Two Voyages to New South Wales and Van Diemen's LandReid, Thomas
History
Two Voyages to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land
Reid, Thomas
Exiles -- Australia -- New South Wales; Exiles -- Australia -- Tasmania
30th.—Frequent squalls, with rain, occurring this day, kept the
prisoners for the greater part below, where they were all usefully
employed, and such as had no work to do, filled up the vacant hours by
religious reading.
_July_ 2nd.—Sunday. This day the Reverend Mr. Reddall read a sermon on
deck to the women, at which I endeavoured to be present, although my
state of health was very indifferent. The orderly behaviour of the
women, and their decent, and even neat appearance, afforded me much
pleasure.
6th.—The preceding four days have passed in uninterrupted
tranquillity;—not a single circumstance having occurred to excite
disapprobation. It is extremely gratifying to observe little groups of
the prisoners, both in the prison and upon deck, reading the Scriptures,
and devoutly worshiping their Maker. At first many of them showed
considerable reluctance and shyness to be seen in acts of devotion; but
that false shame has happily disappeared. This day, at the usual hour, I
read to them a sermon, which was followed by an exhortation by the
Reverend Mr. Reddall of a serious, impressive, and appropriate nature.
8th.—The occurrences of these two days correspond with those of the
preceding, except that hence a manifest argument for the necessity of
employment among the convicts may be drawn, as to the advantages
obtainable by daily occupation, in the singular alteration for the
better in the conduct of Ann Newton, who, since she commenced working
articles of straw manufacture, seems entirely to have lost her
disposition to licentious romping and careless expressions, for which
she, more than any of her companions, used to be remarked. Her demeanour
now is much more steady, and that activity of mind which would have
vented itself in mischief, is now in a very particular manner directed
to industry; her appearance also, which used to be that of a slattern,
and exhibited almost a studied want of cleanliness, is become, even in
her plainest dress, neat and decent;—every thing about her, in fact,
bespeaks a marked amendment. Another circumstance in the conduct of this
young woman is particularly deserving of notice; she every day chooses a
retired seat apart from her companions, where she assiduously pursues
her work in silence and remarkable reserve, yet appearing cheerful and
contented.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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