I arrive in Australia.
Join my two Sons at their Sheep-station.
Return to Melbourne and Remove to Ballaarat.
Visit to Mr. Skene.
My son studies Surveying.
His rapid proficiency.
Appointed to take charge of a Party.
Letters on various Subjects to his Mother and Brother at Home.
IN the month of August, 1853, I reached Melbourne, after a good
voyage, having obtained an appointment as superintending surgeon of
a government emigrant ship, commanded by Captain Young, a perfect
sailor, and a gentleman I shall always remember with pleasurable
feelings. More than two months elapsed before I could discover
where my sons were. Having, at length, ascertained their locality,
I purchased a horse and performed the journey in four days, resting
one day on the road, at the station of Mr. Jefferies, on the
Campaspe. I started at daylight, and made my fifty miles before
halting, as I generally did about two P.M. I arrived at the
shepherds' hut at five o'clock on a beautiful summer's evening,
having remained two hours at the hotel at Deniliquin to refresh.
Robberies on the road--stickings up as they are called--were rife
at this period. Thefts also were common at the resting-houses. A
gentleman who arrived at this hotel, not long before I was there,
took the saddle off his horse, and placed it under the verandah:
when he returned, after leading his animal to a paddock hard by, he
missed the saddle, which he supposed had been removed by some
person belonging to the house, and threw down his bridle on the
same place. After taking something to drink with the landlord he
said, "You have got my saddle."--"No." "I left it under the
verandah, where I have just placed my bridle." On going out to show
the spot, the bridle also had disappeared: both stolen. A good
saddle and bridle at that time would fetch twenty pounds readily.
At the station I took a native black for my guide. He brought me to
a place where my horse had nearly to swim across the creek, pointed
to a dry path, exclaimed, "There," then turned his own animal and
rode off. I followed the track for about three miles, and found
myself in front of the hut. My sons were both at home. Tom called
the attention of his brother to my approach. They appeared as much
astonished as he describes the blacks near the Gulf of Carpentaria
to have been at sight of himself and companions. Presently came the
recognition, a shout of joy, and a greeting such as may readily be
imagined, on the part of two boys on seeing the father they had not
long before supposed to be separated from them by some sixteen
thousand miles.
A few days after, we all left Deniliquin, each mounted on a horse,
my sons having first disinterred their money, buried at the foot of
a gum tree on a hillock which they considered as a safe bank of
deposit. It was their intention to have made a present of the
greatest part, 100 pounds, to their mother, on the first eligible
opportunity of forwarding it. On our way back we paid a visit to
the Bendigo diggings. William here evinced his skill as an explorer
by leading us, with the aid of his compass, through a trackless
bush, by which we saved a circuit of several miles. At Matthison's
hotel, on the Campaspe river, where we halted for the night, an
amusing conversation occurred. In the evening there was a great
gathering of all nations in the parlour. I undertook to tell the
different parties of English, by their dialect, from what
particular quarter they came. A person present, who articulated
with much difficulty from having nearly lost the roof of his mouth,
declared that he would defy any one to identify him by his speech.
We all agreed that it exceeded our powers, when he informed us with
a great effort that he was "a Kashman," meaning Scotchman.
On our return to Melbourne, we made preparations for a removal to
Ballaarat. William remained with me at the latter place for twelve
months, attending to any patient that might come in my absence. He
also opened a gold office adjoining my tent and did very well. Here
he perfected a plan of his own for weighing specimens containing
quartz and gold, in water, so as to find the quantity of each
component. But he was ever pining for the bush. The "busy haunts of
men" had no attraction for him. He preferred the society of a few
to that of many, but the study of nature was his passion. His love
was fixed on animals, plants, and the starry firmament. With regard
to medicine, he used to say that it was not clear and defined in
practice. He wanted to measure the scope of a disease, and to
supply the remedies by mathematical rule. He saw, too, that medical
men were less valued for their real worth than for their tact in
winning confidence through the credulity of the public. This was
particularly exemplified in a gold-field, where the greatest
impostors obtained credit for a time. His thoughts and conversation
also constantly reverted to the interior, and to the hope that he
would one day undertake the journey to the Gulf of Carpentaria. He
was anxiously looking out for a movement in that direction, then
often talked of.
