ing
lately at a picture of Don Quixote, she pointed him out as the man who
fought with the windmill.] Her mother has a younger son, now or lately
at the Queen's School, and of pure aboriginal blood. A natural law, by
which the extinction of a race is predicted, will not admit of such
serious deviations.

In 1844, a Finance Committee of the Legislative Council proposed the
restoration of the natives to this colony. The frequent reference to
head-quarters by the officers in charge, perplexed the government; who
alleged that the distance permitted the oppression of the natives, and
exposed them to the caprice of their guardians. The measure was delayed
for four years; but in 1847, the dismissal of the commandant revived the
project, and in October of that year they were landed in Van Diemen's
Land, and located at Oyster Bay, once a great station of their people.
The removal was unacceptable to the colonists; the outrages of former
years were remembered by many, as scenes of domestic mourning. No murmur
had ever been heard at the cost of their safety: it was deemed a small
atonement for a national wrong: nor will it be possible to state an
expenditure which the colonial public would be unwilling to sustain--to
smooth the last hours of this unfortunate race. The transfer of a part
to Port Phillip, had been attended with fatal consequences to several,
and had ended in murder and executions: it was feared that the vicinity
of their former haunts might revive their habits of wandering, and once
more expose them to those gangs of felons who set no value on aboriginal
life. These sentiments led to a spirited remonstrance, in which many
respectable settlers concurred: the government had not anticipated
opposition, or it may be presumed that a statement of the actual
condition of the natives, and the provision intended for their safety,
would have preceded this change in their abode. The dark shadows of
former years threw doubt on their present character: happily, however,
these impressions were erroneous.

The few who remain, are not likely to forsake the comforts of their
home: belonging to various tribes and different dialects, particular
districts do not present equal attractions to all. They have learned
also to rear vegetables, and the greater number are said to be familiar
with English customs. By the census, they are assigned to the Church of
England; but the distinctions of theology are beyond their
comprehension, and th