The writer has directed the attention of the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners to this point in his report at the close of his passage, and the remedy being so simple and so easily applied and inexpensive, he trusts the suggestion may meet with compliance on the part of the authorities whose special province it is to look to these matters.

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SEA SICKNESS.

CHAPTER II.

SEA SICKNESS-VISITS OF FRIENDS AND BUM-BOAT AT PLYMOUTH-THE THIEF-THE GENERAL CHARACTER OF EMIGRANTS—THE CAPTAIN'S WIFE AND CHILD OUR FINAL DEPARTURE-THE SCHOONER, AND ANCHOR DRAGGING THE LATE ARRIVAL OF THE PILOT-FIRST SUNDAY AT SEA THE ARRANGEMENTS ON BOARD AN EMIGRANT VESSEL THE FILTHY HABITS OF EMIGRANTS INCREDIBLE 66 SPECULUM GREGIS -TEMPER AND CHARACTER OF

EMIGRANTS.

SUCH of the emigrants as had joined the vessel at Gravesend, had partially overcome their sea-sickness, and were prepared to spend some of the very little cash they might have with the bum-boat woman, who brought on board the most heterogeneous assortment of goods it is possible to conceive; everything which was likely to assist in unpreparing the stomach for the coming sickness and nausea. It afforded,

BUM-BOAT WOMAN.

17

however, an outlet to the sorrow and grief of farewell friends, especially manifested in a form substantial and palatable to grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. The conclusion of the mournful adieu terminating in a present of brandy-balls, string, or liquorice according to the whim of the little gourmand, whose departure was breaking the heart-strings of some loving old maiden.

aunt.

This rubbish-eating continued for the week we were in Plymouth, without intermission, and was varied only by an untoward discovery of a thief. A sawyer, from Bedfordshire, had lost on his way from Gravesend to Plymouth five shillings and some token pennies which had been given to his children by different friends; and which had been duly taken charge of by his wife. He thought that the person possessed of his property would most likely spend it with the bum-boat woman. He watched for two days, and at last he detected an Irish emigrant paying away his marked token, and having taxed him with it, he denied

18

GENERAL CHARACTER

it. We had him brought aft, and searched, when such evidence of his guilt appeared as was sufficient to show that the charge was well founded. What was to be done with him? his mother, a widow, with a large family on board emigrating, and he the eldest son and an important protector to his parent; although only twenty years of age. It was thought possible that his account of the manner in which he became possessed of the money, and bag which contained it, might be true, viz., that one of his little brothers had picked it up and given it to him. On this supposition it was deemed better to let him continue his voyage, and the contrition he evinced, justified the conclusion arrived at. On the passage he was one of the most assiduous and attentive monitors in the school-room.

The general physical appearance of the emigrants was decidedly not of a favourable description, and such as would recommend them as a boon to the colony, which so much required their labour. Many were very old worn-out men, only fit for shepherding,

OF THE EMIGRANTS.

19

and evidently had passed the meridian of life long ago. The single men and unmarried females were healthy young persons and likely to be very useful to the colony. In many cases false representations must have been made to the government queries. An instance occurred in which one regulation was grossly violated. A tailor, by trade, had represented himself as a single man, and had left a wife and large family at Glasgow, doubtless now receiving aid from the benevolent; when on shore this fact reached the writer's knowledge. The man was a good workman but a great drunkard. We met with him in Sydney, and there he informed us he was a teetotaller, and had saved money to get his wife and family out; such might be the case, as the statement was confirmed by other emigrants to whom he was known. He was at that time earning from ten to twelve shillings per diem. The young children will eventually prove beneficial to Australia, as in feeling they will become colonial, and all their associations will attach to New South Wales.