EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA. PORT STEPHENS COLONY. WITH a view to enable respect- AUSTRALIAN able persons, who are ineligible for a free passage, to proceed to the Australian colonies, at the lowest possible cost, it has been arranged to despatch a line of superior First-class Ships of large tonnage, for the especial accommodation of steerage and other passengers, at an exceedingly low rate of passage money. These vessels will be subjected to the inspection of her Majesty's emigration officers, and will be despatched on the appointed days (wind and weather permitting), for which written guarantees will be given: Hooghly...... 700 These splendid ships have full poops, with first-rate accommodations for cabin passengers, and their 'tween decks being lofty and well ventilated, they afford most desirable opportunities for the accommodation of intermediate and steerage passengers. and provisioned in all respects on a similar plan to the They will be fitted vessels now being despatched by her Majesty's Colonization Commissioners, and the same dietary scale will be adopted. They are officered and manned by thoroughly competent persons, and carry duly qualified and experienced surgeons. Other equally fine ships, similarly fitted, &c., will succeed, and sail on the 1st and 15th of each month from London, and the 11th and 25th from Plymouth. Load at the Jetty, London Docks. For further particulars apply to the undersigned, who are constantly despatching a succession of superior firstclass ships (regular traders) to each of the Australian colonies. MARSHALL & EDRIDGE, 34, Fenchurch Street, London. AGRICULTURAL NEW WORK ON EMIGRATION. Canada, the United States, Texas, Oregon, Vancouver's Just published, price 18., or by post, 18. 6d., J. S. BROWNRIGG, Esq., Governor, Ashford, Chertsey, TH, Semigrant's Location. By SIDNEY SMITH. Surrey. A. W. BLANE, Esq., Deputy-Governor, Salt-Hill, Bucks. Henry Buckle, Esq., Mark Lane. W. S. Davidson, Esq., (Herries, Farquhar, and Co.,) 16, John Hodgson, Esq., St. Helen's Place. John Loch, Esq., (Director of the Hon. East India Com- Stewart Marjoribanks, Esq., Bushy Grove, Watford, Hon. J. T. Leslie Melville, (Williams, Deacon, and Co.,) Henry Porcher, Esq., Park Corner, Hartford Bridge. G. R. Smith, Esq., (Smith, Payne, and Co.,) Lombard Thomas Tooke, Esq., (Chairman of Royal Exchange, G. S. Thornton, Esq., (Director of Sun Fire Office,) The Australian Agricultural Company have determined This estate (a grant from the Crown) was selected with great care in 1824. It consists of about five hundred thousand acres of fine arable and pasture land (about the same area as Nottinghamshire.), extending from the Northern Shore of Port Stephens nearly forty miles to the River Manning. Port Stephens is the finest harbour in Australia after Port Jackson. It lies within one hundred miles' sail of the City of Sydney; and a road, ten miles in length, from the Company's settlement of Carrington, on the shores of the Port, communicates with the Post town of Newcastle in the centre of the coal district on the River Hunter, from which there is a daily steam communication with Sydney and its 50,000 inhabitants. The River Karua flows through the Company's lands, and falls into Port Stephens, affording boat navigation for twenty miles to the village of Booral. The Avon, flowing through the agricultural settlement of Stroud, and the Manning, which forms the Northern boundary of the estate, afford unfailing supespecially for wine grapes, as well as for several tropical plies of water. The soil is suitable for the growth of all the crops and fruits of the South of France and Spain, productions. The hills afford excellent pasture for cattle, horses, and sheep. Timber and stone abound; game RACKET LA FOR ADELAIDE and The Company have expended upwards of £300,000 in LINE of is plentiful in the thickets, and fish in the streams. EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA. Passage-Money, including a liberal scale of Provisions, with Inclosed Cabin accommodation, only for the sum of £20 each adult. PORT PHILIP, to sail from London the 20th June, and from Plymouth the 30th June, the splendid teak-built, first-class, full poop Ship NAVARINO, 650 tons burthen, coppered and copperfastened, R. C. SAIGE, Commander. This line of Ships load at the Jetty, London Dock. Their entire 'tween decks, which are lofty and well ventilated, are fitted up with Inclosed Cabins, and will be found particularly well adapted for the accommodation of a limited number of respectable parties. The fittings and provisions are subject to the Inspection of the Government Emigration Officers; and every arrangement is made to insure the comfort of Passengers proceeding to the Colonies in these vessels. They are officered and manned by thorough y competent persons, and carry duly qualified and experienced Surgeons. Other equally fine vessels, similarly fitted, &c., will succeed, sailing punctually on the appointed days. For further particulars, apply to the undersigned, who are constantly despatching a succession of superior firstclass ships (regular traders) to each of the Australian Colonies. MARSHALL & EDRIDGE, 34, Fenchurch Street, London. The NAVARINO took out a full complement of passengers last voyage, making the passage in 96 days. EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA ON AN ECONO- London on the 27th June, for ADELAIDE and PORT PHILIP, the splendid fast-sailing, first-class ship, "SENATOR," 600 Tons Burden, Captain BURRELL, lying in the London Docks. This beautiful ship has a spacious poop, and upwards of 7 feet height 'tween decks. She will be fitted up ex pressly for Passengers. The rate of passage-money will be 20 Guineas each, the ship finding excellent provisions, bedding, and all requisite mess utensils for the voyage, with good inclosed berths. An experienced Surgeon will proceed in the ship. Early application necessary for choice of berths. Apply to W. LANG, at the Emigration Office, 4, Barge Yard, Bucklersbury; to THOMAS WOOLLEY, 2, Cullum Street, Fenchurch Street; or J. W. GULL, 4, Brabant Court, Philpot Lane. Parties proceeding by this ship will be afforded every information, gratuitously, by Gentlemen who have resided several years in the Colonies, and intend returning to the Colonies. Colonists sailing in the Company's Ships will be received at Port Stephens by an Agent; and allowed to reside for a limited period in buildings belonging to the Company, at a very moderate rate. Emigrants will be able to obtain all necessaries of food prices of Sydney, which is one of the cheapest markets and clothing from the Company's Stores, at the current in the world for both food and clothing. The following are among the advantages offered by the Port Stephens Colony:- A Climate which admits of out-door labour all the year round, under which fevers, agues, and consumptive diseases of Europe and America are unknown, and all the produce of the South of France and Spain, as well as much of that of Britain and of India, arrives at perfection. An ample quantity of land suitable for arable and pastoral pursuits adjoining streams. A Port safe and accessible for ships of the largest burthen. A Market for produce, within 100 miles, by water communication, of the city of Sydney, and within ten miles, counting from Carrington, of the settled districts of the Hunter River, to which, at 28. a head, steamers from UNION BANK of AUSTRALIA, 83; daily; Old Broad-street.-This Bank GRANTS BILLS at Thirty Days, and LETTERS of CREDIT on its branches in the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, at a charge of Two per Cent. on sums above 101. Approved bills are negotiated on the Colonies, the terms for which may be learned at the offices of the Bank. London, July 20, 1848. SAMUEL JACKSON, Sec. DENT'S IMPROVED WATCHES and CLOCKS.