Journal 5

to 25 Feb 1866

Journals Index
J.H. Watmuff Profile
Prologue
1 1856-05-01 (Bendigo, Dunolly, Sandy Creek (Tarnagulla), Loddon , (Mt. Hope Hoax), Ararat, Chinamans Flat, Moonlight Flat, Mt William (trek with Aboriginal guide), Pleasant Creek (Stawell), Melbourne).
2 Bendigo Melbourne 1862 Otago N.Z. (1859-07-17)
3 Otago (1862-09-11)
4 Otago (1863-07-26) to Melbourne 1865
5 Melbourne 1865-11-12
6 Melbourne 1866-03-04
7 Melbourne 1869-03-28
8 Melbourne 1870-06-12 to April 1876
9 Melbourne 1876-06 to 1880-09-07
10 Dribs & Drabs 1881-02-16 to 1882-06
11 Sydney & Misc. 1884
12 Lusitania Voyage 1887-05-27
13 Lusitania Voyage 1887-05-30
14 Lusitania Voyage 1887-06-26
15 Lusitania Voyage 1887-07-01
16 and 17 England, letters and Journal 1887-07-14
18 Garonne return Voyage 1887-09-27
19 Resignations 1888-05-28 to 1892 Nov.
See Bert Watmuff's letters about the family
20 (Journal 19) Mildura 1893-05-06
21 Genealogies from 1738 to 1889
22 New Zealand Essays
J.H. & Bessie Watmuff's Photos
Olive Watmuff's Photos

Journal No. 5

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Forty pages of this journal were transposed to the previous journal and removed from this journal, so there is about a page and a half of duplicated text, 'though he made some modifications, the overlap portion is from "the usual set" to the last line before the 12th November 1865.

5/1 5/2 5/3 and 1043 5/4 5/5 5/6 5/7 5/8 5/9 5/10 5/11 5/12 5/13 5/14 5/15 5/16 5/17 5/18 5/19 5/20 5/21 5/22 5/23 5/24 5/25 5/26 5/27 5/28 5/29 5/30 5/31 5/32 5/33 5/34 5/35 5/36 5/37 5/38 5/39 5/40

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Appearance of the Book

Appearance of the Book

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the usual set – a nicer or more agreeable lot of people I never met before – it was nearly dark when we gave up. Bessie & I availed ourselves of Mr Saunders invitation to take tea with him – we spent a happy evening old Mrs S. is a very pious woman, but has a most winning charming manner, such as few old ladies possess - Mr. S. her son is a fine intelligent young man – well principled upright & manly – he is only 21 but from his manner the correctness of his views & sound ripened judgement, should have thought him nearer 30. I could not help drawing comparisons between him & the usual character of Melbourne young men – so destitute are many of that true nobility of mind which should characterise a man - I forgot to state that Mr S & his sister spent Friday evening at our house - Fred Rook was also here (same evening) I did not leave home to day until the evening, when I went to hear I. New preach or lecture upon the Pentetuch it was in opposition to Colenzos attack I never listened to such a sermon The man seemed inspired, his concluding remarks against Infidelity were the finest I ever heard or read – what a fine grand comprehensive mind he

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must have, what a vast store of knowledge he must possess, if *only to give rise to the ideas & references necessary for such an oration, as he deliverd this evening

[Sunday, 12 November 1865] Nov 11th.1865. Weather very hot The usual monotony of my life was enlivened this week by a holiday in the Prince of Wales Birthday the 9 inst Mr. Saunders had obtained Mr Kidghells boat so we agreed to enjoy ourselves by a small picnic party, made our arrangements the day before, to meet at the Spencer St Rly Station, the evening before on leaving business I was very politely informed I should have to put in an appearance the followin morning. I was greatly annoyed, for nothing but a paltry spirit such as the Co Im employed by possess would have prompted such a thing. The party left without me, but at 10am. I was told I might close my Books. I at once left, & taking a cab, I rode out to the Moonee Ponds, & a smart walk of 20 minutes took me to Salt Water River some few miles above where the party started from

