A CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY OF EDWIN JAMES BRADY - Mallacoota ...

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But it is in the bush-dwellers themselves that Brady shows most interest. They have a
fortitude and stoicism which he much admires. These characteristics he sees
embodied in a code of action by which they live, an adherence tips the scale in favour
of full acceptance by one’s peers. Excellence within this code of behaviour is the
basis of heroism, even for the bush-girl, as Mary Ann demonstrated by controlling her
bolting horse. The code is built up in Brady’s writings to reveal its requirements of
strength, determination, initiative, unselfishness, perseverance – those qualities which,
when attained, make one a good mate. Deviations from this standard are cause for
regret but also for amusement and Brady derives much of the humour in his serials
from such deviations.
Set in the economic depression of the late 1890’s when the Government was offering
work to the unemployed (and “the permanently unemployed were getting out of the
city to avoid it”) “On the Wallaby” good-humouredly sets its author and Cumbo in
this category and they leave the city, owing their landlady three month’s rent. To
avoid “hurting her feelings” they depart by night, thus beginning a remarkable series
of incidents and adventures. The code of the country is broken by a shopkeeper whose
mendacity they attempt to punish, but the “shrinkproof” shirts they swindle from his
are used to pull out tree-stumps when stretched between them and sprinkled with
water! So much for country tall tales! There are several thrusts at greed and at
unionism, which can be a variant of this sin. So when the two travellers are employed
by Ezekiah Grumble, an ideal boss who feeds his workers on beef, turkey, bacon and
eggs, apple and cherry pie, and pays them well, they grumble about the food on
principle: “It doesn’t do to be satisfied – a workingman must stick up for his rights if
he wants to get along in the country.” Ezekiah, a man with an obsession, is sketched
sympathetically, for men with eccentricities are not rare in the country. In fact, one of
the bush’s good qualities is its tolerance of eccentricities, providing they do not harm
one’s fellow-men. In this case, Ezekiah has very fixed ideas on how to make rain,
trying to convert all comers to his doctrine:
‘Con-cushion makes the clouds explode,’ said Mr. Grumble, dogmatically
pressing the knuckles of his right hand on the palm of his left. ‘con-cushion
does, and when the cloud explodes what ‘happens? Why, the rain comes down
ker-wollop, soakin’ the ground, and makin’ the crops grow. No I tell ye,
there’s the sky chock full o’ water waitin’ to be tapped, and what does out
Parleymint do? What does it do?’ he demanded. 1
While the bush tolerates eccentricities, loves tall tales and treats practical jokers with
benign amusement, there are find lines drawn as limits of such behaviour and brady
was interested in these. When two practical jokers set out to harass old John
Gormley, they come very close to crossing this limit of tolerance and approach the
nether reaches of cruelty. The incident is described sympathetically, with tension
heightened by a vivid account of a severe electrical storm as the two hide parts of an
aboriginal skeleton in Gormley’s house. One can imagine his reaction in finding a
skull on the plate where his leg of lamb previously lay, and after several similar
shocks the poor wretch, fancying himself in danger of the judgment, flees to his
neighbour’s. Even when they are tormented, the characters of the bush are worth of
compassion and respect. Simple as they may be in some ways, there is a genuineness
and probity about them which, the author hints, could well be emulated by the citydweller.
1 25.2.1899, p.4.