-E. J. DENT, Watch and Clock Maker by distinct appointment to the Queen, H. R. H. Prince Albert, and H.I. M. the Emperor of Russia, most respectfully solicits from the public an inspection of his extensive STOCK of WATCHES and CLOCKS, embracing all the late modern improvements, at the most economical charges. Ladies' Gold Watches, with Gold Dials, jewelled in four holes, Eight Guineas. Gentlemen's, with Enamelled Dials, Ten Guineas. Youths' Silver Watches, Four Guineas. Warranted substantial and accurate going Lever Watches, jewelled in four holes, Six Guineas. E. J. DENT, 82, Strand, 33, Cockspur Street, and 34, Royal Exchange (Clock Tower Area). Manning being only thirty-five miles from the Port. the or, Containing:-Whether to Go, and Whither-Coloni zation-The Outfit-Ship-Voyage-Landing-Inland Journey-Settlement-Climate-Health-Cost of Land and Living-Society-Management of Capital-WagesOccupation-Life in the New Home-The St. Lawrence -The Lakes-The Valley of the Mississippi-The Prairies-The Back woods--The South-The East-Prospects in the Towns-Sports by Field and Flood-Work on the Farm, &c. JOHN KENDRICK, 4, Charlotte Row, Mansion-house, BOOKS FOR EMIGRANTS. Published under the superintendence of the SOCIETY for the DIFFUSION of USEFUL KNOWLEDGE. SERIES of the LIBRARY OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE consists of six volumes, which comprise a Treasury of Information for every husbandman. The Treatises consist of THE FARMER'S I. THE HORSE; its History, Breeds, and Management. By WILLIAM YOUATT. To which is appended, a TREATISE on DRAUGHT, by I. K. BRUNEL, Esq. The whole illustrated with numer ous cuts. In 8vo, bound in cloth, 6s. 6d. *** A Supplement, extending considerably the Veterinary Practice of this work, with other improvements, has been undertaken by MR. W. C. SPOONER, the eminent Veterinary Surgeon of Southampton. It will be sold separately, to accommodate the very numerous pur. chasers of the original edition of the "Horse." II. CATTLE; their Breeds, Management, and Diseases. By WILLIAM YOUATT. With beautiful Cuts of the Various Breeds, Anatomical Illustrations, &c. In 8vo, price, in cloth, 88. III. SHEEP; their Breeds, Management, and Diseases. By WILLIAM YOUATT. Illustrated like the volume on Cattle, together with Microscopical Examinations of the various Wools; to which is appended, the "Mountain Shepherd's Manual." In 8yo, price, in cloth, 8s. hibiting the Farming Practice in various parts of the IV. BRITISH HUSBANDRY, exUnited Kingdom. By JOHN FRENCH BURKE, Esq. Illustrated with numerous Cuts. In two Volumes, 8vo, price, complete with Mr. Cuthbert Johnson's Supplement, bound in cloth, 168. ***Since these volumes were published, a very considerable advance has been made in Agriculture; various Manures have been more extensively employed; the Guano of the New World, with several other Fertilizers, have been largely imported; improved Machines have been introduced; the Royal Agricultural Society of England has been established; and Science has been still more intimately and successfully blended with Practice than heretofore. These advances having engaged the attention of the Publisher, he determined to furnish the readers of "British Husbandry" with a condensed account of them, in the form of Supplementary Notes to each volume. This Supplement was readily undertaken by MR. CUTHBERT JOHNSON, and has appeared under the title of " MODERN AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS." For the convenience of the possessors of the early editions of "British Husbandry," it is sold in a separate form at 38. V. A MISCELLANEOUS VOLUME, entitled "HUSBANDRY, Volume III.," but lowing subjects:quite distinct from the others, and comprising the fol 1. REPORTS OF SELECT FARMS in various parts of England, sold separate, in boards, for 3s. 6d. 2. OUTLINES OF FLEMISH HUSBANDRY, by the Rev. W. L. RHAM, separately bound, 1s. 6d. 3. USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTING, by Mr. GEORGE SINCLAIR, separately bound, 2s. 6d. 4. THE COTTAGER'S MANUAL OF HUSBANDRY, Architecture, Domestic Economy, and Gardening, by J. C. LOUDON, F.L.S., &c., separate, 1s. 5. A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE BEST MODE OF MAKING AND REPAIRING ROADS, by CHARLES PENFOLD, Surveyor, a New Edition, enlarged, 18. The Volume in cloth boards, 8s. Also, Pocket Edition, handsomely bound in cloth, price 28. each volume, THE SEASONS and CASTLE of INDOLENCE. By JAMES THOMSON. In 1 vol. with four Illustrations. SEA SONGS. By CHARLES DIBDIN. London: ROBERT BALDWIN, Paternoster Row. TO EMIGRANTS. Roads and Bridges through a district sufficient to sup- TOWNSHEND'S LONDON HOTEL port a thousand farmers, all ready made. Model Farms, Vineyards, and Orchards, from which the best live stock, seeds, cuttings, and examples may be obtained. Churches and Clergymen. Schools and Schoolmasters. Note.-The Company will make further grants for No taxes of any kind, except on the sale of spirits. The cost of reaching Port Stephens for a full grown It is presumed that Port Stephens offers greater advantages than any other Colony, because already 25 years' labour and £300,000 have given it all that other new Colonies are hoping to obtain. Further particulars may be obtained, on application to the Secretary, GEORGE ENGSTROM, Esq., 12, King's Arms Yard, London. (late Weakley's Hotel, Devonport.) T. R. ToWNSHEND respectfully begs to direct the attention of parties embarking at this Port, for the Colonies, to the superior accommodation which his well-known Hotel affords. The charges are very moderate, and intelligent parties are in waiting to render every assistance in the conveyance of Luggage, &c., intended for shipment. above Hotel is in the same street with the Government The Dock Yard, and contiguous to the New Steam Arsenal, Mount Edgecumbe, and the River Tamar. ***No extra charge for Sitting Rooms. Omnibuses, in connexion with the above Hotel, await the arrival of every Train. Printed by HENRY DICK WOOD FALL, of No. 14, Great Dean's Yard, in the City and Liberties of Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Printer, at No. 11, Angel Court, Skinner Street, in the Parish of Saint Sepulchre, in the City of London, in the said County. Published by WILLIAM SOMERVILLE ORR, 2, Amen Corner, Thursday, 21st June, 1849. EMIGRANT'S CONDUCTED BY SAMUEL AND JOHN SIDNEY, AUTHORS OF "A VOICE FROM AUSTRALIA," "AUSTRALIAN HAND-BOOK," VOL. I.-No. 39.] What Poor Men have done! McCulloch on the Colonial Land "RAILWAYS AND AGRICULTURE," &c., &c. THURSDAY, 28TH JUNE, 1849. CONTENTS. Notices:-The Hong-Kong Almanack A Farm Servant at St. Clair County, ......... 308 Blacks. WHAT POOR MEN HAVE DONE! 309 310 PRICE 2D. 3D. Lord Ashley, and some other kind people, took up the case of the poor wretches, in all upwards of six hundred, and a liberal subscription was raised to assist them to emigrate. The first application to Government for free or assisted passages was refused. There were no funds available for any such purpose." But the subject having been strongly pressed, and the Government no doubt considering that, in such troublous times, it would not 312 be wise to distribute through the country hundreds of pauper preachers of French Republican principles, broke through all their regulations at one blow, and sent the Calaisian colonists packing to Australia, without asking any inconvenient questions. These emigrants were not, properly speaking, British subjects; they were all denizens, many of them naturalized subjects, of France. AN Englishman never feels so confident as when he can fortify his position by a precedent, especially when contesting for some privilege, or some right, with constituted authorities. He likes to oppose a case of something the minister has done parallel in circumstances to what he refuses to do. In our last we showed "what poor men can do," we are fortunately able to supply a precedent, and to show "what poor men have done." We can show that, under the pressure of political circumstances, the elastic Colonial Office conceded the advantages