Edward Shann

“ Tory principles, however, at no time deterred any of the family from lending a hand in every task that arose. 'I often think, dear Tip', wrote even Mary Bussell to Capel Carter on Christmas Eve 1835, 'of the horror you always had of us becoming laundresses, when the possibility of our being without a female servant came into your head. Then I look with what ease we get through our office.' Bessie had just before ridden over from Augusta to help the pioneer party at the Vasse. 'She is indeed an admirable girl and equal to anything. ”

“ We shall appear the victims of misfortune and ill-luck, but it is not so. Are we not blessed with health, spirits and content? The wreck of all our property you will have heard, but we will soon have another opportunity. ”

“ But he is a dear good fellow, and when time and religion have modified the sudden impulses of youth and taught him that harsh lesson that "all is not gold that glitters", he will cease to seek for happiness where it is not to be found. ”

“ She is the most abandoned creature. She has violated every commandment. But I did not send her away; she would go. I hear poor Attwood [4] is not flourishing at the Sound. The person who deluded him away from my service has forsaken him. Adieu, my own. I am yours for ever. Do not be troubled about us, a more happy, cheerful group cannot be found. F. L. Bussell.'
↑ This letter was sent by John to his mother in England, as a 'specimen of Australian correspondence', and as a mild rebuke of her habit of sending models of 'European correspondence'. ”

“ Bessie, at Augusta in the same year, notes wistfully that cockatoo feathers which she would make into a broom, would serve as 'tasty drawing room decorations, in your land of elegance and ingenuity.' Bessie, too, scribbles a pencil note on the foot of a letter by Fanny to Capel in May '34, de profundis. 'Let my shoes be made high over the instep. It is so very dusty here in the summer that it is hardly possible to cross from one house to the other without getting dirty for the day, and at Perth it is worse. ”

“ She put on a piece of any kind or colour by way of mending so that in their working costumes her Vasse boys are more like harlequins than anything else.' (See Appendix for Bessie's Journal of the ride over.) A series of character sketches of 'our five remaining treasures' was drawn from Fanny Bussell's ever-flowing pen by the news of William's death in England, which reached Augusta in June '35. 'John is a great solace to Mamma, who seems to depend upon him almost as she did on Papa in every affliction or trouble. He is looking well but harassed and distressed. ”