About this period he made a pedestrian excursion to the Wannon, to
sojourn for a short time with a Mr. Skene, a most worthy gentleman,
now no more. He was actively employed at that place, and wrote to
me frequently, describing the family, to which he was much
attached, the whimsicalities of his landlord--a thorough old
Scotian, who amused himself by waking the echoes of the wilderness
with the bagpipes,--the noble fern trees and the fine black
cockatoos. He also continued his practice in surgery, but I believe
he made no charge, as, not being duly licensed, he considered he
had no right to do so. He returned to Ballaarat in consequence of a
communication through me, from an American gentleman named
Catherwood. On receipt of my letter he lost not an hour, shouldered
his swag (blankets, kit, etc.), took leave of Mr. Skene and family,
and walked to Ballaarat, sleeping one night in the bush, by the
way. On the 22nd of April, 1855, he wrote thus to his mother:
MY DEAR MOTHER,
I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you a fortnight
since. I was at Moora Moora then, as you will see by a letter I
wrote just before I came down here, in the hope of joining a party
that is spoken of as about to explore the interior of the country,
which you appear to have such a dread of. It seems uncertain
whether they will go at all. As to what you say about people being
starved to death in the bush, no doubt it would be rather
disagreeable. But when you talk of being killed in battle, I am
almost ashamed to read it. If every one had such ideas we should
have no one going to sea for fear of being drowned; no travellers
by railway for fear the engine should burst; and all would live in
the open air for fear of the houses falling in. I wish you would
read Coombe's Constitution of Man. As regards some remarks of yours
on people's religious opinions, it is a subject on which so many
differ, that I am inclined to Pope's conclusion who says:--
For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight;
His can't be wrong whose life is in the right;
and I think we cannot have a better guide to our actions than
'to do unto others as we would be done by.'
Ever your affectionate son,
W.J. WILLS.
P.S. If I go, I will write again before starting.
. . .
The expedition he here speaks of turned out a mere venture to obtain
cash, and nothing came of it. He remained but a short time at
Ballaarat, and never idle. In a month he completed a wooden
addition to my residence, building the sides, and shingling the
roof in a most workmanlike manner. It was perfectly weatherproof,
and stood good for some years, being only taken down when an
alteration in the line of the street rendered its removal
necessary. He now wished to study surveying. My acquaintance with
Mr. Taylor, district surveyor at Ballaarat, obtained for him an
admission as an amateur into his office. He there set to work with
his characteristic industry to perfect himself in trigonometry and
Euclid; drawing and mapping in the office by day, and working hard
in his own room by night. On rising from bed in the morning, I have
found him sitting as I had left him, working out his point, for he
never deserted anything he had once taken up until he mastered it.
At the expiration of a few months, Mr. Taylor promised me to
introduce him to a gentleman in the survey department named Byerly,
with a view to reciprocal services. On the 20th of August, 1856, he
speaks for himself in a letter to his mother from Glendaruel:
MY DEAR MOTHER,
I have at length found time to write to you. You will no doubt
expect a long letter after so much delay, but I am afraid you will
be disappointed, as long letters are not my forte. In your last,
you asked me to send Bessy any information I could. I can assure
you I shall be most happy to do so, and to encourage her taste for
knowledge as much as lies in my power. I send her Bonwick's
Geography of Australia, which is a very useful little book, and in
most instances correct.
You must not look upon it as infallible. For instance, he says Lake
Burrambeet is in the Pyrenees, whereas it is more than twenty miles
from those mountains. But this may be a misprint. I would recommend
you to let the children learn drawing. I do not mean merely
sketching, but perspective drawing, with scale and compasses. It is
a very nice amusement, and may some day be found extremely useful.
There is another thing would do them much good, if they should
happen to have a taste for it: this is Euclid. Not to learn by
heart, but to read so as to understand it. Mathematics generally,
and Euclid, and Algebra in particular, are the best studies young
people can undertake, for they are the only things we can depend on
as true, (of course I leave the Bible out of the question).
Christian and Heathen, Mahometan and Mormon, no matter what their
religious faith may be, agree in mathematics, if in nothing else.
But I must now tell you something of your undutiful son. I am
learning surveying under Mr. F. Byerly, a very superior man indeed.
In fact I could not have had a better master had he been made to
order, for he is a first-rate surveyor, and we are exactly suited
to each other in our general ideas; and this, to tell the truth, is
a rare chance for me.
I am getting 150 pounds per annum, and rations, but I hope in
twelve months to have a party of my own. It is just the sort of
life for me, nearly always in the bush marking out land for sale,
or laying down unknown parts. It is quite a different thing from
surveying in England. Glendaruel is fifteen miles from Ballaarat. I
saw the Doctor and Tom a few days since. They were quite well; I
hope you are so also. Love to all.
