consisting of some commonplace unacknowledged stanzas in a moralizing and abstract style. The news items consist of a notice of the first overland mail to Sydney, a meteorological memo., and some shipping records. The following "Maxims" are given for general information:— "The triumph of woman lies, not in the admiration of her lover, but in the respect of her husband; and that can only be gained by a constant cultivation of those qualities which she knows he must value." "Few faculties more deserve or better repay cultivation than that of the Imagination—it is the soil whence flowers and fruits equally spring." To provide some light reading, and to exercise the ingenuity of the readers, an agreeable diversion is effected by the insertion of "riddles," viz.:—
- What letter of the alphabet goes all round Great Britain?
- What manufacture has an old hat had ?
- When is a boat not a boat?
- When is a man's face like a Jewish priest?
It is intimated that "any answers pertinent to the above will be gratefully received up to the 21st;" but it does not appear that any had ever been sent in. The following excerpta are copied verbatim et literatim:—
No. 4, 22nd January. The specimen before me is inscribed "Office Copy," and there is on it the clerk's marking of the advertisements for re-insertion or withdrawal. This evidently belonged to the filed set. After the first number, the leading matter seems to have dropped. This is a very poor affair, the most striking feature in it being a Fawknerian notice in this strain:— "To let A substantial Weatherboarded house, 27ft by 14, divided into Two rooms below and one upper Room the whole length it is well floured Bricknogged and plastered enquire of the proprietor." It also contains a sporting notice of an intended race-meeting to come off on the 27th at Fawkner's Hotel, and a couple of small shipping matters.
No. 5 is mis-dated January 1st instead of 29th, and shows no improvement. It has its "Maxims" and "Poet's Corner," and announces the arrival of the Sydney mail on the 28th, with newspapers to the 12th. There is also published portion of a notice from the Sydney Government Gazette (22nd November, 1837), relative to Immigration and the discontinuance of the Assignment of Convicts. It mentions that the Melbourne Races (the first) were to be run on the 7th and 8th March.
No. 6 (5th February) is more of a newspaper, for it records two or three occurrences, the most sensational being the perpetration of an outrage thus described:— "Sunday night or early this morning six prisoners of the Crown absconded from their respective Masters Taking with them a large Boat belonging to J. P. Fawkner and a Mariner's Compass." Amongst the advertisements is one of "£2 reward offered for black painted Boat with a red Streak Square Stern—Stolen from bank of river. Apply to Thomas Field." Doubtless both refer to the one transaction.
No. 7 (12th February) is bordered with a ruling of red ink, and the writing is Fawkner's own. The following, from the advertisements, deserve re-publication:— " Derwent Bank Agency.—The undersigned hereby gives notice that from Thursday next, the 8th inst., he will receive deposits, and discount bills and orders for account; and under the responsibility of the Derwent Bank Company at Hobart Town, V.D. Land. W. F. A. Rucker, Melbourne. 6th February, 1838."
"Intercourse with Williamstown.—The undersigned begs to inform the public that he keeps a boat and two men in readiness for the purpose of crossing and re-crossing passengers between Williamstown and the opposite beach. Parties from Melbourne are requested to raise a smoke, and the boat will be at their service as soon as practicable. The least charge is 5s. and 2s. each when the number exceeds two. H. M'Lean, Williamstown, 9th February, 1838."
No. 8, February 19th.—There is evidently a new hand, or rather a copyist, at the helm, as the writing is fluent, and as legible almost as print. The copy, however, is impressed with a melancholy remembrance of poor Fawkner, for written across the first page by his "vanished hand" are the two words "Parlour Copy," making it evidently the sheet kept for hotel use. The advertisements are on the increase, and include an official programme of the first Race Meeting to come off in the Province.