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(Footscray), by the more I thought Id catch them, on making enquiries at Raleighs Punt, I discovered no such party had gone up the river. I made for Mr Camerons (where I spent such a pleasent evening some month back) where we had purposed visiting, the boat hove in sight just as I arrived there, they were delighted at my arrival, & landed, we remained about an hour there, had a look over the old castle,) an old antiquated ruin that stands on a hill at the back of the residence of Mr C.) We had a splendid view of the surrounding country We embarked (there were 8 of us, Miss Saunders, Hoskins Mrs S & my sister Bessie, R.Law, J.Kidghell Saunders & myself -) & got the boat under the ferry or punt, with less difficulty than I anticipated, went about 2 miles further up the river, & then camped at a pretty spot, where we lit a fire & made a large billy of tea, had lunch & played croquet untill about 6.pm when we broke up our encampment & returned to Mr Camerons, where we found pro- -vided a fine tea - such a one as I

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seldom sat down for before, we left his place about 10pm pulled up to the ferry and walked from there to the Flemington road, got a cab & came home in fine style, & so passed another pleasent day.

Friday I was very tired. Saturday I spent at home (the afternoon reading & writing, went out for a short time in the evening, but coming on to rain I got home early. This morning it rained stay’d at home reading. Took Bessie out for a walk in the afternoon After tea I went to hear Revd I. New his subject was on the authenticity of the four Gospels, the life & character of Jesus, he preached with his usual force & eloquence. I feel a different being on hearing such lectures, or such men preach – [1865-11-19] Nov 19th.1865. Beautiful weather nothing fresh, very busy at the office dissapointed at not receiving an increase of salary, I suppose I must try the *effect of the old patient proverb - We have had several pleasent evenings

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at our house lately, owing to friends dropping in – Yesterday afternooon Bessie & I went to East Melbourne to play Croquet, playd till dark & then adjourned to Mrs. Saunders, where we had tea & spent a most delightful evening – 12 OC when we arrived home This morning (Sunday) I went to the Catholic Chapel Eliz St, heard them perform one of Hadyns Masses. I met Tom Rooke there & immediately after we met Saunders, we took a strool together as far as Dr.Cairns Church, where Tom left us. We were too late to hear the whole of the sermon, but what we did was excellent, a Mr. Dykes preached a young man about 22, who has acquired a good name in Scotland for his erudition, he came to Australia for the good of his health, but very seldom preaches. In the afternoon Bessie & I as usual took a walk together, met several acquaintances, after tea I went to hear Isaac New, preach on the Life of Christ. I was sorry when he had finished

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26 Nov 1865. Weather very hot, the want of rain is sadly felt by the farmers & graziers, serious fears are entertained for the Crops, unless rain falls soon they will be distroyed-

Spent my time much as usual – walking about the town during the evenings, reading a little - visiting none – with the exception of yesterday Bessie & I went to Balaclava some four miles on the Brighton Road where we met (as appointed) our Croquet party on Mr. Harrymans ground. We played till 7 pm, & got beaten by the Richmond Club – came home with Mr & Mrs. Green (the Chemist in Bourke St.) & had tea with them, very tired when we got home – This morning I went to to the B.St. Chapel heard Mr Milliard preach an excellent sermon In the afternoon I called for Miss Burke & took her down to Brighton, met some more acquaintances there, passed about 3 hours on the beach very pleasently together, returned in time to swallow my tea & get up to the Babptist Chapel, & heard I. New deliver another of his fine lectures on the Profecies Unfulfilled – I rcd a long letter on Friday from my

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dear old friend Hamilton, he has just got the sack from the provincial Government (it being Insolvent!) Im very sorry, but he is very sanguine about getting into something as good, shortly I sincerely trust he will, he amuses me in his domestic details, he is only just beginning to appreciate his wife & informs me he has just commenced his Courtship & often thought he married on the impulse of the moment & has since regretted it, tho too manly to acknowledge it - , she was so young & had had so little experience that I can say he had a deal to put up with – I never saw such a change in a person in my life as there was in her (for the better) since her return from Europe -

December 3rd 1865. Weather been very hot, no rain, public prayers was offered up yesterday in the Churches for it – I trust God will hear them – Tuesday night Fred Rooke & Miss Rooke paid us a visit, & spent the evening with us – Friday night Saunders, Law, Tom Rooke & I with our sisters, took a boat at the punt (Richmond) & spent a most delightful evening on the water, our pleasure was slightly marred by a shower of rain just before landing - *We [landed]

