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[Mausoleum of Major General Lachlan Macquarie and family, Gruline, Isle of Mull, Scotland, 1986] 1986

By John Wilshire

Epitaph on Governor Macquarie's mausoleum: HERE IN THE HOPE OF A GLORIOUS RESURRECTION LIE THE REMAINS OF THE LATE MAJOR GENERAL LACHLAN MACQUARIE OF JARVISFIELD WHO WAS BORN 31ST JANUARY, 1761 AND DIED AT LONDON ON THE 1ST OF JULY, 1824 THE PRIVATE VIRTUES AND AMIABLE DISPOSITION WITH WHICH HE WAS ENDOWED RENDERED HIM AT ONCE A MOST BELOVED HUSBAND, FATHER AND MASTER, AND A MOST ENDEARING FRIEND. HE ENTERED THE ARMY AT THE AGE OF FIFTEEN AND THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF 47 YEARS SPENT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE WAS UNIFORMLY CHARACTERIZED BY ANIMATED ZEAL FOR HIS PROFESSION, ACTIVE BENEVOLENCE, AND GENEROSITY WHICH KNEW NO BOUNDS. HE WAS APPOINTED GOVERNOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES A.D. 1809 AND FOR TWELVE YEARS FULFILLED THE DUTIES OF THAT STATION WITH EMINENT ABILITY AND SUCCESS. HIS SERVICES IN THAT CAPACITY HAVE JUSTLY ATTACHED A LASTING HONOUR TO HIS NAME. THE WISDOM, LIBERALITY, AND BENEVOLENCE OF ALL THE MEASURES OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, HIS RESPECT FOR THE ORDINANCES OF RELIGION AND THE READY ASSISTANCE WHICH HE GAVE TO EVERY CHARITABLE INSTITUTION, THE UNWEARIED ASSIDUITY WITH WHICH HE SOUGHT TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF ALL CLASSES OF THE COMMUNITY, THE RAPID IMPROVEMENT OF THE COLONY UNDER HIS AUSPICES, AND THE HIGH ESTIMATION IN WHICH BOTH HIS CHARACTER AND GOVERNMENT WERE HELD RENDERED HIM TRULY DESERVING THE APPELLATION BY WHICH HE HAS BEEN DISTINGUISHED THE FATHER OF AUSTRALIA.

Call Number:
PF / 1154
Published date:
1986