more than realised; but, in any case, it appears pretty certain that the northern part of Tasmania will, from the advantages it possesses in soil, climate, and cheap labour, continue for some years the principal market garden of the neighbouring colony. This, for Launceston, will more than compensate for the withdrawal of the imperial outlay which the discontinuance of transportation will occasion, but it is doubtful if the southern coast of the island will find the deficiency similarly supplied. If not, the prosperity of that part of the island, depending as it does on extrinsic causes, will stand in a very precarious position.

With a due regard to the tide, the influence of which is felt very distinctly at Launceston, let us embark in one of the small coasting schooners lying at the wharf. We walk on board, and get under weigh. No great distance has, however, been traversed before we observe some anxiety exhibited whether the depth of water on the bar will enable us to pass. This bar, consisting of a ledge of rock, is a serious obstruction to the navigation of the river at present, preventing vessels deeply laden advancing farther; but it is no doubt capable of being remedied, so soon as the extent of traffic may justify the necessary expenditure. As we slowly advance, the pilot carefully examines the depth of water, until he feels assured of its being sufficient, when we spread all sail to the favouring breeze. A slight ripple on the surface as we proceed indicates the position of the obstruction. It is, however, safely passed, and we sail along with a steep wooded hill forming the bank of the river on the left hand, and the flat edge of the plain already mentioned on the other.

This scene soon changes, for a bend in the river conducts us into a winding channel, formed by high rocky

banks on each side. These, closing and receding, are characteristic of the Tamar, as we have previously observed they are of the Derwent. They give a picturesque appearance to the scenery as we advance, forming as it were a succession of lakes surrounded by steep banks, varied by little valleys and an occasional farm-steading, with its sunny patch of verdure looking cheerfully and hopefully amid the darkness of the overshadowing forest. The channel appears, like the Derwent, nowhere worn by the action of running water; nor did we see any evidence of changes having been undergone from the present relative levels.

It is unfortunate for the prospective utility of this excellent channel of internal navigation, that the capabilities of the soil on each side are not such as to excite to extensive agricultural enterprise. The expense of clearing the land, cumbered with thick hard timber, and frequently dense brushwood, is very great, while the produce is not such as to compensate it. This observation, although correct in a general sense, is not applicable to occasional localities; for we did see, in our progress from Launceston to George Town-some fifty miles by water --situations possessing the most desirable qualities.

Such are the general characters of the Tamar through the whole of its course, until we arrive near its embouchure. It has here the width and appearance of a noble river; but considerable dangers, from sunken rocks and currents, exist to its secure navigation. These, however, with care, are easily avoided, and vessels of any size can enter and discharge their cargoes at George Town-a young and flourishing township, situated on the eastern side of the river, on the side of a small bay, which forms a secure harbour for large vessels trading to

Launceston, which cannot, in consequence of their large draught of water, ascend higher.

If we view this river in relation to its position with Australia, and to the facilities it affords for internal traffic, we shall probably form a high estimate of its prospective importance. The stimulus produced by the gold diggings in Victoria has already created a large amount of commercial activity, which must rapidly develope the still comparatively dormant resources of this fine colony. D. R.

THE RAILWAY SPIRITUALIZED.

THE line to heaven by Christ was made,
With heavenly grace its rails are laid;
From earth to heaven the way extends,
To grace eternal, where it ends.
Repentance is the station, then,
Where passengers are taken in ;
No fee is there for them to pay,
For Jesus heralds all the way.
The Bible is the engineer,

That points the way to heaven clear ;

Through tunnels dark, 'neath mountains high,

It guides the pilgrim to the sky.

Truth is the fire, and Love the steam
Which moves the engine and the train.
Hence, all who would to glory ride.
Must come to Christ, and there abide
In the first, second, or third class.
By faith, repentance, holiness,
You must the prize of glory gain,
Or
you with Christ will never reign.

Come, then, poor sinner! Now's the time,
At any station on the line!

If you repent and turn from sin,

The train will stop and take you in!

J. C.

[The writer of these lines was a small, delicately formed man, a native of Wiltshire, aged thirty-eight, married, by trade a silk-porter. He was sentenced to ten years' transportation for housebreaking, having been previously convicted of another crime, for which he had suffered nine months' imprisonment. His ticket of leave was obtained after four years and three months' imprisonment, two years of which had been passed in separate confinement. While in prison he had suffered amputation of one of his legs, a loss which he appeared bitterly to regret, as probably incapacitating him for gaining a livelihood.

When the above lines were first offered for insertion, we considered them so far beyond the abilities of the writer that we declined them. A decision formed on such a ground was not proof against repeated declarations that the production was original, added to the internal evidence it contained of the probability of such a source, and the fact that no one had ever seen it before.

J. C. was a quiet, humble man, who appeared to have little energy, and not more than a medium mental capacity, while his education did not extend beyond reading and writing. He did not appear, therefore, a person capable of expressing his thoughts in the way they appear here. A judgment, however, formed on such a basis, is often found to be an erroneous one, for experience frequently supplies examples of mental power existing with

out the external characteristics generally assigned to it. The absence of these in this case may probably with truth be ascribed to the depression produced by protracted punishment and corporeal mutilation. We claim no literary merit for the "Railway Spiritualized," but it appears to furnish proof of a clear intellect, and a phasis of thought, that are in the highest degree interesting in a psychological point of view.

Not even the most abandoned character will acknowledge his guilt, without trying to palliate it. This must be considered a proof that a certain amount of virtue exists in the most vicious minds; for if it did not, there would be no attempt to appropriate a character which had been forfeited. On this account we consider the individual who endeavours to extenuate his offence, by urging the absence of any criminal design, as one who is ashamed of the act he has committed, and will not willingly involve himself again.

The defence, then, by which J. C. endeavoured to explain his conduct, may be viewed as a promise of repentance and subsequent reformation. He asserted that he was merely removing property from the house of a relation, which property belonged to himself, and that both offences for which he had suffered punishment were the result of domestic quarrels, and arose from no guilty design on his part. There is a power in the suffering earnestness with which an individual in the situation of this man makes a confession, that cannot fail to excite the liveliest sympathy, although it may not succeed in impressing a conviction of his innocence.]