s of their
husbands; who, when they had occasion to complain, threatened to work
for themselves. They had seen the wives of the soldiers washing, and
inferred that this exercise was the special privilege of women.

The acting commandant, in 1832, reported them as in the highest health
and spirits, full of intelligence, advancing step by step towards
civilisation: so they were described, and such was their aspect. They
were furnished with every article of domestic use, far more numerous
than usually fall to the lot of the English cottager, and which, to an
Irish peasant, would suggest the idea of shopkeeping: the men, dressed
in duck clothing and Scotch caps, voluntarily appeared with the
soldiers, and presented their necessaries for inspection.

A large group watched the landing of Mr. Backhouse in silence; but when
invited, they rose up and shook hands; and when told that provisions had
arrived, they set up shouts of joy: they wore clothing, except in their
dances, which they held thrice a-week, after sun set; they exhibited
much cheerfulness, affability, and mutual kindness, and no great
deficiency of either physical or intellectual power.

The system pursued by Mr. Robinson at Flinders', is minutely described
in papers published by the House of Commons. The establishment of--

1. An aboriginal fund. 2. A circulating medium. 3. An aboriginal police.
4. A weekly market: and 5. A weekly periodical.

The first four of these measures succeeded: the periodical _was not_
successful! but Mr. Robinson established a respectable currency: he made
the natives purchase all articles except food; and once, when the supply
of tobacco was scanty, it rose to the price of 32s. per lb.! They were
too prone to dilapidate and destroy their dwellings; they were therefore
required to pay for the locks, cupboards, and doors. They were
instructed in the Christian religion, and displayed considerable
aptitude; but of some, it is remarked, that they were inattentive to
learning, and fond of the chase!

The civil and religious administration of Flinders' Island has been
often changed, and subject to factions and disputes. The stories which
float in the colony, respecting the little empire of _Wybalenna_, are
grotesque and humorous. No modern author will venture to look into the
abyss of despatches, which develop its policy. To arrive at the truth
would require an amount of labour, perhaps not beyond its intrinsic
worth, but involving large