queries, not irrelevant to the matter under discussion, which, you will perceive, relate to philosophical and mechanical (not to medical!) science, viz.: What is understood by "perpetual motion ?" What is its proper definition? What would constitute and be accepted as "perpetual motion," according to the meaning intended by the Royal Society of England, which very many years ago offered a reward (of £10,000, I think), yet to be awarded, for the discovery of perpetual motion? In the language of mortals, and relating to the period in which they have existence on earth, called "Time,” perpetual cannot mean eternal, can it? If not, what number of years, or of generations, or what other measure, is to determine the import and signification of mundane "perpetual motion?" Would a machine so constructed as to continue in uniform motion for very many years (and that regular motion powerful, and capable of being imparted to other mechanical agents) with so little friction as to be capable of continuing, and adapted to continue in operation, with undiminished efficiency for ages, in accordance with the unchangeable laws of nature; and if at the end of one or more centuries requiring renovation or repair, as capable of being repaired or renovated, as it was possible to be constructed;— would it be admitted by the Royal Society of 1855, or would it not be admitted to constitute fairly and bona fide "perpetual motion?" Would such discovery, upon its disclosure and demonstration or proof by one year's trial, entitle its author to the not inglorious fame of having discovered and achieved the long desiderated, and long despaired of, wonder of the world:―would this entitle him to the Royal Society's not unsubstantial premium, offered for the "discovery of perpetual motion ?" John Bull.—Aye, that 's right, Mr. Scratchetary. I be well pleased with this conversation, and hopes the Philosophical Institute will institute philosophical and scientific investigation into the alleged discovery of our Victorian friend, the Hawther of the "Question of Questions ;" vor if he be as roight in his notions about driving ships, coaches, and railway trains without steam, as he be in his plan for putting the plough and the seed into the ground, and getting plenty of vood out of the ground, in this Colony, so as to secure prosperity and a cheap loaf (which be the best promoters of peace!) I baint sure which 'll be the greatest benefit; though zartainly, his advice, if acted on, for putting the land into the possession of varmers that 'll cultivate it, will be of sarvice to this Colony, or say to Australia, only, or principally; but a new, cheap, and safe mode of steaming, I was going to say, without steam, wool benefit the whole world. I heard and read a good deal about this Victorian discovery of Mr. Kentish's new motive-power, in the Illustrated News, and in the Edinburgh papers, when I was in my own country-that's England-four years ago. [To Author]:-Well, son, I be rejoiced to zee the turn that things be loikely to take in thy vavor. brought to bear according to thy hopes and expectations-a ud mine. Zar-in This affair of thy motive-power. If it be but this Colony, as well as having been revealed to thy mental vision in it, may well be called the "Victorian Motive-Power," in honour of Victoria's country and Victoria Queen, who will be more ready to acknowledge thy services than thy fellow-Colonists, in and out of Parliament. have shown themselves; and if this be once fairly established, thy Australian Muse" will sing I s'pose for amusement, and thee wilt pablish for honour only instead of profit. Author-Just so, friend Bull. But though I confidently hope and expect soon to be able to exclaim "Eureka!"-ie. I have found out a new, safe cheap, convenient, and infallible mode of propulsion; and to hear the World exclaim, "he has found it out"-I refrain from asserting that such will and must be the case- because a fool is positive, and a positive person is generally wrong; but if I prove to be right, I shall rejoice for the World at large, I trust, without undue exultation at the distinguished privilege which in such case will be admitted (but only because it can be no longer denied or resisted) to pertain to the humble Author of the Question of Questions, in Victoria”— and I shall, in such case, have but little occasion, time, or inclination, to trouble myself about other matters of comparatively little interest or importance, to myself or to the public. But adverting not to what may be, but to what is, the case at present; the prospect of issuing the "Austral-Asian Muse," in two volumes, with credit and with profit, by a goodly list of subscribers, is most cheering. 66 Mr. Bull.-Yes; thee may'st already reckon a goodly number. Let me see: all the addresses presented to thee by the fraternities which glory in thy fellowship each ordering some, and several ordering a vast number of copies, - here they be: 1st, the Legislative Council; 2nd, the Mayors and Corporations of Melbourne aud Geelong; 4th, the Agriculturists; 5th, the Squatters; 6th, thy Fellow-Colonists and Government Officers of Victoria; 8th, ditto of New South Wales; 10th, ditto of South Australia; 12, ditto of Van Diemen's Land; 14, 15, 16, Surveyors, Engineers, and Architects; 17, 18, the Army and Royal Military College; 19, the Navy; 20, Medical Profession; 21, the Aborigines but I s'pose they don't count, so we will take the next for 21, the Native Youths; 22, the New Zealanders-do they count?-[Author.— Yes, certainly; they are both English scholars and Christians.]--23, the Christian Church; 24, the Press; 25, the Diggers-and their order alone, I s'pose, may be taken at 10,000 copies, at least: and especially the Schools. Author. With such a connection as a quarter of a century of active and not unuseful life in Australia, has formed for me in the several Colonies, I can hardly permit a doubt that, amongst half-a-million of Colonists, a few copies of a work of Australian, Tasmanian, and New Zealand Literature, of local interest in each Colony, may peradventure receive sufficient support to be serviceable to me, and to enable me to be serviceable to my fellow men: viz., one in 100 would give me riches—one even in 200 would do me service—but less than one to 300 or 400, would inflict on me loss of both money and time. Mr. Bull.