Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/96

CHAPTER V.

Report to the Lieut. Governor.—Thanksgiving.—Death of a Pensioner.—War.—Clarence Plains.—Hospitality.—Government Schools.—Chain-gang.—Scorpions.—Centipedes.—Muddy Plains.—Settlers.—South Arm.—Liberty.—Kangaroo.—Box and Cow Fishes.—Illicit Spirit Dealer.—Princess Royal stranded.—Snow Storm.— Richmond.—Trees.—Imported Fruit-trees.—New Houses.—Bush-rangers.—Security.—Meeting.—Coal River.—Settlers.—Oven Hills.—Orielton.—Wages paid at Public Houses—Sorell Town.—-Windmill.—Rich Land.—Temperance Meeting—Lower Settlement.-—Sober Anglo-Tasmanians.—View.—Spring.—Birds, &c.—Anniversary of Departure from England.

We remained in Hobart Town a month; in the course of which, in compliance with a request from the Lieutenant Governor, we presented him with a report on the state of the Penal Settlement at Macquarie Harbour; the substance of which is contained in the preceding remarks.

Our meetings for worship, during this period, were often attended by pious persons in an inquiring state of mind, to whom we were enabled to impart religious counsel. We had also discussions with some of them on the principles of the Society of Friends, which we endeavoured to show were those of the Gospel practically carried out.

When taking a meal with pious persons, I was frequently requested to give thanks. This being intended as a mark of Christian courtesy to a stranger minister, I received it as such; but we found it necessary to explain, that it was our practice on such occasions, to endeavour to feel thankful, but not to give expression to their feeling on behalf of ourselves and others, unless under such a sense of divine influence as warranted the belief that it was done in spirit and in truth.