Australian Tales - Setis

was only a journeyman tailor, and as he had a large family he was
obliged to sit pretty closely to the shopboard, in order to support them
comfortably, without running into debt.
Happily for the working classes of Sydney, holidays are numerous
during the summer months; and that they are thoroughly enjoyed
— especially in fine weather — is apparent from the rosy-faced folks of
all ages, who may be seen thronging the steamboats and railway trains,
or lining the rocky shores of the harbour in various parts, with their
provisions spread out on grassy tables in holiday profusion. There fathers
and mothers, and their adult friends, sit and enjoy a little pleasant social
chat beneath the shady trees; and old grandfather, who is fond of fishing,
throws out his long line from the top of a rock, then lights his pipe and
sits down patiently to wait till he gets a bite; and dear old grandmother,
in her best bonnet, has a merry romp on the soft sward, with little Beckey
and Billy; while the elder boys and girls frolic about in the sunshine like
young Wallabys. Thousands of happy maidens anticipate those
periodical treats for weeks or months, and eagerly their half awakened
eyes peep through their bedroom windows at the signs of the weather,
when the first blushes of their holiday morning tinge the horizon. If the
sun is about to rise in a clear blue sky, what gladsome faces are reflected
by their dressing-glasses, but how sad they look if a drizzling mist hides
the sunshine. I always share in the general sorrowful feeling, if heavy
rain clouds appear on such days, to cast a pall over the recreations of so
many hopeful ones, and spoil their holiday apparel. May no grudging
soul ever try to curtail those seasons of healthful enjoyment to the
humbler classes of Sydney! But I am digressing from my story, with my
reflections on homely joys.
Mr. M'Faddle and his family had looked forward to one of those
holidays, in the early part of the present year, as a day for a special treat,
i.e., a pic-nic to Rose Bay. Mr. M'Faddle loved boating, and fancied he
could pull an oar with anybody; but he seldom enjoyed that pleasure. On
the present occasion, Archy Twist, a fellow-workman, had been offered
the loan of a boat by his cousin, who was mate of a coasting schooner; so
an excursion was arranged for the following Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs.
M'Faddle, with their two adult daughters, and two half-grown daughters
in short frocks, two big boys in jackets, and one little boy in
knickerbockers; Mr. and Mrs. Twist, and their two grownup girls, with
their cousin Jane, made in all fourteen souls; and considering that nine of
them were ladies, in holiday skirts, it will be inferred that the boat was
not a mere dingy.
On the day fixed, which had been eagerly anticipated, and plentifully
provided for in the victualling way, the whole party assembled at a jetty
in Darling Harbour, at nine o'clock exactly; and soon afterward they had
safely embarked in the boat, taking with them two large baskets of