256 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



and Troughton, but I regretted to see the dilapidated state it was in. 

 Mr. Dunlap, the present incumbent, obligingly showed me the instru- 

 ments, and I passed an agreeable morning with him. He is allowed 

 a small salary, but I understood that no allowance was made for 

 repairs of the building, &c. 



Paramatta contains some public buildings and works, among which 

 are the female penitentiary or factory, which has already been de- 

 scribed, a stone court-house, barracks, and a fine stone bridge over 

 the Paramatta river. I feel greatly indebted to Sir George and Lady 

 Gipps, with whom I passed two days, for the kindness and attention 

 they showed me. 



Previous to Sir George Gipps's going to New South Wales, he had 

 been in Canada, and on his return had paid a short visit to the United 

 States. It afforded me pleasure to find the liberal views and feelings 

 he evinced towards our country. It is needless to say that at the 

 Government-House my time passed agreeably, and that I sensibly felt 

 the exchange of such agreeable society for the routine of my duties 

 on shipboard Here, also, I had the pleasure of meeting several 

 agreeable people. 



The houses of Paramatta are generally no more than two stories 

 high, and are built of sandstone. The town contains several churches. 

 The Government-House is a commodious, unpretending two-story 

 building. The grounds are extensive, but not remarkable for beauty. 

 A farm is attached to the domain, where many government cattle are 

 kept, and there are numerous outbuildings and dairies. The ground 

 had a familiar look to me, for the grass was burnt up, and reminded 

 me of my home at Washington during the heat of summer. It was, 

 therefore, an unfavourable time to see its beauties. I understood that 

 this place was laid out as an experimental farm ; but this plan, I 

 should suppose, is now laid aside, for the people of the colony are 

 abundantly able to take care of themselves. 



A telegraph is placed in a conspicuous position within a short 

 walk of the house, which communicates with Sydney, and was 

 formerly in constant use. It is now in contemplation to remove it, 

 as it is no more needed, which is a farther proof of the advancement 

 of this colony towards a well-regulated government. 



There are also schools at Paramatta under the direction of the 

 resident chaplain. 



Several of the gentlemen who were left at Sydney, visited the 

 Ulawarra district, which has already been more than once spoken 



