第11章

isnothingbutapieceofbarkwithahandlefixedintheinsideofit.

Theother,dugoutofsolidwood,iscalled"aragoon",andismadeasfollows,withgreatlabour.Onthebarkofatreetheymarkthesizeoftheshield,thendigtheoutlineasdeepaspossibleinthewoodwithhatchets,andlastlyflakeitoffasthickastheycan,bydrivinginwedges.

Theswordisalargeheavypieceofwood,shapedlikeasabre,andcapableofinflictingamortalwound.Inusingittheydonotstrikewiththeconvexside,butwiththeconcaveone,andstrivetohookintheirantagonistssoastohavethemundertheirblows.Thefishing-linesaremadeofthebarkofashrub.Thewomenrollshredsofthisontheinsideofthethigh,soastotwistittogether,carefullyinsertingtheendsofeveryfreshpieceintothelastmade.Theyarenotasstrongaslinesofequalsizeformedofhemp.Thefish-hooksarechoppedwithastoneoutofaparticularshell,andafterwardsrubbeduntiltheybecomesmooth.Theyareverymuchcurved,andnotbarbed.Consideringthequicknesswithwhichtheyarefinished,theexcellenceofthework,ifitbeinspected,isadmirable.Inallthesemanufacturesthesoleofthefootisusedbothbymenandwomenasawork-board.Theychopapieceofwood,oraughtelseuponit,evenwithanirontool,withouthurtingthemselves.

Itisindeednearlyashardasthehoofofanox.

Theirmethodofprocuringfireisthis.Theytakeareedandshaveonesideofthesurfaceflat.Inthistheymakeasmallincisiontoreachthepith,andintroducingastick,purposelybluntedattheend,intoit,turnitroundbetweenthehands(aschocolateismilled)asswiftlyaspossible,untilflamebeproduced.Asthisoperationisnotonlylaborious,buttheeffecttedious,theyfrequentlyrelieveeachotherattheexercise.

Andtoavoidbeingoftenreducedtothenecessityofputtingitinpractice,theyalways,ifpossible,carryalightedstickwiththem,whetherintheircanoesormovingfromplacetoplaceonland.

Theirtreatmentofwoundsmustnotbeomitted.Adoctoris,withthem,apersonofimportanceandesteem,buthisprovinceseemsrathertocharmawayoccultdiseasesthantoactthesurgeon"spart,which,asasubordinatescience,isexercisedindiscriminately.Theirexcellenthabitofbody*,theeffectofdrinkingwateronly,speedilyhealswoundswithoutanexteriorapplicationwhichwithuswouldtakeweeksormonthstoclose.

Theyare,nevertheless,sadlytormentedbyacutaneouseruption,butweneverfounditcontagious.Afterreceivingacontusion,ifthepartswelltheyfastenaligatureverytightlyaboveit,soastostopallcirculation.Whethertothisapplication,ortotheirundebauchedhabit,itbeattributable,Iknownot,butitiscertainthatadisabledlimbamongthemisrarelyseen,althoughviolentinflammationsfrombruises,whichinuswouldbringonagangrene,dailyhappen.Iftheygetburned,eitherfromrollingintothefirewhenasleep,orfromtheflamecatchingthegrassonwhichtheylie(bothofwhicharecommonaccidents)

theycoverthepartwithathinpasteofkneadedclay,whichexcludestheairandadherestothewounduntilitbecured,andtheescharfallsoff.

[*Theirnativehardinessofconstitutionisgreat.Isawawomanonthedayshewasbroughttobed,carryhernew-borninfantfromBotanyBaytoPortJackson,adistanceofsixmiles,andafterwardslightafireanddressfish.]

Theirformofgovernment,andthedetailofdomesticlife,yetremainuntold.

Theformercannotoccupymuchspace.Withoutdistinctionsofrank,exceptthosewhichyouthandvigourconfer,theirsisstrictlyasystemof"equality"attendedwithonlyoneinconvenience——thestrongtriumphovertheweak.Whetheranylawsexistamongthemforthepunishmentofoffencescommittedagainstsociety;orwhethertheinjuredpartyinallcasesseeksforreliefinprivaterevenge,Iwillnotpositivelyaffirm;

thoughIamstronglyinclinedtobelievethatonlythelattermethodprevails.

Ihavealreadysaidthattheyaredividedintotribes;butwhatconstitutestherightofbeingenrolledinatribe,orwhereexclusionbeginsandends,Iamignorant.ThetribeofCameragalisofallthemostnumerousandpowerful.Theirsuperiorityprobablyarosefrompossessingthebestfishingground,andperhapsfromtheirhavingsufferedlessfromtheravagesofthesmallpox.

Inthedomesticdetailtheremaybenovelty,butvarietyisunattainable.

