The Sun.
London, England, 1824-04-08 00:00:00

BOTANY BAY.

About five or six years ago a person of consi-
derable literary attainments was tried at the Old Bailey for
-forgery, convicted, and sentenced to be hanged. He had been
led into a " bill business"' by a sr,ang with whom his misfor-
tunes had brought him acquainted, and was an object of gene_
ral compassion en account of -his former good character, his
inexperience, and some features in his case placing him as
Much in the light ea dupe as of a criminal. His Majesty was
pleased to commute the sentence to transportation for life. A.
letter of thanks for the efforts made for the preservation of his
life has reached us; and as it contains intelligence of a country,
the daily occurrences in which arc but little known to the popu-
lation,of this country, notwithstanding the frequent voluntary
as well as compulsory visits paid thither, we shall state the
Isubstance:—

Since his arrival in the country, every order relative to the
treatment of prisoners has been of an apparently harsh nature ;
but the change has been attributed to the great increase of crime
at home, and the consequent increase of prisoners in New South
Wales, where, .to say the truth, the evidence of a long course
ofalleetaroapoLitTanickcreitmoef ilts,eabluet,,ux s palpable. Ile received what
is c
upon
reaching his destination_
a document which authorises a person to select any part of the
Colony for his residence, and to employ himself as he might
think proper; but which the least misconduct, even that of
neglecting to remove the hat at the approach of the Giants in
power, subjects to permanent removal. The convict's residence
in Sydney, in the occasional service of mercantile men, gave
him an opportunity of ascertaining the state of the Colony as
to commerce; no branch of which is, he says, regular. It is
either all bustle or all silence. Ile would, however, have no ob-
jection to speculate, if he could get the value of his landed
property, now in the hands of mortgagees, in England, and he
hopes for at least a two years return to England, in order to settle
his affairs ; a similar favour having been grauted to a per Son
named Chamberlain, under sentence of life, in the Colo
Upon first making the shores of A ustrana, he was particularly
struck with the uncommon appearance of every thing be beheld.
The singular shape and colour of the rocks and trees, the wild
and savage looks of the natives, would, even it' the immense dis-
tance could be overleaped at one bound, convey the most une-
quivocal assurance of a remote .World. Sydney, however, re-
vives the memory of past scenes. It has about 14,000 inhabit-
ants, who are increasing daily ; 1200 soldiers are upon the sta-
tion. There are public billiard-rooms, and a fine race course.
Several of the opulent inhabitants keep handsome equipages,
and a degree of splendour attends their entertainments far be-
yond what might be expected in an infant colony. About 20 or
30 miles in the interior is what is called the Open Forest, which
resembles in appearance a Gentleman's Park in England. Here
the principal settlers have their grants of land, several having
from 300 to 5,000 acres, and some a great deal more. Herds of
cattle containing 1,000 head, and flocks of sheep containing
several thousands, are not uncommon. The part of country
.where the settlers are most numerous is the banks of 11awkes-
bury. here settlers are for the most part prisoners. The soil
here is particularly luxuriant; but it is subject to floods, by
which, in a single night, the labours of' the whole year are
swept away. But, notwithstanding the frequency of such dis-
asters, the extreme richness of the ground, the case with which
it is managed, and the great profit arising from a good crop,
hold out an irresistible temptation to the settlers.
At the distanceof 70miles from Sydney, commences that chain
of mountains, so long considered impassable, called the " Blue
Mountains ;" and across those mountains, at the distance of 50
miles, is the New Country. Those 50 miles present food tbr nei-
ther man northeast. They are nothing but a barren succession
of rocks upon rocks, without blade of grass or track of bird ;
but when the traveller bursts upon the country or the plains
of Bathurst, his eye is delighted with the most beautiful pro-
spect, perhaps, on the face of the earth. Thither some of the.
most opulent settlers have sent their oxen and sheep to feed, and
the returns have always exceeded their expectations.
To a convict, the summer appears too warm upon his ar- •
rival ; but after a residence of two or three years, no inconveni-
ence is felt from the heat. He finds the black native an object,
which, -although he cannot contemplate with any pride of coin-
pariSon, decidedly the lowest in the scale of human nature,
without house or shelter, except the thick forest, naked, and de-
solate; and hnngry. In the neighbourhood of Sydney the na-
tives are harmless, but towards the north they are furious, and
it -is not doubted live upon human flesh. The British Go-
vernment have, however, established places of instruction for
the unfortunate creatures, and civiliszation is expected to make
some progress. As to the White population, the greater part
of them deserve as much the epithet of savage as the Native
does. It might be imagined that a population composed of per-
sons, most part of whom have been banished] from their native
country for crimes committed there, cannot but be to a certain
extent depraved; but whatever might have been their crimes at
home. the great mass of convicts paying the penalty for.life far
exceed their former atrocities in the place of punishment. In-
stead of becoming reformed, they become greater adepts in
villany, and are restrained by the unbending energy of the law
alone. Yet even legal rigour is here inefficient to the correction
of the numerous offenders. Murders, robberies, and conse-
quently executions, are frequent. Of whatis called the reput-
able part of the community not much can be said favourably,
as it consists of a set of merchants and tradesmen, than whom
there is not a more over-reaching cheating gang on the habit-
able globe.
Until lately, religion lies been completely neglected ; but a
great change is now taking place. Several Churches and Cha-
pels have lately been built, and are well attended ; and the rising
generation will, of course, profit by this arrangement, however
ineffective. it may be with respect to their parents. Bible So-
cieties also have been formed. As to emigration, to a person
possessing capital, this country holds out several opportunities
of acquiring property. There are openings for merchants, of
Which keen-sighted men may take advantage. Agricultural-
ists have also a fine field, it' they possess a sufficient know-
ledge of agriculture, and possess the means. All persons who
come to this country, and engage in concerns beyond their
abilities, have to contend with difficulties of which they have
no idea. Many see themselves much disappointed in having
their grants of land at such a distance from head-quarters.---
No land is now given at a distance of less than 70 miles from-
Sydney. The desperate banditti, which are constantly prowl-
ing about the country, form the most terrific objection to the
settler.--(New Times.)

