NO EMIGRATION. 11 



market houses early in the morning, where the inhabitants 

 flock at break of day with their baskets, as every one carries 

 home their purchases. The markets close in summer at 

 eleven o clock, in winter at one. Great numbers of country 

 waggons at the market every day through the fall, [autumn] 

 winter, and spring, with country produce. Large quantities 

 of water-fowl, from the Bay, brought to the markets during 

 the winter ; wild ducks, a great variety, from 3\d. to 5d. 

 each ; the canvas-back is large, and considered a delicacy, 

 Is. Id. to Is. 6d. each ; partridges, 4d. to Id. each ; quails, 

 Id. to 2%d. ditto; hares and rabbits, small, from 6d. to Is. 

 each. 



The land round the city is hilly, commanding fine views 

 down the bay, and over the country. The soil in the 

 vicinity is a mixture of dirty yellow clay, with sand and 

 gravel, but the bottoms or small valleys which lie to the 

 east and north-west are good, and here are the gardens 

 that supply the markets. On the little hills and risings are 

 situated some country seats, that the wealthy inhabitants 

 retire to in summer; their whiteness, enlivened with the 

 brightness of the sun, on opening to the view in different 

 directions, from behind the slips of woods, reminds me of 

 some spots in the neighbourhood of London, but on ap 

 proaching them, many are in a dilapidated state, and the 

 gardens and fences in a slovenly, neglected condition. 



Dec. 25. Christmas Day: instead of ringing bells, &c. 

 as in England (there are but few bells here to ring) it was 

 ushered in by firing guns, squibs, and crackers all last night, 

 and continues with intervals through the day. The moment 

 I arose this morning, I was presented with a glass of &quot; egg- 

 mogg,&quot; as they termed it, a compound of rum, eggs, milk, 

 and sugar, also with ginger-cake, and a cake with raisins , 

 in it, which is their &quot; Christmas cake ;&quot; all for merry 

 making and &quot; parties/ I was pressed to one in the evening 

 with the captain and his wife, a number of fine females and 

 their beaus present ; the time was spent with a variety Q| 

 plays, singing songs, playing on the piano, eating cake, 

 drinking toddy, peach brandy, &c., quite a sociable party, 

 the female part easy and apparently unaffected ; broke up 

 early by the request of our host, the next day being Sun 

 day. Americans use very little or no ceremony, except 

 the introduction by shaking hands, &c. ; each leaves table 

 at meal-time as soon as done eating, and they are generally 



