Our next excitement was the arrival of H.M.S. _Bacchante_ with the young
princes; but this I was too ill to join in. After this, our contingent
left for the Soudan, a matter already sufficiently described.
I had paid several visits to my dearest young friend at Darling Point,
where the child I loved so well was now a wife and mother, and the
mistress of a large household, fulfilling her life’s duties kindly and
well. Two visits with her and her generous husband to their country
house in the Southern district gave me an opportunity of seeing that
part of the country which is more like England; the trees are larger and
fuller in foliage, owing to the cooler climate. All the English trees,
fruits, and flowers flourish there. Bowral, Moss Vale, and Sutton Forest
present a cultivated appearance. There are many country houses belonging
to Sydney people, besides those of the permanent residents in the
neighbourhood. Erridge Park is my ideal of a country home, with its
acres of garden, orchard, and meadow land. My friend had his coursing
establishment here, his pretty cattle and dairy. The interior to the
house is in accordance with the exterior,--ornamental ceilings, dadoes
to walls, artistic furniture, and though in the country, water laid on
from a spring, and gas generated in a building in the garden.
While at Erridge Park we called on an old resident in the district, whom
we found busy preparing for a large family party of over seventy; she,
being the head, was looking forward to it with natural pleasure.
Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren hoped to meet in a few
days in their early home, a large residence with hundreds of acres
around it, once rented for a governor’s country house. In the earlier
days, no doubt, it was the home of a family corresponding with many I
knew in the Western district, such as the families of White, Windeyer,
Throsby, Campbell, Chisholm, Badgery, Gibson, Macarthur, and Manning.
We have now a permanent country residence at Moss Vale for our
governors, where Lord and Lady Carrington rest from their labours, and
escape some of the most trying weather of Sydney. I say rest, and surely
well earned, for though we have been favoured with some energetic
representatives of Her Majesty, we have never had one to equal the
present. From the arrival of His Excellency Lord Carrington to the
present time, he has indeed worked hard in fulfilling his duty to Her
Majesty and the colony, in which he has had the able co-operation of
Lady Carrington. It is not to the Government House receptions and
gaieties that I refer only, but to the interest shown in all public and
social gatherings, their kindly sympathy with the sorrows and
bereavements of all classes, as well as joining in the pleasures of the
humblest, from purchasing a doll at a bazaar to give to a poor little
girl, to visiting the Children’s Hospital, that they have won a place in
the hearts of the people, and long after they return to their home in
their native land, their names will be “household words” in “The Golden
South.”
I have been anticipating, as I should have devoted some space to a fancy
fair held at Government House during Lady Loftus’s reign. It was in aid
of Bishop Selwyn’s mission, and was highly successful; many ladies held
stalls filled with the work of fair hands. It was a very gay scene, as
most people were pleased to avail themselves of the opportunity of going
to Government House, if only to a bazaar. I heard that two thousand
pounds was the result, and was very glad, as I had taken great interest
in Bishop Selwyn and his work, begun by his father, whom I met and heard
preach at the dear old church, as I had also the Bishop of
Melanesia,--that martyr who, while on his Master’s work, was killed by
the natives, and his body sent adrift in a boat on the lonely sea. Such
men as these two and Commodore Goodenough are fine examples of those
devoting their lives to good work.
A bright idea for raising funds to assist in either building, paying off
the debt of a church, or other good purpose struck some residents at
Manly Beach. It was to have a show of wildflowers of the colony. This
quite original scheme was carried out with wonderful success, and took
numbers from Sydney to visit this “hall of flowers.”
I thought most of the varieties of native flowers were known to me,
being a favourite study, but did not think them well fitted for
decorative purposes, owing to the insignificance of their foliage; but
this show quite dispelled both illusions. Here were pillars wreathed
with waratahs, Keneydia’s purple bloom, native begonia, lily-pillies
entwined with ferns, at the end of the hall dado formed with native
roses (_Boronia serrulata_), blandfordia, flannel flower, or Australian
edelweis, epacris longiflora or native fuchsia, boronia pinnata, and
many others. An enormous group of staghorn ferns and rock-lilies formed
into Prince of Wales’s feathers reached the roof. The stalls were full
of flowers arranged as crosses, anchors, hearts; baskets of all sizes
filled with flowers and ferns, bouquets and wreaths of every hue; in
fact, such a display of Nature’s handiwork, unaided by cultivation, has
never before been seen in Australia or any other country, as with us the
wildflowers, with few exceptions, bloom at one season.
My health for some time prevented my visiting the country, or taking
part in the numerous social and public amusements. An occasional visit
to the theatre, where I heard all Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas; a
suburban concert, an amateur performance, sale of work, enlivened by
_tableaux vivants_ under the electric light, and visits to our nearest
friends, was all I could venture on; but my numerous young friends,
married and single, kept me posted up in all that was going on, so I
heard of Leidertafel concerts, receptions at Government House, at the
town-hall by the mayoress, tennis parties, at homes, and garden parties.
