1848 - Byrne, J. C. Twelve Years' Wanderings in the British Colonies [New Zealand sections] - GENERAL REMARKS ON EMIGRATION , p 1-43

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TWELVE YEARS' WANDERINGS

IN

THE BRITISH COLONIES.

GENERAL REMARKS ON EMIGRATION.

AT no period has emigration ever occupied a greater share of public attention, than it is likely to do during the year 1848.

Acknowledged in the past Session of Parliament as a measure of great importance towards the amelioration of the position of the lower classes, particularly amongst the Irish, it is almost certain to be largely promoted by ministerial measures during the Session of 1848. Yet, although for years past, thousands on thousands have annually left the shores of Great Britain and Ireland, to seek a home in distant climes, it is a fact, but too well established, that the greater portion of those who have thus left their native soil, have done so without being in the least acquainted with the real condition and prospects of the land which they have chosen for their future home, in order to better their condition.

From time to time a rage or mania has prevailed for emigration to different places, as circumstances or the

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writings of individuals--too frequently interested--have attracted attention to them. One year Canada, another the Western States of America, then South Australia, New South Wales, New Zealand, each in rotation; again, Canada and the States have been, and are now, the chief points. "Anywhere is better than home," is too frequently the saying of the intending emigrant, who often cares little for, and knows less of, the country to which he is bound, being at the time too well satisfied at escaping from the harassing competition in every profession, trade and calling, experienced at home.

The die once cast, it is almost impossible to recal it, so if the climate, habits or prospects of the place do not suit the immigrant, change is generally out of the question; and a course thus adopted in ignorance, is mourned in experience, and expiated by continued struggles through life, or an early death from the effects of the climate.

Of these facts, thousands of well authenticated instances exist; and not one seat of immigration, either under the dominion of the United States, or the jurisdiction of the British Crown, but could furnish too many examples of persons who if they had taken time for consideration, and decided with prudence on their proper place of destination, through its adaptability to their own position and means, might have become prosperous and happy members of the society amongst which they cast their lot, instead of being a burthen to the community and a bar to its prosperity.

It is with the desire of affording general information with regard to the manners, habits, customs, and prospects of the many seats of immigration, together with particulars

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of the climate, rates of wages, and value of property in each, that the author offers the following observations.

The knowledge communicated and the facts explained, are not collected from the information of others, but are the results of personal experience, the author having travelled and dwelt in almost every British colony under the Crown, as well as in various parts of the United States of America.

Almost every similar work that has been published, separately treats of one country or colony, to which the knowledge of the writer is confined. Of that alone he necessarily treats, that alone he holds forth as the most advisable and judicious place for the emigrant to proceed to. There, it generally happens, his lot is cast; perhaps his family is settled; there, all he possesses being invested in his new home, the prospects of the place are identical with his own; labour is capital in a new or thinly peopled country, and that, for his own benefit, he seeks to draw to his abode.

Induced by cheering representations, others inconsiderately follow in his steps.. They find too late that they have chosen a country unsuited to them; they have landed in a distant clime with ideas foreign to it, with prejudices or opinions which take time to eradicate; so that if they originally possess means, these vanish before they become perfectly conscious of the realities passing around them.

The habits and prejudices of old settled countries, are, most generally, sad bars to success in new ones; to be successful as an immigrant or colonist, caution, some experience, energy, perseverance and industry are absolutely necessary. The comforts of "home" must, at least for a

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time, be given up; and all classes of persons, to secure ultimate success as colonists or settlers, should be fully prepared to endure privation and fatigue of no slight description; it may be their lot to find their bed at the foot of some giant tenant of a vast forest, or within the walls of a hut, through which the chill blasts of winter penetrate, as well as the summer sun's scorching rays.

At present, there is scarce a colony under the British Crown, which does not swarm with half-pay, or retired, officers of the army, or navy; they are to be found amidst the forests of New Brunswick, and Upper Canada, and at the Antipodes in Australia, and New Zealand.

From a strange idea that seems to have pervaded the policy of the British Colonial Office for years past, almost all the Governors of colonies are appointed from amongst the military and naval services; consequently, it is not surprising to see the junior branches of these services, monopolising a very great proportion of the government situations of any value in our colonies.

From their habits of discipline and the ideas imbibed in their profession, it would be hard to find a class of men less fitted to fill the Legislative and Executive departments of a new and rising colony. Their education renders them essentially unfit to direct or control the free enterprising spirit which actuates the pioneers of civilization:-- military subordination is not compatible with free colonization.

Nor yet is this class of persons better fitted to become settlers; find them where you will, they are anything but successful in this capacity.

In Australia particularly, although there are hundreds on hundreds of persons who have been officers in the army or

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navy, yet, it is a question if a dozen instances of considerable success, as settlers, can be adduced from amongst them.

This is not only owing to their original habits and manners in the army; but is in a great measure the consequence of the ignorance with which they enter upon the new life they have embraced: neglecting, in the first instance, before embarking upon their career, to study well, and procure every information with regard to the natural and social peculiarities of the country they have adopted.

Among the great seats of immigration, the Crown Colonies in Australia, the British possessions in North America, and the United States, are the chief.

Of these, the most advisable for an emigrant, or, at least, those most in favour, are, Canada, New Brunswick, the southern and western States of America, the Cape of Good Hope, or Southern Africa, Van Dieman's Land, Swan River, South Australia, Port Phillip, or Australia Felix, New South Wales, and New Zealand. Amongst these, there is a large field for choice, for they comprise almost every description of climate and soil.

South America, moreover, presents a vast extent, to many parts of which colonization might be well directed, if property and life were more secure, governments more powerful, and political revolutions less frequent there. In Chili, many thousand emigrants, natives of Great Britain or Ireland, have found a prosperous and happy home amongst the valleys at the foot of the Andes, and the result has been the improvement of their adopted land, and a vast extension of its trade through the Port of Val-

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paraiso, now the great entrepot on the western shores of South America. But, liable to sudden political revolutions and to desolating earthquakes, South America does not approach many of the British colonies in advantages presented to the emigrant. The author will endeavour, to the best of his ability, to set forth the advantages and disadvantages of each of those great seats of immigration, their true social position, prospects, and climate, so that all intending emigrants may be the better able to come to a decision as to which is the best place for them to settle in and most suited to their means and requirements.

Emigration, when conducted with prudence, is a public blessing; while it relieves the home country of superabundant members of the producing classes, it also creates a market for the produce of our looms and manufactories. It promotes the prosperity of thousands who, if they continued in their fatherland, would, from excessive competition, be merely able to eke out a miserable existence--ending their days, perhaps, in the receipt of public or private charity.

