| 750 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
We have received South Australian papers up to the 28th of May, containing the most gratifying intelligence from that colony, in regard to the present position and future prospects of the inhabitants. The Government census which has been published in April, gives the total population at 17,196-viz-Males, 9526, and females, 7670. Compared with the sister colonies, South Australia is much better off as regards the equalization of the sexes, the present disparity being only 5404 males, against 3862 females; while in New South Wales, for instance, the males amount to 76,583, and the females only to 35,762. "The increase of the last three years," says the Adelaide Observer, "appears to be equal to the ordinary proportional increase of ten years in England; whilst vital statistics, the accuracy of which may be depended on, are triumphantly in favor of South Australia as compared with any British population either in the mother country or the (hitherto esteemed) most healthy of her colonies.
The various denominations which must necessarily exist in the colony, have also been classified under their various heads. and are as follows:-
Church of England 9418
Church of Scotland 1691
Wesleyan Methodists 1666
Other Protestant Dissenters 3309
Roman Catholics 1055
Jews 25
Mahomedans and Pagans 32
Total 17,196
From some other statistical returns, published along with the census, we observe that temperance has been gaining ground. The number of houses in Adelaide. Port Adelaide, and Albert Town, licensed for the sale of spirituous liquors in 1840, was 70; in 1841, 67; in 1842, 44; and in 1843, only 34. These facts derive their main importance from the influence which the consumption of ardent spirits has exercised on the amount of crime and the number of convictions in the district; and tend clearly to point out the intimate connection between the moral conduct, and strict sobriety of the inhabitants. In 1840, the number of convictions amounted to 47; in 1841, to 37; in 1842, to 36; and in 1843, only to 30.
(->) The foregoing information is given in the Times and Seasons, to show the Latter-day Saints, what they will have to contend with in the Far West.
A POOR MAN
It is possible that the accumulation of wealth may add to the sorrow of the possessor. I know an individual, with whom I was very intimate when a youth, and I remember very well at that time, whenever I wanted relief for the poor he would give a 10l. note, and say, "Richard, never pass my door; always come to me when you want assistance for any deserving object." He was then comparatively poor, having perhaps a fortune of from 50,000l. to 60,000l.; but now he is worth nearly 1,000,0001.-One would have thought it ought to have made its possessor happy; but no, I know not a more miserable man than that. Rich as he is, it was but the other day that he ordered some of the beautiful trees in his park to be felled, because he had not money to pay the income-tax with. It was but the other day that he lost 100,000l. in America; that made him mad. He has another 100,0001. which he does not know how to invest,-that makes him miserable, and he is now under the impression that he will die a poor man.-Oastler's speech.
(->) Well, might Paul exclaim: the lore of money is the root of all evil, and Jesus said true, when he observed, that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Autumnal Winds.-The autumnal gales have destroyed an immense quantity of property, upon the eastern and western coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, the past fall. We think we have never read of as many disasters by autumnal gales before. These with the frequent earthquakes at sea, seem to whisper that the calamities of the last days have begun.
Proverbs.-Three things are an abomination to the saints: a slanderer, a tattler, and a hypocrite: but a drunkard, a thief, and gambler are a disgrace to themselves-and the whole too often end with murder.
ONE WORD.
Our subscribers frequently forward letters to us, inquiring "what is the reason their papers do not come, or come so irregular?" All we can say, the fault must be in the Post Office: our papers are regularly mailed. Hereafter, new rulers may urge better rules. We hope so. ED.
Who is the wisest man in the world? He that lays up his treasures in heaven; where rust does not corrupt, and thieves do not break through and steal.
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