almost completed a plan for going into Berwickshire to reside with a farmer and thus equip himself as a land owner.  His friends thought him changeable.  “The Captain,” wrote Ker on the 30th of March, 1810, “is a sweet tempered good young man but he wants steadiness....  I fear that after trying to be a farmer at Murray Bay he may tire and want to return to the army.”  So serious was Tom about his future bucolic life that he wrote to his sister Christine, as he had written before to his mother, to ask whether she did not think he should look round for a wife; such a companion would be necessary, he thought, if he settled down as a farmer in Canada.  We can imagine that the proposition, from a youth of twenty-three, caused some dismay among the occupants of the Manor House at Murray Bay; but Tom was soon professing himself something of a woman hater and he never married.

His return to Murray Bay followed quickly.  By a fortunate, or perhaps, in view of the tragic fate awaiting poor Tom, unfortunate, chance, instead of going on half-pay, he was able to exchange from the 10th Regiment of Foot to the Newfoundland Regiment.  The chief reason for the exchange was that the Newfoundland Regiment was ordered to Canada, where Tom could get leave of absence to pay a long visit to Murray Bay and learn how its life would suit him.  So, in the autumn of 1810, the young man was in Canada, which he had not seen since childhood.  To Murray Bay he soon paid a flying visit; the longer leave of absence would come later.  His competent, busy, prudent and affectionate old mother welcomed him with open arms.  He had thought of himself as a young Bashaw strutting round among the people of his seigniory.  No doubt they were much interested to see the young Captain; but his duties soon called him back to Quebec, from which place on December 3rd, 1810, he writes to his mother: 

I have this moment finished drinking tea, all alone....  You have totally spoiled my relish for anything except for Murray Bay; my notions of things in general appear to be entirely changed.  Murray Bay while viewed only in perspective afforded me a sort of pleasing reflection; but now that I have a nearer view and enjoyed its comforts my ideas have experienced a complete revolution.  So you see what your society and most kind loving treatment have effected.  You may therefore rest assured that no stone will be left unturned to try to 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