Philip's Long Awaited Return Home to Sydney Town

Philip finally returned to Sydney from his 8th year journey and exploration, which would have seemed an eternity. A journey that was to be the catalyst for his future life ongoing challenges. 

Having seen and lost too much. 

His arrival in Sydney would have seen great changes for Philip. He originally left there with the ambition to prepare for marriage with the commitment of Mary Anne’s heart. But unfortunately that was not to happen.

‘She was lain for many a day in the old garden of sleep at Randwick. To this spot for the distant future, whenever Philip reached Sydney, he went always at the end of each day to watch all night over the tomb of his only alter ego.’

His sister Charlotte had also now left Sydney and returned to Scotland with her husband Peter Nicoll Russell.

The neighbourhood changes were great also learning of the death of a young friend. Her name was Sophia Smith. From just around the corner in William Street, she was most likely an introduced acquaintance of the Underwood's. Sophia died suddenly at Manly Beach in 1865. A poem he wrote dedicated in memory of her is in the Manuscript. 

This sad event again was a shock and again challenged Philip’s faith. His despondency must have been reinforced as was depicted in his poetry to come. His pen was clearly the vent for his heart, where he could debrief his feelings in the company of solitude. This was the company with which he was most comfortable.

In June 1869, Philip's good to be friend, the becoming famous, Henry Kendall moved to Melbourne to avoid his siblings, and probably to strategically meet and mix with the literary royalty of the time. This was at the exclusive Yorick Club where he was welcomed. He went to Melbourne with his wife and daughter seeking fortune through journalism.

In July 1869, Henry Kendall met up with Philip on his arrival in Melbourne soon after Philips return to Sydney in early 1870. Philip was striving to seek opportunity in publishing his poetry. Philip and Henry were both soon seen to be kindred spirits, and their special friendship would continue for many years to come.

The Yorick Club, Australia's first bohemian club, was established in 1868. First beginning in a cafe in Burke Street. It was an exclusive club, initially founded by Marcus Clarke. 

It was established to bring together the men of literary talent. Members included Marcus Clarke, George Gordon McRae, Adam Lindsay Gordon, Henry Kendall, Philip Lorimer as well as many other selected clearly literary fanatics.

Philip was sadly to meet Adam Lindsay Gordon only the once. This was the day before his untimely death.

In early 1870 Philip befriended the now famous Henry Kendall. 

His first meeting with him was about the time of Henry writing the poem ‘Burke and Wills’, probably around April 1870 soon after Philip's arrival in Melbourne. 

From this time onward, to 1875, they remained great friends, spending a lot of time together being rare kindred spirits. Philip was an intimate crony of Henry Kendall’s and the two had many characteristics in common. 

Much of Philips verse bears witness of Kendall's and Charles Harper’s influence. 

Philip had said – 

‘Kendall often cheered me in my dull moments, saying I would yet leave my mark behind. He told me that my ring was soft. His (Kendall's) sense of hearing, or ear, was exquisitely fine’. He said of Kendall-

‘he was seldom in a cheerful mood unless under the influence of stimulants. But to say, as some have done, that he grovelled in drink is a libel on the memory of a noble lovable nature’ after his death in 1882.

Philip stated from 23rd June 1870

  ‘Henry Kendall introduced me to Adam Lindsay Gordon in Melbourne. Kendall and I were walking up Flinders Street when we met Gordon. We had a couple of shillings altogether, and went and lunched at a bar. 

We tossed up for the remaining sixpence, and Kendall won it. 

That night we left Gordon going out to Brighton, and Kendall and I dropped into the graveyard between Melbourne and Dandenong. 

We slept on the tombstones that night and in the morning (of 24th June 1870) were startled to hear the newsboys singing out “Death of Adam Lindsay Gordon!” 

A day after Gordon having committed suicide, a letter came for him from his aunt stating that he had been left £30,000 in the old country. 

Gordon was very downhearted on the last day we met. He was worrying over his poems and was afraid Menzies would make a mess of them.’

