'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎214] (323/496)

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mity of the globe. They have several places of public worship. The
female penitentiary is situated about two miles to the northward of the
town, in a romantic valley, with a purling stream running through it. It
is a large building, capable of containing about 800 female convicts; hut
when I visited it not more than 250 were within its walls. Everything
was particularly clean and well arranged, and the system appears to
work w r ell. The Grovernment House stands on a gentle declivity, in the
midst of a shrubbery sloping gradually to the water’s edge, the entrance
on the left hand side going up Macquarie Street. It is a large rambling
pile of buildings, and cannot boast of any particular style of architecture;
it however commands a fine and picturesque view of the surrounding
country, and the harbour, wdiich here forms a magnificent estuary, with
the shipping laying quietly at anchor on its still surface. Mount Wellington
rises at the back of the town, distant eight miles. It is about 4000 feet
high, and defends the town from the westerly winds, wdiich at times
rolls over the mountain in tremendous gusts, sweeping all before it. The
sides are covered with trees, reaching even to the top, altogether forming
an imposing appearance, the summit now being enveloped in snow. In
summer it has many visitors, who make excursions to the top to enjoy
the exhilarating and refreshing breeze. Through the town runs a stream
of water, which not only turns several mills, but keeps up a constant
supply of water during the height of summer.
During our stay at this place the weather was at times very cold, the
wind being chiefly from the S. Westward, with frequent showers of rain
and sleet, the thermometer ranging from 38° to 48°. Notwithstanding all
these disagreeables, we were much pleased and gratified with our short
visit, for nothing could exceed the kindness and hospitality shewn us,
not only by the officers of Her Majesty’s 21st fusiliers, and the principal
inhabitants, but by the Lieutenant-Grovernor, Colonel Arthur, who ren
dered us every assistance, and did all in his power to expedite the de
parture of the Tigris on her important mission. The scurvy, which
had made its appearance on board, by judicious treatment, and an
abundant supply of fresh meat and vegetables, soon lost its virulence, and
although several of the crew were attacked with this dreadful disease,
yet none died : a week longer at sea, and I fear we should have told a
very different tale. Our being short of water, and having been kept so
long on salt provisions, was the sole cause. No scorbutic affections would
have taken place at all had w r e been supplied with preserved meats and
soups, but unfortunately there were none on board. The “ penny wise
and pound foolish” system was in this instance very apparent, for had