r
of certain tribes of the aborigines of Van Diemen's Land to the British
authorities. Some time since a war of extermination was commenced against
them by the colonists; but, happily for humanity, this atrocious attack,
which future historians may varnish over with "civilization," was a signal
failure; and the poor, simple creatures were still left to enjoy the woods
and caves and painted skins of savage life; not, however, without having
fiercely retaliated upon the colonists for the cruel treatment which they
experienced.]

The Oyster Bay and Big River tribes, the most sanguinary in the island,
have surrendered themselves to Mr. Robinson, by whose conciliatory
intervention the desirable event has been mainly brought about. On the 7th
of January, Mr. Robinson made his triumphant entry into Hobart Town with
his party of blacks, amounting in all to forty. They walked very leisurely
along the road, followed by a large pack of dogs, and were received by the
inhabitants on their entry into town with the most lively curiosity and
delight. Soon after their arrival they walked up to the Government House,
and were introduced to his Excellency, and the interview that took place
was truly interesting. They are delighted at the idea of proceeding to
Great Island, where they will enjoy peace and plenty uninterrupted. The
great susceptibility which they one and all evinced of the influence of
music when the band struck up, which Colonel Logan had purposely ordered
down, clearly showed the numerous spectators the power of this agent of
communication, even in the savage breast. After, in the greatest good
humour, and with an evident desire to make themselves agreeable, going
through various feats of their wonderful dexterity, they proceeded on
board the Swan River packet, until the Tamar is ready to proceed with them
to Great Island. The women were frightfully ornamented with human bones
hung round them in various fantastic forms, even to the rows of teeth and
skulls. Some of these were the remains of enemies, and white persons whom
they had killed, but more as the mementos of the affection which they bore
to the husband or children whom they had lost. They each carried a handful
of spears. They wore the usual kangaroo skin cloak thrown over the back or
shoulder, and thickly smeared with red ochre and grease. Their hair as
well as skin was also thickly coated with the same, the hair being
carefully dressed or formed by its help into n