New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-23
THE LARRIKIN or AUSTRALIA.
THE MOST DEGRADED TOUGH IN THE WORLD.
Major Alfred r. Calhoun In The Denver Republic

THE MOST DEGRADED TOUGH IN THE WORLD.
Major Alfred r.. Calhoun in The Denver Republic
can.
A gentleman in Melbourne. Australia, gave ne
seems reasonable origin am willing to accept II:
In the early days when the gold fields of the colony
venturers, lawlessness was the rule, and the au,
thorltes of the capital city had their hands full
in order One night an Irish policeman Srressd
two drunken but Wnen eGe tSs
Magistrate, his anger against the prisoners had
softened into, compassion. ...,.. , -.
bad at all, at all"
What did they do?" asked the Magistrate
"Nothin, sorr, except that they was just larry
kin" Cneanng larking). -,
the ra a sye w them this se d as
the worlds most contemplate outlaw and black
Those Who have seen Chevaler in his coster cos
tune can form good idea of the dress of the sgd
coilariess shirt with a gaudy neckerchief; soft
gray hat and aigh!,nipped be,bott9msd trousers
His female companion whom he calls ma donah. "
probably for the Italian madonna" dresses. save
and with barbaric fondness FOR garlns reds.
These people have not only distinct costume costume,
ing a distinct patols that is particularly rich In
perversions. vulgarity and profanity that would
shock the soul OF the most confirmed religious
scTRG rr,.,r work. nv A.. In land wbsr. every
village has its racetrack, and racing so occupies
the thoughts of the people as to seem Ike great
national industry, this outlaw nourishes IN the
at all the racecourses. from the private run at
Bondi to the great annual event OF the Melbourne
Cup" which comes off every November. and ranks
next TO the English Derby and the French Grand
Prix In the worlds -
About the ''publics" bars, the larrikin and his
vulgar-voiced consort often to be found AT
DeSv he rises ss to r. the ssny t Is at
with the law. and IN the last ne Is aiwa Ways re-
nance the larrikin certainly lives in undisguIsed
contempt for the law and its servants II the jail
ever meant degradation TO him the day is past
His education is not complete tiii ne mas won a
OF the colonies while he Is In health, and he
crowds the hospitals and almshouses In disease
and old age. . ,,,- $780,,
ado the larrikin never carries concealed weapons,
but ne Is none the less reckless OF life and cruel
In his Instincts. Although descended from brave
and vlrlls race this creature Is essentially cow
booty or to crafty malice. he fights by surprise
gives no chance for resistance and invariably has
stab but he will use a sandbag from behind, or
siay. man by means of stone in the toe of a
The larrikln's contempt for the moral law passes
ali belief The stories told OF his offences may moi
be true but they could not have been coined with
out good foundation IN fact nor continued with
disgusting variations II MS lie did not Justify
Degraded though the American ruffian Is the
meanest OF them has chivalrlc impulses where
tough will give his seat, render favor or raise
his hat to one OF the other sex, but OF this re.
deen.ing feature the larrkn Is entirely Incapable
falls OF New South Wales, and for a while this
form OF punishment served as deterrent but
after a time the released arrlklns came out IA
exhibit the tracks OF the whip on their backs wit
the pride OF the veteran showing his scars and
now II Is said, the larrikin's standing among his
fellows Is measured by the lashes he has endured