hard-sounding gibberish, incomprehensible
to most people; they speak as fast as possible, laugh immoderately at
trifles, and are excellent mimics. Their own children they stile
"_Pickaninnies_."

From all that I have seen, I do not hesitate to say, that this country
will prove a splendid field for future generations. At the present time,
no man should venture here who is unprepared for many privations and a
numerous list of annoyances. The common necessaries of life he will
certainly find, but none of his ancient and English luxuries. Society is,
as you may guess, very limited. You may acknowledge an _acquaintance_ with
any one, without committing yourself. To say that you know a man
intimately is hazardous; I mean--a man whose friendship you have
cultivated only since your arrival. There are many whom you have known at
home, and whose friendship it is a pride and a pleasure to renew in your
exile. But, as a general rule, "_keep yourself to yourself_" is a
serviceable adage. If it be attended to--_well_. If it be neglected--you
run your head against a stone in less than no time.

If any man have a competency, let him not travel hither to _enjoy_ it. If
he has a little money, and desires with a little trouble and inconvenience
to double his capital in the shortest possible space of time--let him come
out, and fearlessly. Living is cheap enough as far as the essentials are
concerned. Butcher meat, not surpassed in any part of England, Scotland,
or Ireland, is to be had at twopence per pound; the fine four pound loaf
for sixpence halfpenny; brown sugar, fourpence; white, sixpence; candles,
sixpence per pound; tea, the finest, three shillings the pound; fresh
butter, one shilling and threepence per pound. Wild fowl in abundance.
Vegetables are cheaper than in any part of England. Wines of moderate
price, but not of good quality. Spirits first-rate, and every kind cheaper
than in England, except whisky, which is seventeen and eighteen shillings
per gallon; very old at twenty-one and twenty-two. The wine most wanted
here is claret. A great deal of it is drunk during the summer, but the
quality of it is bad. Fish are abundant in the river and pools, but the
people will not trouble themselves to catch them. However, for
eighteenpence or two shillings, you may get a good dish of mutteel, carp,
or a small fish called "flatties." I have never seen any of the salmon
tribe, or any fish like a sea or river trout. Wild swans--both bl