hat, after the
expiration of a convict's term of expatriation, if of an incorrigible
nature, he invariably returned to the "old country," where he had a
wider field for the exercise of his genius, it can't but be seen that,
generally, there must be a healthier tone of society in the colony than
is credited "at home;" while morality is quite on a par, if not above
the ordinary level of British ethics. At the same time it is only but
just to state that the greater proportion of what vice does exist is
chargeable to that wild and uncontrollable mass, which, generally
attracted to gold-producing countries, necessarily forms there the
substratum of the working population; while the native born portion of
the people is entitled to all praise for its strict propriety. To remove
this stigma of _mauvais ton_, and establish our fair name in opposition
to the mal-impressions which have gained currency respecting the
Australian colonists, I have been induced to add another to the tales of
Australian life, and to lay "Fern Vale" before the public.

I don't enter the arena so much to defend the colonies collectively, as
to present a fair face for the young one of Queensland, and to draw
attention to it as a field for British labour, industry, and capital.
And being disposed to think this description of work will find more
favour in the eyes of that class I would especially desire to attract,
than a topographical and statistical treatise, I have blended facts with
fiction to present my volume to the public in such a form as to afford
amusement with information. I have endeavoured to depict life and
manners as they exist in Queensland, and to describe the country, its
climate, and capabilities. The leading political topics of the day I
have also lightly touched upon; but, while craving the indulgence of the
public in these interpolations, I may remark I have only treated them to
a very cursory glance; considering that, in the present mutable state
of legislation in Queensland, to enter more fully into detail would be
inadvisable. The colony is young, but the government is infantine;
though, notwithstanding that it is little more than two years old, it
has proved itself indefatigable, concise, and beneficial in its
workings; and many a local incubus has been removed, and many a long
felt desideratum been supplied, during its short period of existence.

To illustrate what the district was, and what it had to labour under, I
have drawn a