Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/652

 624 RKVKNUB. POPULATION. TRANQUILLITY. 183L person of Mr. Manning. Mr. Eoger Therry became Com- missioner of the Court of Bequests. Mr. Eaymond became the postmaster. Mr. Laidley arrived as Commissary- General. A new order of things had sprung up ; but some of the old names of the colony were in high repute ; and sons of honourable character were rising to bear the banner of their fathers. A singular refraction of distant fame glints through the ordinary social record of Sydney, when one sees that there was public mourning for the death of Bishop Eeginald Heber in whose diocese Australia was included. When Governor Darling left tlae colony the population of New South Wales was estimated to be 51,155. The ordinary revenue was about ^100,000. The wool export was nearly a million and a-half pounds. Oil was exported to nearly the amount of .£100,000, while the total imports were nearly ^6500,000. When the Governor was about to depart, having held office about six years, there was an unexpected display of feeling. Chief Justice Forbes, in the name of the Legislative Council, presented a farewell address, signed by himself and the other members. They dwelt on the good feeling between the Governor and the Council; they assumed their full share of responsibility for the measures enacted ; they pointed out with pride the advancement towards trial by jury, and the gradual sub- stitution of Legislative enactments for Executive proclama- tions. Of the Bushranging Act they said, **The expediency of the act of vigour has in the event been proved by the restoration of general tranquillity." Internal security, the development of internal resources, increasing com- merce, showed that the groundwork of prosperity was already laid. Collectively and individually they expressed their ''unabated esteem" for His Excellency. Darling replied in cordial terms to this and other addresses, from the Executive Council, the civil officers, and the clergy, magistrates, landholders, and merchants. But though Chief Justice Forbes might relent — might become spokesman of goodwill — though all voices concurred in tribute of grateful praise to the Governor's wife, William Wentworth, surrounded by wild spirits, and urged on by