212 VAN dieman's land. 



me, this is something like ; nine might be suspended here at a 

 push, but seven could be hanged comfortably :" thus letting the 

 people know that there was a comfort even in being hanged 

 properly. 



I omitted mentioning in its proper place the New Wharf; on 

 this are in building many splendid stores, for merchants ; all are 

 erected after plans furnished by government ; and so great is the 

 demand for land in this part, that one allotment sold at the 

 rate of £2,360. per acre. Ships of all sizes will be able to 

 lay along side this wharf to discharge and take in their cargoes; 

 water is brought down by pipes to the shipping from the reservoir, 

 which is at a little distance ; on this wharf also is the New 

 Market, which was opened while I was in the Island ; this is well 

 supplied with all kinds offish, flesh, vegetables, &c. 



All the streets in Ilobart Town, and in fact, in all the town- 

 ships in the Island, are laid out at right angles to each other. 

 They are very wide, some of them handsome, and are fast "pro- 

 gressing," as our friends the Yankees say. Many of the shops 

 are very handsome, although from the diversity of goods sold in 

 them, they have different appearances from those in England. 

 There is also a trifling disparity between English and A'an Die- 

 man's Land shops, viz., in the price of the goods sold in them. 



Nearly in the centre of the town, but in a retired situation, are 

 the prisoners' barracks, where the convicts are placed when they 

 arrive from England, prior to being assigned. Here also they 

 are punished, when for any offences they incur the punishment 

 of being flogged : their punishments are pretty severe, although 

 well merited. 



The population of Ilobart Town is about 14,000, including 

 the military and prisoners, but every week brings a great addition 

 to their numbers from England : it is not at all unusual for 1,000 

 people, free emigrants and prisoners ; to arrive in the course of a 

 month ; so that a new census ought to be made every year. 



This town has not one manufacture of any consequence ; there 

 are a tan-yard or two with some breweries (their beer by the bye 

 is wretched stuff). There are also two distilleries, which send 

 out what is called colonial whisky, but imlike all other whisky 

 which I have ever tasted, except in colour : its sole recommenda- 

 tion is its great strength, which is a quality highly prized by the 

 convicts, who, men and women, drink quantities of spirits. Talk 

 of gin drinking in England! it cannot in any way compare with 

 Van Dieman's Land in that respect, consequently public houses 



