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TO THE EDITOR OF THE SYDNEY GAZETTE.
SIR,
I wrote a short time ago to the Editors of the
“ Australian” in answer to the unmanly attack
of “ the jolly Coachman” on us “ currency girls”
which they have not deigned to insert, nor even
to acknowledge ; though I know they have re-
ceived it, which I consider a great hardship to
see one’s-self libelled in a newspaper that refuses
to publish one’s defence. These learned gentle-
men ought to know better, as papa says it is con-
trary to law to hear but one side of the question ;
and in your last Paper, in speaking of these very
Editors, you say, “ Let us forbear to condemn any
one, without hearing what they have to urge in
their defence.” I will confess Mr. Editor, that I
had a high opinion of one of those gentlemen, being
as I may say one of ourselves ; as well as from
the very fine poetry he wrote in England about
our native country, but now that he abandons
the cause of his country women, I cannot put
much faith in him. So much, for Australian gal-
lantry !— but entre nous, Mr. Editor, I will tell
you the cause it was not published ?— it was be-
cause I wrote some nonsense about their big wigs
and ugly black gowns, without the slightest in-
tention of offending them. And surely, Sir,
lawyers, who themselves say such impudent things
to poor witnesses who are called before them,
ought not to be angry at a joke. I shall not notice
master Coachee further than by wishing I was a
man for his sake (if so, I should have given him a
parading on the Race Course, to improve his man-
ners); but will beg to draw your attention to a
matter of much more consequence, I mean the
situation of us currency spinsters. There are
upwards of twenty fine healthy respectable girls of
my acquaintance, all of us marriageable from 3
to 10 years past, yet alas, here we are (malgre
nous) still maidens !
I will commence with myself. I am just out of
my teens ; have lived in Sydney some years ; been
to all the balls and gay parties ; where I have
been told a hundred times over that I was a charm-
ing girl, a divine creature, nay, a perfect angel,
and a variety of such agreeable nonsense, and
always found gentlemen very polite and attentive
for an evening ; but, when we next met at a party,
I saw his attentions transferred to another, and
have frequently overheard him whisper the same
soft tales of love to one of my friends, that only
the evening before he addressed to me. Naval
officers I found constantly in the habit of treating
us in this manner ; I recollect one of these gentle-
men so urgent one evening at a ball for a promise
to marry him, that I at length consented, if papa
approved of it, to whom he swore he would apply
next morning ; but at a tea party the following
evening, I learned that he had extorted a similar
promise from two of my friends, though it was the
first time he saw either of us,— but what was my
surprise a week after, when a friend led him up
to me in a room full of persons saying “ this
gentleman is particularly anxious to be known to
Miss C—— and has requested, the honour of
an introduction.” Surely, Mr. Editor, these
sailors must have very bad memories ! About two
years ago I met a gentleman, at a friends, who
made love in due form, got introduced to papa,
and visited us constantly for three weeks ; I con-
sented to his proposals, and was in hopes that
every thing was settled, but the business was
suddenly broke off by some misunderstanding
between him and papa on the score of fortune. I
declare, Mr. Editor I wish there was no such
thing as money in the world, I think we would be
all much better without it.
There is next an old school-fellow, Miss M. H.
a beautiful girl, with whom I recollect we used
all to quarrel, for no other reason than her being
so much handsomer than any of us, though we
never acknowledged that was the cause ; she, like
myself, passed most of her days in Sydney, but is
still unmarried, though I often heard she had
many admirers, which I suppose she refused ;
indeed she must be very difficult to please. I
don’t know what to make of her, she was always
a cold hearted girl, and never possessed the gene-
rous warm feelings that currency girls generally
do, — for my part I think she was born without a
heart ; be that as it may, I wish I was as handsome
as she is, that’s all ! I am sure I would be out of
the list of spinsters half-a-dozen years ago —
However nobody can be sorry for her should she
die an old maid ; which I think very likely, par-
ticularly as I understand she very lately rejected
the overtures of a gentleman of property, and is
now come to live in the bush. Alas, poor woman !
If she knew as much of the bush as I do, she
would not be so anxious to change the gay scenes
of Sydney for it.
There is also Miss M. B. a fine portly girl like
myself, and about the same age, who despairing
of getting a husband in Sydney, has retired to the
country likewise.
You cannot conceive, Mr. Editor, what a dull
stupid place the bush is, after living in Sydney ;
here we have nothing to do but look after the
dairy maids, mend, or alter our Sydney dresses ;
take a walk in the bush, and always as far as the
road on Friday to see the people return from
market, in hopes of getting a letter from some
old friend, or the newspaper, which we are always
very anxious to receive.
It is useless to trouble you with any more of
our histories ; they are all of the same complexion
nearly, with this difference, that the most of my
old companions still remain at Sydney to see
what may chance to turn up, though to tell you
the truth, I see little prospect for them, and am
afraid that we are all destined to lead apes here-
after, unless something is done for us.
I will now suggest a plan of my own, that I
think would soon obviate the hardship I have
complained of. Suppose the “ Australian
Company,” who every one says has made a good
bargain about the million acres of land ; and
who I am told are anxious to promote the wel-
fare and happiness of this country, should select a
number of respectable young men of good cha-
racter at home, and, sending them out here, pro-
curing for them previously a grant of land, which
will cost them nothing, and with an engagement
that in the event of their marrying a currency
girl of good character, and becoming a settler,
to lend them, to stock their farm, from £500 to
£1000 pounds, without interest for seven years.
After which to bear legal interest, or be paid off
at the discretion of the parties. Five per cent.
of their capital thus invested, and which may be
well spared, I am convinced would be well ap-
plied, as improving the breed of sheep, horses, or
cattle. “ Breeding, in all its branches,” I am told
is quite a fashionable toast amongst gentlemen.
Why then, let me ask, should improvement in the
human species be the only one neglected ?
I shall feel obliged by your inserting this letter
in your next Paper, which l am persuaded must
be highly gratifying to the Colonial ladies ; and
also any improvements on the hints suggested,
from such of your Correspondents as may feel an
interest in the subject. I am, Sir,
your obedient servant.
KITTY CURRENCY.
$