Page 51 of Lizzie’s Spirit
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“Darcy, could you bring Mrs. Darcy to attend Mrs. Macquarie and me on the morrow, perhaps for nuncheon?” Governor Macquarie entered Darcy’s courtroom, where the latter sat with two clerks attending to the business of the day.
He put aside the warrant he was preparing.
“Of course, sir, is there something that I should be aware of?”
“All in good time. There’s naught to be worried about. But it’s important, and I would hear both your and Mrs. Darcy’s views on the matter.”
Later that evening, Darcy told Elizabeth of the meeting. Thus they were all anticipation when they entered Government House and were shown to the day parlour, overlooking the park and, beyond, to Sydney Cove.
“It’s a fine day, so I thought to sit on the verandah. Does that suit?” Mrs. Macquarie greeted them most cordially.
“Certainly,” replied Elizabeth, “spring here, perforce, is warmer than summer in England. And there, we often sat outside from June to August.”
“You’re more fortunate than the colonel and I. Our home is the Isle of Mull, which is not so temperate as Hertfordshire, and once his governorship is complete, there is where we shall return. But the compensations are many—I’ll not repine.”
“There are two issues on which I seek your opinion.” Macquarie took his seat at the table, placing several items from the cold selection onto his plate.
“I find the appellation New Holland not suited to this land. ‘Tis a Dutch name; and, as such, I find it offensive given the French control the Netherlands. I’ve suggested to the Colonial Office, therefore, that our great continent be called Australia , as did the explorer, Mathew Flinders, on his map of ‘03. Darcy, what say you—are there points of law of which I’m unaware?”
Darcy considered the matter, but he could find no fault with the proposal.
Making such a change could only be of interest to cartographers—clearly minor, of secondary importance.
Readily assenting to Macquarie’s proposal, for there was really no need for his approval, he gave the governor an inquiring look.
Undoubtedly, Macquarie was uncomfortable and was hesitant in his response.
“Now that Colonel O’Connell has left for Ceylon, I’m in a quandary.”
“How so?” said Darcy, reflecting on the swiftness with which Lord Bathurst had responded to Macquarie and his father requesting the withdrawal of the colonel from the colony and, more importantly, the colonel’s wife.
“The ministers are dilly-dallying, as they often do. They cannot decide who will be the next lieutenant governor. I suggested my brother, Colonel Charles Macquarie, who is eminently suited for the role, but they wish for someone unrelated. In the meantime, until they come to a decision, I am authorised to make a temporary appointment.”
Darcy glared at Macquarie. “Surely, sir, you are not considering me for the role. My time is already taken up more than I enjoy with my being judge-advocate. I understand the office of lieutenant governor was vacant in the past; why not let it remain so now?”
“And there’s the rub. For Mrs. Macquarie and I intend to take a tour of our dominion: Newcastle, Norfolk Island, Van Diemen’s Land, and perhaps visit Otaheite, for I have an invitation from Chief Pomare.
The trip was planned for this year but we felt unease at leaving Sydney with the O’Connells in Government House—most likely, another rebellion would have welcomed our return.
With us gone out of the colony, there are still orders to be made, grants to new settlers, petitions, accounts to be certified, entertainments, overseeing the good order of the colony. ”
“But what of my duties—I am, after all, the principal law officer. Can I also occupy the governorship—is there not some conflict between the roles?”
Macquarie grinned smugly. “The vessel, Francis we are gentlewomen; and, I daresay, friends more so than mere acquaintances. What say you?”
“Ma’am… I mean, Elizabeth . It’s all so much. I’m much taken by surprise. On the one hand, I’m delighted for Mr. Darcy—he was born for such a role and will fulfil his duties, as he always does, exceedingly well. On the other hand, for myself, I could not countenance frustrating his elevation, but…”
“You enjoy being Matron, is that not the case?”
“My girls are so wonderful. They are very dear to me—and to see them blossom into strong, capable women. Did you know that Phoebe Norton was almost beyond redemption some two years ago—likely to become a wanton, prostituting herself for a cup of spirits? But now, she’s an excellent midwife.
‘Tis likely she’ll soon marry, and what an accomplished wife she’ll make for any settler or merchant.
Can you not see that my reward is so great, it would be hard to forgo such? ”
“But you need not, my dear. Isn’t there someone who can take on your role as Matron, initially, perhaps, as your Deputy? I would gladly step down as Patroness of the orphanage and have you take my place. Thus you could continue your involvement as much as you wish.”
Elizabeth was taken aback. She had not thought of such a scheme. Indeed, with the assistant matrons, the orphanage ran with little intervention from herself. But who could be Matron in her place?
“Mrs. Wrensford, of course!”
“Pardon, I don’t follow you.” Puzzled, Mrs. Macquarie did not see how the schoolmistress fit with the plan.
“My apologies. You recall Mrs. Wrensford was most upset with the bombardment of Copenhagen and, in particular, the firing of the Church of Our Lady. For there was an orphanage attached, which burned to the ground; by good chance, all the children were saved. She was much involved with it, even though she was Presbyterian and not Lutheran. She would be ideal—educated, caring, and understanding the nature of such institutions.”
“Excellent, we’ve begun, have we not? And now, your role as midwife.
You must not abandon such, for I understand you saved many women and babes who delivered under very difficult circumstances—and without your intervention they would surely have perished.
Mrs. Sims told me such. The lady also asked as to why you had few, if any, cases of childbed fever—perhaps she took notice when I said that strong soap and, moreover, clean hands were part of your secret. ”
“There’s already now a wife of the 73rd who assists me.
Unfortunately, she’ll move to Ceylon, but I’m comforted that the women of the regiment, who I’ve come to respect and admire for their fortitude, will have the benefit of a midwife.
” Elizabeth, her eyes sparkling, continued, “And now that Phoebe and Ann Reynolds are experienced, perhaps they and I can train other girls or women in the colony for the task. Yes, I believe it’s possible. ”
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From: Sydney, New South Wales
Dearest Aunt—