of assisted passage to a body which, according to the arbitrary rules on which they profess to act, were qualified neither by country nor by age, nor by number of family, nor by pursuit, nor by character-qualified only by the fact that they would have been dangerous here, and were quite sure to be safe 18,000 miles away. They were not agricultural labourers or even useful artizans, but the practisers of a sedentary ornamental art. They were not armed with certificates of baptism or marriage, or of good character. As a body, they would not bear comparison with the mechanics and others of London, Leeds, Manchester, and Sheffield, either for morality, education, or general fitness as useful emigrants. They were many of them past the statutable age, and encumbered with children far beyond the Government limits. But, fortunately for themselves, they were likely to be troublesome, if not dangerous, and so they carried off the prizes (at least 60007.) "To patient toiling merit oft denied." MCCULLOCH ON THE COLONIAL LAND QUESTION. IN No. 36 we gave Mr. Roebuck's, we now extract from the Supplement to the Edition of Mr. McCulloch's Geographical Dictionary" the matured opinions of that distinguished political 66 economist. For many years, up to February 1848, there was to be found in the Basse Ville of Calais a tribe of English settlers-emigrants, We do not mean to contend that these Calaisian emigrants won't or the descendants of emigrants-from our machine lace manu- make or breed good colonists, or that the Government did not exerfacturing districts, who had been tempted, by the profuse offers of cise a wise discretion in assisting them. We have faith enough in the French Government, to abandon their native country, and in- human nature and Australia's sun and soil to believe that there troduce a new manufacture into France. The chief part were from weeds may grow to garden flowers-and we consider that the Nottinghamshire, and, with some exceptions, were certainly not the first duty of Government is to preserve order by wise concessions. most favourable specimens of their country or their town. It was But, knowing that there are thousands less romantically pitiful, not in general the most sober or the most industrious who carried but more distressed and more deserving than these settlers from the lace trade into France. In early days they earned extremely Calais Basse Ville, and knowing that there are in the lands of high wages; temperance, education, and other refining influences Australia, if sold on common-sense principles, ample funds for had not then made the progress they since have in our large any reasonable emigration, we are all for smashing the humbug towns; and these people, aliens in a foreign country, all of one of Park Street and Downing Street red tapery, and making emiclass, without intermixture or example of any superiors in know-gration a national matter instead of a piece of hole-and-corner ledge or morals to themselves, sensibly deteriorated. Liquor was jobbing. Town-bred candidates for emigration, when rejected in cheap, and intemperance was common; to work four days, and Park Street, retire to unite and think over what the Poor Men of employ the other three in dog-fighting and drinking, was the rule Calais have done. in the Basse Ville of Calais. They were nominally Protestants in a Catholic country, and nominally Englishmen without any British rights; neither the Protestant clergy nor the consul considered them properly under their charge; and thus, for many years, these workmen ran to seed, cut off from all the good influences of their own country, detested by the French, and only endured for their skill. As time rolled on, Frenchmen learned the art, and from various causes the machine lace and lace-thread trades declined, and commercial depression, and consequent low wages, added to other causes of demoralization. The best men, those calculated to improve the character of their fellow-workmen, generally reemigrated to England when they had accumulated, in the high wages era, a little capital-a few only remained, who had married Frenchwomen and settled in freehold houses and gardens. In 1848, the colony of the Calais Basse Ville was in a very depressed state. For some years previously a subscription had been raised, from travelling English, for the relief of the destitute among them in winter. A sudden, if not unexpected, event changed their fortunes, and transplanted them to a distant part of the world. The Revolution broke out, by which a monarchy and class representation, maintained by bribery, was exchanged for a democratic Republic, maintained by bayonets; and the interregnum between pulling down a King and setting up a President was employed by the enlightened democrats in driving foreigners out of France. In the course of this foray, the Basse Ville of Calais was depopulated. No Irish landlord could have done the work more effectually than did this sovereign people. Singing "Mourir pour la Patrie," and shouting "Liberté, égalité, fraternité," they drove the strangers at the point of the bayonet from their shores. In Nottingham there was no work for the outcasts; they had wives and families, and they had no money; many of them had no parish; but most of them had what proved much more usefulall the cant phrases and stock arguments of the social and democratic Republicans. AUSTRALIA.-Emigration to the Australian colonies holds out various advantages to the industrious and enterprising emigrant, though it must at the same time be stated that these are, partially at least, counterbalanced by certain disadvantages. Amongst the former may be mentioned the fact of there being, almost invariably, a pretty brisk demand for additional labour; wages, though not extravagant, are high; provisions, except in seasons of and, above all, the climate is mild, healthy, and well suited to European drought, which do not often occur, are abundant and reasonable in price; constitutions, and the country is remarkably free from all varieties of dangerous and offensive animals. The principal drawbacks are, the immense distance from Europe, and the consequent cost of the voyage, with the general inferiority of the land, and the exorbitant price set upon it by government. The latter, however, is not a natural, but an accidental and contingent evil; and it may surely be expected, that the evidence which is being daily afforded of its ruinous influence will, at no distant period, make it be abandoned. At present the minimum price, even of the worst lands in Australia, from five to six acres of which are required to depasture a single sheep, is fixed at 20s. an acre; and lands are not generally sold except in lots of 640 acres and upwards. We should be presuming too much on the patience of our readers were we to enter into any lengthened statements to show the inexpediency of these regulations. They discourage agricultural pursuits, and larger capitalists to become the lessees of vast tracts for sheep pasture, and the emigration of small capitalists, at the same time that they tempt the thus either disperse the population over the surface of the country, or congregate it in towns, which are thus rendered disproportionally large. But this vicious combination of quackery and pedantry will, no doubt, come to an end; and with it will cease the greatest of the existing drawbacks on emigration to Australia. In 1843, the upset price of land was raised to the extravagant sum of 17. an acre. In the next year the sales realised 573 unfinished; 9519 were inhabited, and 668 uninhabited The value of the imports amounted, in 1846, to 561,238/., and that of the exports to 582,5851. NOTICES. Hong-Kong, 1848. THIS is a good-sized 8vo, of about a hundred pages, and is accompanied with a very large map of the town of Victoria, founded about seven years since on the south shore of Hong-Kong Harbour. Some of our readers who have relatives in that part of the world may feel interested