The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal/Volume 1/Number 14
in the Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal, signed
communications made to those persons to whom they may
with any Official Signature, are to be considered as Official
relate.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.
Colonial Secretary's Office
Perth, April 6th, 1833
Notice is hereby given that the undermentioned Individuals have applied at this office for permission to leave the colony, viz.
- Edward Sears.
- John Swetnam,
- John Cook.
- By His Honor's command,
- Peter Brown
- Colonial Secretary
NOTICE.
Fremantle, April 6th—Arrived the Sandwich Island Schooner, Auranzau, Capt. R. Jordon from Singapore consigned to Mr. Wm. Lamb with the following cargo, viz:—
Beef, pork, sugar, rice, green and black teas, in large chests, and catty boxes, coffee, sugar candy, old brandy in cases, segars, napkins, patent boat cloaks, manila hats, black pepper, sago, manilla biscuit, coloured floor mats, &c small cordage, &c. &c. &c.
FOR SALE
AT THE STORES OF THE UNDERSIGNED
Perth.
IRISH PORK, ditto Beef, Hams, Flour Oatmeal, Potatoes, Onions, Rice, Lard, Sugar, Tea, Raisins, Jamaica Rum, Brandy, Prime Gin, Wines, London Porter, Tobacco, Segars, Snuff, Pipes, Cape Skins, Slops, Shoes, Cloth Caps, Felt and other Hats, Combs, Tin and Earthenware, Starch, Stone Blue, Pearl Barley, Vermicelli, Mustard, Pickles, Ketchup, Soy Salad Oil, Salt, Pepper, and Spices, Stationery, Playing Cards, Shot, Copper, Caps, Corks, &c. &c. &c.
LEROUX, CARTER, & Co.
WANTED TO BORROW
£150. on a Mortgage upon a very valuable Estate, containing 2700 acres, situated on the Swan, that lets for £100 per annum; the fee simple will be given with the mortgage deed, and the Estate at the time the mortgage is granted, will be totally unincumbered, 25 per cent interest will be given and to be paid half yearly.—Apply to the Editor; or, to
Mr. R. Lewis, Auctioneer.
- Fremantle.
NOTICE
I HEREBY give notice, that a motion will be made to the Civil Court, on Tuesday the seventh day of May next to obtain an order for the property of Raphiel Clint, late of this colony, to be sold, and the profits arising from such Sale to be placed in the hands of the Court, for the benefit of his creditors,
- Dated the 4th April 1833.
- Geo. Fred. Stone.
- Attorney for the Creditors.
- Dated the 4th April 1833.
QUARTER SESSION.
Fremantle, 1st April, 1833.
Before the Honorable W. H Mackie, Esq., Judge Advocate, and a full bench of Magistrates.
The learned Chairman opened the business of the Sessions with a short, but appropriate address to the grand Jury.
William Lewington, was charged with firing a pistol at Robert Maydwell with an intent to do him some bodily injury. The fact of his having fired the pistol was fully established. In his defence he endeavoured to palliate the offence, by shewing that Maydwell the father of his wife, had held out inducements to her to leave him, which she had done, a month after the marriage.
G. Leake, Esq. Mr. Rrichard Lewis, and others gave the prisoner an excellent character.
The Jury retired for a short time and returned a verdict—not guilty.
Pare alias Cowrie, was charged with attempting an indecent assault upon a female 7 years of age.—verdict not guilty.
Benjamin Hinks, was charged with breaking into the Harbour-Masters Office.
Frances Hagan, saw the prisoner at the book case, removing the books, and said good morning to him, which civility he returned, and said 'You see Hagan I'm reading a bit.'
The prisoner put in a written defence in which he stated that, since his last confinement in Jail, he could not get any body to allow him to sleep in their houses, and had merely taken shelter in the Harbour Masters office for the night. Finding the cupboard open, he was merely amusing himself by reading a bit.
Verdict—guilty.—Sentenced to 7 years transportation.
Stephen Hawker—charged with stealing certain spars or posts from the south beach—guilty 7 months imprisonment and hard labour. Also charged with stealing a cask of beef-guilty.
John Cooper of Fremantle publican, was charged before the sitting Magistrates on Tuesday last, with keeping a disorderly house; the defence set up was, the necessity of making money in any way, to pay so heavy a license He was dismissed, not on this plea, but in consideration of its being the first offence, with an admonition not to incur so heavy a charge again.
