there were no model schools in south australia then. i do not know who organised them, but the salesmen in mr. wigg's employ held classes for reading and writing gratuitously in a building which seemed partly a store, and was lit up with candles. the young gentlemen asked me if i would come and help. they said i could at least listen to the small girls reading. having the evenings to myself i went gladly, and for a time i had a little class all to myself, and i learned something from the questions and answers that passed. the children all looked well-fed and well-clothed, and i could not help comparing their condition with that of the little ones receiving free teaching in glasgow. yet how the people in glasgow would fear to come away such a distance, for at that time it was like dying to come to australia. the people in the colony then had to keep on working and thinking with their own powers. there was not so much labor-saving machinery, and to succeed everyone had to work to the best of his capacity, and the boys and girls, too, had to help in making the most of their splendid inheritance.

one gets interested in the people with whom one is brought in contact, even although temporarily. all was very real to me. i had been in the happiest state of mind for months. mrs. wigg would come sometimes and see if i wanted any comforts. she came with that good-natured sympathy, and i looked forward to the days[pg 83] when the children would come with, her when she was interesting herself with my department in such a kind way.

just about that time the governor, sir dominic daly, died at government house. i do not remember whether a new governor had been appointed, but it seemed to me such a little time afterwards that sir james fergusson arrived here. then prince alfred was expected again, and the whole place was in a stir once more. sir james was a wealthy man, and he sent a start of servants before him, so i thought it useless to think of the government house employment for me. how pleasant it was, therefore, to be told i would be employed as an extra help between the kitchen and the still-room. i saw the housekeeper, miss anderson, and i engaged to come when they had all settled at government house. in the meantime mr. j. n. hines, from parliament house, had charge of the catering with the two caterers whom i did not like. if they had been there all the time i would not have gone there. sir james brought with him a french chef. there has never since been such times at government house. the house was altered, and some new places were built.

in what grand style everything was kept up. the footmen, with their powdered hair, knee breeches, and silk stockings, were a sight to see when they went out in the beautiful carriage with the splendid horses, and all were brought out from the old home. it was a lasting benefit to me going there. i felt a little nervous amongst so many other servants, for they looked a splendid lot of men and women, who did not think service derogatory to them. they seemed happy and dignified, and went to work accordingly. each had his or her own work. they were not all from the same country, but were different in tongue and manner as well. there was no false pride, nor did they think that any kind of work in a house was lowering, or that there was anything degrading in menial labor.

my task was to help in the still-room. i might make a slight allusion to this still-room. it is a miniature "kitchen," where the housekeeper can make all the preserves and so on. the housekeeper's room is always close by, and there the linen and such like articles are kept. the still-room at government house was an important place then.

there were great preparations being made in view of the coming of the prince, who was expected to arrive at any time. then such a lot of things would have to be done in the still-room. much of the fine cooking for breakfast was done there, and the dessert dishes were garnished there, and many of the ornamental biscuits and cakes for dessert were made in the still-room. sir james fergusson had all his own household silver and linen, as well as the dessert-stands. some that seemed the most important were twelve in number; they had to be taken to the butler every night and locked up. each one was in its own velvet casket,[pg 84] and was carefully put away. they had been given to sir james as a presentation, and were said to be pure gold. one of the things i had to do when they were in use was to see that they were in safety.

there was plenty of novelty in my surroundings at government house. i was sent here and there. the housekeeper became ill in the wearisome days and nights, although there seemed nothing but pleasure to the favorites of fate. they got some responsible-looking person to fill her place, but she was not so clever as miss anderson. she was the wife of one of the orderlies who was in attendance on colonel hamley. for we had a regiment of soldiers here then, and colonel hamley was the commander. there was a row of little cottages on the banks of the torrens, where they lived, but they have been all pulled down long ago.

i could not attempt to record each day and night at government house. the time flew by on golden wings. my ambition was to see to the cooking. i was in the right place, for i had to go in the kitchen and help with everything after the proper housekeeper left. i think miss anderson was sent home again to scotland. i grew interested in everything. i remember now the two caterers, or cooks, came and asked me if i would ask the french chef if he would let them see him dish up the beautiful substances of his cooking. he seemed to work like magic. i asked him, and he muttered something in french, while there was a look in his eyes which said no.

