Sydney Gazette: 8 February 1822

FAREWELL CELEBRATIONS

On Thursday, the 31st ultimo, the Commemoration Dinner, to celebrate the Anniversary of the Establishment of this Colony, took place at Hill's Tavern, in Hyde Park. It had been postponed from the 26th; and the 31st, being the Anniversary of the Birth-day of Our late beloved Governor, Major General MACQUARIE, the festival embraced two objects particularly gratifying to the public feeling. Upwards of 70 of the respectable Inhabitants of the Colony sat down, at half-past five, to a very excellent entertainment, presenting, in a very sumptuous style, all that the season could afford, or that could promote the conviviality and harmony of the day. After the cloth was removed, several loyal and appropriate toasts were circulated, in which His Majesty, the Royal Family, and the late and present Governor, were the prevailing themes of respect and veneration. A Song, from the Den of our favourite Laureat-Bard, Mr. Robinson, was given amidst loud and reiterated acclamations. We are glad to have an opportunity of introducing it to our Readers.

SONG.

Philosophers say, and experience declares,
That life is a medley of pleasures and cares; —
That the sunshine which smiles on our prospects to-day,
May be chas'd by the gloom of to-morrow away.

Whilst some, who are strangers to conjugal strife,
Are apt to repine at the loss of a wife, —
There are others (perhaps you may dissolute call 'em)
That are glad to escape from the fetters that gall'em.

Thus, serious and comic, the scene passes on,
The demise of the sire makes way for the son;
When the coffers, by rigid economy stor'd,
Are squander'd and swallow'd at luxury's board.

For years, on this Isle, a bright Day-star has gleam'd
And the CHIEF that we hail'd was the Friend we esteem'd;
Now Time, in its triumph, has clos'd his career,
And the smile we have cherish'd-is chang'd to a tear!

Yet, often shall memory cling to this bay,
And often shall gratitude swell the fond lay;
Whilst AUSTRALIA shall boast, in her annals of story,
THAT HIS SON, AS IT ROSE – SO IT SET, IN FULL GLORY!

But the shadows that threatened our evening forlorn,
The breath of young Hope shall disperse with the morn;
For grac'd with fresh laurels from Fame's fairest stores,
His Illustrious SUCCESSOR has smil'd on our Shores.

Then, here, whilst in circles of social relation,
Our hearts and our hands join in Commemoration;
From AUSTRALIA'S first dawn — let her trophies proclaim,
That her Standard of Worth stamps her Passport to Fame.

The amateurs of painting will be highly gratified to find that the last likeness of Our late revered Governor, which was taken by Mr. Reed, sen. at the instance of the Honorable the Judge Advocate, is pronounced to be the best performance that has yet come forth from the pencil of that Artist, and will afford to every beholder as faithful a delineation of feature and expression as could possibly be exhibited on canvas. We are informed that Mr. Reed, sen. is engaged to paint the picture of Major General Macquarie intended to be placed in the Town Hall at Windsor ; and we anticipate, with pleasure to ourselves and posterity, an additional reputation to the Artist in the able accomplishment of this very gratifying object.

Source:
Sydney Gazette 8 February 1822 p.3b.

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