Page:The Aborigines' Friend and the Colonial Intelligencer - 1855 - Vp0215.pdf/50

50 Edward Warrulan in this country, out of the fund set apart for the benefit of the South-Australian natives, and Dr. Hodgkin, probably at the suggestion of Sir Edward Eyre, was requested to act as his guardian in carrying out the plan. As a special favour, admission was obtained for him into an agricultural school at Sibford, in Oxfordshire. He had there the advantage of a guarded and religious education; and, besides the instruction which he might receive in the ordinary branches of useful elementary education, he was encouraged to engage in some pursuits of farm­ing and horticulture. He could write a little, but he was ex­tremely deficient in even the earliest steps of school learning. It is not intended, in stating this, to imply that he had been neglected, which is not probable, as his patron hoped that he might acquire a classical education as a preparation for missionary service. It was, doubtless, rather the result of his mental peculiarity. Whilst he carefully observed many things, and had an excellent memory for persons, places, and things, as well as for historical facts, he had great difficulty in understanding the grammatical construction of sentences, and more particularly every thing relating to numbers, and even greater difficulty in retaining that which he had seemed to master in respect to these subjects. It may be inferred, from the great want of numerals in the Australian languages, that defect in arithmetical power is a characteristic of the Australian natives. It will therefore be interesting to state, that two lads, brought to this country from West Australia by Dr. Madden, were reported by their teacher to have no difficulty of this kind.

When E. Warrulan was of an age to make it desirable that he should apply himself to some useful occupation by which he might both maintain himself and become useful to others on his return; it was evident that he had neither strength nor inclination for agriculture. He tried carpenter's work with the same result, and therefore quitted the party with whom he had been placed on trial to learn that business.

It was then suggested by Frederick Tuckett, who, in his exten­sive travels, had become well acquainted with colonial life, and with the habits and dispositions of several native races, that the business of a saddler would be very likely to suit Edward's capa­city and inclination, and also to afford him the most certain means of profitably employing himself. The idea was most happy and judicious, and, in acting on this plan. Edward Warrulan evinced a perseverance and industry which, it is believed, that he had never shown-before. His character seemed to unfold and ripen, without his losing his childlike simplicity. His politeness was not mere imitation, but was evidently self-suggested and habitual.

He doubtless owed much to the training which he had received; in the first instance, from the almost paternal care of Sir E. Eyre, and subsequently from those with whom it was his happiness, in succession, to reside, from the time of his going into Oxfordshire until his death. It is also especially due to our friend and