Such a fate as this, is, as a rule, impossible in any one of the countries before named. With no rates or taxes levied on the articles necessary for subsistence; with land cheap because plentiful, and the produce of that land, in the shape of animal food and agricultural produce, vastly lower in price than at home; industry cannot fail in procuring not only present means of ample support, but, with perseverance, ultimate prosperity; so that instead of ending his life in a workhouse, the labouring emigrant in most places, in his old age, has the happiness of seeing around him his offspring prosperous and contented, free-

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holders of the soil on which they dwell in substantial comfort and independence.

The struggle for existence of the lower and middle classes, at home, annually becomes more difficult as population increases and wealth consolidates in the hands of those already rich. The prosperity of the mass of the population is very seldom advanced in any country which encourages the growth of enormous wealth amongst a few individuals. The struggle between capital and labour then becomes unequal; and no matter whether cotton lords, iron lords, railway lords, merchant princes, or the aristocracy of land are in the ascendant, the result is still the same: the further centralization of wealth amongst those already in possession of it.

Free trade in corn may at present, and even for the future, lead to cheap bread, which will enable the producer to exist on a lower scale of pay, but cannot materially reduce the price of animal food, and those other articles of general use which the masses have brought themselves to consider absolute necessaries. Consequently, as the price of meat increases, it gradually becomes out of the power of the mechanic or labourer to obtain it; his scale of diet is thus compressed, former wants are becoming luxuries, and as population and competition increase, all that will be attainable will be the cheapest articles of human food sufficient to prolong the thread of life, and enable him for weary years to bear his manual toil. Who then, with those facts before them, would or should hesitate to seek in emigration better hopes and prospects, and a country where the proprietary of soil is not confined to certain classes, or the food of man, bestowed by a benevolent Providence, consumed only by the rich?

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But even in the remedy suggested, there are evils, when not carried out with prudence and foresight. An over-extensive system of emigration to any one place may produce the very evils from which the voyager is flying; disease and death at sea from over-crowded, badly ventilated ships, are also too often the fate of the emigrant, and too much caution cannot be exercised in guarding against such contingencies. Resolved on with care, and a knowledge of your adopted land, a determination to emigrate should be carried out with system and discretion, and to that end the writer will endeavour to direct the reader.

It is not every description of persons that would profit by emigration. There are classes and individuals who had much better remain at home, if they can obtain a living there. In many of the colonies, young medical and other professional men are to be found in great excess, and consequently disappointment, misfortune and want are their lot, until absolute necessity compel them to become "drawers of water and hewers of wood" in the true meaning of the words. The writer has in numberless instances met men, who could eloquently quote law authorities and descant on medicine, employed in "felling and burning off," or watching sheep and driving bullocks; law, medicine, or classics, have but few patrons in new countries.

Clerks, or men who have received a middling education, and have been employed in the counting-houses of merchants or shop-keepers at home, are very much too apt to surrender the comforts and advantages they enjoy, to take the chance of high salaries, and what is sanguinely thought, certain success, in the colonies.

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As a general rule, clerks, with the sober, steady, matter-of-rote ideas they imbibe at the desk, are not a class of men at all suited, either to advance themselves, or promote the interests of new colonies. Besides, the demand for their services is always so much less than the supply is capable of meeting, that the rate of remuneration is always low when employment can be obtained. The principal reason that renders employment for men of education, as assistants or clerks, so limited, admits of easy explanation.

There does not exist in any colony, those extensive mercantile concerns, manufacturing establishments, or large shops that require such numerous assistants as at home. A merchant or a shop-keeper in a colony, is generally able to transact his own business, or find within his immediate family the means of doing so, as far as accounts are concerned; and if he should require assistants, he is but too likely to seek them amongst those born in the colony, or from those who have resided in it some time, as from local knowledge they are much more likely to suit him. In all old communities where aggregate wealth is considerable, the professional or educated man or clerk without capital is likely to find a market and demand for what is to him his capital, viz.: his profession or education; but in a new colony there is but little chance for him.

Professional men, no doubt, in some instances, succeed extremely well in the colonies; but these form the exception, and not the rule; connexion, capital, great talents and enterprizing character, may raise them to comparative wealth and respectability, but the field is limited, competition extreme. Clerks also, no doubt, in some few

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instances, from fortuitous circumstances, have succeeded in getting large salaries, but this is indeed seldom. More frequently, although remuneration for labour may be in a particular colony extremely high, yet the clerk does not benefit by it: he is but too often rated below even the labourer, and not paid so well.

The writer has been in colonies, at periods, when a clerk could be obtained for thirty shillings a week, while six shillings a day was paid to common labouring men or thirty-six shillings a week. It may be said: why should not the clerk then turn to labour? but this is not of such easy accomplishment. Will the man, perhaps, with a delicate and refined wife and family, willingly surrender old habits, the accustomed mode of obtaining his livelihood, or consent to submit to menial toil, "work," in its true sense, delving or ploughing the earth, unless starvation compel him? Will the educated man find happiness and contentment amongst such an ignorant body of companions as labourers in the colonies usually are--had he not better remain at home if he have any kind of a prospect of obtaining a livelihood for himself and his family? Let him, if he will, bring his children up to industry and enterprize, and when of a suitable age ship them off, on their own hands, for the colonies or Western America; they may accomplish what he could not.

It should be always kept in view by those intending to emigrate, that on bidding adieu to the shores of Britain, they must leave behind them for years to come, those comforts and luxuries they may have been accustomed to. Privation, as far as regards "comforts" must be sub-

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mitted to by all, even the wealthiest emigrants; money cannot procure what they have left behind in emigrating.

On the other hand, with industry, the fee-simple of the soil on which they live may be theirs, and all the necessaries of life are to be had immeasurably cheaper than at home in any colony or general seat of immigration; no poor-house stares the decayed person in the face; plentiful food can in most colonies always be obtained for labour.

Tradesmen and mechanics are not unfrequently much astray in choosing a country to settle in, or in fact in emigrating at all. The demand for them in the colonies or new countries, such as the backwoods of Canada or the Western States, is always limited; in fact, many trades are not at all required amongst newly formed communities. Those principally in requisition are, carpenters, joiners, wheelwrights, masons, bricklayers, blacksmiths, shoemakers and tailors.

Yet shoemakers and tailors have always to compete with imported slop goods, which much lessens the demand for their services. Compositors, upholsterers, painters, glaziers, engineers, coopers, cabinet-makers, plasterers, millers, cutlers, and numerous other trades, gradually follow in the steps of the first named. They are only wanted where collective communities are formed: a plasterer, upholsterer or painter's services, are not required very often in a log hut or bush wooden-house. Tradesmen possess facilities of emigration that are entirely out of the reach of the labouring classes, and are consequently too often to be found in the colonies in disproportion to the wants of the community.

