was more obviously the interest of the influential inhabitants of Van Dieman's Land to enforce the government regulations on that subject: the convicts were therefore taught very early to know their proper place in society, and effectually precluded by the voice of public opinion from presuming upon that of others; insomuch, that although the emancipated convict in Van Dieman's Land has all along occupied exactly the same position in regard to rights and privileges as in New South Wales, the name of emancipist has never been heard of as a political watchword, or as the designation of a party in that island. This superior state of things in Van Dieman's Land has doubtless resulted, in no small degree, from the highly judicious arrangements established by Colonel Arthur, the late lieutenant-governor of that island, for the discipline and management of its prison population; from the zeal and abilities of the principal officers he employed in the work of superintendence; and from the long period of twelve years, during which he was honoured to hold the government of Van Dieman's Land, and which, occurring in the most important period of the history of that island as a British colony, enabled him to mature his plans for the superintendence and management of the convicts, to give them a fair trial, and to bring them to a state of
