Volume 28: James Macarthur letters received, 1857-1861

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towards us aided by our own reflections has sufficed to sustain our minds to a state of cheerfulness. We cannot but feel, that we have sustained a loss which is altogether irreplaceable, & the sights of so many happy Parents who are welcoming home their Soldier Sons, serves, by comparison, of their state with ours to alleviate our grief.

I am in very fair health, altho' I feel very seriously the advance of old age in the decay of Eyes & Ears – Sibella is less favored by circumstances in this respect. She has not been well for the last year or two, & altho' she has put herself in the hands of a person, from whose skill, & derived the greatest benefit some years ago, I do not perceive much if any improvment – Our Children are all well, excepting some Hooping Coughs. We have excellent accounts of General

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The death of poor Henry Stone distressed us. Poor fellow, his experience of Life was the reverse of fortunate.

We see a good deal of your Brother & I look forward with apprehension to the approaching period of his departure, for he has endeared himself to us all, & we look upon him quite as one of the Family.

The Elections are now over, & will give the Govt a good majority. Nobody can say however, what the Parliament will do. There has been a good deal of talk about organic changes, but I think that very little real desire for them exists, & the conduct of our larger democratic Constitutions, has been the reverse of encouraging for those who propose to lower the suffrage.

I was very busy in our County Election, & on two occasions in

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seven weeks proposed on Penandrew Heath, the winning Member.

The state of the money Market is very remarkable. I see no present prospect of a fall in the rate of interest.

The continued yield of Gold, I think a great misfortune, both for Australia & the World at large.

I am glad to perceive that you're again giving a Municipality to Sydney. I am convinced that the best chances of escaping from Tyranny, both Autocratic & Democratic, is by giving as much power as possible to Towns & Districts, & leaving as little as possible for the Central Authority to do. This is the reverse of this arrangement which renders freedom in France almost impossible –

I have no time to say more today. Give my love to Emily & Elizabeth.

Yrs Mo truly Geoff de Norman

The Honble Jas Macarthur

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Campbell Wharf 28 April 1857

My dear Sir,

The enclosed note I received from Mr James about the proceeds of the sale of the Kangaroo Ground. My answer to it are that altho the equity of the Estate was conveyed to me it was only to carry out the hunt wh. the concurrence of the other gentlemen named in the Donor's letter by the hand of an old Friend Sir William Bristow – & that of course nothing could be done without yr concurrence. Therefore

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Therefore you will consider the letter written to be a notice to us to hand over the account – And when you come to Town you can arrange how the proceeds of the Trust is to be handed over to the Bishop – and what discharge should be recorded of the sum being invested for the benefit of the present Bishop & his successors.

I write also to Mr James that I thought I