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about 11.30 pm, & were very tired when we got home, having such a long distance to walk. Thursday, (having a pass sent me for two) Bessie & I went to the Haymarket Theatre, to see to see the Lenton Troupe – Ive lost all taste for such places & dont care if I never go again rather a change for me that used to be so fond of such places. I fancy there are far more rational modes of enjoying oneself than visiting these habitual haunts as so many make them Spent yesterday afternoon reading – In the evening I took a ramble about town met Harry Clarke, walked with him some two hours – This morning I spent reading – In the afternoon Bessie & I took a walk thro' Fitzroy Gardens together - & in the evening I went to hear I New preach on Unfullfilled Profecies : met Miss Burke after the service saw her home – Decr.10th.1865. Lovely weather but hot. I feel for those whose labours are confined to the open air ah dont I remember the times when I used to have to work hard with a pick & shovel out in the broiling

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sun, or rain as the case may be – what a contrast my present life is to those days of old, I wish I had left the diggins many years before I did – I would have been in a different position now than I am -, at 24 years of age & had to commence learning the common routine of office work, what any boy knows at 12 – I ought not to repine tho my salary is very small it may be increased soon – We had quite a party at our house on Monday house Fred Rooke & his sister – the two Kellys, Miss Allen & my sister Mrs. Clark – (being the first evening Mary has spent with us since her wedding). We broke up at 11.pm, I walked home with Miss Allen - & then to the Railway Station with the Emerald Hill party

Yesterday afternoon I spent reading In the evening I walked into town, met Taggart had a long chat with him, took a walk got home by ten O.C. Bessie & I singing Duets Etc for another hour brought bedtime - This morning I went to Emerald Hill to spend the day with my superior clerk Mr. B D Smith – met him at the Wesleyan Chapel heard Mr. Eggleston preach an excellent

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sermon, it being the anniversary (Sunday) of the Sabbath School, the children mustered strong. They sang some beautiful hyms Mr. S. is connected with the Church & takes a very active part in the School – I had dinner at his house, Mrs. S. is a nice little woman & like her husband I believe a good Christian, after dinner I went with him to the Chapel & heard Mr. [Left blank] address the children, had tea & again went to hear Mr. J.Dare preach, he took his text from the Parable of the Prodigal - he is a fine preacher, I think the most eloquent in Australia – stayd the prayermeeting, from there went to Smiths again, remained about ½ an hour, & left, Tom Rooke walked half way home with me - & so I passed one of the most rational days of my life, listening to holy words & associating with good people aught to a proper mind be productive of extreme pleasure & gratification, at least I must admit it did in my case! God grant it may produce some change in me

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December 17th 1865, Lovely weather during last night when commenced to rain slightly, looked very cloudy ever since I hope it will rain heavy – it is much wanted, in the country districts – Been very slack at the office, very few ships discharging at our pier – owing to this being the wool season, most of the vessels go to the Williamstown Railway pier where the principal of the wool is shipped from - My evenings Ive spent in rambling about the town after tea for some two hours & then coming home & having a song or two

Last Tuesday night My sister Bessie & I went to Rookes, & spent a very pleasent [evening] with them. Miss R is really a nice young lady – I must say they are a nice family - they treated us very kindly left about 11 -. a Mr Adams – accompanied us to town – a gentleman we met there - & I fancy an admirer of Miss R - Yesterday afternoon (Saturday) my holiday – owing to the rain I did not go out any where – Bessie & I were very much dissapointed – for we had proposed playing Croquet at Eastern Hill- I did not leave home to day – until after tea, when I intended going to hear

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Isaac New, but hearing he wasnt to preach I went to St Peters Church, being crowded I had to sit near the door & could not hear the Mr. Handfield speak so at the commencement of the sermon I left the Church – it came on to rain – while in B.St & while sheltering, a friend of mine, I met with a lady, stayd about an hour with them until the rain abated, when I was induced to accompany them to the lady's home, a long walk it was & on leaving her the rain came down in torrents & no place for shelter, we got wet through, my friend Jones cursing all the women in Christendom & his own folly in particular for seeing young ladies home on wet nights I was highly amused tho far from pleased

