242 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 atten- 

 tion 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 agree- 

 able 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 resi- 

 dent chaplain. 



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

 warra district, which has already been more than once spoken of. They 

 made the passage from Sydney to Woolongong in a steamer. Owing 

 to the steamer not being well-adapted for a sea-voyage, much incon- 



