of south latitude, and between the 144th and 149th degrees of east
longitude. Its greatest length is 190 miles, and its breadth, 170. It
contains 24,000 square miles, or 15,000,000 acres, having a surface
nearly equal to that of Ireland. Its general character is mountainous,
with numerous beautiful valleys, rendered fertile by numberless streams
descending from the hills, and watering, in their course to the sea,
large tracts of country. The south-western coast, washed by the Southern
Ocean, is high and cold, but the climate of the northern and inland
districts is one of the finest in the temperate zone, and produces in
abundance and variety all the fruits which are found under the same
latitude in Europe. The harbor of Hobart is one of the finest in the
world. The principal rivers are the Derwent, Ouse, Clyde, Jordan, Coal,
Huon, and Dee, in the south; and the Tamar, North and South Esk,
Macquarie, Lake, Mersey, Leven, Arthur, Blyth, Forth, and Meander, in
the north. The chief bays are Adventure Bay, in Bruni Island, so named
after Captain Furneaux's discovery ship, and where Cook anchored in his
third voyage; Fortescue, Port Arthur, Fredrick Hendrick's (so named by
Tasman), Prosser's, Spring, Oyster, and George's Bays, and the Bay of
Fires, on the eastern coast; Storm Bay (so named from the weather which
Tasman experienced there), Bad Bay (in Bruni Island), Recherche (named
after the ship in which D'Entrecasteaux sailed in search of La Perouse),
Esperance (after the ship which accompanied the admiral), and Port
Davey, on the southern coast; Macquarie Harbor, on the western; Port
Sorell, Port Frederic, Emu Bay, and East and West Bay, at Circular Head,
on the northern coast. The principal capes are Cape Grim, the
north-western and most northern extremity of the island, in lat. 40 deg. 47'
S., and long. 144 deg. 50' E.; Cape Portland, the north-eastern point; St.
Helen's Head, the most easterly point, in long. 148 deg. 25' E.; South Cape,
in lat. 43 deg. 35' S.; and West Cape, in long. 144 deg. 40' E.; St. Patrick's
Head, Cape Pillar, and Cape Lodi, on the eastern coast; Tasman's Head,
Cape Raoul, and South-west Cape, on the south; Rocky Point, Point Hibbs,
and Cape Sorell, on the west; and Rocky Cape, Circular Head, Table Cape,
and Stony Head, on the north. The settled part of the island is divided
into eleven counties,--three northern, Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall; four
midland--Westmoreland, Somerset, Glamorgan, and Cumberland; and four
southern--Kent, Buckingham, Pembroke, and Monmouth; each having an area
of 1,600 square miles. These counties are subdivided into hundreds and
parishes, the former containing 100 and the latter 25 square miles. To
most of these divisions, as well as to the fifteen electoral districts,
British names have been given. The island is also divided into nineteen
police districts, each having a resident police magistrate, chief
constable, police clerk, and deputy registrar of births, deaths, and
marriages. In the country districts, the police magistrates act as
coroners, and in the districts of New Norfolk, Richmond, Oatlands,
Campbell Town, Longford, Horton, and South Port, as commissioners of the
court of requests. In the first five of these districts they are also
deputy chairmen of courts of quarter sessions. The chief and best
constructed road in the island is that which connects the towns of
Hobart and Launceston. It is 121 miles in length, and 30 years were
spent in its construction. The population, according to the census taken
on 1st March, 1851, is 70,130; of this number 30,488 are free, 21,590
were born in the colony, and the remainder are prisoners of the crown.
The number of places of worship in the colony is 108, containing about
23,000 sittings; the number of ordained ministers is 100; there are also
missionaries, lay preachers, and other persons, who supply the remote
stations. Of Sunday schools belonging to all denominations there are
about 60; of public and denominational schools, 74; of private schools,
about 100; besides these, there are a high school, and an episcopal
college and two grammar schools. The total number of schools is above
300. Of the public schools, 10 are wholly, and the remainder partly
supported by voluntary contributions. There are 109 public institutions
of various kinds, inclusive of 2 local and 2 English banks, 2 banks for
savings, 4 joint-stock companies, and 3 English and 4 local insurance
offices. Of these societies 10 are literary and scientific (including 2
mechanics' institutes, with large libraries, and a school of arts), 17
are agricultural and horticultural, 14 charitable, 9 missionary and
religious instruction, 6 benefit, 10 temperance, 7 masonic and odd
fellows, and 10 miscellaneous, including a mercantile assistants'
association, a turf club, and united service club. Excepting 12, which
are partly supported by government, the whole of these institutions are
maintained by voluntary subscriptions. The number of houses is 11,844,
of which 5,723 are of stone or brick, and the remainder of wood. The
number of acres under cultivation is 177,600; the number of horses,
17,200; of cattle, 85,490; of sheep, 1,752,900. The number of vessels
belonging to the colony is 240, besides vessels under 40 tons, and their
collective tonnage 18,500 tons. There are four northern and two southern
light-houses, and about twenty vessels are employed in the whale
fishery.
_Abercrombie_--a township in the parish of Abercrombie and county of
Somerset.
_Adamson's Peak_--a mountain in the south-eastern corner of the island,
said to be 4,000 feet high.
_Alarm_--a river which falls into Bass' Strait on the western side of
Rocky Cape.
_Altamont_--a village on the Derwent, 20 miles from Hobart.
_Andover_--a village on Little Swan Port River, in the parish of
Brisbane and county of Somerset, about 50 miles from Hobart.
_Antill Ponds_--so called by Governor Macquarie, in honor of Major
Antill of the 48th regiment--a district in the county of Somerset, 60
miles from Hobart, the road to which passes through it. There is a post
station here.
_Apsley_--a river in the county of Glamorgan, falling into Oyster Bay.
_Apsley_--a township in the parish of Apsley and county of Monmouth,
about 40 miles from Hobart.
_Arthur_--a river, flowing into the sea on the western side of the
island, about 30 miles south of Cape Grim. It receives in its course the
waters of the Hellyer, Horton, Frankland, and Leigh rivers.
_Arthur's Range_--a chain of mountains in the south-western part of the
colony. The most elevated point is 3,900 feet above the sea.
_Arve_--a branch of the river Huon.
_Asbestos_--a range of hills extending inland from Port Sorell, in the
county of Devon. Some of the elevations are 1,700 feet high.
_Auburn_--a village on the Isis, in the parish of Hill and county of
Somerset. It is about 10 miles from Campbell Town, 40 from Launceston,
and 75 from Hobart. Not far from Auburn is the remarkable hill called
Jacob's Sugar Loaf.
_Avoca_--a township in the parish of Avoca and county of Cornwall, near
the confluence of the St. Paul's and South Esk rivers. It is 99 miles
from Hobart, 62 from Launceston, and 19 from Campbell Town. It is on the
road from Campbell Town to the east coast, and contains a small
episcopal church (St. Thomas') and school, a post and police station,
and two inns. The police magistrate holds a court at Avoca once in a
week. At the entrance of the township the St. Paul's river is crossed by
a small substantial stone bridge of one arch.