Onedaymustbeverylikeanotherinthelifeofasavage.Summonedbythecallsofhungerandthereturninglight,hestartsfromhisbelovedindolence,andsnatchinguptheremainingbrandofhisfire,hastenswithhiswifetothestrandtocommencetheirdailytask.Ingeneralthecanoeisassignedtoher,intowhichsheputsthefireandpushesoffintodeepwater,tofishwithhookandline,thisbeingtheprovinceofthewomen.Ifshehaveachildatthebreast,shetakesitwithher.

Andthusinherskiff,apieceofbarktiedatbothendswithvines,andtheedgeofitbutjustabovethesurfaceofthewater,shepushesoutregardlessoftheelements,iftheybebutcommonlyagitated.

Whileshepaddlestothefishing-bank,andwhileemployedthere,thechildisplacedonhershoulders,entwiningitslittlelegsaroundherneckandcloselygraspingherhairwithitshands.Toitsfirstcriessheremainsinsensible,asshebelievesthemtoariseonlyfromtheinconvenienceofasituation,towhichsheknowsitmustbeinured.

Butifitsplaintscontinue,andshesupposesittobeinwantoffood,sheceasesherfishingandclaspsittoherbreast.AnEuropeanspectatorisstruckwithhorrorandastonishmentattheirperiloussituation,butaccidentsseldomhappen.Themanagementofthecanoealoneappearsaworkofunsurmountabledifficulty,itsbreadthissoinadequatetoitslength.TheIndians,awareofitsticklishformation,practisefrominfancytomoveinitwithoutrisk.Useonlycouldreconcilethemtothepainfulpositioninwhichtheysitinit.Theydropinthemiddleofthecanoeupontheirknees,andrestingthebuttocksontheheels,extendthekneestothesides,againstwhichtheypressstrongly,soastoformapoisesufficienttoretainthebodyinitssituation,andrelievetheweightwhichwouldotherwisefallwhollyuponthetoes.

Eitherinthispositionorcautiouslymovinginthecentreofthevessel,themothertendsherchild,keepsupherfire(whichislaidonasmallpatchofearth),paddlesherboat,broilsfishandprovidesinpartthesubsistenceoftheday.Theirfavouritebaitforfishisacockle.

Thehusbandinthemeantimewarilymovestosomerock,overwhichhecanpeepintounruffledwatertolookforfish.Forthispurposehealwayschoosesaweathershore,andthevariouswindingsofthenumerouscreeksandindentsalwaysaffordone.Silentandwatchful,hechewsacockleandspitsitintothewater.Alluredbythebait,thefishappearfrombeneaththerock.

Heprepareshisfish-gig,andpointingitdownward,movesitgentlytowardstheobject,alwaystryingtoapproachitasnearaspossibletothefishbeforethestrokebegiven.Atlasthedeemshimselfsufficientlyadvancedandplungesitathisprey.Ifhehashithismark,hecontinueshiseffortsandendeavourstotranspierceitorsotoentanglethebarbsinthefleshastopreventitsescape.Whenhefindsitsecurehedropstheinstrument,andthefish,fastenedontheprongs,risestothesurface,floatedbythebuoyancyofthestaff.Nothingnowremainstobedonebuttohaulittohim,witheitheralongstickoranotherfish-gig(foranIndian,ifhecanhelpit,nevergoesintothewaterontheseoccasions)todisengageit,andtolookoutforfreshsport.

Butsometimesthefishhaveeitherdesertedtherocksfordeeperwater,oraretooshytosufferapproach.Hethenlauncheshiscanoe,andleavingtheshorebehind,watchestheriseofpreyoutofthewater,anddartshisgigatthemtothedistanceofmanyyards.Largefishheseldomprocuresbythismethod;butamongshoalsofmullets,whichareeitherpursuedbyenemies,orleapatobjectsonthesurface,heisoftensuccessful.

Baneelonhasbeenseentokillmorethantwentyfishbythismethodinanafternoon.Thewomensometimesusethegig,andalwayscarryoneineachcanoetostrikelargefishwhichmaybehookedandtherebyfacilitatethecapture.Butgenerallyspeaking,thisinstrumentisappropriatetothemen,whoareneverseenfishingwiththeline,andwouldindeedconsideritasadegradationoftheirpre-eminence.

Whenpreventedbytempestuousweatheroranyothercause,fromfishing,thesepeoplesufferseverely.Theyhavethennoresourcebuttopickupshellfish,whichmayhappentoclingtotherocks,andbecastonthebeach,tohuntparticularreptilesandsmallanimals,whicharescarce,todigfernrootintheswampsortogatherafewberries,destituteofflavourandnutrition,whichthewoodsafford.Toalleviatethesensationofhunger,theytiealigaturetightlyaroundthebelly,asIhaveoftenseenoursoldiersdofromthesamecause.

Letus,however,supposethemsuccessfulinprocuringfish.Thewifereturnstolandwithherbooty,andthehusbandquittingtherockjoinshisstocktohers;andtheyrepaireithertosomeneighbouringcavernortotheirhut.

