Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/100

64 in a hut of the humblest structure, who increased their means of support, by converting into lime, such shells as have accumulated in great abundance on the shore of Ralphs Bay. At this place we met with William Gellibrand—a settler residing on a peninsula in the Derwent called South Arm,—and accepting an invitation to visit his establishment, proceeded thither in a lime boat. W. Gellibrand's house is situated near the northern extremity of the peninsula: it commands a view of Ralphs Bay and the Derwent, backed by the woody hills on the shore, with Hobart Town at the distance of 9 miles. This part of South Arm is a little elevated. Basaltic and grit rocks project on its steep sides; on which Gulls and Shags roost in great numbers. Peach and almond trees are coming into blossom in the well-stocked garden. The native grass of the country is thin; but the land in tillage yields a fair return. The intelligent proprietor pays more attention than most persons, to the comfort and morals of his assigned servants. This attaches them to him, and raises a tone of feeling in their minds congenial to their reformation. On conversing with one of these men, who has had an unusual measure of privilege during the time he has been a prisoner, respecting the comparative difficulties he might expect on becoming free, his sentence expiring in a few days; he remarked, "But, Sir, Liberty is sweet!"

21st. We returned to the main land, and dined with an interesting family of Independents. Here we first partook of Kangaroo, the taste of which is somewhat intermediate between that of beef and mutton: it is usually served up with bacon in a kind of hash called "a steamer."

22nd. Accompanied by a son of R. Mather, we visited the settlers around the Pipeclay Lagoon, which opens into the sea, and on the shores of which were lying the remains of some Box and Cow-fishes. These are about four inches long, and are encased in coats of mail; having apertures for their mouths, eyes, fins and tails. One of the people on whom we called is said to be an illicit dealer in spirits, or what is called in the Colony, the keeper of a "Sly-grog-shop." These are a description of persons that are a great nuisance, but it is difficult to obtain evidence against them, and