be requests others to assist him in solving the difficulty. After farther calculation again upon bis fingers, he will look you in the face, and tell you he has three!" This may appear a complete caricature to Europeans, yet from what I have seen, I believe there is no exaggeration in the statement. Mr. S. said that most of them do not milk their cows in the morning, because their rest would be disturbed by early rising. After a long night's sleep, they will stretch their hands to the warm ashes of the fire, to light their pipe and smoke for a few minutes; and when the heat of the sun increases, they crawl on all fours to the nearest shade, again to indulge in sleep. If this retreat be invaded by his powerful rays, they are roused from their second slumber, and will creep to some more shady part. About noon the cattle return from the field to drink; with great exertion they then bestir themselves to rise and milk them, when they drink as much of the milk as they can; after which they smoke, and compose themselves for sleep, till the cool of the evening seems to rouse them a little. This is their ordinary mode of living, except when on journeys, for which they prepare by killing a sheep and eating as much of it as they are able to devour. They then set off, and are sometimes absent for five or six days without tasting a morsel more. Like most other savage tribes, if destitute of food, they tie a skin-cord round them, which they draw tighter and tighter as they feel the attacks of hunger.

"These people have a singular custom among them. The eldest son of a captain, while a lad, is hardly allowed to walk, but kept continually idling away his time in the hut, and compelled to drink milk frequently, in order to make him a strong man. He is not permitted to wait upon himself, but has the milk handed to him. When his father thinks he has arrived at manhood, he produces two kiris, (or short sticks with bullet heads ;) one of these he gives to his son, reserving the other for himself. With these the father and son often fight; if the son happens to succeed in knocking the father to the ground, immediately on rising up be commends his son, and acknowledges him to be captain of the kraal in his room."-p. 276.

The sacred volume represents the unenlightened man as without natural affection. On this fact, among many others, the following circumstance furnishes an awful comment.

"Two Bush girls, whom I wished to see, in consequence of what I had heard of their history, were brought to the waggons. The eldest, whom they have named Flora, was about ten years of age; the youngest, Sabina, was only two years and a half old. When their mother died, their grandmother insisted that they should be thrown into the same grave with her, and buried alive; but this was prevented by the interference of Adam Kok. Being disappointed in her cruel purpose, she afterwards threatened to murder them; when Kok told her that if she did so, she should be severely punished; which made her desert the kraal, and leave the children to be supported by any one who chose to do it. Kok having

many children dependent on him, asked his son to take them under his protection. There was a third and elder girl, whom I did not see. An institution at Griqua Town, for receiving, supporting, and educating, orphan Bushmen children, might save many lives, and be of essential service to the children themselves. The expense would be comparatively trifling. A few pounds annually laid out in the purchase of beads, would procure a sufficient number of cows from the natives higher up the country to support the institution."-p. 283.

From this amusing and instructive work, we had marked several other passages which we intended to insert, but our limits admonish us to desist. The specimens which we have given, will be sufficient to furnish the reader with a general idea of these volumes, which nothing will prevent from being extensively read, but their not being extensively known.

From almost every page may be inferred the necessity of sending the gospel, and the arts which embellish civilized society, among these uncultivated barbarians. In many instances, formidable difficulties will no doubt present themselves, but from the efforts which have been made, and the advantages with which these exertions have been attended, Missions to the interior of South Africa will not be undertaken in vain. In several districts the fields appear white unto harvest, and both prophecy and promise conspire to ensure success.

REVIEW.-Two Voyages to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, with a Description of the present condition of that interesting Colony: including Facts and Observations relative to the State and Management of Convicts of both Sexes, &c. By Thomas Reed, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London. 8vo. pp. 392.

No one can seriously contemplate the vast multitudes of our miserable fel

low creatures that are continually being transported to the Hulks and to New South Wales, without feeling poignant regret, that while there is little concern for the moral improveso much delinquency, there seems so ment and reformation of the culprit. When once the criminal is embarked, Justice appears to be satisfied; instead of which, the mere act of transportation for seven, fourteen years, or for life, should be but a subordinate consideration; while amendment in heart

and life, and restoration to virtue and to society, ought to be the paramount aim. There can be no surprise that many felons should return from transportation worse than when they went, when it is considered that they have multiplied incitements to the continuance in vice, by being congregated with such a mass of persons, of the same depraved nature as themselves; and the very few inducements practically held out to the cultivation of virtue. It is an universally acknowledged fact, that an association with vicious company increases and confirms evil habit; while it keeps the mind estranged from the performance of even the appearance of moral good. Every attempt, then, that is made to undermine the pillars of innate depravity, and erect on her ruins the temple of morality, however feeble or unsuccessful, cannot fail to excite the most lively sensibilities, and awaken the most ardent feelings and generous sympathies of those who are friends to order, to society, and to humanity.