Thislastiscomposedofpiecesofbark,veryrudelypiledtogether,inshapeaslikeasoldier"stentasanyknownimagetowhichIcancompareit:

toolowtoadmitthelordofittostandupright,butlongandwideenoughtoadmitthreeorfourpersonstolieunderit."Heresheltershimselfabeing,bornwithallthosepowerswhicheducationexpands,andallthosesensationswhichculturerefines."Withalightedstickbroughtfromthecanoetheynowkindleasmallfireatthemouthofthehutandpreparetodresstheirmeal.Theybeginbythrowingthefishexactlyinthestateinwhichitcamefromthewater,onthefire.Whenithasbecomealittlewarmedtheytakeitoff,rubawaythescales,andthenpealoffwiththeirteeththesurface,whichtheyfinddoneandeat.Now,andnotbefore,theygutit;butifthefishbeamulletoranyotherwhichhasafattysubstanceabouttheintestines,theycarefullyguardthatpartandesteemitadelicacy.Thecookingisnowcompletedbytheremainingpartbeinglaidonthefireuntilitbesufficientlydone.

Abird,alizard,arat,oranyotheranimal,theytreatinthesamemanner.

Thefeathersoftheoneandthefuroftheother,theythusgetridof.*

[*Theybroilindiscriminatelyallsubstanceswhichtheyeat.Thoughtheyboilwaterinsmallquantitiesinoystershellsforparticularpurposes,theyneverconceiveditpossibleuntilshownbyus,todressmeatbythismethod,havingnovesselcapableofcontainingafishorabirdwhichwouldstandfire.Twoofthemoncestoletwelvepoundsofriceandcarrieditoff.Theyknewhowwecookedit,andbywayofputtingitinpracticetheyspreadthericeonthegroundbeforeafire,andasitgrewhotcontinuedtothrowwateronit.Theiringenuitywashoweververyillrewarded,forthericebecamesomingledwiththedirtandsandonwhichitwaslaid,thateventheycouldnoteatit,andthewholewasspoiled.]

Unlesssummonedawaybyirresistablenecessity,sleepalwaysfollowstherepast.Theywouldgladlyprolongituntilthefollowingday;butthecanoewantsrepair,thefish-gigmustbebarbedafresh,newlinesmustbetwisted,andnewhookschoppedout.theydeparttotheirrespectivetasks,whichendonlywiththelight.

SuchisthegenerallifeofanIndian.Butevenhehashishoursofrelaxation,inseasonsofsuccess,whenfishabounds.Wantonwithplenty,henowmeditatesanattackuponthechastityofsomeneighbouringfairone;andwatchinghisopportunityheseizesheranddragsherawaytocompletehispurpose.Thesignalofwarislighted;herlover,herfather,herbrothers,hertribe,assemble,andvowrevengeonthespoiler.Hetellshisstorytohistribe.Theyjudgethecasetobeacommononeandagreetosupporthim.Battleensues;theydischargetheirspearsateachother,andlegsandarmsaretranspierced.

Whenthespearsareexpendedthecombatantscloseandeveryspeciesofviolenceispracticed.Theyseizetheirantagonistandsnaplikeenrageddogs,theywieldtheswordandclub,theboneshattersbeneaththeirfallandtheydropthepreyofunsparingvengeance.

Toojustly,asmyobservationsteachmehasHobbesdefinedastateofnaturetobeastateofwar.Inthemethodofwagingitamongthesepeople,onethingshouldnot,however,escapenotice.UnlikeallotherIndians,theynevercarryonoperationsinthenight,orseektodestroybyambushandsurprise.Theirardentfearlesscharacter,seeksfairandopencombatonly.

Butenmityhasitsmomentsofpause.Thentheyassembletosinganddance.

Wealwaysfoundtheirsongsdisagreeablefromtheirmonotony.Theyarenumerous,andvarybothinmeasureandtime.Theyhavesongsofwar,ofhunting,offishing,fortheriseandsetofthesun,forrain,forthunderandformanyotheroccasions.Oneofthesesongs,whichmaybetermedaspeakingpantomime,recitesthecourtshipbetweenthesexesandisaccompaniedwithactinghighlyexpressive.IonceheardandsawNanbareeandAbarooperformit.Afterafewpreparatorymotionsshegentlysunkontheground,asifinafaintingfit.Nanbareeapplyinghismouthtoherear,begantowhisperinit,andbaringherbosom,breathedonitseveraltimes.Atlength,theperiodoftheswoonhavingexpired,withreturninganimationshegraduallyraisedherself.Shenowbegantorelatewhatshehadseeninhervision,mentioningseveralofhercountrymenbyname,whomweknewtobedead;mixedwithotherstrangeincoherentmatter,equallynewandinexplicable,thoughalltendingtooneleadingpoint——thesacrificeofhercharmstoherlover.

