get back in order that we may remain together in this
world as long as it may please the Almighty to permit us. On my
arrival here at 2 o'clock p.m. I proceeded to the Upper Town in
order to look out for a bed, concerning the getting of which I had
entertained my doubts being, _tout ensemble_, a queer figure,
having on my covered handkerchief, thick great coat, Canadian
boots, and round hat; in short at the first essay I was refused by
a "No room in the house, Sir," a common reply given to those whose
unfortunate appearance happens not exactly to please the harsh and
scrutinizing eye of the lord of the mansion. I then turned my
frozen steps towards this house of hospitality where after
explaining _mon besoin_ to the waiter he scrupulously and
critically eyed me from top to toe, from head to foot, then turned
on his heel to go to his master and report accordingly. During his
absence I commenced a serious inspection of self to find if
possible what had attracted his attention so pointedly towards my
toes, when I observed the cause to be the silver chain of my
over-alls peeping out from under my great-coat; which, no doubt,
was the reason of having received a favourable answer; for on his
re-entrance he asked me to sit down and I finally engaged a room.

On January 9th, 1811, Tom wrote to say that a man had arrived from
Murray Bay but without letters:

"What the Devil has come over those sisters of mine? Pray are they
still behind the stove patching their old stockings? No time
forsooth--Rediculous--Could not the lazy wretches have only wrote
me the scratch of a pen merely to wish me a good New Year? Mr.
McCord to be sure mumbles something about time; it is highly
diverting to have country lasses talk about want of time,
particularly those I am now speaking of, unless they have greatly
altered for the better since I saw them last, and turned their
hands to cow-keeping, tending of poultry, or something of that
description; but I'll be bound for it they still employ themselves
with nothing else except perching behind the stove, growling, and
driving carriols."

He exhorts his sisters to take long walks in the fine cold weather. Then
he dips into politics. There is to be an election at Murray Bay for the
county of Northumberland and Mr. Bouchette, a Canadian, had asked fo