Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/390

 372 that day ended, after having held (pro formâ) a Legislative Council also, and having sworn in some four new members, who have been admitted there. Well, next day (Friday), we had to open despatches and look into documents and so on; and, between whiles, to steal a peep into our private letters and newspapers. There were great doings in Fremantle on Friday—a dejeuner and a ball in honour of Sir James and Lady Stirling. I could not get down there before Saturday morning, when I rode down with our new Governor. Almost all the gentry of this part of the colony were there to take leave of Sir James. He was to have sailed on Saturday, but I prevailed on him to wait for the newspapers of the week, as, owing to the press being broken, none had been published the week before. We took leave of him publicly on his embarkation at 4 o'clock, and, as we raised our voices to cheer him for the last time, he was very much affected. I returned with the Governor that evening, and had much conversation with him. I rather like him as yet. I took one good night's rest, and yesterday (Sunday) I reached this quiet place once more. So I have worked up my story to the present day, and now I can go on pari passa.

Jan. 12th.—Have been in Perth since Wednesday. I give the natives up as wholly devoid of gratitude or good feeling. Last week, when they knew I was absent, having undertaken at their urgent entreaty to go and intercede with the Governor for the release of a prisoner (which I did and obtained it), the whole body of them encamped for three days and nights close to my wheat field, on Wright's grant, and carried off a great portion of the field of wheat. I think they must have taken near £20 worth. I came by chance on one of their encampments yesterday, where they had pounded the heads off the corn, and I was amazed.

Jan. 20th.—Have been in Perth all the week till this morning. What with Council and business of one sort or another, we have been much occupied. There were no fewer