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The Western Australian Historical Society (1II.COrporated) JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS Vol. I.] 1928 [Part III. The Seciety does not hold itself responsible for statements made or opinions expressed by authors of the papers published in this journal. EARLY SOCIAL LIFE AND FASHIONS By l\lrs.. E. D. OOWAN [Read before the Society, April 27. 19!8] SOCIAL LIFE Britons, wheresoever their flag flies, follow with much fidelity-suitable or unsuitable-the social cus­ toms of the land from which they come, and in this State of Western Australia were no exception to that rule. For, after flying the flag of the Homeland at South Frernantle, the pioneers duly proceeded to lay the foundation stone of the city of Perth; certainly the method adopted was unique, and perhaps, one may ven­ ture to say, prophetic of their attitude and that of their descendants for so many years to the "forestry" ques­ tion. Then came the publication of a newspaper in Octo­ ber of the same year. Nailed to a gum tree to ensure publicity, and strictly limited as to its issue, it shows the trend of mind of our British ancestors. Quite early in life one learnt from old pioneers that furniture of the best type-such things as pianos, har­ moniums, plate (much of it old Sheffield), pictures, china, silver spoons and forks, cutlery, silver-mounted harness, etc.-lay, buried by the drifting sand hills, near Woodman's Point, and Rockingham. Impassable sandy tracks made it impossible to cart them even to Fremantle much less to Perth, Guildford or the Swan. We find such functions as Governors' levees were held (impromptu on the first occasion), vide the humour­ ous description given by Dr. Wilson in his book. Later, however, and until Government House was erected, the Governor appears to have received under the shade of a 2 The Western An.trallan Historical Society Early Sod&l Life and Fashions 3 banksia tree his visitors struggling through what was probably "a thorny brake" composed of the prickly litt.le the prophetic instinct as regards future State finance, "acacia pulchella," and other shrubs, so abundant m though correct enough for that vanished period:- those earlytimes. "No Tithes and no Taxes we now have to pay. And our Geese are all Swans, as some witty folk say. Dancing Then we live without trouble or stealth, Sirs. Our currency's all sterling wealth, Sirs. Dancing was a favourite amusement. Mr. Th?mas So here's to our Governor's health, Sirs. Brown mentionsin the 'forties in a letter a much-enjoyed And Western Australia for me." dance given by the Commandant of the Forces (Colonel Though according to a Dr. Collie, who was first at Bruce) who was afterwards Acting G?vernor: The l~te Albany and afterwards at Perth, there was a scarcity Mr. C. A.. Manning has leftus also an )nterestlng~escnp­ of women in 1832-33-he complains that "all are out of tion of a "Freemasons' Ball" which was heldsin Fre­ patience at the delayed arrival of the Governor (who mantle in 1860. ha~ been visiting England) and the thousands of young In his diary dated Perth, September' 3, 1831, the ladles he was to brmg out"-Dr. Ogle in 1839 (page 83 Advocate-General (Mr. G. F. Moore) thus describes of his book) states:- the first big ball at Government House: - "I~ point of Society the Colony stands pre-eminent. "All the world here is going to the ball. I must tell you The higher order consists of families well-born and all about the great doings since the last entry in my logbook well-educated; many of them men of rank in the Army Yesterday I came down here for our market, and meeting of the Agricultural Society, and for the Gov~rnor.'s ba:lI. The brig had and Navy. The elegancies of life are sedulously culti­ just arrived, bringing the first Indian Invalid to our shores vated by them and constitute a distinguished feature of (Quartermaster-General Colonel Hanson) and also Lord F. Beau­ their intercou.rs~. With taste and judgment they have clerk All Perth was alive. Upwards of fifty sat down to the formed associations corresponding with similar estab­ agricultural dinner at which we had (as honorary members), lishments in their native country, and which tend to Lord F. Beauclerk, Colonel Hanson, and Captain Parker, R.N. And at this dinner a memorial to the Home Government was read accumulate and dispense the best information. In the and approved of. It is now in course of signature. and will soon sequel, it will be necessary to refer to their agricultural be sent home. commercial, botanical and literary institutions as their "In the evening. at' the