Land." In many respects, this plate would correctly represent the Ironed Gangs of Sydney, or any other part of New South Wales, as well as the Chain Gangs in Van Diemens Land, or the Penal Settlements of these Colonies; but it was originally drawn from the Hulk Chain Gang, at Hobart Town. For this error, and a few others, that will be found in the volume, some of which are noticed in the list of Errata, it is hoped that the reader will make due allowance.
As dates are of considerable importance to be observed, in works on newly-occupied and rapidly advancing countries, those of the month and year have been placed at the heads of the pages. Should any extracts be made from this volume, the writer hopes that they may be accompanied by the dates, where these have a bearing upon the subject treated of.
The Settlements on the south coast of Australia have made rapid advances since the visits here recorded, but as the writer was, in great measure, cut off from communication with the Australian regions, by a subsequent sojourn in Southern Africa, he apprehends that he shall not render his readers a service, by going out of the line of his own observations, and commenting upon these changes, respecting which, he supposes, that the public are in possession of better information, from other sources, than he has it in his power to communicate. For a similar reason, he has refrained from observations on some modifications of the Penal Discipline, of New South Wales and Van Diemens Land, which are of recent date.
In the course of the Narrative, the term Savages is sometimes used in reference to the Aborigines of the countries visited; but it is only intended, by this term, to designate human beings, living on the wild produce of the earth, and destitute of any traces of civilization; and