_Bagdad_--a small township in the parish of Strangford and county of
Monmouth. It is on the main road, 20 miles from Hobart. The country near
Bagdad is fertile, and the road passes by numerous farms. On the
northern side is a beautiful valley, the cultivated part of which is two
miles wide, bounded by lofty hills thickly wooded, and through which
flows the Bagdad Creek.
_Barrow_--a lofty hill, about 13 miles east of Launceston.
_Bayford_--a village in the parish of Spring Hill and county of
Monmouth, about 40 miles from Hobart.
_Bellerive_--a township nearly opposite Hobart, in the parish of
Clarence and county of Monmouth.
_Ben Lomond_--a mountain in Cornwall, 5,000 feet high, about 45 miles
from Launceston, and 15 from Fingal. A rivulet of the same name rises
here, and falls into the South Esk, about 30 miles from Launceston.
About 15 miles north of this mountain is Ben Nevis, 3,900 feet high.
During winter these elevated points, which are named after celebrated
mountains of Scotland, are covered with snow, and seen from a distance,
they present a magnificent appearance. They form parts of a chain of
mountains extending inland from St. Patrick's Head to the northern
coast.
_Beverley_--a township on the Ben Lomond Rivulet, in the parish of
Beverley and county of Cornwall, about 30 miles from Launceston.
_Bishopsbourne_--a village in Westmoreland, about 8 miles from Longford
and 26 from Launceston. It contains a post station, an inn, and a
school. Christ's College is situated here.
_Boobyalla_--a small river in the county of Dorset, flowing into
Ringarooma Bay, in the north-eastern corner of the island.
_Bothwell_--a town in the parish of Grantham, and county of Monmouth, 44
miles from Hobart, and 104 from Launceston. It is situated on the
eastern side of the Clyde, in the midst of a level and excellent
pastoral country, well watered. There are a church, (occupied
alternately by English and Scotch congregations), a church of England
day school, a library society, three inns, some small shops, a police
office, and post station in the town. It has a resident assistant police
magistrate. The population of the town and police district is 1,045; the
number of houses 200, of which 72 are of stone or brick.
_Boyd_--a small river on the western side of the island, falling into
the Gordon.
_Blackman's River_--a stream which rises in Somerset and falls into the
Macquarie, about 4 miles south of Ross.
_Blythe_--a river rising in Devon and falling into Bass' Strait, about 5
miles east of Emu Bay.
_Break o'Day_--a stream watering plains of the same name, in the
south-eastern part of the county of Cornwall. It joins the South Esk
about 6 miles east of Fingal. The country here is from 500 to 800 feet
above the sea, and is well adapted for grazing purposes.
_Bridgewater_--a village and post station on the Derwent, in the parish
of Wellington and county of Buckingham, 12 miles above Hobart. The
Derwent, which is about three-quarters of a mile in width at this place,
is crossed by a bridge of wood, which forms a part of the main road from
Hobart to Launceston, and is said to be the largest work of the kind in
the Australian colonies. The river is spanned to a length of 2,300 feet
by an earthen causeway, and the length of the bridge from the end of
this to the northern shore is 1,010 feet, with a breadth of roadway of
24 feet; the whole length of the work being 3,310 feet, or nearly
three-quarters of a mile. The navigation of the river is preserved by
means of a moveable platform near the northern shore. The timber was
procured from Mount Dromedary, 7 miles from the bridge, which was begun
in January, '48, and opened in April, '49. The cost was L7,580.
_Brighton_--a town in the parish of Drummond and county of Monmouth. It
is on the eastern side of the Jordan, on the main road, 17 miles from
Hobart, and 104 from Launceston. The country around Brighton is
cultivated and fertile, and was early occupied. On the right is a branch
road to Jerusalem and Jericho, districts on the Coal River. On the left
is the district on the Jordan, called the Broadmarsh. Brighton has a
resident magistrate, a post station, several inns, small stores, and
retail shops. The church (St. Mark's) and police office are at
Pontville, near the town. The population of the town and police district
is 2,582, and the number of houses 427, half of which are of stone or
brick. Brighton is also an electoral district, for which John Walker,
Esq., is the first member.
_Brown's River_--a stream rising near Mount Wellington, and falling into
the Derwent about 10 miles below Hobart. The land on its banks is
fertile, and is divided into many small farms. There is a village and
post station here, 8 miles from Hobart, containing an episcopal church
and day school, and a Wesleyan chapel. This district is celebrated for
the fineness of its potatoes.
_Brumby's Creek_--a small stream rising among the Westmoreland
mountains, and joining the Lake River, about 12 miles south of Longford.
Several streams rising near the Western Lagoon fall into it.
_Bruni_--an island lying between D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Storm Bay,
at the entrance of the Derwent. It was named after the French admiral
who discovered it. It is about 50 miles long, and varies in breadth from
4 to 15 miles. It consists of two parts, connected by a long and narrow
neck of land. There are a township called Lonnon and several farms in
the northern part of the island, and in most of the bays many fine kinds
of fish are found in abundance. There is a light-house on Bruni Head,
the south-western point of the island, and off one of the southern capes
is a remarkable rock, closely resembling in its form the pedestal and
shaft of a monumental pillar.
_Buckingham_--a southern county and electoral district. Hobart is in
this county. R. W. Nutt, Esq., is the first member for the district.
_Buckland_--a village at Prosser's Plains, in the county of Pembroke, on
the eastern coast, 34 miles from Hobart and 155 from Launceston. It has
an episcopal church, and a police and post station. The assistant police
magistrate of the district holds a court here once in a week.
_Buffalo Brook_--a beautiful stream rising under Ben Lomond, and joining
the South Esk near Eastbourne.
_Burford_--a village in the parish of St. Alban and county of
Cumberland, about 60 miles from Hobart.
_Burgess_--a township at Port Sorell, in the county of Devon, on the
northern coast, 157 miles from Hobart and 60 from Launceston. It has a
resident police magistrate, a small episcopal church and school, and a
post station.
_Burghley_--a village on the Leven, near the Surrey Hills, in the county
of Devon. It is on the road through the western district, about 60 miles
from Launceston. The Van Diemen's Land Company has a station here.
_Burnham_--a village in the parish of Cambridge and county of Monmouth,
about 40 miles from Hobart.
_Cam_--a river rising in the Hampshire Hills, and falling into Bass'
Strait a few miles west of Emu Bay.
_Campbell Town_--a town in the parish of Campbelton and county of
Somerset, 89 miles from Hobart, and 42 from Launceston. It is situated
in a level pastoral country, on the Elizabeth River, and the main road
from Hobart to Launceston passes through it. The town consists chiefly
of one long street, in which are four large inns, a brewery, some
stores, small shops, and an assembly room. There are in the town an
episcopal and presbyterian church (St. Luke's and St. Andrew's), a
Wesleyan Chapel, and schools. The river is crossed by a bridge or
causeway, 200 yards long, and on the southern side are numerous fine
farms. The road to Avoca, Fingal, and the eastern coast here branches
off from the main line. In the town there are also a gaol and police and
post offices. There is a resident police magistrate. The population of
the town and police district is 2,319, and the number of houses, 255 of
which are of stone or brick, is 386. Campbell Town is also an electoral
district. It is considered to be the middle district of the colony, and
the Midland Agricultural Association originated here. R. Q. Kermode,
Esq., is the first member for Campbell Town.