every detail of that time is stamped on my memory. i suppose what made such, an impression was that i was, at any rate, where i had the chance of seeing a professional cook work, while the secret of that knowledge was not kept from me thus far. i remembered that the two cooks who came to sunnyside always had large cookery books with, them, and in their exaltedness so acted that i could not get a glimpse of what they were engaged in. as things now transpired, they could see that my new life seemed to promise that eventually i would be able to give evidence that i had gained knowledge in the period, when something could be made out of my association with the french chef, and i felt glad that those two cooks could only gaze in longing wonder where i was gathering experience. perhaps it gave me my revenge.

but i must tell something more about government house and the prince. there was nothing but visitors; there were theatricals, with a real stage fixed up in the ballroom, with balls, and evenings at home, and garden parties, luncheons, and huntings. i grew interested in all that happened about me; i was not hindered in any way when time allowed me to have a look and see what was to be seen. how pleased i was to see mrs. brind amongst some of the cast of characters who were going to play on the stage. truly, she looked well in her part. i took care to let her know that i was there, and to ask her if i could do anything for her.[pg 85] there were no professional actors, only "amateurs." it just seemed to me as if everybody was acting.

the prince had such a lot of other gentlemen with him, and amongst them there was a highlander, dressed in kilts, who played the bagpipes. he used to play sometimes in the dining-room even while the dinner was in progress. he stood behind the prince's chair. whenever i could get a chance i liked to go and look in at the dining-room when the gas was alight. they could not see me. i thought it so nice to see whether the prince ate his food in any way different from other people. he used to sit at one end of the table, and sir james at the other. for most of the public functions sir james wore his court dress, as if in the presence of the queen at some festivities at home. he did not look a weak amiability. how noble he was, i thought, and how his servants loved him. and how lovely was lady edith fergusson, and their beautiful children. how nice they all were.

i remember that if i saw her ladyship coming i used to dart off in another direction, and she told monsieur, the chef, to tell me not to do so, as she liked to speak to us all when she met us. i did not try to get out of her way afterwards. such a strange custom the ladies all had. it was to limp in their walk as if they were halting and lame. to get that mode some had the heel of one shoe made shorter than that of the other. it was called the "alexandra limp." i could not help wondering at this, and i learned that the princess of wales had a sore foot, and that in the midst of all gaiety and glitter the society ladies all tried to seem as if they had a sore foot.

where the tall palm tree stands on the banks of the torrens was the vegetable garden for government house. it was fenced all round with hedge and wire, with a door in the wall, by which we got to and fro if the gardener forgot to bring what was wanted. the door is still in the wall, but the garden has gone. i have good reason to remember one time, at least, when i was sent for something. it was dark, but i had a key and a lantern, and was told to lock the door and take the key with me to let myself in. i put the lantern down, as i did not require a light in the garden. a key was available to others, as there were more keys than one. while i was trying to open the door the duke of edinburgh came out. he smiled at me, and i let the things fall and stared at him. he had no attendant, but wore a soft felt hat. i stood and saw him pass out amongst the populace just like one of themselves. he locked the door and i unlocked it. i remember that as if it were only yesterday.

at the time there was a war in paris, and monsieur used to get letters that upset him fearfully. some that were sent from his ruined home came out of paris in a balloon. i may add that the french chef was designated as monsieur all through the house.[pg 86] he was a very young man to have such a position, and he could not speak english at all well. i taught him some scotch words. he was lively, and would go on working sometimes till midnight, but would not let me stay if he could help it.

the prince and party went away inland somewhere for an outing. we had a period of quiet, and i got a day off to go and see the galatea. all the kilted volunteers were going by special invitation, and in a kind way i was not forgotten. they had mr. archie dixon, with his bagpipes. it was a nice day for an outing, and the whole ship was thrown open to us, and a happy time was spent there. all was wonderfully clean and orderly. all was explained to us, and we were told how the cannon and other instruments of destruction were fired, with the force of the ball, and the gunpowder, as well as what the sailors could do if they were attacked. we saw the prince's room, which was being done up ready for the voyage home. one thing i noticed hanging up was a large portrait of prince albert and the queen. the only thing i saw to make me sad was some men in chains made fast to the deck. they were white men. i can see the look on their faces yet. they were there for some misdeed, but i did hope that they would be released when they got out to sea. we went right down to where the stokers worked to keep the engines in action. we passed, i think, five decks to get there; i was glad to reach the top again. human hearts must be made of strong material, or else how could those men live in chains, even for a day?

the time came when i felt sadness. after the prince went away what a change there was. where life and merriment had reigned, amid the scene of all the late festivities, there was now only silence. for in that stately home lady ferguson was ill—seriously ill. she had not been feeling well for some time, and it was rumored that sir james would take her back again to scotland if she was strong enough to travel. she died at government house. i had left a week or so before.