The Sun.
London, England, 1822-08-09 00:00:00

NEW slam' WALES.

The following i$ an extract of a letter from
the Lady of a Military Officer, dated Sydney,
New South N\riles, Feb. 2.6, 1822

" This country is so much better described in many publish-
ed accounts than I feel capable of doing, that I must refer you
to them for a minute description of it ; but when I look to the
date of my letter, it appears very odd to me that I should be
annoyed by a scorching sun, while you are wrapped up in your
warmest clothing. Until within these few days we have had
no rain for four months. The cattle died for want of drink,
and it was apprehended' that (like many of. our predeces-
sors) we should have to Pay sixpence a gallon for water.
Notwithstanding the great ~heat at present, this Colony is
said to enjoy a very happy temperature ; the air is very
healthy, and agrees well with most constitutions. The face
of the country is covered with wood, yet it is so rocky
and there is so little earth, that one is puzzled to know
how such immense trees can find nourishment. The soil is
chiefly sand, in which there must be mixed a great portion of
iron, the proofs of which my stockings frequently furnish me.
The natives are said to be intelligent and tractable ; but they
are in appearance horribly disgusting. Quite indifferent about
clothing, they are very fond of ornaments; and although their
toilettes do not furnish them with rouge and pearl powder, they
make up for these privations by the liberal use of something re-
sembling brick-dust and white day, with which they besmear
themselves ; in that filthy state (with scarcely any covering) you '
are shocked by meeting them every where you go—they them-
selves appearing quite unconscious of any impropriety. We
find this a most expensive place. The prices paid for every thing
are so uncommonly high, and so little will it procure for you,
that money is looked upon as alffiost without value. Every
article of consumption in housekeeping is dear, except tea.—
Butter is ss. a pound ; eggs 3s. a dozen ; fish in general very in-
different in quality and scarce—oysters only are good and cheap ;
fowls are ss. to fis. the couple—so much for provisions ; but
clothing is extravagantly dear. At present there are neither
(Ladies') gloves nor shoes to be had at any price. About a
month since there were still some gloves on sale, and I paid ten
shillings a pair for short ones and yet I am told every thing is
cheaper by one-half than twelve months ago. The Ladies here
are in mourning for the Queen. Being unprovided with a black
dress, yet not wishing to be out of the fashion, I was obliged to
pay 20s. a yards for vile, detestably bad silk. In short, there are
neither silks, satins, gauzes, gloves, nor shoes to be had here at
present. Twenty i'ounds worth of any of them from England
would bring at least 50/., every thing British is so highly prized,
at which; indeed, I do not wonder, the quality is so superior.—
It is almost impossible to procure a female servant ; indeed
they are not tolerable, being all vile, drunken wretches. We
are; therefore, obliged to employ men as cooks, and to do all
our domestic work: this is a great source of expense. It is not
possible for any military officer with a family to live upon his pay
alone. Farmers here are .certain to realize large fortunes, and
even convicts, who possess any portion of cleverness and industry,
cannot fail to become independent—l' ought to say rich :in
short, all are well off ' here except the military. Do not fail
to send me by the first vessel shoes, gloves, ribbons, &e. &c."