children, whose sports are presided over and shared in by our old friend Dodge, if they have the usual anxieties for the future provision of their offspring? They will tell you their minds are quite easy upon that score, and they doubt not but there will be "room enough for all."
Education, my dear reader! One material branch, at least, is not neglected: early self dependence. See that hardy youngster, who by the likeness we would swear is either a Raymond or a Slinger, we can't exactly say which, trying with all his little might to make an impression upon yon sturdy tree, as he labors determinedly with an axe which might be wielded to greater advantage by a more brawney arm. But the tiny boy is a man in spirit, and the tree, which flourished before his father lived, will fall before him.
There is another youngster; bless us! he has tumbled head-long into the stream which bounds the garden. Fly Dodge, fly to his rescue! Not a bit of it, to swim was one of the first lessons he was taught. Although only eight years old he is well able to save himself. Why that child, Dodge will tell you, was once lost several days in the woods, where he fraternised with a tribe of the aborigines, and when recovered had acquired some proficiency in the art of climbing gum trees for opossums by the aid only of a clumsy stone tomahawk. Save him indeed!
Old friends are claiming our attention now. Raymond and Slinger, your hands.—Honest hands too, though horny to the touch and somewhat of the brownest. Dodge, we wish we had a third hand to give you. We are glad to hear the world has gone well with you all: that your business in Melbourne, commenced with a capital of £350, sold for £3,500; that your cattle have multiplied exceedingly under the watchful superintendence of Big Mick, who now resides with his wife and family at
