I do not intend, however, to enter into the question of convict discipline.  It would be beside my purpose to do so; and want of space, moreover, forbids it.  But I cannot refrain from observing, that one feature in the new plan—­that of congregating criminals during one period of their punishment in probation gangs, almost isolated from the free settlers—­seems productive of anything but good.  Under the system of assignment, whatever other objections there may have been to it, the convict had at least an excellent chance of becoming a better man, especially when drafted to a pastoral or agricultural district.  Whereas, now that the well-disposed and the irreclaimably bad are often brought constantly together in the same class, it is much more difficult for them to regain that self-command and those moral sentiments, the loss of which brought them to their degraded position of prisoners.  Having constantly before their eyes the garb and stamp of their infamy, reformation, if not impossible, is extremely difficult.  Pass them on the highways at any time; and, in obedience to an irresistible impulse, they will leave off their work to look at you, and the comparison of your dress and condition, with their own distinctive costume and forced occupation, instead of awakening a spirit of hope and a determination to regain freedom, induces melancholy and despair.  A dogged and sullen silence soon becomes the characteristic of these men; their features are stamped with the worst passions of our nature; and in many cases despondency is triumphant, and they make no proper or continued efforts to reclaim themselves.

Even when a probation pass has been obtained, it is grievous to reflect that, in numerous instances, except in the single quality of industry, not only has no improvement taken place in the character of the prisoner, but that he has become more hardened and corrupt than when he left England.  The horrible scenes of depravity he has witnessed in the barracks whence he has emerged, must have produced their natural effect on his mind.  I cannot help thinking that this system of concentration is extremely impolitic.  We all know what a detrimental influence the associating of men, punished for an offence comparatively trifling, with others convicted of the most flagrant outrages upon society, exerts upon the former.  The experience of our prisons testifies to the fact.  Can it be expected, then, that the same agglomeration of bad characters in Tasmania should be harmless?  I foretell that this part of the new system will be shortly abandoned, and that at any rate the men will be provided with separate cabins for sleeping berths.  The granting the prisoners occasional holidays of a week, would have a great effect in whetting their desire to finally obtain their liberty; and a change or improvement in their apparel, in proportion to their good conduct, would also be very beneficial.