material, for their faces look pinched and their hands seem nearly frozen with the cold.  But the fact is that even if the want of thicker clothing is not particularly felt during the cold weather, it is always wiser to wear an extra allowance, for the heat of summer can be endured better if this principle is carried out.  If a common-sense view of the matter is taken, then it will be readily apparent why it is desirable to wear plenty of warm clothing during the colder months.

CHAPTER VI.

DIET

The larger part of this work is taken up with a consideration of the most suitable diet for those living in Australia.  In this way a greater restriction in the amount of butcher’s meat is counselled, while a more widely extended use of fish, vegetables, and salad plants is advocated.  And as far as beverages are concerned, Australian wine of a low alcoholic strength is recommended as being the most natural beverage for every-day use.  But there are a few other matters connected with food, and drink, and daily habits which will deserve some little reference, and accordingly they will be dealt with.  These are fruit, tea, coffee, iced drinks, and the use of tobacco.  All these are important enough to merit notice; indeed, they are subjects possessing more than usual interest.

Before proceeding to give attention to these, however, it will be most convenient, at this stage, to make some remarks upon the vital topic of the first meal of the day.  With the great bulk of our population sufficient heed is never given it, and yet it is of infinite consequence.  By far the greater number of people dawdle in bed till the last possible moment, when all at once they jump into their bath—­that is, if they take a bath—­swallow a hasty breakfast, and make a frantic rush for their steamer, train, or tram, in order to begin their daily work.  How very much better than all this bustle, hurry, and scuttle an hour’s earlier rising would be!  It would afford ample time for the bath, which should be a bath in the truest sense of the term; it would, above all, give a proper opportunity for a leisurely breakfast, which is in every respect the most important meal of the day; and lastly, it would save that wild dash at the last, which is so fatal to proper digestion and well-being.

But it is a sad fact that, in most cases, even when there is due time given to it, the monotony of the ordinary breakfast is almost proverbial.  With regard to the average household it is a matter of deep conjecture as to what most people would do if a prohibition were placed upon chops, steak, and sausages for breakfast.  If such an awful calamity happened, many the father of a family would have to put up with scanty fare.  It is very much to be feared that the inability to conceive of something more original for the morning meal than the eternal trio referred to is a melancholy reproach to the housekeeping capabilities of many.