Your affectionate son,
W.J. WILLS.
. . .
He was appointed to the charge of a field party before the time
he expected. I was anxious to give him a set of surveying
instruments, and requested him to send me a list and an order to
the best London maker for such as he wanted. He transmitted the
following letter, which marks the progress of his knowledge, to be
forwarded to Messrs. Troughton and Sims, Fleet Street. I obtained
it very recently from that house.
March 20th, 1857.
SIRS,
I shall be much obliged by your executing the following order as
quickly as possible, and at your most reasonable prices.
1. One four-inch theodolite, best construction: 21 pounds.
2. One of Troughton's best reflecting circles, eight-inch radius,
divided on silver: 23 pounds.
3. One prismatic compass, three and a-half inch, with silver ring:
5 pounds 5 shillings.
4. One six-inch semicircular protractor, with Vernier: 3 pounds 3
shillings.
5. One glass plane artificial horizon, ordnance pattern: 4 pounds 4
shillings.
6. One brass rolling parallel ruler, two feet long; must not weigh
less than five pounds.
7. One twelve-inch brass sector: 1 pound.
8. One set of six-inch ivory plotting-scales, with offset scales
complete: 4 pounds.
9. Two steel straight-edges, three feet each.
10. Four sixty feet land chains.
11. One small compact case of good sector-jointed, drawing
instruments with ivory parallel ruler: 3 pounds 3 shillings.
12. One very small achromatic telescope of the strongest make, not
to exceed six inches in length, when closed: 1 pound.
13. A small chemical blowpipe with ivory mouthpiece, and two
platina tips; also some platina foil and wire.
14. Two Nautical Almanacs, 1858 and 1859.
Leather cases and straps for theodolite, circle, and prismatic
compass. A catalogue of instruments with prices.
N.B. I should wish the theodolite and circles to be packed very
differently from the usual way, as many instruments are seriously
injured by the box warping either inwards or outwards; in the one
case pressing too much on the instruments, and in the other, which
is worse, leaving them too much space, so that they shake about
whenever the box is carried. The consequence is that the screws
loosen, the glasses fall out of the telescopes, and the instruments
become unfit for use just when they are most wanted. I think these
evils may be avoided by having the parts of the box which touch any
instrument well padded with the most elastic materials, and for it
to be supported entirely on steel springs, strong enough to keep it
firmly in its place, and with sufficient play to allow the box to
warp without injury to any of the contents. I also wish an
improvement in the stand of the theodolite, which ought not to be
smaller than that of the five-inch one, and the joints made of the
metals least likely to sustain damage from friction. The cap-piece
should be nearly twice the depth, vertically, and cut out of one
solid piece of metal. I subjoin a sketch of it, with the
dimensions. It may be made of whatever metal you think proper.
There is no harm in having iron about it, because we seldom require
to use the needle. My reason for wanting this improvement is, that
the legs get loose so quickly from the wearing away of brass, and
that the many small surfaces in contact are too disproportionate to
their length. Strength and durability are of far more consequence
than lightness, as we have not the facilities for getting things
repaired here that you have in England. The figures I have placed
opposite to the instruments described are not supposed to be the
exact prices, but merely suggested as guides. I hope you will do
the best you can with the improvements mentioned, especially in the
mode of packing the larger articles. Please also to insure them to
the full value.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
W.J. WILLS.
. . .
He then in a postscript makes some suggestions as to the
graduation of the scales. The instruments were sent out in the
shortest possible time and gave great satisfaction. On departing
for his last fatal expedition, he requested me, should he not
return, to give all his remaining instruments to his friend Mr.
Byerly, for whom his high estimation never abated. This injunction
I fulfilled as far as in my power. Any person who may happen to be
in charge of some that I had not, will I trust deliver them to
their lawful owner, Frederick Byerly, Esquire, Surveyor, Melbourne.
About the time I am now referring to, I was often congratulated by
gentlemen of the Surveying Department, who were acquainted with my
son, on his rapid progress in the difficult branches of the
science. One, in particular, said: "I consider it wonderful that
your son should have mastered this business almost by his own
exertions, whilst I have cost my father nearly a thousand pounds in
England, under first-rate teachers, and am glad to go to him for
information on many points." Mr. Byerly too, who is not given to
flatter, when I thanked him for having so ably instructed and
brought my son forward in so short a time, replied: "Don't thank
me; I really believe he has taught me quite as much as I have
taught him." In my own experience, his queries and suggestions led
me to investigate many things, which I had slightly considered,
without thoroughly understanding them. He had a rare gift of
ascertaining in a very short time the use of any instrument put
into his hands, and could detect at a glance its defects, if such
existed. In the early part of 1858, a gentleman who had made errors
in his surveys asked him to look over some of his instruments.
