242 HISTORY OF 



do any thing but nurse their children; an excuse 

 very few were without. If their value might 

 be estimated by the fineness of the children 

 with which they had prodigiously increased the 

 numbers in the settlements, they would have 

 been found deserving every care and attention ; 

 but their vices, too conspicuous and promi- 

 nent to admit of much palliation, rendered them 

 objects of detestation. 



The heavy rains which had fallen this month 

 and last, having much damaged the public road 

 between Sydney and Paramatta, two gangs 

 were employed in repairing them. The weather 

 was much colder than usual at this season, and 

 in the interior, there was a sharp frost during 

 the night. 



An order having been given in the beginning 

 of August, for assembling the court of civil! 

 judicature, a recommendation to the inhabitants 

 was added, " that when any bargain, contract,, 

 or agreement, was made between any party or 

 parties, on any subject whatsoever, the same 

 should be reduced to writing, specifying im 

 direct and clear terms what the nature of such; 

 bargain or contract might be, and causing the?: 

 same to be properly witnessed, and subscribed! 

 by the parties concerned." This measure was^ 

 to prevent disputes, litigation, and misunder- 

 standings among them, and to avoid the incon- 

 venience which the members of the courl 

 experienced, when convened, from the loost 

 and careless manner in which business was 

 brought before them. 



