1 66 Voyage of the Novara. 



or failure, or irregularity in fulfilling such stij)ulations, these 

 concessions are revoked. All the overseers of the convict 

 settlement, who receive monthly pay at the rate of fi^om one 

 to two dollars, are prisoners who have already given proof of 

 their desire to return to a better mode of life, and it is well 

 worth remark, that the 2000 convicts, consisting for the most 

 part of the very dregs of the various Indian races, and con- 

 demned for grave crimes to perpetual imprisonment, are 

 under the charge of a single white turnkey, and by him 

 maintained in perfect order and propriety of demeanour. 

 Besides this one official there is only a small detachment of 

 Indian soldiers, from twelve to fi.fteen in number, stationed 

 at the settlement as a measure of precaution. The best evi- 

 dence of the excellent system on which this institution is 

 administered, will be found in the published reports of its 

 health, from which it appears that of the 2000 there confined, 

 there were but forty sick at the very period when the cholera 

 was committing such terrific ravages in the town among the 

 poorer classes, and the change of the monsoon had been 

 accompanied by great sickness and general unhealthiness. 

 The convicts go to work at six every morning, and return to 

 the barracks about 4 p. m., the rest of the day being spent in 

 preparing their victuals, consisting of rice, vegetables, cayenne- 

 pepper, and fruit. As most of those confined are Hindoos 

 and profess Brahminism, they bathe several times a day, in a 

 large tank filled with excellent water. This wise religious 

 custom must in such a sultry climate conduce in a marked 