William, on taking one into his hand, said at once, with a smile:
"If you work with this, you will find many errors." "That is why I
asked you," replied the owner. "I have been surveying with it, and
have committed nothing but mistakes." So much were people in the
habit of praising him, that it carried my thoughts back to my Latin
Grammar, and the quotation from Terence:--
Omnes omnia
Bona dicere et laudare fortunas meas,
Qui gnatum haberem tali ingenio praeditum.
For himself, he was perpetually lamenting to me that at school
he had not received more mathematical instruction; that the time
spent in classics exclusively, was, for many, time thrown away. But
I must do his late master the justice of saying, that when he first
received him under his tuition, he showed little fondness for
mathematics in general, although he had a taste for algebra. The
two following letters, to his brother and mother, bearing the same
date, in the spring of 1858, were despatched from the out-station
where he was engaged in a survey.
St. Arnaud, April 10th, 1858.
DEAR CHARLEY,
I do not think you have written a letter to me since we have been
out here. It gave me much pleasure to see yours to the Doctor. I
wish you could be here, instead of working for 40 or 50 pounds a
year at home, out of which you can save very little. Here you might
be getting at least 100 pounds, and nothing to find yourself but
clothes. But it will not do for you to come until the Doctor goes
home. I want you to write and tell me if you have any taste for any
particular profession, and if you have been making good use of your
spare time, in reading useful works. You should remember never to
waste a minute; always be doing something. Try and find out what
things you have most taste for, as they are what you should study
most; but get a general knowledge of all the sciences. Whatever
else you learn, don't forget mathematics and the sciences more
immediately deduced from them, (at the head of which stands
astronomy,) if you have any love of truth--and if you have not, you
have none of your mother's blood in you. Mathematics are the
foundation of all truth as regards practical science in this world;
they are the only things that can be demonstrably proved; no one
can dispute them. In geology, chemistry, and even in astronomy,
there is more or less of mere matter of opinion. For instance, in
astronomy we do not know for certain what the sun or stars are made
of, or what the spots are on the sun, and a few details of that
kind; but the main mathematical principles cannot be disputed. The
distance and size of the sun or of any of the planets can be
proved; the length of their days and years, and even the weight of
the matter of which they are composed. Such things will probably
appear to you impossible, if you have read nothing of them;
especially when you hear that the sun is ninety-five millions of
miles off, and that the planet Neptune, which is the farthest known
planet from the sun, is at such a distance that the light of the
sun takes about five hours to reach it; that is, the sun is
actually five hours above the horizon before the people there see
it rise. Its distance is 2850 millions of miles, and the sun as
seen by them is not larger than Venus appears to us when an evening
star. And although this planet is so distant that it can only be
seen with large telescopes, they can not only compute its distance
and size, but also the mass of matter of which it is composed. But
you will find all this thrown into the shade by the way in which it
was discovered. As I may be telling you what you know already, I
will merely state, that from observed perturbations in the course
of the planet Uranus, it was supposed that another planet was in
existence beyond it; and two competitors set to work to calculate
its size, situation, etc. The result was, the discovery of this
other planet within a few minutes of the place pointed out by them,
and its size, etc., not very different from what they estimated it
at. But besides this, astronomy includes matters more intimately
mixed up with our everyday affairs. In the Nautical Almanacs, which
are constructed for several years in advance, the situations and
nearly everything connected with the different planets are
calculated for every day in the year, and can be found, if
required, for any minute in any day you please, for 10,000 years to
come. Also the eclipses of the sun or moon, with the exact moment
at which they will commence or end, at any spot on the earth; the
exact portion eclipsed, or, in fact, anything about it you like to
mention for any given number of years in advance. Not only this,
but you can find the eclipses of Jupiter's moons with the same
precision. Now is there anything to be compared with this? But if
astronomy led to no other end than the mere gaining of knowledge,
or the assistance of commerce, it would take a far lower stand than
it is really entitled to. As the great object of the science is the
correction of error and the investigation of truth, it necessarily
leads all those that feel an interest in it to a higher
appreciation and desire for truth; and you will easily perceive
that a man having a knowledge of all these vast worlds, so much
more extensive than our own, must be capable of forming a far
higher estimate of that Almighty Being who created all these
wonders, than one who knows nothing more than the comparatively
trifling things that surround us on earth.