_Carlton_--a village and post station on the stream of that name, in the
parish of Carlton, and county of Pembroke, about 35 miles from Hobart.
The Carlton falls into North Bay, below Pittwater.
_Carrick_--a township and post-station on the west bank of the Liffey
and western road, in the parish of Carrick and county of Westmoreland,
113 miles from Hobart and 10 from Launceston. The Liffey is crossed by a
bridge at the township. There are a small episcopal church and day
school, a mill, a brewery, and three inns. Annual races are held near
the township.
_Catemara_--a small stream falling into Recherche Bay, in the county of
Kent.
_Circular Head_--a bold promontory, 500 feet high, forming part of a
small peninsula in the north-west corner of the island, about 30 miles
east of Cape Grim. It is seen at sea at the distance of 10 leagues. It
is 280 miles from Hobart, and 160 from Launceston, and here the western
road terminates. The town of Stanley, which stands on the eastern side,
contains an episcopal church, a Roman catholic chapel, a post station, a
custom-house, three inns, and some substantial buildings. It has also a
benevolent society, and schools. There is a resident police magistrate.
The Van Diemen's Land Company has an extensive establishment here, and a
considerable trade is carried on between the settlers in the
neighborhood and Victoria, to which large quantities of timber,
potatoes, and other produce grown on the fertile farms on the coast, are
shipped in small vessels belonging to the port. The town and district of
Stanley have greatly advanced during the last ten years, under the
intelligent management of Mr. Gibson, the company's agent. The failure
of the previous management may be traced to those general causes which
have always prevented the success of similar companies, when they have
attempted cultivation and grazing. Mr. Gibson urged upon the company the
importance of establishing a tenantry, and succeeded in attracting a
considerable rural population by offering advantageous terms to small
farmers. The arrangements made with them, from the depression of prices,
proved unfavorable to the company, but the prosperity of their tenants
has probably firmly fixed a population on their estates, which will
ultimately indemnify them for all their losses. Occupying a geographical
position highly favorable to trade, and in the vicinity of extensive
forests of valuable timber, there can be no doubt that within a few
years their settlements will become of great importance. Within a few
hours' sail of Port Phillip and South Australia, their timber will find
an increasing market, and enable their settlers to turn to good account
what often elsewhere proves an incumbrance. The population of the
district, which is called Horton, is about 900, and the number of houses
137.
_Clarence Plains_--a cultivated and fertile district on the east bank of
the Derwent, nearly opposite Hobart. It contains the villages of
Rokeby, Kangaroo Point, and Bellerive.
_Cleveland_--a village in the parish of Cleveland and county of
Somerset, on the main road, 91 miles from Hobart, and 30 from
Launceston. There are a small chapel, two inns, a post and police
station, with a district constable. The police magistrate of Campbell
Town holds a court here once in a week. A branch road to the eastern
coast breaks off at the township, and Epping Forest is a short distance
on the Launceston side of it. The country near Cleveland consists
chiefly of grazing farms.
_Clyde_--a river which divides the county of Monmouth from Cumberland,
and falls into the Derwent above the township of Macquarie, about 40
miles from Hobart. It waters, together with the Dee, Ouse, Shannon, and
Jordan, a fine district of the same name.
_Coal River_--a stream rising in the northern part of the county of
Monmouth, and falling into the bay of Pittwater, at Richmond. The
Wallaby and Kangaroo rivers fall into it.
_Cocked Hat Hill_--a name given to a hill on the side of the main road,
8 miles from Launceston. A fine view of the Tamar is obtained from its
top. There are a post and police station, a small church, and an inn in
the village at this place, where the roads to Perth and Evandale
separate.
_Colebrooke_--a village in the parish of Ormaig, and county of Monmouth,
about 30 miles from Hobart. It has a small episcopal church and school.
_Cornwallis_--a village in the parish of Cornwallis and county of
Somerset, about 80 miles from Hobart.
_Cornwall_--a northern county and electoral district. Launceston is in
this county. J. W. Gleadow, Esq., is the first member for the district.
_Cullenswood_--a small village and post station at St. Paul's Plains. It
has a small episcopal church.
_Cumberland_--a midland county and electoral district. Bothwell is the
principal town. W. S. Sharland, Esq., is the first member for the
district.
_Deloraine_--a township and post station on the Meander, in the parish
of Calstock, and county of Westmoreland, 132 miles from Hobart, and 30
from Launceston. It contains a small episcopal church and a Wesleyan
chapel, and three inns. There is a police station with a district
constable, and the assistant police magistrate of Westbury holds a court
twice in a week. About 15 miles from Deloraine, in the Western
Mountains, are situated the great caves, which, in extent and beauty,
perhaps equal subterranean wonders of more celebrity. They have not
often been visited; but those who have seen them describe them as being
extremely grand and beautiful. The entrance of the principal cave, which
is considerably more than two miles in length, is in the limestone rock,
at the upper extremity of a narrow ravine, down which flows the stream
which issues from the mouth of the cave, and extends throughout its
whole length. The opening is thirty feet high, and fifty or sixty in
width. At a considerable distance from the entrance light is admitted by
two openings in the roof, the only ones throughout the whole extent of
the cave, and when these are passed the full beauty of the scene breaks
upon the view of the visitor. Stalactites of every form, hang like
icicles from the roof; some presenting the appearance of inverted cones,
others that of glistening semi-transparent tubes, about the thickness of
a pipe stem, and several yards in length. In some parts, the
stalactites, meeting with their opposite stalagmites, form pillars in
appearance supporting a roof of immense height. In other places they
assume the form of elegant and flowing drapery thrown over the huge
rocks that project from the sides of the cavern. The fringes of this
drapery, when struck by any hard substance, give forth a ringing sound,
and every variety of note, high or low, according to their respective
lengths. The floor is covered with stalagmites of every form, and it
sparkles as if paved with diamonds. If the visitor extinguish his torch,
myriads of glow-worms are seen to cover the roof and walls, emitting a
faint blue light, and making the surrounding stalactites appear like
spectres in the gloom. As the spectator proceeds, new objects of wonder
appear. In some places the stalactites, shooting out in all directions,
into innumerable small fibres, appear like fret-work along the roof; in
others like masses of elegant drapery, extending fold above fold, to the
height of thirty or forty feet, from the floor to the roof. Near the
entrance of the cave they are of a grey or brownish color, but in the
interior they are of a pure white. There are several chambers, some of
great beauty, which branch off from the main passage, and have been
formed by the rivulet which passes through the cave. Others will
probably yet be discovered in the Western Mountains.
_Denbigh_--a township in the parish of that name, and county of
Somerset, on the Lake River, about 80 miles from Hobart.