The infamous Dr James Patrick Murray from the failed McIntyre Expedition, known to Philip, and Dr to the Brighton Artillery Corps was an acquaintance of Gordon and conducted the post Mortem on Gordon. 

He had stated he had known Gordon for a year and last was with Gordon 3 days before his death. 

Dr Murray was infamously a man with no scruples and was publicly denounced by his own father. Historians have suggested that he could have been an influence in Gordon's suicide decision. Gordon in these days was heard to say it takes courage to take ones own life.

1870 24th June 

Death of Adam Lindsay Gordon by suicide shooting himself. 

Philip was well acquainted with both Gordon and Kendall and was ‘more than an acquaintance’ of the clever Victorian writer ’Mona Marie’ or Georgina Maria Tickner who resided in Ballarat  “at who's shrine he worshipped”. 

Philip would have been acquainted with her through the Yorick Club network.

Kendall was ultimately driven back to Sydney following the sudden death of his infant daughter Araluen and with ongoing lack of success he was dogged by poverty, ill health and drunkenness. 

Most likely he went together with Philip, who was probably in a similar state, through reputation or maybe a support to Henry as they spent most, if not all there time together. 

On 7th January 1871 Henry's child Araluen's death would have been the motivation of Philip for the poem ‘The Empty Cradle’ composed in Murrumburruh near Wallendbeen most likely on their return journey.

Not long after Philips return to Sydney, in approximately December 1870, Philip and Peter learned of the great opportunity provided to them, by their family. Most likely it was Charlotte who sent them monies to provide some hope to recover from the loss and hopelessness felt after the last 8 years. 

Sydney was now an even more bustling town with new found wealth wandering the streets. The two young men were pretty much unprepared for such financial responsibilities and it would be certain that decisions were strained with urgency and naive consideration. 

In the later part of 1871, a pamphlet of Philip’s poems was printed in Sydney called ‘Poems’. 

It is referred to and mentioned in the book Songs and Verses produced in 1901. 

It was also noted elsewhere as being produced in Sydney 'by the author' in 1871. 

It was produced and sold to the public. 

The booklet was noted by Petherick as  'today is very rare' even in 1901. 

An actual page 4 of the booklet is glued in the Manuscript. (Refer photos below).

Within the booklet were the following poems listed below. 

It is clear through marked evidence stating in pencil 'printed 1871' and the 'pp no.' within the actual manuscript, that the manuscript book was in the possession of the authors or Phillips editor and printer of the pamphlet. 

Marks therein denoting inclusion were not seemingly Philips writing, or maybe so? 

It is also clear that following this publications creation that the manuscript was only retained by Philip, for at the most, the next 6 years, at which time both book and album must have been returned to Peter. 

Otherwise Philip would have further contributed more writings into this manuscript book. 

From this time onward Philip was to spend his time as a wanderer. 

The contents of the publication 'Poems' were as follows in order.

‘The Fallen Flower’ Wallumbilla Queensland 11/1868 page 1

‘Sweet Dreams’ 6/6/1871 page 2

‘I Love Thy Smiles’ 6/6/1871 and 6/8/1871 page 3

‘Remembrance’ Hashers Creek 1868 page 4, actual page from the 'Poems' booklet in the manuscript.

‘Oh Why With The Leaves Love’ 6/1871 page 5

‘The Ocean of Life’ 28/7/1871 page 5

‘I Will Leave Thee in The Sweetness’ 6/8/1871 page 6

‘Four Dark Thoughts’ 20/1/1871 pages 7 and 8.

‘My Carte De Visite’ Sydney 15/12/1870 page 9

‘I Knew a Flow’ret Once’ 6/7/1871 pages 9 and 10

‘Oh Thou Whom Beauty Called Its Own’ 19/7/1871 pages 10 and 11

‘I’ll Run Away With Thee’ 27/7/1871 page 12

‘Written By Request For a Young Gentleman’ Queensland 1868 pages 12 and 13.

‘Broken Vows’ 1871 pages 12 and 13

‘Dark Thoughts’ Kilmorey 12/12/1869 pages 13 and 14

‘With a Bottle of Scent’,  ‘The Hawthorn’ 1871 pages 14, 15 and 16.

