STURT'S LAST LETTER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 320, 28 November 1888, Page 3

ST URT'S LAST LETTER.

i fin the Aucklancl,,Frec Library, among the valuable manuscripts presented to that institution by Siv Gcovge Grey, is-a .letter written by tbe celebrated • i Australian explorer, Captain Sturt, to the Knight of Kawau, in which the writer complains of the neglect 'exhibited towards him by the Imperial Government. <Sir George Grey used his influence in the hope of procuring for Captain Sturt the horiouiN of knighthood which ho had so nobly earned, but the Government of the day did not respond to the recommendation, and Captain Sturt died without a suitable recognition bointf made of his valuable labours in the cause of exploration. Tho letter was written from Cheltenham. England, where the brave Australian pioneer breathed Ms last.] Do heroes always wear the crowns they've won ? Do honours always Avaitthc pioneers Who brave the Arctic snows and tropic sun To carve out greatness for the future years 1 Aro nations always gen'rous to the men Who venture forth with dauntless hearts to trace New paths where man may walk with broader ken To found new empires for the coming race? Let hist'ry answer, while the blush of shame Mantles her features as she turns aside To weep for those who climb'd the hill of fame, Yet, unrewarded by their country, died.

'Twas April, when the English fields are clad In ureen and gold, and all the tints of spring, When lovo and hope and health make young hearts glad, % ' And through the leafy lanes the linnets sing. 'Twas sunny April, when the kindling clod .Bursts into life, — when orchards are abloom, When Nature, waken'd by the touch of God, Shakes off her cerements, rising from the tomb. 'Twas April, when old earl h again seems young, The season when man breathes a purer breath ; When .sorrow's language seems an unknown tongue, And in' youth's book there's no such word as Death. But April has its clonds that veil the sun — Its sullen shadows, flitting now and then Across the sky, till all seeing drear and dun, Like gloomy thoughts that shade the hopes of men, Sad night was creeping o'er the Cotswold Hills Across the footsteps of an April eve. The forest birds had ceased their merry trills, And from the land the sun had ta'en his leave. Stricken by sickness, in a silent room Nursed by his wife the old explorer lay. And Retrospection, flashing through the gloom, Brought back the scenes ho loved, far, far awaj .

" Dear wife, the shades of night are near, Aud weird-like clouds are scudding by ; I've watched them come and disappear. Like grey ghosts flitting: o'er the sky, Ani while I \\ atched, I wandered far [11 waking- dreams to that fair land Where first I tol' owed Fame's bright star. Through deserts drear and forests grand; Again I stood, in manhood's prime, A leader of the gallant few Who labour'd for that after time. With da\mtless hearts and courage true ; Again beneath the yellow blaze Of AustraVs summer sun we march'd, Across tJie plains where l>arhng strays Through wildernesses pale and parch'd. ■ Once more on Murrumbidgee's flood We swept alone— my mates and I, While on the banks the wild men stood And raised their spears u-ith savage cry. But one grand object fired my soul, And God's protecting hand was near To guide me to tile wished-for goal, — lfelt His power and knew not tear. I was His humble instrument. Tfi=? harbinger to lead the way— The her i'il of His grand intent. With message of His coming day ', Kin'w licit in the wilderness A prouder Britain should n«e, Th.it millions yet unborn \^ ould bless Sal\ ation » emblem in the skies. Which pointed to the golden shore V/hei c Peace would rule and Progress reign. A ml Plenty keep her richest store. And Commerce sway the southern main. With thoughts like these, in danger's face ■ I boldly looked w ith tearless gaze, - I felt ivy mission w;is to trace New paths through Nature's hiddcD ways. ' ' Oh! happy hour ! when floating through, By bank and bend and leafy sweep. The Murray burst upon our view, And caused our hearts \vith3oy to leap. Eureka ! it is ours at la*t. Thank God, we've found the silver key i That can unlock an empire vast, And ope a gateway to the sea. Then floating dovm by wood and wold And i lets in fresh verdure drest, We came to where the Darling rolled His waters into Murray's breast. You know the sequel— well, 'twas mine To help to build that thriving State, Panien for its corn, its wool and wine— A future nation proud and great. 'Twas mine to serve my native land Beneath that man of noble mien, Who knew the secret of command, And swav'cl the sceptre of our Queen.. H° still remains our faithful friend. Though years have rolled away Since then Ah ! that reminds me, 1 must send An answer to his note— a pen, ; My love, there's ink and paper here, My band is trembling, yes I'll try To wnle to him, our friend so dear, And warmly thank him ere I die. . » 'Tis linished, I have told him why I sought some honour from the State, Some thanks fiom those in stations high ; He knows I've earned a better tate Than that I ye met with, but alas! I've learned how Governments bestow Their iavours here— but let it pass ; What are distinctions hove below. Compared to those which waitabove For souls that do their duty here? The light of God's eternal love To me shall soon make all things clea I ca r e not for earth's honours now. Men's praise is as tlio passing wind, [ sought a wreath to bind my brow, For sake of those I leave behind." N-iy, weep not, wife, be uot downcast, Despatch Uns missive to our friend, Tell him this, letter is my last; T sec the shadow of the \£n&." Thomas Bracken -Dunedin, November 9th.