Davis the wife of T. Davis, a blacksmith was convicted on Thursday last in the penalty of 5s. with costs for being in a state of intoxication in the public streets. This was one of those aggravated cases, which the proper authorities are diligently striving to suppress.
Governor Stirling's name has frequently vibrated in our ears since his departure; we were pleased to hear, a few day's ago that, at Guildford, his tree,—the ground he trod upon,—and every object which calls forth the recollection of him, is marked as a memento of departed worth.
The post-man on his way down to Fremantle yesterday, happened to fall in with one of the sheep which had strayed from the flock lately driven up to a farm on the Swan, and from the exhausted state in which he found it, he carried it to the bush inn, a distance of about a mile and a half, for which exertion he received 2s!!
DEATH OF SIR WALTER SCOTT;
Sir Walter Scott died at Abbotsford, on Friday, September 21, aged sixty one years. Thirty one years were devoted to the most triumphant but wearing literary labour, and at last his physical strength was exhausted by mental exertion. The last days of life were darkness; and visited as he had been—death was hailed as the only source of relief. In this place, our duty is merely to note the fact of his translation from that sphere wherein his talents were honoured to that wherein his virtues will be rewarded.—Atlas
He was born on the 15th August, 1771, and consequently died in his sixty second year; he was the eldest son of Walter Scott, Esq., writer to the Signet in Edinburgh; his mother was the daughter of David Rutherford, Esq., an able and popular practitioner of the same (the legal) profession. She was the authoress of some poems, and acquainted with Burns, Blacklock, and Allan Ramsay. It is not unreasonable to suppose that from her he first formed his poetical taste—another illustration of the assertion that to our mothers we are mainly indebted for the early bent and ultimate tendency of character. Sir Walter early discovered a love of poetry and legendary lore, and the fact of his being born lame gave him opportunites of indulging in his poetic fancies. Mr. Scott was educated at the High School, Edinburgh, and afterwards served his time to the profession of the law. He was in July, 1792, called to the Scottish bar, and, through the influence of the head of the Scott family, the Duke of Buccleuch, he was nominated Sheriff of Depute of Selkirkshire; and in March, 1806, obtained the place of one of the principal Clerks of Sessions in Scotland. In 1798 he married Miss Carpenter, by whom he has left several children.
The first productions of Mr. Scott were two ballads from the German—"The Chace," and "William and Mary, published anonymously. "Gretz of Berienchingen," a tragedy, also from the German, appeared in 1799; and about the same time he contributed two ballads, "The Eve of St. John," and "Glenfinles," to Lewis's "Tales of Wonder." His next work was "The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," in 1802, which first established his poetic fame. "Sir Tristram" was published in 1804; this was followed next year by "The Lady of the last Minstrel;" afterwards succeeded by "Marmion," in 1808; "The Lady of the Lake," in 1810, the most popular of his poetical productions ; "The Vision of Don Roderick," in 1811; Rockeby, in 1812; "The Lord of the Isles," in 1814 ; and "Waterloo" soon after. These are his principal poetical works. In addition to these, Sir Walter published "The Border Antiquities of England and Scotland; and also, edited the works, of Dryden, Somers s Tracts, Sadler s State Papers, Miss Seward's Works, and those of Swift; be besides conducted the Edinburgh Annual Register. We need only allude in this brief sketch to that splendid collection of novels, known by the name of the first of them which appeared, the 'Wakerley' series. No contemporary author has written so much, and certainly few so well. He created a new world of fiction, founded on the spirit of history rather than its letter; and if he has been guilty of occasional deviations from the beaten path of fact, yet how much is due to one who has made the dry studies of antiquarianism and history both acceptable and delightful!
Sir Walter Scott obtained his Baronetcy shortly after the accession of George IV., who paid literature the high compliment of bestowing upon one of its principal living ornaments the first creation of title by the Monarch.
Last year the venerable poet, under the advice of his physicians, tried the air of Italy for the benefit of his health. While on his way back to England from the sunny climate of the South, he was attacked by a paralytic stroke, which laid prostrate the mighty energies of his mind, and after a short delay in London, he felt desirous of proceeding to Abbotsford, his home, where he was desirous of breathing his last—a wish that Providence allowed—in the arms of the members of his afflicted family.
The present Sir Walter Scott who succeeds to the baronetcy, is in his 63d year, and Major in the 15th hussars. He has one brother Mr. Charles Scott of Brazen nose collage, and 2 sisters, Mrs. Lockhart, wife of the editor of the Quarterly Review and Miss Scott.