_D'Entrecasteaux_--the name of the channel between the main land and
Bruni Island, so called after the French admiral who first sailed
through it. A small river of the same name flows into Recherche Bay. On
the western side of the entrance of the channel is the reef on which the
_Acteon_ was wrecked, in 1822.
_Derwent_--a river which rises at Lake St. Clair, in the western
mountains, and flows through the county of Buckingham, which is well
watered by it and its numerous tributaries. The land on the banks of the
Derwent is fertile, with occasional tracts well adapted for grazing and
pastoral purposes. In the upper Derwent there is a fall of some
magnificence, and the scenery on the banks of the river is various and
beautiful. The Derwent receives in its course the waters of the Dee,
(flowing from Lake Esk) Clyde, Jones, Ouse, Styx, Plenty, and Thames.
From its source to Hobart it is about 70 miles long, and to its entrance
at Storm Bay 85 miles.
_Devon_--a northern county.
_Douglass_--a river in Glamorgan, on the eastern coast. Excellent coal
is procured in its neighborhood.
_Dulcott_--a township in the parish of Forbes, and county of Monmouth,
about 60 miles from Hobart.
_Eastbourne_--a township in the parish of Eastbourne, and county of
Cornwall, near the South Esk.
_East Grinstead_--a township in Somerset, about 80 miles from Hobart.
_Ebrington_--a township in Cumberland.
_Elderslie_--a village near the Jordan, in the parish of Wallace and
county of Monmouth, about 40 miles from Hobart.
_Eldon_--a range of hills on the western side of the island, southward
of the river Macintosh.
_Emu Bay_--a harbor on the northern coast, about 45 miles west of the
Tamar heads. The Van Diemen's Land Company has an establishment at Emu
Bay, and there is also a police and post station and an inn. The road to
Circular Head passes by the bay. The country here abounds with timber,
of which large quantities are exported. A stream called the Emu falls
into the bay.
_Enfield_--a township in the parish of Staffa and county of Monmouth,
about 20 miles from Hobart.
_Esperance_--a harbor on the south-eastern coast, into which falls a
river of the same name.
_Evandale_--a town in the parish of that name and county of Cornwall,
115 miles from Hobart and 11 from Launceston. It is prettily situated
on the eastern side of the South Esk, and contains several substantial
brick buildings, three large inns, and a steam flour mill. It has a
resident magistrate and a post station. There are two well-built, neat,
and commodious churches (episcopalian and presbyterian), a Wesleyan
chapel, and a good subscription library.
_Evercreech_--a township in the parish of that name, and county of
Cornwall, about 120 miles from Hobart.
_Exeter_--a village on the west bank of the Tamar, about 15 miles below
Launceston.
_Falmouth_--a township near St Patrick's Head, in Cornwall, on the
eastern coast, 141 miles from Hobart and 104 from Launceston. There is a
post station here and an inn. The produce of some of the farms on the
coast is forwarded to Hobart by sea from this place.
_Fingal_--a township in the parish of Fingal and county of Cornwall, on
the southern side of the South Esk. It is 100 miles from Hobart and 70
from Launceston. The road from Campbell Town to the east coast passes
through it. On the banks of the Esk in this district are many fine
farms, as well as tracts of pasture land. There is a resident police
magistrate and a post station at Fingal, and two inns. There are 877
persons in the township and district, and 134 houses. About 11 miles
beyond Fingal the road has been carried with immense labor, to a
distance of 5 miles round the face of a high, rocky, and almost
perpendicular hill, called St. Mary's Pass. On one side the hill towers
above the traveller, and on the other he sees a precipice of many
hundred feet. Gold has been discovered in the neighborhood.
_Forth_--a fine river in Devon, falling into Bass' Strait, between the
Mersey and the Leven.
_Frankland_--the name of a range of hills on the western side of the
island. A mountain called the Frenchman's Cap, 3,800 feet high, is near
this range.
_Franklin_--a township on the river Huon, in the county of Buckingham,
about 28 miles from Hobart and 149 from Launceston. It has an assistant
police magistrate, an episcopal church and school, and a post station.
_Franklin_--a village on the main road, 117 miles from Hobart and 3 from
Launceston. It contains a small church, an excellent private school, and
two inns. About half a mile on the south side of the village there is a
substantial stone bridge crossing a deep ravine.
_George Town_--a town in the parish of George Town and county of Dorset,
153 miles from Hobart, and 32 from Launceston. It is situated on the
shore of a small bay of the Tamar, about 4 miles from the entrance. It
was originally intended to fix the northern head-quarters at George
Town, but the scarcity of water, and some other local disadvantages,
caused the abandonment of the plan. The town is now chiefly supplied
from Launceston, many inhabitants of which resort to it as a summer
residence. It contains a small church, a school, three inns, and has a
resident magistrate and a post station. The population of the town and
district is 601, the number of houses 115. There is a road to George
Town down the eastern side of the Tamar, but communication is chiefly
carried on by water.... Outward-bound vessels waiting for a fair wind
usually anchor off George Town, where there is a convenient bay.
_Glenorchy_--a township and post station in the parish of Glenorchy and
county of Buckingham, 7 miles from Hobart, near New Town.
_Gordon_--a river on the western coast. It passes through a wild and
romantic country, and falls into Macquarie Harbor.
_Great Swan Port_--a bay on the eastern coast. A river of the same name
falls into it. The district has a police magistrate, an episcopal and a
presbyterian church, and a post station. The population of the town and
district is 1,684, and the number of houses 274, 105 being of stone or
brick.
_Green Ponds_--a district and township 29 miles north of Hobart, on the
main road. It is situated in a fine valley, at the southern entrance of
which is Constitution Hill. There is a church (St. Mary's) and school, a
congregational chapel, two inns, and a police and post station. The
assistant police magistrate of Brighton holds a court at Green Ponds
twice in a week.
_Grindlewald_--a township in the parish of Denbigh and county of
Somerset, about 80 miles from Hobart.
_Hadspen_--a village on the Westbury road, in the parish of Launceston,
128 miles from Hobart. There is a small church, a Wesleyan chapel, an
inn and a post station. The South Esk is crossed by a wooden bridge at
this place.
_Hamilton_--a town on the Clyde in the parish of Hamilton and county of
Monmouth, 43 miles from Hobart and 93 from Launceston. There is a church
(St. Peter's) and school, two inns, and other buildings in the township,
which has also a resident police magistrate and a post station. The
population, including that of the district, is 1,415, and the number of
houses 281.
_Hobart_--in the parish of Hobarton, and county of Buckingham, is the
chief town of the colony, and is in lat. 42 deg.. 53'. S., and long. 147 deg..
