Memories of my life

by Mrs. J. S. O. Allen

Just about that time the Governor, Sir Dominic Daly, died at Government House. I do not remember whether a new Governor had been appointed, but it seemed to me such a little time afterwards that Sir James Fergusson arrived here. Then Prince Alfred was expected again, and the whole place was in a stir once more. Sir James was a wealthy man, and he sent a start of servants before him, so I thought it useless to think of the Government House employment for me. How pleasant it was, therefore, to be told I would be employed as an extra help between the kitchen and the still-room. I saw the housekeeper, Miss Anderson, and I engaged to come when they had all settled at Government House. In the meantime Mr. J. N. Hines, from Parliament House, had charge of the catering with the two caterers whom I did not like. If they had been there all the time I would not have gone there. Sir James brought with him a French chef. There has never since been such times at Government House. The house was altered, and some new places were built.

In what grand style everything was kept up. The footmen, with their powdered hair, knee breeches, and silk stockings, were a sight to see when they went out in the beautiful carriage with the splendid horses, and all were brought out from the old home. It was a lasting benefit to me going there. I felt a little nervous amongst so many other servants, for they looked a splendid lot of men and women, who did not think service derogatory to them. They seemed happy and dignified, and went to work accordingly. Each had his or her own work. They were not all from the same country, but were different in tongue and manner as well. There was no false pride, nor did they think that any kind of work in a house was lowering, or that there was anything degrading in menial labor.

My task was to help in the still-room. I might make a slight allusion to this still-room. It is a miniature "kitchen," where the housekeeper can make all the preserves and so on. The housekeeper's room is always close by, and there the linen and such like articles are kept. The still-room at Government House was an important place then.

There were great preparations being made in view of the coming of the Prince, who was expected to arrive at any time. Then such a lot of things would have to be done in the still-room. Much of the fine cooking for breakfast was done there, and the dessert dishes were garnished there, and many of the ornamental biscuits and cakes for dessert were made in the still-room. Sir James Fergusson had all his own household silver and linen, as well as the dessert-stands. Some that seemed the most important were twelve in number; they had to be taken to the butler every night and locked up. Each one was in its own velvet casket, and was carefully put away. They had been given to Sir James as a presentation, and were said to be pure gold. One of the things I had to do when they were in use was to see that they were in safety.

There was plenty of novelty in my surroundings at Government House. I was sent here and there. The housekeeper became ill in the wearisome days and nights, although there seemed nothing but pleasure to the favorites of fate. They got some responsible-looking person to fill her place, but she was not so clever as Miss Anderson. She was the wife of one of the orderlies who was in attendance on Colonel Hamley. For we had a regiment of soldiers here then, and Colonel Hamley was the commander. There was a row of little cottages on the banks of the Torrens, where they lived, but they have been all pulled down long ago.

I could not attempt to record each day and night at Government House. The time flew by on golden wings. My ambition was to see to the cooking. I was in the right place, for I had to go in the kitchen and help with everything after the proper housekeeper left. I think Miss Anderson was sent home again to Scotland. I grew interested in everything. I remember now the two caterers, or cooks, came and asked me if I would ask the French chef if he would let them see him dish up the beautiful substances of his cooking. He seemed to work like magic. I asked him, and he muttered something in French, while there was a look in his eyes which said No.

Every detail of that time is stamped on my memory. I suppose what made such, an impression was that I was, at any rate, where I had the chance of seeing a professional cook work, while the secret of that knowledge was not kept from me thus far. I remembered that the two cooks who came to Sunnyside always had large cookery books with, them, and in their exaltedness so acted that I could not get a glimpse of what they were engaged in. As things now transpired, they could see that my new life seemed to promise that eventually I would be able to give evidence that I had gained knowledge in the period, when something could be made out of my association with the French chef, and I felt glad that those two cooks could only gaze in longing wonder where I was gathering experience. Perhaps it gave me my revenge.

But I must tell something more about Government House and the Prince. There was nothing but visitors; there were theatricals, with a real stage fixed up in the ballroom, with balls, and evenings at home, and garden parties, luncheons, and huntings. I grew interested in all that happened about me; I was not hindered in any way when time allowed me to have a look and see what was to be seen. How pleased I was to see Mrs. Brind amongst some of the cast of characters who were going to play on the stage. Truly, she looked well in her part. I took care to let her know that I was there, and to ask her if I could do anything for her. There were no professional actors, only "amateurs." It just seemed to me as if everybody was acting.

The Prince had such a lot of other gentlemen with him, and amongst them there was a Highlander, dressed in kilts, who played the bagpipes. He used to play sometimes in the dining-room even while the dinner was in progress. He stood behind the Prince's chair. Whenever I could get a chance I liked to go and look in at the dining-room when the gas was alight. They could not see me. I thought it so nice to see whether the Prince ate his food in any way different from other people. He used to sit at one end of the table, and Sir James at the other. For most of the public functions Sir James wore his Court dress, as if in the presence of the Queen at some festivities at home. He did not look a weak amiability. How noble he was, I thought, and how his servants loved him. And how lovely was Lady Edith Fergusson, and their beautiful children. How nice they all were.

I remember that if I saw her ladyship coming I used to dart off in another direction, and she told monsieur, the chef, to tell me not to do so, as she liked to speak to us all when she met us. I did not try to get out of her way afterwards. Such a strange custom the ladies all had. It was to limp in their walk as if they were halting and lame. To get that mode some had the heel of one shoe made shorter than that of the other. It was called the "Alexandra limp." I could not help wondering at this, and I learned that the Princess of Wales had a sore foot, and that in the midst of all gaiety and glitter the society ladies all tried to seem as if they had a sore foot.