Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/373

 355 from Van Diemen's Land (a nephew of Lord Talbot) has been staying with me for some days. He was in this colony at its first settlement, but went to Van Diemen's Land to manage his uncle's property, and has paid us a visit now, bringing some sheep to place on his grant here. He says he is surprised at the advance we have made, and how much we have done with such little means—much more in proportion than what they could do in Tasmania with so many convicts. He has this day gone to see the Canning district. I rode with him all about the neighbourhood. Great pruning of peach trees, vines, and figs, &c. There has been very little rain this winter so far, and the ground is scarcely damp enough. The river hereabouts is salt yet, the fresh water only just beginning to come into it.

July 20th.—What a tantalizing thing! A vessel on her route from India passed this port some time ago, and called at King George's Sound, and there gave them abundant supplies of many things which we are in great want of here. She had intended to come in here, but it was blowing fresh when she was off Rottnest, and she sheared off. Are we never to have a vessel? It is ludicrous to hear the talk about soap, especially amongst the ladies. Major Irwin and the family (I believe) to-day came up to reside at Henley Park (that is the name of the place opposite to this). I see unusual lights in the windows, but the evening has been so unfavourable that I could not stir out. A man was here to-day looking for casks for oil for the Fremantle Whaling Company. I am afraid that will be a bad business. I have actually paid £70 on one share and not received a penny yet.

I have made our interpreter give me a translation of the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the native language. It is singular that they have no expression for either a wish or a want, and yet one would think they had enough of both. Some of the phrases cannot be rendered accurately, nor be even properly paraphrased. It is strange