Philip and Peter both embarked into a tobacconist business called Lorimer Brothers Tobacconists.

Why? This may have been based on the perceived market in this colonial and transient town. 

It was soon to be found though the difficulties of business, especially where knowledge and reputation was sadly lacking. A decision that was probably based on the other Tobacconist in town, Lorimer Marwood, and possibly thinking of piggybacking their presence. 

In perspective though, Philip and Peter had just spent up to 8 years within the true Australian Wilderness and its people, stock men, whom most would have smoked. 

All the time spent with their inherited nomadic families of this time would have shared this past time and most probably Peter and Philip were smokers. 

In later narratives Philip is noted to be a pipe smoker. 

They first set up their business Lorimer Brothers Tobacconists, in May 1871, at 128 King Street Sydney. 

Things would have been just starting to gain momentum, when disaster struck. 

The shop was extensively damaged by fire, ultimately needing to be demolished. 

This was a result of the large fire at the neighbouring Prince of Wales Theatre involving numerous businesses and resulting in 3 fatalities in January 1872. 

Fortunately though, unlike other businesses that were caught in the fire, Lorimer Brothers were insured and soon they were able to regather. 

Eventually they reopened their business. First in a shop on the corner of King and George Streets in Sydney, and then at 414 George Street Sydney, in the August of 1872.

1871 was a tumultuous year for Philip, as expressed in his poetry. 

The death of Maryanne was again clearly the motivator, or demotivator, of subject matter in each poem. 

Throughout at least the next couple of years, Philip nightly visited the grave at Randwick where his love was buried. 

Buried in the same grave, probably to Philip’s dismay, was Mary Ann's mother and brother, both having died whilst Philip was away in Queensland, as also did Mary Ann.

He often stayed at her graveside all night reflecting, and never accepting her loss. 

Resistant to move on, he expressed his focused thoughts, and now confused experiences, in his verse and writings.

He would open his book to write, and open his album, was it to Mary Ann's photo, or a photo of J E.....h. As often referred to as a dedication in his poems in his manuscript.

Philip at this time in 1871 was also to meet a new love. 

Her name was Jane English originally from Kiama. 

She was 21 at the time and Philip was 28. 

Jane was a widow having married a 33 year old Irishman farmer from Jamberoo, James English in 1867 at age of 17, only for he to tragically die of unknown circumstances in 1868. 

Jane was again alone there in Kiama and Sydney. 

She had no relatives in Australia having come to the country alone in 1866 at age 16 from Ireland as Jane Graham.  

Following a final court decision in early 1870, James’ goods and chattels were awarded to Jane and now with some financial prosperity she moved to Sydney living in a boarding house in 120 Clarence Street and working at E. Ways Drapers in Pitt Street.

Philip most likely met Jane of the same year at the Wesleyan Church in William Street Wooloomooloo where she and Philip were parishioners and frequently attended. Philip was besotted and many poems in 1871 were composed expressing his passion but also unfortunately expressing his ultimate loss when the relationship concluded in March 1872.

Jane moved to a Waverley address in 1873 then residing ongoing near or with James’ family in Balmain. Jane continued a lonely life working at E Ways, raising money for Dalmatia Children’s Home and Sydney Mission ongoing, and living alone for most of her years until her death in 1914 at age of 63. 

Clearly she was eternally devastated and damaged and could not recover or commit following the death of her husband remaining Mrs James English.

The poem ‘The Sweetest Face of Long Ago’ refers to a photo in his book that for twenty years has been with him. The poem dates or published 1892 thus the photograph he has had in his possession since prior to 1872? The photo most likely in question was that taken or printed by G F Holmes between 1868 and 1869. Also most likely given to Philip on his return to Sydney in December 1870.

THE SWEETEST FACE OF LONG AGO.

Here, in my book, thy face in sweetness lies,

As in your teens you fawned upon my breast,

When love was all the language of thine eyes , 

As into mine it flew from thee for rest.