21'. E. It was named after Lord Hobart, once secretary for the colonies;
and stands on the shores of Sullivan's Cove, about 15 miles from the
entrance of the Derwent. It is finely situated on a rising ground, and
covers a surface of nearly two square miles. On the western side it is
bounded by a range of wooded hills, with Mount Wellington, a snow-capped
mountain, 4,000 feet high, in the back-ground. On the southern side of
the harbor there are many beautiful residences, and, on a commanding
eminence, fine military barracks. Close to the harbor, on the western
side, stands the government-house, an extensive range of wooden
buildings, erected at different times. Mulgrave Battery is on the
southern side of the harbor. The streets are regular and well made; and
many of the buildings--some built of freestone--are commodious and
handsome. The wharves are extensive and well constructed, and are lined
with numerous large stone warehouses and stores. St. David's church is a
large well-built brick edifice, in the Gothic style, stuccoed, and well
fitted up. The court house, nearly opposite the church, is a large stone
building, containing various offices. The hospital and prisoners'
barracks, on the north-eastern side, are extensive buildings. The police
office is a substantial edifice. The female factory and orphan schools,
a short distance from the town, on the western side, are commodious
buildings. The commissariat stores, the treasury, the bonded stores, the
custom-house, and other public buildings are built of freestone. The
legislative council chamber is included in the custom-house. On the
north side of the harbor are situated the engineer stores and other
government buildings. On this side also is the government domain, a
large open piece of ground, used as a place of amusement and exercise.
The magnetical observatory is erected here. Many of the shops are large
and handsome. Besides St. David's (the cathedral church), there are
three handsome episcopalian churches--Trinity, St. George's, and St.
John's. There are two presbyterian churches--St. Andrew's and St.
John's--both commodious buildings--one Roman catholic church, two
Wesleyan chapels, three congregational churches, a baptist chapel, a
free presbyterian church, and a synagogue. There are four banks and a
bank for savings, three local and two English insurance companies, and
a company to establish steam communication with the adjoining colonies.
The educational establishments are the High School and Hutchins' School,
besides private schools. The public institutions are the Mechanics'
Institute, the Tasmanian Society of Natural Science, the Royal Society,
the Public Library, Gardeners' and Amateurs' Horticultural Society, St.
Mary's Hospital, Dispensary and Humane Society, Dorcas Society, Hebrew
Benevolent Institution, Asylum for the protection of destitute and
unfortunate females, Branch Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
and for the Propagation of the Gospel, Auxiliary Bible Society, Wesleyan
Library and Tract Society, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts, Auxiliary London Missionary Society, Wesleyan Missionary
Society, Colonial Missionary and Christian Instruction Society, Infant
School, Auxiliary of British and Foreign School Society, Wesleyan
Strangers' Friend Society, Sunday School Union (including eight
schools), three Masonic Lodges, Masonic Benevolent Fund, three
Odd-fellow's Lodges, with Widows' and Orphans' Funds attached,
Independent Order of Rechabites, Hibernian Benefit Society, four
Temperance Societies, Society of Licensed Victuallers, Choral Society,
Mercantile Assistants' Association, Turf Club, Bathing Association.
There are a wet dock and a patent slip, and 170 vessels belonging to the
port, their collective tonnage being 14,640. The population is 23,107,
and the number of houses 4,050; 2,932 of which are of stone or brick.
Five bi-weekly newspapers and a Government _Gazette_ are published in
Hobart. T. D. Chapman, Esq., and J. Dunn, jun., Esq., are the first
members of council for the city.
_Huon_--a river which falls into the sea about 30 miles below Hobart. At
its mouth there is a pretty island of 300 acres, also called Huon. On
the northern side of the river, about 5 miles from the entrance, there
is a beautiful bay, named by the French discoverers the Port of Swans.
The banks of the stream are finely wooded, and the timber, of which
immense quantities are cut, is of great value. Fine spars for
shipbuilding purposes are found here, as well as the mimosa bark. Ships
of considerable tonnage can ascend the river for a distance of many
miles. In the upper part of the river grows the valuable pine, to which
the name of the district has been given. Many of the trees attain to a
gigantic size, and some have measured ninety feet in circumference. The
district contains on the banks of the Huon many fine farms, and the
population is 2,988; the number of houses, 570. Richard Cleburne, Esq.,
is the first member for the district.
_Hythe_--a township at South Port, a harbor on the western side of
Entrecasteaux's Channel. The township stands on the South Port river,
which falls into the bay, and is about 50 miles from Hobart.
_Ilfracombe_--a village on the west bank of the Tamar, 25 miles from
Launceston.
_Invermay_--a village near Launceston, on the road to George Town.
_Isis_--a beautiful river in Somerset, falling into the Macquarie, about
6 miles north of the village of Lincoln, which, with Auburn, stands on
its banks.
_Jericho_--a township and post station on the Jordan, in the parish of
Spring Hill and county of Monmouth, 43 miles from Hobart, and 78 from
Launceston. On the southern side is the district called Lovely Banks.
_Jerusalem_--a township in the parish of Ormaig and county of Monmouth,
28 miles from Hobart, near the source of the Coal River. A police
magistrate's court is held here once in a week, and there is a post
station. An episcopalian clergyman is stationed at this place, and
ministers of other denominations occasionally officiate in the district.
_Jordan_--a river flowing from a lagoon near Oatlands, and falling into
the Derwent at Herdsman's Cove. It passes by Brighton.
_Kangaroo Point_--a village on the eastern side of the Derwent, opposite
Hobart. A police magistrate's court is held there twice in a week, and
there is a post station, a chapel, and a school. After crossing the
Derwent, the road from Hobart to Richmond and Sorell begins at this
place.
_Kelso Bay_--a small bay on the western side of the Tamar, opposite
George Town. There are several marine residences on its shores.
_King_--a small river rising near Mount Sorell, on the western side of
the island, and falling into Macquarie Harbor.
_Kingston_--a town at the entrance of Brown's River, about 10 miles
south of Hobart, and 130 from Launceston. It has an episcopal church and
school, and a post station.
_Lakes_--In the south-eastern part of the county of Westmoreland lay
several large lakes,--Great Lake, Crescent Lake, Arthur's Lake, Lake
Sorell, and Lake Echo. The first has a circumference of about 90 miles;
the others vary from 10 to 30 miles round. They are situated on high
land, amidst magnificent and picturesque scenery. They are frequented by
innumerable quantities of black swans, and game of every kind, and large
flocks of kangaroos and emus are found in their vicinity.
_Lake River_--a considerable stream which rises among the lakes in the
south-eastern part of Westmoreland, and joins the South Esk at Longford.
_Launceston_--in the parish of Launceston and county of Cornwall, is the
second town of the colony, and is in lat. 41 deg.. 24'. S., and lon. 147 deg..
10'. E. It stands at the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers,
which here discharge their waters into the Tamar. It is 121 miles from
Hobart, and 40 from the sea at Port Dalrymple. On the east and west it
is bounded by hills, and on the north stretches the valley of the Tamar.
The town is well laid out, and viewed from the hills which overlook it,
or from the Tamar, it has a picturesque appearance. The wharves, which
afford accommodation to vessels of large tonnage, extend along the river
which forms the northern boundary. Farther up are numerous spacious
stores and other commercial buildings. There are two large episcopalian
churches, a handsome presbyterian church, a Roman catholic church (all
built in the Gothic style), a Wesleyan chapel, two congregational
chapels, a free church, a baptist chapel, and a synagogue, all neat and
commodious buildings. The court house, the gaol, the house of
correction, female factory, and several other government establishments,
are large and well-built. Many of the shops, offices, inns, and private
buildings are of considerable size and respectable appearance. On the
hill which bounds the town on the eastern side, and commands a splendid
view of the town and river, are many private residences and gardens.
