The Sun.
London, England, 1823-11-08 00:00:00

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

EXTRACT OF. A LETTER FROM A LADY, DATED HOBART
Towii,•Juiti. 2, 1023. '
We arrived here a little more than a fortnight
since. I believe we were all heartily glad to find our feet once
mere press the earth. The town is infinitely larger than I ex-
pected to find it ; the streets are very broad, but the houses are
separated from each other by gardens, and courts or yards.
Those recently built and building are of brick. We are now
in Macquarrie.street, and in a very good house. has a
grant of 400 acres (what he asked for), and will be allowed two
men front the Government stores, with rations for six months.
Women servants are very scarce Isere ; I despair of finding a
good one. Men are employed in houses 'instead of women ;
your property is more secure with them, and they are not en.
ticed away as the women are. The country is beautiful. It is
now the rainy season, but quite mild..,The rigour of an English
winter is here unknown. Snow rests on the hills, but does not
stay in the valleys.. The summer must be delightful. Here
are wood, coal, and lime. Coal is used in the interior ; wood
is more generally burned in the town.
Settlers, after a time, make their own candles, soap, and
beer if they choose. I have paid Is. fkl. for moulds, four .to
the pound; some charge still higher. Colonial soap, 10d., and
very good for whitening. Mutton is Oil. ltd. and 7d. People
complain of a scarcity of wood this winter, and even meat at
times is not to be procured front the butchers. I shall be un-
commonly happy to be in my own house once more. We must
be satisfied with a rough concern at first, but we shall soon he
able to build a better dwelling. Here is excellent ftee stone ;
and the cedar wood from New South Wales is very similar to
mahogany, and does admirably' for doors, shelves, windows,
&c. without paint. It is much used. The lition, River has
on its banks tine pine, which is in softness and beauty equal
to deal. It will light at a candle, and makes a good torch for a
short time. Building now is considered as the most secure
speculation ; but tradesmen of every description do well. if
they are industrious and steady. It will be his own fault if
every shopkeeper, or as he is here termed storekeeper, does
not make a fortune in a few years. Thii place is most
rapidly improving. People are quite as smartly, dressed as in
many parts of England. I have been told lice is exceedingly
dear, English silks, ke. I think from the little I have
heard, this is an uncomfortable residence.for a bachelor. Ser..
vent* are scarce ; and lodgings are not so convenient or comfort.
able as in England; rooms arc not earpetted. Many of the luxu-
ries of life are wanting. If a person comes here lie must matte
tip his mind • to find every thing in its infancy and'he will not
be disappointed. In I
the room I have now, burn wood, but
I have no fire-irons found me ; I have no fender. nor hearth-
brush, nor carpet. If I choose these things I Must purchase
them; they come here under the head of luxuries. I have
not been out, except to change lodgings since I came. Milk,
butter, anti cheese are uncoduninily dear ; very little
of
either is used. Sugar and tea are cheap. tiood • green at As.
Sd. to fsa. Lump sugar is dear ; moist stigity very good, at
Pd. or 741. Work people are very idle. Wages are high, so they
earn euiScientAn three or four days to, support aim. the cc-
inainder of the week, which thPe tlieV,Pata,m idle enjoyment.
Tortoise-shell iambs are not to be got readily and are enormous-
ly dear. Porter sells well ; so does good wine. I wish we hail
brought 11 pipe or two out with us from Madeira and 'Eng-
land. Paper is dear, I am told ; for the tradoman is not
willing to pack your
paper—be wants you to send some
convenience for it. goods in
(government . will only give 4s. fur the dol-
lar, which has injured many people greatly ; but in trade you
mostly say and receive, the dollar at :is. Paper money abounds
here. Tradesmen iss'ue notes payable in dollars at sis.; notes
are fbr,2a. M. is., and thi. SATe look forward. to comfort and
independence here ; and I think with reason. The soil is
deep and,rich ; sheep produce lambs three times in the' two
years ; cows are not good for the dairy ; horses are very dear ;
Cattle equally. so ; ardent spurns are very high, and not well
supplied to this town. • , •