The morning & afternoon I spent in reading & writing - 24 Decr. 1865. Weather been very changeable – not a day passed without a shower or two – Spent my time as usual – Busy at the office, closing a/c Etc – The Trains run right through now the new lines being completed under Princess Bridge – Sheds finished, & ready every thing complete, of course there

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was a little confusion the first day or two the trains running too close – as regards the time – the Government fearing some accidents might occur in consequence have directed the trains to run as formerly until after the New Year – or the holiday time is over – we had one sad accident on Thursday night, close to my office the man at the "points" tried to jump onto an Engine while in motion, his feet slipped & the engine went over his legs, cutting of one & the foot off the other he was taken to the hospital & I hear died yesterday – poor fellow he left a wife & family to mourn his loss –

Bessie & I are invited to a picnic on Tuesday, (Boxing Day,) & I was very much dissapointed, as well as others) on leaving the office yesterday at 12 that we would have to come to work I didnt say anything at the time, but I waited till 2pm – when I saw Mr Carruthers, & asked him for Tuesday – I informed him I had made arrangements to go & that Id finished my work & if I did come there would be nothing doing Etc – he after some hesitation Gave me leave

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My brother Fred has gone to Echuca left this morning in company with Miss Mayne, a girl who has been living with us her parents live at Echuca - & I think Fred is in love with her – I dont like her much - she has caused a deal of mischief in our family – The mail arrived from England last Monday, mother received a long letter from father, writes very dispondingly, he is living at present in Leicester – does not enjoy very good health, seldom sees any of his relations, speaks of Aunt Lucy – Uncle Henrys widow, as being selfish & exacting Uncle Joe the same -

Spent yesterday afternoon reading Shakespeare - went out to post some papers about 6.pm after tea, took a strool met a young lady & accompanied her for a walk till 9 pm then went to town – the shops were all lighted up & dressed with, Green – looked X mas the streets were impassable for people & met several I knew, rambled about till 12.pm -

This morning I went to the Wesley Church – nearly fell asleep during the sermon there are very few preachers I care for in Melbourne -

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Read during the afternoon – In the evening I went to St Peters Church – met a friend there took a walk till 10pm - We are very lonely at our house – no one but Bessie mother & I - I had an idea that we should have had some Bendigo visitors I feel rather dissapointed –

Decr.25th 1865 – Christmas day the most quiet X day I ever spent in my life spent the morning reading - Shakespeare Im going through them I mean the plays – after dinner Bessie & I went for a strool – took a pleasent walk to Studley Park – a very pretty place where we found a great many people picnicing - & evidently enjoying themselves we rambled about till 5 pm, watching the sports the principal of which seemed to be "Kiss in the Ring" fine fun to those who relish such sport & there was a time when nobody would have enjoyed the scene better than myself – met Miss Bourke - & many others we knew, in the evening I took a walk into town alone – met the three Miss Finegans & I never

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am recognised by them now, but to night – I was surprised at the youngest running after & in a most cordial manner wished me a merry X mas & stated that they had wanted to speak to me concerning the scandel that had passed between them & Miss Clark (of the Fortune)(as I term her to distinguish her from Miss C. our connections or new relations) we had it out & Im happy to state Im out of the fire searthless so I made my peace with them – Bessie F looked lovely, she is one of the finest girls I have met with in my life – however I dont purpose renewing the acquaintance for *various reasons -

January 2nd 1866. The beginning of a New Year - & what with the ending of the old one, & the holidays attending- I have spent a most pleasent time – on B day the 26/12/65- Bessie & I were invited to a picnic at Mr Camerons place Marybinong some 20 of us left "Greens" the Chemist Bourke St at 9.30 Am in a large van