by the following ex tract: 74037., and in 1846, 27,060. The government manifests less anxiety to sell than to let land for a term of years. By an order in council, dated 9th of March, 1847, the lands are divided into settled, intermediate, and unsettled; the first of which comprises the twenty-one counties in the central part of the colony, lands within from ten to twenty-five miles of the principal settlement, two miles from either bank of the Glenelg, Clarence, and Richmond rivers (for certain distances), and everywhere THE HONG-KONG ALMANACK AND DIRECTORY. Printed by D. Noronha, within three miles of the sea. The governor is empowered to grant leases of runs of land in the settled districts of a year, in the intermediate districts of eight years' duration, and in the unsettled districts for a term not exceeding fourteen years, exclusively for pastoral purposes, the tenant being allowed to raise grain, hay, vegetables, or fruit, for the supply of his establishment, but not for sale or barter. The rent is proportioned to the number of sheep or cattle the run is estimated to be capable of supporting; each run carrying at least 4000 sheep, or 640 head of cattle, is not to be let at a lower rent than 10. per annum, with 27. 10s. additional for every additional 1000 sheep, or an equivalent number of cattle. During the continuance of the lease the land is not open to purchase by any one but the lessee, who may at any time purchase not less than 160 acres, at not less than 17. per acre. The lease is forfeited by non-payment of rent, &c.; and the government reserves to itself the right of entering upon any portion of the lands thus leased "for any purpose of public defence, safety, improvement, convenience, utility, or enjoyment." These regulations are very unpopular in the colony, and with good reason. It is difficult, indeed, for any one to imagine that they can have been contrived with any other object than to check its progress. Speaking generally, 5s. an acre would be a high price for land suited to agricultural purposes, unless it enjoyed some advantage in situation or in extraordinary fertility; and if ordinary agricultural lands were sold at that price, in lots varying from 25 to 1000 acres, farmers with small or moderate capitals, intending to emigrate, would resort to the colony, instead of being driven, as at present, to the United States, and its improvement would be promoted in no ordinary degree. NATAL. The most advantageous class of immigrants for Natal would undoubtedly be practical farmers, with from 250l. to 300l. or 500l. of capital. Such persons are much wanted to form the nucleus of an English population, and to introduce the husbandry for which the colony is suited. The colonial authorities are aware of this, and, to encourage the immigration of such parties, they have proposed that "they should receive an equivalent in land to the amount they have necessarily expended in the outfit and passage of themselves, families, and servants. An arrangement of this nature would enable a man, possessing capital to the extent we have mentioned, to commence farming with advantage the moment of his arrival in the district, while without it the means of a most valuable class of colonists would be swallowed up in expenses, and, upon their landing here, emigrants with limited capital would find themselves very little better off than before they left their native land." (Report of the Surveyor-General, &c., of the Colony, 29th December, 1847.) No doubt this is a highly judicious recommendation, and does credit to those from whom it emanated. But there is no chance of it being acted upon, for unluckily it happens to be opposed to the grand nostrum (it would be an abuse of terms to call it a principle), that no land, how worthless soever, shall be granted to any immigrant, but that he shall be compelled to buy it in considerable lots at a high price. And, such being the case, migrants who can afford to buy land will most probably continue to think, as they do at present, that it is a safer and better speculation to pay 3s. or 48. an acre for the rich wheat lands in the valley of the Mississippi than 20s. an acre for the sheep-walks of Australia, or 2s. an acre for the declivities, swamps, and jungles of South Africa. im NEW ZEALAND. We agree with Mr. Terry in thinking that "the class of emigrants to which New Zealand at present offers the most certain advantages and success are those who have been accustomed to husbandry. If such persons, having families, would be content with small farms of from twenty to fifty acres, according to their means for outlay in stock and buildings, and then, by their own personal industry and labour, cultivate the land, and rear cattle, poultry, &c., with moderate views and expectations, looking to frugality, perseverance, and time, to acquire competence and independence, instead of resorting to land-jobbing and speculation for sudden wealth, they would be certain of success in their undertakings, and of realising property in a few years." But it is monstrous that government should obstruct and discourage the industry of such persons, by imposing a tax, for such it really is, of no less than 20s. on each acre of the land which they recover from the forest or the swamp. The aborigines whom we are dispossessing of their ancient inheritance never did anything more irrational and absurd than this. It tends to hinder that settlement of the lands which it should be our object to encourage, and makes nineteen out of twenty of the smaller class of capitalists that are now leaving our shores resort to the United States rather than to this or any one else of our colonies. VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.-Census, &c. of 1847.-The census of Van Diemen's Land, taken in 1847, shows a total population for that year of 70,164, being an increase of 2254 persons over the population of 1846. Of the population 9059 were married males, and 8544 married females; 33,265 single males, and 13,311 single females; military and children, 1765 males, to 481 females. Number of male convicts employed on the public works, 3739. The disproportion between the sexes is thus seen to be very considerable, there being a fraction less than one female to two males, the respective totals of both being 22,336 females to 47,828 males. Hence, to promote the well-being of the colony, a large amount of female immigration should take place. Of the persons who arrived free, or were born in the colony, 16,544 were males, and 15,667 females. Of the other free persons, 8832 were males, and 2687 females. Number of convicts in government employment, 4921 males, and 1098 females; convicts under private assignment, 7278 males, and 1438 females; male convicts holding tickets of leave, 4749, and 965 females. With respect to the religion of the colonists, 44,490 persons professed the doctrines of the Church of England; 4552 those of the Church of Scotland; 2566 were Wesleyan Methodists; and 2186 other Protestant Dissenters; 9904 Roman Catholics; 452 Jews; and 29 Mohammedans and Pagans. Of the colonists 1502 were landed proprietors, merchants, bankers, &c.; 1172 shopkeepers and other retail dealers; 5584 mechanics and artificers; 1098 shepherds and others in charge of sheep; 11,693 gardeners, stockmen, and persons employed in agriculture; 4839 domestic servants; and 38,291 persons not included in any of the foregoing classes, including military and children, and male convicts (3739) on public works. Number of houses in the colony, 10,187, of which 4963 were of stone or brick, and 5224 of wood. Of the total number, 9614 were in a finished state, "The town of Victoria is situated on the northern shore of the island of Hong-Kong; its geographical position on the globe is in latitude 22° 16′ 37′′ north. Longitude, 114° 9′ 20′′ east (from the Post Office). The distance from the Portuguese city of Macao, which lies in a westerly direction, is about forty miles: Canton, the capital of southern China, by the usual route is distant nearly eighty miles, and bears about north-west.' THE VALUE OF HONG-KONG.