NEW SOUTH WALES. 161 



at hand ; after which, and about ten days before our arrival, she had 

 sailed for the United States. 



Our arrival was duly announced by an officer, and through him I 

 was informed that the governor, Sir George Gipps, would be happy 

 to receive me at eleven o'clock. In compliance with this intimation, 

 I had the honour of waiting upon his Excellency at that hour, in 

 company with Captain Hudson, and our consul. I made my apolo- 

 gies for having entered the harbour in so unceremonious a manner, 

 and stated the reasons why I could not tender the customary salutes. 



The reception I met with was truly kind : every assistance which 

 lay in his power was cordially offered ; and I was assured that I had 

 only to make my wants known to have them supplied. The use of 

 Fort Macquarie was immediately granted me for an observatory, a 

 position which, being within hail of my ship, gave me great facilities 

 for conducting my experiments, and at the same time superintending 

 my other duties. 



Fort Macquarie is situated on Bennilong's Point, which forms the 

 eastern side of Sydney Cove; it covers about half an acre of ground, 

 and is twenty feet above high- water mark; it has a few guns mounted, 

 but they are in no condition for service.* 



A few days before our arrival, it had been debated in council, 

 whether more effectual means of fortification were not necessary for 

 the harbour. The idea of this being wanted was ridiculed by the ma- 

 jority ; but the entrance of our ships by night seems to have changed 

 this opinion. Had war existed, we might, after firing the shipping. 

 and reducing a great part of the town to ashes, have effected a retreat 

 before daybreak, in perfect safety.f 



I may in this place acknowledge the open-hearted welcome we met 

 with from all the government officers, military and civil, as well as 

 from the citizens. Our reception was gratifying in the extreme, and 

 cannot be too highly appreciated. The Australian ClubJ was thrown 

 open to us by its committee, and parties, balls, &c, were given in 

 our honour; in short, all our leisure time was fully occupied in the 

 receipt of these hospitable attentions. 



The day after we anchored at Sydney, the brig Camden also 

 arrived. By her 'we learned the melancholy intelligence of the death 

 of the Rev. Mr. Williams, from whom we had parted so short a time 

 before at the Samoan Group. He was then, as will be recollected. 



* I understand that since our visit to Sydney, Fort Macquarie has been demolished. 

 t Since our visit, however, several new fortifications have been erected. 

 t At the Australian Club, I had the pleasure of seeing Count Strezleski, well known in 

 the United States, who was travelling in New South Wales. 

 VOL. II. ° 2 21 



