AustLit

In his inaugural address to the Sydney University Literary Society, Brereton discusses literary societies which he has been affiliated with including the Sydney University periodical, Hermes, the Junior Literary Society, The Women Writers, the Fellowship of Australian Writers, the Dawn and Dusk Club, the Boy Authors, and the Casual Club. He names many renowned Australian writers as fellow members.

Brereton complains that the natural beauty of Australia has been overlooked both by visitors and by many of his fellow Australians. In particular, he praises the beauty of the Australian eucalypt.

Brereton reflects on those who wander the open roads in search of work or freedom. He complains that with the invention of the motor-car, travel by foot has become less popular, even though this is the only way for travellers to truly immerse themselves in nature.

Brereton recalls a month that he spent tramping around Tasmania with Dowell O'Reilly in January 1894. He praises O'Reilly's natural sympathy which inspired friendship and goodwill from those they encountered on the road.

A small, dark man claims to be Henry Lawson. His physical appearance undermines his story, however the quality of his writing surprises his companions.

A swagman is frightened by the menacing appearance of two men he meets on the road. However, they only want to take his photograph.

A swagman loses his sense of direction and ends up tramping around to the south of Sydney, when he aimed to reach regions to the north.

A swagmen is infuriated by his companion's antipathy to nature as they travel through the bush.

A boy invents a sweetheart to silence his mocking older brother, but the girl soon becomes more real to him than the ordinary girls he meets on the street.

Brereton recalls childhood forays into the Botanic Gardens.

Brereton describes a possum which made its home in his roof and befriended his son.

A family is awakened by many cats surrounding their house. On further investigation they find the dead body of an enormous cat, around which the others have gathered to mourn.

Brereton recalls two humorous incidents from his past when he was incited to kick another man.

A man is accused of plagiarism because his novel closely resembles the work of another writer. He soon realises that the other writer is his long lost sweetheart, and that both stories are based on their secret love affair.

A man falls in love with a young widow who is living at his friend's farm. He fears she will reject him because she still loves the memory of her dead husband, but the truth is more suprising.

Brereton argues that Fluellen, a character in William Shakespeare's Henry V, is one of the most dull, cowardly, pretentious characters ever written. He also surmises that Shakespeare may have based his character on a real person.