CHAPTER VIII 



THE FIRST RECLAIMER : ALEXANDER BERRY 



Some of the more eminent pastoralists of those early 

 days we can briefly focus as the curtain rises on their 

 physiognomies, their adventures, or their activities. 

 The discoverer and reclaimer of one of the most fertile 

 districts in New South Wales has an enduring place in 

 the front rank of Australian pioneers. Alexander Berry 

 was a native of Cupar, in Fifeshire, and passed through 

 his curriculum in Arts at the neighbouring University of 

 St. Andrews. Having graduated at the medical school 

 of the University of Edinburgh, he entered the service of 

 the East India Company as a surgeon, and he made many 

 voyages to India and China in his professional capacity. 

 He was indirectly connected with some great events. 

 It contributes to give historical perspective to his life 

 when we learn that he medically accompanied back to 

 England the remnant of a regiment that had taken part 

 in the battle of Assaye under Sir Arthur Wellesley. In 

 later years, as a private citizen, he witnessed the bom- 

 bardment of Cadiz by Soult, and ever after he spoke of 

 the famous field-marshal's military capacity with 

 contempt. Abandoning the service of the Crown, in 

 September 1807 he went out to the Cape of Good Hope, 

 and there chartered a prize ship which he patriotically 

 named the City of Edinburgh. Never was a vessel 

 seemingly more doomed to disaster. SaiHng for New 

 South Wales with supphes for the famishing colonists, 

 who were threatened with starvation, within eight days 

 she lost her masts in a gale. The intrepid master 



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