AttheirdancesIhaveoftenbeenpresent;butIconfessmyselfunabletoconveyindescriptionanaccurateaccountofthem.Liketheirsongs,theyareconceivedtorepresenttheprogressofthepassionsandtheoccupationsoflife.Fullofseemingconfusion,yetregularandsystematic,theirwildgesticulations,andfranticdistortionsofbodyarecalculatedrathertoterrify,thandelight,aspectator.Thesedancesconsistofshortparts,oracts,accompaniedwithfrequentvociferations,andakindofhissing,orwhizzingnoise.Theycommonlyendwithaloudrapidshout,andafterashortrespitearerenewed.Whilethedancelasts,oneofthem(usuallyapersonofnoteandestimation)beatstimewithastickonawoodeninstrumentheldinthelefthand,accompanyingthemusicwithhisvoice;andthedancerssometimessinginconcert.

Ihavealreadymentionedthatwhiteisthecolourappropriatedtothedance,butthestyleofpaintingislefttoeveryone"sfancy.Somearestreakedwithwavinglinesfromheadtofoot;othersmarkedbybroadcross-bars,onthebreast,back,andthighs,orencircledwithspirallines,orregularlystripedlikeazebra.Oftheseornaments,thefaceneverwantsitsshare,anditishardtoconceiveanythingintheshapeofhumanitymorehideousandterrificthantheyappeartoastranger——seen,perhaps,throughthelividgleamofafire,theeyessurroundedbylargewhitecircles,incontrastwiththeblackground,thehairstuckfullofpiecesofboneandinthehandagraspedclub,whichtheyoccasionallybrandishwiththegreatestfiercenessandagility.Somedancesareperformedbymenonly,somebywomenonly,andinothersthesexesmingle.

InoneofthemIhaveseenthemendropontheirhandsandkneesandkisstheearthwiththegreatestfervor,betweenthekisseslookinguptoHeaven.Theyalsofrequentlythrowuptheirarms,exactlyinthemannerinwhichthedancersoftheFriendlyIslandsaredepictedinoneoftheplatesofMr.Cook"slastvoyage.

Courtshiphere,asinothercountries,isgenerallypromotedbythisexercise,whereeveryonetriestorecommendhimselftoattentionandapplause.Dancingnotonlyprovesanincentive,butoffersanopportunityinitsintervals.Thefirstadvancesaremadebythemen,whostrivetorenderthemselvesagreeabletotheirfavouritesbypresentsoffishing-tackleandotherarticleswhichtheyknowwillproveacceptable.

Generallyspeaking,amanhasbutonewife,butinfidelityonthesideofthehusband,withtheunmarriedgirls,isveryfrequent.Forthemostpart,perhaps,theyintermarryintheirrespectivetribes.Thisruleisnot,however,constantlyobserved,andthereisreasontothinkthatamorethanordinaryshareofcourtshipandpresents,onthepartoftheman,isrequiredinthiscase.Suchdifficultyseldomoperatestoextinguishdesire,andnothingismorecommonthanfortheunsuccessfulsuitortoravishbyforcethatwhichhecannotaccomplishbyentreaty.

Idonotbelievethatverynearconnectionsbybloodevercohabit.

Weknewofnoinstanceofit.

ButindeedthewomenareinallrespectstreatedwithsavagebarbarityCondemnednotonlytocarrythechildrenbutallotherburthens,theymeetinreturnforsubmissiononlywithblows,kicksandeveryothermarkofbrutality.WhenanIndianisprovokedbyawoman,heeitherspearsherorknocksherdownonthespot.Onthisoccasionhealwaysstrikesonthehead,usingindiscriminatelyahatchet,acluboranyotherweaponwhichmaychancetobeinhishand.TheheadsofthewomenarealwaysconsequentlyseeninthestatewhichIfoundthatofGooreedeeana.

Colbee,whowascertainly,inotherrespectsagoodtemperedmerryfellow,madenoscrupleoftreatingDaringa,whowasagentlecreature,thus.

BaneelondidthesametoBarangaroo,butshewasascoldandavixen,andnobodypitiedher.Itmustneverthelessbeconfessedthatthewomenoftenartfullystudytoirritateandinflamethepassionsofthemen,althoughsensiblethattheconsequencewillalightonthemselves.

ManyamatrimonialsceneofthissorthaveIwitnessed.LadyMaryWortleyMontague,inhersprightlylettersfromTurkey,longsforsomeoftheadvocatesforpassiveobedienceandunconditionalsubmissionthenexistinginEnglandtobepresentatthesightsexhibitedinadespoticgovernment.

Athousandtimes,inlikemanner,haveIwishedthatthoseEuropeanphilosopherswhoseclosetspeculationsexaltastateofnatureaboveastateofcivilization,couldsurveythephantomwhichtheirheatedimaginationshaveraised.Possiblytheymightthenlearnthatastateofnatureis,ofallothers,leastadaptedtopromotethehappinessofabeingcapableofsublimeresearchandunendingratiocination.Thatasavageroamingforpreyamidsthisnativedesertsisacreaturedeformedbyallthosepassionswhichafflictanddegradeournature,unsoftenedbytheinfluenceofreligion,philosophyandlegalrestriction:andthatthemoremenunitetheirtalents,themorecloselythebandsofsocietyaredrawnandcivilizationadvanced,inasmuchishumanfelicityaugmented,andmanfittedforhisunalienablestationintheuniverse.

