ntage they derive from the labor
outweighing, in their opinion, the mischief. Regarding, however, the
advancement and prosperity of this colony, as now placed on foundations
which cannot be shaken, I am strongly impressed with the belief, that
the manners and morals of this people would be much improved, and
ultimately their wealth and happiness would be much augmented, by a
gradual relinquishment of the services of convicts. Yet I am aware that
this sentiment is not generally prevalent among the settlers, and I
shall therefore abstain from troubling you with any detailed
explanations, upon which my opinion is founded."--_Despatch of
Major-General Bourke, addressed to Mr. Secretary Stanley_, 1834.]

[Footnote 229: _Hobart Town Gazette._]

[Footnote 230: "Resolved--That in the opinion of this meeting it is
unjustifiable to induce intending emigrants to take up their abode in
the midst of the vice and immorality which notoriously prevail in the
penal colonies; but that such persons should be encouraged to settle in
countries, where they will not only be likely to thrive in fortune, but
to lead good lives, and bring up their children in virtuous habits."]

[Footnote 231: _Times, February 11th, 1840._]

[Footnote 232: House of Lords, 1840.]

[Footnote 233: May 11th, 1839.]

[Footnote 234: For an account of Norfolk Island see vol. i.]

[Footnote 235: The following are the characters and performers in the
_Castle of Andalusia_: _Don Caesar_, John Lawrence; _Scipio_, George
Rolfe; _Fernando_, James Walker; _Alphonso_, Henry Whitton; _Spado_,
James King; _Pedrillo_, James Monns; _Sanguino_, James Cranston;
_Rafrino_, James Porter; _Calvetti_, William Smith; _Vasquez_, R.
Saunderson.]

[Footnote 236: See _Chambers' Miscellany_, vol. i.]

[Footnote 237: The idea of employing the prisoners as jurors, will not
appear more strange than as witnesses, except that it is unusual:--

"These may appear singular proposals, and I readily admit that the
absolute _rights_ of prisoner jurors, and thereby their power of
directly controlling the course of justice, might, without impropriety,
be for a time somewhat restricted, though, if properly trained up to the
privilege, and this latter confined exclusively to men in their last
stage, they would very rarely, I am certain, be found wanting in what
was required of them. But apart from this, the objects of interesting
prisoners, when under a course of moral discipline, in the
adminis