Page:Tom Petrie's reminiscences of early Queensland.djvu/11



greater portion of the contents of this book first appeard in the "Queenslander" in the form of articles, and when those referring to the aborigines were pubished, Dr. Roth, author of "Ethnological Studies," etc., wrote the following letter to that paper:—

,—It is with extreme interest that I have perused the remarkable series of articles appearing in the Queenslander under the above heading, and sincerely trust that they will be subsequently reprinted. . . . The aborigines of Australia are fast dying out, and with them one of the most interesting phases in the history and development of man. Articles such as these, referring to the old Brisbane blacks, of whom I believe but one old warrior still remains, are well worth permanently recording in convenient book form—they are, all of them, clear, straight-forward statements of facts—many of which by analogy, and from early records, I have been able to confirm and verify—they show an intimate and profound knowledge of the aboriginals with whom they deal, and if only to show with what diligence they have been written, the native names are correctly, i.e., rationally spelt. Indeed, I know of no other author whose writings on the autochthonous Brisbaneites can compare with those under the initials of C.C.P. If these reminiscences are to be reprinted, I will be glad of your kindly bearing me in mind as a subscriber to the volume.

I am. Sir, etc.,

, 23rd August.