JIRBT PLAN OF SYDNEY, 299 in time be peopled with an energetic population of free- 1768 men, attracted by the prospect of independence in a new i>Jniy. and beantifnl country. That belief sustained bim in all bis trials. Among the many proofs of political sagacity to be found in the course of liis administration^ tbere was none more remarkable than bis suggestion for the prevention of narrow streeiB, "and the many inconvenienced which the Narrow increase of inhabitants would otherwise occasion hereafter." Had bis views on this subject been carried out, narrow streets and irreg^ar buildings would never have disfigured one of the finest sites for a city which the world can show. In this instance, however, it was unfortunately destined that the foresight of a statesman should be controlled by tie force of ignoble circumstances. Phillip at this time liad no doubt dreamed the same dream that Darwin after- Poetic wards clothed in resounding verse : — There shall broad atreets their stately walls extend, The circus widen and the crescent bend ; but to realise the dream proved a more difficult matter than he had supposed. It was easy enough to plan streets two hundred feet wide, and to mark out the sites for public buildings of proportionate dimensions ; but no sooner had he B€t to work than he found himself compelled to abandon his scheme for want of the necessary workmen ; all the mechanics in the place being insufficient for his purpose. Then he learned that there was no means of making lime, and consequently that nothing could be done in stone ; Mechsoica] whereupon he was obliged to fall back on bricks and tim- ber, and to content himself with a suggestion that lime should be sent out as ballast in the transports. It was stiQ more aggravating to find that all the tools brought out from England had proved to be of the very worst kind — " as bad as ever were sent out for barter on the coast of Guinea. I have Uie honor to enclose your lordship the intended plan for the town. The Lieutenant-Governor has already begun a small The first house, which forms one comer of the parade; and I am building HouaS^™*° a small cottage on the east side of the cove, where I shall remain Digitized by Google