Birth
On Sunday last the 31st Ultimo at Bassendean, the lady of the Honorable Peter Brown, Esq., Colonial Secretary, of a son.—
On Wednesday the 3d Instant, the infant died
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE
Arrived on the 30th Ultimo, the Merope, Capt Pollock from Hobart Town, out l8 days—Passengers Major Nairn, C. Whitmore, Esq, and Master Carew.
Sailed, on the 31st Ultimo, the Jolly Rambler, Capt. Brignell for Hobart Town.
Put back, on the 3d Instant—the Jolly Rambler by stress of weather, and having carried away her bowsprit.
Lying in Gages roads.—The Frances Charlotte,—The Merope,—Monkey, and Jolly Rambler
In Cockburn Sound.—The Cygnet, and Ellen Government Schooner.
Arrived on the 4th Instant, the Sandwich Island Schooner Auranzau, Captain and Super cargo R. Jordan, from Singapore. Captain Stephens died on the passage.
On Monday night last, we experienced a heavy storm from the N. W., the first of the season. The Frances Charlotte was driven a considerable distance from her moorings, in Gages Roads, but we are happy to say, was brought up, before she got into a possition to receive any injury. We had 48 hours warning of the approach of this storm; we must therefore candidly avow, if any accident had occurred, great blame might justly have been attached to those, whose duty it was to attend to these matters.
IMPORTS
Per Merope Captain J. Pollock, from Hobart Town.
261 Bags of Wheat. 265 Bags Oats. 50 tons of Potatoes. 306 Bags of flour. 29 Trusses of Hay. 90 Bags of Bran. 6 Puncheons Rum, 4 Cases Hams, 3 Casks Cyder, 6 Boxes Soap, 8 Chests Tea, 12 Cases Wine, 6 Casks Porter, 6 Casks Apples, 1 Bale Blankets, 1 Bale Shirts, 1 Case Haberdashery, 1 Case tin Ware, 1 Case Sadlery, 1 Case Leather, 16 Bags Pees, 200 Bushels Barley, 350 Sheep, 20 Goats, 9 Horses, 3 Bullocks, 7 Cows & calves, 12 Kegs Butter, 4 Boxes Candles, 1 Keg of Tobacco, 1 Hhd. of Gin 1 Hhd Brandy, 105 Gallons Liqneurs 11 Kegs Gun powder.
Per Auranzau—50 barrels Beef, 50 barrels of Pork, 150 bags of Rice, 20 chests of Tea, &c. &c.
GENERAL POST-OFFICE
The MAIL for England and the Cape of Good Hope via Mauritius, per Cygnet, Captain Rolls, will be closed on Monday next the 8th instant.
- Charles Macfaull,
- Postmaster
- Charles Macfaull,
THE
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
JOURNAL
The recent arrivals at this port, have brought us a supply for a short period, of every necessary article of consumption, and have reached us at a time, when the scarcity of the greatest part of the investments, will, we anticipate, render the speculations productive of mutual advantage. As the winter is now rapidly drawing in upon us; we regard these imports as a most seasonable supply, and we are relieved from any apprehensions of undergoing the same distressing privations, which were generally experienced but patiently endured during the past year. The potatoes in particular have arrived most opportunely; and we do hope, the fine condition they are landed in, (which makes them highly valuable to us for seed) will induce the Merchants to dispose of them at such prices as will ensure a general sale;—it would be provoking to see so valuable an acquisition to the Colony rotting on the beach to gratify the cupidity of individuals. They are fortunately in the hands of those of whom we hope better things, as soon therefore as the pulse of the market has been felt we may anticipate to see the price established at such a rate, as will bring the commodity within the reach of every settler in the colony; which will secure to us, with the seed we have already on hand, positive independence of any future supply.
The fluctuation in the price of flour within this last month has been from 5d. to 2½ wholesale. In this and other articles we perceive a strong disposition to hold back; we however quote the following prices from the Hobart Town Journals which will enable our readers to estimate more accurately the demands which are made; wheat 4s. 9d. to 5s., potatoes an abundant crop, and of excellent quality £5. a ton. Mutton 4d. per lb., beef 6d.
