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.\"