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Previous to the year 1840, such was the demand that existed for mechanics and journeymen of all kinds of trade, in the Australian colonies, that extremely high wages were paid in consequence, and the most flattering accounts were forwarded to Great Britain and Ireland, to induce such persons to emigrate. At that period, carpenters, joiners, and masons, were receiving in Sydney ten to twelve shillings a day. In Port Phillip it was still higher; carpenters were there, in many instances, receiving one pound per day; and it was no wonder they represented eagerly to their friends at home the El Dorado they had found. Adelaide also paid equally high for tradesmen's labour. The consequence may easily be foreseen. The bounty system which gave free passage to these colonies was then being carried out to a large extent; and although a government regulation precluded free passages being afforded to more than a certain proportion of trades and crafts, yet this qualification was easily evaded, and an immense proportion of this class, in comparison with agricultural labourers or shepherds, introduced. They left England nominally as shepherds or labourers, but on arrival in the colonies, soon appeared in their true capacity. This was in addition to many who had legitimately gone out, paying their own passage, and such became the supply, that in 1843, the author saw hundreds of tradesmen and mechanics employed on the streets of Sydney and Melbourne, (the former the capital of New South Wales, the latter of Australia Felix), at one shilling per day wages.

Thousands at the same period, including persons of every trade and craft, even carpenters and masons (who

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were in most general employment), petitioned the legislature, to assist them in removing from colonies where they could not obtain work, and to which they had been seduced by false statements, contained in pamphlets and books, many of which were published with the sanction of the authorities at home, and extracts from them actually made use of by Emigration Agents, to induce them to leave their homes.

But four years have elapsed since the author has seen the approaches to Government House at Sydney so thronged with an excited mass of disappointed, unemployed immigrants of the above class, venting their reproaches on the Government who had aided in alluring them to a place where they could obtain no work, that the military had to be held in readiness to disperse, if necessary, with the bayonet, those very individuals on whom so much trouble and money had been spent to bring them to the colonies.

These examples should act as a warning and check on every mechanic or journeyman, and induce him to decide well before he emigrates to any colony or new country. Imagine the change that many individuals of this class were at that period subjected to, in the fertile and productive settlement of Port Phillip! Such was the demand for labour in the year 1840, that employers had to beg of carpenters, in many cases, to come and work for them at sixteen shillings to one pound per day; whilst in 1843, carpenters and other tradesmen had to beg employment on the streets at one shilling per day, and at that rate even it could only be obtained, if they were able to show that a large family of children depended on them for support! These are facts that cannot be controverted. In 1843 and

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the beginning of 1844, nearly three thousand persons, chiefly tradesmen and mechanics, actually left Sydney alone for the West Coast of South America, principally for Valparaiso and Lima. Greater part of those persons had been introduced into New South Wales, by funds derived from the Crown Lands, so their labour being lost, by departure for other countries, the colony derived no actual benefit from the expenditure of so large a sum of money drawn from their pockets as the introduction of such a number of persons must have required.

Yet that very Port Phillip and Sydney, from whence so many tradesmen and mechanics had to depart through want of employment, or any prospect of it, in 1843 and 1844, are now clamouring loudly for mechanics and labourers of all kinds, holding forth long lists of persons required, and the rates of wages attainable by such; this, too, in the very places where, three years since, one shilling a day on the public streets was procured with difficulty.

These facts too plainly exhibit a total want of system in emigration as carried out at present, and without well-matured plans, no extensive scale of national or private emigration can ever be successful; the same scenes that took place in 1843, in the Australian colonies, will constantly be recurring.

What does a Port Phillip paper of March, 1847, say? and how strongly does the fact exhibit deplorable mismanagement in the previous Government of these colonies, and the conduct of emigration thither?

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The Editor then proceeds to lay a statement before his readers, by which it would appear that journeymen of all kinds of trades, and mechanics, are in receipt of wages varying from six to nine shillings per day, with full employment, whilst shepherds, stockmen and labourers receive from £25 to £35 per annum, besides full support; female servants are set down at £25; male servants £30 per annum; men and their wives £45; and grooms £70, all with support.

What a contrast does this not offer to Canada and our North American possession, flooded with thousands of half-starved diseased Irish, seeking a place of refuge from their fatherland!

Upwards of 50,000 emigrants landed in Canada last year, previously to the end of July, a space of little more than four months, from the opening of the St. Lawrence, at the commencement of spring. Thus, the labour-market became over-burthened, and the remuneration of those who

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had been some time in these colonies was reduced considerably.

Yet Canada possesses peculiar facilities, owing to the cheapness of land and the small farm system, for absorbing all the labour that is thrown into it; but, with all these, without system, immigration in these countries as well as in others, becomes at times an evil instead of a blessing. One year too great a supply of labour in a particular place, the next none; at one time any remuneration for work done, at another no work to be got, but what may be obtained by petition on the roads or streets, at the lowest possible scale of pay.

All this exemplifies equally to the capitalist, tradesman, mechanic, or labourer, the necessity of inquiring carefully, and resolving with prudence before he decides on any particular place to emigrate to.

The man of money will soon cease to be a capitalist, if he settles in a colony or country where he has to pay more for gathering his crops, or tending his flocks, or clearing his land, than the returns will justify; continued trenching on the principal, will, before long, absorb it all.

The tradesman and mechanic will, in all probability, have to deplore the hour when the comforts and employment of fatherland were left behind, if they bend their steps towards a colony, whither a mania for emigration has set in; excessive competition may, and does at times exist in new as well as old countries, and they may therefore be for years perfectly unable to obtain that employment and remuneration they seek, or which they left at home.

The labourer even should exercise a sound discretion in

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his choice; although in his case, any removal from home must benefit himself and his family, because in a new colony mere labour must be more valuable than in old countries, where the bare necessaries of life are all that this class can obtain.

Yet, although it is easy to recommend inquiry, prudence, and information, before any person resolves to cast his lot for life in any particular land, and abandon home, the author is but too well aware of the difficulty that has existed in procuring ample and correct information with respect to any stated place.

In all new countries and colonies, the local press, which must be the great source of information, is so certain to magnify everything connected with its own locality, that, as a general rule, but little dependence can be placed on what it advances, and particularly on the tabular statements of wages it from time to time publishes. It may seem strange that a respectable journal should advance statements, open to contradiction on the spot, but to those who know the colonies well, it is an ascertained fact, that such is continually done, and persevered in with impunity.