It is an interesting fact, that the arrival of the Sandwich Island Schooner is owing to the establishment of a Journal in this Colony; The Captain having obtained one of our papers, which contained some remarks upon the high prices of provisions. The cargo is well selected and coming from a quarter, (Singapore) whose productions were not likely to clash with any other imports, we hope and fully expect the enterprizing proprietors will be amply rewarded. This craft was built at Owyhee. Our external resources from the position of the Colony it is evident are easily rendered available; few hitherto have had reason to complain of the encouragement we have given them; we are always gratified to see strangers in our port; and we feel confident, by the extention of our domestic economy, as well as the introduction of a system of labour and expenditure, to hold out, before long, such inducements for strangers to visit us, as will protect us from the extravagant fluctuations our market is subject to
It may be as well to remind our readers that the Postman is now regularly dispatched from Perth, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at day break; and returns alternate days; the letters delivered at 10 o'clock Every effort is made to ensure punctuality, which will be greatly forwarded, by an immediate communication to the Post-master of any occurrence which has even the appearence of neglect.
Latest price of colonial produce in the London market:—
Seal skins, wigs middling, 40s. to 45s.; small, 40s. to 42s.—the above are much in demand; large pups, 34s. to 38s.; middling ditto, 32s. to 36s.: small dtito, 25s to 28s., ordinary or low quality about half the above prices. Kangaroo skins, 1s. to 2s. 6d.; hides, ox and cow, 3d. to 4d. per lb.; horns, ditto, 40s. to 50s. per 123; mimosa bark, 8l. 10s. to 9l. per ton; extract ditto, l6l, to 18l. per ton; cedar, 6d. per foot; southern pale oil, 29l. 10s. to 30l.; brown, 27l. to 28l.; sperm, 62l. to 62l. 10s.; southern whalebone, 95l. to 105l.; Greenland ditto, 180l. to 185l.; wool, Van Diemen's land, 10½d. to 2s. O½d. per lb.
We notice in an extract from the Mofassal Achbar, that owing to the awful mortality amongst the children of british soldiers on the Madras side of India, a plan has been laid before the Government for transferring the orphan institution to the colony of Van Diemen's land; we trust before the proposal is adopted, some of our friends in India will direct the attention of the Government to the advantages, they would derive from selecting this Colony for the experiment. Our proximity to India and highly favoued climate, entitle us to the first consideration, and a word to the wise from those gentlemen who have visited us, and have interested themselves so warmly in our behalf, we have no doubt would influence the government in delermining in our favour.
The news from Davis Straits describes the fishing in that quarter as remarkably successful. The vessels returning from that ground alone had caught more than would supply the market for 18 months. The number of sperm whalers now out from London is also beyond all former precedent.
Serious disturbances had broken out in Bombay on account of an interference with the religious prejudices of the Parsees, and others of the Hindoo castes. The annual order for the general massacre of the dogs, which have become most numerous and insufferable, was very rigidly enforced. This the natives have always considered an objectionable act of power, as they view the animals in a religious light. As two European constables, stimulated to the utmost pitch of zeal by the reward of half a rupee for each dog, were killing one in the compound of a native, they were astonished by a desperate attack made upon them and were severely wounded. On the following morning almost all the shops in the islands were closed, while parties of 200 or 300 people were engaged in forcing those to desist who attempted to go on with their usual occupations. Five companies of Soldiers soon restored order, and tranquility was finally secured.
REPORTED AFFRAY WITH THE NATIVES.
On Tuesday last it was generally reported that an affray had taken place the day previously between the soldiers and the natives, near the flats, and it was confidently stated at Fremantle, that several of them were shot; on enquiry, however, we find the statement to be incorrect, and the following are the simple facts:—
On Saturday last, Yagan taking advantage of Mr. Watsons absence from home, he entered the house, and offered such violence as occasioned Mrs. Watsons hurrying in great agitation to the house of a neighbour for protection; finding his intention defeated, he endeavoured to remove her suspicions by calling her back and exclaiming "White Woman, very good!—good bye!"—but when he found his efforts unavailing, he made off in a different direction.
The report of this occurrence reaching the ears of Capt. Ellis, the Superintendent of the native tribes, he, accompanied by Mr. Norcott and two soldiers took advantage of the first appearance of Yagan in the town of Perth, on the Monday, to conduct him with other natives to Mr. Watson's house, for the purpose of explaining to them the punishment which would attend a repetition of such an attempt as Yagan had been guilty of; however, on reaching the spot, Yagan, who had been entrapped once before, conscious of his offence, and apprehending danger, started into the bush followed by the others of his tribe. Ryan one of the privates of the 63d. misunderstanding Capt. Ellis's order hastily fired, but without injuring any of them;—Captain Ellis rode after them, but could not prevail upon them to return. Yagan and Migo (the man who was supposed to have been wounded), have since been in the town, and the whole affair which has been magnified into a desperate attack upon the natives, has thus ended as the mere idle gossip of the day.
