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THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVol. 3.—No. 29.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1880.
Fix this textPrice—3d.
Fix this text8% §«lktin.
Fix this textSATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1880.
Fix this textUnmeaning Mystery.
Fix this textPolitical Sydney is just now variously exercised
Fix this textover the mysterious conduct of the Ministry,
Fix this textand speculation is rife as to their real intentions
Fix this textand their next move. Is there to be “ a short
Fix this textsession” before the dissolution of Parliament,
Fix this textand if so, why should not the resolution to hold
Fix this textone be made publicly known ? What is to be
Fix this textgained by cowardly silence when a frank avowal
Fix this textwould be accepted as a boon by the public, and
Fix this textpremature agitation duly suppressed? The
Fix this textPremier intimated at the Ashfield banquet that
Fix this textthe present Parliament would bo called together
Fix this textfor a short “spell” before the fiat for its ex-
Fix this texttinction had gone forth. Was he sincere in his
Fix this textannouncement ? Doeg he mean to act up to his
Fix this textoriginal intentions? It is difficult to answer
Fix this textthese questions. He has so, frequently posed—
Fix this textassumed mysterious airs, and worked his touts
Fix this textand lieutenants —that an ordinarily cautious ob-
Fix this textserver of passing events cannot confidently say
Fix this textwhether he mpans to do what he asserts, or rely
Fix this texton statements which the exigences of party war-
Fix this textfare may inspire. It would doubtless be a good
Fix this textthing—wise, bold, and practical —to have a short
Fix this textparliamentary session, provided the Ministry
Fix this textduring the holidays reviewed their financial
Fix this textpolicy and were prepared to meet the House of
Fix this textAssembly with a comprehensive scheme. Nobody
Fix this textwould expect from them an absolute solution of
Fix this textthe fiscal problem; but if they cleai-ly showed
Fix this texthow they intended to meet an inevitable deficit,
Fix this textthey would greatly relieve the public mind.
Fix this textThey have, in fact, a fine chance of securing the
Fix this textconfidence of the country by honestly declaring
Fix this textwhat they intend to do. Extra revenue must be
Fix this textraised somehow, and that in considerable
Fix this textamounts, from obvious sources; and as the re-
Fix this textpresentatives of the people will not accept excise
Fix this textduties on local manufactures or a royalty on
Fix this textcoal, real estate and income must be looked upon
Fix this textas a means to an end—as the way of maintain-
Fix this texting the public credit till our public works begin
Fix this textto pay good interest on the capital expended on
Fix this texttheir construction, and ‘ a rational scheme of
Fix this textretrenchment pervades every department of the
Fix this textCivil Service. It is somewhat surprising, and
Fix this textnot without a phase of the ludicrous, to see
Fix this textpatriotic candidates by the score offering their
Fix this textservices to the electors in the face of a minis-
Fix this textterial promise that Parliament will be called
Fix this texttogether again for a session of eight or nine
Fix this textweeks before an appeal to the country will be
Fix this textmade. If that appeal were made on a vigorous
Fix this textfinancial policy, and not on absurd side-issues, or
Fix this textphantoms, as unreal as the Kiama ghost, of an
Fix this textecclesiastical crusade against the Education Act
Fix this textoi the last session, the constituencies would be
Fix this textm a position to declare themselves with effect,
Fix this texta nd a real practical reply to the paramount poli-
Fix this texttical question of the day would be elicited. At
Fix this textpresent people are simply puzzled; they
Fix this textanxiously want to know what is to be done
Fix this textforthwith, and they cannot get a scintilla of
Fix this textinformation from any authentic quarter. It
Fix this textcertainly is a curious sight to see police-officers,
Fix this texton the one hand, trudging about collecting the
Fix this textnames for the new electoral rolls, and political
Fix this texta gents on the heat, touting for their employers,
Fix this text° n the other. All this ministerial mystery is
Fix this textunmeaning, and some of the most ardent sup-
Fix this textporters of the Government are beginning to
Fix this textsmile sarcastically at its hollowness. It is to be
Fix this textnoped that before wo again address our readers
Fix this text“arliament will be called together for the dis-
Fix this textpatch of business before the middle of Septem-
Fix this texter > or a dissolution proclaimed. It may be a
Fix this textT er y ingenious specimen of statecraft to blow
Fix this text. ot a nd cold; but the most patient soon become
Fix this textunder the process. Is the “ short session ”
Fix this textbe or not to be ? —that is the question. Sir
Fix this text■geney Paekes will lose nothing by giving it a.
