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—

THE END

Printed by R. & R. Clark, Edinburgh