t neatness of
imitation and dexterity of address. On arrival of the first fleet of ships
from England, several convicts brought out recommendatory letters from
different friends. Of these some were genuine, and many owed their birth
to the ingenuity of the bearers. But these last were all such bungling
performances as to produce only instant detection and succeeding contempt.
One of them addressed to the governor, with the name of Baron Hotham
affixed to it, began 'Honored Sir!'

A leading distinction, which marked the convicts on their outset in the
colony, was an use of what is called the 'flash', or 'kiddy' language. In
some of our early courts of justice an interpreter was frequently necessary
to translate the deposition of the witness and the defence of the prisoner.
This language has many dialects. The sly dexterity of the pickpocket, the
brutal ferocity of the footpad, the more elevated career of the highwayman
and the deadly purpose of the midnight ruffian is each strictly appropriate
in the terms which distinguish and characterize it. I have ever been of
opinion that an abolition of this unnatural jargon would open the path to
reformation. And my observations on these people have constantly instructed
me that indulgence in this infatuating cant is more deeply associated with
depravity and continuance in vice than is generally supposed. I recollect
hardly one instance of a return to honest pursuits, and habits of industry,
where this miserable perversion of our noblest and peculiar faculty was not
previously conquered.

Those persons to whom the inspection and management of our numerous and
extensive prisons in England are committed will perform a service to
society by attending to the foregoing observation. Let us always keep
in view, that punishment, when not directed to promote reformation, is
arbitrary, and unauthorised.

CHAPTER XIX.

Facts relating to the probability of establishing a whale fishery on the
coast of New South Wales, with Thoughts on the same.

In every former part of this publication I have studiously avoided
mentioning a whale fishery, as the information relating to it will, I
conceive, be more acceptably received in this form, by those to whom it is
addressed, than if mingled with other matter.

Previous to entering on this detail, it must be observed that several of
the last fleet of ships which had arrived from England with convicts, were
fitted out with implements for