My blacken'd soul, oh! cleanse and purify

From loathsome sin, and every vain desire;
Make me aspire to heavenly things on high,
And clothe my heart in virtue's chaste attire,
Its icy coldness warm with thy celestial fire.

Lock'd and barr'd in this my prison cell,

I-a poor prisoner-read thy sacred page;
And, oh! my solaced heart can sweetly tell
How much its comforts do my soul engage.
It
opens wide my
dismal prison cage;
On wings of swiftest thought I soar above,
To where the soul through an eternal age

In blest communion with the saints shall rove,
In bowers of smiling peace, of rest and love.

Oh! who would pine, or shed one bitter tear
For all the sorrows that do swiftly flow
Through stormy life, when every rolling year
Serves to reduce our pilgrimage below?
What greater boon could God on man bestow,
If he is faithful to his love and praise,
Than our immortal crown? Oh, earthly woe!
I fear you not, if, when I end my days,

I fly to joy supreme, which never more decays.
W. F. N.

[W. F. N. was a native of Galway, descended from Scottish parents, well educated, and only twenty-three years of age. It is, happily, seldom that one observes so much talent united with such loose moral principles as were found in this individual. His career painfully illustrates the dangers to which men so constituted are exposed, and how valueless is

mere talent, without virtuous restraint. While employed as a clerk in a large mercantile establishment in Manchester, he, conjointly with a companion in the same office, forged a bill or check on their employers for a large sum. This they succeeded in cashing without exciting suspicion, and immediately departed for America. Their unaccountable absence gave rise to inquiries, which ended in revealing their guilt. An intelligent detective officer, guided by some slight traces, pursued them to New York, thence to Halifax, where he found them squandering their ill-gotten money in a course of base debauchery. Their capture was in consequence easily effected, and they were lodged in jail. This was probably a defective structure, as 'one of the culprits managed to make his escape, and could not afterwards be discovered. W. F. N. alone was brought to England, tried, and condemned to transportation for ten years. At the time of his embarkation he had undergone above three years' imprisonment, fifteen months of which were passed in "separate confinement," and twenty-four on "public works."

This punishment had probably not improved the constitutional defect, or changed the character, of W. F. N. A man of intellect and education has resources within himself that are not easily affected by external circumstances. Remorse (which did not exist in this case) if once awakened, may sweep across the soul like a terrible tempest, uprooting and leveling the whole structure of thought that constitutes individuality; but prison instruction and seclusion can hardly be expected to effect that object which innocence and early training were unequal to. There was, besides, in this individual's disposition, a reckless and passionate eagerness, that did not allow him to consider the consequences of his actions.

He had also contracted habits of intemperance, not easily lost. These mental peculiarities induced me to consider this prisoner's future career as surrounded by great dangers. On board, under restraint, no opportunities were presented to him of going beyond the limits of moderation, and he, consequently, having fine feelings and an obliging disposition, conducted himself with the greatest propriety. This entitled him to a character which obtained for him a situation as clerk in a convict establishment, with a salary (I believe) of L.50 a-year. The writer, on subsequently passing through Launceston, V. D. L., accidentally met him, and ascertained that he had been conducting himself with the greatest propriety, and was fully satisfied with his situation, having the entire disposal of his time after office hours.

The frequent appearance of the initials W. F. N. in the subsequent pages is considered a sufficient apology for a somewhat lengthened description of the owner here.]

AN EVENING ON BOARD A PRISON
TRANSPORT.

SUPPER being ended (4.30 P.M.) the prisoners assembled on deck, stowing themselves on the boom boats, spare spars, hammock-nettings, and forecastle, until every "coigne of 'vantage" was occupied before the barricade. The violin began to resound, a country dance was soon formed, and a scene of innocent mirth displayed itself. Meanwhile the old Pestonjee Bomanjee was making her course toward the Australian shores in a noble manner, under the direction of her able captain, who, with our worthy doctor and chaplain, were promenading the poop,

and enjoying the hilarity of the scene on the main-deck. On the quarter-deck were the soldiers with their wives, and playful children gambolling about.

The air was cool and refreshing, the sea calm and unruffled; all tended to diffuse a general feeling of comfort and joy. The dance being ended, an amateur stepped out and amused the company by singing an appropriate song. This was received with general approbation, expressed by the clapping of hands. These amusements were continued until "two bells" (7 P. M.) chimed, announcing the time of muster, when the cheerful scene broke up, and the prisoners in rotation, as their names were called, retired to their respective berths for the night.

Being a spectator on the boats, my attention was attracted by something like a fountain playing at a little distance ahead. A nearer approach discovered it to be a grampus, blowing as it glided through the deep waters. Being permitted, with a few others, whose duties occupied their time through the day, to remain on deck after muster, I had an opportunity of seeing night throw her dark mantle over us: the moon appeared just over our head; the stars, one by one, made their appearance, and all reminded us that it was necessary to give that rest to our bodies which God has intended for His people.

I must not conclude this sketch without mentioning that the evening's amusements were truly gratifying to all. I therefore trust that "all hands" will continue to maintain good conduct, so as to enable the surgeon superintendent to repeat them as often as possible during the voyage. H. G.

[H. G., the writer of the above sketch, was a native

of London, aged twenty-five, a domestic servant, and almost uneducated. While a prisoner, with the most praiseworthy diligence, added to great natural aptitude, he had conquered the difficulties of reading and writing, but that was nearly all. He was sentenced to ten years' transportation for stealing four pounds of tea from a shop, having been previously convicted of stealing from his master. His story was a pathetic one, if it could be believed; but remaining doubtful, it appears unnecessary to enter into details. When he arrived on board, he had already undergone three and a half years' imprisonment, with great apparent advantage to himself. Although he brought the lowest comparative estimate of character with him, his intelligence and activity recommended him to my notice, and he was placed in a situation of considerable trust, and offering great temptations. The duties of this he discharged in the most exemplary manner, leaving me the gratification of knowing that the selection had been a most judicious one. A convict feels himself so flattered by being confided in, that he will very rarely disappoint the most sanguine expectations that may be formed of him. It generates a self-esteem in men of correct mind, that at once elevates them above the surrounding herd, and renders them at the same time ambitious of praise and worthy of it. H. G. professed at first to be zealously religious, but some lukewarmness manifesting itself as the voyage advanced, rendered me doubtful of his sincerity. There was nothing, however, decidedly marked in his conduct, and we shall therefore give him the benefit of the doubt.]