Our Cousins in Australia; or, Reminiscences of S. Norris

Front matter

Lately Published, by the Same Author, Handsomely bound in cloth, Svo, pric [ I os. 6d., SOCIAL LIFE IN SYDNEY; OR, COLONIAL EXPERIENCE. " The tale is a natural one. The description of scenery, though there is not much of this, is accurate ; the moral is unexceptionable ; the dialogue natural, and the incidents sufficiently varied to com mand the attention of readers of novels." — Churchman. " We never read a tale of social life so thoroughly true to nature as this. The writer possesses great descriptive powers ; the char acters are all well drawn ; there is a reality in every picture presented ; the incidents are connected and not exaggerated, and the purity of tone and diction of the whole cannot be over-estimated. The vicissitudes of families are well portrayed, and a moral is in every case deducible ; the illusions held out by the attainment of ill-gotten wealth are exposed with a master-hand, and the reward of probity and virtue is brought strikingly before the mind's eye." — Oxford University Herald.

" We cordially recommend it to the perusal of our readers. Edinburgh Daily Review. EDINBURGH : R. GRANT & SON ; LONDON : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & CO. ; OR, REMINISCENCES OF SARAH NORRIS. BY ISABEL MASSARY, AUTHOR OF "SOCIAL LIFE 1 1. SYDNEY." EDINBURGH : WILLIAM P. NIMMO. 1S67. CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. THE VOYAGE OUT, '. I II. LANDING IN SYDNEY, 17 III. AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL, 25 IV. I TAKE OFFICE, 37 V. AN ADDITION TO THE FAMILY, ... 47 VI. MY TROUBLES COMMENCE, .... 58 VII. WHAT I SAW THROUGH A HALF-OPEN DOOR, . 78 VIII. HOW WE SPENT THE DAY OF THE REGATTA, . 95 IX. TRAITS OF CHARACTER, . . IIS X. A SQUATTER'S VALENTINE, . . . -135 XI. A TRIP TO PARRAMATTA, 1 48 XII. THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, 170 XIII. A BET WON, . . . . ■ . .184 XIV. THE NORTH SHORE, 202 XV. A SENSATIONAL EriSODE, 2l6 CONTENTS. VIII CHAP. PAt-.E XVI.

MARRIAGE FESTIVITIES, 235 XVII. STRANGE REVELATIONS, 247 XVIII. BROKEN BONES, 269 XIX. AN INTERVAL OF REST, 288 XX. DOMESTIC REBELLION, 293 XXI. THE DELAFIELDS' PIC-NIC, .... 313 XXII. CAMPING OUT, 330 XXIIL STRAWBERRY GATHERING, .... 354 XXIV. A BLACK DAY OF RECKONING, .... 384 XXV. WOLLONGONG, 411 XXVI. FAREWELL TO THE PINES, .... 430 XXVII. HOME IN THE BUSH, OUR COUSINS IN AUSTRALIA.

Chapter I. The Voyage Out

l^ir^jHE tea-table had just been cleared, and the ||'> p*! maid-servant having left the room, I stirred «M»»M-1 the fire, arranged the light, and brought for ward my work-basket preparatory to our evening reading. There is no hour so pleasant as that when the labours of the day being over, leisure is afforded to refresh the mind over some interesting book ; but on this evening, although Joseph took up the volume I laid before him, and even found the place, he continued silent, gazing at the fire with a very abstracted countenance. We had got tea over early, and I was congratulating myself on the prospect of a chapter more than usual. Seeing, how ever, that something — probably some incident con nected with his parish — had distracted his thoughts, I said, " Perhaps you are not disposed to read to-night, Joseph? if so, we can wait till another evening."

