ng a march, mostly threw off their military clothing,
and assumed an uniform of Maria Island cloth, thus reserving their full
dress to celebrate the coming triumph. The enthusiasm was universal: a
blacksmith, at Sorell, unable to follow the army, offered to repair all
the guns belonging to the volunteers of his district. His example was
followed by another, who, having but one leg, contributed the same
service to the common cause. Nor was supplication forgotten: a form of
prayer was composed for those who used formulas, and extempore petitions
were offered by other denominations. The colony, at large, cheerfully
responded to the call of government: the military character of the plan
excited the young, without much alarming the mature. The inhabitants of
the towns readily enrolled, and the discussions every where exhibited a
curious mixture of martial ardour and civil pertinacity.

There were many old soldiers in the colony, who were amused, without
being repelled by this mimicry of war. More busy civilians, were
anxious for the formality of incorporation, and the gradations of
command. The townspeople were allowed their choice, between more active
service and garrison duties. "Gentlemen," said an old soldier, "you may
call yourselves marshals, generals, and colonels, but the duties
assigned you are usually performed by a corporal's guard." It is
gratifying to observe, that the last injunction of the Governor, and the
last lesson of the press, suggested humanity. Under the excitement of
losses and bereavement, the destruction of the natives had been invoked;
but now, softened by the belief that the whites were about to complete a
work which had been twenty-six years in progress, and to expatriate the
race, with one voice all said, "spare them!"

The forces, including the military and constabulary, amounted to nearly
five thousand; of these, 1,500 were contributed by Hobart Town, and 500
by Launceston. No army ever departed from their homes less agitated by
the uncertainties of the future; and notwithstanding the dreary picture
of the service, drawn by the colonel commanding, there was no danger
that a bridge of Lodi, or a plain of Waterloo, would be found in the
campaign. Some went out with the keenness of sportsmen who might at
least catch a kangaroo: others were contented to live moderately well at
government charge. The clerks, released from their offices, gladly
embraced a holiday: the poor prisoner acted and felt as