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provided for the purpose, reached the place by 12 after singing & making a great row on the road – we found a large party there assembled & everything got up in a first rate style in an immense large building taste fully decorated with "Green"- music being provided we had dancing from the time of our arrival to departure - & never was at such a nice affair before. Knowing nearly everybody there, & being very sociable everything passed off firstrate – every luxury being provided in the shape of eatables & drinkables - & after winding up with all singing the National Anthem with He's a jolly good fellow & Auld langsyne we took our leave at 1 am Wednesday got home by 2.30. very tired – I felt very seedy at the office next day – & wasnt long out my bed next day evening – Friday night I went to hear the Opera "Oberon" performed by the Lyster Troupe in the "Royal" It is got up most gorgeously as regards the scenery - & wish I could say as much for the singing – there are some portions they do pretty well – but Aubers music is too varied and I may say difficult for them to do with

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effect - H.Squires voice is too light for his character – wants a tenor robusto for such music, Lucy Escott sang very well - Saturday afternoon Bessie & I went to E Melbourne & playd Croquet with Messrs Saunders, Green, Law & several ladies – gave up about 6.pm & went to Saunders house where we had tea – (rather a large party after tea we walked to the "Punt" & hired a large boat, pulled up the River – some miles & landed for an hour, the time being spent in frolic & singing Etc - nearly 12 pm when we got home – after spending a most pleasent day

Sunday morning I went to the Catholic Chapel & heard the Choir sing Hummels no 2 Mass a splendid compososition & very well sang – met Frank Kelly who invited or bored me into aproving to join a picnic with him & others connected for NewsYears day. All the arrangements were made – & I would be at no bother, & the expense or my share would be very trifling Etc - In the afternoon, my old friend Bob

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Hooper paid me a visit, he is well Etc having come down from Sandhurst the day before, he called upon us this evening & stayd tea. I accompanied him to the Station & saw him off - such a crowd there, who were returning up the country – after spending the holidays in town – Bob tells me that both the Lockey Frazers are married, within the last 2 months

Sunday evening I spent at Maddens a Catholic family & was most infernally bored by old Maddens bigotry – Miss Burke was there & it was owing to her I was there – 11 pm when we got home, found G.Kelly here – who remained with us seeing the old year out & the new one in - News Years Day, Bessie & I left home at 9. am, & walked to Princess Bridge where we found the "party" was introduced Etc – embarked in boats & after a nice pull of 2 hours landed in the Survey Paddock, the party consisted of a lot of Roman Catholics, most of them forming the St Francis Choir Donaldson the tenor Miss Williams Sophano

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& several others of less note. Professor Hughes the leader in the Royal was there & what with singing & Dancing most managed to enjoy themselves, of course there were some dissatisfied ones that they hadnt enough attention paid them, the only thing I found fault with – the caterer had forget to provide enough eatibles, we left about 8 pm & would have had a nice pull down the river, but for the boat leaking & having nothing to bail it out with, we were glad to reach Richmond, where Bessie & I left them – she had wet feet, through sitting with her feet in the water, while in the boat, on our arrival home I was surprised to find my sister Mary & her husband here, the first time he has visited us since they were married. Im very glad the ice is at last broken, for its very unpleasent for relations to be on poor terms with each other. Mr & Mrs Hungerland were (here) - had some singing & after supper the party broke – up – Went to work this morning, it was hard labour after the holidays -

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Jany 7th 1866. Weather very hot, done nothing scarcely during the week in the way of business – or pleasure, with the exception of reading Tennysons, "Enoch Arden" (without exception the most pathetic poem I ever read) & other pieces by the same poet – I went to hear the Opera of "Oberon" (by Auber ) produced at the "Royal" by the Lyster Opera Company, in a very credable manner, Friday was observed as a "Fast Day" the places of worship were all open & services held it was in order to propitiate God to favour the colonies with rain – great want is felt in the up country districts for it serious consequences are expected if we arn’t soon favoured – many folk took advantage of it as a day of pleasure – Saunders Law, Kidghell & I with Miss S. & Hoskins took a boat at Richmond Punt & had a nice row up to the tea gardens where we purchased some fruit, & adjourned to the opposite Bank for a about an hour then pulled back – remained tea at Saunders

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left about 9 pm, met some young ladies I knew & in company with them, took a walk round the gardens –

Yesterday afternoon I went to Saunders about 5pm, had a game of Croquet dark when we finished. I then took a strool about the town, met many I knew – 11 Pm when I arrived home