A UR CO USINS IN A USTRALIA. 2 "It may be as well," he replied, "for I believe my thoughts are preoccupied ; and I want to ask you a question, — you will think it a strange one, Sarah. Could you make up your mind to go to Australia ] " " To Australia, Joseph ? certainly not." "But, allow me to ask, do you say certainly not, merely on the impulse of the moment, because the idea is a startling one, or is your answer the result of a fixed determination ? " " I can scarcely say that I have a fixed determination on a subject of which I never until this moment thought; but have you any reason for asking . " " Yes. I am now thirty-five, I have been a curate ten years, and have no better prospect of a living than I had the day I was ordained. Could I have remained here, among the people to whom I am attached and who regard me, I should have been contented, and even de sire no change — but that, we know, cannot be.

A few days ago I had a hint, from a person on whom I can rely, that the Bishop of New South Wales had spoken of me very kindly, and expressed a wish that I had chosen to go to that colony • I knew him slightly, you have heard me say, at college, and I think it very probable that, as he has a good opinion of me, he would bestow upon me something better than I can hope for by remaining in England." " And I am sure you deserve something better than you have, Joseph," I said, abruptly, for the subject was a standing grievance. " So you have often told me," rephed he smiling • " but I fear that the only way in which your wishes for my promotion are likely to be gratified is by doing what I speak of. But to waive that part of the subject — for I am not ambitious, and I am well aware that it is only for my sake you appear so, Sarah — my chief reason for taking up the idea is that I think I 'd be more useful ; clergy men are, I know, much wanted in Australia.

I have thought of it a great deal, and the more I did so the fewer difficulties there seemed * indeed, I see none but what, as far as I am concerned, could be got over, but I could not make my mind up to go without you * even supposing you were to obtain a comfortable situation as governess, I could not do it." My brother's tone was very earnest and affectionate, and he seemed anxious to hear how I would answer, but I only said that I must take time to consider a plan which involved so much change in our life. " Certainly, certainly," replied Joseph, " I could not wish you to decide hastily, but there is one thing you must remember, — it is not as if we knew nothing of Australia ; having relations there, you would not feel quite among strangers. Our cousin, Mr Dare, has sent us many kind messages, and I think we might reckon on a friend in him ; you know we should want nothing but some one to vouch for our respectability, as so many odd people go out there."

" Very true," replied I, " Mr Dare would bear witness that we had not had a. free passage out." I spoke lightly, though the recollection that there was some person who would know something of us was really encouraging. The gentleman alluded to had been many years established in Sydney, where he was now, we under stood, a flourishing merchant. We had been acquainted with him previous to his leaving England, and since then he had sent us several little remembrances, and various kind messages, expressive of a hope that, should any thing ever take us to the colony, and to the part where he resided, we would avail ourselves of his house. This offer we had, of course, received as it was meant, in a spirit of friendliness, and valued as demonstrative of good-will towards us, but little suspecting that we should ever put its sincerity to the test, for the last ten years of our lives had been spent in the retired country village of which my brother was curate, and until the appointment of a new rector, who did not require his assistance, we had no anticipation of being called upon to leave it, but looked forward to passing the remainder of our days, whether the period should be long or short, in the parish where our parents' bones were deposited, and when death summoned us away, to slumbering in the same churchyard.

But since the arrival of the new incumbent of the rectory our prospects had assumed a different aspect ; we found ourselves obliged to seek another home, and perhaps the necessity that forced us, under all circumstances, to change our habitation, prevented my brother's plan appearing altogether as startling as it might otherwise have done. I promised to consider it impartially, and being convinced by his manner that his wish to try his fortunes in Australia was not a mere whim that would pass away, I endeavoured, while doing so, to check the nervous fears that arose, as I thought of the long sea voyage — the many dangers to be undergone be fore we could reach our destination, and the chance that, after all, we might be disappointed. I think now that I was very cowardly, and probably a person who possessed greater decision of character, and a bolder spirit, would have laughed at my doubts and despised my fears ; but to a not very young woman, who seldom went six miles from home, the idea of traversing fifteen thousand miles of ocean was alarming; besides which, though I had connexions in New South Wales, I knew only the head of the family, and but little of the colony, which I understood to be peopled by convicts, and aborigines who were cannibals.