Fix this textprompt and unequivocal reply.
Fix this textKnox on the University.
Fix this texteorge Knox, barrister-at-law, ought to
Fix this textan authority on the Government and goodly
Fix this textof a University. He is a Master of
Fix this text3 of two Alma; Maires, and a scholar and
Fix this textsu ernan .°f both. A pamphlet emanating from
Fix this texteve * -an * n(^v idual * s sure to attract attention,
Fix this textM a . ln a community where the nil admirari is
Fix this textidered to be a sign of mental independence.
Fix this textWe have carefully read Mr. Knox’s twenty-two
Fix this textoctavo pages, and regret to say that they do not,
Fix this textin our candid opinion, contain a single original
Fix this textthought, or one inspiring suggestion. If Mr.
Fix this textKnox has never been a tuft-hunter, which wo
Fix this textbelieve he has never been, we are satisfied that
Fix this texthe believes in and respects the golden tassel, and
Fix this textthat a JJniversity would not be to him an
Fix this textacademy of universal culture if it were not a
Fix this text“swell” affair and a head-centre of learned
Fix this textleisure. His chief objection to the Sydney Uni-
Fix this textversity springs from a fear that it will become a
Fix this textschool for technical education, and thus enable
Fix this textyoung men while cultivating their minds
Fix this textduring their academic career to lay the
Fix this textfoundation of' their future professional pursuits.
Fix this textWhy should they not? Why should sucking
Fix this textlawyers and juvenile medicos have all the facili-
Fix this textties supplied them to make their way in the
Fix this textworld, while those who wish to become civil
Fix this textengineers, land surveyors, mineralogists and
Fix this textgeologists, experimental chemists, or mental
Fix this textphilosophers are utterly ignored ? If Mr. Knox
Fix this texthad fully weighed a quotation he gives from
Fix this textCardinal Newman’s work on “ University Edu-
Fix this textcation,” he would hardly have, railed so irritably
Fix this textagainst “ technical instruction.” We accept that
Fix this textdistinguished scholar’s theory, and thank Mr.
Fix this textKnox for the excerpt. It is- quite true that a
Fix this textUniversity should consist “in demand and
Fix this textsupply,” and the latter, we maintain, should
Fix this textbe regulated, by the quality of the
Fix this textformer. It is quite right to secure
Fix this textintellectual culture first, and then “secular
Fix this textadvantages, as its instruments and rewards.”
Fix this textThis is precisely what those who are indolently
Fix this textdemanding technical instruction at the University
Fix this textwant. Why should lawyers and doctors go
Fix this textthrough the refining process, with its ultimate
Fix this textmaterial benefits, while others, equally gifted —
Fix this textequally desiderating culture—are left out in the
Fix this textcold ? The sooner our University is associated
Fix this textwith evert/ great branch of literary and scientific
Fix this textculture the more hopefully will it be regarded by
Fix this textthose who pay for its support. It should be
Fix this textmade a really national institution, which it will
Fix this textnever become, in the best sense of the phrase,
Fix this textunless it impartially confers benefits on all
Fix this textsections of the community. It is not the endow-
Fix this textments, actual or contingent, that will interfere
Fix this textwith the healthful development of the Sydney
Fix this textUniversity, but the want of an understanding
Fix this textmind on the part of its professors and senators.