There are four banks, four insurance offices, three printing
establishments, and two bi-weekly newspapers. The principal public
offices are the police office, the custom-house, the post office, and
the port office. The population of the town is 10,855, the number of
houses, 2,181; 798 of which are of stone or brick. There are an
episcopal grammar school, a Wesleyan day school, an infant school, three
episcopal day schools, a catholic school, seven Sunday schools, and
numerous private schools. The public institutions, besides the banks and
insurance offices, are a mechanics' institute and reading room, a
library society, several circulating libraries, two horticultural
societies, a benevolent society, auxiliary bible society, two masonic
lodges, odd fellows society, rechabite society, and a teetotal society.
There are 70 vessels belonging to the port, their collective tonnage
being 8,564 tons. There is also a floating dock. Richard Dry, Esq., the
hon. the speaker of the Legislative Council, is the first member for the
electoral district of Launceston.
_Leipsic_--a township in Cornwall, at the St. Paul's River.
_Leven_--a river which rises near Mount Gipps in the county of Devon,
and falls into Bass' Strait, about 10 miles east of Emu Bay.
_Liffey_--a small stream in Westmoreland which falls into the Meander or
Western river, a short distance north of Carrick, which stands on its
banks.
_Lincoln_--a village in Somerset at the junction of the rivers Macquarie
and Isis, about 95 miles from Hobart, and 30 from Launceston. It
contains an inn and a few houses.
_Little Swan Port_--a boat harbor at Oyster Bay, on the eastern coast. A
stream of the same name falls into it.
_Llewellyn_--a small village in Somerset, on the road from Campbell Town
to the eastern coast, near the South Esk.
_Longford_--a town prettily situated at the junction of the rivers Lake
and South Esk, in the parish of Longford and county of Westmoreland, 115
miles from Hobart, and 14 from Launceston. The population of the town
and district is 3,829, and the number of houses 595, half of which are
of stone or brick. It has a resident police magistrate, (who is also
deputy chairman of quarter sessions and the court of requests,) a
postmaster, and other officers. It contains a neat episcopal church,
built in the Gothic style, several schools, a Wesleyan chapel, a court
house and gaol, several large inns, a brewery, a mill, and many
substantial buildings. Longford is also an electoral district, for which
Joseph Archer, Esq., is the first member.
_Macquarie_--a river which rises in the northern part of the county of
Monmouth, and flowing through Somerset, by Ross and Lincoln, joins the
Lake after receiving the waters of the Elizabeth, Blackman's, and Isis.
The district through which the Macquarie flows, is one of the finest in
the island, and on its banks are the residences of numerous settlers. On
the eastern bank, about five miles from Campbell Town, there is a
presbyterian church, having a resident minister. There is also a post
station.
_Macquarie Harbor_--a large bay on the western coast, into which fall
the rivers King and Gordon. There was once a penal settlement here, but
it has long been abandoned. The country along this part of the coast,
and to a considerable distance inland, has not yet been opened up, and
is little known. It is high, and in some places rocky and mountainous.
Pine of good quality is procured in the neighbourhood.
_Macquarie Plains_--a district in Cumberland, on the northern side of
the Derwent. It contains several sheep and agricultural farms, and the
village of Macquarie, 39 miles from Hobart, which contains a church and
post station.
_Maitland_--a township on the Isis.
_Maria Island_--(so named by Tasman), an island off the eastern coast of
the county of Pembroke, about 7 miles from the main land. A narrow sandy
isthmus connects the northern and southern parts of the island, and has
on its western side Oyster Bay, and on the eastern Reidle Bay. The
scenery is romantic and picturesque. The northern and southern coasts
are high and rocky. In the northern part there is a remarkable mountain,
3,000 feet high, on the summit of which are two rocks projecting one
above the other, called the Bishop and Clerk. The base is composed of
petrified shells. Near here on a small stream is the penal settlement of
Darlington, at which are several government buildings, the residences of
a commandant, magistrate, religious instructors, and other officers, and
a post station.
_Marlborough_--a village in Cumberland, near the Ouse. The assistant
police magistrate of Hamilton holds a court here, and at the bridge on
the Ouse once in a week.
_Meander_--a small stream which rises in the western mountains, and,
passing Deloraine, falls into the South Esk at Hadspen. The Dairy,
Quamby, and Liffey rivulets fall into it.
_Mersey_--a considerable river in Westmoreland, which rises in the
western mountains, and falls into Bass' Strait, about 10 miles west of
Port Sorell. Its mouth forms a small harbour, called Port Frederic.
There is a village called Frogmore at this place, where timber is cut
and exported. Coal has been found in the neighbourhood.
_Montague_--a small stream falling into Bass' Strait, in the north west
corner of the island.
_Morven_--a northern electoral district. It consists of agricultural
farms, and Evandale is the chief town. The town and district contain
2,311 inhabitants, and 372 houses. James Cox, Esq., is the first member
for the district.
_Mountains_--The principal mountains are the western range in
Westmoreland, of which the highest point is Quamby's or Dry's Bluff,
4,590 feet above the sea; a high rocky range in Cornwall, of which Ben
Lomond and Ben Nevis are the highest points, and the Eldon range. A
range extends along the western coast, and another farther inland, of
which the highest points are the Frenchman's Cap, 3,800 feet above the
sea; Mount Arrowsmith, east of the former, 4,075 feet high; Mount
Humboldt, 5,520 feet; Cradle Mountain, 4,700 feet. St. Valentine's Peak,
on the Van Diemen's Land Company's estate, is 4,000 feet high; Mount
Wellington, near Hobart Town, 4,195 feet.
_Neville_--a township in the parish of Abergavenny and county of
Cumberland, on the Clyde.
_New Norfolk_--a town in the parish of New Norfolk and county of
Buckingham, on the Derwent and Lachlan rivulet, 21 miles from Hobart,
and 119 from Launceston. It has a resident police magistrate and post
master, and contains an episcopal church (St. Matthew's) and school, a
Wesleyan chapel, and another place of worship, a police office, a
government house, an asylum for insane persons, and several inns. The
population of the town and district is 2,226, and the number of houses,
389. The district contains several fine farms. Coaches run daily to New
Norfolk from Hobart, and communication between the two places is also
carried on by means of boats on the Derwent. New Norfolk is also an
electoral district, for which M. Fenton, Esq., is the first member.
_Newtown_--a town in the parish of Hobart and county of Buckingham, 2
miles north of Hobart, and 119 from Launceston. It contains an episcopal
church (St. John's) and school, a handsome congregational chapel, the
Queen's orphan schools, two inns, a post station, and several handsome
private residences.
_Nile_--a small river which rises near Ben Lomond and falls into the
South Esk, about 10 miles south of Evandale.