What though the years may find thee now much changed

And all thy girlish impulse gone; 

And thy bright curls are now anew arranged 

To greet the silver gleam of winter's dawn;

Yet here I see thine olden glances flash, 

Meeting mine own so softly in mid-air,

With that bold freedom we would now call rash;

With words we still remember, darling, there.

For twenty years you've been with me a prize

'Mong those pressed flowers I love to lean upon, 

While l have daily looked upon thine eyes

For light, at setting  sun and waking dawn|,

They have a charm still left in them to quell

The fierce and selfish roar that follows time,

They sing the voice of hearts men love so well,

And break close to mine ears a sweet-sung chime,

And as I turn this leaf, my kisses fall,

Fresh with the mem'ry of our childhood days, 

Upon thy face — the sweetest face of all 

That ever glanced on me and sipped my praise. 

Wollongong       Philip D. Lorimer.

1870 15th December Sydney To Kate Underwood ‘My Carte de Visite’ poem in MSS SV Printed in Poems 1871

1871 15th January Sydney ‘Dedicated to the memory of Maryanne Underwood’ who died in Paddington Nov 8 1868 SV Unpublished version poem in MSS

1871 20th May  ‘Beautiful Sin’ Sydney Unpublished poem in MSS only.

1871 6th June ‘Sweet Dreams’ Sydney SV Printed in Poems 1871, poem also in MSS.

1871 June In memory of Sophia Smith ‘Oh why with the leaves, love’ Sydney ‘In Memory of SS’ SV Printed in Poems 1871, who died 8th March 1865 age 16 years also living in William St Paddington. poem in MSS

1871 26th June  ‘Four Dark Thoughts’ SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1871 28th June  ‘The Oceans of Life’ Sydney SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1871 6th July  ‘I knew a flow’ret once’ Sydney SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1871 17th July to J E...h, ‘Oh give me all Remembrance brings’ Unpublished poem in MSS

1871 19th July  ‘Oh thou whom beauty called is own’ Sydney ‘To the Memory of a you girl who died friendless in the bush’ SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1871 27th July  ‘I’ll run away with thee’ Sydney SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1871 6th August  ‘I Will leave the in the Sweetness’ Sydney SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1871 6th August  To J E...h, ‘I love thy smiles’ Sydney SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1871 28th August  ‘I hear the say that still my love’ Sydney Unpublished poem in MSS

1871 28th August Sydney  ‘Tis not the tear of joy that falls’ Unpublished Poem in MSS 

1871  ‘Broken Vows’ Written by request for Alex Gilchrist Sydney SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1871 To JE Sydney with a bottle of scent ‘The Hawthorn’ SV Printed in Poems 1871 poem in MSS

1872 26th March To JE Sydney ‘Ah! Why not say thy heart is mine’ Unpublished poem in MSS

1872 1st April ‘Meditations on an Easter Monday after visiting Randwick’ poem in MSS 

This was the last entry in the book and the last piece of poetry written until 1884 or for 12 years. 

The reason why is unknown unless possibly he did write but didn't seek publication but even so no poetry in these years appear in the publication Songs and Verses or any publications or newspapers. The prior most likely.

From this time in 1872 on it was clear it was business first, and focussing on both his, and Peter’s prosperity.

For Philip it was clear. He had made a decision. A decision to return to his faith and not rely on his mind, nor the presence of the dead in solitude, grappling for the solution to his life and an answer to the question why? 

In March 1872, Philip was DM in the Bourke Street meeting of the No 49 Excelsior Royal Orange Lodge. 

On the 29th August 1872 he wrote a poem to Excelsior Royal Orange Lodge in Palmer Street Wooloomooloo Sydney. 

In November 1872 he was the vice chair at the meetings ongoing in the Palmer street boardroom which supported a new direction for Philip. 

Interestingly, from 1871 to 1873, Lorimer Brothers advertised in the Protestant Standard only and then stopped. From 1874 they advertised only in the Newcastle Chronicle.  

Did this correlate to Philips fall out with Orangeism? 