The book before us, which is written in a style nervous, pleasing, and perspicuous, without any ostentatious display of possessing exclusive knowledge, but with a feeling of philanthropy which reflects credit on its author, and with an anxious desire to ameliorate the condition of the transports sent to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, contains an account of his two voyages;-one in a male convict ship, and the other in a female convict ship, with the regulations on board, and the internal government of the convicts in these colonies, with many other particulars, which cannot but command universal interest and attention. For a man to enter the abodes of misery, depravity, and disease to behold the wretched votaries of vice still clinging to their idol god-to hear them breathe out anathemas against their best of benefactors and to despise all mitigation of human woe; and yet for him to persevere in the arduous and laudable undertaking of effecting a radical change in the constitution of their minds, by condemning their sinful practices, and inculcating moral and religious precepts, requires the perseverance and intrepidity of an Howard or a Fry; and if our author is not doomed to have his name inscribed on

the scroll which records the actions of these illustrious philanthropists, he is worthy to rank, not only as an hero in the annals of benevolence, but as a genuine Christian, ready to devote his life in the cause of suffering humanity, and of God, whom he is willing and proud to serve. For the facts which are recorded in this work, we have not to trust to the memory or recollection of the author, but we have a diary kept by himself of all the prominent circumstances which took place.

The colonies of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land are increasing rapidly; and on account of the fineness of the climate, the luxuriance of the soil, and of its great natural advantages, the convicts, after the termination of their banishment, in general determine to become settlers, rather than return home. They are still amenable, of course, to the authority of the local government; but if they manifest an improvement in moral character, and conduct themselves with propriety, every facility is afforded them to become useful members of the colony. If the father of a family who had been transported, but whose conduct subsequently merits the approbation of the governor, he is sure of being favoured with an order from government, at home, for his wife and children to go out to him in that country, where, in a short time, they have been known to form comfortable and prosperous establishments. A very liberal provision is made for the free women and children, during the voyage, for which no charge whatever is brought against them, or their father, on the part of the government. The inducements to form a settlement in New South Wales are so numerous, and the advantages so great and inviting, particularly to laborious industry, that it is well known, and the fact has been ascertained beyond question, that many persons have committed some offence, which subjected them to transportation, for the purpose of being sent to this colony at the expense of government.

The liberality with which convicts are victualled for the voyage, now usually of four months' duration, is abundantly shown from the following plan of rations for each mess (six persons) per week :-Sunday, 4lbs. bread,

4lbs. flour, 8lbs. beef, lb. suet, 1lb. of raisins; Monday, 4lbs. bread, 3 pints of peas, lb. butter, 4oz. of rice, 2 pints of oats, and 2oz. of sugar; Tuesday, 4lbs. bread, 4lbs. flour, lb. suet, llb. raisins; Wednesday, 4lbs. bread, 6lbs. pork, 3 pints of peas, lb. of butter; Thursday, 4lbs. bread, 4lbs. flour, lb. suet, llb. raisins, 2 pints oats; Friday, 4lbs. bread, 8lbs. beef, 3lbs. pork, lb butter; and Saturday, 4lbs. bread, 3 pints of peas, 4lbs. of rice, 2 pints of oats, and 2 ounces of sugar; besides a quart of vinegar to each mess; and after the ship has been at sea three or four weeks, loz. of lemon juice, and an equal quantity of sugar, are issued daily to each convict. Every individual also is allowed 120 gallons of water, and 2 gallons of wine; the latter to be distributed under the surgeon's superintendence. The women are allowed the same proportion of wine, and subject to the same restriction in its use: also a like quantity of provisions, with an addition of 3lbs. of Muscovado sugar, and lb. of black tea per week, for each mess of six women.

Every convict on board the ship is provided with one suit of clothes, and a change of linen, besides a flock bed, pillow, and blanket. It should also be mentioned that the free women sent out to join their husbands, are allowed two-thirds of a seaman's ration per diem, and the children one-half the women's allowance. Other necessary comfort and accommodation are provided in case of sickness, as well as the smaller articles of cleanliness, such as soap, combs, razors, &c. &c. Nothing can exceed the bountiful generosity of government, in making such ample provision for convicts, who, one would almost suppose, were destined for an arduous campaign in support of the laws of the country, rather than to suffer for a violation of them.

This excellent provision for them during their voyage, with the indolent life which they lead, (having little or no employment while on board,) is certainly a defect which calls loudly for inquiry. Wherever there is nothing to do, idleness generates all the worst feelings, habits, passions, and desires, that can operate in the human mind. When once idleness becomes a fixed inhabitant in the disposition, No. 41.-VOL. IV.

depravity, and all the evils that follow in its lengthened train, rush on in quick succession, and disarm the possessor of the power to shake them off. To live well, and to work easy," is a system not very well calculated to reduce the number of delinquents, or to erase the foul spot on the calendar of crime. Idleness is a root which, when once planted, soon thrives, entwines its fibres around the human powers of action, and paralyzes all their operation.

