HISTORY presents no parallel, and the present age no example, of a nation performing such munificent acts of Christian love and pure philanthropy as we behold and feel are accomplished by our fatherland. Our noble country looks with pity on her errant children; and while a stern necessity compels her to vindicate the supremacy of her laws, by punishing the violators of them, she yearns to reclaim, to forgive, and to restore to their positions in society those who have rendered themselves outcasts, and forfeited their rights as members of a free community. With a wise and generous humanity she looks with indulgence upon those who have wronged her, feeling that they are rather the creatures of accidental circumstances, temporary temptations, defective education, or undeveloped intelligence, than beings constitutionally or irreclaimably depraved. Hence she is anxious to train the judgment of the criminal so as to render it an imperative director of his actions an unerring light by which he may behold the true and lofty destiny of man-the past, with its opportunities, its hopes, and its privileges squandered; and in the future, to contemplate a new life, where all may efface the stigma that rests upon their name, and become honourable and virtuous members of society. To aid in accomplishing these ends, as far as lies in my power, will be as much my pleasure as my duty during the few months I shall be connected with you. Ishall endeavour to train your minds to consider yourselves responsible beings, responsible for every act, and every thought,— to consider ideas and things apart from self,-to teach you to look upon your fellow men neither as dupes nor instruments of oppression, but as fellow travellers along that short road which runs between the cradle and the grave. Your progress at school will be watched, and stimulated by the most tender solicitude; the faintest indications of true repentance, or of active virtue, will be hailed with joy as the harbingers of a happy destiny for you. By your diurnal morning and evening devotions, you will be continually reminded of the perpetual watchfulness of an ever-present God, who will shortly be your awful judge, but who rejoices to forgive the penitent sinner. If the tedium of a long voyage is to most men very disagreeable, to you it must prove, from the constraint to which your position necessarily subjects you, doubly annoying. It will be by fully occupying your minds. with reading, subjects of study, or of thought, that you will find it pass most pleasantly and profitably. When you feel, as I hope you will soon do, that every new idea imparts additional power, and exalts your position as intelligent beings, you will become even niggardly of the passing hours. Time will then become a possession to be rigidly spent, not recklessly squandered. With the intention of conferring on you an important means for the accomplishment of these objects, I propose to establish a Weekly Journal. It will, I hope, be made the vehicle for communicating much practical information, for stimulating a meritorius emulation, for awakening dormant reasoning powers, and for preparing you for your advent in that beautiful country, where it is hoped you will retrieve the errors of your past life. The experience of all of you must have furnished materials of a useful or entertaining character. As these will find a place in the pages of THE PESTONJEE BOMANJEE JOURNAL, however unskilfully related, it is expected that we shall have a host of contributors. From the better educated, essays on religious or moral subjects, or brief details of the most interesting epochs of personal experience, will be received with pleasure, and are expected to form especially that portion of our periodical from which an impressive and instructive lesson may be derived. My efforts, as well as those of your able instructor, Mr Irwin, will be directed to render our object effective, but it is for yourselves and by yourselves that its pages must be filled. Trusting to progressive improvement, we shall not expect much in the early numbers; but before the end of the voyage, we hope there will be found certain indications that your opportunities have not been thrown away -that the benevolent intentions of Government have not proved abortive. Let this be proved by the advances you make in correct reasoning and feeling, by the avidity with which you receive instruction, and by a general demeanour which will allow us to enjoy, as a pleasing reward for our services, the hope that you will become useful and estimable members of society, instead of the ruined and degraded exiles you now are. Be persuaded to listen to the holier impulses of your nature, and employ the talents which God has given you, that by their vigorous exercise they may acquire a dominion over the brutish instincts, and call into existence the germs of a higher and purer life. D. R. A PRISONER'S REFLECTIONS. THE summer sun throws dazzling light Are ship, and tower, and tree. The sea-mew flies with airy bound, The sailor's song rings blithely round But to the fairest earthly scene Belong some tints of shade, And youthful minds, howe'er serene, So hulks, bereft of yard and sail, And cheeks are pale, and stout hearts fail, To convicts, steeped in misery, But why despond? Avaunt, Despair! Seize on the promise of your God; Your Saviour purchased with his blood Far brighter homes in heaven. There you, and friends dear to your heart, Who seek that rest above, Shall find what earth can ne'er impart, Eternal, perfect love. J. G. [There is something very singular in the character and fate of J. G., the author of the above verses, which, added to the interest excited by the display of so much talent and art in these and in other pieces inserted in the subsequent pages of this volume, appear to justify a careful description of the individual. His history seems to indicate that occasionally the keenest intellect may suffer an eclipse, which cannot be properly considered mental |