At last I saw Melbourne, and was certainly surprised with its appearance. No wonder the citizens are proud of it,—the wide streets and splendid buildings, with a general air of importance. The tramways looked small compared with our steam motors and vehicles, owing perhaps to the width of the roads, as their buildings look better for the same reason. Our post-office, for instance, if in Collins Street would appear to better advantage than as it is, crowded up between George and Pitt Streets. I was somewhat disappointed with the various shops we entered, and the approach through Williamstown is very bad. They have not the natural advantages of Sydney, but have displayed ingenuity in making the best of the position.
We left Melbourne for Glenelg, South Australia, but were not able to visit Adelaide. From photos the city appears attractive, and vast strides have been made during half a century. My husband recollects it when first settled, and Governor Hindmarsh and family were there. Then it was merely a few straggling wooden buildings, though the streets were laid out and properly pegged. Captain Hindmarsh, afterwards Admiral Sir John Hindmarsh, after leaving South Australia, was appointed Governor of Heligoland. He was a naval officer in Nelson’s time, and a very good account of his naval career is given in James’s Australia.
Our next departure is for Albany, King George Sound, Western Australia. This is a very important position as a coaling station, and should be well protected by men and fortifications, as in time of war it would be open to attack. Though the township is not large, it is a thriving place, and the climate is lovely, in fact almost perpetual spring. The coast scenery passed in reaching the anchorage is very picturesque, with the sea dashing in foam upon the headlands.
The mails being on board, we shall soon take our farewell of Australia’s shores, when Cape Leeuwin has been passed, and our course shaped for Colombo. Of our trip and other places touched at beyond this point there is no occasion to write, as they have been often and ably described.
In taking our farewell of “The Golden South,” hope still lingers with us that we may yet see it again. If not—
“And, when the stream
Which overflowed the soul was passed away,
A consciousness remained that it had left,
Deposited upon the silent shore
Of memory, images and precious thoughts
That shall not die, and cannot be destroyed.”
THE END
Printed by R. & R. Clark, Edinburgh