Sunday, this morning I went to hear Mr Taylor (The Revivalist) he didnt seem to preach with his usual fire & eloquence. I hear he has had a serious domestic bereavement, in the loss of his child (in California) that has affected him – This evening I took a walk about, Fitzroy didnt feel well Jany 14th.1866. Nice weather during the week. Been very busy at the office several large ships against the pier discharging – I have read more than usual this week, a variety of stuff

Monday night I visited my sister Mary for the first time since her wedding, did not remain long, she was

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very comfortably settled, got a nice furnished house Etc. Tuesday per invitation, Bessie & I went to Mr Gotchs evening party, we knew everybody there & so passed a very pleasent sociable night, broke up about 2.30 am Wednesday – felt tired next day – having danced & romped to a considerable extent, but what I suffer most from after these arrangements, is the eating part of the performance – I seldom ever eat after my tea, if I do, it never agrees with me –

My mother has been very unwell & confined to her bed the last few days – causing us much sorrow – The house appears so dull & melancholy if she is ill – I am glad to state she is something better to day & up again – Yesterday afternoon I went to Saunders & played Croquet till 7 pm, had tea there, took a walk into town with Fred, rambled about till 10pm. This morning I went to hear the Revd W Taylor preach, he has lost that fire & energy of manner he was so remarkable for – This afternoon Bessie & [I] walked to the Gardens met Miss Roberts & Mortlay strolled about

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In the evening I went to St Peters Church 21st Jany. The weather has been fearfully hot, most oppressive, everybody has the appearance of a coffee bean – It takes anything like life & animation out of of [a] fellow, tho on the whole its been a week of pleasure to me, Been reading, Tennysons Enoch Arden - & other poems by him, been out every evening somewhere pleasuring. Yesterday afternoon G.Ramsden called with his gig & taking Bessie & calling for R.Law, & Mrs. Clark we found our way to Richmond Punt where we hired a boat & pulled up to the tea Gardens, where we landed & rambled about the place, feeling rather uncomfortable by the bye, at the owner of the place following us about, thinking if he let us out of his sight, we would help ourselves to the fruit, we got home by dusk after spending a pleasent day. After tea I took a walk into town, met Miss Burk, & acommpanied her home Bessie & I took a walk the afternoon

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in Company with Mr. Swanson, who stayd tea with us, after which I went to hear Mr. Eccleston preach at the Chapel or Church in Lonsdale St - after the service I met Miss Blanchard & took a pleasent strool with her for about an hour.

28th. Jany 1866. Very hot weather at the early part of the week, but Im happy to state we have had a pleasent change in the shape of some rain – It distroyed two occasions that I anticipated deriving much pleasure from, one on Friday night for a boating party & after a party I was invited to join for yesterday afternoon however Im not sorry in one sense my purse is very low, just now (and long likely to be so) & I really cant afford to go so much in Company there is a certain appearance always to be kept up & unless a man is in the receipt of a better salary than I get It wont run it. Ive had a treat in an intelllectual line, through the kindness of my friend R.Law who lent me Dr Livingstons Travels in S.Africa - I

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like it very much, its very interesting, tho’ in my opinion, far from being an ably written work, it is full of information & just enough adventure in it to make it readable, even by readers of the present age, who think that if a work is not senational its not worth perusing, it contains materials of what, many authors, would have a great deal off. I think he does not do himself justice in it, or he would or ought to be a more prominent character in the work. Friday night I went to the Theatre to hear the Opera of Semiramide but was dissapointed owing to the indisposition of Lucy Escott, the opera of Massaniell was substituted. I have seen it before – Saturday night I took a ramble about Town, met several I knew, being windy & rough I did not stay out late. This morning I spent at home reading. In the afternoon I I took a walk alone, in the evening I went to St Peters Church, with an acquaintance (Dickens) after the service met Miss B took a pleasent walk with her, the night was lovely, the moon shining brightly as it only does in Australia -

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February 4th.1866. Weather very hot & sultry, sometimes the thermometer stands at 100^º during midday. The past week as been on of pleasure, so much that I purpose staying at home next week for a change –

