Title

The Aborigines. In many engravings ... the aboriginal native is usually made a prominent feature

Author

Sydney Morning Herald

Details

The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 April 1859, page 3

Publication date

13 April 1859

Type

Article

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

THE ABORIGINES. In many of the engravings and other works of art which are published from time time as illustrative of the city of Sydney, and the beauty of our harbour, or appropriate to the colony - the aboriginal native is usually made a prominent feature - so frequently prominent indeed as sometimes to lead to a false impression. The association of aboriginal forms with the fine blocks of buildings against which, in pictures, they stand, or with the work of art on which they may be delineated, should be looked upon rather as illustrating a type of human nature which has now almost disappeared from our large towns, than as objects which confront us at every step. The sable race that hunted over the site where Sydney now stands has long since dwindled away, and were it not for the little knots that occasionally come from a distance to receive the alms of the white man, and to wonder at the change he has effected, ninety-nine out of a hundred of the inhabitants of Sydney - except from pictorial representations - would be totally unacquainted with the personal appearance of the aboriginal native. The blackfellow, however, is more commonly known in the provincial towns. The sportsmen who visit Shoalhaven are frequently glad to avail themselves of King Charcoal's knowledge of the haunts of the wallabi, and also of his majesty's services to beat them up. In the remote parts of the colony the blacks are frequently troublesome, and sometimes commit great outrages. But their lot, is very hard, and they occasionally show an affection for their fellows, and a susceptibility which would be creditable to a civilised people.

[The Sydney Morning Herald 13 April 1859, page 3].

Web address

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13023661

Last Updated

09 Jan 2026