Where all are equally interested in pushing a new country or colony, few will be found to find fault with the pen that exaggerates, or paints in vivid colours, the position and prospects of their adopted land. Besides, individual cases may and do exist in many colonies, where tradesmen, mechanics, and others are in receipt of very high wages, but under particular circumstances. At the same time, in the same colony, there are frequently numbers of persons of the same trade or calling, who can absolutely procure

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no employment whatsoever; there is no need of them; yet the local papers of the place publish a table of wages, setting down all at the maximum price that perhaps, a few individuals are obtaining, when others are totally idle. Thus, the only fact that is made known to those at home, who think of emigrating, is, that eight, nine, or ten shillings per day is paid to a joiner, carpenter, mason, or coach-builder, as the case may be.

In an interview the writer had in the month of August with a person extensively connected with the colonies, no less than the names of twenty-seven individuals were consecutively stated to him, all of whom were at home for the purpose of advocating, by their pens or otherwise, the interests of the particular colonies with which they were connected, all of course endeavouring to make their own case the brightest of the lot. Discernment may well be said to be required in rooting out true information, from the glowing drapery in which it is dressed by the pens of those so anxious to advocate the place they are connected with.

The writer having spent twelve years in traversing the greater part of the globe, feels himself particularly qualified to lay before the public many facts connected with the colonies and the other seats of emigration, and much general information, which cannot fail of being of material assistance to all who think of trying their fortune, and casting their lot in other and distant lands.

To the labouring classes, generally, emigration must prove a blessing, but to many others, disappointment and regret may be the result, if care and prudence, com-

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bined with information, do not guide them in their resolve.

But in most colonies or new countries, the man who goes out with a determination to "look well," on arrival, "before he leaps;" to be well informed before he engages in anything; and when he has adopted a course, to follow it out with perseverance and industry, prepared for rough or smooth, as they may turn up; that man must eventually succeed, and improve his condition by the change. Home ideas, however, must at once on arrival in a colony be thrown aside, and the immigrant be prepared to fall into the ways of those amongst whom he has settled, perhaps for life. But if care be necessary in deciding on a place to emigrate to, still more is it requisite to guard the immigrant, on arrival in his adopted land, from the machinations and designs of the unprincipled.

There are in all newly settled countries many who live by the ignorance and credulity of the immigrant; but it is not alone such persons who take advantage of that want of knowledge. The land owner, the land agent, the stock owner, the employer of the labourer, are all too ready to take advantage of new arrivals; everything is represented by them to suit the interest of the informant. Land in particular localities is praised; town sections held forth as investments that cannot fail to be profitable; cattle and sheep must make the fortune of the buyer in a few years; whilst even the employer endeavours to take advantage of such as have only their trade or labour to depend on, to make good agreements.

As a general rule, no immigrant should, either pre-

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viously to his leaving home, or immediately on arrival in his adopted land, take any step seriously to affect his future prospects or position. He should hear with incredulity those representations that are made to him by the interested on his first arrival; and should quietly set himself down, with his pockets buttoned tightly up, so that none of his substance may disappear, until those individuals who first beset him to induce the investment of his capital in their land, cattle, town lots or farms, become tired of unsuccessful importunities, and turn their attention towards netting other "flats."

The tradesman, or mechanic even, should not, on first arrival, make any lengthened engagement. Tyrannical masters, and unhealthy or dangerous situations, may fall to their lot, or, as is very generally the case, reduced wages; this is not of much importance, if the engagement is only for a limited term.

With regard to men of money who emigrate, they experience many difficulties to their advantageous settlement. On his first arrival, a person of this class brings with him a few hundred, or a few thousand pounds, as the case may be, and, perhaps, letters of introduction to merchants or respectable settlers. As a natural consequence, the merchant or settler is asked for his advice as to the future settlement of the immigrant, who states the amount of his capital, to guide the person applied to, in giving his advice.

The old colonist probably has land, sheep, cattle, or town allotments, or some debtor or friend may have; and they are anxious to dispose of such. This is a good oppor-

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tunity; the new arrival comes to be plucked, and it is soon effected. Lands, cattle, sheep, town allotments, or "runs' in a new country, are held up, as it may suit the adviser, as investments that cannot fail amply to repay the buyer, and the unfortunate victim is gulled into the purchase of land under water, or with no water at all near it; or, perhaps, a stone waste, that would take a hundred acres to feed a beast upon; or a town allotment, that may in some half century become of the value they are induced to give for it; or scabby sheep, and old barren ewes, afflicted with the foot rot; or cattle of a bad cross breed, and wild as the buffalos of the Pampas, are passed off upon them at three times their value. This is no exaggerated statement: it is a thing of every-day occurrence in new countries; aye, even still worse, for there have been not a few instances in which flocks and herds that did not exist, or lands to which there was no claim or title whatsoever, have been sold to the deluded immigrant: a few such instances the writer will relate.

The scene of one was in a Yankee Notion Store, at St. Louis, on the Mississippi. The store owner who sold everything, from a grubbing axe to needles, lace and muslin, was also agent to a land company, who had purchased from the State an immense block of land on one of the tributaries of the Mississippi, considerably to the westward of St. Louis.

The agent spared no exertion in puffing, to realize his commission on sales by the disposal of part of this land speculation. Business of another kind had brought the writer to this worthy's store; and, when he entered,

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there was the dealer, eloquently descanting on water privileges, and the various kinds of timber, which he assured two young men existed in abundance on the advantageous district he had on sale. A map was produced of the property, divided into sections and allotments of every possible size and shape, nicely coloured and delineated.

It was evident that the two companions of the Yankee were new importations, or more properly speaking, immigrants with means, who were pushing westward in search of land, and they appeared to have been taken with the advertisements and puffs of the agent. With much inducement, they allowed themselves to be prevailed on to conclude the purchase, on the spot, of six hundred acres, at the rate of one dollar, and twenty-five cents (5s. 3d.) per acre, which was to be paid for in cash at once; but in case they required more land, and approved of their present purchase on seeing it, they were to be indulged with a long credit for such extension, merely paying a small deposit in the first instance. The money was paid, and a draft of the title was made out, to which was appended a map of the section purchased, with full description as to boundaries, &c, which were accurately defined; and the purchasers departed from the store, expressing their intention to proceed at once to inspect their purchase, which was distant some three hundred miles.

