SOLON ROBINSON, 1840 141 



with in a "log cabin ;" let me honestly advise you to bring 

 the worth of it in "Berkshire pigs," "Durham bulls," 

 "Leicester sheep," and other improved, machinery, that 

 will add much more to your wealth and comfort, than 

 mahogany side-boards, tables and chairs, and gilt looking 

 glasses. I do not object to these things in their proper 

 places — but the place for them, is not in a house com- 

 posed of rough logs, having the cracks between them 

 "chinked" with rails, and "daubed" with mud; having a 

 floor made of "puncheons," that is, plank split out of 

 logs, the roof covered with "shakes," or "clapboards," 

 about four feet long, laid upon round poles; the chim- 

 ney built without stone, brick, or mason, composed of 

 sticks and clay — the door of split boards, with wooden 

 hinges and latch — for such are some of the "fixins" of 

 a log cabin — and in such a dwelling-place has many a 

 good family lived comfortably, contented, and happy, 

 while earning the means to provide a better one — and in 

 such an one has been many a good piece of furniture 

 spoiled by an exposure, which such articles are not calcu- 

 lated to endure. Besides, such articles run much more 

 risk of loss and damage on the passage than a cage of 

 Berkshire pigs. 



Let me earnestly advise every person intending to emi- 

 grate to the west, particularly the northern parts of 

 Indiana and Illinois, to which water communication is 

 so cheap, safe, and convenient, to dispose of all articles 

 of luxury, that are unsuitable to the situations they will 

 be likely to be placed in, for a few of the first years of 

 their new habitation, and invest the proceeds in valuable 

 stock, and improved fanning implements, with a variety 

 of the best seeds ; and my word for it, they will find their 

 account in it. 



A word more, honestly spoken. Although the inhabi- 

 tants of all new countries are anxious to see it settle fast, 

 and urge their friends and acquaintance to "come west," 

 without distinction, there are many that come who are 

 entirely unfit for "new settlers." An able general selects 



