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which would degrade us before man, or for which we would be condemned before our Maker. And we naturally ask why we should be treated as if our lives had been one succession of crime, or as if society breathed freely once more at being rid of our dangerous and demoralising presence. Even the Sunday, that to all men in Christendom is a day of relaxation and comparative enjoyment, to us is one of gloom and weariness, being locked up in a dreary cell from three o'clock Saturday evening till seven on Monday morning (except for about an hour and a half on Sunday); thus locked up in a narrow dungeon for forty consecutive hours! We appeal to you, and ask, was there ever worse treatment, in the worst days of the Roman inquisition, for men whose reputation had never been, sullied with crime?
"We therefore humbly submit, that, as the state looks only at present to our being well secured, we ought to be treated with every liberality consistent with our safe custody; and that any unnecessary harshness, or arrogant display of power, is nothing more nor less than wanton cruelty.
"Some of us, for instance, could wile away several hours each day in writing, an occupation which, while it would fill up the dreary vacuum of a prison life, as would the moderate use of snuff and tobacco cheer it, and soothe that mental irritation consequent upon seclusion. But that system of discipline which would paralyse the mind and debilitate the body——that would destroy intellectual as well as physical energy and vigour, cannot certainly be of human origin.
"Trusting you will remove these sources of annoyance and complaint,.
"We beg to subscribe ourselves,
"Sir,
"Your obedient servants."
[Here follow the names.]
Sheriff Claude Farie, Inspector Price, Turnkey Hackett, they will praise your names in hell!
LXXXI.
QUEM PATRONEM ROGATURUS.
The brave people of Melbourne remembered the state prisoners, forgotten by the Ballaarat diggers, who now that the storm was over, considered themselves luckily cunning to have got off safe; and therefore could afford to "joe" again; the red-streak near Golden-point, having put every one in the good old spirits of the good old times.