But my affection for my brother prevailed ; he had always been most considerate for my comfort, and it was my duty, as well as pleasure, to consult his happiness ; and when next we spoke on the subject, his views not being altered, I cheerfully consented to what he wished. Our departure being, therefore, decided on, I com menced actively to make preparations for the voyage, and collected all the information I could relative to the country that was to be our home in future. Joseph seemed so well pleased with what he was about, that I could not regret it, but made a point of looking on the brightest side of the prospect before me ; and I found in this, as in every other case of which I have had experience, that an honest endeavour to be content with one's lot is rewarded with success. I soon imagined my brother in a pretty parsonage house, which, though humble, had all that is requisite for comfort ; I fancied the little church of which he was the pastor, and thought of him as beloved in his parish, advising the old, in structing the young, and comforting the sick and af flicted.

And the picture had usually the addition of a little, bustling woman, who appeared to think herself of no small importance, as. keeping everything tidy, and on whom Joseph often smiled with brotherly affection ; not that I desired to prevent him marrying, but I had a sort of presentiment he would remain single, in which opinion, hitherto at all events, I have been justified. I had not more than enough time to complete our arrangements, and take leave of our friends, for when my brother had re solved on an action he was generally prompt in executing it ; and in a very few weeks after our determination was fixed, we were on board a ship bound for Australia. It was in vain, however, that I tried to believe my new situation agreeable ; my utmost efforts to persuade myself that happiness was compatible with sea-sickness, per petual rocking, and discomforts of every kind, were completely baffled ; and, notwithstanding the kindness of my brother, who showed me ever}* attention, I must confess that the first three weeks were unmitigated.}* wretched ; nor was it until nearly a month had elapsed that I was at all myself.

When we were in the latitude of the Canary Islands I ventured upon deck, and enjoyed a balminess of air of which in England I had had no experience. We were to stop nowhere, unless our supply of water ran short but this day we were sufficiently near land for those who had good eyes to discern the Peak of Teneriffe. I am short-sighted, and being unpractised in the use of a telescope, was obliged, though mortified at the incapacity which prevented me profiting by one of the few objects of interest on the voyage, to be contented with the ac counts of others, and that which I was then reading, given by Holman, the blind traveller. Among the passengers was a lady whom I understood to be the wife of a clergyman in Sydney, whither she was returning from a visit to England, with her two daughters, pleasing-looking girls of fifteen and sixteen.

I had hitherto scarcely seen them, having been too un well to join the party at meals in the cuddy ; but this morning, as I sat on a hencoop, amusing myself watching the flying-fish that rose in little flights, (or shoals, what is the correct word?) out of the sparkling blue water, Mrs Hill came towards me, and kindly congratulated me on my recovery from sea-sickness. I had not before spoken to any stranger on board, except the captain, and was pleased with her frankness in addressing me, as well as with her appearance. She observed, that if this was my first voyage, the objects I was then regarding were probably new to me. I answered in the affirmative, adding in my homely way, " How remarkable it is that they, alone of all their species, are fur nished with wings." " Naturalists say," replied Mrs Hill, " that it is to enable them to escape from the dolphin, which are their enemies, and pursue them with great avidity."

" How curious," said I ; " how wonderfully does the Creator provide for the safety of the meanest of His creatures." O UR CO USINS IN A USTRALIA. 8 Mrs Hill smiled gently, and desiring her daughters to walk up and down the poop, took a seat beside me, when we soon fell into an easy flow of conversation. As was most natural, it turned upon Australia ; and on Mrs Hill mentioning that Sydney was her home, I could not refrain from saying how much I wished that I had likewise some acquaintance with the colony for which we were bound, as I felt anxious respecting the life I was to lead. " Concerning the mode of life in Sydney at all events," remarked Mrs Hill, " there are no grounds for misgiv ings whatever. Except such immaterial differences as the climate makes desirable, you will find it differs very little from what you have been accustomed to in England ; and if you consider it must be so, there is, both in Sydney and in the interior, a great deal of what must anywhere be called good society.