OfthelanguageofNewSouthWalesIoncehopedtohavesubjoinedtothisworksuchanexpositionasshouldhaveattractedpublicnotice,andhaveexcitedpublicesteem.ButtheabruptdepartureofMr.Dawes,who,stimulatedequallybycuriosityandphilanthropy,hadhardlysetfootonhisnativecountrywhenheagainquittedittoencounternewperilsintheserviceoftheSierraLeonacompany,precludesmefromexecutingthispartofmyoriginalintention,inwhichhehadpromisedtoco-operatewithme;andinwhichhehadadvancedhisresearchesbeyondthereachofcompetition.ThefewremarkswhichIcanoffershallbeconciselydetailed.

Wewereatfirstinclinedtostigmatisedthislanguageasharshandbarbarousinitssounds.Theircombinationsofwordsinthemannertheyutterthem,frequentlyconveysuchaneffect.Butifnotonlytheirpropernamesofmenandplaces,butmanyoftheirphrasesandamajorityoftheirwords,besimplyandunconnectedlyconsidered,theywillbefoundtoaboundwithvowelsandtoproducesoundssometimesmellifluousandsometimessonorous.WhatearcanobjecttothenamesofColbee,(pronouncedexactlyasColbyiswithus)Bereewan,Bondel,Imeerawanyee,Deedora,Wolarawaree,orBaneelon,amongthemen;ortoWereeweea,Gooreedeeana,Milba*,orMatilba,amongthewomen.Parramatta,Gweea,Cameera,Cadi,andMemel,arenamesofplaces.Thetribesderivetheirappellationsfromtheplacestheyinhabit.ThusCemeeragal,meansthemenwhoresideinthebayofCameera;Cedigal,thosewhoresideinthebayofCadi;andsooftheothers.Thewomenofthetribearedenotedbyadding"eean"toanyoftheforegoingwords.ACadigaleeanimportsawomanlivingatCadi,orofthetribeofCadigal.Thesewords,asthereaderwillobserve,areaccentedeitheronthefirstsyllableorthepenultima.

Ingeneral,however,theyarepartialtotheemphasisbeinglaidasnearthebeginningofthewordaspossible.

[*Mrs.Johnson,wifeofthechaplainofthesettlement,wassopleasedwiththisnamethatshechristenedherlittlegirl,borninPortJackson,MilbaMariaJohnson.]

Ofcompoundwordstheyseemfond.TwoverystrikingonesappearinthejournaltotheHawkesbury.Theirtranslationsofourwordsintotheirlanguagearealwaysapposite,comprehensive,anddrawnfromimagesfamiliartothem.Agun,forinstance,theycall"gooroobeera",thatis,astickoffire.Sometimesalso,byalicenceoflanguage,theycallthosewhocarrygunsbythesamename.Buttheappellationbywhichtheygenerallydistinguisheduswasthatof"bereewolgal",meaningmencomefromafar.Whentheysaluteanyonetheycallhim"dameeli",ornamesake,atermwhichnotonlyimpliescourtesyandgood-will,butacertaindegreeofaffectioninthespeaker.Aninterchangeofnameswithanyoneisalsoasymboloffriendship.Eachpersonhasseveralnames;oneofwhich,thereisreasontobelieve,isalwaysderivedfromthefirstfishoranimalwhichthechild,inaccompanyingitsfathertothechaseorafishing,maychancetokill.

Notonlytheircombinations,butsomeoftheirsimplesounds,weredifficultofpronunciationtomouthspurelyEnglish.Diphthongsoftenoccur.Oneofthemostcommonisthatof"ae",orperhaps,"ai",pronouncednotunlikethoselettersintheFrenchverb"hair",tohate.

Theletter"y"frequentlyfollows"d"inthesamesyllable.Thusthewordwhichsignifiesawomanis"dyin";althoughthestructureofourlanguagerequiresustospellit"deein".

Butiftheysometimesputustodifficulty,manyofourwordsweretothemunutterable.Theletters"s"and"v"theynevercouldpronounce.Thelatterbecameinvariably"w",andtheformermockedalltheirefforts,whichintheinstanceofBaneelonhasbeennoticed;andamoreunfortunatedefectinlearningourlanguagecouldnoteasilybepointedout.

Theyusetheellipsisinspeakingveryfreely;alwaysomittingasmanywordsastheypossiblycan,consistentwithbeingunderstood.Theyinflectboththeirnounsandverbsregularly;anddenotethecasesoftheformerandthetensesofthelatter,notliketheEnglishbyauxiliarywords,butliketheLatinsbychangeoftermination.Theirnouns,whethersubstantiveoradjective,seemtoadmitofnoplural.IhaveheardMr.Daweshinthisbeliefoftheirusingadualnumber,similartotheGreeks,butIconfessthatInevercouldremarkaughttoconfirmit.

