Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Sunday 16 September 1804, page 2


SYDNEY.

Hɪꜱ Exᴄᴇʟʟᴇɴᴄʏ and Family returned to Town on Monday evening.

A select partie made an excursion on Sa-turday morning last to 𝐽𝑒𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑚, which

lies about six or seven miles from Parra-matta, towards the Northern Rocks. Se-veral hours were occupied in contemplat-ing the natural beauties of the variegated scene, surrounded by the stately forest which protects it from the scorching summer sun.

In the centre of its valley, encompassed by stupendous rocks, “a murmuring stream”

delectable to the taste meanders to the un-

taught notes of nature’s feather’d care, that

charm the ear with wild irregularity. Here caverns open to the uncloath’d tribe, whose far recess forbids the approach of rude and

chilling winds. The 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑤 there lifts its crimson head to decorate the bough, and to enrich the romantic scite with its spon-taneous beauties. Meditation here might find a blest retreat, where every object would present a theme of adoration to its great Creator.— Highly gratified in an excursion that could not fail of exciting admiration, the Company returned at noon to the house of a Gentleman at Parramatta, and were joined by Hɪꜱ Exᴄᴇʟʟᴇɴᴄʏ to dinner.

On Monday and Tuesday the Civil Court continued its sittings, and was on the latter day dissolved. A number of sum-monses were called that had been issued against servants of the Crown, labouring

under the sentence of the Law. The Mem-bers of the Court in consideration of the

impropriety of determining any plea of debt wherein either of the parties was so circum-stanced, referred to Hɪꜱ Exᴄᴇʟʟᴇɴᴄʏ’s General Orders on that head, which ex-pressly prohibit all responsibility before a Civil Court ; and also reminded them, that whether Plaintiffs or Defendants, the com-plaint was only cognizable to the Magiste-rial Authority, which was ever ready to re-dress the servants of the Crown when ag-grieved, as it was capable of regulating their conduct whenever it should appear re-prehensible.

The Court also severely reprehended the conduct of various plaintiffs who were non-suited by reason of their non‐appearance, as it strongly sanctioned the defendants’ com-plaint that the Actions were groundless and malicious, and designed merely to give them the trouble of attending, whereby they were

much injured in their domestic or agricul-tural concerns ; in several of which instances full expences were awarded.

A favorite cur, tho’ in fact little better than a 𝑠𝑎𝑑‐𝑑𝑜𝑔, was some time since unfor-tunately for himself, detected in a hen’s nest greedily solacing on the brood in embryo ; which circumstance not being regarded in as serious a light as it ought to have been, the culprit was permitted to pass unpunished for his 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 offence.⸺ Thenceforward it might reasonably be concluded he became less cautious in concealing a propensity which he might securely indulge, and upon every occasion made it a point “to suck the eggs and kill the 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑠.” Correc-tion was administered, but not till the disease by habit had been rendered incura-ble, so that recourse was of necessity had in the end, to the means of prevention that should have been adopted in the beginning : — the culprit fell a sacrifice to innumera-ble offences, and thus finished a career, in the last few months of which he stood justly

accused of crimes and misdemeanors that 20 years such servitude as his could never have

atoned.

During the bad weather on Wednesday night, many of the garden fences on the open side of Back Row East, were stripped of their paling, by which contemptible spe-cies of depredation the grounds were laid open to the incursion of swine, who avail-

ing themselves of the opportunity, had be-fore day light the next morning ravaged every bed. Were the wretched spoiler to weigh the probable extent of injury to be sustained by a poor family whose industry in cultivating their little gardens may form a chief dependence, against the very trifling advantage possible to himself, honest repug-nance would surely mount the abdicated seat of conscience, and although incapable of the exquisite sensation consequent upon a good action, bless them at least with the negative consolation of having once desisted from a very bad one.

Character is as essential in civil society as is morality to true Religion. As we are studious of preserving it, so must we ex-

pect to rank in the esteem of the world, and tho’ credit may be impaired and even annihilated by misfortune, yet it may main-tain its independence amid surrounding dif-ficulties. The opinion we entertain of our-selves, tho’ few of us are apt to entertain a very bad one, can have but little influence upon our circumstances, as they are more or less affected by the conception of others, so far as our worthiness becomes its theme. Situation alters the mode without destroy-ing this dependence upon character ; for tho’ the circumstances of the master cannot be

susceptible of change from the opinion of the servant, yet in proportion to the grati-

tude his kindness entitles him to, must he be affected sentimentally — and so does a virtu-ous Monarch reign in the affections of a brave and generous People, because from the ge-neral happiness he derives his own.

Upon character depends every social com-fort to the subordinate ; it forms his very trea-sure, bereft of which he must be “poor in-deed.” What spirit then must actuate the slanderer, who in the very presence of the Sun yet strikes invisibly, and without in-terest to himself, yet robs another of his future hope ? To such a one contempt and infamy belong ; and last of all shall he des-pise himself.

The marriage ceremony was on Monday last performed at Parramatta Church, by the Rev. Mr. Mᴀʀꜱᴅᴇɴ, to several couple, and that the hymeneal torch may confirm the triumphs of the wanton god, be the univer-sal wish.— One instance of the magic force of all inspiring 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 engaged particular at-tention. A swain, before impervious to the thrilling touch, unus’d to bend in beauty’s suppliant train, at length beheld the object heaven had decreed to rule his 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑡, and share his rural joys. 𝑈𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡‐𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑛 his an-

cient mother undertook the suit, and better versed in 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝’𝑠 wily‐way, charm’d her love‐lorn boy with joyful tidings. The 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑑’𝑜𝑒𝑖𝑙 had been productive of a double flame ; and the envied bride and bridegroom led each other to the sacred altar.

A prisoner was lately apprehended at Par-ramatta on a charge of uttering counterfeit 𝑆𝑖𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠 ; and the offence being clearly substantiated, the offender was ordered by the Bench of Magistrates a severe corporal punishment, which was inflicted according-ly ; and the example will, we trust, effec-tually operate against the repetition of so

heinous an offence.

A party of natives some days since attacked the farm of Robert Broughton, near Parra-matta, whom they robbed of all his wearing apparel and small stock.

Michael Young, whom we last week mentioned to be missing, has not since been heard of ; and circumstances sanction the apprehension of his having fallen a sacrifice to the barbarity of some of the natives into whose way it may have been his misfortune to fall. He had frequently related a former adventure which had nearly proved fatal, during the ravages of 𝑃𝑒𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑤𝑜𝑦. On the

route from Parramatta to Hawkesbury he met a man that had been stripped by a savage banditti, from whose ferocious clutches chance had alone delivered him : notwith-

standing which, Young thoughtlessly pro-ceeded on his journey, confiding in the ami-cable treatment he had before experienced from them. He shortly after encountered, and was surrounded by the party, whose first attention was engrossed by a small bag that contained his provision ; they next became enamoured with his apparel, and signified a wish that he should 𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑒 them ; but mani-festing a reluctance to comply with the de-sire, the miscreants became impatient, and were about dreadfully to convince him of his impolicy in resisting their barbarous authori-ty, when an Officer of the Colony appeared on horseback, and happily then averted the

intended murder.