VICTORIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 73, 29 May 1852, Page 3

VICTORIA.

The following extract from a private letter addressed to the Sydney Empire conveys a not over flattering account of the present state of Melbourne ; it will be seen that all the crime and villany are distinctly referred to the influx of convicts from the neighbouring colony of Van Diemen's Land. Melbourne, April 13. Whatever difference of opinion may occur respecting the external condition of Melbourne," none can possibly exist as to the internal state of the houses. At the best of times Melbonrne could but poorly accommodate her residents and visitors. To meet, therefore, the pressing demand for room, numerous edifices, from the lowly shingled shed to the more substantial brick cottage, were in course of daily, nay, hourly construction. Now, however, building has almost altogether ceased, and in consequence the want of room has become very distressing indeed. Not a house you enter but contains far more than its quota of inhabitants. .- -Chairs, tables, sofas, and boxes are pressed into service, performing a double duty. lam ac quainiM with several inns, where the number accommodated far exceeds what either cleanli~"»sess or health would demand. I was informed tHie other evening by credible authority, that on the previous night a room, which in ordinary times was considered crammed with seven sleepers, accommodated no less a number than six and thirty individuals! How long such a gross infringement of the natural laws may continue will be seen ere long. For private rooms the most enormous rents are demanded, making it a matter of impossibility for one of limited means to obtain a decent, not to say a respectable residence. And although this be the case, yet may one see daily crowds of mechanics in holiday dresses, parading the streets and living on the paltry sums they have earned

at the mines, utterly regardless of the future. Would they, even at the eleventh hour, turn to their work at the most extravagant rate of wages, much might yet be done to avert the fearful misery one sees impending from this source during the ensuing winter months. But it is useless to moralize. Here, as elsewhere, man is thoughtless of consequences, and only reflects when harsh experience brings home the truth. Without further pursuing a question which may form the subject of a future letter, I may say that after mature reflection on my own part, and after consulting those whose opinions are worthy of weight, I have no hesitation in predicting an amount of misery and wretchedness during the wet season, arising from want of shelter, perfectly fearful to contemplate. Passing to the moral condition of the place, a difficulty of no common description occurs, demanding the utmost modesty-in pronouncing an opinion. This difficulty mainly arises from the peculiar transition state of the town, filled as it is with a floating population, and therefore liable to present, on each successive inspection, such different phases to the observer as may oblige him to modify, or even alter his opinion altogether. Ishall"speak of it, therefore, as it appears at present, reserving to myself the task of recording any changes. Judging the place from my own experieuce prior to the gold mania, I cannot but say that its present condition contrasts most unfavourably with that which existed at that period. That order, regularity, freedom from indecent scenes and sights, which then distinguished Melbourne, are no longer its characteristics. Moreover, the numerical weakness and non-effective state of the police corps are but too glaringly conspicuous in the frequent boxing matches, wrestling encounters, and other manifestations of the lower propensities, called into action by improper stimuli. Day after day the very dregs of Vandemonian rascality are found in disgusting abundance on the land. Day after day men see their town crowded by those whose faces tell of crime—whose aspect preaches wickedness. Day after day they see their streets glutted with men whose only education has been the disgusting vocabulary of indecency and blasphemy— whose only feelings towards their fellow men, the jaundiced sentiment of the felon to his gaoler-—the slave to his master. Without the strict, yet needful, severity of convict regulations, they are subjected to all the demoralising effects of convictism. For a while these miscreants are lulled into an ominous quietness by the glittering spoils that tempt their low propensities to rest—avarice absorbing every kindred vice in its own foul embrace—but the time will ere long arrive when gold cannot be obtained so abundantly. The taxes of sensual indulgence, and the craving of the brute passions must be still attended to, and then woe betide the land that contains such inhabitants. Such are man's reflections here. Can we wonder, then, if so impressed with such feelings they exaggerate their present state, and tinge with the gloom of the future their accounts of the present, or can censure be too mildly passed on such a fault. Assuredly not, but whilst sympathising with them heartily, we must still represent just what we ourselves know, regardless of the consequences. Occasional acts of violence, or even isolated deeds of blood are not always indicative of a low moral condition of a people—these may and do occur at all times, and minds deeply tinged with one lead- \ ing idea are but too apt to attribute to peculiar | conditions of society the ordinary occurrences of the social state. Did I need any comment j on my remarks, it might be found in the late j demonstration against transportation here. But I require it not. Any man accustomed to reason on such subjects will feel the truth of ray ! remarks. But enough of this. In connection with this subject I have it from good authority, that it is the intention of the liberal members to bring forward a bill to exclude all pei*sons coining from Van Diemen's Land, except they produce certificates signed by two resident unpaid magistrates, to the effect that they have been free for the last two years, and during that period have conducted themselves as good members of society. This will bring the question at once to an issue with the local government and test their sincerity. However it be, one thing you may rely on, mew here will not long keep themselves to quiet protests and gentle remonstrances. The time for that has passed. The Cape teaches a different lesson,

and so does England's conduct towards every dependency, however insignificant, that has yet assumed a determined front and boldly opposed government mismanagement. Five men hav<j been apprehended on suspicion of being implicated in the late daring robbery of gold on board the Nelson. Two have been fully identified by the mate of that vessel, and the chief officer of the St. George, who passed the night on board. A rumour now is afloat^ that nine men were only implicated in the affair, instead of twenty-two. This is far more likely than the previous tale, especially when we take into consideration the tendency to exaggeration displayed by all men when danger is past, and apparent negligence capable of being laid to their charge. Jack Falstaff's men in Lincoln Green, display the humour as well as the deep knowledge of man possessed by the great poet of nature. Nothing of general interest has taken place here since my arrival, with the exception of the demonstration against transportation, held a few day's since. The attendance was good, the speaking really passable, but the high d etennination of acting with firmness on the part of all there, excuses every defect, and holds forth a hope that now, at least, the monster grievance of the colonies will mark a course of action alone suitable for such an intolerant evil. I regret my extended remarks in the accompanying letter do not allow me to enlarge on a question so interesting. But if unmistakeable portents of coming events are to be regarded, I shall not have ere long, to make similar excuses, since this question threatens to assume features here that will call for more lengthened notice on the part of every public writer.