The colonists, outraged not only in their loyal but in
their hos- pitable feelings, by this base attempt at assassination, seem to have lost their political wits, and passed hastily through both Houses a mad Act to suppress treason-felony, which we have characterized elsewhere, and of which we can only say, that if it last till the Imperial veto of it can be received from Eng- land, we have hitherto given our Australian cousins credit for a great deal more English sense than they have deserved. If some of its clauses were literally acted upon, the whole colony would be guilty of crimes greater even than O'Farrell's. The social outbreak of loyalty was less mischievous and more impressive than the political. Some persons were for wiping out their shame by rechristening their land Alfredia, or Alfred Land, and so ex- tinguishing the old name, New South Wales, under which it had been disgraced. A more tangible and less sentimental outbreak of loyalty took the shape of a proposal to erect a "Memorial Alfred Hospital,"—we believe on the very ground on which the Prince was shot,—which was eagerly caught at, and 30,000/. were subscribed for the purpose almost instantaneously. It is said that Prince Alfred, who is evidently generous enough, begged for O'Farrell's life,—a request not likely to be granted.
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