The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-04-10

least: Hyde Park, Regent Street, hol
| born, Bloomsbury, and so on. AT the
western entrance to Hyde Park tlrert
stand fine statues Of Queen Fictorla
and of the late Prince Consort; the
former was erected during the "Jubl'
lee year, of the Queens reign, and Is
of most noble appearance, rejecting
great credit upon the sculptor for his
magnificent creation. Another prom
inent feature of this park is the white
marble statue of Captain Cook, the re-
nowned explorer and settler OF the
southern Pacific.
Close by Hyde Park is the Austria,
liam AIuseum,-well worth long and
careful visit; in it one finds the relics
of aboriginal life in the Colonies, and,
indeed, all the wonders of the South
Seas. The mineral department con-
tains the largest gold nuggets L nave
ever seen, some of which are worth
over half million Of dollars. Specl-
mems of kangaroos and rabbits are
plentiful, for, be it remembered, they
are the most talked about OF all Aus
tralian animals, the former for its
value, and the latter for its destruc-
tiveness of vegetable life. Indeed, the
Australian rabbit is pest from which
Americans should be very thankful
they have escaped.
Strolling through the beautiful and
fragrant botanical gardens one comes
upon the New South Wales Art Gal
lcry. The present building is not yet
completed, but it is progressing rapid
ly, and, when finished, will be the fin,
est gallery in the Colonies. Many OF
the pictures portray Australian life
and are by native artists. The gal
leries of the world, however, have
been laid under contribution 10y the
libera! handed patrons in Sydney, and
though comparatively new, tins tem-
pie of art is likely to take a high rank
ut no very distant day. Already 1t
has brought to the front very promi-
ncntly some of its local artists, and
has created abroad an abiding interest
in Australian works.
Government House, as Lord Car
rington's residence is known, is a
handsome structure of roughiihcwli
blocks of brown stone. The "ivy
green" that clings about the sturdy
walls lends an ancient aspect not
wholly in keeping with modern sgd
ncy; still, rs it is comparatively iso-
lated in its ample grounds, one does
not necessarily observe the contrast.
Just now Lord Darlington is in "hot
watcrn because he refuses to commute
the death sentence of Il murderess. Ii
is gratifying to note, however, that he
firmly declines yielding TO the sentl-
mental appeals in the woman's behalf,
and will not interfere in the case, be-
cause, says he, "shc was strong enough
TO kill, and she is not too weak to
hang"
The Post Office occupies an entire
block, and in it is contained the de
partmcnt Of mails, the telegraph ana
cable offices and the postal savings
bank, all OF which are owned by the
government. The finest, largest and
most conveniently appointed office III
America would suffer greatly in COM
parison with the Sydney establish
ment. Plenty Of space, ample facili-
lies for letter writing, waiting rooms,-
indeed, every thing one needs for cor
reSpondencc is right at hand.
The Blue Mountains afford the fin.
est scenery in New South Wales, and
the trip can be made very pleasantly
in two days ria the "Xig-Zag" Rail
road. The grade is so steep in several
places that in order for trains to make
the ascent, the track has been laid in
zig-Zag fashion, from which fact the
railroad takes its name.
Many of the suburban residences arc
builtup terraces, and with Il whole
hillside covered with handsome
houses and gardens it is pleasant
sight indeed. In the principal resi-
dencc sections of the city, private
houses are designated by names Ill
stead of numbers. The custom Ger
tainiy admits Of more individuality
attaching to u gcntleman's house, but
it is not nearly so convenient as NUM-
bering.
Sydney is supplied with various
styles Of Cabs and tramways. Han
SONS and gurneys are most IN use lOi
small parties steam tram-carS VIII
seats below and above are patroniZeo
very literally, as are also the many
omnibus lines. Strange 10 say, there
are no horSe-cars, but the lack of prop
er traffic accommodation is soon to bt
remcdied by electric street railways.
In churches, schools and college:
and hospitals, Sydney is abreast OF tho
world. st. Andrews Cathedral is ;
fine old brown stone Cdiiice, solemnlS
grand in appearance; the light steals
softly in through richly stained win
dows, and one can almost fancy in the
twilight that he secs weird shadow:
llitting behind the massive pillars ant
disappearing in the starry expans'
above The boy choir in ST. Andrew
is an especial feature in its favor, ant
attracts all lovers of music, even a
the evening rchcarsals.
All in all, ! have found Sydney :
most charming city, and but for lacl
of space could say much more abou
the pleasant places visited and people
| have met, but 1 must not trcspas
i further. S. II. BROWNE.
4 Curious Combat.