Some sheep we hear have been speared at the Honorable Peter Brown, Esq.'s farm; Capt. Ellis has been in the neighbourhood for the last two days, but we believe without having been successful in his endeavours to seize the perpetrators.
The Norval, Capt. Ross, arrived at Launceston last week from Sydney, with a detachment of the 21st or North British Fusileers, which had gone out with prisoners to New South Wales, and are now forwarded to this place where the regiment is to be stationed, to succeed the 63d regiment. It is understood, however, that the latter regiment will not embark for India as formerly, before the full complement of the regiment to succeed them in the colony has arrived. The detachment by the Norval, consists of Capt. Daniell, Lieutenant Stuart, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 27 privates, also 7 children. They left the Downs on the 31st of August.—The Hobart Town Courier.
FOR SALE.
THE Cutter rigged boat 'SUCCESS' carrying 3 tons, with sails, mast, chain cable, and anchor,—Price 35 Guineas cash, or 40 Guineas in barter for live stock, or useful articles of provisions.—Apply to
- W. GIBBS, Perth.
We made some remarks a few weeks ago upon the subject, of our improvements and the scarcity of money owing to the absence of a proper circulating medium; we also intimated that our eastern friends were suffering under the same difficulty, which the following extract from the Hobart Town Courier of the l5th Feb. fully confirms.
"It is a fact probably not very generally known to the reader, that many, indeed most of the United States of America have incurred debts with London contractors for large loans advanced on them. Thus in Oct. last, the state of Louisiana contracted a new loan (one of a similar amount having alreadly been contracted) with the great house of Baring and & Co. for 7 millions of dollars. The contract was taken in New Orleans at 106 per cent, for a 5 per cent. stock with a fixed period of redemption. We would wish particularly to draw this fact before the notice of our readers, in hopes that some measures of the kind would be adopted either through the negotiation of the government or a respectable company of individuals or banking house, by which the repayment of the money and interest to the lender might be securely guaranteed. A loan of this kind would be one of the most glorious things that could be done for this colony. The settlers would then be able to obtain the means of carrying on their improvements at a fair rate of interest, instead of the usurious exactions to which they have been subjected, so exorbitant that they could seldom or never after extricate themselves from the load so brought upon them. In this latter way fortunes have been made by certain griping hands, who having filled their pockets and made their arrangements, take their flight to drain our poor island annually of a portion of its best and most sterling produce.
This is the terrible draw-back that is daily gaining head against us, and scarce a vessel now quits our shores that does not bear with it some one or the other capitalist of this description holding us fast by the more than iron bonds of parchment to pay our annual tribute. They are the very worst species of members that a community can possess—they are absolute drones upon its industry, for they do nothitg—they may be known by never on any occasion laying out a shilling on tiny colonial improvement whatever. So far from cultivating the land—so far from making corn grow where the wild waste formerly spread itself, though rolling in wealth, they will not even afford themselves a house but live in a hired one for fear of encroaching on the accumulating capital. The most remarkable feature belonging to them is, that their love of money should allow them to draw the limit, and should at last permit them to leave the scene of their golden source to spend a portion profitless in the mother country. This has always appeared to us a most singular anomaly, though a most unfortunate one for this country. If a loan of the kind we propose, and which our worse than useless Van Diemen s land company started to effect, could be negotiated with a respectable house at home, these 20 and 30 per cent, gentry would soon be brought to their proper bearings. Their mortgages and encumbrance upon us would be speedily paid off, and they would at last be reduced to the 2½ per cent, from the funds, instead of ten times the amount sucked away from us in wool, oil or treasury bills, which they now of necessity do. We must either be more economical, more saving, and less enterprise in colonial improvement, or bring about the equitable measure we propose, or we may prepare ourselves to sink to the same wretched state in which absentee Ireland is now reduced."
We have as yet no loans at exorbitant and ruinous interest to encumber us, and now the rock upon which our neighbours have split is clearly laid down for us, it will be a lasting reproach if we strike upon it. An accomodation of some description we plainly avow is essential to our advancement, but it must be on such terms as will render the benefit reciprocal. After this cautio those who submit to become the victims of the overbearing mortgagee richly deserve, to wear the shackles their imprudence had forged.
