The Eavesdropper

Tuesday 4^th January

adapted from the 1906 oil painting “The Eavesdropper” by Eugene de Blaas (1843-1931)

Mamma may be a veritable Athena, for the boys are all red and sore from sunburn.  Mamma has applied a salve to take the pain away from the burns, but poor little Arthur is very grumpy and uncomfortable; he looks like a big pink apple!  I don’t feel so jealous of the boys as I did yesterday - Annie, Harriet, Mamma and I are only a little pink on our faces and feet; Mamma says the Lord rewards those who discipline themselves and behave respectably. 

Last night, when Annie and I were left to put the younger ones to sleep, we had a spot of bother with Fred (typical) and this led to me finding out some exciting news.   Fred would not go to sleep; he said his back was too sore to lie down (and seeing it this morning, I now understand he wasn’t really being difficult), so he kept jumping up and down on the bed.  In the end, Fred jumped on top of Billy and Billy lashed out at Fred and the two of them then started fighting.  Then Arthur woke up and started crying and Harriet complained that she couldn’t sleep because the boys were making too much noise. 

So whilst Annie tried to comfort Arthur, I went to get dad.  But when I was in the hall way, I realised that dad and Sgt Bull were talking about something they had read in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday.  I did not mean to eavesdrop, but it is so easy to overhear what people are talking about here in the Barracks, especially when it’s full with a regiment; and you do hear so many interesting things.  It looks like the 18^th , the Royal Irish Regiment, will soon be coming and that we will all be going back to England!!!!

Anyway, dad, mamma and Sgt Bull were sitting out on the balcony near our room, enjoying the sunset and talking about a newspaper article. Sgt Bull said that the Colonial Office in England had recalled the 18th from New Zealand.  I thought of Bridget, Ruth and Catherine Warde.  Their father was part of the small group of the The Royal Irish Regiment, that arrived as a vanguard about June last year.  They live in one of the rooms at the eastern end of the Barracks, near the Officer’s Quarters.

The whole regiment was supposed to have transferred to Sydney last year, but the settlers in New Zealand and their Governor, had requested that the regiment remain because the natives were still hostile.  So there’s been a lot of uncertainty as to when, if ever, the rest of the regiment would arrive. However, it seems that the Colonial Office and Lord Granville have now insisted that the regiment leave New Zealand, and the colonists are to look after themselves.  Dad said this was a shame on Great Britain, to abandon her citizens to the perfidy of natives; and Sgt Bull agreed.

Mum asked “Why would Lord Granville recall the Military Forces from New Zealand, where the natives were hostile and not from New South Wales, where the settlement is much more advanced and civilised?”

“Gold.”  was Sgt Bull’s answer.  “There is still enough gold here for other nations to cast covetous eyes on our colony.  That’s why we’re still here.”

“But,” Dad continued, “you’re quite right, Jane.  How long will it be, before he recalls us from the Australian colonies also?”

Mum then asked,” So will all of the Irish Regiment come here, as expected? Or will they all go straight back to England?” 

“They’ve only been recalled from New Zealand, not from New South Wales, at least not yet.  So I should think we can expect them shortly” Was dad’s reply.  Then they started talking about the editor’s comments on all the advancements that have happened this century and the prospects for the Australian colonies as nations in their own right.  I’m not quite sure what they meant by this, but all I could think about was the prospect of another regiment in the Barracks. 

image from Clipart

Well, I for one, hope they never come.  It has been peaceful and pleasant here in the Barracks since the 50^th left; we’ve even had a whole room to ourselves!  I can not bear the thought of having to share with strangers again.  And the privies haven’t smelt either.  But, if dad is right and we may all be recalled to England, then maybe the 18^th will go straight home and won’t come here.

 England!?  Going ‘back’ to England? But we’ve never been there! Even mamma was born in the colony. We don’t know anyone there; we never hear from Dad’s family – it’s as though they don’t exist, and all our friends and school are here! I wonder how long before we know?  

I also wonder how Mr Steel will react if the 18^th comes here, because he believes loyal and royal Irish are oxymorons? How will he treat the men and families of the Irish Regiment?  Will his attitude to us change as well?  Will I still be able to play with Janet?