Themethodbywhichtheyansweraquestionthattheycannotresolveissimilartowhatwesometimesuse.Letforexamplethefollowingquestionbeput:"WawColbeeyagoono?"——WhereisColbeeto-day?"Waw,baw!"——Where,indeed!wouldbethereply.Theyuseadirectandpositivenegative,butexpresstheaffirmativebyanodoftheheadoraninclinationofthebody.

Opinionshavegreatlydiffered,whetherornottheirlanguagebecopious.

Inoneparticularitisnotoriouslydefective.Theycannotcountwithprecisionmorethanfour.Howeverasfarasten,byholdingupthefingers,theycanbothcomprehendothersandexplainthemselves.Beyondfoureverynumberiscalledgreat;andshouldithappentobeverylarge,greatgreat,whichisanItalianidiomalso.Thisoccasionstheircomputationsoftimeandspacetobeveryconfusedandincorrect.Oftheformertheyhavenomeasurebutthevisiblediurnalmotionofthesunorthemonthlyrevolutionofthemoon.

ToconcludethehistoryofapeopleforwhomIcannotbutfeelsomeshareofaffection.Letthosewhohavebeenborninmorefavouredlandsandwhohaveprofitedbymoreenlightenedsystems,compassionate,butnotdespisetheirdestituteandobscuresituation.Childrenofthesameomniscientpaternalcare,letthemrecollectthatbythefortuitousadvantageofbirthalonetheypossesssuperiority:thatuntaught,unaccommodatedmanisthesameinPallMallasinthewildernessofNewSouthWales.

Andultimatelyletthemhopeandtrustthattheprogressofreasonandthesplendorofrevelationwillintheirproperandallottedseasonbepermittedtoillumineandtransfuseintothesedesertregions,knowledge,virtueandhappiness.

CHAPTERXVIII.

ObservationsontheConvicts.

Ashortaccountofthatclassofmenforwhosedisposalandadvantagethecolonywasprincipally,ifnottotally,founded,seemsnecessary.

IfitberecollectedhowlargeabodyofthesepeoplearenowcongregatedinthesettlementofPortJacksonandatNorfolkIsland,itwill,Ithink,notonlyexcitesurprisebutaffordsatisfaction,tolearn,thatinaperiodoffouryearsfewcrimesofadeepdyeorofahardenednaturehavebeenperpetrated.Murderandunnaturalsinsranknothithertointhecatalogueoftheirenormities,andonesuicideonlyhasbeencommitted.

Tothehonourofthefemalepartofourcommunityletitberecordedthatonlyonewomanhassufferedcapitalpunishment.Onhercondemnationshepleadedpregnancy,andajuryofvenerablematronswasimpanneledonthespot,toexamineandpronounceherstate,whichtheforewoman,agravepersonagebetweensixtyandseventyyearsold,did,bythisshortaddresstothecourt;"Gentlemen!sheisasmuchwithchildasIam."

Sentencewasaccordinglypassed,andshewasexecuted.

BesidestheinstanceofIrving,twoothermaleconvicts,WilliamBloodsworth,ofKingstonuponThames,andJohnArscott,ofTruro,inCornwall,werebothemancipatedfortheirgoodconduct,intheyears1790and1791.Severalmenwhosetermsoftransportationhadexpired,andagainstwhomnolegalimpedimentexistedtopreventtheirdeparture,havebeenpermittedtoenterinmerchantshipswantinghands:andasmyRoseHilljournalstestify,manyothershavehadgrantsoflandassignedtothem,andarebecomesettlersinthecountry.

Insonumerousacommunitymanypersonsofpervertedgeniusandofmechanicalingenuitycouldnotbutbeassembled.Letmeproducethefollowingexample.Frazerwasanironmanufacturer,bredatSheffield,ofwhoseabilitiesasaworkmanwehadwitnessedmanyproofs.ThegovernorhadwrittentoEnglandforasetoflockstobesentoutforthesecurityofthepublicstores,whichweretobesoconstructedastobeincapableofbeingpicked.OntheirarrivalhisexcellencysentforFrazerandbadehimexaminethemtellinghimatthesametimethattheycouldnotbepicked.Frazerlaughedandaskedforacrookednailonly,toopenthemall.Anailwasbrought,andinaninstantheverifiedhisassertion.Astonishedathisdexterity,agentlemanpresentdeterminedtoputittofartherproof.Hewassentforinahurry,somedaysafter,tothehospital,wherealockofstillsuperiorintricacyandexpensetotheothershadbeenprovided.Hewastoldthatthekeywaslostandthatthelockmustbeimmediatelypicked.Heexamineditattentively,remarkedthatitwastheproductionofaworkman,anddemandedtenminutestomakeaninstrument"tospeakwithit."Withoutcarryingthelockwithhim,hewentdirectlytohisshop,andattheexpirationofhistermreturned,appliedhisinstrument,andopenflewthelock.Butitwasnotonlyinthispartofhisbusinessthatheexcelled:heexecutedeverybranchofitinsuperiorstyle.Hadnothisvillainybeenstillmorenotoriousthanhisskill,hewouldhaveprovedaninvaluablepossessiontoanewcountry.Hehadpassedthroughinnumerablescenesinlife,andhadplayedmanyparts.Whentoolazytoworkathistradehehadturnedthiefinfiftydifferentshapes,wasareceiverofstolengoods,asoldierandatravellingconjurer.Heonceconfessedtomethathehadmadeasetoftools,foragangofcoiners,everymanofwhomwashanged.

