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SYDNEY AND ITS HARBOR.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OP A NEW ARRIVAL. But we, are fast nearin z lha Heads of Sydney. Our noble ship, the Sorata, which had brought iis gallantly and with never-abating speed from England, home, and beauty, now ploughs faster and more merrily than ever through the water. Making an exquisite snowy track for herself, the spray dashing up at Jier side sparkles in the sun and returns in pretty showers to the sea. The vessel wears an air of triumph (she had beaten a “ P. and O.” on the way, and seems proud of it) and pushes bravely forward like a thing of life. Even in these days of quick passages a voyage to Australia must, I think, bo sufficiently tedious, and who can overestimate the delight of nearing the journey’s end ? | The sight of land and shore on the way had been a sweet boon. First Madeira, then St. Yincent, then the Cape. The latter looked a huge cloud of dust, from which one expected a genie to appear, as in the “Arabian Nights.” But the pleasure of seeing these places was tempered by the fact that there still lay before us a good many thousand miles of water. Adelaide and Melbourne were touched at, but neither was our destination, and were little more to us than the former ports. Those colonial towns, indeed, gave us some inkling of what we were to expect of Sydney, and the appear ances of them was reassuring. We were favorably impressed with their btoad and well arranged streets, flue buildings, and the prosperous and contented air of the people, But our idea of “the colonies ” was ever associated with Sydney. It was like London to England, or New York to America. Australia without Sydney seemed akin to “ Hamlet” minus the Prince of Denmark. To this port, therefore we naturally and insensibly booked ourself.

We expected to reach Sydney Heads at 4 a.m. Now to miss seeing the harbour as we entered would have been a question whether to stay up all night or trust to the watchman rousing us in the morning. I chose the latter course, but fitful were my slumbers. After vainly endeavouring to sleep, I went on deck an hour before daybreak. 'Some stars were still glimmering. The pilot cutter was seen in the distance, and shortly that welcome guide,philosopher, and friend himself came off to us in his cockleshell of a boat and clambered

on board. We pushed forward, and soon came in sight of Sydney Heads.! At 4 a.m., the stars had failed, a streak j of light appeared along the eastern horizon; there was in the air nil the delicious freshness of dawn, and dawn at the antipodes withal! We steamed along by some fine rock scenery, and anon there stood before us the magnificent Heads of Sydney Bay; those noble portals seeming to guard proudly the treasures beyond. Slowly we glided through, and what an enchanting prospect at once met our view! Onward, past those ex-quisitely-wooded" banks on either hand, those _ fairy-like islands, those everrecurring and bewitching little creeks and bays, all that lovely confusion of wood and water till we came to anchor.. It was now that ue glory of the scene’ reached its climax. The sun burst forth in all its splendour. Sydney lay before us. Rising from the sea, with its stately white houses, its superb Exhibition building on the one hand, and its villa residences and gardens on the other, it presented an appearance at once chaste and beautifu I —a Queen of cities. A faint mist overhung the city, partially veilling it. It seemed to me to be eoying with us, and would not disclose all its charms at once. But this seemed rather to enhance the beaut}’ of the view, lending to it that air of mystery which adds to the picturesque. I had heard and read a good deal of Sydney and and its bay, and expected -much. But. the reality surpasses anything I had ever seen or fancied ; for who could picture in the imagination such profusion of sylvan loveliness, combined with sea of such delicate tint, and all the ornament of modern architecture. Truly nature has here lavished her choicest gifts, and that beautiful city there is a proof that man has most ably performed his part in the matter. It seemed to me standing upon the ship’s deck that the whole scene was a dream from which there must he a rude awakening, or that it was some realm of fairy enchantment, which might at any moment melt from the gaze, and the illusion be dispelled. I make no pretence to say anything new of your noble harbour, or of the other matters upon which I have - touched ; they have been treated again and again by able pens. I simply wish, frankly, as one who arrived upon your shores but yesterday, to record my first impressions of scenes the most bewitching I ever beheld, and which will ever bo engraven on my memory.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SCANT18820119.2.14

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2753, 19 January 1882, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
841

SYDNEY AND ITS HARBOR. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2753, 19 January 1882, Page 2

SYDNEY AND ITS HARBOR. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2753, 19 January 1882, Page 2

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