Friday, June 17th, 1898, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sydney, Friday morning, June 17/98.

Yesterday morning was very fine & I started for the city at 10:20 (Mr. Whitfield leave[s] home every morning at 7:35 & trains it. Business begins at 8:30 & closes at 6, & gets home at 6:35) & trained it to Everley station, next one to Sydney, & the station is close to Mr. Minto‘s workshop. I found him quickly & in, & stayed about ½ hour. He gave me Willie Stoddart‘s address, “Civil Service Stores”. I knew where it was as I had seen it on the Wednesday night – close to the Strand Arcade, where McLean‘s place is. I took bus & called – saw Willie 12:15, & he was very pleased to see me. He had been looking daily for me. He likes both the situation, people & Sydney, & looks very much improved, & I was delighted to observe it. Then I went across the street into the arcade (where I had prospected on Wed. evening & saw his sign) & soon was in his office, & he was very delighted to see me. I didn’t stay long as it was business hours, but promised to call now & again. He [4:46] was looking well & had enjoyed his trip home & back again. I then went & had dinner next to the art gallery & enjoyed nearly 2 hours there, where I read a “Mail” which McLean had just received.[1] It was Saturday’s, April 30^th & a sheet of Monday’s, May 2^nd. Hardy’s gas explosion & a paragraph about Dr. [Gurley?] & also the surveyor. I note in Saturday’s, the [S.S?] anniversary of our church & Norman Wright to preach. You would, of course, have a call of him. I expect Mr. Adamson would be at Ancroft Moor supplying Norman’s pulpit. I am pleased with the arrangement, & here let me mention, I’ve been perusing a lot of Berwick papers & I note Mr. Allan is dead, & Witherow off to Glasgow, & McGregor to Wishaw. Great changes indeed, & I note Sarah McLeman has got married, & lots of interesting bits of news. After leaving the art gallery, in which are some very great pictures, I had a walk around portion of the very magnificent harbour as far as Circular Quay, passed several war ships, one a Japanese, & while I was in art gallery, several Jap middies[2] & officers were viewing the pictures. I trammed it home to Dulwich Hill, trimmed myself up a bit & went to Lawson’s, & spent 3 very pleasant hours, & Mr. Whitfield came across (10 minutes only) for me & he stayed an hour, & Mr. Lawson & he got on fine, both knowing so much of Newcastle & locality. Mr. Lawson was born near Berwick, Allerdean, & worked years in Hawthorne’s, Newcastle, as blacksmith. There he knew uncle [James][3] well, & the Nixons &c. He is a fine old man, 75, very fresh & white hair, & would like a trip home again. Mr. & Mrs. Wood, with whom he lives, are nice folks, & another sister & her husband, Goldsworthy by name, were there [4:47] to meet me & I am to visit them on Monday night. In Mrs. Wood’s album was grandmother, & Aunt Ann, & Wm. Young. I think Mr. Wood is a grocer, but not sure. I don’t know yet what Mr. Goldsworthy is. They both have families & seem happy folks. Mr. Lawson is quite excited with my visit, it appears, so Mrs. Wood told me. I am to call when I choose, & as often as I care. This Friday morning I have been wading through the Advertisers before going out, & my first call will be Mrs. Tolson’s, not a long way off, bus from here & then into the city to view. I am to meet Mr. Whitfield at 6 & we are going to a Scottish concert tonight to hear Durward Lely,[4] “The Auld Scots Songs”. Last night I note was “A Nicht Wi’ Burns”[5]. We will get tea in the city. It’s a fine bright morning & sun shining fine, tho’ it’s a trifle sharp, very near midwinter here.

[1] Inserted on facing page: “Berwick Papers”.

[2] Midshipmen, a rank of officer in the Royal Navy, above naval cadet and below sub lieutenant

[3] James Whitehead lived in Newcastle according to the 1871 England census

[4]Durward Lely was one of the great tenors of early D’Oyly Carte Opera days in London.

[5] “A Night with Burns”: A traditional celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns, a Scots poet