influence, and by his endeavours to remove immoral persons from office, and to prevent profligate settlers having assigned servants, very extensive improvement has taken place, both in the character of the settlers and in that of the prisoner population. The religious labours of Christians of various denominations, and the emigration of persons of respectable character, to this Colony, have also materially contributed to promote reformation. An encouraging advancement is now observable, both in the improved standard of morals, and in the increasing spirit of religious enquiry.*

The early settlers of Van Diemens Land, availed themselves of the plains and valleys, that were naturally unencumbered with timber, and most readily brought into cultivation: these form a very small portion of the Island, and are, with little exception, located. It is chiefly locations of this character that have been sold for considerable sums from one settler to another; in a few instances, nearly without any expense having been bestowed upon them, but frequently, when nearly as much had been incurred in fencing and other improvements, as the price obtained for the land, with the improvements.

The territory yet unlocated is so thickly timbered, that the clearing would, in most instances, cost more than the land when cleared, would be worth: but where the capital of settlers consists chiefly in their physical power, they do not begrudge its expenditure, if by this means, they can obtain a subsistence. The major part of the unlocated land is not nearly worth five shillings an acre, even to men of capital, being mountainous, stony, and covered with trees, and probably not capable, on an average, of maintaining, in a state of nature, one sheep to four acres, nor one bullock to ten acres. Yet, in our opinion, a much larger proportion of the Island will ultimately be found available for the purposes of agriculture, than is generally calculated upon; but it will only be as Population becomes more dense, and by the expenditure of immense exertion in clearing.

There is much appearance of prosperity among the settlers of Van Diemens Land, where, without doubt, the sober, prudent, and

• The assignment of female prisoners to public-houses, is obviously injurious to the morals of the Colony: We are decidedly of opinion, that no exceptions whatever should be made to the prohibition of such assignments.

Among the prominent impediments to good morals now existing, are Races and Theatrical exhibitions; the latter of which are of modern introduction. The associations connected with these and some other kinds of public amusements, are always detrimental to good morals; and races are peculiarly adapted to interfere with the moral order of the prisoner, as well as that of the free population of a Penal Colony like V. D. Land.

industrious, find it easier to obtain the necessaries, and a moderate share of the comforts of life, than in England. Yet the fact, that upwards of two thousand three hundred writs were issued from the Sheriff's Office, in 1833, proves, that the semblance of prosperity exists to a greater degree than the reality; this is also confirmed by some acquaintance with the circumstances of the settlers. The chief causes of want of success, appear to be intemperance, and a disposition to embark in larger concerns than the capital of the parties renders warrantable. Many, who, in the earlier days of the Colony, practised fraud on the Government, and by fictitious representations of capital, obtained large grants of land, had to borrow money to stock their land, at a higher rate of interest than its produce was equal to these have, consequently, failed of success, and are struggling with adversity, or their locations have passed into other hands.

A want of the means of education has been greatly felt, in many of the thinly-settled districts, but this is generally obviated by the institution of Schools, as the population increases. Those established by the Government are calculated to be useful, where the number of children is insufficient to induce private individuals to open Schools; but we think, most of the Government Schools might be rendered much more extensively useful, if they were organized on a better plan.

The Orphan School, at Newtown, is an admirable establishment; but we think, it also might be improved by introducing a more systematic plan of education; and by placing a Superintendent over the whole of its operations, in no way engaged in teaching. Such an arrangement has been adopted in many Public Schools, with advantage.

It is also very desirable, that the children, from the Female Factory, should be removed to the Orphan School, or to some other suitable place, as soon as they are weaned, and be put as early as possible, under Infant School discipline.

We apprehend, that advantage would arise to this class of children, if the persons who nurse them in the Factory, were assigned to the Nursery, and encouraged to the right performance of their office, by the hope of a Ticket-of-leave, for faithful servitude; instead of being frequently removed. And more justice might be done to the infants, if the mothers were sentenced to a year's imprisonment, from the time of their arrival in the factory, rather than to six months, in the crime class, from the period of the children being weaned; and if such only as misconduct themselves in

the Factory, were to be removed into the crime class. On the present plan, there is a strong temptation to the mothers, to keep their infants in a weakly state, that the time, apparently necessary to nurse them at the breast, may be lengthened, and that the time of entering upon their own punishment, may be delayed; as well as to instigate the nurses to neglect the children, in order that it may be needful to bring their mothers back to them. The punishment now falls much more severely upon the woman who is sent into the Factory three months before her confinement, than upon one who gives birth to her infant immediately after her arrival.