—My Son, I commend thee to all my children in this hemisphere. Author.—There are about five-and-twenty copies ordered, then, exclusive of the Diggers. Mr. Bull.—Vive-and-twenty what? copies? hundreds, if not thousands, are nearer the mark. Take the fust. Author. That is, one for the Legislative Council.” nonsense, man alive! One for each Legislative CounThat's sixty, ain't it? bezides the Clerks of Mr. Bull.—One ! cillor; I be witness to that. the Council, etc. Author.-You are a capital constructor, Mr. Bull; that you are! Then I suppose I am to understand one for each Squatter, and one for each Agriculturist? Mr. Bull.-Certainly! Author.-How then, about the Army and Navy? I understood one for each "service." Mr. Bull.—Well, that would be funny! they'd have some travelling and voyaging too, to be seen by all the Regiments and all the Men-of-war! Send them at least one to each Regiment, and three to each ship of the line, for the Officers. Author.—To your order, most worthy Pater! but I must have the pleasure to present the same number to the non-commissioned Officers, Soldiers, and Sailors. Mr. Bull.-Thee shouldst print off not fewer than 20,000 copies, which, at a guinea each, I should hope will net thee a profit of one-third; but I be well aware that by a single thousand, you would net nothing but trouble; and that to print vive hundred only, you would be nearly as many pounds out of pocket. Author.—Your judgment is perfectly correct: but as I have great scruples in adopting your construction as to the orders given by the various Gentlemen who honoured me with the presentation of their addresses; I shall request my Publisher to apply to them respectively, for more specific instructions as to the names of "subscribers." Mr. Bull. Do so. WALKER, MAY, AND CO., PRINTERS, LITTLE COLLINS-STREET WEST, MELBOURNE. THE AUTHOR, respectfully to THE Purchaser, being an adult:— Sir, or Madam,— If being of a grave and thoughtful turn of mind, you have felt an interest in the perusal of the first pages of my "Question of Questions," it is quite possible that it may be my misfortune to be blamed for having appended to it the latter pages of frivolity; but if I happen to be addressing a person of very lively temperament, more pleased with fun and frolic, than with political economy; and less interested in cheap land, than in a merry song; in such case, it is not impossible that the grave question of colonial policy, with respect to the alienation of Crown land, may be deemed unpardonably dry (and that of water, intolerably wet). Happily, however, for poor me, there is a third and a very large party, who deem it no very heinous offence in an author, to exercise his privilege of driving his grey goose quill "From grave to gay-from lively to severe." But to each, and all, of the adult purchasers of this book, I beg leave distinctly to give notice, that the latter half is neither written for, nor sold to, nor does it belong to, them; but is affectionately presented by the author to those of his friends for whom he cherishes the most lively regard, viz. those dear little unsophisticated friends, who have “not yet attained to their teens:" and he accordingly, informs the juvenile reader, that if papa or mamma, uncle or aunt, bought the "Question of Questions," we, the author, do hereby present unto the purchaser's child or children, the last pages of this most interesting work, for juvenile amusement only; as the Publisher has sold the first forty-nine pages, for papa's or uncle's edification! In witness of which, our Deed of Gift, unto the said little son (or daughter) of the said purchaser-provided he be able to read and "toorle, doorle”—we have hereunto subscribed our name, this 20th day of August, Anno Domini 1855. God save the Queen! Witness, The PUBLISHER. The AUTHOR, his It having been suggested to us by our intelligent "Printer's Devil," that there will be several pages of “disputed property” betwen Papa and “ the Boy,” each of whom is likely to claim Mr. Bull as his own; we have anxiously considered the important point raised, and are sorely perplexed as to the equity of the case; which, if referred to the three learned Judges, will, doubt. less, be righteously decided by their Honors-that all the sense and land advantages pertain to "Papa," and all the fun and nonsense to the "Boy." But which is sense, and which nonsense? that's the Question! and that important question is referred to the arbitration of Mamma, who is to be saluted with a fee by each suitor, on making her award. The AUTHOR ! The Publishers respectfully intimate-that as this pamphlet is issued by the Author, not with a view to profit, but to disseminate his suggestions amongst the Legislators and leading men in Victoria and in the several sister Colonies-as well as amongst his extensive circle of friends, acquaintances, and fellow Colonists throughout this Hemisphere; in the hope of thereby giving effect to his effort to be useful— the publishing price, will be received at 44 Collins Street West, of such Readers as may voluntarily pay the same in aid of the cost of printing, which is no trifle in Melbourne, at current wages. N.B.-Subscribers' names (a list of which will be published,) also received to the "Australasian Muse," as announced inside of cover. N.B. The Gentlemen at the various Diggings are informed, that there being a very limited number of copies of this Pamphlet, the author has issued the Gold-diggers' and other Songs separately, for the convenience of his musical, and especially of his vocal, friends—to be had, in general, at the Post Offices or principal Storekeepers, on each Gold-field. " Although Papa has a right to write his name in the front page of this Question of Questions” book, because that belongs to him, which he bought and paid for, that's right enough; yet as he only bought down to page 49, I have a right to write my name on all of the pages from page 50, down to here, 'specially on all those that have Songs, and "toorle loorlc," in them; as I've a right to have them, and to sing them too,-'cause all those that have got any "fun" in them were not given nor sold to Papa, nor yet to any grown-up person, but they are affectionately presented by the Author-jolly old feller!-to THE SCHOOLBOY (that's me-ain't that prime ?) Yes, that's my name, From whom to steal is sin and shame; Yet in this book there is another |