
back TO those who were not able to keep it
when they did have it. The British flag was
Of course at the top Of them ALL but believe
] speak the sentiments OF
EVERY Grand OLD UNION HERO
when I say to the great Worlds Fair mana
gers. thanks for placing our grand old Stars and
Stripes second in position on the domes of the
beautiful Exhibition Building. When / passed
under its grand folds it wreathed itself in
smiles and seemed to say TO me, Old COmrade,
hold Up your head, show your GAR badge,
and proclaim 10 these people that you are
citizen mot a subject Of a country where the
people are the sovereign and the Executive the
servant" And then 1t waved the proudest
kissed the breeze the sweetest and proclaimed
the greatest freedom TO mankind of all the flags
upon these massive buildings. None but those
vino were freed from the vile prisou-pens and
those in a foreign country can appreciate the
fnll glory IN that flag, and the farther you get
from home the moro you love and appreciate
Il J would mourn 20 Jose one Of NY family,
bui were 10 lose our Gag ! would not care 10
live
I am not going to give any details of the
--AA-D-LtDH Al tllAs II Is HOb Vet
piete, and have not seen enough yet TO form
an opinion, and / never Ike any gun to 90 of
haif-cocked. But when l get all loaded and
primed ] shall shoot with correct aim, no mat
Ter who i hits. any Of my comrades who are
able wili be wei paid for the trip to come and
see as and our great Exhibition. The fare from
San Francisco here is $40 for frst-class and
Sll0 for secOnd-class passage. This includes
board, etc. Round-trip tickets may be had fol
less money, or you may come via San Fran
CISCO Sandwich Islands New Zealand and
Sydney, and 20 home via Adelaide, South Aus
tralia, Suez Canal, London and Paris to New
York for about 500 frst-elass, OF half thi
for second class passage. But don't come unles
you have money to take you back,
FOR YOU WILL NoT WANT TO MAKE TIKI
YOUR HOME,
especially IL you are native American. Ant
II you do come, just pin on your badge and cal
at No 80 Saint David ST.. Fitzroy, and yOl
will there find one who fell in front of Peters