as well as the base hearted and cruel. It was
something to know, that the fatal hand, which no precaution could
resist, would be raised no more.

It was, indeed, a mournful spectacle: the last Tasmanian quitting the
shores of his ancestors: forty years before, the first settler had
erected his encampment! A change so rapid in the relations of a people
to the soil, will scarcely find a parallel in this world's history; but
that banishment which, if originally contrived, had been an atrocious
crime, was at last an act of mercy--the tardy humanity of Englishmen,
which rescued a remnant, extenuated the dishonor of their cruelty to the
race. As for Mr. Robinson, he enjoyed, not only the bounty of the
government, but the affection of the natives--and the applause of all
good men. His name will be had in everlasting remembrance: happier
still, if numbered by the judge of all among his followers, who came
"not to destroy men's lives, but to save them."[21]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 18: "Gentlemen," said Mr. Kemp, of Mount Vernon at the mess at
the Macquarie Hotel, "you see a sample before you, of what this colony
can produce, which we are now, one and all, making an unanimous effort
to insure the enjoyment of in peace and comfort: if, when not only the
necessaries, but many of the luxuries of life are thus bountifully
supplied us, we are not loyal, we shall never be loyal. Fill your
glasses, gentlemen--the health of his Excellency; and success to the
volunteers. Hip, hip, hip,--hurrah!"--_Courier._]

[Footnote 19: Thus, while at some stations in New Holland clergymen
explained in English the principles of Christianity, the thoughts of the
natives strayed to subjects more familiar, and cries of "bacca" and
"sugar," disturbed the gravity of devotion.]

[Footnote 20: Throwing stick.]

[Footnote 21: It would be difficult, however, to believe Mr. Robinson
was not satirical, when he wrote as follows;--

"The system adopted toward the aborigines of this territory is quite
original. History does not furnish an instance, where _a whole nation
has been removed by so _MILD AND HUMANE A POLICY!"_--Report H.
Commons_--_Aborigines_, 1835.]

SECTION VIII.

During the progress of these captures, the question of future disposal
was slowly determined. Those lodged on Gun Carriage Island, through
injudicious restraint or want of pure water, or melancholy, rapidly
decreased. The government was bound to seek for them a more salubrious