With what in his life did it relate? Ultimately why? The reason would not let go.

Over the following 3 years the Lorimer Brothers continued with the business with seemingly an ongoing struggle to make ends meet, and to ensure growth and prosperity. 

Initially, in 1872 to 1873, Philip and Peter were living at 263 Castlereagh Street Sydney, and then at 8 Yurong Street Sydney in 1875, Philip and Peter were together still, in business and in residence. 

In 1876, and possibly into 1877, they were both lived, per the census, in a private residence living at 133 Elizabeth Street Redfern.  

This was the same time that Philip was 34 and living with Annie 21 as per the poem 'the Battleaxe'. 

This was a year or two before Peter was to marry Mary in 1878, who had a sister of Annie. 

Were they all living together with the ‘Battleaxe’, per the poem?

Philips leaving the address in early 1877 most likely at the same time as Peter marrying does most likely correspond.

All of Philip and Peter's business efforts though were in vain, and the inevitable came following a time of negotiation. 

On 1876 21st March, Lorimer Brothers Tobacconist had a Bankrupt advertisement for claims dividend ending at 6s and 5d per £. 

A very disappointing time and a time of perceived failure.

Such disappointment was also reinforced by the death of their mother Charlotte, back home.

It is hard to comprehend that this great adventure of theirs, leaving many they loved behind, would result in never seeing their loved ones again. 

Peter though at this time was in personal happiness courting Mary Agatha Martin, whom soon he would marry.

Philip at the same time in 1877, just after his business insolvency, as depicted in his poem ‘That Battle Axe’, tells of a time when he was 34, and his lady by the name of Annie was 21. (Was this her age at the start of the relationship).  

They were living together in Sydney, in the same house as with the mother in law. 

The pressure was on, and all things were rosy. (When he had a job.) 

Philip spoilt Annie when he could, but when he couldn't, things seemed to have fallen apart and the relationship ended. 

Again, Philip the sensitive, and as a result vulnerable, was on the rocks, and from here his life tended to ongoing catapult into the continuing unknown.

(Coincidentally or reality was Annie, Annie Martin? The sister of Peter’s to be wife Mary A Martin? 

Was the mother in law who always lived with Annie, Elizabeth Martin! their mother?

Was this how Peter and Mary came to meet? Or was this how Philip and Annie came to meet

Evidence in the Sands Directory Census indicates that after the mother, Elizabeth Martin's death in 1892, Miss Annie Martin was at the same address in 1893. In 1894 no listing for Annie from there on? 

In 1893 onward to 1894 though a Mrs A. Lorimer appeared as a Sydney resident at 2 different addresses in 2 consecutive years. From there on after 1894 didn't appear again. 

Is Annie Martin and Annie Lorimer one and the same? Was this Philip’s wife he abandoned never to see again and enable divorce? Was there a child involved? Unfortunately we may never know.

THAT BATTLE AXE.

My Annie's ago is twenty-one, And I am thirty-four ;

Her eyes of love, like violets smile,

When I walk to my door.

She opens it with loving words, 

With all her softest grace.

And then I see her angel blush

While I yum-yum her face.

But this is only when things are 

All bright, like sunny days,

When money flies to deck my queen 

In her fantastic ways;

When dresses row and bonnets trimmed, 

To make her look so nice.

Are for my Annie, that she may be

The dearest thing in price.

But oh my moans will not allow

Or satisfy her taste,

She never tries to bring in use

The things she flings to waste ; 

And when I kindly tell her this,

I must prepare for war,

A battle axe she has at hand —

Her mother — mine-in-law.

That name I know, too well, alas 

The cause of all my woes,

I gave her quarters in my house

Till she filled it with foes,

Till she became its master mind, 

And I was nowhere seen,

But talked of in my manor hall 

'Mong 'things that once had been.'

A married life may have its charms 

If home is ruled by one  —

That one, yourself and wife should be, 

But both your hearts its sun ;

If Annie's heart would only be 

Whole welded into mine.

That battle-axe would lose its edge 

And would no longer shrine.

Philip D. Lorimer.