oral and industrial association.

The most severe form of this discipline was established at Norfolk
Island, for the prisoners for life, or not less than fifteen years. For
this purpose the island was relieved of persons entitled by the promises
of Captain Maconochie to a more indulgent treatment, and the remainder
were detained to assist in the preparation of buildings for the new
plan. Thus the traditions of Norfolk Island--a complicated theory of
evasion, artifice, pollution, and fraud--were preserved on the spot, and
propagated through all the gangs located in Van Diemen's Land.

Persons sentenced for less offences, were transported to Van Diemen's
Land: were formed into gangs, generally placed in close vicinity to the
settled districts. Into these, men were drafted from Norfolk Island,
when their first stage of probation was closed. The superintendents were
instructed to keep a record of industrial and general improvements: the
religious instructors were to insert a similar statement of moral and
religious advancement. Thus it was expected, that at any instant the
character and merit of every man might be known. The denominations
selected to supply religious teaching were the episcopalian, wesleyan,
and Roman catholic. The convicts having passed this probation were
declared eligible for hire at wages, and entered the service of
settlers. This portion of their progress was divided into three stages:
in the first they were entitled to one-half, in the second to
two-thirds, and in the last to their entire earnings. The masters were
expected to pay the surplus into the hands of the crown; and the
passholder was informed that the sum, if not forfeited by misconduct,
would be receivable at his discharge, or in the event of death by his
heirs. The fourth stage was revocable pardon, or ticket-of-leave: the
holder could possess property, sue or be sued, and enjoy all the
ordinary advantages of freedom, subject to police inspection. The last
stage, pardon--conditional, or free: if the former, it removed the
consequences of conviction in the colonies--if the latter, it had that
effect in any part of the empire; but the enjoyment of this
enfranchisement was made entirely dependent on the royal pleasure, and
could not be demanded as a right. Such were the main provisions of the
scheme: so fair in its outlines, so prodigious in its results.[247]

In describing the operations of the probation system, it may be
desirable to trac