-When a settlement on the present site of Victoria was first determined on, and the Port of Hong-Kong was publicly proclaimed by her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, Captain Elliott, to be free to all nations, it was generally imagined that the increased security and convenience here to be afforded for the storeage of goods, over that obtainable at Canton, would outweigh all other considerations, and permanently and effectually divert the old tradal system of southern China. Acting on this impression, upwards of a dozen of the principal British and Parsee firms, and others, competed with the greatest avidity for possession of the lots having sea frontage, which were first exposed for sale in June 1841; thirty-four of these lots were knocked down at an average annual quit-rent of 3337. 11s. per acre, or at an advance of upwards of 233 per cent on the upset price; but, from circumstances which it may be deemed irrelevant to enter upon in this place, the advantages of Victoria as a secure depôt have been set aside, and the beg garly account of empty godowns and deserted houses at the close of the year 1847 exhibit how differently the settlement has turned out from what was at first anticipated. Within the acknowledged limits of the harbour, which is five miles in length, upwards of 200 sail of shipping, properly berthed, could find secure anchorage throughout the heaviest gales; the number of merchant vessels at anchor off the town varies from ten to forty at a time; but, excepting a few stationary ones, their stay, for the most part, is very brief, seldom exceeding a week; in fact, for every day throughout the year, a fresh arrival may be calculated upon, and an equivalent departure; general communication between Victoria and ports open to trade on the north-east coast of China is at present very irregular and uncertain, excepting to those firms who employ their own vessels for the purpose, of which there are about half a dozen constantly on the route; these vessels, of immaterial burden, but commanded by men of much experience and ability, make the passage to and fro of the most dangerous navigation, against all weathers and in all seasons of the year, exporting chiefly opium and long cloths, and bringing back specie, silks, and tea; during the past year an unusual number of vessels have loaded in the port with sugar for Sydney, most of the cargoes being at once put on board the vessels loading, from the Chinese boats bringing it, without being warehoused previous to shipment; there is much reason to anticipate an increase of this species of trade, the prices of fair quality moist sugar put on board varying from 2 dollars to 5 dollars per pecul. With Macao and Canton intercourse is now pretty regular; the passage to the former place is made chiefly in boats having one large and two smaller cabins, called fast-boats; for charter of the whole boat, the men in charge demand from 8 to 12 dollars; for one of the small cabins, 2 and 3 dollars, and, if engaged for a week, at the rate of 4 dollars per day with a fair wind, and starting with flood tide, the passage can be made in about six hours, or less. The steamer Corsair, making on an average eight trips during the month, renders a passage to Canton both agreeable and safe; the charge thither is 12 dollars, and the passage is generally performed in about ten hours. Fast boats, similar to those described as plying between this and Macao, start regularly every evening at six o'clock from Chinam's wharf and is a good mode of conveyance for parcels; but, owing to several attacks made on these boats by pirates, single passengers do not take passage in them without fear, nor at all, if there is any possibility of obtaining a passage in another way. English modelled sailing boats pulling about twenty oars, and established by subscription among the merchants, start regularly in the evening also from the same place carrying a Post Office mail. The number of fixed residents in Victoria of European or American extraction, exclusive of the garrison, does not exceed 400, besides about 200 Macao born Portuguese. The Chinese fixed population may be taken at from 15,000 to 20,000, considerable numbers of them living in boats in the harbour. How the greater half of these people find the means of existence is a matter of some speculation; although the relative amounts of population are so widely different, fewer Chinese die in Hong-Kong than Europeans, for, as soon as they feel the approach of serious sickness, which is generally in the shape of remittent fever, they retire to their native hills to recruit or die, in the latter event leaving their deaths unrecorded in the bills of mortality for Victoria. Nearly the whole of the provisions consumed in Hong-Kong are brought from the mainland, and in the event of war, or aggression on the part of the Chinese, or local commotion (of which there has been one instance already), the means of existence would be very expensive, not to say difficult of being obtained at present the markets are plentifully supplied with good beef and pork at 4d. per lb.; mutton, 11d.; poultry, such as turkeys, geese, and fowls and wild ducks, teal and partridge in season, and an abundant and regular supply of excellent fish of various kinds; vegetables are also cheap and plentiful; yams and cocoes are sold at from d. to 1d. per lb.; potatoes vary from 2d. to 6d.; oranges, pumeloes, water melons, plantains, custard apples, and grapes are also in seasonable supply; but these, with various other kinds of fruits sold, although delicious and acceptable enough, are not to be compared with fruits of a similar description to be obtained in Canton and other parts of China. It is not unusual, on purchasing at the market, to have the weights given by the Chinese in English pounds and ounces; to understand which, the wooden dotchin or Chinese weighing-machine, resembling the English steelyard, is doubly graduated with circles of brass pins. : The want of a good European tailor, barber, and shoemaker, is greatly felt; the latter more particularly; and it is a matter of some surprise that a son of St. Crispin has never deigned to set up his cobbling stall amongst us, where Shoes the affixing of heel taps and sparrow bills would be well paid for. and boots form here a very extensive item in a bachelor's expenses. Upwards of eighty different trades are practised by the Chinese in Victoria; of these the principal are, butchers, bakers, chandlers, shopkeepers, house-builders, road-makers, carpenters, cabinet-makers, bamboo-workers, blacksmiths, tin and copper smiths, painters, glaziers, ivory workers, silversmiths, umbrella makers, tailors, shoemakers, pawnbrokers, opium refiners, washermen, and a variety of others. The bread made by the Chinese bakers is mostly of maize flour, and, from the use of inferior leaven, is coarse and of a dark colour, oftentimes sour. Contractors for supplying the soldiery and ships of war are the principal purchasers. The Chinese eat but very little bread among themselves, but a plate of hot toast and butter meets with no manner of comtempt if placed in their way. The bread which may be called indigenous to China is boiled in small round loaves like dumplings, and sold for about a halfpenny each. A Chinese chandler's store is a complete emporium of varieties; the front of the shop, in addition to the hanging sign, which is disposed vice versâ to the English fashion, is graced with fat pork in chops, dried and varnished to the colour of mahogany, dry pickled ducks, gizzards, hams, strings of sausages cured by exposure to the sun, salt fish, and huge baskets of rice of various shades and qualities. In the interior of the store, labelled jars of different kinds of pickles are arranged on shelves; coloured candles and tinsel paper for sacrificial offerings, brooms, baskets, and hats all constructed of the universal bamboo, showily painted lanterns, made by varnishing over a light bamboo framework, together with bundles of different-coloured string, hang from the ceilings, and on the floor large jars of oil, pickled cabbage, samshew, beans, tea, and sugar, whilst some portion of the narrow counter displays small baskets of loch soy (resembling vermicelli in appearance and used for the same purpose), packs of cards, Chinese crackers, &c., &c. Never less than three, and in large establishments a goodly number of assistants are constantly ready to serve customers; one stands in the centre of the shop, and bawls out the articles required; another prepares the same; and the clerk, sitting on a money box behind the counter, makes entry simultaneously with the delivery, business thus being carried on with a degree of carefulness and precision, exemplary even to Europeans. WOMAN'S MISSION IN AUSTRALIA. Trelawny Saunders, Charing Cross. 