The Yankee turned his attention to the writer, when they had left, and "guessed" I would do "a considerable good thing," if I would purchase a lot of the same block; but, finding persuasion in vain, "reckoned" that he had

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done a pretty fair day's work in making the sale, and proposed to "liquor" over it. To humour his whim, the writer accompanied the agent to the bar of an hotel, and there discussed "mint julep." Conversation turned on the land lately sold, and the Yankee acknowledged he had never seen it, nor had any correct description of it; but that it had been roughly surveyed in a mass, three years before, and from the outline of this survey, a map had been drawn, dividing it into sections, allotments, &c. Of course it was his business to describe it in the most glowing colours, for he got twenty per cent on the sales he made; he had no doubt the purchasers would find out what kind of land it was themselves. And they did so to their cost: for within a month they returned to St. Louis, anathematizing the agent, and venting all possible opprobrious terms on Yankees in general.

It appeared that when they did, after great difficulty, discover the locality of their purchase, it was found to be many miles removed from human habitations, and chiefly to consist of a low marsh and lagoon, covered with water three parts of the year; and on the whole concern, there did not appear to be as much elevated ground as would suffice to erect a house upon!

The result is easily foreseen; the purchasers were only too anxious to get rid of land, or rather water, which they had been in such a hurry to obtain; and as none could be found willing to become purchasers, they assigned their entire right, title, and estate in the "lot" to the agent back again, for the consideration of one hundred dollars, being something like one eighth of the original purchase money.

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All over the States and Canada, there are jobbing land companies, having agents in the chief towns, who puff up and misrepresent land--in reality, perhaps, of no value-- merely for the purpose of securing their commission, whilst there is no redress for their unfortunate victims. In Australia, similar transactions, and, perhaps, even worse, frequently occur.

In 1839, there was, in Sydney, a Mr. W-----, who was the principal auctioneer in New South Wales; and his hammer daily announced the disposal of "inimitable" town and country allotments, and sheep and cattle of the best breeds the colony boasted of.

Day after day, his mart was crowded with hundreds of new arrivals, anxious to participate in the advantages of the good things that were there being disposed of. On one occasion, there was an extensive sheep station, beyond the boundaries, on New England Plains, to be sold, with two thousand sheep. It was a "most eligible opportunity for the man who wished to realize vast wealth in a few years;" at least, Mr. W----- assured his audience of that fact. There was no necessity to purchase land in this instance, a Government license for temporary occupation was all that was necessary, and this only cost ten pounds, and would be transferred with the sheep to the "fortunate purchaser." The inducements set forth were strong, and the hammer fell, making M-----, a lately arrived immigrant, with capital, the purchaser, at the rate of twenty-one shillings per head for the sheep, "station given in." Ten per cent deposit was paid on the spot, and the balance, which, with the deposit, amounted to two thousand, one hundred and ninety-three pounds, made good within a

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week, on which the purchaser received an order on a person, said to be the overseer of the station, for its delivery with the sheep up to Mr. M-----, on exhibiting the order.

Before commencing sheep farming, it was necessary that he should provide a team of bullocks, a dray, a horse for himself and shepherds to tend the flocks, with a supply of tea, sugar, salt, slops for the men, &c, before proceeding to take possession. All these, by advice, Mr. M------ furnished himself with, and then started for New England Plains. Arrived at the small river or creek on which the station was said to exist, inquiry was made for it, but in vain; up and down, the creek was traversed for the space of upwards of three weeks, but no such sheep or such station as Mr. M----- had bought, existed in that vicinity. It must have been a mistake, the name of the creek must have been wrongly given by the clerks. So M----- resolved to return on horseback to Sydney, to have the matter corrected and set to rights, leaving his three men camped with the dray and supplies, in the neighbourhood of an out station, till he returned.

Some days after, he arrived at Sydney, and at once proceeded to Mr. W-----'s mart; but lo! the doors are closed, --business there seems suspended. What can be the reason?--Has death deprived New South Wales of its finished auctioneer? A passer-by solved the difficulty. A week before, a brig, called the "Nereus," belonging to W-----, cleared out and sailed with her assorted trading cargo. The auctioneer determined to see it off, rode down to his wharf, and went on board the

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steamer which towed the Nereus out to sea, from whence he changed his quarters into the brig herself, and bade a hasty adieu to his friends on board the steamer, regretting the impossibility of giving notice of his departure to his Sydney friends.

The steamer returned with the news, and found a man on the wharf, holding W-----'s pony, awaiting its master's appearance; creditors became alarmed, indignant, and, finally, after too long a hesitation, despatched a vessel in pursuit, which returned unsuccessful. The sequel is soon told, the station and sheep that had been sold to Mr. M-----, existed only in the brain of the auctioneer, and the two thousand pounds that had been paid became a dead loss.

These two examples should serve as a warning to emigrants. It is impossible to foresee the drift of the designing; and there are so many ways in which they may exercise their talents, not only as regards the disposal of permanent settlements, but in exacting out of the way prices for lodging, carriage, travelling, &c. As an established rule, the emigrant should always take particular care to learn, from the owner or manager of small inns or lodging houses, what his real charge is, not only for the emigrant's own accommodation, but also for the storage of his luggage, as extensive imposition is frequently resorted to in Canada and the States under this head.

In many parts of Canada and the United States, it would be well for emigrants to apply for information, either regarding land or labour, to societies existing on the spot, whose object is to protect and guide the new comer.

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Where the agents of these societies are to be found, is easily learned through the publicity that is attached to them. No charge for information is made, but the applicant is informed with civility of the description of land in certain districts, and its average price; he is instructed in the best mode of making purchases, and is directed where his labour or trade, as the case may be, is likely to meet the best market. All this is peculiarly advantageous to the emigrant, as no guide book could furnish particulars that are necessarily altering every few months.

Not only do the "touters," or agents of hotels or lodging houses, hang about and canvass emigrants on first arrival, particularly in America; but runners, connected with different lines of conveyance, rail, steam-boat and coach, press and intrude themselves, each advocating their "line," and praising in glowing colours the demand for labour and artizans, that exists in the vicinity whither their conveyances run. It often happens, that the ignorant person is thus induced to journey to a place where a demand for labour is said to exist, on canals, railroads, &c, when such is not at all the case; his fare is that which is aimed at, and when obtained, the victim is left to shift for himself as he best can.

It is too frequently the case, that both monied men and the producing classes, hang about the great towns, near the sea-board, after their arrival in America. This cannot be too strongly deprecated; in leaving fatherland, they seek new countries, where the excessive competition existing at home is not to be met with; but if they remain in the large cities of the States, they will soon

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find as much difficulty in either successfully applying labour or capital, as in the country they have left. This caution is applicable to most emigrants, except such as are shipwrights, or artizans of those superior trades not in demand in newly settled places, and who may obtain employment in the more luxurious cities of the Eastern States, whose inhabitants are wealthier, and more accustomed to artificial wants, than the denizens of the forests and prairies of the "far West."

