The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-06-22
NEW SOUTH WALES.
The Place Where Everything
is Turned Topsy-Turvy.
The Longest Day Comes in December
and the Sun Moves North.

Sydney the probabilities of waking up
are still shadowy and the illusion of
dreamland not yet dispelled, writes a
correspondent of the Philadelphia Press
from New South Wales. While the nov
ell situation is pleasant all will be we'll,
but the dream may turn to a nightmare
eventually because of the topsy-turvy,
upsidc-down ways of people and things
at the antipodes.
The people have not yet heard of the
early bird and the unfortunate worm.
They are fond of taking things easy in
the morning, neither shopkeeper, market
man, housekeeper, nor servant liking to
be disturbed too early, and SO
their daily routine when Philadelphians
would have already accomplished q good.
ly portion.
When VIC go shopping the diapers re.
receive us politely, hand us a chair and
give one an impression that he has come
to spend the day. When we 60 driv~
ing we must remember that the lett is
the right of way or suffer for it. When
we go by train or railway we must on no
account neglect to buy our ticket before
entering the train, else we will have to
pay a heavy fine or go to Jail. Then the
sun, moon and stars combine to help
along this sub-contrary relation of things
for the 22d of December is the longest
day.
The sun moves north instead of south,
making it necessary for us to give our
selves a turn about sometimes before VIC
can make clear the points of the compass,
and even the man in the moon, instead
of keeping his face upright, lies down
on his back, thus bringing his profile on
a horizontal line. But the strangest Of
oil strange things is the midsummer
Christmas. Think Of a Christmas with
the thermometer at 95 in the shade, all
green things growing, with the flowers
in abundance! How can it be Christmas
without snow, ice, nipping cold and rud-
dy fres9 Never mind, we shall have a
wintry Fourth of July, so then you can
think Of us with envy.
Sidney is a very picturesque, wide
spreading city, built on many hills and
has one of the finest harbors in the world.
To enter it for the first time is like going
unexpectedly into some enchanted scene
of fairyland. 1t is shut IN from the sea
by two immense headlands, the north
and south hends, between which is q
wide passage.
In and out of this open gateway to the
high seas ships arc constantly plying to
and from the principal ports of the world.
Outside the mighty ocean swells in heavy
undulations, till the towering waves dash
to pieces on these stony barriers. Inside
all is peaceful serenity, a haven on whose
ripping bosom nestle alike large and
small craft, mammoth dark ocean steam
ers, little white-winged yachts and
many pca-green-colored boats which give
a lively look to the sunny bay.
Close to the waters edge and rising
amphi-theatre like around are elegant
residences, showing wealth and prospect.
ty, with hundreds less pretentious, but
all of tasteful architectural design and all
speaking comfort and refinement.
The streets of Sydney are very irregu.
lar, except in some business localities,
the different odd happening hooks and
neighborhoods seeming all to have come
by chance, and at every turn one is sur
prised by some new fine view of hand
some terrace, well-kept villa, distant ris-
ing ground or indenting cove. From
balconies which abound everywhere one
looks down upon well-pavcd streets that
are never defaced or INSTRUCTED by refuse
receptacles or ash-carts, and but few
market-wagons or vendors of any kind,
there being back ways for all such.
Only in the morning will one see O,
hear the only intruder, the fshmonger,
with his basket of fish and peculiar cry
of "Sho! shot" which was originally
ttFish, no." Otherwise the streets are
given up to, buses, lively cabs and men
and boys of various pursuits on horse.
back. The horses have plenty of 90 in
them, if the people have not, for they
gaflop about at a break-ncck pace after
the fashion of John Gilpin's mare, Will.
men, women and children have to stand |
by. If one is not in the way it is jolly tc
see them go.
Wants a Quiet Life.
Col. Cowles, a North Carolina con.
gresham, who served under Genera,