Thus Situated, The Scurvy Began Its Usual Ravages, And Extended Its Baneful
Influence, More Or Less, Through All Descriptions Of Persons.
Unfortunately
the esculent vegetable productions of the country are neither plentiful,
nor tend very effectually to remove this disease.
And, the ground we had
turned up and planted with garden seeds, either from the nature of the soil,
or, which is more probable, the lateness of the season, yielded but a scanty
and insufficient supply of what we stood so greatly in need of.
During the period I am describing, few enormous offences were perpetrated
by the convicts. A petty theft was now and then heard of, and a spirit
of refractory sullenness broke out at times in some individuals: one execution
only, however, took place. The sufferer, who was a very young man,
was convicted of a burglary, and met his fate with a hardiness
and insensibility, which the grossest ignorance, and most deplorable
want of feeling, alone could supply.
CHAPTER XIV.
From the Beginning of June, to the Departure of the Ships for Europe.
Hours of festivity, which under happier skies pass away unregarded,
and are soon consigned to oblivion, acquire in this forlorn and distant circle
a superior degree of acceptable importance.
On the anniversary of the King's birthday all the officers not on duty,
both of the garrison and his Majesty's ships, dined with the Governor.
On so joyful an occasion, the first too ever celebrated in our new settlement,
it were needless to say, that loyal conviviality dictated every sentiment,
and inspired every guest.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 66 of 90
Words from 17870 to 18129
of 24415