1849. THIS little tract of 16 pages, with about a couple of hundred words to the page, has perplexed us more as to what to say about it than octavos of 400 pages and 500 words to the page, written by first-rate hands from the Colonies. The aim of the tract seems to be that of inculcating upon the female sex an entrance upon their household duties in Australia in a highly pious, or rather pietist, spirit. But it is done so illogically that we cannot attribute it to any educated clergyman to whose functions alone, as we apprehend, it would properly reconcile itself. Then-is it from the hand of a lady? If it is, either she has been in the Colony, or she has not. If she has, one would have expected something a deal more practical, more definite and explanatory, more utilitarian. If she has not, we really cannot conceive how her opinion can be worth the price, "Sixpence." However, in case any of our more monied female readers should feel inclined to look it over, we must add this commendation, that it is apparently the work of a very well-meaning person. FARMS IN TENNESSEE. LETTER from J. GRAY SMITH, Esq., a Naturalized Citizen of the United States of North America, to R. JAMES, of Cardew, Cumberland. Blount County, East Tennessee, Dec. 3, 1846. DEAR SIR,-It is impossible to conceive a valley of land more picturesque and beautiful than the Great Valley, comprising the greater portion of the district of East Tennessee. In travelling along the roads, with which the country is well intersected, and which are in general good, almost every half mile or mile will present a different prospect: sometimes of a substantial homestead with its orchard, corn fields, and meadow, bounded by the primeval forest; at other times approaching a majestic river, its banks fringed with evergreens, and its waters overshadowed by the gigantic sycamore (Plantanus Occidentalis); whilst its rich alluvium bottom lands, hundreds of acres in extent, from their unbounded luxuriance, remind you of the Nile lands of Egypt, until a bend in the river, or the elevated benches of upland, again diversify the scene. At other times crossing some stream, "bubbling onwards to the neighbouring mill" which you can just get a peep at through the woods, with the dusty "miller" gazing out towards the road, wondering who "that stranger" can be. And again, at other times passing the newly erected log building and clearing of a recent settler, with half a dozen hardy, bare-footed, bare-headed, and all but shirtless urchins playing about the logs and fences. Whilst you will again occasionally pass the worn and turned out fields of some of the original settlers, or their less industrious, or still less thrifty descendants, with the fences removed or rotting down, and the ground partly grown up with pine, cedar, persimmon, or sassafras, and, mayhap, a few straggling peach trees, yet, withal, pleasing to the eye, not unfrequently reminding you of the lawns and ornamental park grounds of England. Add to the general view the lofty range of the Alleghany Mountains on the south, and the Cumberland range on the north, which are perceptible in the distance from any part of the Great Valley, and a tolerably correct conclusion may be drawn of the general appearance of this interesting section of country. The river bottom farms are considered the most valuable, possessing a rich, alluvial, black soil of several feet in depth. On many of these farms Indian corn, which is an exhausting crop, has been grown for upwards of thirty years in succession, without change of crop, and yet still produces on an average forty and fifty bushels to the acre; in these bottoms the corn stalks will be fifteen and sixteen feet high. Above the lower lands is a second bench, usually termed "second bottom," the soil of which is not so rich, but yet will average from thirty to thirty-five bushels to the acre. The first bottom is valued at from 20 to 30 dollars per acre; the second at from 10 to 15 dollars; and the upland adjoining at from 4 to 6 dollars per acre, the latter being somewhat more valuable near the river bottom lands, for rail-timber and firewood than further in the interior. On these farms there are either hewed log dwellings and out-buildings, or what are termed frame-buildings, which are of sawed scantling, weather-boarded outside with half-inch boards, and ceiled inside with five-eighth inch boards, brick chimneys, &c.; the buildings are sometimes painted, but more frequently not. These buildings usually contain two or three rooms below, and the same above; the kichens and "smoke" or "meat houses" are always detached. On some farms, of late years, brick dwellings have been erected; but, from the manner in which some of these are tenanted and furnished, it reminds you strongly of Washington Irving's description of the Yankee's "shingle palace" with its "petticoat windows," store rooms of "pumpkins and potatoes," and "festoons of dried apples and peaches:" and, though the good dame of the house may set her cap a little more trimly, she is evidently as much out of her element as the snail in the lobster shell; there are, however, exceptions in these things. The river farms vary in extent, running from 500 to 1500 acres; and although, as regards productiveness, they are most desirable, yet I cannot advise any of my countrymen to settle upon them ; for, except in some localities near the mountains, where the streams are rapid, they are, in general, more or less subject to fever and ague. A first-rate upland farm, that is, a farm not adjoining the river, say of 600 acres, and of the best quality of land, generally, in this and the neighbouring counties, of a deep mulatto colour, with good buildings, under good fence, and in other respects what is termed here "in good repair," is worth from 7 to 10 dollars per acre. The dwelling-house would probably be either a superior hewed-log frame or brick building with barn, stables, &c., to match; a good spring near the house, for but few of our good farms are without, although some have wells, and the spring, or some other branch, running through a portion of the farm. Of the 600 acres, perhaps 200 acres will be cleared and in cultivation as follows: 10 acres orchard, garden, and truck patch, as it is termed, that is, for raising early corn (for roasting ears), beans, peas, Irish and sweet potatoes, cabbage, and tobacco, and cotton, for home consumption, 80 acres Indian corn, 30 acres clover, 10 acres meadow, 30 to 40 acres oats, and 20 to 30 acres wheat, the remaining 400 acres will be woodland, for rail-timber and firewood. When a farm has more than one half of its land cleared, it is considered deteriorated, as being in a fair way to become short of fencing timber, the original settlers having, seemingly, had no notion that any would come after them, as "none had been before them," for the leading object of both them and their immediate descendants seemed to be to supply their immediate wants, reckless