November 28th Saturday. I‘m in dear Launceston once more, & still more happiness in view just now! – how every place reminds me of by-gone days! and happiness never to return! Would it be for the best, were it to do so, I wonder?
Mais revenons à nos moutons.99 Captain Milligan of the good Barque Winchester100 kindly gave me up his cabin, and I came over most comfortably. We left Portland on Tuesday night, and arrived here last night; I have suffered very little comparatively speaking, from sea- sickness, and really do‘nt feel much the worse for it. …
In the double-bedded room, I have a fellow passenger, one Mistress Athy, niece to Mr Mulgrave,101 sister to ―Royal Charlie‖,102 and a widow lady bent on committing Matrimony if possible. She amused me verily, in telling me of the enormous charges made at the Hotel in Portland! – ―Only imagine, said she, charging 2/6 for a bottle of Ale! – a thing we would only pay 1/- for in London! and there they know how to charge too‖! She drank two such glasses of brandy & water on board the Vessel before she started, as she would then not require to order anything at the Inn; and as we were coming to the wharf, she believed herself in Venice in a Gondola!! I ordered tea, and she had another glass of brandy & water for 9d!! …
Mr Dry came to see me; he is the same excellent creature I always knew him, and has not his equal in my eyes in this world! It makes me almost happy to know that from the
commencement of our acquaintance, he has known me only the same as I first was – I mean in manner, of course.
99 Let‘s get back to the subject (French).
100 The Winchester, en route from London to Launceston, had called into Portland for supplies where it had survived a severe storm which had stranded the schooner Will Watch and the brig Elizabeth (Argus 1 Dec. 1846).
101 Peter Archer Mulgrave (?1778 -1847) arrived in VDL in June 1821. He had a distinguished and active career in public service. Initially appointed as Superintendent of Schools he also served as a magistrate, coroner and Superintendent of Police at Port Dalrymple. He was granted land in Launceston. He was appointed Chief Police Magistrate in 1829 and from 1831 he acted as the Chairman of Quarter Sessions and Commissioner of the Court of Requests at Launceston. He held these positions until 1844.
160
December 1st Tuesday. On Sunday I dined with Mrs Welman – she now resides where Mr & Mrs Barnes did formerly did [sic], and which ―Residence‖, the Major considers the first in the Island.103 When I first went in, they evidently thought I should be thunderstruck with its
splendour! Anna, is pretty; but the color of her hair spoils her in my eyes. Mary, is very showy. … Monday morning I went down to see the Allans and found them not up; I brought the old lady back with me, and she remained until evening when I went as far as the corner of the street with her, and then on to see Mrs Priaulx.104 This little lady looked to me to have an impediment in her speech, owing to some unnatural cause! Emily105 is grown a nice looking girl with such piercing black eyes. …
I was musing on the ―Past, the present, and the Future‖,106
(Good and Gracious God, dare I think of that time?) when Mrs Cox107 came in with a note for me from William; he cannot come over, and I shall not now go to Hobart Town until Wednesday morning. I shall then see all my old friends here, and yet be in time to make my début in the Metropolis at Mrs Burgess‘ dance
Thursday Evening.
Messrs Sinclair,108 Craufurd,109 Jones110 & Milligan111 paid me visits today – the latter brought his sister-in-law to see me,112 and she asked me to go with her to the St Andrews Ball,113
103
Trevallyn House was built in 1829 by William Barnes (see entry 14 Feb 1835) on a 6000-acre (2428.1 hec.) land grant on the West Tamar. The original house was a two-storey dwelling, constructed from local stone, hand-sawn weatherboards and split shingles. It was replaced in the late 1840s with a more substantial colonial regency residence. Since the 1830s the Barnes family had lived at Plaisance, Kelso (Richards 43). 104
Amelia, wife of Henry Priaulx (see entry 26 May 1838).
105 Emily Hannah (b. 1831), second child and eldest daughter of Amelia and Emily Priaulx.
106 Possibly an allusion to the title of George Croly‘s Salthiel: A Story of the Past, Present and Future (1828), which AB had read in Oct. 1837 and which she received as a present from William in Feb. 1849. 107
Mary Ann Cox, widow of J.E. Cox, and proprietor of the Cornwall hotel and operator of the passenger coach between Hobart Town and Launceston.
