Suppose an

from the surveying of land. immigrant of small capital is desirous of an allotment,-it has to be surveyed, sent for approval to Sydney, and, by the time the purchase can be legally and formally completed, the purchaser has consumed his capital and lost his time in waiting for preliminary arrangements. It was the most fatal policy ever adopted. The high price of land, instead of producing funds to sup. port emigration from home, checked the stream, by lessening the number of purchasers. Who would go further to pay more? Land could be bought, and better for agricultural purposes, in America, and Canada, and the Cape; but at the antipodes, the immigrant is made to pay four and even eight times as much per acre, as if he located himself nearer England.

Separation was also desirable on account of the delay in the administration of justice.

186

SYDNEY.

CHAPTER XIV.

SYDNEY-THE

HEADS-BOTANY BAY-PORT JACKSON

CIRCULAR QUAY-FIRST FLEETERS-STATISTICS OF FIRST

TRIBE -COL. COLLINS' ACCOUNT —

·DR. LANG'S· PITTSTREET AND GEORGE-STREET-THE SHOPS-GOLD SALES - QUANTITY IN SHOP WINDOWS BILL NASH, THE EMANCIPIST-THE ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM-HIS AFFRONT UPON OUR MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENT HOUSE HIS EXCELLENCY'S COUNTRY HOUSE-THE FATAL ACCIDENT TO LADY MARY-SYMPATHY EXPRESSED BY COLONISTS-HIS POPULARITY IN SYDNEY-HIS RUMOURED REMOVAL -THE TREASURY-THE GOLD ESCORT- SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY

THE

CLUB-HOUSE CAFÉ DE

PARIS THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY-THE WANT OF A HOUSE THE FORMS OF THE HOUSE-THE GOVERNMENT BENCHES-QUALIFICATION AND FRANCHISE THE OPPOSITION-THE SPEAKERS-W. WENTWORTH-THE COLO

NIAL SECRETARY-STUART DONALDSON-BOB NICHOLLS

D'ARVILLE-THE SPEAKER-SOLICITOR

GENERAL- AN

ENGLISH M.P.-THE RACE-COURSE ON HYDE PARK-ST. JAMES' CHURCH-THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL— COURTS OF LAW.

THE steamer called the "Eagle," which plies between Moreton Bay and Sydney, being under repair, we were necessitated to take a

passage in one of the coasting vessels. After ten days' sail we entered the Heads, at three o'clock, on a beautiful starlight morn. Either side of this magnificent port is ornamented with handsome houses, the residences of the government officials, professional and mercantile gentlemen. The harbour is second only to Rio de Janeiro. Some islands rise here and there, but not so numerous as in the waters of Rio.

up

Port Jackson derives its name from a sailor who first discovered it when the original explorers landed at Botany Bay about six or seven miles distant.

The Circular Quay is the spot where the first fleet landed their convicts. Captain and Governor Phillip anchored off this place 19th January, 1788, in the "Sirius," accompanied by a tender, three store ships, and six transports, having found Botany Bay, the intended place of their destination, unsuitable for a settlement. The expedition numbered one thousand and thirty persons, seven hundred of whom were felons. The 26th of January is held as the anniversary of the

colony. Here was to be seen only the poor ignorant, unclad savage, wondering at his white brother, before whom he was to disappear. There are only three left of the Sydney tribe.

Compare the town now with the few hovels and huts which the first settlers raised upon its site, only sixty-five years ago, and you can scarcely credit its so recent growth.

It is amusing to read the history of the expedition, written by persons, contemporaneous with its formation; one by Lieutenant O'Hara, and another by Colonel Collins, which, in the beginning of this century, were humorously reviewed by the witty canon of St. Paul's, Sydney Smith. It is also instructive as showing what changes a few years may bring about, for weal or woe.

Dr. Lang, a Presbyterian clergyman, has published a very interesting historical account of New South Wales; and one which may be depended upon, where his violent

*

A.D. 1788.-2 bulls, 5 cows, 1 horse, 3 mares, 3 colts, 29 sheep, 19 goats, 74 pigs, 5 rabbits, 18 turkeys, 29 geese, 35 ducks, 210 fowls.

prejudices do not pervert or contract his judgment. He arrived in the colony in 1823, and may be said to have kept himself in hot water ever since, and not without coming under the punishment of the law.

Feb. 17th, Sydney Herald.-"Our readers will be surprised to hear that Dr. Lang has clandestinely left the colony. It appears that he was in negotiation with a creditor, who has had an execution against him for some months, as late as three o'clock on Saturday; and finding that he would not agree to his terms, Dr. L. procured a special clearance at the Water Police-office, and sailed yesterday morning in the Wandsworth' for London. A messenger was sent to the heads of the ship, but was just in time to meet the pilot-boat coming back: the Doctor was off."

The two principal streets are Georgestreet and Pitt-street. In the first are some very tasty shops, with plate-glass windows, and some very handsome buildings are in the course of erection on the site on which barracks once stood, now designated Wyn