manager and general planner of the whole. The
wives of some of the garrison supplied female costumes,
while a large workshop was converted into a theatre.
At length, after the difficulties usually attendant
on private theatricals, everything was in readiness
for the first performance of the drama in Northern
Australia. Tickets were issued, of which I have
one before me, a small piece of card containing the
words “Victoria Theatre, Port Essington, August
24th, 1839.” In after years this will be
looked upon as a curious relic in connection with the
history of this part of the continent. As if to
cause the first performance of a play at Victoria,
to take place under smiling auspices, such as the
occasion properly called for, H.M.S. Pelorus arrived
with supplies and letters from Sydney. The previous
growing dearth of provisions had rendered it somewhat
difficult to secure a very happily disposed audience,
an empty stomach being apt to provoke fault finding:
but the arrival of a ship on the very play day caused
a crowded and delighted attendance. Everything
went off smoothly, and with hearty peals of laughter.
All the characters being supported by men, the female
personages of the drama presented a most grotesque
appearance; moreover the act drop being an old ensign,
the ladies could be seen through it, regaling themselves,
during these intervals, with a pipe. The whole
affair gave infinite satisfaction, while ours was greatly
enhanced, and our minds prepared for any duty, by
the timely arrival of supplies and letters, of both
of which we fortunately received our share.
Our departure from Port Essington, was not therefore
hurried; and I had some slight opportunity of adding
to my knowledge, with regard to the capabilities of
the place, which were found to grow upon acquaintance.
The fact of its being well fitted for the growth of
cotton was in particular a great additional recommendation.
The sallow appearance of the settlers clearly demonstrated
the temperature to be high, though apparently there
was no diminution in physical strength. It should
however be remembered that up to this time they had
not had the same nourishment as those who appeared
amongst them as transient visitors, with ruddy faces.
The warmth of the climate in itself conduces to intemperance,
which to Europeans is ever fatal.
The Pelorus brought orders for the Britomart to proceed
to Sydney.
PASSAGE THROUGH TORRES STRAIT.
Captain Stanley was anxious—with the westerly
monsoon—to have attempted the passage through
Torres Strait, instead of going round the west coast,
as such a course might have led to some discoveries
in that neighbourhood; a result always in such a service
of the utmost importance.
It is however to be regretted that the senior officer
did not approve of this plan, as the passage has only
once been made from the westward by Captain Lihou,
R.N., who having experienced some difficulties reported
unfavourably of it. The importance of an intimate
acquaintance with this route will be better appreciated,
when we reflect that ultimately through this passage
will the great traffic be carried on between our East
Indian and Australian possessions.