alphabet. Tippoo went over the approved questions, giving the approved answers according to rote. Most of the class could repeat the Lord's Prayer, and the Collect for the Second Sunday after Advent. Alexander reckoned up to sixteen, but Tippoo and Arthur only got to ten. The organ of number was always deficient in that poor race.
The junior class then appeared. Frederick attempts to spell, and Bonaparte to read, while Rodney and Adolphus attempted nothing, and King Alfred was too sick to exhibit. The Report adds: "At this stage of the examination, Mr. G. A. Robinson referred to the former notes for questions to find the class." Then follows the same series of "Who made you?" "Who was the first man?" "What is heaven?" &c. &c. Young "White fellows," who smile at reading this account, may know that the Poll Parrot system is not quite extinct in their day.
Bonaparte answered eight questions, and appeared to have a more decided and satisfactory faith than the Emperor. Being asked, "Do you like God?" he promptly answered, "Yes." A man named Augustus was able to read a little in the New Testament, and counted up to one hundred. It is furthermore mentioned concerning him, "can add a little." This was the Dux of the class. In another class, two were perfect in the alphabet, and one was ill.
The boys' class taught by the catechist formed, of course, the prominent feature of the examination. Bruni, Thompson, and Walter could read, write, and even cipher a little. The two first died soon afterwards. The last was subsequently known to me. He was far above the average of the Aborigines. He could converse with intelligence, and reason with ability. I saw his Bible on the side-table, when I took tea with him and his wife, in their own neat little hut.
Walter and Bruni having read the first chapter of the Hebrews, the Rev. Mr. Dove questioned them upon it. According to the Report, one man "spelled and attempted to read in a part he had committed to memory at the Orphan School for the purpose." Such an effort ought to have been successful, but was not. Although there is a reflection upon the professional ability of another teacher, it must be admitted that much of the learning paraded on Flinder's Island was obtained at the Government Orphan School, near Hobart Town.
