June

June 1.
The 77th. Regiment, and 2d. Bombay European Battalion, changed their Quarters today; the former having removed to Coolabah, and the latter into the King's Barracks.

June 4.
The 77th. Regiment gave a Regimental Dinner in honor of His Majesty's Birth Day on Coolabah. The ladies, and chaplain, of the Regiment Revd. Mr. Burrowes dined with us; but it was thought proper to avoid giving offence to our friends, not to invite any Strangers. —

Mr. Tate gave an elegant Ball and Supper to a number of his Friends at his House in Town; – Mrs. M. and myself were amongst the number. — We dined with the Regiment, and came over from the Island early in the Evening to dress for the Ball. —

No Publick [sic] Dinner or Ball was given by our Noble Governor Mr. Dick. — This is a very different Birth–day, indeed, to the one of last year, at Bombay ! —

June 9.
Monday. We had a very heavy Shower of Rain, accompanied with some Thunder and Lightning, which lasted a long time – It commenced between Seven and Eight OClock at Night and continued till after Nine OClock. — The Monsoon, or at least the Rains, seems to have set fairly in: – tho' at the same time very moderately indeed. —

June 10.
Tuesday. I went to Coolabah to make the Payments to the Regiment, for the Hon"ble Compy. allowances for last month. — It rained very heavy during the greatest part of this day. —

June 14.
Saturday. — This morning early, the Antelope Brig, one of the Hon"ble Compy.'s Cruizers, arrived in the Harbour, from Grain near Bussorah in the Gulph of Persia; with Dispatches overland from England as late as the 21st. of March last; at which time the Fleet of Men of War and Indiamen destined for this Country, had not sailed from England. —

By this conveyance overland, Mr. Morley has received a letter, addressed to Mrs. Morley, from her eldest Brother Thomas Jarvis Esqr., dated at Winchester in England, the 20th. of February last, announcing the most melancholly [sic] and afflicting tidings of the death of Mrs. Jarvis, the much honored, respectable and beloved Mother of my poor dearest Jane; this melancholly [sic] event took place at Southampton, (where Mrs. Jarvis had removed to from London, for the benefit of the Sea air,) at Twelve OClock at night on the 14th. day of January last, after a few days illness. — Her complaint was the Saint Anthony's fire on the Brain which terminated in mortification, and which occasioned her dissolution. Mrs. Jarvis had been always, a hale Healthy, stout, cheerful woman; and until the day of her last indisposition, bid fair for a long life. — She was between Fifty Six and Fifty Seven years of age when she died. — She was the mother of [number omitted in text] Children by her only Husband, the late Thomas Jarvis Esqr. of Antigua; and has left a numerous and respectable offspring to mourn and bewail her loss; which is not only sincerely regretted by them, but also by all those who were so happy as to have the pleasure of her acquaintance. — The remains of this amiable and respectable good lady were interred in a Vault in the Church of St. Lawrence, in the City of Southampton. —

Mr. Morley was good enough to send me the letter, which brought this dismal intelligence, on the same morning he received it; but, I had not sufficient resolution or command of myself to disclose the afflicting tale to my dearest Jane, who was always doatingly [sic] fond of her worthy and affectionate Mother – I therefore deferred making this painful and heart–breaking communication, until the following day, Sunday: – when, by the advice of Friends, I was under the necessity of getting that most painful task performed, through the channel and medium of our good obliging and sensible friend Mrs. Stirling, who was so kind as to undertake to do it at my particular request; and which unpleasant office she performed and executed with the greatest delicacy, tenderness and friendship. — My poor dear Jane, had too tender, [?] and affectionate feeling heart, not to be shocked greatly, and impressed with the deepest sorrow and affliction on such an occasion; – but, tho' she suffered inwardly the keenest anguish and most poignant grief, yet she bore this severest of trials with religious and pious fortitude, and submitted to the will of Heaven, with very becoming resignation. — Her good and warm hearted friend Mrs. Oakes, was along with her when Mrs. Stirling communicated the mournful news. — I quitted them before it was disclosed, but joined them immediately afterwards, and endeavoured by every means in my power to alleviate and sooth her grief. — The two ladies also behaved in a most tender friendly manner, did all they could to comfort her, and staid with her the whole of the forenoon. — Mrs. Stirling was engaged to dine abroad, but our good and amiable friend Mrs. Oakes, staid with us all day, and after dinner took us both out with her, to take an airing in her Carriage. — Major Capt. Gore, Lt. ODonnell, and Lt. Robt. Gordon came to spend the Evening with us: – and as soon as they were gone after supper, my dearest Jane, gave fresh vent to her grief, and a considerable time elapsed before I could compose and persuade her to go to Bed. —

June 16.
My dearest Jane had a restless night and suffered very much. — She burst out again this morning, and gave full vent to her sorrow, notwithstanding all I could say or do to console and comfort her; – indeed words are useless on such mournful occasions, and all arguments and Philosophy avail very little; the only real comforter is time, and I must trust to that alone for restoring my darling and dearest Jane to her former peace of mind and happiness. — Mrs. Oakes with her usual goodness and friendship, came to us immediately after Breakfast, and staid with Mrs. M. the greatest part of the Day; Mrs. Stirling and several other good Friends called in during the course of the day and the Evening. — Mrs. Stirling carried Mrs. M. out with her in the Evening, to take an airing in the Carriage. — Major & Mrs. Stirling, and Capt. & Mrs. Mackenzie, spent the Evening with us. —

June 17.
Mrs. Macquarie still continues much grieved and afflicted, and indulges her sorrow a great deal too much when alone.

June 18.
Wednesday. I was engaged to dine with Mr. Reeves, but sent him an apology in order to stay at home with my dearest Jane to console her as much as I can in her present distress. — She is now thank God more composed, and also more resigned to the misfortune she has sustained.

Mrs. Oakes behaves in a most friendly and affectionate manner to Mrs. M. — She is with her the greatest part of the Day, and takes her out in her Chariot to take an airing every Evening. —

June 19.
Thursday. — We dined with Major and Mrs. Oakes in the family way and spent this day with them. —

June 20.
Friday. We were engaged to a Ball and Supper at Mr. Lewis's; but sent an apology in the morning excusing ourselves from going, on account of the late melancholy news we received from England. —

June 26.
Thursday. Mr. Morley sailed for China. —

June 28.
I dined with Lieut. ODonnell where we had a large Party; but, were obliged to break up early on account of attending the Funeral of the late Mr. Pemberton, of the Civil Service on this Establishment, who died late last night after a long and painful illness, which he bore with great firmness and fortitude to the laSt.

His death is universally regretted by all the Settlement, on account of the amiable and respectable good character he has always borne in the Service. —

June 30.
Monday. I this day Purchased a new Bengal Built Gigham, from Mr. Joseph Harding, for which I am to pay him Five Hundred Bombay Rupees. — I also purchased a good strong well tempered white coloured Horse, from Nasserwanjee Monachjee, for to drive in the Gig, and for which I am to pay him Four Hundred Bombay Rupees. — they were both brought home to my stable this day.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.146-161 [Microfilm Reel: CY299 Frames#319-#326].