I send you 3 pounds, with which you are to get the following books
for yourself and the girls:
Dr. Lardner's Museum of Science and Art, in six double volumes: 1
pound 1 shilling.
Chambers' Mathematics, Parts 1 and 2, and Chambers' Mathematical
Tables, each: 3 shillings 6 pence.
A Nautical Almanac for next year: 2 shillings 6 pence.
The Art of Reasoning, or the Principles of Logic, by Samuel Niel: 4
shillings 6 pence.
Twelve planispheres, forming a guide to the stars for every night
in the year, with an introduction: 6 shillings 6 pence.
Lardner's Museum of Science and Art is one of the best books that
has ever been written. It includes a general knowledge of nearly
everything you can think of; and will be as useful to Bessy and
Hannah as to you.
Chambers' Mathematics, contain all that you are likely to require
in that branch, with the exception of Euclid and Algebra, both of
which you must get, unless you have them. You will need some one to
assist you and explain points in the mathematics and algebra,
otherwise your progress will be very slow. But remember that
whenever you have puzzled over a problem for some time, and cannot
understand it, do not give it up altogether, but leave it for a few
days or weeks and then try it again. It will then, very likely,
appear quite simple, and you will be astonished that you did not
make it out before. You will find the Nautical Almanac very useful,
not only in giving you an idea of astronomical problems, but also
for ascertaining the particulars of any strange stars you may see,
or where to look for the different planets, etc. With the help of
the twelve maps you will soon be acquainted with all the principal
fixed stars.
You should carefully study the Art of Reasoning, as it is what most
people are very deficient in, and I know few things more
disagreeable than to argue, or even converse with a man who has no
idea of inductive and deductive philosophy. After getting the books
I have mentioned, you may spend the balance in any others you
please, but remember, they must be scientific ones. If you write to
Walton and Maberley, 27 Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row, they will send
you a catalogue of books published by them, in which you will find
descriptions of nearly all that I have mentioned and plenty of
others. You can order those you want direct from them, or get them
through a local stationer. I expect you to acquire some practice at
printing, and ornamental writing, in the Bank. If you have a steady
hand, you should exercise yourself at it as much as possible, and
learn mechanical drawing at the same time. Draftsmen get well paid
out here, and are greatly in demand. Being able to print neatly and
evenly is the main point: all the rest is easily learned. My hand
is very unsteady, as you may see by my writing; I do not think I
shall ever be able to write a decent hand. One other piece of
advice I must give you before I shut up; that is, never try to show
off your knowledge, especially in scientific matters. It is a sin
that certain persons we know have been guilty of. The first step is
to learn your own ignorance, and if ever you feel inclined to make
a display, you may be sure that you have as yet learned nothing. I
think I must write to mamma next time. Give my love to her, the
girls, old Anne, Aunt M., Miss R., etc., and when you write, tell
me what has become of Farwell, and any others of our schoolmates
you may know about.
Your affectionate brother,
WILLIAM J. WILLS.
. . .
St. Arnaud, April 10th, 1858.
MY DEAR MOTHER,
It is all very well to say write about anything, but it is
easier said than done. You will find that I have written Charley a
long letter, and I had no idea of doing so when I began, as you see
I commenced on note paper. But what would be the use of my writing
to you on such subjects, and all others are soon disposed of? (You
would not think I was a surveyor, to look at the parallelism of
these lines.) You tell me in one of your letters to write about
myself. That is a very poor subject, and one that a mother should
not recommend to a son. My father sent me a letter of yours a few
weeks ago, and I cannot say whether it most amused or pained me to
see the extraordinary way in which you rush to conclusions. Your
argument appears to be this: J. is acquainted with a Mr. T. another
Mr. T. has taken out some Miss G. G.'s, about whom there are
scandalous reports (which are as likely to be false as true):
therefore J. is sure to fall in love with one of the Miss G. G.'s.
As it happens, J. has not had the pleasure of meeting any of the
Miss G. G.'s, and it is quite probable that he never may, as
Australia is not a little place like Totnes; and I do not think he
would have any wish to connect himself with the G. family, or with
any family in marriage, at present. There is another thing, my dear
mother, in that letter. You talk about high and low people; I
presume you use the words in a very different sense from that in
which I understand them. I consider nothing low but ignorance,
vice, and meanness, characteristics generally found where the
animal propensities predominate over the higher sentiments. I have
yet to learn that there is anything high about the T.'s. Mr. T. is
a jolly little man, and lives more like a gentleman than most of
the people about the bush; but he has rather a tendency to the
animal development than otherwise, which makes it probable that
there may be some truth in the reports alluded to.