The panic, as it may be called, which has existed in Hobart Town for the last two or three months owing to the depreciated state of trade and currency begins gradually now to subside. While according to our custom, we candidly came forward with the truth and acknowledged the distressed condition the colony was in, we carefully avoided any observation that might tend to aggravate the pressure by needless alarm, We recommended, and do still most strenuously recommend, the exercise of the strictest economy, which coupled with the application of persevering industry, we were convinced would ultimately alleviate the burden. The discounting of bills and other usual means of obtaining pecuniary aid, to carry on colonial improvments, were not, we shewed, detrimental in themselves, except when carried to excess, as they stand so materially to stimulate industry—to call into operation the best and truest productive species of all capital, that of labour. The general advancement of the colony—the intrinsic value of property in the island—the wealth of nations, as Adam Smith would call it, is by that means permanently ensured. The chief evils to be apprehended, are lest the eagerness of the settler should carry him too rapidly forward with his improvements so as to get beyond his depth as it were, and not to be able afterwards to recover himself, and lest the lender of money drawing too great an interest or bonus for the loan, especially if he himself has not a fixed stake in the colony—if he be not a family man so as to retain him a settler, and prevent him from becoming a rich absentee abroad, to drain us annuall of our best returns, should accumulate too large a portion of the general wealth, and become at last the enormous, uncompromising capitalist, ultimately to bring on our island the same evils which from the same unnatural cause, so much oppress the mother country—Hobart Town Courier.
The present year seems likely to be more rife of joint stock companies than any other since disastrous 1825; but those now announced, instead of being, as then, for any purpose under the suit, take 'the form and pressure of the time;' they are all either for the promotion of steam travelling, or of colonization. A prospectus has been issued for a general steam carriage company, totally distinct from the one already noticed, whose operations were to be confined to the immediate neighbourhood of the metropolis; this, on the contrary, is to extend the blessings of rapid locomotion to all parts of the United Kingdom. The railway companies likewise appear to be tolerably flourishing; but the schemes which take the best of all, are those which chime in with the prevailing rage for emigration. The Australian and Van Diemen s Land Companies (now some years established) seem to be sufficient for those distant colonies, this is quite correct—we have quite sufficient of these companies in these colonies—notwithstanding the able men, Sir E. Parry, and Mr. Curr, who conduct them), but the Canada company will for the future have to contend with a powerful rival in the shape of a similar association, which will, however, leave the upper province to its older competitor, and confine its operation exclusively to Lower Canada. It is entitled the British American Land Company, and has been chiefly set on foot by Mr. Galt (author of Annals of the Parish, and innumerable other works) who was formerly agent to the original company. The new scheme has had brilliant success hitherto, and has been warmly welcomed by the inhabitants of the colony, which it is the object of its promoters to improve. Besides this, a New Brunswick Land Company has also been announced, and within these few days, a Central American Company. We are afraid so many speculations will only tend to the ruin of each other; but at any rate, they present no insignificant 'sign of the times.'—Mechanics Mag.
A company is projected at Paris of capitalists and resolute men, instructed in science and the arts, for the purpose of proceeding to Africa, and forming an establishment, to be put into immediate and direct communication with the nations of the interior, and to enter into commercial relations that they may terminate the war between the Arabs and the Franks, and be susceptible of very extensive diffusion. (Continued.)
Under these circumstances, there can be no impropriety in appealing to the British Government. If the Houses of Parliament will not take any higher view of the subject, perhaps, they will be influenced by financial considerations. Every tribe of the natives that are instructed, will learn to work for their bread; and will immediately require clothing. The success of the missionary, therefore, will procure employment for the manufacturers of the Mother Country; and the farther he makes his way into the interior, the more he will add to the wealth of the empire. If the aboriginal inhabitants of Australia were consumers of the manufactures of the Mother Country—and consumers of her manufactures they certainly will become, when they receive a knowledge of christianity—she would be independent of the American and other markets, where so many attempts are now making to rival the industry of her people.
One word to those who profess to be christians in the settlement, and to the christian public in the British Isles. How long will it be before you take pity upon this people? Are your hearts made of adamant? Have they no compassion? Here is a people free from idolatry; free also from European vices—a peopie ready, and so far prepared for the reception of the gospel,—a people who have already heard a Saviours name proclaimed to them, who have wondered at the strange but heavenly sound, I bowed the knee with those that worshiped him in their own wild forests, and now wait till the great mystery of Christianity—god manifest in the flesh—be unveiled to them—a people, on whose unnumbered generations not a ray of divine revelation has shone since the days of Noah; and many of whom, if you delay, will drop into an unchangeable eternity; utterly ignorant of that Redeemer in whom centre all your hopes of happiness either in this world or the world to come.
