hardened, could we bring before them the misery, the grief, and the ruin, which their crimes produce. It is not the value of the plunder which distresses society, but it is the incarnation of evil which lies dark and threatening, like a gloomy thunder-cloud over it. It is horrible that men should thus become the demoniac curse that worse than a pestilence afflicts our social condition. D. R. No. XI.-JULY 7, 1852. Trust no future, howe'er pleasant! Let us then be up and doing, A VOICE FROM BETWEEN DECKS.* In all human probability a few more days will bring us to the termination of our voyage, when we shall be placed in a position so new, and under circumstances so different to anything we have hitherto experienced, that it is proper for us to prepare ourselves for the event by all the means in our power. Permit me, then, to address to you, my fellow-prisoners, a few words of deep import, trusting, as I am one of yourselves, and have had some experience in the world, that you will not deem me presumptuous in doing so, and that the motive which actuates me will plead as my apology. A new epoch in our lives and prospects is about to open upon us, beset with some difficulties, and many temptations. These will be doubly trying to men in our situation, obtaining freedom after long confinement, thus creating an exuberance of spirits, which may dispose us * This address was read by the Author to the assembled prisoners, and was listened to with the deepest attention. recklessly to commit some indiscreet act, which may mar our prospects of success for life. It surely behoves us to take a lesson from the experience of the past, and to be earnestly watchful of our conduct; to form an invincible resolution to continue sober, honest, and industrious, in whatever sphere of life it may please Providence to place us. Let us endeavour, by our conduct and demeanour, to conciliate the favour of our masters, and redeem ourselves from the disgrace which, indiscriminately, is attached to the name of convict. Intemperate habits, the cause of four-fifths of the crime committed in England, is one of the vices which must be particularly guarded against, for it leads to loose and vicious courses, a disrelish for all labour, and creates a moral confusion nearly allied to insanity. The fewer acquaintanceships, begun in prison, we keep up, the better, for friendships formed by persons in our position are rarely if ever satisfactory. Be advised, however, to keep up a constant correspondence with relations and friends at home, for it is surprising what a change the receipt of a single letter from a far distant loved one makes upon a man. It brings back the innocent recollections of youth - calls forth the better feelings of our nature-softens the heart and disposes it to virtuous impressions. Let us cultivate a cheerful and willing obedience to those placed over us. Civility alone does much; it shows a desire to please, and is never misunderstood. If any of us should be so unfortunate as to meet with a hard master, who may act unjustly, let us make no resistance, but quietly complain to a magistrate, who will undoubtedly give us redress; for humanity will not allow any wellconducted man, in our friendless position, to be subjected N to ill usage. It is, besides, the self-interest of the colonists to use the deserving well, and the duty and desire of the authorities to protect the injured, and measure out equal justice to all. Let us, however, be careful not to complain on frivolous pretexts of imaginary grievances; for if we do, our characters will suffer. We cannot expect our life of servitude to be all sunshine; and it will be far better to bear slight evils patiently, than bring charges against our employers, upon whose approval of our conduct depends our chance of obtaining a conditional pardon. I was accustomed, when at liberty, to make myself acquainted, by extensive reading, with what is doing in the world, and I am therefore in a position to assure you that the government of Tasmania is considered an enlightened and beneficent one. The Press-that great disseminator of truth-represents it as anxious to improve and ameliorate our condition. His Excellency Sir William Dennison has, in an eminent degree, that philosophic discrimination and Christian charity which enables the possessor to understand when to pardon; because they confer the power of estimating correctly the strength of temptation, and the bitterness of repentance. I would strongly urge upon those who are married the propriety of taking advantage of the generous offers of Government, and acquire the means of sending for their families at the earliest opportunity. It requires but little stretch of mind to imagine the amount of distress they must endure from the absence of their natural guardians; and in the event of sickness or death overtaking the mothers, your children would be thrown upon the world, a prey to temptations, before perhaps they had arrived at an age to become acquainted with the duties they owe society. Besides, their services would be invaluable to you, and their presence would save you from much mental anxiety. They would be an incentive to pursue cheerfully regular labour, and would check that despondency which drives many men not possessed of strong minds to drown their cares in the bottle! It is of vast importance for us all to employ our leisure time in reading. Nothing so much as a knowledge of the contents of good books tends to raise us in the scale of intelligence. As a proof of this, we have only to study the histories of men who have devoted themselves to learning or science, and we cannot fail to observe the influence these pursuits have had in forming the intellect. Mental exercise, while it strengthens the mind, gives more generous sentiments, and a larger benevolence to the character. To those who have only learned to read on board, I would earnestly suggest that they should endeavour to improve themselves, by taking up a book whenever an opportunity permitted. Their industry would be sufficiently rewarded, by the pleasure derived from being able to read the newspapers. But there are other motives of greater importance. Remember that, scattered as we may all be among the solitudes of Tasmania, far removed from companions, how necessary it will be for our comfort and improvement to have some instructive or interesting book, which to some extent would be a substitute for friends and more tender relationships. When sick or desponding, we would derive consolation from reading one or two chapters in the New Testament, or some of those beautiful forms of which have soothed the deathbeds of fifty generaprayer tions of Christians. I would also strongly urge upon you to practise going |