RSS Feed

OE Companion Discussion Group

In most memes of this sort, together with this one, the humor is no more and no less offensive than an excessive amount of mainstream comedy. R i p " in this way; and the rationale was that they had been transported feminine convicts from England, w h o were let out to assigned service in V a n Diemen's Land. T h e fair one, casked, cased, and provisioned, was berthed under the particular surveillance of the steward, and customarily launched in the Bay. In March, 1847, a shocking tragedy arose out of this observe. There was in Launceston a Mrs. Nancy Robertson, the reputed spouse of a flying pieman, often known as "Jemmy." T h e m a n was an expired convict, the lady's sentence had not expired, and " J e m m y " believed that if his " N a n c y " might be obtained over to Port Phillip, their joint fortune can be made, and pies "all scorching" need not be "flied" or cried any extra. Nancy was willing to return, however objected to be coffined alive, if only for 2 or three days, and the difficulty was h o w to get her on board the steamer "Shamrock." A case was nicely padded and prepared for her reception, and " J e m m y " was at his wits' finish to know what to do. H e tried a little bit coaxing, through which he was potently aided by some over-proof rum, and "Nancy" was what is likely to be politely termed " moribundly intoxicated," and in this state was boxed up and positioned below within the hold. " J e m m y " was an unusual passenger, but through the journey, his frequent flirtings up and down the hatchway aroused the suspicions of Captain Gilmore, w h o intently watched him ; and earlier than the day was over a really offensive odour was perceptible beneath. T h e pieman was finally seen to approach a case, and putting his lips to an interstice, say in a whisper, "Nancy, it is all right n o w ; you possibly can come out." But there was no response, and no " N a n c y " got here out. T h e Captain had the case instantly opened, when a horrible spectacle was introduced. There was the once good-wanting face of the gay Mrs. Robertson twisted into a frightful state of distortion. She was useless, with a bottle of gin positioned close to her head; and as the corpse was in a state of incipient decomposition it was brought up and thrown overboard. T h e matter was reported on the steamer's arrival to the water police at Williamstown, and although the " flying pieman" was apprehended, nothing additional came of the shocking event. T h e following appeared in the brand new Zealand Public Opinion of the twenty fourth October, 1885 :- " A author of the C H R O N I C L E S O F E A R L Y M E L B O U R N E gave an account in one among his chapters of the best way by which females have been smuggled from Tasmania during the early days of this colony.