As soon as my little fallow was ready for sowing with wheat, I discharged my two Irishmen, of whom I was very glad to be rid.  I would advise new colonists never to employ men who have not been some time in Canada:  it is much better to pay higher wages than to be troubled with fellows who know nothing about the work of the country.  Besides, these persons, though accustomed to bad wages and food at home, actually expect better provisions and wages than men who thoroughly understand their business:  take the following for a fair example.

One day, a stout able-bodied fellow, a fresh importation from the emerald isle, dressed in breeches open at the knees, long worsted stockings, rucked down to the ankles, and a great-coat with at least three capes, while a high-crowned black hat, the top of which opened and shut with every breeze like the lid of a basket, completed his costume—­rather a curious one for July, with the thermometer above 80 degrees in the shade—­accosted me with—­“Does yer honor want to hire a boy to-day?”

He stood at least six feet in his stockings.

“What can you do, and what makes you wear that great coat this hot weather?”

“Why, sure, yer honour, it’s a good un to keep out the heat, and I can do almost anything.”

“Can you log, chop, or fence?”

“No.”

“Can you plough?”

“No; but I think I could soon larn.”

“Can you mow or cradle wheat?”

“I can mow a trifle, but I don’t know what the other thing is at all, at all.”

“Pray, then, what can you do?”

“Well, then, yer honour, I am illigant at the spade entirely.”

“What wages do you expect?”

“Twelve dollars, sir, and my boord, if it be plasing to you.”

“No, no, my good fellow; I do not please to do any such thing, and I do not think any one else in his senses will, either.  I think you had better apply for work to the road-contractors, who require a good deal of spade-labour, which I think is at present all you are fit for.”

Upon returning to my shanty in the evening, I was surprised to find that my brother-in-law had just arrived with the intelligence of the birth of my first-born son, and the dangerous illness of my dear wife.  Little hope was entertained of her recovery.  My poor Emma had been safely delivered of a fine boy, and was supposed to be progressing favourably, when some alarming symptoms appeared which made it necessary to send immediately for me.

Long before dawn I was some miles upon my sad journey to Darlington.  I had no horse.  The way was long and toilsome; and I had had neither time for rest nor appetite for food.  I loved my amiable and excellent wife with all the warmth of a youthful husband united to the object of his affections.  I am very fond of little children, and the idea of having one of my own to pet and work for had given a stimulus to all my labours.  My first-born seemed