'There can be little disputing the fact that the growth of Australian literature to its present healthy state is largely due to the encouragement and assistance given to Australian writers by two Sydney firms - Angus & Robertson and The Bulletin. This writer, who has had an interest in Australian writing since he was a youth, and that is a long time ago, is certainly unaware of any other publishing house and periodical which have made a greater combined contribution to the development of our literature than 'The Auld Shop' and the red-covered 'Bushman's Bible.' (Introduction)