Excerpt from The Genesis of Queensland: An Account of the First Exploring Journeys to and Over Darling Downs, The Earliest Days of Their Occupation, Social Life, Station Seeking, The Course of Discovery, Northward and Westward

But for respect to prescribed custom, I should leave this book to be ushered into public presence under the countenance of Patrick Leslie's silent introduction.

A preface, however, does shape itself into an easy Chair for the scruples of the most self-distrusting occupant from which he may address himself in tendering the payment of a debt always incurred by ordinary men to their neighbours in the attainment of an end.

For my own relief I use it, therefore, for thanking those who have, in all courteous sympathy, helped me to a short review of times synchronous with the detachments of story to which this first one hundred of Australia's years of self-assertion under the Union Jack has committed her. By tradition of the past, in a measure, Australia's habit may be characteristically caparisoned in the future.

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