THE AUSTRALIAN GIRL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3023, 28 November 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE AUSTRALIAN GIRL.

Ma J. Wkstiw writes in Woman:---Tin. Australian iml, born and brad, lias as yet caused little stir in the great world. Wo hear much of her American cousin across the broad I'aHfiie, but, from a variety of causes, the womanhood of Australasia seems to hold itself slightly aloof from the great questions that agitate tho female in other countries. The daughters of tho large and ever increasinu' army of un.gloeolotiials — that is men who have made fortunes at the Anitipodes, and come home to the mother country for the remainder of thi?ir days—appear to become absorbed almost, iinnotieeable in the great body of English women, losing that individuality which a bringing up in tho colonies must bestow

Another reason why Australians are, personally, so littlo known to Groat Britain and tho Continent of Europe is the fact that their country is from five to six weeks' voyage—even on the great, Orient boats—from tho centres of civilisation, whereas Canadians are able to go and come and pay a visit in tho saioo time.

As a rule, the Australasian is lucking in that dainty bloom so peculiar to the girl born and bred under tfco grey skies ot' the "snug little isle." Perhaps the heat may bo answerable fortius fact, but certain it is that, with tho exception of Tasmania and the south island of New Zealand , rosy complexions are decidedly in tho minority, There are very many clear faces, most beautiful to seo, and others of a rich olive tint, but colonial daughters aro not generally .speaking, possessed of as good complexions as their mothers. Strangely enough, girls emigrating from the mother country do not lose their gooi colour, and fonn a pleasing contrast to tlio native-born.

Australasian maidens are alight, and not so tali as the averages Eutrlish girl ; neither, as they grow older do they attain the amplitude of proportion characteristic of the' British matron, the climate does not appear to admit of superfluous flesh in young or old.

With few exceptions, girls in the colonies are thoroughly domesticated. Even those who, by reason of their occupation, have made little practical acquaintance with household affairs, are oldfashioned enough to make it their business to learn something of the housekeeper's art before thoy arc placed at the head of homes of their own. It is considered almost disgraceful for a woman to be ignorant of the proper managoiuent of her own hou.se. As servants are scarce, and often incompetent, it is often necessary for the daughters of the house to take a share iu the household work.

All colonial*, of whatever age or sex, enjoy to the full Ilia beauty and sunny climate of their native land. There are very few girls that cannot ride, and ride well, especially the squatters' and farmers' daughters in the "back country," where houses aro many miles apart. Liwn tenuis and rowing are alio groat diversions, quite as much so as iu England. Cricket i<, however confined to the male sex. When one hears of the heat in Australia it might natually occur to the foreigner that colonial woman indulge in the languor of the daughters of Spain a net Italy, but smcli is not the ease. The peculiar, light dry quality of the air of mosi parts of Australasia induces exceptional energy and happiness of np:ri r , so that Hpriy'rttliucrf-i and vaivcity of manner are likely to l>o characteristic of colonial, as they are of French, women.

The Australasian girl is boyond nil question thoroughly educated, the public school system affording n. corn bin;! (ion of the best points of the English, French, and G<-'i'mui systems. Children of all classes attend these, schools, the daughters of the rich generally finishing at a high school, or one of the many private institutions presided over by teachers of first-rato ability, and generally of British training. Art societies, ohor-il societies, and kindred associations iu all the towns arc almost entirely supported by amateur talent, and it is astonishing to what a degree of excellence they Attain. Thoroughness is the ruotto of Australasians in whatever direction their efforts may tend, aud long may it continue to be eo.

As in Europe so in the Australasian colonies, womeu tiro striving to compctc with, and, if possible, to beat men, in educational attainments. Considering the small population, the number of woman with decrees is surprising, a few taking *up such an abstract study as jurisprudence. They out-number the male sex in the University classes. Whether this is a good sign remains to be seen. The long and arduous course of study in a warm climate often ruins, tho hoalth of all except those of abnormally strong constitution. And for what ? Women can suroly become cultured, in the highest sonso of the word, without accumulating a mass of information of little practical value in life, and requiring vast outlay of power that could be diverted to other channels.

The circumstances of the social lifo of Australasia render the reserve of English" women impossible. The colonial girl is more free in speech and action than her sisters in the mother country, and equality is n living reality—not a theory. The colonial girl is a frank, sensible, whole-souled lassie, with no nonscn-se about her, and without an exaggerated idea of her own importance. Australasian social life has yet to acquire the artificiality of modern society before we hear of belles, and beautioe, and professional beauties, and society ladies, and such like. Newspapers of whatever kind iudulgo in no transports regarding the beauty and merits of the colonial girl, a vulgarising process of this sort not being at all to tlio taste of the southern public, who, if lacking in the ultra-refinement of Paris and London, make np for it in directness and houesty of speech and action.