Governor's house, we had 180 lad.i~s records unquestionably contain the best infor~ation on and gentlemen .. '. The ball was kept up with the greatest spirrt subjects connected with the Colony. The same accom­ until six in the morning, and dancing almost without interval­ plishments which h~re (in England) add so great a contre dances, quadrilles, Spanish dances, and gallopades. I never before witnessed such gaiety at a ball, nor ever before charm to female society are made part of the education danced so much in one night. Four rooms and an arcade were there; and music, drawing and general information are all filled and, connected with the verandah, a superb tent was matters of routine. All writers agree in their account fitted up, decorated and festooned with naval flags, and in this of the moral courage, and unmurmuring perseverance we had supper-an elegant and abundant one. The igentlemen under great difficulties of the women who encountered from India were astonished, for. they had heard the most gloomy reports; and the invalid confessed that when coming ashore he the hardships entailed on the earliest settlers' and all had been considering with the captain the expediency of sending agree equally in the great influence their noble' and en­ some provisions from the ship as a preventative against starva­ dearing conduct. has, and must continue to have on the tion. His amazement at seeing ample supplies of butter, eggs, community at .large.; and all are lavish in their' praises vegetables, poultry and butcher's meat may be guessed at. He of the manner 10 which they have assumed their new du­ purchased freely and liberally; has rented a house for some time and is now recovering; indeed, he was actually frolicksome all ties, without derogating from the habits and manners the evening." of their former life in this country." Songs at vice-regal entertainments, appear to have A Colonial Home of 1842 been interspersed. I quote there£or~ part of a verse from one composed-as well as silrig--;--by Mr. Moore A colonia! home of 1~42 is. interestingly described himself at this evening as it indicates that his was not by Mrs. G. Eliot (nee LOUIsa Clifton) in a letter to her brother Waller in England:- The 'Ve!!otern Am.truJi.... Hi.torkal Society Ea.rly SociRI Life 8IIld Fashlons "I am sitting in our drawing room (so-called) which "A Doct,~r Barry's lectures on "The Poets" and is a snug little room opening on to the verandah, and Astro?o.~y ar~ met,ltion~d in a le tter of my grandfather from the open door of which and window near it, I com­ Brov:n s as having filled In (during a visit to Perth) two mand as I sit the most lovely view you can imagine. evemn~s,". "!h;, Poets" being good, but the other "an The hill slopes very steeply down from the edge of the awful infliction ; after which he and Mr. Fred. Witte­ verandah. All round the foot, on its sides, and on the noorn hIed. to the latter's home, and sought to forget it flat right down to the estuary's mouth, are trees and u~der the Influence of a bread and cheese supper, diluted shrubs. The blue waters of Koombana Bay beyond, WIth brandy and water. and the rugged sandy coast stretching into the far ?is­ Card parties were frequent, whist, vingt-et-un, Pic­ tance give us a sea horizon which, though not extensive, quet, bac.k-gammon, draughts and cribbage, as well as is most lovely The walls of our sitting roan:" are chess, being the favorite ~ames. These would appear whitewashed with a little pink colour in it. The pointed ~o have been needed to lighten the intellectual strain thatched roof is its ceiling; a boarded floor (no carpet, Imposed. on tho~e belonging to the reading circles and of course), a sofa under the front window covered with thus relIeve their mental digestion or indigestion.' a green chintz, and green window curtains; a rug of red drugget, a fireplace for wood, and a ~ahoga~y mantle­ , Dinner parties were. frequently given by the early piece. Between the fireplace and window IS a large pIOneers, the table. appomtmenrs in many homes being mahogany cheffonier, with three rows of books, and a very h~ndsome OWIng to the beautiful china, plate and table silver possessed by so many of them L' t large cupboard underneath; four wicker arm-chairs, and dl . k . us re a table with a brown and crimson cover in the centre can e StlC. s, candelab~a, .and chandeliers lit the rooms, of the apartment-this is the portrait of our sitting kerosene all and.electnc light being, of course, unheard room. A door nearly opposite the fireplace leads into of.

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