Ma. THELWALL.—We were much gratified in
seeing a much more numerous audience last
night at the Haymarket Theatre than on any
former occasion, and heartily joined in the ap-
plause with which the Lecture was attended.
Indeed this has been the case during the whole
of Mr. THELWALL'S Course, and if his efforts
have not been productive of immediate pecu-
niary advantage, yet they cannot but be attended
with eventual benefit; in displaying his powers
for acute and solid criticism, and his claims for
respect and encouragement as a Teacher,
of the art of public elocution. The lecture of
last night principally related to the nature and
tendency of Lord ByltoN's works, on SUMO-
PEARE'S King Lear, on the tragety of Othello,
and on the respective merits of those who ha-ye
performed the part of the Moor, and of Cassio.
In the course of his remarks on the former
play he paid a due tribute to the excellence
of Mr. C. KEMBLE in Edgar, and reviewed
the merits of the late Mr. KEMBLE, Mr.
'YOUNG and Mr. MAC.READ t in Othello.—
Highly as he
,admired COOKE in general, and
popular as. was his lago,- he considered it as too.
obviously artful, and .gave the palm to KEAN'S ap-
parent open manner and unsuspectable by pocrisy.
—Mr.: THELwAr.r. spoke with peculiar zeal of
SHAKSPEARE'S skill in delineating all the amiable
qualities of the female character, and concluded
with serious and comic recitations, amidst the
well merited applause of an audience whose ap-
probation was applied with judgment as well as
with zealous repetition.

The Earl of LAUDERDALD,.who has been seri.
ously indisposed, we are happy to hear, is much improved.

Mr. Alderman VEN ABLES was yesterday taken
suddenly ill at the King's Palace, previous to the commence-
ment of the Levee, which obliged him to leave the Palace, a
a Gentleman accommodating him with the loan of a carriage to
convey him immediately home.

THE SUN.

SOLEiI QUIS InCERE FALSI7.II AUDEir

LONDON,
THURSDAY, APRIL 8,18 V.

From the following intelligence received this
morning at LLOYD'S, it appears that the previous
reports as to the obstinacy of the Bey of ALOE"
were well-founded. All accounts concur in re-
presenting that the fortifications of Algiers hale
been greatly strengthened since the memorable
attack of Lord Exmou'rn ; and the Barbarians!
therefore,probably think themselves secure,in theh:
almost impregnable position, from that visitation et
British thunder which they have again had the
temerity to provoke. Under these circumstances;'
it is to be hoped that wileet, sufficiently powerra
to 4demolish their ramparts and to humble their
arrogance, will be forthwith sent out to joiu the