The Colonial Hospitals, at Hobart Town and New Norfolk, are very useful establishments, and appear to be under good management. That at Launceston is very inadequate to the purpose designed, and when we visited it a year ago, most of the beds were on the floor, and every thing about the place bespoke neglect.

it

The little Hospital, at George Town, is much dilapidated, but appears to be as comfortable as the state of the building admits. It is very useful for the reception of patients afflicted with chronic diseases, who often recover in it speedily, after having been long at Launceston, without amendment. This circumstance probably arises from the difference in the air and climate, of the two places. If the hope of early indulgence by a ticket-of-leave, were held out to the wardsmen, and attendants of the Hospitals, as a reward for the faithful discharge of their respective duties, it would contribute greatly to the comfort of the patients.

The situation of the Colonists in Van Diemens Land, has been rendered abundantly more comfortable, by the transfer of the Aboriginal Population, from the main land to Flinders Island, while the circumstances of the poor Blacks also, have been materially improved. The exertions of George Augustus Robinson, in this arduous work, which he appears to have effected without any mixture of violence, have been characterized by a degree of perseverance and success, that demands the gratitude of the public.

We would express our decided conviction as to the expediency of all the Aboriginal children, whose parents can be brought to acquiesce in the measure, being placed in the Orphan School, at New Town, that in future, they may be trained up in the habits of the Europeans, and in knowledge that may qualify them for usefulness in the community. By this early separation from their countrymen, all fear of their returning to their former savage state would

be precluded, and they would be prepared to maintain themselves by their own industry.*

While we cordially approve of the benevolent intentions of the Government, in the removal of the Native Blacks to Flinders Island, a measure, we believe, the most judicious that under existing circumstances, could have been adopted; we cannot but deprecate the short sighted policy, by which, in the Colonization of New Countries, the lands of the Aboriginal Inhabitants have been wrested from them, with little, or no regard to their natural and indefeasible rights. Had these been duly considered, by establishing an amicable intercourse with the rightful owners, and rendering them an equivalent for their lands, they would have been retained as friends of the Colonists, instead of being transformed, by provocation, into implacable enemies. Such a proceeding, which, in the history of America, has been proved to be practicable, and attended with the happiest results, would not only have been accordant with justice, which knows not the distinction of clime, or of colour, but with a sound and enlightened policy.

The misery, and waste of human life, that have ensued in this Colony, from the adoption of a different course, convey an instructive warning to present, and future generations, which, it is to be hoped, will never be forgotten.

JAMES BACKHOUSE.

GEORGE WASHINGTON WALKER.

Hobart Town, 19th of 6th mo., 1834.

• We have noticed, with much satisfaction, the progress made by the few Aboriginal youths, who have already been placed in the Orphan School. Among these, Arthur and Friday, the two lads who were at Flinders Island, during our first visit there, and who were then sunk in the barbarous habits of their race, have made considerable improvement since their removal. The former writes a hand, that would not disgrace a European youth of the same age.

APPENDIX.
G.

TESTIMONIALS of HOBART TOWN MONTHLY MEETING of FRIENDS, respecting the RELIGIOUS LABOURS of GEORGE WASHINGTON Walker.

HOBART TOWN MONTHLY MEETING of FRIENDS, held on the 7th of 8th Month, 1834.

Third Minute. This meeting having had under its serious consideration, the religious labours of our dear friend George Washington Walker, and feeling unity with them, hereby records him as an approved Minister of the Society of Friends; and expresses its satisfaction with his proceeding, in this capacity, as the companion of our dear friend James Backhouse, in his religious visit to this Colony, and other parts of the world, as noticed in his Certificate, from Friends in England.

HOBART TOWN MONTHLY MEETING, held at KELVEDON, GREAT SWAN PORT, on the 4th of 9th Month, 1834.

Third Minute.-The subject of the Third Minute, of the 7th of 8th Month, having been read, this Meeting, after having solemnly considered the same, is of the judgment, that the minute be confirmed. The Clerk is desired to hand a copy of the said minute, to George Washington Walker.

(Copy.)

FRANCIS COTTON,

Clerk.