Werethenatureofthesubjectworthyoffartherillustration,manysimilarproofsofmisappliedtalentsmightbeadduced.

Theirloveofthemarvelloushasbeenrecordedinanearlypartofthiswork.Theimpostureofthegoldfinder,howeverprominentandglaring,neverthelesscontributedtoawakenattentionandtocreatemerriment.

Heenjoyedthereputationofadiscoverer,untilexperimentdetectedtheimposition.Butotherswerelesssuccessfultoacquireevenmomentaryadmiration.Theexecutionofforgeryseemstodemandatleastneatnessofimitationanddexterityofaddress.OnarrivalofthefirstfleetofshipsfromEngland,severalconvictsbroughtoutrecommendatorylettersfromdifferentfriends.Ofthesesomeweregenuine,andmanyowedtheirbirthtotheingenuityofthebearers.Buttheselastwereallsuchbunglingperformancesastoproduceonlyinstantdetectionandsucceedingcontempt.Oneofthemaddressedtothegovernor,withthenameofBaronHothamaffixedtoit,began"HonoredSir!"

Aleadingdistinction,whichmarkedtheconvictsontheiroutsetinthecolony,wasanuseofwhatiscalledthe"flash",or"kiddy"language.

Insomeofourearlycourtsofjusticeaninterpreterwasfrequentlynecessarytotranslatethedepositionofthewitnessandthedefenceoftheprisoner.Thislanguagehasmanydialects.Theslydexterityofthepickpocket,thebrutalferocityofthefootpad,themoreelevatedcareerofthehighwaymanandthedeadlypurposeofthemidnightruffianiseachstrictlyappropriateinthetermswhichdistinguishandcharacterizeit.

Ihaveeverbeenofopinionthatanabolitionofthisunnaturaljargonwouldopenthepathtoreformation.Andmyobservationsonthesepeoplehaveconstantlyinstructedmethatindulgenceinthisinfatuatingcantismoredeeplyassociatedwithdepravityandcontinuanceinvicethanisgenerallysupposed.Irecollecthardlyoneinstanceofareturntohonestpursuits,andhabitsofindustry,wherethismiserableperversionofournoblestandpeculiarfacultywasnotpreviouslyconquered.

ThosepersonstowhomtheinspectionandmanagementofournumerousandextensiveprisonsinEnglandarecommittedwillperformaservicetosocietybyattendingtotheforegoingobservation.Letusalwayskeepinview,thatpunishment,whennotdirectedtopromotereformation,isarbitrary,andunauthorised.

CHAPTERXIX.

FactsrelatingtotheprobabilityofestablishingawhalefisheryonthecoastofNewSouthWales,withThoughtsonthesame.

IneveryformerpartofthispublicationIhavestudiouslyavoidedmentioningawhalefishery,astheinformationrelatingtoitwill,Iconceive,bemoreacceptablyreceivedinthisform,bythosetowhomitisaddressed,thanifmingledwithothermatter.

Previoustoenteringonthisdetail,itmustbeobservedthatseveralofthelastfleetofshipswhichhadarrivedfromEnglandwithconvicts,werefittedoutwithimplementsforwhalefishing,andwereintendedtosailforthecoastofBraziltopursuethefishery,immediatelyonhavinglandedtheconvicts.

Onthe14thofOctober,1791,the"Britannia",CaptainMelville,oneoftheseships,arrivedatSydney.InherpassagebetweenVanDiemen"sLandandPortJackson,themasterreportedthathehadseenalargeshoalofspermacetiwhales.Hiswordswere,"IsawmorewhalesatonetimearoundmyshipthaninthewholeofsixyearswhichIhavefishedonthecoastofBrazil."

Thisintelligencewasnosoonercommunicatedthanallthewhalerswereeagertopushtosea.Melvillehimselfwasamongthemostearly;andonthe10thofNovember,returnedtoPortJackson,moreconfidentofsuccessthanbefore.Heassuredmethatinthefourteendayswhichhehadbeenout,hehadseenmorespermacedwhalesthaninallhisformerlife.

