ance, I found not the slightest attempt to
follow such a course. They declare that they expect death, and will
gladly welcome it. Of their life, which has been a course of almost
constant warfare with society, ending in remorseful feelings, they were
all thoroughly weary, although only one of them exceeds thirty years of
age.

"In addition to the ordinary services, Captain Maconochie, each Sunday
afternoon has read prayers to them, and has given permission to a few of
their friends to be present. Singular good has resulted from it, both to
the men and those who join in their devotions. At the conclusion of one
of these services, Sears stood up, and with his heart so full as
scarcely to allow him utterance, to the surprise of every person there,
he addressed most impressively the men who were present. 'Perhaps,' said
he, 'the words of one of yourselves, unhappily circumstanced as I am,
may have some weight with you. You all know the life I have led; it has,
believe me, been a most unhappy one; and I have, I hope not too late,
discovered the cause of this. I solemnly tell you that it is because I
have broken God's laws. I am almost ashamed to speak, but I dare not be
silent. I am going to tell you a strange thing. I never before was
happy; I begin now, for the first time in my life, to _hope_. I am an
ignorant man, or at least I was so; but I thank God I begin to see
things in their right light now. I have been unhappily placed from my
childhood, and have endured many hardships. I do not mention this to
excuse my errors; yet if I had years since received the kindness I have
done here, it might have been otherwise. My poor fellows, do turn over a
new leaf; try to serve God, and you, too, will be happier for it.' The
effect was most thrilling; there was a deathlike silence; tears rolled
down many cheeks, which I verily believe never before felt them; and
without a word more, all slowly withdrew.

"This man's story is also a common, but painful one. At fifteen years of
age, he was transported for life as an accomplice in an assault and
alleged robbery, of which, from circumstances which have since
transpired, I have little doubt he was entirely innocent. During a long
imprisonment on Horsham jail, he received an initiation in crime, which
was finished during the outward voyage. Upon his arrival in New South
Wales, he was assigned to a settler in the interior, a notoriously hard
and severe man, who gave him but a scanty supp