PART I. PERSONAL NARRATIVE
CHAPTER I. THE VOYAGE OUT.
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PART I.
Personal Narrative.
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CHAPTER I.
THE VOYAGE OUT.
MY wife and I left England in 1835. It was in the month of October that we cast a last, fond, lingering look, on the white cliffs of old Dover. We were young and hopeful. Our good ship was the Platina, Captain Parker, commander. In those days there were neither the huge steamers, nor the large clippers, that now make such quick voyages, to and from, the South Pacific. Our long passage was marked by few incidents. The most trifling thing gives an agreeable break to the monotony of a sea voyage.
We sighted the Madeiras on one glorious moonlit evening. When off Cape Verd, a suspicious-looking vessel was hovering on our track. That coast was then noted for pirates. Therefore our captain took counsel with caution, lest we might be greeted by a hostile visitor. Rusty swords, old pistols, and other arms, were hunted up, and put in order. As the shades of night closed around us, all lights were put out. Our course was changed. Despite some fear, we saw no more of the supposed marauder.
We called at the lone island of Tristam D'Chuna, but none of us landed. A boat came off to us, manned by Governor Glass, and a crew of his co-settlers. Their costume was very primitive--goat-skins doing service
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for shoes and caps. We were glad to buy from them supplies of butter, potatoes, and other vegetables. On this stormy and grim-looking islet, about a dozen families were located. Their wants were met from the products of the soil, and by means of barter with ships, which now and then visited them.
After eighteen weeks, we saw the heads of Port Jackson--the magnificent harbour of Sydney. At that day, it was better known, in England, by the name of Botany Bay, which is, in fact, a few miles to the south of it. We stayed at Sydney six weeks. It was summer-- hot and dusty. But to weary voyagers, the sojourn was pleasant. It was a small place then, compared with its present size. Many of the houses and shops were of one storey, and built of wood. A dead wall ran up, a long way, on one side of George Street, which may now be compared with Cheapside in London. The streets were narrow. When the town was planned, it was meant for a penal settlement. No one dreamt that it would rise to what it is to-day. We saw convict gangs, with their clanking chains, marched to their daily work, with an armed escort. Thus the foundation of a great colony was laid with the offscourings of the criminal classes of Great Britain!