Our author in his first voyage, anxious to accomplish any thing like a reformation in the convicts committed to his charge, who were moving on to a disgraceful and impious termination of their career; determined on attempting the undertaking, although the task appeared discouraging. For this purpose, he established a fixed system of order and regularity in the prison on board the ship: and drawing up some regulations for their guidance, and submitting them to the convicts for their inspection and approbation, he found that none expressed a dissentient voice, but, on the contrary, assented to their propriety with the most cordial concurrence. These regulations, which were far from rigorous, were calculated to effect a change in their conduct and behaviour, by which the way for the more important introduction of religious instruction, was prepared and secured. These laws restricted the convicts from cursing and swearing, using obscene conversation, fighting, quarrelling,and stealing. Cleanliness being essen. tially necessary to the health, comfort, and well-being, of every person on board, the strictest attention to it was enforced on every occasion. Respect and obedience to their officers and guards, as well as submission to those who had the management and care of the messes, formed another salutary feature in this prison discipline while encouragements were promised that those who behaved well should be favourably presented, and those who should dare to break through these rules, were to be pu nished in proportion to the offence, and never recommended to the Governor of New South Wales.

The convicts, knowing the great benefits arising from the climate, and the impossibility of availing themselves of many of them, without the

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notice, favour, and countenance, of the Governor, were anxiously led to the strictest observance of these last mentioned clauses. Cleanliness, which is a prominent step to virtue, and without which all attempts at reformation must have been almost ineffectual, was a most important provision in these temporary laws. We admit that our gaols and other places of confinement are now rendered much more cleanly and wholesome than formerly; but still there remains much to be done, for wherever there is a want of cleanliness, there is generally a want of virtue. When we see so much dirt and filth still occupying a place in our crowded gaols, we cannot be astonished not to find crime on the decline. Remove these barriers to reformation and moral improvement, these stimulants to vice and deformity, and then we may antici- | pate less need of prisons, and less incitements to crime; and Virtue will be seen rising majestically above the fetters which have enthralled her, and asserting her high and dignified claims to obedience.

These regulations were attended with so much success on board, that it was thought prudent to commence some moral and religious system, on which could be safely founded any expectation of ultimate success. The native beauty and simplicity of the truths of religion being best conveyed to depraved minds in language of mild and temperate remonstrance, recourse was had to conciliation and persuasion; and accordingly bibles, prayer books, and a few tracts, were distributed among the messes. Religious service was also performed, which seemed very much to affect the minds of the prisoners; as many of them subsequently retired apart from their companions, and read with serious and devout attention the religious books given to them. The beneficial consequences of such a system were soon found conspicuously displayed in the conduct of the convicts. They became orderly, and the most general satisfaction prevailed among them, as they almost to a man signified the pleasure they felt at being removed from dangers of the worst kind, and surrounded as they were with every comfort, and every want being bountifully supplied.

A school was opened on board for

the junior convicts; and though there were 23 in number, under twenty years of age, not more than 5 out of the whole could read, while several of the remaining 18, could not distinguish the letters of the alphabet. The business of the school was carried on without intermission, and the result of the design far exceeded expectation. An assiduous attention to the duties of the schoolmaster, excited a strong and an honourable emulation among them. "In a space of time, incredibly short," our author observes, "I succeeded in having all the members of this little community not only able to read the scriptures with tolerable facility, but also enjoyed the greater gratification of believing that their minds were impressed with the wholesome truths of the sacred volume." At the period they were delivered over to the authority at Sidney, each of these juvenile depredators could read the bible fluently, and many of them evinced a familiar acquaintance with the principles of the gospel.

One prevalent evil in the system adopted by Government in sending out these convicts, and which we point out for the purpose of remedy, is, the allowance of spirits, not only to males, but even to married females and children, which we cannot but deprecate in the strongest terms; and which we consider to be the effect of custom, rather than of sound judgment and discretion. No possible reason can be assigned for the allowance of any spirits, except in cases of sickness. It tends not only to kindle the worst passions, to render them insubordinate and refractory, but also to counteract the inculcation and growth of moral good. For a proof of the injurious consequences arising from such a baneful system, we refer to the language of our author, who has given an account not only painful to the best feelings of humanity, but agonizing beyond all description in silent contemplation.

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Imagination can scarcely form such a picture as one of these females, when indulged with this immoderate supply of spirits.

"Few mothers could avoid shuddering to see such a female lay her infant baby across her lap, and pour the liquid poison (rum) into the poor thing's vitals, continuing that diaboli