Since it is too wet for the deck, the women
have their friends and relations down in the
cabin with them. We pass through, and at
the other end await Mr. Herbert—the bishop
of the business, as the missionary (after his
clerical way of being funny) just now called
him. Then the emigrants sent out by the
Fund are summoned in their order, and to
each, as she comes, is given one of those
circular letters which were folded in the cabin,
and which is presently to be read aloud to all
of them. Each is asked whether she can read
or write. Many cannot write, or write
imperfectly ; these are advised to use the
opportunity they have of being taught on the voyage
out ; and to each emigrant a directed envelope
is given, in which she is to put a letter
containing information to Mrs. Stuart Wortley or
Mrs. Herbert, of her progress and prospects in
the colony. We look at the girls as they come
up one by one, and fancying the bit of colour
that will come after a four-months' voyage,
and looking forward to the time when, with
healthy work and ample food, they will
become " so fat and bright-eyed, you don't
know"—we prophesy husbands for more than
half of them, if men in Australia have at all
an eye to what they are about. This business
being done, Mr. Herbert rises, and, with
head uncovered, reads to them the letter that
has been addressed to each. Having read
this, he proceeds to enlarge upon its contents
in language plain and earnest ; all are very
still, and the old wrinkled head of one girl's
father, thrust from behind a beam, looks with
the fixedness of a Dutch picture at the speaker.

The object of the speech and of the circular
is to request each girl to write an account of
herself soon after her arrival. To urge upon
all, cheerfulness and forbearance towards one
another, and obedience to rules during the
voyage. To point out to them the great boon
of four months' leisure, which it is in their
power to improve, by acquiring, where they
need it, knowledge of reading or of writing,
most important aids to their prosperity. To
advise them strongly, to be guided on their
arrival by the counsel of the Government
Inspector, who will be made acquainted with
their names and qualities, and can, from his
local knowledge, warn them against the
invitations of improper masters; reminding
them, that, if by chance any of them do not
get immediate situations, they will be duly
cared for by the Fund until they were
properly provided. Mr. Herbert reminds them
that, while a free passage is given to each
of them, in order that they may not in a new
colony be burdened with a debt, yet that they
owe a debt of gratitude to God; and if they
prosper, they will do well, out of their
prosperity, to assist the Fund which has blessed
them, by such offerings as they may choose to
save, for the purpose of promoting the welfare
of others who remain here in distress. At this
point, do you observe how yonder pretty-looking
girl compresses her lips in a determined way, and
looks intelligently at her neighbour? The
emigrants are then informed that any one of
them upon saving so much money as will pay
half the passage, will be entitled to claim of
the Fund all else that is necessary to bring over
any relative who is a fit person, and for whom
she feels that she can find a place. And at this
point the pretty little girl beams out, and
whispers to her neighbour a few happy
syllables. She means to save, as any mole might
see. The speaker finally having given other
useful information and advice, now concludes,
with cordial and emphatic good wishes. As
his frank voice ceases, there is not a round
of applause, after your public dinner-table
fashion, but a sound like the loosening of
many suspended breaths, and faint—because
they come from deep down in the heart—faint
whispers of " Thank you, sir ! "

And now our venerable and child-hearted
factotum is told that he must say a few words
to his troop. He goes straight to their hearts,
and their looks show that he has been that
way before. A very Martha, full of cares, he
has a great deal to tell them about their
housekeeping, and about what they must do to make
a comfortable, and, to minds and bodies,
profitable voyage. He, too, ends with his blessing
on their exodus, and to him, too, the reply is
a gentle breath of " Thank you, sir! " And
then the girls begin to whisper to each other,
and you see by their looks of whom they talk,
and how they talk of him. They seem to
dwell with a half-playful, half-patronising
love upon the old man's child-like heart,
while they look up with trust and reverence
to its pure earnestness of manly labour.

Now comes the Government Inspector on
the scene, and the relations have to go on
deck; but he must wait awhile, for after the
two speeches, there is a strong tendency to
cry, scattered abroad—tears to be honoured
and respected. Here is the doctor, who has
found the chaplain, and they are deep in
talk, establishing good-fellowship. The doctor,
a fine, stout, handsome fellow; the chaplain,
pale and thin, must trust to his spiritual force
when he shall come hereafter to "the diggings."
Then the chaplain is busy with the steward,
dropping a sovereign over the agitation of
bill-settling; and, when he is gone, his wife
comes to the steward, and talks, and in five
minutes she has cheapened something, and
communicates to her husband, who approaches,
tho salvation of eighteen-pence. Next to
salvation of souls, it is to be feared that even a
missionary to the gold country will have time
to feel that to save pence is important.

Now the girls pass in review before the
Government Inspector as their names are
called. And after this, our working clergyman,
who has among these emigrants some of
his flock out of the poor Eastern parish, is
hauling pots and pans about, diving among
the emigrants, and repeating all manner of
last words and instructions; and we wander
quietly among the crowd, overhearing, as we