s
prevalent, although, amongst many of the lower orders of Irish,
the traces of it are to be discovered; it leads, however, to no
injurious consequences, and deserves encouragement, in preference
to those totally irreligious principles which might naturally be
expected to shew themselves amidst a body of men, of characters
and dispositions so hostile to every thing which is virtuous,
dignifying, and good.

Morals.

The morals of the colony are by no means so debauched as the
tongue of prejudice has too frequently asserted; on the contrary,
virtuous characters are not rare, and honourable principles are
not less prevalent here than in other communities of equal extent
and limited growth. The instances of drunkenness, dishonesty, and
their concomitant offences, are not more common than in the
mother country; and those amongst the convicts who are disposed
to return to their old habits, and re-commence their depredations
upon society are deterred by the severe punishment which awaits
their detection: There are many also amongst the prisoners
themselves, who are now striking examples of probity, industry,
temperance, and virtue; and some have obtained a remission of the
punishment which occasioned their residence in the settlement, in
consequence of the signal and radical change which had taken
place in their inclinations and behaviour. Where there is society
their must exist offences; but, on the whole, considering the
nature of the colony of New South Wales, the morals of the people
are as free from glaring defects, as those of any other tract of
equal population in the habitable world; and the characters which
are celebrated for their virtues are as numerous, in proportion,
as those which are to be found in other countries, where
civilization and prosperity have made greater progress, and where
individuals have greater inducement to labour, and the prospect
of a brighter reward for their industrious exertions.

Amusements.

The erection of a play-house was noticed in the preceding part
of this sketch; the abuses which were uniformly committed on the
nights of performance, subsequently rendered that a nuisance
which was originally intended for an innocent recreation. When
the inhabitants were engaged in this enjoyment, their property
was left unwatched, and there were ever numbers of dishonest
individuals who were ready to seize upon these opportunities to
gratify their vicious dispositions. It was also a common p