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,turnitroundbetweenthehandsaschocolateismilledasswiftlyaspossible,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,orfromtheflamecatchingthegrassonwhichtheyliebothofwhicharecommonaccidents
　　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,keepsupherfirewhichislaidonasmallpatchofearth,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-gigforanIndian,ifhecanhelpit,nevergoesintothewaterontheseoccasionstodisengageit,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,oneofthemusuallyapersonofnoteandestimationbeatstimewithastickonawoodeninstrumentheldinthelefthand,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,pronouncedexactlyasColbyiswithusBereewan,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.
　　OnthefollowingdayNovember11ththe'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;andonthe16thand17thofthemonthjustbeforetheauthorsailedforEnglandtheyandthe'Britannia'and'WilliamandAnne'returnedtoPortJacksonwithoutsuccesshavingexperiencedacontinuationofthebadweatherandseenveryfewfish.Theyallsaidthattheirintentionwastogivethecoastonemoretrial,andifitmiscarriedtoquititandsteertothenorthwardinsearchoflesstempestuousseas.
　　TheonlyremarkwhichIhavetooffertoadventurersontheabovesubject,isnottosufferdiscouragementbyconcludingthatbadweatheronlyistobefoundonthecoastofNewSouthWales,wherethewhaleshavehithertobeenseen.Tempestshappensometimesthere,asinotherseas,butletthemfeelassuredthatthereareineverymonthoftheyearmanydaysinwhichthewhalefisherymaybesafelycarriedon.
　　Theevidenceoftheabundanceinwhichspermacetiwhalesaresometimesseenisincontrovertible:thatwhichspeakstotheirbeing'notfishofpassage'isatleastrespectableandhithertouncontradicted.
　　Theprospectmeritsattention——mayitstimulatetoenterprise.
　　ThetwodiscoveriesofPortJervisandMatildaBaywhicharetobefoundintheforegoingsheetsmayyetbewantinginthemapsofthecoast.
　　Myaccountoftheirgeographicsituation,exceptpossiblyintheexactlongitudeofthelatterapointnotverymaterialmaybesafelydependedupon.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."