I was glad to have the opportunity of accompanying some friends to “The
Woman’s Concert,” held in the University Hall, entirely conducted by
ladies, and organised by two of the principal music teachers--Miss
Woolley and Miss Pedley; the latter having for some time instructed a
St. Cecilia choir of Sydney ladies, who at this concert were most
efficient and of great assistance in the rendering of part songs and
choruses. Several ladies played the organ, piano, and violin. The rather
critical audience were satisfied, and pronounced it a success. This
concert confirmed my opinion that Australians have a special talent for
music. Already the general public know this, with such performers as
Lucy Chambers, the Carandinis, Howsons, Fischers, Miss Sherwin, and
Armes Beaumont, with others whose names I forget.
Several quiet afternoons spent in our art gallery showed also that in
the sister art there will some day be evidences of no mean ability. I
have often sat and listened to the criticisms, and been astonished at
the quickness of our young people in finding the pictures which show the
most talent, and was very pleased to read in the account of the
Melbourne Exhibition many names of Australian aspirants to fame.
I must describe an excellent arrangement for suburban recreation at
Strathfield, where ground has been purchased and planted, several tennis
courts made in grass and asphalt, a bowling green, and gymnasium. The
latter is a building with verandahs, and rooms for billiards, chess, and
other games. This is supported by members living near, and a committee
of management elected. Living near, I was invited to spend many
afternoons watching the players, and meeting friends and taking
afternoon tea there. Occasionally tournaments were played, and prizes
presented by residents of the neighbourhood.
Our last opportunity of meeting friends at Strathfield was at a garden
party on Centennial Day, when a large party met for tennis, bowls, and
afternoon tea in our friends’ pretty grounds. Often since, we have
thought, how pleasant a farewell it was to a place full of kindly,
grateful memories. It was not indeed the only one, as a few weeks after
we had a similar pleasure at Darling Point, Humberstone, and Derry Vale,
the last, on the day before leaving, being full of old and valued
friends to bid us “Adieu.”
The most terrible ordeal which taxed my fortitude severely was while
standing on the deck of the steamer next morning, surrounded by old
friends and their children, known from their infancy. The whole week had
been a trying one, as day after day we had to “bid good-bye,” and this
was the end, “after years of friendship,” for me to think, “Good-bye on
earth, though not for ever.” Fortunately the officers of my husband’s
branch of the service thronged around us, and when the steamer got under
way, kept pace with us in their steam-launch to the “Heads,” cheering us
to the last. Gratification for a time kept me up, and having one beside
me all my own, and our faithful young friend and maid, who was and has
been our greatest comfort, made me determined to try and follow the
advice, “Look not mournfully into the past; it comes not back. Wisely
improve the present; it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future
without fear, and a manly heart.”
At last I saw Melbourne, and was certainly surprised with its
appearance. No wonder the citizens are proud of it,--the wide streets
and splendid buildings, with a general air of importance. The tramways
looked small compared with our steam motors and vehicles, owing perhaps
to the width of the roads, as their buildings look better for the same
reason. Our post-office, for instance, if in Collins Street would appear
to better advantage than as it is, crowded up between George and Pitt
Streets. I was somewhat disappointed with the various shops we entered,
and the approach through Williamstown is very bad. They have not the
natural advantages of Sydney, but have displayed ingenuity in making the
best of the position.
We left Melbourne for Glenelg, South Australia, but were not able to
visit Adelaide. From photos the city appears attractive, and vast
strides have been made during half a century. My husband recollects it
when first settled, and Governor Hindmarsh and family were there. Then
it was merely a few straggling wooden buildings, though the streets were
laid out and properly pegged. Captain Hindmarsh, afterwards Admiral Sir
John Hindmarsh, after leaving South Australia, was appointed Governor of
Heligoland. He was a naval officer in Nelson’s time, and a very good
account of his naval career is given in James’s _Australia_.
Our next departure is for Albany, King George Sound, Western Australia.
This is a very important position as a coaling station, and should be
well protected by men and fortifications, as in time of war it would be
open to attack. Though the township is not large, it is a thriving
place, and the climate is lovely, in fact almost perpetual spring. The
coast scenery passed in reaching the anchorage is very picturesque, with
the sea dashing in foam upon the headlands.
The mails being on board, we shall soon take our farewell of Australia’s
shores, when Cape Leeuwin has been passed, and our course shaped for
Colombo. Of our trip and other places touched at beyond this point there
is no occasion to write, as they have been often and ably described.
In taking our farewell of “The Golden South,” hope still lingers with
us that we may yet see it again. If not--
“And, when the stream
Which overflowed the soul was passed away,
A consciousness remained that it had left,
Deposited upon the silent shore
Of memory, images and precious thoughts
That shall not die, and cannot be destroyed.”
THE END
_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, _Edinburgh_