rnment of its own. These States
were New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, West
Australia, and Tasmania. It was soon seen that a mistake had been made
in splitting up altogether. The States were like children of one family,
all engaged as partners in one business, who, growing up, decided to set
up housekeeping each for himself, but neglected to arrange for some
means by which they could meet together now and again and decide on
matters which were of common interest to all of them. The separated
States of Australia were, all alike, interested in making Australia
great and prosperous, and keeping her safe; but in their hurry to set up
independent housekeeping they forgot to provide for the safeguarding of
that common interest.

So soon as this was recognized, patriotic men set themselves to put
things right, and the result was a Federation of the States, which is
called the Commonwealth of Australia. The different States are left to
manage for themselves their local affairs, but the big Australian
affairs are managed by the Commonwealth Parliament, which at present
meets in Melbourne, but one day will meet in a new Federal capital to be
built somewhere out in the Bush--that is to say, the wild, empty
country. Some people sneer at the idea of a "Bush capital," but I think,
and perhaps you will think with me, that there is something very
pleasant and very promising of profit in the idea of the country's
rulers meeting somewhere in the pure air of a quiet little city
surrounded by the great Australian forest. And as things are now, the
population of Australia is too much centralized in the big cities, and
it will be a good thing to have another centre of population.

In this railway trip across the continent you are being introduced to
all the main features of Australian life, so that you will have some
solid knowledge of the conditions of the country, and can, later on, in
chapters which will follow, learn of the Bush, the natives, the birds
and beasts and flowers, the games of Australia.

Leaving Melbourne, a fast and luxurious train takes you through the
farming districts of Victoria, past many smiling towns, growing rich
from the industry of men who graze cattle, grow wheat and oats and
barley, make butter, or pasture sheep. At Albany the train crosses to
Murray again, this time near to its source, and New South Wales is
entered.

For many, many miles now the train will run through flat, grassed
c