PHILO.

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NOTES OF A READER.

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EMIGRATION.

A pamphlet of Twenty-four Letters from Labourers in America to their Friends in England, has lately reached our hands.  These letters have been addressed by emigrants to their relatives in the eastern part of Sussex, and have been printed literatim.  We are aware of the strong prejudice which exists against the practice of parishes sending off annually, a part of their surplus population to America; but some of the statements in these letters will stagger the Noes.  We quote a few from letters written during the past year: 

Brooklyn, Jan. 14, 1828.

John is at work as carpenter, for the winter; his Boss gives him 5_s_. a day, our money, which is little more than 2_s_. 6_d_, English money.  They tell us that winter is a dead time in America; but we have found it as well and better than we expected.  We can get good flour for 11_d_.  English money; good beef for 2_d_. or 3_d_ do, and mutton the same price; pork about 4_d_.; sugar, very good, 5_d_.; butter and cheese is not much cheaper than in England; clothing is rather dear, especially woollen; worsted stockings are dear.

New Hereford, June 30, 1828.

Dear Father and Mother,

I now take the opportunity of writing to you since our long journey.  But I am very sorry to tell you, that we had the misfortune to lose both our little boys; Edward died 29th April, and William 5th May; the younger died with bowel complaint; the other with the rash-fever and sore throat.  We were very much hurt to have them buried in a watery grave; we mourned their loss; night and day they were not out of our minds.  We had a minister on board, who prayed with us twice a day; he was a great comfort to us, on the account of losing our poor little children.  He said, The Lord gave, and taketh away; and blessed be the name of the Lord.  We should make ourselves contented if we had our poor little children here with us:  we kept our children 24 hours.  There were six children and one woman died in the vessel.  Master Bran lost his wife.  Mrs. Coshman, from Bodiam, lost her two only children.  My sister Mary and her two children are living at Olbourn, about 80 miles from us.  Little Caroline and father is living with us; and our three brothers are living within a mile of us.  Brother James was very ill coming over, with the same complaint that William had.  We were very sick for three weeks, coming over:  John was very hearty, and so was father.  We were afraid we should loose little Caroline; but the children and we are hearty at this time.  Sarah and Caroline are often speaking of going to see their grandmother.  Mary’s children were all well, except little John; he was bad with a great cold.  I have got a house and employ.  I have 4_s_. a day and my