We have hitherto abstained from introducing into our pages any articles of a decidedly political character; but, we do not see, why this Miscellany may not be rendered beneficially useful towards the dissemination of political (not personal) questions; provided, of course, such questions be temperately argued, and candidly discussed. Besides, it appears to us, that there is in this, our limited community, a strong and wholesome taste for substantial literary food of this peculiar, and, in our opinion, most interesting description; and, provided we keep within the due and proper bounds of honest and upright impartiality, we see no reason, why the most fastidious should object to our lucubrations in this "line." At all events, we shall make an experiment, and if it fail, we cannot help it.

In looking around us for a subject for political discussion, we need not take a wide or an excursive range; there are many-very many topics, the handling of which would afford ample scope for dissertation. On the present occasion, however, we shall embrace a question of vast importance to every individual in the Colony.— Is the punishment of transportation conducive to reform ?*

One naturally and thoughtfully pauses at a question so important and comprehensive, and the mind involuntarily adverts to the

* It is but fair to observe, that this subject was suggested to us, by the notice of a discussion by a Literary Society, established in Hobart Town; but we now write our article before any such discussion has taken place. We may here embrace the opportunity of observing, that the Society in question has been instituted for the purpose of discussing Literary and Scientific subjects, and that it is carried on with considerable spirit and ability: advocating, as we most earnestly do, the widest dissemination of knowledge, we very sincerely wish it success and prosperity. VOL. III. NO. XIII.

B

consideration of the system of Prison Discipline, as practised in this Colony; for it is necessary to understand this thoroughly, before we can form any accurate notion of the effects of transportation as a punishment A good deal, however, has been already said in the earlier numbers of this Miscellany, respecting so important and interesting a subject; and it is only necessary, therefore, for us, on the present occasion, to embrace such portions of it, as are more immediately connected with our present enquiry.

If we consider our system of Prison Discipline, as affecting the community by its working, and as regulated by certain prescribed rules, our candid opinion is, that it is, upon the whole, a good system, but not a perfect one-for what things are perfect? It has been argued, that the rules, which regulate the system are, in themselves, excellent and admirable, but, that contingent and colateral circumstances interfere with their effect, and, in some inst inces, actually render them nugatory-thus implying an approach to perfectibility in the founders of the system, which we, certainly, cannot award to them. There are several material points, especially as regards the assignment of servants, which require reformation; for, as the rules now stand, they prevent the appointed officers from acting beneficially towards both the free and the prisoner population, by allowing them no option, and by affording them but scanty means of exercising their judgment.

This is more especially the case as respects the assignment of female servants-(be it remembered we are speaking, with a view to their reformation)-the whole system of which requires the most thorough reform. In the first place, this class of the convict population is not subjected to any proper or adequate mode of coercion it is by far too much indulged, and too slenderly punished. And here, again, we shall be told, that the Government regulations are sufficiently calculated to keep these individuals in due and orderly subjection. Are they? We should like, very much, to know how: but, we should like, much better, to ascertain what these regulations are. Upon the assignment of a servant to a new settler, what instructions does he receive, as to the management of his prisoner-domestic? He, perchance-that is, in nine cases out of ten, not oftener-obtains a description of her hair, her height and her eyes-but what has this to do with the necessary discipline, which ought to be exercised towards these refractory and troublesome personages-and how can he collect from this the requisite degree of coercion, to which they ought to be subjected? The whole affair is badly and slovenly and very improperly managednot, let us be understood, by the delegated officers, but by the absence of proper regulations, and of the means of rigidly enforcing them. How many masters give their convict female-servants wages-in direct. and open violation of a sleepy order in Council?And, why, do they do so? Because it saves them-we mean the masters, or rather, the mistresses-an infinite degree of trouble, and tends, of course, most effectually to the promotion of the proper

discipline, which is so essential to the Government and reformation of the prisoner-population! How many masters, again, instead of providing proper clothing for their servants, allow them to procure the same from their sweet-hearts, or their " ship-mates? Aye! -but, says authority-this is not permitted-and, if it were known, it would be severely reprehended. Of course it would;-but why is it not known? Is the system so lax, and in so material a point, as to admit the practice of so pernicious a custom? Mightily, indeed, must such a practice conduce to the reformation of the convict!-Does it not, in fact, render the servant, not only independent of her employer, but, absolutely, give her a power over him?—It is from this carelessness-to call it by no harsher name,-that the conduct of the female prisoners is so bad, and the complaints. thereof as the Principal Superintendent can painfully testify-so loud and so frequent and we need not ponder long to be convinced, that none of this, the usual practice, is, or ever can be, conducive to reformation.

People, in short, are too idle, or too particularly occupied with, what they consider, more profitable concerns, to undertake-we do not say the reformation--but even the mere management of their convict servants. The besetting sin of the people of this Colony is too close and exclusive an addiction to mere temporary matters; and, in grasping greedily at the passing shadow, they too frequently let slip the more solid substance. Now, we know of few things of more actual importance to a family, than the character and condition of their female servants. Mixed up, and, to a certain degree, identified as these individuals are with many families, the influence of their conduct upon the children, of whom they have the charge, is at once obvious and far from trivial. But here, again, even in a point so important and almost sacred, we have seen too many instances, where the avaricious craving for "filthy lucre" has taken precedence even of parental love and solicitude; where the welfare of the offspring has been neglected and sacrificed to this absorbing and despotic passion. If then, this be the case, as regards those, who ought to be most dear to us, and to engage our fondest and most earnest exertions for their welfare and happiness, how can we expect that any pains will be taken, or even the most trifling method used, to effect the reformation of a prisoner servant? The very idea is absurd and preposterous; and so long as the employer has any option or power in his own hands, just so long will he use it-not for the benefit, but for the temporary indulgence (and, therefore, the eventual mischief) of his servant, just because such a course is the least troublesome, and the most convenient. Persons, there are, however, we all know, who zealously undertake, in accordance with an avowed system of ultra-morality, the reformation of every sinner, bond or free, with whom they come in contact-but, commending as we do, the intentions and objects of these zealous individuals, we take leave to say, that their plan of operation is, generally, as injudicious and as futile, as their