nation in Europe were demanding a greater share in their respective
governments. Many who immigrated in search of gold took a leading
part in making the Australian Governments democratic.

Melbourne, 1852.--The non-arrival of the Mail-steamer left us now no
other care save the all-important one of procuring food and shelter.
Scouts were accordingly despatched to the best hotels; they returned
with long faces--"full." The second-rate, and in fact every respectable
inn and boarding or lodging-house were tried, but with no better
success. Here and there, a solitary bed could be obtained, but for our
digging-party entire, which consisted of my brother, four shipmates, and
myself, no accommodation could be procured, and we wished, if possible,
to keep together. "It's a case," ejaculated one. At this moment the two
last searchers approached, their countenances not quite so woebegone as
before. "Well?" exclaimed we all in chorus, as we surrounded them, too
impatient to interrogate at greater length. Thank Heavens! they had been
successful! The housekeeper of a surgeon, who with his wife had just
gone up to Forest Creek, would receive us to board and lodge for thirty
shillings a week each: but as the accommodation was of the indifferent
order, it was not yet as _une affaire arrangee_. On farther inquiry, we
found the indifferent accommodation consisted in there being but one
small sleeping-room for the gentlemen, and myself to share the bed and
apartment of the temporary mistress. This was vastly superior to
gipsying in the dirty streets, so we lost no time in securing our new
berths; and ere very long, with appetites undiminished by these petty
anxieties, we did ample justice to the dinner which our really kindly
hostess quickly placed before us.

The first night on shore after so long a voyage could scarcely seem
otherwise than strange, one missed the eternal rocking at which so many
grumble on board ship. Dogs (Melbourne is full of them) kept up an
incessant barking; revolvers were cracking in all directions till
daybreak, giving one a pleasant idea of the state of society. The next
few days were busy ones for all, though rather dismal to me, as I was
confined almost entirely indoors, owing to the awful state of the
streets; for in the colonies, at this season of the year, one may go out
prepared for fine weather, with blue sky above, and dry underfoot, and
in less than an hour, should a _colonial_ shower come