August, and last three days, during
which time the convicts are exempt from all government duties.
Convicts that are placed in the town of Sydney are in many respects
happier than those farther inland; those who are employed in the
service of government are under the inspection of the superintendent
of the public works; they assemble at the ringing of a bell, in the
government-yard, soon after day-light, and are mustered by their
respective overseers and conducted to their work by them, having
received their orders from the superintendent on the preceding
evening. The overseers are themselves convicts of good character, and
perfect masters of their different trades. They labour from day-light
until nine o'clock, and they have then one hour allowed them to
breakfast, then they return and work till three in the afternoon, and
from that time they are at liberty to work for whom they think proper.

On leaving Sydney, the next settlement is Rose Hill, or, called by the
natives, Paramatta, and it is situated due west up the river. Between
Sydney and Paramatta there is but one settlement, about half way,
which is called Kissing Point, and close on its banks is a large farm,
kept by Mr. Squires, who likewise carries on an extensive brewery. The
principal edifice at Paramatta is the government stores, a large stone
building; close to the landing-place, and leading into the town, is a
street about a mile long. They are generally small cottages, and are
mostly inhabited by the convicts; and to each is attached a small
garden, which they are compelled to keep in good order.

There is also a large manufactory of flax, the produce of the country,
of which they make coarse cloth of different descriptions. This town
is under the direction of the bishop of New South Wales (Samuel
Marsden) and is the place where the noted George Barrington resided
many years as chief constable, and died in the year 1806, highly
respected by the principal men of the colony. At eight miles distance,
in a westerly direction, is the village of Galba, which is a very
fertile soil, the farms being in high cultivation, the ground clear of
timber, and numbers of sheep and oxen seen grazing in its fields. Two
miles south of Galba is the village of Castle Hills, in appearance
resembling Galba; and a number of farm houses scattered about as far
as the eye can reach. About fourteen miles, in a S. E. direction, is
the town of Liverpool, on the banks of George's Riv