Large numbers, thousands in fact, of Irish immigrants annually arrive in the various American cities, who, on landing, are possessed of no means whatsoever to convey them into the interior. Of necessity, those persons hang about the towns where they first arrived, and tend materially to reduce the price of labour. Competition, with a class of persons who must either receive what is offered them as compensation for their labour, or starve, is of course to be avoided, and that can only be effected by seeking the interior, where a wide field is offered for every class.

It is frequently represented to emigrants, that it is not advisable to take British money with them, and in lieu of this, American bank-notes or private bills of exchange, are palmed off upon them by emigrant agents. Too much caution cannot be exercised in this matter. American bank-notes of every kind should be avoided: many of them are of no value, the banks having failed years ago; others are questionable in their value, particularly if the possessor tries to pass them out of the State where the bank is situated, a considerable discount, up to ten per

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cent, being then charged. Private bills of exchange are also, except to well-informed men, dubious matters, and even they too often suffer loss by this mode of conveying money from one country to another.

British money, both sovereigns and Bank of England notes, is convertible without loss in America or the colonies; sovereigns, indeed, frequently command a premium. If the sum is small, emigrants should always convey their capital in gold; if large, Bank of England notes, or bankers' bills (of eminence) should be resorted to. The writer has, while in the colonies, had to give a premium on Bank of England notes to remit to England. Commissariat bills from the colonies always command a premium, and they are no better security than bank-notes, if the latter are forwarded separately to their destination, and with proper precautions. In all parts of the world, a British sovereign will pass for its full home value; but if conveyed by emigrants in large sums to distant lands, gold should always be insured, which can be effected at a much lower rate than any kind of merchandize. Many might imagine that when any one carries gold with him, there is little necessity for insurance, as there would be but a small probability of its being lost, without his sharing its fate: the following instance will prove the contrary.

In 1841, the emigrant bark, "India," bound for Port Phillip, accidentally caught fire, when but a short distance to the southward of the line. There were a large number of passengers and bounty emigrants on board. Fortunately a French whaler hove in sight, and sent her boats to the assistance of the burning ship, but such was the rapidity

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of the flames, and the number of the passengers, that before they could be taken off by the boats, many were destroyed by fire, or had to take refuge in the sea from that element. Amongst the latter was a gentleman named A-----, who having with him upwards of three hundred sovereigns in cash, had secured it about his person on the first alarm. The fire had driven him into the fore chains, and at last compelled him to abandon even that place and take the water, trusting to a small spar to support him until picked up; but in vain, the spar was not sufficient to counterbalance the weight of the gold, and as a last resource, Mr. A----- had to abandon his grasp of the treasure, and let it sink into the bosom of the deep, a total loss, because uninsured. He himself was soon afterwards picked up by one of the whale boats, and deeply did he regret his vanished means, which might have been secured by the expenditure of a very few pounds in insurance. Emigrants should never trust to chance, where their material interests are concerned; certainty should, if possible, always be secured.

But that first absolute necessity in emigration, of crossing the ocean, has not yet been touched on; however, it nearly concerns in many ways, the existence, hopes, and happiness of the emigrant of every rank and station. In long and distant voyages, the accommodation of the emigrant becomes a question of life and death; whilst even in the shorter transit to America, it is of importance, more particularly to "intermediate" and "steerage" passengers. In preparing for a long sea voyage, even for a month, there are many things to be looked to. First in im-

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portance, is the character and accommodation of the ship. Light and ventilation should, above all things, be well looked after, they are absolute necessaries to guard against disease. In dock, even the best cabins look much lighter and more airy than they are at sea, when port-holes have to be closed, sky-lights let down, and stern-ports, in small ships, caulked in. The nearer the cabin is towards the centre of the vessel, the motion is of course more reduced; but then both light and air should be secured, by having a port-hole with a bull's-eye (of glass), and facilities to open it easily in warm or fine weather, when required. These are frequently apparent while the vessel is in harbour, but when out at sea, dead-lights are let down over them and secured, so that light and air are both shut out. Cabin passengers should, if possible, engage their berths in the poop, if such exist, as these cabins are more light and airy than below. Emigrants of the lower classes, "steerage" and "intermediate" passengers, are always accommodated below, "'tween decks," and as their quarters are nearest the water's edge, the faculties for obtaining light and air are decreased. Much light can seldom be obtained from side-ports in passenger-ships, except of the very largest class; as it would be dangerous to have many ports with bull's-eyes fitted in their sides; it is most frequently obtained by pieces of thick opaque glass, inserted in the decks of the vessel, at intervals. Air is, more particularly in bad or rough weather, obtainable only through the hatchways, one or more, as they may be kept open. At sea, the entire hatchway can seldom be up, as the spray that comes on board would then wash down into the hold.

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This is particularly the case in bad weather, when merely a small scuttle in the hatchway is all that can be left open for the ascent and descent of passengers, and the admission of air. The "'tween-decks" of an emigrant ship, with three or four hundred passengers, sunk in darkness, and with the little pure air that descends through, perhaps, two scuttles, one in the fore-hatch and one in the after, in bad weather, may be imagined: to describe it adequately is impossible. The sickness of many, the effluvia of hundreds of heated bodies, with the associated odour arising from every kind of provisions the passengers possess, but too often generate fevers of the most virulent kind. Disease then prevails in the crowded space; attention, such as the wants of the sufferer require, cannot be administered; and, unless the destined port is soon reached, death and an ocean grave is frequently the poor emigrant's fate. These ship fevers are often communicated to the crew and cabin passengers; on long voyages, indeed, they become appalling, and even on those of limited duration, they are often fearfully fatal.

During the summer of 1847, the extent of disease in vessels bound to the States or to our American possessions, was very great. Many instances have occurred of ships losing one third or one fourth of their emigrants on the passage, another third being laid up in fever on their arrival in Canada, where no small proportion of those landed have also died at the quarantine stations. Up to the commencement of August last year, rather more than seventy thousand emigrants were landed in Canada, and of these, it is calculated that no less than twenty-three thousand

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were suffering, on arrival, from fever or its effects. Of course, with a few occasional exceptions, these were exclusively steerage passengers, deprived of light, ventilation, and a sufficient diet, during the voyage.

