538 Monthly Review of Literature. 



range of an extensive garden, in which they are permitted to walk. So agree- 

 able a retreat, indeed, is the factory, that it is quite a common thing for females 

 assigned servants to demand of their masters and mistresses to send them 

 there, and flatly, and with fearful oaths, to disobey orders, for the purpose 

 of securing the accomplishment of their wish ! In the factory, too, there is a 

 good chance of getting married; for the convict swains scattered amongst 

 the settlers, when they obtain the consent of their masters, or choose, when 

 they become free, to enter into the connubial state, usually apply for permis- 

 sion to go to the factory in quest of a fair helpmate, with the full knowledge 

 that it is more likely to be for worse than for better that they make their elec- 

 tion. On the arrival of one of these at the abode of the recluses, the un- 

 married frail ones are drawn up in line for the inspection of the amorous and 

 adventurous votary, who, fixing his eye on a vestal to his taste, with his fin- 

 ger beckons her to step forth from the rank. If after a short conference they 

 are mutually agreeable, the two are married in due time and form. If, on 

 the contrary, either the Macheatk or the Potty prove distasteful to the other, 

 the resolute amateur continues his inspection along the line, till he hits upon 

 a Lucy more complying, or more suitable to his mind ! 



" But to return to the system on which the female convicts are treated : 

 Nothing can be more impolitic, or more unlike punishment, from the fir^J 1 

 hour of their embarkation in England. Each convict ship carries out a herd 

 of females of all ages, and of every gradation in vice, including a large pro- 

 portion of prostitutes of all grades, from the veriest trull to the fine madam 

 who displayed her attractions in the theatres. All who can, carry with them 

 the whole paraphernalia of the toilette, with trunks and boxes stuffed with 

 every kind of female dress and decoration they can come at. In the ship, 

 they have unlimited freedom of intercourse amongst themselves, both in the 

 prison-room, and during the day, on a prescribed portion of the deck, which 

 completes the corruption of the younger and least profligate. 



" The ship-surgeon is entrusted with the discipline of the female convicts 

 on board ship. Though the regulations may sometimes prevent improper 

 intercourse between the convicts and the crew, yet there are too many and 

 almost always exceptions which ought not to take place. 



" Those few of the females who are appointed nurses to the sick, have 

 privileges ; and it does happen that the surgeon sometimes appoints an at- 

 tractive or favourite lady to the post. At other times he admits ladies on the 

 sick list, and to the indulgences of the hospital. 



" Things are very differently managed now, and, when a female transport- 

 ship arrives at Sydney, all the madams on board occupy the few days which 

 elapse before their landing, in preparing to produce the most dazzling effect 

 at their descent upon the Australian shore. With rich silk dresses, bonnets 

 a-la-mode, ear pendents three inches long, gorgeous shawls and splendid 

 veils, silk stockings, kid gloves, and parasols in hand, dispensing sweet 

 odours from their profusely perfumed forms, they disembark, and are assigned 

 as servants, and distributed to the expectant settlers. On the very road to 

 their respective places of assignment, the women are told of the easy retire- 

 ment of the factory, and advised to get themselves sent there, where they 

 will be allowed to marry, without having to obtain the consent of an [assignee 

 master. Offers of marriage are made to some of them from the waysides, 

 and at their new habitations they are besieged by suitors. 



" The hapless settler, who expected a servant, able, or at least willing, to 

 act, perhaps, both as house and dairy-maid, finds he has received quite a 

 princess! Her highness, with her gloved and delicate fingers, can do no sort 

 of work ! Attempts are made to break her in, but in rain. ' If you don't 

 like me, send me to the factory/ is the constant retort ; and the master, hav- 

 ing no alternative, takes her before a bench of magistrates, by whom she is 

 returned to government, and consigned to the factory accordingly. 

 " So much for the fine-lady convicts. 