The younger branches of good, in some cases of noble, families go out there, and they, of course, take with them the habits and man ners to which they have been used." There was an obvious good sense in this, and my new acquaintance continued. " Nor are we without gaiety and fashion able amusements. During the season, that is the cool weather, there are numerous balls and handsome dinner parties, which are in every respect like those given by persons of similar standing in our own country." I was less personally interested in the account of society than most persons would have been, for I had never had the habit of going about much, and infinitely preferred the quiet of home to any gaiety that could be offered me * but I was glad to pick up every kind of information ; and when at last Mrs Hill rose to join her daughters, I found myself not only enlightened, but my mind set at ease on many points connected with a residence in the colony.

The acquaintance thus commenced afforded me great pleasure ; Mrs Hill was a truly excellent person, and as she and her daughters were the only lady passengers besides myself, we mutally sought each other's society ; we generally sat together upon deck, while the young ladies paced up and down before us, and sometimes she would invite me to spend an hour in her cabin between dinner and tea, when it was not sufficiently darkfor candles, but the twilight too far gone to admit of read ing or work as an occupation, and the time so spent always passed pleasantly. I liked also to converse with the girls ; having been educated for a governess, though I had been in only one situation, I was accustomed to observe all young people with interest. I liked to watch the disposition, and gather from the germs of qualities, then visible, what the future character was likely to prove.

The Misses Hill gave the promise of much that is desirable ; they were well brought up, as indeed how could they be otherwise with such a mother, and such a father as I had reason to believe Mr Hill to be 1 Fanny, the youngest, on account of whose health they had gone home, was of a gentle, thoughtful disposition, caused no doubt in a great measure by the extreme delicacy of her constitution, which debarred her from many amusements suitable to her age ; but her sister, Louisa, a fine bloom- UR CO USINS IN A USTRALIA. 10 ing girl, had much natural vivacity, which was, however, always restrained within the bounds of modesty and pro priety. Regarding them as most favourable specimens of young colonists, I frequently indulged a hope my youthful relations might resemble them. Of the num ber or ages of Mr Dare's children I was not informed.

I had heard of the birth of one daughter, but not whether any others had succeeded her ; and one day I asked Mrs Hill if she was acquainted with the family. It was then about the middle of the voyage, and by that time we were tolerably intimate, although our conversation, when upon society, had hitherto dealt only in generalities. " Is it Mr Godfrey Dare, you speak of?" she inquired, " the member for" " I did not know he is in the Legislative Council," I answered; "but I think there can hardly be two Mr Dares of the same Christian name. The gentleman I speak of is a merchant." "Yes; no doubt it is the same. Oh! they are very gay people indeed ; they reside at a beautiful place, about a mile out of Sydney, belonging to Mr Dare, and there is no family that holds a more prominent position in the first society."

I was rather surprised to hear this account, and per haps, with the selfishness that exists more or less in every human heart, not quite pleased, for I reflected that as Joseph and I were qualified neither by inclination nor acquirements to assume a place in fashionable society, the hindrances in the way of intercourse with our relatives they, at all events, might not be inclined to surmount, especially as there were no ties of real friendship, and the cousinship, though I have thus termed the connexion, was many degrees removed. " Mr Dare," I observed, " used to be esteemed a man of superior ability?" " He is, no doubt," replied my friend, " a man of superior ability and enlarged views ; but the fault which is so apt to ensnare one in a place where the prime object of nearly every person is to make money, has, I fear, of late years beset him — the cares of this world absorb his thoughts ; you excuse my speaking freely, Miss Norris ?