Passengers of all classes should, if possible, always take their passage by ships that are constantly in the habit of trading to their destined port. These have a character to maintain, which leads to a better treatment of passengers than is likely to be met with in transient vessels, which may make but one solitary voyage to the place, the owners caring but little what accommodation they give, merely looking to, and calculating on, as large as possible an amount of profit from the ship. Large ships should be generally chosen in preference to small ones, unless the latter carry very few passengers; cabin emigrants should prefer a small party of companions to numerous ones in the cuddy, as disagreements and squabbles, frequent on ship-board, are then less likely to occur. "Steerage" and "intermediate" passengers should, next to light and ventilation, seek room, and avoid over crowded ships: water-closets should be especially looked after, as many ships have none for steerage passengers, or in such situations as to be completely unavailable, particularly to females in rough weather; cabin passengers often suffer much from this cause also. Emigrants, whether cabin or steerage passengers, should, if possible, always procure single berths; a double berth, even in the most commodious cabins, is uncomfortable in bad weather and, in the steerage, unhealthy. Many of the emigrant vessels to America fit up berths to contain three or four each, and those are often occupied by males and females

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of the same family, indiscriminately, though they may happen to be but distantly related! The immorality and bad tendency of this is too apparent, and should not in any case be permitted.

It is absolutely disgraceful, alike to the Government of the country and the Legislature, that no measure has been adopted for the complete supervision, classification, and accommodation of passengers of the lower classes, in transient ships. The only steps taken by the executive, with regard to general passenger vessels for emigrants, are first, a survey to ascertain that the ship is sea-worthy; then a curtailment or restriction of the number of passengers, in proportion to the ship's tonnage; and, lastly, the declaration of the Government emigration agent at the port from whence the vessel sails, that she has a proportionate quantity of bread and water on board. This particularly applies to vessels bound to North America; private ships for distant colonies, seldom carrying a large number of passengers, are less subjected to the control of the Government agent.

Ships proceeding southward, and crossing the line with a certain number of passengers, are compelled by law to carry a surgeon. This is not at all the case in vessels bound to any part of North America; but sadly has the want of a surgeon been made apparent by the frightful casualties through fever, in the greater number of the ships carrying passengers, during the past year, to Canada. In their protection of emigrants, the Americans are much before England, as, under a heavy penalty, they bind all ships entering their ports to a much smaller proportion of passengers, according to their tonnage, than what is allowed by Great Britain.

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The system at present enforced in all passenger-ships carrying emigrants on account of the South Australian Commissioners, is much to be commended, and might, in part, be made applicable to all emigrant ships. Classification is adopted in these vessels, the single males and females are in separate parts of the ship; whilst, again, both are divided by partitions from the married persons. Every morning a certain number of each class clean thoroughly their quarters; three or four of the best conducted of them, acting as superintendants, not only over this matter, but also in suppressing at all times nuisance, noise, or disorder. These persons sometimes act as teachers to the young, receiving a small remuneration in the colony. All are, however, under the management of the surgeon-superintendant, whose control over the emigrants, their regulation, provisions, &c, is unlimited. If provisions or water should fall short, he has even the power to compel the captain to put into the nearest port. A certificate from this gentleman is necessary for the captain or agent of the ship, before the last moiety of the contracted passage money is paid by the colonial authorities.

It certainly would be difficult to apply all these regulations to transient vessels bound to America, but a surgeon-superintendant should be on board each ship, the sexes should also be separated, except in the case of married couples. The arrangement of the berths should be under a certain specified plan, and not more than two persons allowed in each. It may be thought this would lead to much expense, but this is clearly proved not to be the case, by the South Australian Commissioners getting their

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emigrants carried out for an average of £12 12s. per head, to the furthest part of the globe.

The next point of importance is, to inquire into the character of the captain. If he is a sterling man, his inferior officers are generally well conducted, and may much promote the happiness of the emigrant, particularly of the lower class. It would be well to ascertain if the commander has been long in the vessel, and if he is known on the line, as one accustomed to that particular trade; these are two material guarantees for his good conduct. At sea, the power of the captain is extreme in every way; and this authority should always be supported, unless when carried to such a length as would affect the safety of the passengers. Even when captains proceed to the greatest extremities, and perpetrate most outrageous doings, the crew are too likely to support them against the passengers. The anger or resentment of the commander of a vessel should never be provoked by any class of persons; for he has the means, without openly committing himself, of turning the ship into a "very hell" for the offender: this the writer has seen many times strongly exemplified, especially in long voyages; and he was once witness of a suicide, committed by a cabin passenger, under the influence of excitement, caused by petty annoyances heaped upon him by the captain. Respect should invariably be shown to that person, to whom, in going on board ship, you entrust your life. His commands and requests should always be met with alacrity, so that a feeling of mutual regard--if only temporary--may be promoted. It is not easy to judge of captains of ships when on shore; they seem for that period to assume another nature, with their

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"go a-shore clothes;" and the mild, cheerful person we meet on terra firma, is often scarcely recognizable in the stern, tyrannical, abusive personage he proves to be at sea. Sobriety, on his part, ought above all to be looked after; for no human being should trust himself at sea with a drunken commander. Many of these points it is extremely difficult, especially for those who are not cabin passengers, to learn; but if the commander has been regularly trading to the port whither they are bound, and has been in charge of the same ship for some time, that may be considered sufficiently satisfactory, unless something decidedly unfavourable, and well authenticated, is learned against his character.

There yet remains one most important point to touch upon, of vital interest to the emigrant, and that is choice of climate. The colonies of Great Britain themselves present every diversity, from the scorching heats of Africa, to the six months' winter of Canada and Nova Scotia. Thus, the range, even for those who wish not to quit the protection of British laws, is as extensive as could be wished for, and leaves no excuse for the unsuccessful emigrant attributing his failure to climate; if he resolves upon the adoption of a particular country from genuine information, he cannot easily err. Few, however, do judge with prudence and sound consideration; a vague statement of fertile lands, or large fortunes amassed by particular individuals, induce the first idea of emigration; and, once resolved upon, headlong on their course, rush the crowd, in total ignorance of whither they are bent.