Theyamounted,hesaidtomanythousands,mostofthemofenormousmagnitude;andhadhenotmetwithbadweatherhecouldhavekilledasmanyashepleased.Sevenhedidkill,butowingtothestormyagitatedstateofthewater,hecouldnotgetanyofthemaboard.Inonehowever,whichinamomentaryintervalofcalm,waskilledandsecuredbyashipincompany,heshared.Theoilandheadmatterofthisfish,heextolledasofanextraordinaryfinequality.HewasofopiniontheformerwouldfetchtenpoundspertonmoreinLondonthanthatprocuredontheBrazilcoast.Hehadnotgonefarthersouththan37degrees;

anddescribedthelatitudeof35degreestobetheplacewherethewhalesmostabounded,justontheedgeofsoundings,whichhereextendsaboutfifteenleaguesfromtheshore;thoughperhaps,onotherpartsofthecoastthebankwillbefoundtorunhardlysofaroff.

Onthefollowingday(November11th)the"MaryAnne",CaptainMunro,anotherofthewhalers,returnedintoport,afterhavingbeenoutsixteendays.Shehadgoneasfarsouthas41degreesbutsawnotawhale,andhadmetwithtremendouslybadweather,inwhichshehadshippedaseathathadsetherboilingcoppersafloatandhadnearlycarriedthemoverboard.

November22d.The"WilliamandAnne",CaptainBuncker,returnedafterhavingbeenmorethanthreeweeksout,andputtingintoBrokenBay.

ThisistheshipthathadkilledthefishinwhichMelvilleshared.

Bunckerhadmetwithnofarthersuccess,owing,hesaid,entirely,togalesofwind;forhehadseenseveralimmenseshoalsandwasofopinionthatheshouldhavesecuredfiftytonsofoil,hadtheweatherbeentolerablymoderate.Iaskedhimwhetherhethoughtthewhaleshehadseenwerefishofpassage."No"heanswered,"theyweregoingoneverypointofthecompass,andwereevidentlyonfeedingground,whichIsawnoreasontodoubtthattheyfrequent."Melvilleafterwardsconfirmedtomethisobservation.December3rd,the"MaryAnne"and"Matilda"againreturned.Theformerhadgonetothesouthward,andoffPortJervishadfalleninwithtwoshoalsofwhales,nineofwhichwerekilled,butowingtobadweather,partoffiveonlyweregotonboard.Asmuch,themastercomputed,aswouldyieldthirtybarrelsofoil.Hesaidthewhalesweretheleastshyofanyhehadeverseen,"nothavingbeencutup".Thelatterhadgonetothenorthward,andhadseennowhalesbutafewfin-backs.

Onthe5thofDecember,boththeseshipssailedagain;andonthe16thand17thofthemonth(justbeforetheauthorsailedforEngland)theyandthe"Britannia"and"WilliamandAnne"returnedtoPortJacksonwithoutsuccesshavingexperiencedacontinuationofthebadweatherandseenveryfewfish.Theyallsaidthattheirintentionwastogivethecoastonemoretrial,andifitmiscarriedtoquititandsteertothenorthwardinsearchoflesstempestuousseas.

TheonlyremarkwhichIhavetooffertoadventurersontheabovesubject,isnottosufferdiscouragementbyconcludingthatbadweatheronlyistobefoundonthecoastofNewSouthWales,wherethewhaleshavehithertobeenseen.Tempestshappensometimesthere,asinotherseas,butletthemfeelassuredthatthereareineverymonthoftheyearmanydaysinwhichthewhalefisherymaybesafelycarriedon.

Theevidenceoftheabundanceinwhichspermacetiwhalesaresometimesseenisincontrovertible:thatwhichspeakstotheirbeing"notfishofpassage"isatleastrespectableandhithertouncontradicted.

Theprospectmeritsattention——mayitstimulatetoenterprise.

ThetwodiscoveriesofPortJervisandMatildaBay(whicharetobefoundintheforegoingsheets)mayyetbewantinginthemapsofthecoast.

Myaccountoftheirgeographicsituation,exceptpossiblyintheexactlongitudeofthelatter(apointnotverymaterial)maybesafelydependedupon.AknowledgeofOysterBay,discoveredandlaiddownbythe"Mercury"

store-ship,intheyear1789,wouldalsobedesirable.ButthisIamincapableoffurnishing.

Hereterminatesmysubject.Contentwiththehumbleprovinceofdetailingfactsandconnectingeventsbyundisturbednarration,Ileavetoothersthetaskofanticipatingglorious,orgloomy,consequences,fromtheestablishmentofacolony,whichunquestionablydemandsseriousinvestigation,ereeitheritsprosecutionorabandonmentbedetermined.

Butdoubtlessnotonlythosewhoplanned,butthosewhohavebeendelegatedtoexecute,anenterpriseofsuchmagnitude,havedeeplyrevolved,that"greatnationalexpensedoesnotimplythenecessiyofnationalsuffering.Whilerevenueisemployedwithsuccesstosomevaluableend,theprofitsofeveryadventurebeingmorethansufficienttorepayitscosts,thepublicshouldgain,anditsresourcesshouldcontinuetomultiply.Butanexpensewhethersustainedathomeorabroad;

whetherawasteofthepresent,orananticipationofthefuture,revenue,ifitbringnoadequatereturn,istobereckonedamongthecausesofnationalruin."