In days gone by, when money was more abundant in their hands than it is now, they had the chances of tho land market at open auction, or of private selection aftirwauls at an established price, but few amongst, them availed them selves of the opportunity to become freeholders, and sit down under their own vine and fig-tiees. Lately they had the choice of the most valuable lands, and thoso with which they were best acquainted, under as free a system as is known in any civilized lavd — the occupation licences. But of those who troubled the Lands Department by their selections under Mr. Brookes permits, there were few honafide settlers, and amongst them scarcely a single miner Under the present Laud Bill, ample scope is afforded to the settler, and the terms of payment are specially adapted to his circumstances. But the miner has not re sponded to the call of those who thought they were serving him by making a spoliation of the unalienated lands of the Crown, nnd serving the best interests of the state by shutting out from them another class of occupants. The miner, in short, doei not want land to cultivate, but to dig. He seeks nuggets, and not the golden e.vrs of ripenira corn. All that poets have sung in praise of rural life have failed to impress him. He aims at realising his golden age in scenes of which no maker of verses ever dreamed. While this fever remains in the minds of any portion of the population, rushes must occur from time to time. So long as a numerous class seek foitune by the rude means a gold-field permits, it will be impossible to restrain them from listening to the tales that are told of new and rich gold-fields, whether they aiesitu ated in this colony or in other lands. Various consolations remain for those who are troubled in spirit as to the extent of the emigration now going on. They now know the worst that can happen. We must endeavour to supply the places of those who have gone from us with others from the old country, less infatuated, and content to settle on the lands, or to follow industrious pursuits. 