A Vocabulary of the language of Derbal.
The Derbalese Alphabet.
A, b, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, t, u, v, w, y.
Remarks on the Vocabulary.
The orthography perhaps cannot be accurately and finally fixed, till we get such a knowledge of the language as will enable us to trace the different words to the proper roots whence they are derived For, as derivation is necessary to elucidate the proper meaning of words; and, as time and circumstances frequently cut out new channels for themselves, and not only isolate words but clothe them with a new dress, it's the duty of the orthoepist, without interfering with the established rules of pronunciation, to abide by, or restore, when necessary, the original orthography, and clothe the words as much as possible, in their native garb; not only in order to distinguish the present roots to which the different families belong, but for the sake of the elucidation of the language.
Simplicity in the orthography of a language is not less important than desirable. And, as the vowels in Derbalese are not much varied, each having seldom more than two distinct sounds, which must be invariably governed by accentuation, I have disencumbered the language as much as possible of consonants. For instance, when in English, it is intended to deprive the vowel a of its broad sound, as in fate and fare, it is usual to shut it up with a double consonant, as in balm and hammer: but as the broad sound of this vowel seldom occurs in Derbalese, I have thought it better, for the present, when it does occur, to distinguish it with an emphasis; as in Gálup and Yàgan; by which the language will be freed from a multitude of consonants, thus easily dispensed with. In every case therefore in which the vowel a is not thus marked, it is pronounced in the manner usual on the continent of Europe and North Britain.
But enough on this subject. Pronunciation cannot be acquired by reading: it must be communicated by tuition. Suffice it for the present, to observe, that Derbalese resembles English, in its tendency to an antepenultimate accent. Sometimes, the accent is placed still higher.
I am afraid few of my readers will catch the proper pronunciation of the letters ng, when combined. No one but a Hebrew scholar can form any idea of the sound, which these characters are intended to convey.
The letter y, when it follows the letter d, is not to be pronounced by itself. It is merely intended to soften that character.
Though I am prepared to answer for the general accuracy of the Vocabulary, it cannot be snpposed, under the circumstances of the case, that I am certain of the correctness of every word. I have therefore put those of the meaning of which I have any doubt in italics.
Where the word consists of five syllables or more, it has a double accent. In other cases the antepenultimate prevails.
THE VOCABULARY.
Goodjat, apparently, the name of the supreme. Should the root, whence this term is derived, be discovered in Derbalese, it will, I am inclined to think, be found to import the originator; the former of all things; the foundation of life.
The word is not unlike Goonja, the name of the supreme among the oborigines of South Africa, when it was first discovered.
The term is masculine.
Ngangar—another being.
This term is feminine.
Yaelangooroo—another.—But this term seems to be plural; and to import a family. If so, it signifies that the starry worlds with all their inhabitants, are the offspring of the Deity; or were created by him.
Moonak,—the place where the Deity is more immediately supposed to display his presence; Heaven.
All these are described to be maar-beelenak, above the firmament. The three persons here named, may be found to be nothing more than demi-gods; or men deified. But, if it should be found to be a principle in their creed, that they are immortal and eternal, it will be an interesting discovery.
Ngorrabberrak, an expression denoting the displeasure of the Deity.
Maar-warra-wallagobee, an opening in the firmament apparently implying a communication between heaven and earth.
Maar-book, the firmament. The word is used also to denote air.
N. B. Book is used both as a definite and indefinite article; and invariably follows the noun. It is also attached to nouns proper. This is a singular peculiarity.
Nanga-book, the sun.
Batta, the beams of the sun.
Nanga-batta-nynowl, the sun is risen—literally—enthroned. See nynow.
Nanga-ngnardog, the sun is set.
Nanga-warloo, the sun is returning. See wuraloo.
Nangar-mooreejoon, to give light; to see. The expression seems to import the sun dispelling the darkness.
Nanga-banya, a hot, or sweating sun. See banya.
Mirgaduk, morning. See mirdak.
Malyarak, meridian.
Mirdak | also | night.
Bidooroong, afternoon.
Gareembee, sun set.
Moorat | See moorn.
Mullijee, shadow.
Meega-book, the moon.
Beerdyat, high
Meega-meemak, the moon is risen
Beerat, day.
Waroo, darkness.
Meega-derbaga, the moon is set. Changes of the moon.
Meega-beree, or wyaberda, first quarter. See beree.
Meega-newmap, in Mooro, ngoomon, in Beeliar, full moon.