Fix this textIf it takes little wisdom to govern a State, how
Fix this textmuch less need be expended on an institution
Fix this textfor the conversion of “ swells ” into “ superior
Fix this textgraduates” and dilettanti prizemen?
Fix this textThe Sabbatarian Victory.
Fix this textThe School of Arts citadel is once more safe from
Fix this textthe hands of the despoiler. The dangerous band
Fix this textof members who seek to gain access to its reading-
Fix this textroom and reference library on Sunday afternoons
Fix this texthave again been defeated, and in the name of the
Fix this textgods the barriers are retained which prohibit the
Fix this textthirsty from sipping on Sundays at the Pierian
Fix this textsprings of secular knowledge. The thirsty must
Fix this textgo elsewhere. Are there not unnumbered public-
Fix this texthouses ready to accommodate them ? Boniface
Fix this texthas, happily, no scruples about the gods. So long
Fix this textas people have small change about them, he does
Fix this textnot enquire their opinions touching the mandates
Fix this textof Moses. What a blessing, then, for religion
Fix this textthat the School of Arts reading-room is to remain
Fix this textclosed 1 Well m ight the victors give “ three cheers
Fix this textfor Christian liberty.” It is a wonder they did
Fix this textnot raise a “ Hallelujah ” into the bargain. Let
Fix this textus sing to the praise and glory of Bunkum!
Fix this textThe righteous have triumphed. The glory is still
Fix this textwith the Saints. t
Fix this textAnd next to the gratification which the
Fix this textincident must afford the gods, is the happiness
Fix this textwhich it confers upon the attendants of the
Fix this textinstitution. That any one of these should be
Fix this textcalled upon to sit in the reading-room for three
Fix this textor four hours on Sunday, and take an extra half-
Fix this textholiday on a working day, was a spectacle of
Fix this textwhite slavery which not even Dr. Beg could con-
Fix this texttemplate with composure. It was too deplorable.
Fix this textNone of these consistent Sabbatarians employ
Fix this textdomestic labour in their houses on the first day
Fix this textof the week—not one of them. They light their
Fix this textown fires, boil their own potatoes, wash up their
Fix this textown crockery, and black their own boots. They
Fix this textobey Moses to the letter, and allow their servants
Fix this textto perform no manner of work. And, as they
Fix this textthus rule their own households, could they permit
Fix this textthe School of Arts to be differently conducted ?
Fix this textThey had no desire to domineer over their fellow-
Fix this textmembers, not they. They are all ’umble souls,
Fix this textwhose sole wish it is to do to others as they
Fix this textwould have others do to them, and glorify the
Fix this textgods. Well might Tom Hood sing—
Fix this text“ Of all the prides since Lucifer’s attaint.
Fix this textThe proudest swells a self-elected saint
Fix this textor another poet, Southey, represent the devil as
Fix this textsaying—
Fix this text“ He owned, with a grin,
Fix this textThat his favourite sin
Fix this textIs pride that apes humility.**
Fix this textThe Hon. James Watson, Colonial
Fix this textTreasurer.
Fix this textEnglish adages are not as incisive and compre-
Fix this texthensive as those of Spain, not because insular wit
Fix this textis less concentrated than peninsular —the fact is
Fix this textquite otherwise —but because the latter has passed
Fix this textthrough the purifying process of four or five
Fix this textdifferent races’improvements on the originaT'saw.”
