The most resolute fell beneath its power; the weakest felt its fatal influence; and so fearfully was the colony at one time situated, that not one could lift a finger to assist the other. Death ensued; and the only portion of the soil gained by many was that which gave a grave. The mortality was two thirds. But these were not the only evils. In September, 1824, it was said, “Another thing, in the shape of a Poyais loan, has been brought into the market.” Great as the excitement was, there were not many disposed to risk their money; but those who did were persons who had saved a small amount, which, though insufficient to live upon, was sufficient to excite a desire for more. By this class a considerable sum was advanced; and the ruin which fell upon them was tremendous. Their despair was loud, but useless. The Poyais loan was an epoch from which many dated for the remainder of their lives; and the figure of one of these unhappy speculators must still be familiar to some readers, as she wandered daily through the offices of the Bank of England, and the purlieus of the Stock Exchange, exposed to all the annoyances which fall upon those who earn their bread in the public thoroughfares. The Poyais scrip was destined to a lower employment still. It was used during the mania for foreign loans in 1836, as a mode of jobbing, the turn in which, suited to the pockets of those who dealt in it, varied from a halfpenny to a penny, according to the demand. Emigration received a great shock; and “to be served like the Poyais settlers” was a common excuse of the poor and unthinking. If, however, the Stock Exchange proved indirectly injurious to the great cause in this instance, one of its members has done more towards its assistance than is often effected by individual exertion. The efforts of Mr. Benjamin Boyd will form an important chapter in some future history of our Australian colonies; as, from his determined energy, an impulse has been given to emigration which no future official supineness can eradicate. Steam-navigation to Australia is greatly desirable; and governments which, as the present volume proves, often lavish their money unworthily, should at least be ready to assist in achieving so great and beneficial a fact. All local objections are overcome. The difficulty of the “barrier reef” is proved to be an idle dream; and the time will yet arrive when men will wonder that a few thousand pounds should for years have retarded steam-navigation to colonies important alike to the commerce, the comfort, and the civilization of England. The writer gives the following, to show that the few words he has said are not unsupported:—