OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 225 



of benches. Upon our entrance they discontinued their occupations, 

 and saluted us with disgusting; leering faces, staring at us with a 

 malignity and hatred that were not soon forgotten. 



The rooms appeared well ventilated, and scrupulously clean. I 

 "wish I could say as much for the prisoners themselves, but they were 

 dirty and slovenly in their appearance, and were clothed in a coarse 

 drugget gown, a cap and neckerchief of cotton. 



The discipline is very strict, and maintained by a person who at 

 one time was the most unmanageable convict they ever had confined 

 there. She now holds the place of matron, and has the management 

 of the females, under the supervision of Mr. Bell, who is the superin- 

 tendent of the whole establishment. 



Until she was appointed, no sort of order was maintained. We 

 understood that her conduct has been excellent since she filled the 

 place. She is a tall masculine woman, of some intelligence, and has 

 a watchfulness of manner that shows she is an adept at her busi- 

 ness. She told us that the punishment for misconduct was solitary 

 confinement, on bread and water, and for smaller misdemeanours, 

 working at the crank of the pumps which supply the establishment 

 with water. 



The children are in a room by themselves, and there are about one 

 hundred of them, from the infant to the child of seven or eight years 

 of age. They all looked healthy, were very playful, and appeared to 

 be well taken care of. There are twenty nurses who attend to 

 them. It gave us much pleasure, when the matron entered with us, 

 to see them all come running up to her, demonstrating her kind 

 treatment of them, and the affection they bear her. 



To Mr. Bell, the superintendent, we were much indebted for his 

 civility. He appeared well qualified for the management of so ex- 

 tensive and difficult a concern. He explained every thing to us, 

 answering the numerous questions put to him with great pleasure 

 and politeness. This visit was particularly gratifying, as affording a 

 view of one of the most important features of this great penal esta- 

 blishment. 



Around Paramatta and Sydney, another such feature is to be seen 

 in the iron-gangs. These consist of the men who have not been 

 assigned, and likewise of all those who are returned by their masters. 

 They are met with upon the roads, working in pairs, chained together. 

 Their dress is peculiar, and they, in consequence, cannot readily 

 escape detection in case of absconding. On the back of the jacket is 



vol. ii. 57 