It was on the banks of the Missouri, in the "far West" of the United States, after traversing some miles of

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rich flats, formed by alluvial and vegetable deposits, that the writer alighted from his horse, and approached a large and spacious weatherboard house, with extensive outbuildings and stock-yards; while in the distance waved the tall and graceful stems of broad acres of maize, fast ripening beneath the sun's still warm autumnal rays. Hanging his horse's bridle on a panel of fence, near the slip rail by which he entered the enclosure--on which the house stood-- the author approached unnoticed; and, although the front door stood open, rapped for admittance. From within, a voice issued, directing the stranger to walk in; on doing so, he found himself in the main room of a comfortable farm-house, with evidences of prosperity heaped around, yet no human face was to be seen. But again the voice was heard inquiring what was the visitor's business. It was soon told: the traveller wanted accommodation for the night, as he had been informed there was no tavern within a long distance, and he had ridden far. Without hesitation he was made welcome, but assured he must help himself, as the farm servants had not yet returned, and the entire family were laid up with ague. There, in different rooms, were father, mother, three sons, and two daughters, all cadaverous-looking objects, shivering and shaking in palsied agony, beneath heaps of blankets, sheep and deer skins, piled on each other. An old traveller, the author soon made himself at home; and when the farm servants returned, a savoury meal of "pork and chicken fixings" soon smoked upon the board. The master of the house was once a Northumberland farmer, but had emigrated; journeyed to the far West, and purchased the land upon which he was located. Amply did the soil repay the culture, and

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plentiful was the produce in the farmer's barns. Worldly wealth had increased with him; but ague--the affliction of the country--had come upon him and his family, in whose countenances the ruddy glow of health had long ceased to be visible. Over and over again did the poor man say, that gladly would he return to the comparative poverty of his early days, and resign all he had acquired, to have health restored to him and his. But his lot was cast; and he must linger on a life of neither comfort nor enjoyment, although all his wants were supplied by his farm, almost to excess.

Plenty, and a bounteous increase of the world's goods, had failed in this instance, as in a thousand others, to ensure happiness--for health was wanting. Trace the sluggish and muddy waters of the mighty Mississippi into the far West, and fever and ague will be found to form a sad draw-back on the advantages of that country. And long years must pass away before this region will become healthy. The dense forests will have to be cleared away, as well as the noxious gases emitted by the deep rich brakes along the river's bank. Proceed still further northwest, until the distant regions of Upper Canada, beyond Lake Superior, are attained--ague is even prevalent there; but then the great fault of the British North American colonies, as respects climate, is, the length and severity of the winter, precluding all tillage of the land, and restricting the application of labour. Felling or chopping timber is the only employment that can, in the winter season in Canada, be pursued out of doors.

What a much more desirable climate exists in all the Australian colonies. Dry and healthy--except in

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New South Wales at times of drought--field labour can be continuously pursued without injurious effects. Snow, there may be said to be none; and frosts are so slight, as to disperse before an hour's sun.

But, above all, Australia is free from the pestilential vapours and miasma that are common in many new countries, and which arise from decaying vegetable deposits. The trees of Australia are evergreens; and, although in process of time, the foliage of one year passes away, yet it may be said never to form a deposit. It remains upon the tree until the action of the sun and weather upon the leaf has had the effect of dissipating its substance, nought remaining but a dry shred, totally devoid of juices likely to resolve into gases. This provision of Nature disposes of what would otherwise prove most unhealthy, if subject to the course of European or tropical trees, in the formation of deposits of matter, which would soon putrify beneath a warm sun. Even the climate of South Africa, as far as health is concerned, and the ability to labour in the open air, is before most parts of the Western States and Canada. But to particularize each, would require more space than this sketch will afford. Urging attention to these points, the writer will, in the progress of his work, give such information upon the climate of each place described, as to enable the reader to come to a conclusion for himself as to which will suit him best: the snows and frost of North America, the heat of Africa, the dry atmosphere of Australia, or the temperature of New Zealand.

In emigrating, the new settler should pay especial attention to the general character, situation, and proprietorship of the soil of that country whither he purposes transporting himself

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and his fortunes. The author would particularly call the attention of emigrants to this point. In some colonies, although the upset price of land may appear low, yet the expense of clearing is such as greatly to enhance the actual cost before the soil is in a fit state for cultivation. In Lower Canada, the average outlay for clearing waste land per acre is about three pounds sterling; in Western Canada, four pounds; in the other British North American possessions, about the same amount; in the Western United States, from two to six pounds per acre, according to circumstances; in the Cape Colony, two pounds; in New Zealand, timbered land, from four to twelve pounds per acre; fern land, one to two pounds; whilst in the Australian colonies vast tracts of cleared fertile land are to be met with completely ready for the plough, more especially in Australia Felix and South Australia. The cost of clearing timbered soil in the latter colonies, intended for cultivation, is considerable. The accessibility to a market for produce raised is the next thing to be considered, and should be carefully inquired into; whilst a yet more important matter is the title and tenure that emigrants will receive on purchasing waste lands. As a general rule, all purchases direct from the Crown of Great Britain in the colonies may be considered most secure; this is also the case as regards land purchased from the Government in the United States; but in transactions with land companies, private or public, the utmost caution and circumspection should be exercised. This has been strongly exemplified in the case of the New Zealand Company, which sold tens of thousands of acres to individuals who were induced to proceed thither, but were kept in a state

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of suspense for years, without obtaining their land, until ruin descended on them, in consequence of differences between the Crown, the Company, and the Aborigines.

Emigration does, indeed, present a great and beneficial resource to hundreds of thousands, who, on account of limited means, or excessive competition, can but struggle on at home from year to year, without a chance of improving their condition or that of their children; although, as already stated, there are many who had better remain at home. But, as a general rule, an energetic, persevering, industrious, healthy man, with or without capital, can improve his condition and the prospects of his family by emigrating. But, above all, before any person should determine on such a step, it is advisable that he should weigh well the merits, advantages, and disadvantages of the various lands that offer scope for the enterprise and industry of those who seek to better their condition, by leaving the crowded parishes or marts of Britain, to seek a home in the pathless forest, or upon the wild prairie. One country or colony may possess advantages over others, for particular classes of individuals. The weaver or cotton spinner, whose labour is not required in the half-peopled districts of New South Wales, may find employment and good remuneration at the manufacturing emporiums that are continually springing up amongst the States of the American Union. Certain trades, also, will prosper in one place, whilst those who depend on them will starve in another, unless they turn their hands to, and follow other callings more in request in the land of their adoption. Capitalists, whose funds in one place would vastly increase, might, and often have, in

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another, seen their means vanish from their grasp, like the morning dew before the summer sun. The farmer, the man of limited means at home, can, by a judicious choice of a new land, soon dispel the doubt and uncertainty that hang over his prospects, and weigh down his mind, absorbed by the interest and fate of the young family that surrounds him. The younger sons of aristocratic, or respectable families, who have little to expect from the adoption of either of the over-crowded professions at home, may find, in emigration, a field for the profitable employment of their talents and their limited capital, without submitting to the drudgery of trade. By perseverance, they will most likely succeed in founding, in new lands, a branch of the old stock which may, in future years, outshine the parent stem. Oh! for the joyous feeling of the mind, and its hopeful aspirations, when the enterprising emigrant shall pitch his tent on some well chosen and fertile valley, where Nature alone dwells, but which his mind's eye shall people with his numerous descendants, in peace, happiness, and plenty.