hands, a
scene of disorder and misrule had prevailed; but that had been promptly
and firmly repressed. Hard labor and strict discipline had succeeded in
reducing the temporary confusion to something like order, and made
residence there the dread of returning evil-doers, whilst it afforded a
refuge for new-comers. Sir Richard Bourke, and Sir Ralph and Lady
Darling, used every endeavor to make the place a success; while, at
home, Lord Glenelg and Sir George Grey gave the matter, on behalf of
the Government, every needful and possible aid. A good superintendent
and matron were appointed from England, and supplied with every
requisite for the instruction and occupation of the convicts at the
factory.

This cordial co-operation of the Colonial Office in her schemes of
improvement for the female convicts at Paramatta, encouraged her to
attempt the same good work for the convicts at Hobart Town, Tasmania. It
happened that by 1843 the transportation of females to New South Wales
had ceased, the younger establishment at Hobart Town receiving all the
female convicts; but, like the hydra of classic lore, the evil sprang up
there as fresh and as vigorous as if it had not been conquered at
Paramatta. Lady Franklin and other ladies communicated with Mrs. Fry,
showing her the great need that still existed for her benevolent
exertions in that quarter. From these communications it seemed that the
assignment of women into domestic slavery still continued, in all its
dire forms. When a convict ship arrived from England, employers of all
grades became candidates for the services of the convicts. With the
exception of publicans, and ticket-of-leave men, who were not allowed to
employ convicts, anybody and everybody might engage the poor banished
prisoners without any guarantee whatsoever as to the future conduct of
the employer toward the servant, or specification as to the kind of work
to be performed. Those convicts who have behaved themselves best on the
voyage out were assigned to the best classes of society, while the
others fell to the refuse of the employers' class. As it was a fact that
a large proportion of the tradesmen applying for servants were convicts
who had fully served their time, it may be imagined how lacking in
civilization and integrity such employers often were. But if the
condition of the convicts was hopeless after their assignment to places
of service, it was, if possible, more hopeless still in the home, or
"fact