at what sacrifice; for to cut down timber indiscriminately, and get it out of the way by rolling in heaps and then burning, was, and is even yet with some, a perfect frolic; in consequence of which many of the old farms are so short of fencing timber as to be obliged to beg or buy from their more fortunate neighbours; even now, a Tennessean would say a man had "queer notions," as the term is, that would leave a handsome lawn, shade, or timber tree in his clearing. The bushels of Indian corn, eight to ten bushels of wheat, from thirty to forty average yield of the above-described farm would be from thirty to forty bushels of oats, and two tons of hay or clover per acre. equal to those of the first-class farms, and indeed generally but little inferior, A second-rate farm, say of 600 acres, with buildings in many instances but the land, perhaps, naturally thinner or more exhausted-probably the land may be of the best quality, but not lay so well, or be in so good perhaps be similar to the first-class farms, excepting that there might not be so a locality-would sell at from 4 to 6 dollars per acre. The cropping would much clover, but in lieu thereof a worn-out field grown up with wild grass estimated to average from twenty-five to thirty bushels of Indian corn, and sprouts, and used as a pasture for stock. These farms may be twenty to thirty bushels of oats, and from five to seven bushels of wheat per acre. The third-class farms usually sell at from 2 to 3 dollars per acre. These have generally tolerably comfortable log buildings, orchards, &c., but the land thinner or more exhausted, with perhaps a number of turned out fields or a scarcity of rail timber. The average crop of such farms will be from fifteen to twenty bushels of Indian corn, twenty bushels of oats, and three to four bushels of wheat per acre. 2 to 6 dollars per acre, according to the locality and quality. Woodland, without any improvements as to buildings, &c., sells at from In Polk and Bradley counties, sixty miles below this, adjoining the Georgia line, woodland can be bought at 50 cents per acre; the soil is, however, light and gravelly. there being but few less than 150 acres, the majority of them run from 200 The improved farms in Tennessee vary from 150 acres to 1000 acres; to 400 acres, on some not more than one-fourth of the land is cleared, on some one-third, on others one-half, and on others two-thirds. The crop of wheat and oats may appear light; but, from the manner in which they are in February on corn or wheat stubble, without any previous ploughing, put in, it is a wonder that they obtain a crop at all. Oats are sown and then ploughed in with what is called a "bull tongue;" and this, without ever being harrowed, is all the attention they get until harvest, which comin October and November amongst the standing Indian corn, and so ploughed mences early in July. Wheat I have frequently seen sown broadcast many call putting in wheat; it is usually harvested about the last week in in; after the corn is gathered, the stalks will be cut and carried off, and this June. wheat with something like a system, namely by ploughing up their clovered Our best farmers are now, however, beginning to put in their land, cleaning, harrowing, &c., but still no attention is paid to the selection of seed, liming, rolling, &c. land in this country. Shallow ploughings have injured much of the ploughs were in general use; and, as these seldom go more than three or four Some years ago the common shovel and bull tongue the heavy rains we sometimes have, whilst the cropping from year to year inches deep, on land at all sloping or undulating, the soil has washed off with clovering, which our leading farmers have begun of late years to adopt, with Indian corn has of course added to the mischief. Deep ploughing and soil being still under the surface. soon however brings this description of lands round again, much of the virgin I had last year a man ploughing up a small lot for me; and, observing him practical farmer, I thought I could beat that, and accordingly took the line, do it in the country fashion, two or three inches deep, though not much of a when, rushing in the plough as deep as it would go, I turned up the rich mulatto loam; the fellow stared, and said that, if I wanted it done that way, salt works) that he would be dd if it did not ruin my horse, and he would do it, but (our Tennesseans seldom swear, except about iron and perhaps it did, for sure enough it died afterwards.- Believe me, dear Sir, yours truly, J. GRAY SMITH. LETTERS FROM ABROAD. rior cows, and three fine heifers, which will soon be in full profit; one fine calf, several large hogs to die of a sore throat this winter, and a lot to die in Our friends cannot serve us more than by forwarding for publication the spring; two sheep; an immense quantity of geese and fowls. The climate original letters from emigrants in any part of the world. FROM A FARM SERVANT. Looking Glass Prairie, Lebanon, St Clair County, FROM A FARM SERVANT AND HIS WIFE. Sydney, December 28th, 1848. DEAR SISTER AND BROTHER,-This comes with our kind love to all, I felt the sea-sickness in summer is very warm; the children, even one most respectable, are seldom seen with a pair of shoes on. You may make yourselves quite comfortable about William and family. I assure you he is well off, and does furnish a table which would set many a Rutland farmer's mouth watering. The finest herds of cattle, by hundreds; horses and hogs roam over the prairie; you MY DEAR FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHERS, SISTER, AND FRIENDS,-After a may ride for hundreds of miles through the richest herbage, full of fine very long and tedious voyage, and travel of sixty-eight days, I have much flowers, where we can pasture or mow as much as we please; where it is pleasure in forwarding you a long, and I hope an acceptable letter. I ennot trodden down by cattle, it grows to the horses' bellies. The largest timgaged my passage at Liverpool on board the good ship Cornelia, Capt. French, ber on William's lot is, in a few places, hazel bush, the largest of which I 1760 tons, and set sail on Monday, about ten o'clock in the morning, May can cut down with the scythe, the remainder strong grass. The country is 1st, and went away with a fine breeze. 2nd. After a pleasant night, going visited at times by dreadful storms of thunder, wind, and rain, such as has away gaily with a fine breeze, which died away in the evening; much swell; never been felt in England. I passed through a wood near Lebanon, where, ship rolling much, with sickness. 3rd and 4th. Very light winds, ship a few days before, the trees was broke off and blown up by scores, of the making but little progress. 5th. Ship going away on a spanking breeze largest size. William, Mary, and their choice three prairie flowers, send throughout the day. 6th. Fine weather, which, towards evening, changed their love to you; three finer, healthier, and happier children does not exist, to a very severe storm. 7th. Sunday, a very brisk gale, rain, &c., a most with their noses almost buried in their fat rosy cheeks; but how can it be miserable day. 8th. Fine day, sea running very high from the late storm, otherwise, living as they do upon milk, eggs, fowls, prairie chickens, partship rolling much, with much confusion on board. 9th. Strong breeze and ridges, rabbits, pork, and occasionally a fat beast, which they kill and cure good sailing. 10th. Good side wind and fast sailing. 