What Savages We Are.

Notwithstanding the lurid light which has been thrown over the "blawsted kawlinies" by the recent alleged services to the Empire, there seems still to exist a sort of lurking idea at Home that the inhabitants of the Australias are a savage and uncouth people who requiae placating with gifts of glass beads and coloured blankets. At least that is a fair inference to be made out of the following paragraph which appeared recently in the London press "Among the most interesting of the details to receive attention prior to the departure of the Ophir was the embarkation of the quantity of orders and of jewellery selected by the Duke and Duchess for bestowal on colonial dignitaries in the course of the voyage. Cigar and cigarette cases and other articles of a similar character suitable for royal presents are included in the large collection. Each ef them is engraved with a 'G.,' with the crown, which is the badge worn by all the personal attendants of their Royal Highnesses on board the steamer."

With his trinkets and his Jew's harps comes His Highness to these shores,
With his beads and coloured blankets, his nick-nacks and gewgaws;
For he must placate the nigger, the white man and his squaw, Dick Seddon, and George Fisher, and half a hundred more.
He's going to bring Tom Wilford a modesty pilule;
He's going to get all Cuba-street to keep the Golden Rule;
He's going to find Mayor Aitken with a mug to hold his beer in;
And a toy to help James Ashcroft to devote his life to rearin'.
He'll buy a book of proverbs for John Hutcheson to read in;
And a pen of Cochin-Brahmas for Bob Bannister to breed in; He'll bring a cheque to pay Ogg for his share of Byko corner; And a coffin for the comet with Hudson as chief mourner.
He'll bring another billet for our Allan Orr to play with;
A cart he'll buy McGill to cart all Walter-street away with;
Judge Edwards he will furnish with a Court that isn't draughty;
And he'll hand back all donations of the opulent McCarthy.
He'll present with deepest gratefulness P. Harry with a sausage;
Give back to Bodley and T. K. their profit and their lossage;
To T. C. Williams he'll return his vacant corner sections;
And furnish Townsend with a seat at the next town elections.
He'll bring a patent pencil for Gres. Lukin to curse Dick with;
And Dr. Chappie an emetic for making people sick with;
A bottle full of anti-fat for making Levers thin with;
And Jimmy Coates a register for counting up his tin with.
In fact, to each and every one he'll bring a little present;
And all they'll have to do is to simper and look pleasant;
And if your cigarettes are strong, just take a mild cigar, ()!
He's brought me so much champagne that I don't know were I are, O!