with alligators, though I have heard but of three being seen at one time, and none of those above eighteen feet long:  this, however, is immaterial, as we do not use the river fluid, which is thick and dirty, but draw all our water from natural wells and tanks.  Poisonous springs are rather common, but are easily distinguished by containing no fish or living animal.  Those, however, which swarm with frogs, toads, newts, efts, &c., are harmless, and may be safely used for culinary purposes.  In short, I know of no drawback but one, which, I am sanguine, may be got over hereafter, and do earnestly hope and advise, if things are no better in England than when I left, you, and as many as you can persuade, will sell off all, and come over to this African Paradise.  The drawback I speak of is this:—­Although I have never seen any one of the creatures, it is too certain that the mountains are inhabited by a race of monkeys, whose cunning and mischievous talents exceed even the most incredible stories of their tribe.  No human art or vigilance seems of avail:  we have planned ambuscades, and watched night after night, but no attempt has been made; yet the moment the guard was relaxed, we were stripped without mercy.  I am convinced they must have had spies night and day on our motions—­yet so secretly and cautiously, that no glimpse of one has yet been seen by any of our people.  Our last crop was cut and carried off with the precision of an English harvesting.  Our spirit stores—­(you will be amazed to hear that these creatures pick locks with the dexterity of London burglars)—­have been broken open and ransacked, though half the establishment were on the watch; and the brutes have been off to their mountains, five miles distant, without even the dogs giving an alarm.  I could almost persuade myseif at times, such are their supernatural knowledge, swiftness, and invisibility, that we have to contend with evil spirits.  I long for your advice, to refer to on this subject; and am, dear Philip,

“Your loving brother,

“AMBROSE MAWE.

“P.S.  Since writing the above, you will be concerned to hear the body of poor Diggory has been found, horribly mangled by wild beasts.  The fate of Chippendale, Gregory, and Mudge is no longer doubtful.  The old lion has brought the lioness, and, the sheep being all gone, they have made a joint attack upon the bullock-house.  The Mudiboo has overflowed, and Squampash Flatts are a swamp.  I have just discovered that the monkeys are my own rascals, that I brought out from England.  We are coming back as fast as we can.”

EMIGRATION: 

[Illustration:  Meeting a Settler.]

Meeting a Settler.

THE CUTS.