Anniversary Day: Mentioned in the text, is now known as Australia Day. It commemorates the establishment of the first English settlement in Australia, at Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), on 26 January 1788. Gin: An obvious abbreviation of "aborigine", it only refers to *female* aborigines, and is now considered derogatory. It was not considered derogatory at the time Lawson wrote. Jackaroo: At the time Lawson wrote, a Jackaroo was a "new chum" or newcomer to Australia, who sought work on a station to gain experience. The term now applies to any young man working as a station hand. A female station hand is a Jillaroo. Variant: Jackeroo.

Rogues, larrikins and the lost people -- these stories range from inspired, laconic comedies to pathos and tragedy. This selection showcases Lawson′s range as a fiction writer and includes all his best-loved stories such as ′The Drover′s Wife′, ′The Union Buries its Dead′ and ′The Loaded Dog′. These are tales that affirm Henry Lawson′s reputation as one of the world′s greatest short story writers and highlight his profound influence on how Australians see themselves.

'Lawson's sketches are beyond praise.' JOSEPH CONRAD'Lawson gets more feelings, observation and atmosphere into a page than does Hemingway.' EDWARD GARNETTOne of the great observers of Australian life, Henry Lawson looms large in our national psyche. Yet at his best Lawson transcends the very bush, the very outback, the very up-country,, the very pub or selector's hut he conveys with such brevity and acuity: he make specific places universal.Henry Lawson s too often regarded as a legend rather than a writer to be enjoyed. In this selection Lawson is revealed as an author whose delightful, humorous, wry and moving short stories continue to delight generations of readers. This is the essential Lawson collection — the classic of Australian classics.