_Nive_--a river which forms the western boundary of the county of
Cumberland, and falls into the Derwent.
_Norfolk Plains_--a fine district in the north-eastern part of
Westmoreland, between the rivers Lake, South Esk, and Liffey. It
consists chiefly of small agricultural farms, and contains the towns of
Longford and Carrick, and the villages of Bishopsbourne and Cressy.
Cressy is on the estate of the Van Diemen's Land Establishment, and has
a small episcopal church, a Wesleyan chapel, and an inn.
_North Esk_--a river which rises in the Ben Lomond range, in the eastern
part of the county of Cornwall, and falls into the Tamar at Launceston.
The St. Patrick's river, a small stream, falls into it.
_Oatlands_--a considerable town in the parish of Oatlands and county of
Monmouth, 51 miles from Hobart, and 70 from Launceston. It contains an
episcopal (St. Matthew's) and Roman catholic church, a Wesleyan chapel,
several schools, a gaol, police and post offices, a military station,
several inns, and other large buildings. It has a resident police
magistrate, and courts of request and quarter sessions are held in the
town. The supreme court sits twice in a year. The population of the town
and police district is 1,873, and the number of houses 279. Oatlands is
also an electoral district, for which H. F. Anstey, Esq., is the first
member.
_Orielton_--a village in the parish of Sorell, and county of Pembroke,
on the eastern side of Pittwater Bay.
_Ouse_--a considerable river which rises in the western side of the
county of Westmoreland, and falls into the Derwent in the southern part
of Cumberland. At the bridge on the upper part of the river, there is a
village, containing a church and school house, and a post and police
station. The assistant police magistrate of Hamilton holds a court here
once in a week.
_Oyster Bay_--a harbor on the eastern coast. The rivers Swan and Little
Swan Port and other streams fall into it. The road from Prossor's to St.
Paul's Plains is along its western side, and on the eastern side is
Shouten's Island, where coal of good quality is procured. The bay has
several boat harbors. There are several farms on the western side. There
is a bay of the same name on the western side of Maria Island.
_Patterson's Plains_--a district in Cornwall, lying south-west of
Launceston. It is watered by the North Esk, on which are two flour
mills, and a bridge. The district has a small episcopal church and
school, and a Wesleyan chapel.
_Pedder_--a lake and river on the western side of the island, named
after the Chief Justice.
_Perth_--a town on the northern bank of the South Esk, in the parish of
Perth and county of Cornwall, 110 miles from Hobart, and 11 from
Launceston. It has an episcopal church and school, a Wesleyan chapel,
three inns, and a police and post station. The South Esk is crossed at
this place by one of the best stone bridges in the island.
_Picton_--a township in the parish of Dysart and county of Monmouth.
_Piper's_--a small river in Dorset, which falls into Bass' Strait, near
Stony Head.
_Plenty_--a small stream in Buckingham, falling into the Derwent above
New Norfolk.
_Port Arthur_--one of the penal settlements on Tasman's Peninsula.
_Port Dalrymple_--the entrance of the Tamar, so called by Captain
Flinders, in honor of the hydrographer to the admiralty.
_Port Davey_--a large harbor, lying on the south-western coast.
_Ramsgate_--a village on the shore of D'Entrecasteaux's channel, in
Kent.
_Richmond_--a town at the mouth of the Coal River, in the parish of Ulva
and county of Monmouth, 15 miles from Hobart, and 100 from Launceston.
It contains an episcopal and a catholic church, a congregational chapel,
a police office, post station, a gaol, and court house, and several
inns. It has a resident police magistrate, and the population of the
town and district, which consists of farms, is 3,144, and the number of
houses 545, nearly half of which are of stone or brick. The Coal River,
which here falls into the bay of Pittwater, is crossed at the town by an
excellent stone bridge of six arches. Richmond is an electoral district,
for which T. G. Gregson, Esq., is the first member.
_Risdon_--a village at Clarence Plains, nearly opposite Hobart. There is
a ferry at this place, which was the site of the first settlement in the
colony.
_Rochford_--a township in Cumberland.
_Ross_--a township on the Macquarie, in the parish of Ross and county of
Somerset, 73 miles from Hobart, 47 from Launceston, and 6 from Campbell
Town. It contains an episcopal church and school, a chapel, a police and
post station, and two inns. The police magistrate of Campbell Town holds
a court here once in a week. There is a bridge across the Macquarie at
this township. The district is chiefly agricultural.
_Rugby_--a township on the Derwent, in the parish of Sutherland and
county of Buckingham.
_Shannon_--a river which rises at the Great Lake in Westmoreland, and
falls into the Ouse.
_Shepton Montacute_--a township in Monmouth.
_Sidmouth_--a village on the west bank of the Tamar, about 20 miles
from Launceston. There is a presbyterian church here, and a resident
minister.
_Sorell_--a town in the parish of Sorell and county of Pembroke, 23
miles from Hobart, and 144 from Launceston. It has an episcopal church
(St. George's) and school, a presbyterian church, a police and post
office, and other public buildings. There is a resident police
magistrate. The population of the town and district is 3,354, and the
number of houses 370. A small stream falls into the bay of Pittwater,
close to the town. The district is electoral; Askin Morrison, Esq., is
the first member.
_South Esk_--a considerable river which rises in the eastern part of the
county of Dorset, and after a circuitous course, in which it passes the
towns of Fingal, Avoca, Evandale, Perth, and Longford, falls into the
Tamar at Launceston. About half a mile from the place where it joins the
Tamar, the river forms a considerable basin, surrounded by lofty hills,
and having a water-fall at the upper part. A few yards lower down, there
is another cataract--one of the most magnificent in the island--and the
river continues its course to the Tamar between two high and almost
perpendicular hills. Along one of these hills a wooden aqueduct is
carried, which conveys water to turn a mill and supply the town. The
river is crossed here by a ferry, which leads to the road down the
western side of the Tamar. The view up the Esk at this place is one of
the most picturesque in the colony.
_South Port_--a harbor on the western side of D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
_Styx_--a branch of the river Derwent in Buckingham.
_Summerleas_--a township in the parish of Kingborough and county of
Buckingham.
_Swansea_--a township in Glamorgan on the western side of Oyster Bay, 74
miles from Hobart, and 194 from Launceston. It has a police and post
station.
_Tamar_--a fine river in Cornwall, at the head of which stands the town
of Launceston. It is navigable from its entrance to the town--about
forty miles--for ships of 600 tons, and is of considerable width--in
some places of three miles. At the wharves at Launceston the tide rises
from twelve to fourteen feet. On the banks of the river are some good
farms, and the scenery is generally picturesque.
_Tasman's_--a large peninsula forming the south-eastern part of the
county of Pembroke. There is a smaller one, called Forrester's, between
it and the main land. Tasman's Peninsula has several fine bays, and
contains some penal stations.
_Tenby_--a township at Spring Bay in the county of Pembroke.
_Tierney_--a township in the Lake River.