" I replied that, without frankness of speech, I could imagine no pleasure in conversation, and begged her not to hesitate using it towards me while speaking of my relations. I inquired what kind of woman Mrs Dare was, for in her I, of course, felt a certain interest. " Using the liberty you give me, then," replied Mrs Hill, " it appears to me that Mrs Dare is easiest de scribed as having no character at all. She was, as you are probably aware, the daughter of a high colonial dignitary, so that, in a worldly point of view, Mr Dare cannot be said to have made other than a good marriage; she is also very handsome, and always remarkably well dressed, but, conscious of being so, she gives little thought to anything beyond. Her health is unfortunately very bad, which, joined to natural indolence, is her excuse for lead ing an unusually self-indulgent, luxurious life ; she has never been in England, and is, as you will find, a very ordinary specimen of the last generation of colonists."

OUR COUSINS IN AUSTRALIA. 12 I was sorry to receive such an account, knowing that, with so inefficient a parent, it was scarcely possible the children should in any degree resemble those who en joyed the advantage ofa mother's judicious superintend ence, and I asked, " Is there more than one daughter?" " No ; only one, a nice-looking girl, about the age of Fanny, and a little boy, several years younger." " And how are they brought up ? " " Really, I am scarcely sufficiently acquainted with the family to express an opinion ; but I should think they are being well brought up. Mr Dare was very anxious they should be so, and Miss Dare had, when I knew them, always a resident governess, (she was one of the few young ladies who had,) and the best masters for different accomplishments that could be procured, though further than that I don't know."

The descriptions one receives of an unknown land of course depend very much on the disposition of the indi vidual who gives them, and I was particularly fortunate in my principal authority. Mrs Hill was not a colonist, but Australia was her home ; there she had met, and been united to Mr Hill ; there her children were grow ing up, and with Sydney were connected the associations of her youth and the happiness of her maturer life. She loved the colony, and wished to prepossess me favour ably, though, as she had too much judgment to run into an excess of partiality, she drew no pictures the reality of which must eventually disappoint me. It was not, however, solely to her that we were indebted for information, a good deal we obtained from books we brought with us, and to read which we applied ourselves assiduously, finding them a great resource to pass away the time.

There was not much difficulty in spending the days, for though monotonous they were not tedious, and almost imperceptibly the long four months on which we had reckoned glided away. We had a good ship, and with the exception of one storm, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, fine weather and fair winds. As the time of landing drew near, my thoughts were diverted from the new things we were to see to the new people we were to meet, and I tried to fill up the outline of my cousin's family given me by Mrs Hill, and to imagine the kind of reception they would give us ; but my anticipations shared the fate of most others founded only on fancy, they proved totally fallacious. It was about the middle of October when we got into Bass's Straits, and the climate there was exceedingly enjoyable; the sea was so calm, and the sky without a cloud, and while the gentlemen of our party amused themselves fishing for baracouta, Fanny Hill and I found employment for our pencils, sketching the various groups of rocks and islands as they came in sight.

Among the former, none struck me so much as " Judgment Rock," which, rising perpen dicularly out of the sea, had a most formidable appearance. Kent's Group also makes a pretty object in my sketch-book, and I value them as reminiscences of that part of my voyage. At length the captain began to speak confidently of the time of landing, and the Misses Hill eagerly counted the days, deducting each night one from the number O UR CO USINS IN A USTRALIA. 14 which they reckoned must elapse before they should again see their father; but the expedient was far from a good one, and the last week on board seemed to lag more heavily than all that had preceded it. Poor Mrs Hill became anxious and nervous whenever her husband's name was mentioned ; he had been in not very robust health when they parted, and, less sanguine than her daughters, it required small penetration to discover that she dreaded lest, instead of the meeting to which they looked forward without a fear of disappointment, some bad news should await them.

