Let us encourage them in their labours of love and charity by exemplary conduct. This will give them energy to persevere in their endeavours to elevate the unhappy ones stained with crime.

"Be assured that the chastisement which has been inflicted on us was caused by no revengeful feeling, but solely for the purpose of reformation, of convincing us of our sin and folly, of showing us that we could never be happy while we persisted in crime, and of protecting the community at large from our attacks. These alone are, I believe, the motives which guide our punishments. Feeling, then, how kindly we have been treated, let us resolve to act in such a way as will convince the world that these efforts have been crowned with success. Let us convince the world, that, though branded with the disgraceful name of convict, and though looked upon by many as unfit for civilised society, we can, aye! and are determined, by the help of God, to become honourable and virtuous members of society. J. A.” *

VERSES ON PARTING WITH A FRIEND

WHO HAD BEEN KIND TO THE AUTHOR IN PRISON.

Is there a heart so dark and cold,
Beneath the radiant orb of day,
That ardent glows not to behold
The great Creator's boundless sway;—

That loves not in the early spring

To see the wild birds throng the sky,

As merrily they soar and sing

On wings of swift ecstatic joy?

* Vide Note, p. 47.

The primrose and the lily flower

Can heaven-born man unmoved survey,
As, joyous in some grassy bower,
They spring beneath the smile of day?

Or see each helpless living thing
By peace and plenty lulled to rest,
And for the Great Providing King
Feel not deep love within his breast?

Oh, gratitude! thou heavenly child,
Inspire with language from above
My feeble tongue and measures wild,
To tell my friend how fond I love!

The balm of kindness thou did'st pour
Profusely on my wounded head;
And, like the dew-drop from the flower,
My bitter woes and sorrows fled!

Hope smiling rose beneath thy sight,
And twinkled like the morning star,
When through the fleeting shades of night
He hails Apollo's golden car!

The time has come-alas! too soon-
When we must part, perhaps for ever!

But whilst my simple lyre I tune,

My heart from thee shall part, oh, never!

* Vide Note, p. 53.

W. F. N.*

I

HOBART TOWN.

(Continued from p. 118.)

In the preceding Number we have perhaps bestowed too much attention on the peculiarities of the "gold diggers," justified in our opinion by the important influence they have exerted, and will probably continue to exert, on the Australian colonies, and from seeing in them the character of our race displayed under new contingencies. If our readers should not entertain similar opinions, and consequently accuse us of prolixity, we apprehend no such judgment on the subject we now proceed to examine, and which, from its importance to the nation at large, would justify a more systematic consideration than can be afforded here.

There is some degree of reluctance felt in engaging in the discussion of a matter, which a brief residence in the colony only allowed the writer a limited opportunity of examining practically. One is apt, under such circumstances, to adopt opinions which a longer residence might modify or altogether change. The difficulty is also increased by the conflicting opinions expressed on the convict question, which any one who has been a week in Hobart Town cannot have failed hearing a hundred times. At least when the writer was there, so considerable was the excitement on the subject, that it was a very easy matter to find parties ready to discuss the question of transportation in all its bearings. In this way, a stranger, hearingthe variety of opinions expressed, is soon put in possession of all the facts upon which judgment has to be given. These, indeed, may be resolved into a much smaller number than at first sight would appear practi

cable. We therefore hope, by giving a condensed account of the facts in dispute, to convey a tolerably accurate view of the whole question."

Tasmania, in its character as a penal settlement, has been of vast importance not only to our expatriated criminals, but to the British empire. It has formed the nucleus from which has sprung the prosperity, perhaps even the existence of the neighbouring colonies, South Australia and Victoria. The commercial importance of these— although still in their infancy-is felt not only in Britain, but in all the entrepôts of the world. They have in a few years created an amount of wealth far beyond the anticipations of the most sanguine, and far beyond all historical precedent. To the facilities of obtaining skill and labour from the penal settlements, this rapid prosperity is to a large extent owing; for no one for a moment believes that voluntary emigration was ever nearly adequate to the demand for labour, or to the progress of improvement and wealth.

While such have been the effects of transportation on the adjacent colonies, what has it done for Tasmania? It has converted a comparatively barren, inhospitable, impenetrable country into a desirable abode for civilised man. This is much; but it has done even more. It has created capital so rapidly that the canaille of yesterday are the lords of to-day. To convict labour are due the magnificent roads, bridges, aqueducts, wharfs, and public buildings which convey the prestige of a numerous and wealthy people; whereas, in fact, they have been executed by a small population, the fabricators of their own fortunes. To the same source, we are also bound to attribute nearly all the evidences of private wealth, the diffused comfort, tasteful gardens, cultivated fields, ele

gant houses, and the richly equipped carriages which are so abundantly scattered over the colony.

Believing that the preceding statements convey a fair idea of the material value of convict labour to the Australian colonies, let us proceed to examine the social and personal condition of the convict. The peculiarities of the population of Tasmania, and its geographical position, enable those who have completed their sentence, or obtained a conditional pardon, to return to the duties which they owe themselves and society, without feeling their degradation, and without being shut out from any employment which their more virtuous—or at least selfexiled-fellow-colonists may pursue. On this account arises the unceasing absorption of the convict into the general population. There is no obstruction, on account of having been a prisoner, placed in the way of those seeking employment. Indeed, so constant is the demand for more labour than can be found in the market, and labour of that kind which does not require honesty for its efficient discharge, that the labourer almost feels that he is conferring an obligation in accepting employment. Besides, one hears the opinion frequently expressed, that a general reliance can be placed on the character and ability of a convict, which is more rarely disappointed than when placed on an immigrant. The one has

acquired a power of restraint, having been taught by painful experience, that any departure from honesty brings misery on himself; while the other, often having gone abroad in consequence of his incapacity at home, has acquired during the voyage no greater power of directing his forces, and no experimental lessons inculcating the importance of a virtuous life. This statement is not to be understood as made absolutely; for we know there are