Monday night, I took Miss B to hear the Opera of "Le Prophete", some beautiful music in it, Tuesday night, I & Bessie joined a number of young friends, (some twenty five) in a boating party on the Yarra, two boat loads & all pleasent jolly people, who appeared actuated by with desire to please & be agreable. Saunders & his sister – R.Law, the two Ballantynes, (the Presy Ministers sons) Miss Bishop (who is one of prettiest girls Ive seen for some time) & many others – It was a lovely moonlight night, we laughed & joked, & sang until we reached, Pearsons Tea Gardens where we landed at the Survey Park after purchasing a quantity of fruit found a nice spot, & taking some music with us – we not long ere we were all dancing mad & flirting – embarked about 11 O.C. & pulled back, landed at. 12. had a pleasent walk home – after 1 when we got home – Wednesday night I joined party at Richmond consisting of the members of the St France's Choir. There were only 4 girls & something like 20 men – had some

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singing, but I did not enjoy so much as the night previous, being a different class of people, “too fond of something to drink” & very noisy & rowdy. I was glad Bessie had the good sense to decline going with such a lot – owing to the person steering the boat I was puling in, running us on a sunken tree, we were nearly capsized for the girls screamed & rose up the man having inbibed too much wine – were very foolish. They may thank T.Rooke & [I] with my cooleness in jumping out of the boat & insisting upon their keeping still that we didnt have a serious accident. I got wet up to my knees, & having to walk home some 3 miles in that state, wasnt pleasent I dont intend going with that lot again I was quite knocked up the next day, but in the evening I took a strool with some friends about Fitzroy visited one or two homes but did not remain long – Friday night Fred & I went to hear the Opera "Lucrezia Borgia" which without exception is the best the Lyster Troupe performed. Lucy Escott & Squires sing exquisitely together Wharton the Bass was in fine voice, & for a wonder the Chorus was excellent, which is a main feature towards the success of the Opera – the Comic Opera of the Barber of Seville was produced very happily, by other members

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of the Company very creditably Saturday afternoon I went to Saunders house, found no one at home, met R.Law & we both took a walk about town until 5 pm, when we parted, after tea I again sallied forth, met Miss B rambled about an hour with her came home & had some singing – Spent this morning reading & writing. Things have been very busy lately owing to the late Elections party feeling running high, two great principles being brought into opposition, Protection versus Free trade the former being most popular, something like 58 to 20 forming a very powerful majority, my friend Mr S.G.King who was a F.Trade candidate for Carlton, being nowhere – I was very sorry for he is an upright conscientious man - & not destitute of talent. I was 27 years of age on the 2nd of this month – getting on in years -

Feby 25th.1866. Three weeks since I continued my journal, having nothing very particular to note, but a succession of or repetition of the 3 previous weeks - Been to the Theatre twice, once to a concert on the 17th. a Benefit for W Sherwin the tenor singer, who poor fellow had the mis fortune to lose his arm when shooting by the explosion of his gun - There was some excellent singing Carendina & her daughter – Herberte & Abecco - the best tenors I ever heard

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with a number of good amateurs – the same afternoon a large party of us (all friends) went to the athletic sports held on the Oval near St Kilda, We had several visitors during the past week the two Miss Cass's one night, the Miss Clarks the next night Miss Hoskins on Friday night I had the pleasure of seeing them home Yesterday afternoon, with the 2 Ballantynes R.Law Clark (Marys husband) & his wife Misses Bishop, Walters & Adamson & I took a boat at Richmond pulled up the River to the Survey Paddock where we landed & having a set of Croquet with us, played a game had some fine fun with the girls, got back to Richmond about 6 pm, walked home with some of the party, had tea at Ballantynes - (they live in Carlton, have a beautiful home) afterwards went down to town walked about till 10 pm. felt very tired on reaching home – S We received a letter per the Mail from England from my father, in which he relates the death of my Aunt Lucy (Uncle Henry widow) leaving her property or what she had control over in a most unjust manner, to a personal acquaintance a lawyer, the residue when divided will father thinks be about £150.0.0 each for us. I was never very sanguine about

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receiving [anything of the estate but] as it is it will be acceptable whe[reas] if she was a person that merited re[spect] respect from those who related [She was] old [&] she was very parsimonious I wr[ote to] father by the mail, which left here yesterday

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