From what I can judge of this dear son of yours he is not likely, I
think, to do anything very rashly; and as for getting married, he
will not be in a position to think of that for several years; and
if ever he does, I hope it will be to some one at least equal to
himself in education. Give my love to Bessy and Hannah. I do not
think it would do them any harm to write a letter sometimes. I
expect Bessy was tired long ago of the algebra you were talking so
much about.
Does it ever enter your head that it would be a good thing for all
of you to come out here in a few years, when the girls have
finished their education? This country is undergoing great changes
for the better. Now the rush to the diggings is over, people are
beginning to live like civilized human beings. In a few years
everything will be as settled as in England, and we shall be able
to live much cheaper.
Believe me ever, my dear mother,
Your affectionate son,
WILLIAM J. WILLS.
. . .
From a letter to myself of the 6th of June, which was rather a
long one, I give only the following extracts:--
"What you say about this world I do not quite agree with; I
think it a very good world, and only requires a person to be
reasonable in his expectations, and not to trust too much to
others. It appears to be almost equally divided into three
principal classes--honest fools, foolish rogues, and honest
rational beings. Some may add another class, but there are so few
belonging to it--scarcely one in ten thousand--that I think it
should be ranked amongst the phenomena of nature. I mean, the
successful rogues--men who do things neatly, and escape being found
out. The first and second are often useful to each other; the third
benefit by the first and second, inasmuch as they learn by their
experience, without paying for it themselves." He then cautions me
against certain money speculations. Another paragraph says: "I find
I am likely to change my station, but have no instructions as yet.
I do not care if they keep me here another month. I have first-rate
neighbours, a Mr. and Mrs. M., who live just across the creek; very
nice people, and no humbug. Mr. M. resembles you in many ways." He
then mentions a colt he had reared, called Nelly; says she goes in
and out of the tent as if she had been born in it, shakes hands
with any one as soon as asked, and carries Mr. M.'s little boy
Willie on her back with perfect gentleness. On his way back to
Melbourne, he taught a colt of mine, in two or three days, to be
equally docile, until it became the pet of the community. It was
reared by hand, and I fear I lost it through the kindly-meant
attention of one of my neighbours.
In the summer of 1858 he went down to Melbourne in consequence of a
disagreement between Mr. Byerly and the Chief Commissioner of Land
and Works at that time, Mr. Duffy. He was not then employed in the
regular survey, but took occasional contracts, under Mr.
Hodgkinson, Deputy Surveyor General, who always expressed his
admiration of his character. A letter to his mother at this date
says:--
Melbourne, August 15th, 1858.
MY DEAR MOTHER,
I have again to plead guilty of the sin of omitting to write. It
is many months since I have heard from you, and as for Charley and
the girls, they do not write at all. I have just left the bush and
am living, for the present, in town. The change is pleasant, after
being so long in the bush. Melbourne is wonderfully altered since I
last saw it. There are some very fair buildings in it now, and
things are a little cheaper than they used to be. I am, of course,
living in lodgings, and am fortunate in getting into a comfortable
house; a private family with no other lodgers, and Mrs. H. takes
almost as much care of me as you would. It is quite strange, and at
the same time amusing to me, to see her anxiety about my eating,
drinking, catching cold, and all that sort of thing, as I have been
so long unaccustomed to these little attentions. I am sure if some
of you who have never been away from home were to see how we live
in the bush, you would not expect us to survive more than a few
weeks, and yet it does us no harm whatever. I passed through
Ballaarat on my way down, and spent a few days with my father. He
was looking better than he used to be, very healthy, and not so
stout. It is astonishing how little he eats, and yet is always
complaining of having eaten too much. I expect it will be the same
with me. I have as good an appetite as ever, but I can live on much
less food than other people can. I hope Charley has the books I
told him to get. I send you with this a Victoria News Letter, which
will save me the trouble of writing what I suppose you will care
little to hear, so I have no more news to tell you; and with best
love to--etc. etc.,
Believe me, my dear mother,
Your affectionate son,
WILLIAM J. WILLS.
. . .
As I shall have occasion to allude to this letter in a
subsequent portion of my narrative, I wish the latter part of it,
with regard to eating, may be borne in mind.