LECTURE ON "CONVICT LIFE."

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 53, 22 June 1876, Page 2

LECTURE ON "CONVICT LIFE."

The Rev. P. P. A-/new delivered his second k-<'?itre last evening in the Masonic Hall. Thcsiibject-i rhf.-cii were. " The Convict Millionaire : '-'li l - Prison ('iinnibais of Tasmania ; Paddy Mrmncy".s .fourney to China, etc." There was a good alli-ndanee. '('in; I lev. A. i'». Todd, who presided, briefly introduced the lecturer. Mr. Agnew, 0:1 rising, was received with !>>ud applause. I'e commenced his lecture by remarking that very great prejudice existed among the early colonists of New South YYY.k'S on account of the occupation of that country by prisoners of the Crown ; and this prejudice against Botany Hay and its inhabitant# has spread and taken root in many civilised nations ; but it is a well-known fact that thousands of these were victims of a barbarous legislation anil the existence (if laws founded on bitter injustice. The lecturer stated that he had selected his subject v. ft'i thy view of giving instruction and warning. and to wipe oil' the blots and stains which have defaced our early history by sho-viim the cruel injustice of Great Britain in times past, in condemning and banishing s<>me of lier best subjects for oflcnees which would. ill the present day, receive but a relink-: or. ::t most, a few days' imprisonment Hundred ; of these banished ones, though cut off from all intercourse with their fellows, an l depressed by nmvouited labour, starvation. and cruelty, yet have worked and fought out their temporal salvation, founded honourable families, and become the pioneers of a high and lasting eivili- • nation. The rev. gentleman stated that his long and confidential intercourse with v.i.-t numbers of those victims of a meivih'-s administration during his official | coiinetiioii with the (•'overnnient of Xew South Wales, and afterwards in his visits to the men at their homes and stations, had .-pent mail}." hrppy days partaking of their generous and enlightened hospitality. It is not when visiting m m hi his captivity, and surrounded by all the elements which tend {•> ilcirr.-il'j him. but it is when he is free and l--?'t t'> himself th.it ve - ee the results of his ! efl'orN. and the clear manifestation of his ! original character. And \\ bore will you find ' a more thorough n.ee of men than those who 1 have crime out tried and purified from the I furnace of aitliction ? These men had the > vital stamina of an ancient race, and afHic- ' tion and terrible bard-hip formed the fiery r furnace where their hardy natures were rorivd j»fre--Jj to overcome, and take the land to which they had been exiled. They posI sessed the true fibre of the British oak, and i the spirit w hicli animated that heroes fit" Waterloo and Balaclava. The true AngloSaxon is never exiled, for the world is his heritage: and wherever he sets his foot, whetlier he be bond or free, ho will niake.lt ids home and his country. The bondsmen of Britain were the children of Providence, and a mighty mother, nursed on the bosom of tribulation : and early sorrow and trial gave strength and calmness. They were sent to do a mighty work, j

for they were amongst the first to -win a mighty continent from the sea. When free to act, these men have proved that they were not nonentities ; for amidst unheard-of difficulties they-have asserted their individuality and rights, and their descendants are demanding and enacting such national laws as shall five the greatest latitude to the development of the noblest natures among the increasing populations. Many of these men have fought with difficulties face to face and foot to foot, until they have made an honorable place for themselves, and won the resnect of their fellows. Some were doubtless hard to correct, but, like Saul of Tarsus, they were well worth converting. Who can forecast the destinies of the great continent of Australia ? Its history shall be what its people make it. It is said Home itself was founded by stubborn and hardy outcasts, and she became mistress of the world. With such a precedent, we may fearlessly shake off all that is disreputable, and in a future day assert our right to nationality and empire. From the wreck of character and virtue in that ancient capital arose the patriotism of Brutus, the eloquence of Cicero, and the verses of Virgil; so is this fair land already producing amongst her youth the intelligence, the moral gj-eatness, and social virtues, which adorn the first nation of Europe. Our history will become the subject of the historian and novelist, audit is strange that a field so rich in fact and incident should have been so long overlooked. Our adventurers, our worthies, and our martyrs, comprise a race which have well nigh passed awav, and will never figure on the earth a-'aiii'; so that the future novels of Australia will be drawn from the shadows of the past and a new creation of character; and the next feneration will be entertained with Australian versions of Robin Hood, Claud du Val, and even Robinson Crusoe. The rev. "entleman gave a most interesting account of the history of a convict millionaire, and Paddy MooneyV journey to China, interspersing his remarks with several most telling and amusing anecdotes. Throughout the lecture Mr. Agnew succeeded in keeping his audience in excellent humour, and we feel sure that all present were highly gratified with tiie evening's proceedings. Mr. Agnew intimated that lie would deliver another lecture, at an early date, 011 "Ihe Bushrangers of New South Wales."