from the fort, who was the bearer of the first dispatches
which they had received since their arrival at the settlement. Letters,
yes letters, not only from Quebec but from England, were announced. The
whole house was in confusion, all crowding round Mr. Campbell while he
unsealed the large packet. First a bundle of English newspapers from the
Governor of Quebec--these were laid aside; a letter from Mr. Campbell's
agent at Quebec--this was on business and could wait his leisure; then
the letters from England--two long, well-filled double letters from Miss
Paterson to Mary and Emma; another from Mr. Campbell's agent in England,
and a large one on foolscap with "On His Majesty's Service," directed to
Mr. Alfred Campbell. Each party seized upon their letters, and hastened
on one side with them. Mrs. Campbell being the only one who had no
correspondent, anxiously watched the countenance of Alfred, who, after a
hasty glance, cried out, "I am confirmed to my rank, my dear mother; I
am a lieutenant in his Majesty's service--huzza! Here's a letter
inclosed from Captain Lumley; I know his handwriting." Alfred received
the congratulations of the whole party, handed the official letter to
his mother, and then commenced the perusal of the one from Captain
Lumley. After a short silence, during which they were all occupied with
their correspondence, Mr. Campbell said, "I also have good news to
communicate to you; Mr. H. writes to me to say, that Mr. Douglas
Campbell, on finding the green-houses and hot-houses so well stocked,
considered that he was bound to pay for the plants; that they have been
valued at seven hundred pounds, and that he has paid that money into my
agent's hands. This is extremely liberal of Mr. Douglas Campbell, and I
certainly did not expect, as I found plants there on my taking
possession, that I was entitled to any remuneration for what I left.
However, I am too poor to refuse his offer from any feelings of
delicacy, and shall therefore write and thank him for his generous
behavior." Alfred had read the letter from Captain Lumley, which made
him very thoughtful. The fact was, his promotion and the observations in
Captain Lumley's letter had brought back all his former regret at having
quitted the service, and he was very melancholy in consequence; but as
his cousins read their letters aloud, he gradually recovered his
spirits.

At last, all the letters were read, and then the newspapers were
distributed. No mo