Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/107

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1832.]
VAN DIEMENS LAND.
71

influence of the Holy Spirit, in silence, after vocal supplication, a good old Wesleyan observed, that the remarks reminded him of the expressions in the parable of the Sower, "Immediately Satan cometh and taketh away that which was sown." This, he said, he had often noticed to be the case, in passing immediately from religious exercises to conversation, without taking time to dwell under the impressions produced.

25th. Having received the sanction of the Lieutenant Governor, to visit the Establishment for the Aborigines on Flinders Island (Great Island, of Maps) in Bass's Straits, we embarked in the Charlotte Cutter, John Thornloe, a young man from Doncaster, commanding her for the voyage. The little cabin was in such confusion when we went on board, that during much of the day, which was wet, we could do little to advantage but stand still and exercise patience, till others got their luggage out of the way. In the evening the cutter drifted against the Challenger Man-of-war, in the dark. Without discovering, so far as we could make out, that the Cutter was a Government vessel, the officers and men on board that ship, exerted themselves with civility and kindness, and cleared us without cutting a rope.

26th. Early in the morning we sailed, and in the evening, passed Cape Raoul or Basaltes, a magnificent mass of perpendicular basaltic columns, forming the south west point of Tasmans Peninsula.

27th. We put into Port Arthur, a penal settlement lately formed to receive prisoners from one, recently given up on Maria Island.—The Clarence bound for England put in here to-day, to deliver up three prisoners, found on board after sailing from Hobart Town; who had stowed themselves away in the hope of escaping.—Port Arthur is much of the same character as Macquarie Harbour, but being newly formed, it is less organized.—Allowing such of the prisoners as conducted themselves well at this place, a few square yards of ground for gardens, and a small quantity of tea and sugar, had a very beneficial influence upon their conduct, but these indulgences being considered incompatible with