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--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
On scenes around Portsea ;
Reflected on the waters bright,

Are ship, and tower, and tree.

The sea-mew flies with airy bound,
Or wanton skims the sea;

The sailor's song rings blithely round
The homes of liberty.

But to the fairest earthly scene

Belong some tints of shade,

And youthful minds, howe'er serene,
Fell sorrow may invade :

So hulks, bereft of yard and sail,
This lovely scene eclipse;

And cheeks are pale, and stout hearts fail,
In gloomy prison ships.

To convicts, steeped in misery,
What joy can ever come!
Cut off from all kind sympathy,
Exiled! without a home!

But why despond? Avaunt, Despair!
Look up, ye sons of crime;
Look forward unto scenes more fair,
Beyond the things of time.

Seize on the promise of your God;
Repent, and be forgiven:

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

derangement, so fleeting is the obscuration, but which may make an indelible impression on the life and fortunes of the individual. J. G. was a married man, fondly attached to his wife and family, if we can trust the expression of his feelings in these pages; he had arrived at the mature age of 54 without committing any moral delinquency incompatible with his position as schoolmaster in a Scottish provincial town: his intellect—if wayward was keen and vigorous, while his physical development was delicate, nay, even dwarfish. These are not apparently the elements of an individual capable of perpetrating the offence for which he was condemned to seven years' transportation; yet his own confession leaves no doubt of his guilt, which consisted in behaving lewdly in school to one of his most advanced pupils. A crime of this nature, committed by a man in his position, is of course a grave one, and admits-socially speaking—of no compromise; but if we examine it charitably, by giving their full weight to extenuating circumstances, perhaps he may appear to us more unfortunate than morally depraved. He ascribes his conduct to partial intoxication, momentary forgetfulness, and frolic, while he strongly and feelingly repels the imputation of any vicious design. Whether we believe these statements or not, if we take into consideration that the unfortunate man has already undergone three and a half years' imprisonment in our jails, and is now completing his sentence in Tasmania, we shall probably agree that his sufferings have fully expiated his guilt, so far as our sentiments of human justice enable us to judge.]

ESSAY ON SIN.

WHAT an evil and bitter thing sin is! how fearful are its consequences! how deadly are its effects! It is an overwhelming torrent, rushing forward with such fearful impetuosity, such irresistible force, that no human means can retard or repel it. Wherever it penetrates, it carries destruction and desolation. Where is the place that has not felt the ruinous effects of its poison? Go to the remotest parts of the earth, and there the traces of this destructive evil are too plainly, too awfully distinguishable. It is not necessary, however, to go so far for evidences of its bitter consequences; they are too easily to be seen in every individual of the human family.

Let us only take a view of our own lives, and they will present one continued and progressive course of sin; only let us look at our present condition, who, through the heedlessness of youth and the forgetfulness of the commandments of God, have broken the laws of our country, and are now being carried away from all those who are near and dear to us,-it may be, to live out the prime of our life in a distant land.

Oh! what shame and disgrace-what trouble and sorrow-what wretchedness and misery have we brought on ourselves, by indulging in vain and sensual gratifications! Fathers torn away from the affectionate caresses of their tender offspring; husbands from the embraces of loving wives, and children from the protection of doting parents, too faithfully demonstrate the evils resulting from sin. Probably we have all had indulgent parents, who have struggled hard to bring us up creditably, if not religiously; but we became tired of the humble and

temperate life in our father's house, and determined to be our own masters. Then we became associated with wicked companions, and commenced our criminal career— wasted our substance in riotous living, and chose the companionship of fools-preferred the wild mirth, immoral song, lascivious dance, and the society of the lewd, to that of our nearest and best of friends. These habits lost us the confidence of our employers; and being thus thrown idle, without the means of gratifying our burning desires, we were driven to crime. Now, covered with shame, we are suffering the penalty, while our parents' heads are bowed down with sorrow. Oh! what years of grief have we brought upon ourselves by our past misconduct! how often have we, during the time of our imprisonment, bewailed our hard condition! Oh! how often have the tears streamed down the cheeks of fond mothers, loving wives, on reading the heart-breaking letters of exiled sons or husbands!

This is but a faint picture of the misery we have brought upon ourselves, yet it is very lamentable; thank God! it is not irremediable. We cannot obliterate the past, but we can look back upon it with regret, and draw such profit and instruction from it as may stimulate us to exert ourselves with diligence and propriety for the time to come. We have all, through a kind and judicious Government, been granted opportunities of improving our minds, and, what is of infinitely greater importance, ensuring the salvation of our immortal souls. We have been placed under the teaching of faithful ministers, who have arduously laboured to show us the folly of sin, and the importance of awaking to a life of righeousness.

Have we taken advantage of these opportunities? if not, we are in a sad state. Although so near deliverance

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