_Trent_--a small river in Devon, which falls into Bass' Strait, near
Rocky Cape.
_Triabunna_--a village at Prossor's Bay.
_Tunbridge_--a town in the parish of Maxwell and county of Somerset, a
few miles south of Ross, on a small stream called Blackman's River,
which falls into the Macquarie.
_Victoria_--a village on the river Huon.
_Westbury_--a town in the parish of Westbury and county of Westmoreland,
140 miles from Hobart, and 20 from Launceston. It has a resident police
magistrate, a postmaster, and other officers, and contains an episcopal
church and school, a Roman catholic church and school, a Wesleyan
chapel, and three inns. The town and district has a population of 2,842,
and 420 houses. William Archer, jun., Esq., is the first member for the
electoral district.
_Windermere_--a village on the eastern bank of the Tamar, about 15 miles
from Launceston. It has an episcopal church and a mill.
_Wye_--a branch of the Swan Port River.
TASMANIA:
PRINTED BY J. S. WADDELL, LAUNCESTON.
* * * * *
NOTES AND ERRATA.
Transcriber's Note: the following errata have been corrected in the text
above.
Page 14. Black Tom, executed, was not the murderer of Mr. Osborne,
but a servant of Mrs. Birch of the same name.
Page 27, for "north-east belonging," read "north-west."
Page 71, for "1839," read "1830."
Page 71, for "Oyster Bay," read "Oyster Cove."
Page 90, for "Monododo," read "Monboddo."
Page 92, for "aborigina," read "aborigine."
_Note_, page 101. Conditional servitude, under indentures or
covenants, had from the first existed in Virginia. The servant
stood to his master in the relation of a debtor bound to repay the
cost of his emigration by employing his powers for the benefit of
his creditors--oppression easily ensued. Men who had been
transported to Virginia at the expense of L10, were sometimes sold
for L40 or L50, or even for L60. The supply of white servants
became a regular business, and a class of men, nick-named
"spirits," used to delude young persons and idlers into embarking
for America as to a land of plenty. White servants came to be a
usual article of traffic. They were sold in England to be
transported, and in Virginia, were resold to the highest bidder. In
1672, the average prices for five years service when due, was about
L10.--_Bancroft_, vol. i. p. 175.
"The Scots, whom God delivered into your bands at Durbar, whereof
sundry were sent here, we have been desirous as we could, to make
their yoke easy. Such as were sick of the scurvy or other diseases,
have not wanted physic and surgery. They have not been sold for
slaves, to perpetual servitude, but for six, or seven, or eight
years, as we do our own; and he that bought the most of them I
hear, buildeth for every four of them a house, and layeth some
acres of ground thereto, which he giveth them as their own,
requiring them three days of the week to work for him by turns, and
four days for themselves, and promises as soon as they can repay
him the money laid out for them, he will set them at
liberty."--_Letter to Cromwell, by Mather Cotton: Carlyle's Letters
and Speeches_, vol. ii. p. 349.
Page 102. "I beseech your Majesty that I may inform that each
person will be worth ten pounds, if not fifteen pounds a-piece.
And, sir, if your majesty orders that as you have already designed,
persons that have not suffered in the service, will run away with
the booty."--_Letter from Jefferies, Sep., 1685._
"Take all care they continue to serve for ten years at least, and
that they be not permitted in any manner to redeem themselves by
money or otherwise until that term be fully expired. Prepare a bill
for the assembly of our colony, with such clauses as shall be
necessary for this purpose."--James II. Letters (countersigned by
Sunderland) to the Governor of Virginia, Oct., 1685--_Bancroft_,
vol. ii. p. 25.
Page 102. "Good God! where am I? In Bristol! This city it seems,
claims the privilege of hanging and drawing among themselves. I
find you have more need of a special commission once a month at
least. The very magistrates that should be ministers of justice,
fall out with one another to that degree, that they will scarcely
dine together, and yet I find they can agree for their interests if
there be _a kid_ in the case, for I hear that kidnapping is much in
request in this city. You discharge a felon or traitor, provided he
will go to Mr. Alderman's plantations in the West
Indies."--_Jefferies Speech: Life of Lord Keeper Guilford, by Roger
North_, vol. ii. p. 113.
_Note_, page 121. A commission was appointed to enquire into those
allegations, and their report fell into the hands of the author
after the account of the _Amphitrite_ was printed. It does not
appear, that the imputations of sordid calculation were well
grounded, and no bond would have been enforced for an unavoidable
breach of contract.
Page 148, for "_free_ women," read "_freed_ women."
Page 149, for "_Macarthur's New South Wales_," read "_Mudie's
Felonry_."
Page 151, for "12,000," read "1,200 houses."
Page 155, for "regarded by," read "appeared to."
Page 166. Rev. S. Marsden. A pamphlet was published by Mr. Marsden,
called _A Statement Relative to Illegal Punishment_ (1828). A
warrant to this effect was produced:--"Sitting magistrates--Henry
Grattan Douglas, Esq., and Rev. S. Marsden. James Blackburn,
attached to the prisoners' barracks, ordered to receive twenty-five
lashes every morning until he tells who were the four men in
company with him gambling." This warrant, Mr. Marsden
declared a forgery. Other charges were made of the same character,
but they were refuted by Mr. Marsden. He proved his absence from
the bench when sentences of torture were passed. In the text there
is an apparent leaning to the charge, but there appears no fair
ground to reject Mr. Marsden's refutation, which is most decisive
as to his own participation in this revolting practice.
Page 189, for "real name," read "known name."
Page 271, for "primitive," read "punitive."
Page 321, for "Report of Institutions," read "Report of Hanwell
Institution."
Page 335. The long delay in the publication of this work has given
time for several important changes in the aspect of convict
discipline. The local government of Van Diemen's Land, resolved in
November, 1850, to restore the practice of assignment, and notices
for this purpose were issued.
Thus the convict was bound to serve his master according to the
duration of his sentence, and to accept such wages as the convict
department might sanction. The object of this change was to
reconcile the settlers to the continuance of transportation, by
restoring an interest and authority which the probation system
subverted.
The men who had been promised comparative liberty on their arrival,
complained bitterly of this change, and claimed to work as free
servants with masters of their own choice. Earl Grey expressed
strong disapproval of this return to a system expressly repudiated
by his party, and condemned by himself, and ordered the governor to
compensate the men for breach of faith. August 4. 1851; No. 156.
The discovery of gold has altered the prospects of laborers. The
amazing productiveness of the gold fields has withdrawn almost all
good free labor from the colony. The active convict has the means
of earning large wages, or of reaching the gold fields at an
expense estimated at L5, including hush money. Thus the _Gazette_,
from January 6, to March 30, 1852, shows the absconding of 492, and
the arrest of 254. Yet many are not reported, and are therefore not
included in these lists.
The incessant agitation of the colonies has produced considerable
activity in the department, and external decency is respected. The
more prominent establishments--both male and female, are creditably
kept, and probably the internal evils are abated; and yet what can
be hoped for men who, on their discharge from detention, recognise
everywhere the associations and the haunts of convictism?