108 John Sinclair of Clairville (see entry 7 Oct. 1837).
109 Robert Crauford. AB knew Crauford from Port Phillip where he was superintendent at Benjamin Boyd‘s station Eumerella East in the 1840s. His father was Major Archibald Clifford Blackwell Crauford of Ardmillan and his brother was James Crauford, Lord Ardmillan (1805-1876), Solicitor-General of Scotland 1853-1855 and appointed to Scotland‘s Court of Session (Supreme Court) in 1855. AB‘s journal entries indicate that she considered Crauford a charming and cultured, if not naive man. He was a frequent visitor to Yambuk and prior to this meeting in VDL some misunderstanding had likely occurred between the two. In her journal entry for 12 May 1846 AB writes that Crauford ―gives me to understand that I‘m a thorough heartless Coquette.‖ He developed a liking for alcohol and his business ventures in the Australian colonies were unsuccessful. He left Eumerella East in late 1846, intending to return to Scotland but AB reports he had money sent to him to ―start afresh‖ (16 Dec. 1846). He reportedly died in Scotland in 1848 (de Serville,
Port 174). 110 Not identified.
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mais non!114 She looks young as she did when first I saw her – yet she has such an unhappy caste of face. …
December [2nd] Wednesday. Yesterday ―Cupid‖115 and his wife came into town, accompanied by Mrs Reynolds and Miss Cox.116 They kindly offered to take me to the Ball, and as I should not have gone otherwise. …
We dined late, and went to our several rooms to adorn, and I had the landlady‘s, with a fine glass in it. I wore black satin, with a handsome plaid scarf, and it looked very nicely. Miss Cox looked ladylike, and well-dressed.
We did not start until 10 o‘clock – Mr
Joclyn Thomas117 accompanied us – he is looking as usual. The stewards met us on the steps leading up to Mr Borrodaile‘s new Store, and escorted us in. ―Jock‖, who had come in the morning with an invitation for me, took me in – and called me ―a celestial Rose‖, which compliment he appeared pleased with. We were just in time for a Quadrille, and Mr Thomas honored me. There were upwards of 300 present, and many pretty women; but to my taste, Miss C. Reilly118 was the ―Belle‖ – some differed however, and flattered me with the title. The music was very good, the ladies well-dressed, and altogether it was a well arranged Party. The Supper was good too; and some of the ladies seemed to think so, for I never saw girls eat as they did.
111Joseph Milligan (1807-1884), surgeon and enthusiastic amateur natural historian, arrived VDL 1831, and
occupied a number of important government positions. He married Eliza, second daughter of William Lawrence, in March 1843. She died on Flinders Island 31 July 1844.
112
Mary Ann née Lawrence (c. 1820-1881), wife of Frances Henty (1815-1889).
113 This ball, organised by members of the St Andrews Club to celebrate the ―Anniversary of the Titular Saint of Scotland,‖ was held in the ―large and commodious stores‖ of Borrodaile, Gore and Company on 1 Dec. 1846.
114
But no (French). 115 James Youl (q.v.).
116 Ann Reynolds née Cox (b. 1816) and Jane (b. 1825) or Rebecca (b. 1826) were sisters of James Youl‘s wife, Eliza (née Cox).
117
Jocelyn Thomas (1780-1862) arrived VDL in 1824 with his wife and seven children. He was appointed Colonial Treasurer in 1825 but was dismissed from this office in 1832 under suspicion of misappropriating funds. Thomas protested his innocence, and restored government funds but was required to sell his significant land-holdings to satisfy private creditors. Financially embarrassed, he lived thereafter with his son Bartholomew William at Milford, a 500-acre (202 hec.) property on the South Esk and later at North Downs.