Fix this textRomans, Phoenicians —supposing Hannibal to bo
Fix this texta thirty-first cousin to Finn McKool, the father of
Fix this textthe Fenians —Goths, Moors, and Kelts have in
Fix this texttheir turn artistically touched and improved
Fix this textSpanish proverbial philosophy; and hence
Fix this text“general readers” find in it a rich mine into
Fix this textwhich very few shafts have yet been sunk. A
Fix this textcouple of instances will suffice to prove the jiruth
Fix this textof this statement. Four-fifths of Europe are con-
Fix this texttent with recommending ladies to have neither
Fix this texteyes nor ears, but the Iberians go further and
Fix this texttake away their feet. They say— La muyer en
Fix this textcasa, y lapiema quebrada, which, roughly rendered
Fix this textin English, means —the wife is at home and her leg
Fix this textbroken, as much as to say that she cannot gad
Fix this textabroad. Take another instance. We say, “It is
Fix this textbetter to be born lucky than rich,” and there is
Fix this textan obvious “ moral ” —a poetic fly in amber —en-
Fix this textshrined or enclosed in the aphorism; but the
Fix this textSpaniards put a climax on it by assuring the fickle
Fix this textcrowd that it is better to be born wise than either
Fix this textrich or lucky. King Solomon, although by no
Fix this textmeans a model monarch, was a very good boy in
Fix this texthis youth, when he selected wisdom for his bride
Fix this textbefore he paid addresses to the interesting
Fix this textEgyptian princess who afterwards became his
Fix this textwife —mixed marriages were not then forbidden to
Fix this textthe highest class of Israelites —or any of the
Fix this textnumerous ladies who subsequently became the
Fix this text“ lights of his harem.”
Fix this textThe reader will probably stare aghast at
Fix this textthis preamble to a biographical sketch of our
Fix this textcolonial Chancellor of the Exchequer. What
Fix this texthave proverbs and King Solomon’s private
Fix this textaffairs to do with the Hon. James Watson?
Fix this textA great deal. He was born lucky and wise ; and
Fix this textif money-getting is a sign of intellectual activity,
Fix this texthe has a right to set himself upas a colonial Roths-
Fix this textchild or |as a rival of that Zankeefied Irishman who
Fix this textis making four or five thousand pounds sterling a
Fix this textday out of his Ame-ican silver mine. It does not
Fix this textfollow that Mr. Watson is a good financier pro
Fix this texthono publico, because he has been such in hig
Fix this textprivate business. In fact, so far as he is per-
Fix this textsonally concerned we should think he has a real
Fix this textdislike to studying “ ways and means,” and would
Fix this textrather occupy his arm-chair as a Bank Director
Fix this textthan hold high office even in the British Downing-
Fix this textstreet. The money that “ made a man of him ”
Fix this textdid not make the man a heaven-born statesman;
Fix this textbut it did not corrupt a really fine and inflexibly
Fix this texthonest nature; it did not blunt refined sensibili-
Fix this textties, nor inflate an upright mind with arrogance
Fix this textor vanity. A couple of men like Mr. Watson
Fix this textrecur to our mind at this moment—they are John
Fix this textSutherland (of that ilk) and John Hurley, of
Fix this textCampbelltown. These men got on, as men like
Fix this textthem will ever get on, by the inflexible energy of
Fix this texttheir nature and the sterling qualities of their
Fix this textmind. When poor they were neither poor nor
Fix this textparsimonious; when they made only wages, they
Fix this textsaved a little out of that; when Providence (that
Fix this textis to say, intelligence united with perseverance)
Fix this textbettered their fortunes the result caused no
Fix this textsuperfluous inflations. Three better or more
Fix this texttypical colonists in the best sense of the word than
Fix this textthose alluded to we have never known ; nor do wo
Fix this textexpect to see many of their like again. The Hon.
Fix this textJohn Watson (nunc et semper honorabile nomen)
Fix this textwas born in the somewhat dingy Portadown,
Fix this textCounty Armagh, Ireland, on the 17th December,
Fix this text1837 ; and is consequently in the blithe and cheery
Fix this textTHE HON. JAMES WATSON, COLONIAL TREASURER.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127618323
(1880). The bulletin Retrieved May 1, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127618323
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 1 May 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127618323>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 1 May 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127618323
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 3 No. 29 (14 Aug 1880)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127618323
| id=nla.obj-127618323
| access-date=1 May 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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