I look back to a happy childhood.

Probably my mother's life was prolonged beyond that of a long-lived family by her coming to Australia in middle life; and if I ever had any tendency to consumption, the climate must have helped me.

Drinking habits were very prevalent among men, and were not in any way disgraceful, unless excessive.

I had learned what wealth was, and a great deal about production and exchange for myself in the early history of South Australia - of the value of machinery, of roads and bridges, and of ports for transport and export.

I think I was well brought up, for my father and mother were of one mind regarding the care of the family.

Even before the discovery of copper South Australia had turned the corner.

I count myself well educated, for the admirable woman at the head of the school which I attended from the age of four and a half till I was thirteen and a half, was a born teacher in advance of her own times.