228. Results of the Finding of Gold

Contemporary Pamphlet

The following account of the consequences of the discovery of gold is of great interest. It is written with thought as well as care, and the evil as well as the good results likely to accrue are pointed out. The former were averted by the good sense of the Australians, although at one time it seemed as if the country would fall into a worse condition than that which existed when the colony was only a penal settlement.

The first results of the Australian gold discoveries are now displayed in a tangible, unmistakable shape - individual loss, individual suffering, by the diversion of capital and labour. There may be many carried away by mere enthusiasm, who will rue the day they abandoned the certain easy employments of civilized life for the hard navigator-like trade of a gold-seeker; but the advantage of this new mineral discovery is unquestionable, in spite of all that croakers may say and sing.

Up to the middle of May, 1851, as heretofore shown, the colonial heart beat high with hope. Trade was good; the pastoral interests were flourishing; the country properties, as a matter of course, were improving; and the introduction of the alpaca, the extended culture of the vine, and the growth of cotton, appeared to present new and rich sources of wealth. At that moment came the discovery of the gold fields; and a shock was communicated to the whole industrial system, which to some people seemed to threaten almost annihilation. The idea was, that gold digging would swallow up all other pursuits, and the flocks perish in the wilderness from the want of shepherds. Nor was this altogether without foundation; for the stockholders have actually been considerable sufferers: all the industrial projects mentioned have been stopped short; and the gold-diggings still continue to attract to themselves, as if by a spell, the labour of the country. The panic, however, has now subsided. It is seen that the result is not so bad as was anticipated, and it is now rendered evident that the evil will go no further. A stream of population, it is thought, will be directed to Australia from abroad, and the labour not demanded by gold may suffice for other pursuits.

Already upwards of two millions sterling have been realised by the rude exertions of part of a population which has never yet exported more than three millions of raw produce; and with the evidence now before us, we may confidently

assert, that although there will be a temporary diminution in the exportation of Australian wool under new arrangements, the flocks of Australia will not be destroyed.

The Australian population have stood the test of gold wonderfully, and come out of the trial with honour. Their conduct, as a body, has been singularly orderly and submissive to the constituted authorities.

Two very healthy signs are displayed by the Australian diggers the multiplication of marriages and the large consumption of the best articles of female attire.

At Port Phillip it is impossible to retain a tidy servant girl. The first luxury to which the successful gold-seeker treats himself on his return for a holiday is a wife, and the wife is then treated to the best gowns and shawls that the shops afford. A friend writes that "the carpenters and smiths of Melbourne and Geelong will not let their wifes be seen in a gown of less cost than ten pounds, with a shawl and bonnet to match."

Whatever may be the taste of the workers from the Turon or Braidwood, Ballarat and Mount Alexander, it is certain that what they purchase they honestly pay for, and no one will suffer for their gains. The advantage, in a commercial point of view, is obvious. The man who was earning before £20 or £40 a year, of which, perhaps, he spent one-half in manufactures, can now afford to spend — and does spend — from £100 to £500 a year. The tales of wild extravagance are grossly exaggerated, and not at all to be depended upon. On the best authority, we can assert that the colonists are spending and investing their money in a very creditable manner. Among other proofs may be cited the circumstance of two thousand pounds received in gold-dust in less than seven weeks after his arrival at Port Phillip, by Captain Chisholm, from working men, to pay the passage of their relatives.

Now that so strong a stream of self-paid emigration is flowing, the sooner the Government free emigration is given up the better for the mother country and for the colonies. Many a man does not save as he could, to pay his own passage, because he hopes to win a prize in the Government lottery.

Education, and free, liberal education, is in truth the only thing required in Australia. Education, established and extended from the time the May Flower landed her Puritan freight on the bleak shores of New England, until the time

when the progress of commerce brought deluge of emigrant ignorance, has saved America under a different form of Government, and neutralized the effect of the late annual invasion of the uneducated. But in Australia no such provision exists, or is possible. And if England goes on annually inoculating the gold fields with illiterate strong arms, the feeble efforts made by Australia to redeem the errors of past educational neglect, will never be able to overtake and arrest the disease.

(Australia (pamphlet), B. Fabian, N. Y., 1852. p. 77.)

CHAPTER XXXIV

THE INDIAN EMPIRE

229. The English at Surat and Bombay

Fryer

Dr. Fryer, a surgeon in the service of the East India Company, visited Surat in 1674. His travels were published in London in 1698. They contain a graphic account of the manner in which the Company conducted its affairs in India.

The house the English live in at Surat, is partly the King's gift, partly hired; built of stone and excellent timber, with good carving, without representations; very strong, for that each floor is half a yard thick at least, of the best plastered cement, which is very weighty. It is contrived after the Moor's buildings, with upper and lower galleries, or terracewalks; a neat Oratory, a convenient open place for meals. The President has spacious lodgings, noble rooms for counsel and entertainment, pleasant tanks, yards, and a hummum to wash in; but no gardens in the city, or very few, though without the city they have many, like wildernesses, overspread with trees. The English had a neat one, but Sevaji's coming destroyed it. It is known, as the other Factories are, by their several flags flying.

Here they live (in shipping-time) in a continual hurlyburly, the Banians presenting themselves from the hour of ten till noon; and then afternoon at four till night, as if it were an Exchange in every row; below stairs, the packers and warehouse-keepers, together with merchants bringing and receiving musters, make a mere Billinsgate; for if you make not a noise, they hardly think you intent on what you are doing.

Among the English, the business is distributed into four offices; the Accompant, who is next in dignity to the President, the general accompts of all India, as well as this place, passing through his hands; he is quasi Treasurer, signing all things, though the broker keep the cash. Next him is the

warehouse-keeper, who registers all Europe goods vended, and receives all Eastern commodities bought; under him is the Purser Marine, who gives account of all goods exported and imported, pays seamen their wages, provides wagons and porters, looks after tackling for ships, and ships' stores. Last of all is the Secretary, who models all Consultations, writes all letters, carries them to the President and Council to be perused and signed; keeps the Company's seal, which is affixed to all passes and commissions; records all transactions, and sends copies of them to the Company; though none of these, without the President's approbation, can act or do any thing. The affairs of India are solely under his regulation; from him issue out all orders, by him all preferment is disposed; by which means the Council are biassed by his arbitrament.

The whole mass of the Company's servants may be comprehended in these classes, viz.: Merchants, Factors, and Writers; some Bluecoat Boys also have been entertained under notion of apprentices for seven years, which being expired, if they can get security, they are capable of employments. The Writers are obliged to serve five years for 10 l. per Ann. Giving in a bond of 500 l. for good behaviour, all which time they serve under some of the forementioned Officers: After which they commence Factors, and rise to preferment and trust, according to seniority or favour, and therefore have a 1,000 l. bond exacted from them, and have their salary augmented to 20 l. per Ann. for three years, then entering into new indentures, are made Senior Factors; and lastly, Merchants after Three Years more; out of whom are chose Chiefs of Factories, as places fall, and are allowed 40 l. per Ann. during their stay in the Company's service, besides. lodgings and victuals at the Company's charges.

These in their several Seigniories behave themselves after the fundamentals of Surat, and in their respective Factories live in the like grandeur; from whence they rise successively to be of the Council in Surat, which is the great Council; and if the President do not contradict, are sworn, and take their place accordingly, which consists of about five in number, besides the president, to be constantly resident.

As for the Presidency, though the Company interpose a deserving man, yet they keep that power to themselves, none assuming that dignity till confirmed by them: His salary from the Company is 500 l. a year; half paid here, the other half reserved to be received at home, in case of misdemeanour