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Mr Jones, was the handsomest man there; Mr Dry the most récherché;119 the latter is decidedly a male Coquèt, and says something to every girl, in the shape of love! …
December 3rdThursday Morning I left in the Coach for Hobart Town – …120 When I got to Bridg[e]water, Mr Lord121 procured a cup of coffee for me, and I was then quite fresh again. I took a cab from the Office, and found the good folks at dinner, with two Officers of the Castor122 as their guests. I dressed at once for the Ball at Mrs Burgess‘s, and we all went at about ½ past 9 o‘clock.
Bessie is looking better, altho‘ very thin indeed – she says she is stronger, but has suffered much since I was last here! Louis is grown tall, but thin and delicate looking; Anna- Maria is very active on her legs, but cannot speak – she is nearly as much noticed by her Mama as her brother is: but her Father is as kind to both, as he very well can be. He is looking well, but a little stouter than he was.
We found the rooms at Mrs Burgess‘s crowded by a well-dressed multitude, and numbering upwards of a hundred. She lives where Mr Bicheno did, and the house is prettily furnished.123 I knew many who were there, yet saw quantities of strange faces; Miss Sorell is fallen off exceedingly in her appearance, her two front teeth being decayed alters her very much. …
Saturday I passed with Mrs Barnes, who is kind as ever, and talks of going to England in the Windermere;124 I wish I could go with them. Their garden is in fine order, and cherries &
119
Sought after (French).
120 In the portion of text deleted here AB recounts in some detail the after-ball shenanigans of Dry, Miss Cox and herself.
121 Possibly James Lord (1808-1881), son of successful landowner and businessman David Lord (1785- 1847) and grandson of former convict James Lord (?1757-1824) who was transported for seven years in 1801. James Lord operated a coaching service between Hobart Town and Launceston.
122 HMS Castor was a 36-gun 1800-ton frigate, arrived VDL 11 Oct.1836 from Sydney via New Zealand (hereafter NZ) where it had provided support to British troops involved in hostilities with rebel Maori chiefs Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata.
123 Northam Cottage on the New Town Rivulet. Bicheno retained the lease but resided in Davey St (Courier 10 Apr. 1856).
124 The Windermere carried Sir William Denison, who was to be the next Lt.-Gov. of VDL. Its arrival was eagerly anticipated. The vessel, a 601-ton barque commanded by Robert Clunies Ross, departed Portsmouth 17 Oct. 1846 and arrived VDL 25 Jan 1847. When it departed on 18 Mar. 1847, Mr and Mrs G.H. Barnes were among the passengers (Courier 31 Oct. 1846; 27 Jan. 1847; 20 Mar. 1847).
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strawberries in abundance. Mr Dumeresq125 dined with them, and is looking stouter than when I knew him last. …
Tuesday, we went to hear the 96th Band126 in the Gardens,127 where the élite had collected to do the same.
Wednesday, I went up early to Mrs Burgess‘s, to tell her that we could not go to Brown‘s River with the Pic-nic party, but she would not let me return home, and said there should be room in her voiture128 for me. Major Wilmott129 & Mr Gennis130 came up at the time, and I was put into the vehicle, without the slightest wish to go. However, after a time I took the seat on the box beside the Driver, Mr Gennis, and we had a pleasant chat over ―England & the English‖.
The party consisted of nearly 30 individuals, some of them of dubious appearance = these I determined on not knowing. Mr Frazer131 was there, and I always liked him, so we chatted away right merrily. We sauntered down such a steep hill to the seaside, where several gentlemen were sketching; Miss Burgess132 was the only one who did so, of the female part of the community.
We had a tolerable luncheon spread out by Mrs Burgess & myself, on a flat rock; after which we left the ―lords of the Creation‖, and rambled about in every direction.
I started up the hill before the rest of the party, with a stick for my helpmate, and got up pretty well, altho‘ rather heated. We were just started, as we came, when William drove up, and asked me if I would go home with him; but Mr Gennis said he would not lose the best part of his freight, and so I continued where I was. I was deposited in Davey Street, and the rest of the party went up to Mrs Burgess‘s.
125 Edward Dumaresq (1802 -1906) was the Surveyor-General 1825-1828 and Police Magistrate at New Norfolk 1828-1833. In 1835 ill-health forced his retirement from government service. He took over Illawarra, an estate near Longford.