Meega-nynown. last quarter. See nynow
Meega-maral-gangoween, change of the moon. The moon is changing hands, seems to be the import of the expression. See mara
Nangar, the stars
Walgen the rain-bow, Moolagar thunder,
Babumberee lightning, Wagal wind,
Dalagooroo, sound; the sound of the wind blowing
Dogee, rain
Gooree, to rain
Moolat, hail
Boodjar, land; the earth
Dyeedyalla, clay
Gooiara, sand
Booyee, rock; a rock; a stone. The word has no plural number. But if a rock show its head above water in the sea, the same distinction holds in Derbalese as in English. It is not called an island or an isle; but, simply, a rock, booyee
Gordo, an isle
Boodjar-gordo, an island
Katta, a hill. See katta
Boorda, a valley
Boorda, by and by. Importing, in the one case, an interval of space; and in the other an interval of time
Moko, water
Moko-dyalooma, salt water
Moko batoot, fresh water
Ngoora, a lake
Yaragan, a river
Gabee, a well, a lake, a river—any receptacle of water from a drinking cup to the ocean
Gabee younanee, go to the well
Gabee-maar, a cloud. Literally, the well of the sky; or the fountain of the firmament
Gabee-wodin, the sea; the main ocean
Gabooluk, pregnancy; the state of a woman with child
The different parts of the human body, This section is complete
Dyoondal, white; fair
Moora, black; dark coloured
Katta, the hair
Nganga, the beard
Mooning, the Mustaches
Yoorat, the head
Mungura, crown of the head
Moordu, back of the head
Dunga, the ears
Damillee, the face
Yoordo, the forehead
Yaba, the temples
Mingat, the eye-brows
Meeal, the eyes
Meealana, the eye lids
Moolya, the nose
Karup, the nostrils
Dya, the lips
Madya, the mouth
Nalgo, the teeth
Dallang, the tongue
Goonyan, the palate. The similarity of the sound in the French word gout, signifying taste, and pronounced, goo, is perhaps not unworthy of notice.
Boomo, the chin
Wardo, the neck
Nunga, back of the neck
Doorgat, the throat
Ngundu, the chest
Bibee, the breast
Bibee-moollya, the nipple Literally, the nose of the breast. See moolya
Gongo, the back
Kaburla, the belly
Naral, the side
Beelye, the navel
Dtowel, the thigh
Wanik, the knee. Possibly the knee-cap
Boneet, the knee
Matta, the leg
Wallit, the calf of the leg
Goodye, the shin
Bilga, the ancle
Geena, the foot, the toes
Ngardee, the heel
Bunara, the sole. Geena-bunara, the sole of the foot
Monga, the shoulder
Ngooiya, the arm pit
Marga, the arm
Wangoo, the arm, from the shoulder to the elbow
Nogat, the elbow
Mardal, the wrist
Mara, the hand, the fingers
Nara, the hollow of the hand
Kaburn, the face of the hand; the palm
Mara gongo, the back of hand
Beree, a nail; the nails
Mara-beree, finger nails
Geena-beree, toe nails
Dyoonga, bone, a bone
Eemba skin,
Maboo, skin of the Kangaroo
Beedy, the veins
Ngooboo, blood
Goodja, the womb
Katta-dyeedan, fair haired
Katta-dyeedal, grey haired
Katta-moorn, black haired
Barnulliara, bald
Ngoombart, the ornaments, made on the chests, backs, and shoulders of the men
This is done by the women.
The flesh is cut, or scoriated in various forms with a sharp stone. The fire is then applied to it, till it rise in blisters, presenting various figures in alto; in which form it is left to heal of its own accord.
Booram, before; the front.
Ngoolyar, behind; rear—evidently from ngoolya, the arm-pit hid, out of view
Mamerup, a man. Yago, a woman
Mandigero, a married woman; a wife
Goolangooree, a babe; pronounced yoolangery But, it is so evidently derived from the same root with the following words that I have ventured to retain what I conceive to be the proper orthography.
Goolang, a youth; boy or girl
Gooraat, a girl. Goorarda, a boy
Goolamaroo, a yong man; unmarried; unbearded
Goolamata, a virgin Bidyer, father
Mael, in Mooro, mai, in Beeliar, mother
Gangooroogoo, a brother. Wooree, a sister
Girdagan, a relation; or one very like another
Babing, a friend.
Babing-garee, friend by marriage
(To be continued)
Edited, Printed, and Published by CHARLES MACFAULL, at the Gazette Office, Perth
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