11th. Wet, cold, unas you do bacon. After paying rent, William expects to have 800 bushels comfortable day. 12th. An awful day; morning opened with a dead but of corn, besides oats and pumpkins; no fear of starvation. This is a fine treacherous calm, which was soon followed by a stiff breeze, and, before all country for those who are fond of shooting, as there are great quantities of could be made snug, a dreadful storm broke over us, tearing the sails and deer. A fine buck was shot the other day near where we was mowingcausing much confusion amongst the passengers; much water came through prairie chickens, and partridges; my first shot in the country brought down the hatches, between decks; much damage to luggage; boxes unlashed; tins a brace; rabbits, pigeons, &c., with a few wolves, which are seldom seen; and cooking utensils, bruised, broke, and rolling about in all directions. great quantities of snakes, and, amongst the rest, the deadly rattlesnake, From the 12th to the 19th, ordinary weather. 19th. Towards night a most but are not noticed by the settlers. The snake has a great enemy in the awful storm; sea running mountains high; ship rolling much; many heavy hog, who is very fond of them. It is a wonderful country for fruit; strawseas came upon deck; passengers in the poop cabins; luggage much damaged; berries, raspberries, and blackberries grow in the bush in great quantities, in the state room, the chairs, tables, and seats, broke from their lashings; while there are the largest orchards of apple and peach trees. William's house and smashed to pieces. 20th and 21st. Very high rolling sea. 21st to 28th. is particularly fortunate, standing on a hill; he has no annoyance from the At times rough, with fair progress. 29th. Very strong wind; ship going ten musquito, one has never been seen near it, but they are a dreadful pest to miles per hour, with reefed sail and reefed fore topsail, and no other sail them living on low land; he has also a never-failing supply of spring and set. 30th. Fine day; sailed, in twenty-four hours, 250 miles. From May river water; a river runs through it. Hoping to hear from you as soon as 30th to June 10th. At times very stormy, then dead calms, which are more possible, accept my kind love from yours most affectionately, G. FLINT. annoying than rough weather; in fact, we felt to care very little for rough weather, with a stout ship and plenty of sea room. 10th. Arrived safe in New York Bay. Here the views on both sides of the river are most enchanting; the houses white as snow, no smoke to be seen, the trees clothed with the finest green. We could hardly persuade ourselves of its reality; it was like a dream. We found we had indeed reached a new world, to which nothing in England would bear the slightest comparison. We had the good fortune to lose nothing on the voyage, as our captain was so very careful, until the last day but one, when a poor sailor fell overboard and was drowned, the only death we had on the passage, and landed our passengers in good health and spirits. Arrived safe at lodgings, with no damage, late on Saturday night, and took a small view of the city on Monday night. New York is a splendid place, very wide streets, with fine rows of large trees, growing in the most crowded thoroughfares, with fountains of water spouting up in Found New York very expensive. every direction. Took my passage westward, distance 1800 miles; fare 10 dollars; luggage, 4 dollars, about 31. English, without provisions. Left New York on board the splendid steam palace, Santa Croix, one of the most magnificent boats afloat; of their size and splendour you can form no idea; you might drive the Great Britain steamer through them, without much damage, such is their immense size. Reached Albany, 160 miles, including many stoppages, and a strong head wind, in twelve hours. We now entered the Erie Canal, on our way to Buffalo, 364 miles, in a horse boat; here we had a very tedious time of it; the canal was so crowded with boats; the locks, which are double, and filled and emptied in less than ten minutes, are kept going frequently without intermission. At one time we was blocked in a string of boats one mile and a-half long; had to wait to take our turn. Arrived at and found Buffalo a place of great business. I inclose a list of river trade for 1835:Flour, barrels, 86,233; wheat, bushels, 98,071; corn, bushels, 14,579; canal tolls, 106,213 dollars. For 1847-flour, barrels, 1,903,351; wheat, bushels, 5,816,362; Indian corn, bushels, 2,991,881; canal tolls, 1,350,225 dollars. No signs of poverty. The boatmen on this canal are a perfect contrast to the boatmen of England; it would surprise you to see their snow-white linen, their gold watches and jewellery; they are certainly a splendid lot of fellows, with towing horses, the best in the world, similar to the English half-bred, but rather smaller. Crossed Lake Erie, one of the most splendid pieces of fresh water in the world, to Toledo, 310 miles; got upon another canal to Cincinnati, 246 miles, in four days; sailed down the Ohio, a wonderful river, 508 miles, and up the Mississippi, 172 miles, to St. Louis. To give a description of the country on this limited sheet is impossible; it is a country of the wildest and most romantic description; rocks piled up nearly to the clouds, and covered with the finest timber; thousands and thousands of trees of the largest dimensions rotting on the ground and in the swamps; rivers of the largest magnitude rolling on their everlasting courses; tearing up the timber on their banks, and rolling them in heaps, in some places, by hundreds of loads. At one place the finest fields of corn, at others fields black with thousands of burnt stumps; here the log-cabin of the wood-chopper, as rough as you can imagine, with from two to a dozen as fine cows as ever was seen; here we have the music of the bells of the settler's cow, the squeaking of numerous hogs, the hoarse croaking of the bull frog, and the torment of the musquito, with here and there a splendid city or village which appears to have been built yesterday, as the rubbish is very seldom cleared away. I crossed the Mississippi at St. Louis to Lebanon, twenty miles; here I found the most splendid land I have ever seen; I found William, Mary, and three children, in good health. His intended farm is of the most splendid description, eighty acres, lying in the form of a flattened haycock, with the house on the top, a most healthy and valuable property. It is his intention to fence and break up a large corner this fall, while he can get his own farm improved. He takes land on shares, that is, finds team and work, and takes two-thirds of the crop. We are now mowing, and hope to get in a day or two a splendid crop of Timothy grass and clover, mowing and putting it up and taking half; we are not particular about our work, mow only where it is very heavy, and never rake it; our object is to get the most stuff with the least trouble. He has growing a crop of Indian corn of twenty acres, with two acres of pumpkins, six acres of oats, and a large garden; two good mares, and one three-year old, ready to break in, and a fine foal; two very supe hoping to find you all well as it leaves us at this time, thank God for it, dear PRESERVING EGGS.-Have ready a pan of boiling water, dip your eggs into the water, and let them remain until you reckon ten. Wipe with a soft dry cloth, and then rub over with fresh butter or hog's lard. Wrap each of them up in a piece of paper. Don't use brown paper. Pack in tin can, with a little oaten straw, quite sweet; if nice fresh milky eggs are used, they will keep nicely for four or five months. [I can recommend the inclosed recipe for the Preserving of Eggs, from experience.-W. MILLER.] PARROTS.-A great variety of parrots, of splendid plumage, are to be seen at Ulladulla. They are a saucy, mischievous bird, and commit great havoc among the Indian corn; but are themselves very good eating. They build in holes in the trees, and the blacks climb for the young birds, by means of notches cut in the bark, and descend with them on their heads, carefully balancing them. The Ulladulla blacks occasionally drive rather a brisk trade in birds, and travel to Sydney with them for sale; and the noise and chatter of their peripatetic aviaries are great. Some of the birds they carry in cages; but others on their heads, where they sit very contentedly. |