found among other branches of the human family; and it would not be more erroneous in one of these people, to look upon an English woman as defective in capacity, because she could neither dive into the deep and bring up cray-fish, nor ascend the lofty gum-trees to catch opossums for her family, than it would be for an English woman to look upon the Tasmanian as defective in capacity, because she could neither sew nor read, nor perform the duties of civil, domestic life. Were the two to change stations, it is not too much to assume, that the untutored native of the woods would much sooner learn to obtain her food, by acquiring the arts of civilization, than the woman from civilized society would, by acquiring the arts belonging to savage life.
8th. The Aborigines, having noticed that the few soldiers at this station, who were placed as a guard against the Sealers, were mustered on First-day mornings, to see that they had made themselves properly clean, voluntarily commenced mustering in a similar way: they also brought out the wares with which they had been entrusted, to have them inspected. The Commandant took advantage of this, and encouraged them to do so weekly. This morning they presented their tin pots and plates, knives and spoons, bright and clean, and except three men, were clean in their apparel. These men complained, that the women had not washed their clothes, and threatened to wash them themselves, if they should again be so neglected! The men were dressed in duck frocks and trowsers, and had handkerchiefs about their necks. The women had on stuff under-garments, and checked bedgowns, and had handkerchiefs on their heads and around their shoulders. Many of their countenances were fine and expressive. It was surprising to see how much improved some of the most unsightly of the women had become by being decently clad: they scarcely looked like the same race of beings. They afterwards assembled in a very orderly manner, with the white people, in the rude shelter of boughs, used as a chapel. On this occasion a portion of Scripture was read by G. W. Walker; after which I had a little to communicate in the line of ministry.—There was something peculiarly moving, in seeing nearly the
