Page 138 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

former Governor, Colonel Sorrell, was a man of genial tem-
perament, but little strength of character. He was, moreover,
profligate in his private life; and, encouraged by his example,
his officers violated all rules of social decency. It was com-
mon for an officer to openly keep a female convict as his
mistress. Not only would compliance purchase comforts,
but strange stories were afloat concerning the persecution
of women who dared to choose their own lovers. To put
down this profligacy was the first care of Arthur; and in
enforcing a severe attention to etiquette and outward re-
spectability, he perhaps erred on the side of virtue. Honest,
brave, and high-minded, he was also penurious and cold,
and the ostentatious good humour of the colonists dashed
itself in vain against his polite indifference. In opposition
to this official society created by Governor Arthur was that
of the free settlers and the ticket-of-leave men. The latter
were more numerous than one would be apt to suppose.
On the 2nd November, 1829, thirty-eight free pardons and
fifty-six conditional pardons appeared on the books; and
the number of persons holding tickets-of-leave, on the 26th
of September the same year, was seven hundred and forty-
five.
Of the social condition of these people at this time it is
impossible to speak without astonishment. According to
the recorded testimony of many respectable persons-Gov-
ernment officials, military officers, and free settlers-the
profligacy of the settlers was notorious. Drunkenness was a
prevailing vice. Even children were to be seen in the streets
intoxicated. On Sundays, men and women might be ob-

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