s adventures had been.

It takes about 3.5 hours to read this book.

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THE GILPINS, A STORY OF EARLY DAYS IN AUSTRALIA, BY WILLIAM H G
KINGSTON.

CHAPTER ONE.

Arthur Gilpin and Mark Withers walked down the High Street, arm-in-arm,
on their return to their respective homes from the well-managed school
of Wallington.

They were among the head boys, and were on the point of leaving it to
enter on the work of active life, and make their way in the world. They
had often of late discussed the important question--all-important, as it
seemed to them--"How are we to make our way--to gain wealth, influence,
our hearts' desires?"

"For my part, I cannot stand a plodding style of doing things," said
Mark. "It is all very well for those without brains, but a fellow who
has a grain of sense in his head requires a more rapid way of making a
fortune. Life is too short to be wasted in getting money. I want to
have it to spend while I am young and can enjoy it."

Arthur was silent for some time. At length he remarked, "It strikes me,
Mark, that the object of making money is that we may support ourselves
and families, and help those who are in distress. My father often says
to James, and to me, and to the rest of us, `I don't want you, when you
enter business, to be thinking only how you can make money. Do your
duty, and act liberally towards all men, and you will have a sufficiency
at all events, if not wealth.'"

"Oh! your father's old-fashioned notions won't do in the world, and
certainly won't suit me, that I can tell you," answered Mark, in a
scornful tone.

"My father is considered a sensible man. What he preaches he practises;
and though he has a very large family, no one calls him a poor man,"
argued Arthur. "He says that, considering how short life is, it cannot
be wise to spend the time, as many men do, in gathering up riches and
setting so high a value on them. But here comes James! Let us hear
what he has to say on the subject."

"Oh! of course, James has got the same notions from your father that you
have, and I am not going to be influenced by him," answered Withers.

James, however, was appealed to, and answered, "Even if we were to live
for ever in this world, I should agree with Arthur; for, from all I see
and hear, I am convinced that wealth cannot secure happiness; but as
this world is only a place of preparation for ano