AN AMERICAN'S IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALIA.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 138, 13 June 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN AMERICAN'S IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALIA.

Mr. Josiah Royce, in Scribner for January, describes for the American public his impressions of Australia. Mr Eoyco does not believe in the possibility of an all-embracing English federation. He says the Americana owe their national unity to God and the Mississippi Valley. The English racehas noMississippi Valley, and Mr. Royce thinks that the oceans divide it into different political divisions, forgetting that the ocean nowadays binds communities together instead of dividing them ; but for the waterwaj' between England and Australia the Antipodes could never have been included in the same Empire with Great Britain. That which the sea hath bound together the sea does not necessarily divide. Mr. Royce, however, is of a different opinion. " It is almost certain that a period not far distant will see both Australia and New Zealand separated from the mother country, and engaging in an eventful life as the principal powers of the southern hemisphere." Geographically, Australia is made for unity, but out of the great problem of south versus north important complications are sure to grow. At present — " The rural conditions of southern Australia are certainly very promising, in view of this kindly climate and this vigorous population. And if great nations are created by their farmers, the future looks bright for Australia." After a pleasant description of the mountain scenery of Australia, Mr. Royce embodies his political reflections in a conversation between himself and his friend, the gist of which is that political life in Australia is much more vigorous and full of practical idealism than American. " But it was this undercurrent of idealistic socialism that attracted most my attention. Our early statesmen in this country used to fear nothing so much as the European tyrants, who, no doubt, were longing to get at our liberties : hence our early tendency was mainly toward what secured popular freedom, and checked tho powers above. The Australian leader is nowadays thinking, it would seem, of nothing bo much as of some new social tie by which he may persuade tho popular will to bind itself. After all, are not social ties the glory of rational human life ? The result is already strange— this vast, weird continent, where nature is the most primitive and unexpected in her desolation and barbarism, fast filling with men whose thoughts are daily fuller of elaborate political schemes and social theories. At this rate, before another century Australia will show us some of the most remarkable experiments in State socialism that have ever yet been seen."

Neil Qow, the best player of dance music that ever held a fiddle, was born at Inver, near Dunkeld, on March 22, 1727, and died March 1, 1807. He co*l'3pipd a great nnmber* of tunes gpfl^i 'frhich you will find in any oi the collections published by his eon Nathaniel. He it was who said no man was worthy to be called a master " until he could gar himsel' greet wi' Mb fiddle."