Australian will be. But reflections of this kind can
only be in the right direction by bearing in mind the
ever-present climatic conditions. Climate is of all
forces the most irresistible ; for, on the one hand, the
Great Desert of Sahara could not be crossed in an
Arctic costume and on Esquimaux diet ; nor, on the
other, could the Polar regions be explored in a
Hindoo garb and on Oriental fare. And though
blood is thicker than water, yet the resistless in-
fluence of a semi-tropical range of temperature will
be to imprint on the descendants of the present
inhabitants of Australia some marked peculiarities of
skin-colour, of facial expression, of lingual accent,
and perhaps even of bodily conformation.
Quite recently an observing writer, in a keenly
analytical if somewhat facetious article, gave it as his
opinion that the coming Australians will be as fol-
lows : — " They will not be so entirely agricultural as
" the Americans were; they will be horsemen, not
" gig-drivers. Descended from adventurers, not from
" Puritans, and eager, as men of their climate must
■' be, for pleasant lives, they will thirst for dependent
" possessions, for gardens where fortunes grow. The
" early Americans were men of austere temper, who
" led, on an ungrateful soil, lives of permanent hard-
" ship. They had to fight the sea, the snow, the
" forest, the Indians, and their own hearts. The
" Australians, with a warmer climate, without Puritan
PREFACE. XIX
" traditions, with wealth among them from the first,
" will be a softer, though not a weaker people ; fonder
" of luxury, and better fitted to enjoy Art, with an
" appreciation of beauty which the Americans have
" never shown. They will be a people growing and
" drinking wine, caring much for easy society, ad-
" dieted to conversation, and never happy without
" servants. The note of discontent which penetrates
" the whole American character will be absent."
From the climatic standpoint alone it is safe to
predict that the future Australian will be more nearly
akin to the inhabitants of Southern Europe than to
his progenitors in the old country ; though, naturally,
there will be considerable diversity between the
native born of the various regions, covering as they
do such a vast extent of territory. The ample
opportunities for outdoor life will do much towards
ensuring physical development. And, finally, the
imaginative faculties will be very active, and it is
quite permissible to hope that in time there will be
a long roll of artists, musicians, and poets.
As it Mali be seen, a considerable portion of this
work is taken up with the practical side of living,
as exemplified by the Australian Cookery Recipes.
From the very first it was recognized that it
was imperative to include them within its compass.
It occurred to me, however, that this important
department would better be undertaken by someone
XX phefage.
Page 10
Presented as published in 1893. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Australian will be. But reflections of this kind can only be in the right direction by bearing in mind the ever-present climatic conditions. Climate is of all forces the most irresistible ; for, on the one hand, the Great Desert of Sahara could not be crossed in an Arctic costume and on Esquimaux diet ; nor, on the other, could the Polar regions be explored in a Hindoo garb and on Oriental fare. And though blood is thicker than water, yet the resistless influence of a semi-tropical range of temperature will be to imprint on the descendants of the present inhabitants of Australia some marked peculiarities of skin-colour, of facial expression, of lingual accent, and perhaps even of bodily conformation.
Quite recently an observing writer, in a keenly analytical if somewhat facetious article, gave it as his opinion that the coming Australians will be as follows : — " They will not be so entirely agricultural as " the Americans were; they will be horsemen, not " gig-drivers. Descended from adventurers, not from " Puritans, and eager, as men of their climate must ■' be, for pleasant lives, they will thirst for dependent " possessions, for gardens where fortunes grow. The " early Americans were men of austere temper, who " led, on an ungrateful soil, lives of permanent hard- " ship. They had to fight the sea, the snow, the " forest, the Indians, and their own hearts. The " Australians, with a warmer climate, without Puritan
PREFACE. XIX
" traditions, with wealth among them from the first, " will be a softer, though not a weaker people ; fonder " of luxury, and better fitted to enjoy Art, with an " appreciation of beauty which the Americans have " never shown. They will be a people growing and " drinking wine, caring much for easy society, ad- " dieted to conversation, and never happy without " servants. The note of discontent which penetrates " the whole American character will be absent."
From the climatic standpoint alone it is safe to predict that the future Australian will be more nearly akin to the inhabitants of Southern Europe than to his progenitors in the old country ; though, naturally, there will be considerable diversity between the native born of the various regions, covering as they do such a vast extent of territory. The ample opportunities for outdoor life will do much towards ensuring physical development. And, finally, the imaginative faculties will be very active, and it is quite permissible to hope that in time there will be a long roll of artists, musicians, and poets.
As it shall be seen, a considerable portion of this work is taken up with the practical side of living, as exemplified by the Australian Cookery Recipes. From the very first it was recognized that it was imperative to include them within its compass. It occurred to me, however, that this important department would better be undertaken by someone
XX phefage.