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== Recollections of a Victorian Police Officer by Sup John Sadlier ==

Burke’s eccentricity showed itself in other ways. At one time he fancied he was growing too stout, so he insisted that Sarah, the very respectable middle-aged woman who kept house for him, should spend no more than sixpence a day on his food. This arrangement did not last very long. Another trouble Sarah had was how to dodge Burke when he was coming from his bath. His practice was to call for breakfast when drying himself. This he commonly did when standing at one end of the passage, while Sarah stood at the other taking his orders. Matters went all right until Burke, who was absent-minded, proceeded to rub his back and shoulders with the towel. The ordinary 'tub' in vogue in those days was not sufficient for Burke, who was as fond of water as a retriever and longed for room to splash about in. He persuaded a working man of his acquaintance to construct a bathing place near the camp. This was done by sinking a pit 12ft square, and about 10ft deep, when the solid rock was reached. Some two feet of water collected here, and Burke might be seen sitting in it reading a book, his only covering, like that of the African traveller, being a helmet and several mosquitoes. This luxury he had to give up after a time, as the water became slimy. I believe this pit is still known as ‘Burke’s folly.’

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