To Wander Through Melbourne And Its Environs, No One Would Imagine That Females Were As One To Four Of The Male Population; For Bonnets And Parasols Everywhere Outnumber The Wide-Awakes.

This is occasioned by the absence of so many of the "lords of creation" in pursuit of what they value - many of them, at least - more than all the women in the world - nuggets.

The wives thus left in town to deplore their husbands' infatuation, are termed "grass-widows" - a mining expression.

And now two out of the three weeks of our party's stay in Melbourne has expired, during which time a change (purely personal) had made my brother's protection no longer needed by me. MY wedding-trip was to be to England, and the marriage was to take place, and myself and CARO SPOSO to leave Australia before my brother departed for the Ovens diggings. The 'C - - ,' a fine East Indiaman, then lying in the bay, was bound for London. We were to be on board by the 12th of November.

This of course gave me plenty to do, and my last morning but one in Melbourne was dedicated to that favourite feminine occupation - which, however, I detest - I mean, shopping. This being accomplished to my great dissatisfaction - for all I bought could have been obtained, of a better description, for half the price in England - I was preparing to return home by way of Collins Street, when my name in familiar accents made me suddenly pause.

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