126
Band of the 1st/96th Regiment of Foot (hereafter 96th Foot) stationed in VDL 1843-1848. 127 Government Garden, located on the eastern slope of the Domain, was established in 1818 as the Lieutenant- Governor‘s garden. It was transferred to the Royal Society in 1844 and open to the public. 128 Vehicle (French).
129
Major H. Wilmott, Royal Artillery, son of former Lt-Gov. Eardley Wilmot, visited VDL during his father‘s illness. He died in action 1 Jan 1852 at Fort Peddie, Cape Colony.
130 Possibly William Henn Gennys R.N. 131 Peter Fraser (see entry 25 Feb. 1845). 132
Ellen Burgess (c. 1821-1908), daughter of Frances and Amelia Burgess. In Hobart Town she received instruction in drawing and watercolour from John Skinner Prout. Her paintings were included in the 1845 Exhibition of Paintings.
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December 11th Friday – I passed today with Mrs Barnes – it was certainly uncomfortably warm, and she had scarcely any clothes on at all! …
December 12th Saturday – … All this time I‘ve never once mentioned the sad accident that my valued friend Richard Dry met with the day after I left Launceston. He was leaping a fence, when his horse fell with him, and nearly killed him; his life was quite despaired of at first, but he is now out of danger. 133 I shall not make any remarks on his silly conduct – for I‘m told it was at Mrs W—d‘s request he tried the abominable fence; and all appear pretty well aware of their intimacy; at all events, he is fortunate in having Rivals with and ― the lady. I heard a good story about Slippers that disgusted me with the man more than years of dissipation would have done; yet I still love him as I did, and doubt whether his own sisters can love him more purely. …
Bessie is jealous of Mrs Roberts,134 and I fear not quite without reason; dear William passes much of his time with her, and I do‘nt exactly like her manner with him! I however, told Bessie I thought she had not anything to fear, as I did not imagine she was any other than kind and good-natured. […]
December 14th Monday. We had very heavy rain yesterday and last night, and it continues slightly today; I had intended returning visits today, but suppose the weather will prevent me. I‘m sitting by a fire, shivering, and Bessie wo‘nt come near it, but fancies remaining in the other room, where I‘m sure she must be nearly perished with the cold. …
December 16th Wednesday. Mr Craufurd called here this morning, and walked up with me to Mrs Barnes and Mrs Burgess‘s; the latter had a great deal to say on ―Pic-nics in general, and her last one in particular, and is very disgusted with what the good folks say touching these parties.[‖] We had only just returned, when a tremendous fall of hail and rain came on, so I was very fortunate in being out of it. …
133 Dry was crushed by his horse and seriously injured in an accident on 4 Dec.1846. For some days his ―case appeared hopeless‖ (Launceston Examiner [hereafter LE]7 Dec. 1846) but the Courier of 12 Dec. includes a report from the LE of 9 Dec. which indicates that Dry was out of danger.
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Mr Dry is recovered sufficiently to go to Quamby, so he‘ll soon be all right again I trust in God.135 …
December 19th Saturday – On Thursday, Mr Powlett136 came up in the morning and sat some time with me: we spoke of ―old times‖, ―old friends‖, and passed quite a pleasant three hours. He speaks kindly of Mrs Wickham,137 and seems to like her; says ―she was and is, more sinned against than sinning‖, and in fact talks of her as a gentleman should! She is coming over to V. D. Land, to turn all the good folks brains. …
Today Mrs Roberts accompanied William and I for a ride = ―Ranger‖ carried me better than last time, but requires such a steady and continued pull on his mouth; in fact he has no mouth, and harness does not improve it. Bessie, who cannot be amiable for any length of time, has begun again with her remarks; but this time, she finds her match, and I give her as good as she sends.
The country about is looking very pretty and green; the scenery is certainly beautiful, and I often wish I could remain in this country. The Society seems pretty good, if it were not for the vile system of back-biting that is carried on; but nothing else can be expected from persons who sit at home doing nothing, and listening & responding to all kinds of scandal.
I am reading Mr Latrobe‘s works on America; of course it is the fashion now. I‘ve only