They had a little brother, also, of whom they were very fond, and talked a great deal, though a similar feeling to that which occasioned the mother to sigh and look grave, when they wondered whether Frank was much grown and improved, would sometimes make me almost wish that Fanny was less hopeful and Louisa less gay on the subject. It was between eight and nine o'clock one evening, when Joseph came into my cabin, saying, " Come on deck, Sarah, Sydney Heads are in sight." I quickly put on my bonnet, and ascended the companion-ladder, but the night was dark and stormy, and nothino* was to be distinguished, save the revolving light on the South Head, and the stern outline of an iron-bound coast. The pilot came on board, and a scene of noise and bustle ensued, which made me feel more uncomfortable than I had done since the very beginning.

The promp titude with which his orders were given, the expression of anxiety on the captain's face, and the watchfulness of those of the gentlemen present who understood what was going on, all suggested an idea of danger, of which, in spite of Mrs Hill's assurance that it was, she believed, needless, I could not divest myself, and on her propos ing to retire to her cabin, I willingly assented. She was quite right, my alarm was without cause ; and having spent an hour with her, and heard Louisa read the even ing lesson from the Bible, which had a wonderful effect in composing my spirits, I took leave of them, and went to rest. About the middle of the night the rushing of the cable announced that we were at anchor. Before breakfast the following morning Mrs Hill came to the door of my cabin to bid me adieu, for her husband and son were already arrived, and they were to leave the vessel immediately.

I was truly glad to hear that Mr Hill and the little boy were both well, but I could not part with my kind friend without regret, and tears in voluntarily filled my eyes as I pressed her hand, and said, " Farewell, may God bless you, Mrs Hill." " Thank you, Miss Norris," was the reply, " but do not say ' farewell ; ' we shall meet frequently in Sydney." " Do you really think so ? " " I trust so," answered Mrs Hill, smiling, " if all goes well. You will visit me on the north shore, and if you do not come soon, I shall write, or call to see you ; you must be sure to let me know the address of your lodgings." Sl I was very grateful for the kindness with which this was said, and having taken leave of the girls, I saw a OUR CO USINS IN A USTRALIA. boat, containing the whole party, pass under the stern a few minutes afterwards.

Shortly after breakfast, my brother likewise landed to seek for some suitable accommodation, while I remained on board until his return, which he promised should be as speedy as possible.

Chapter II. Landing In Sydney

" |lf§l^|3 OME, Sarah, are you ready? these packages IIP?^ a^ a<^dressed 1 nothing more to do, I hope 1" <J*^&*a were my brother's first inquiries, in a quicker tone than his usual, on re-entering my cabin, in a great bustle. " Mr Dare's carriage is waiting on the wharf to take us straight to his house, and must on no account be detained." Mr Dare's carriage waiting on the wharf! but there was no time to ask questions ; Joseph stood by, hurry ing my last little preparations ; we locked the cabin door, took leave of the captain in passing through the cuddy ; I was lowered into the boat, and it was not until I found myself seated in a very elegant open carriage, and driv ing rapidly through the streets of Sydney, that I had opportunity to say, " How did all this come about, Joseph?" " Why," replied Joseph, " when I began to look about me I found myself in a greater difficulty than I had expected ; the lodgings had, for the most part, a dirty, E uncomfortable appearance, besides being very high priced, and the hotels were too expensive to be thought of.

I supposed I had not gone to the right places, and that the best way would be to follow the captain's ad vice, and ask Mr Dare to direct me where to go ; accordingly I went to his office in Pitt Street, where I seni in my card ; he came to me with it in his hand, saying, ' Mr Norris, any relation to Mr Joseph Norris ? ' 'I am Joseph Norris,' I replied, whereupon he extended his hand, and said, in the kindest manner, that he was glad to see me, and wondered how he had not recognised me at first. He asked if I had come to try my fortunes out here, and whether I was alone, or had brought a wife. Not a wife, I said, my sister has accompanied me, and explained that you were remaining on board until I had procured lodgings, and that it was to ask his advice where to apply for respectable apartments, that I had taken the liberty of calling on him so soon.