SITUATION OF SETTLERS WITHOUT CAPITAL. 363 



end of a few years. Every thing goes on well for a short time. 

 A log-house is erected with the assistance of old settlers, and 

 the clearing of forest is commenced. Credit is obtained at a 

 neighbouring store, and at length it is found necessary to work 

 a day or two in the week for hire to obtain food for the family. 

 The few garden stuffs and field crops, grown the first year, 

 produce little for want of a free circulation of air, and the 

 imperfect manner in which they had been sown. Should 

 fever and ague now visit the emigrant, which is frequently 

 the case, the situation of himself and family, enfeebled by 

 disease, is truly wretched. Hope is, however, still bright, and 

 he struggles through the second year, with better crops and 

 prospects than the preceding one. The third year brings 

 him good crops, which furnish a supply of food for his 

 establishment. During this period he has led a life of toil 

 and privation, being poorly fed and most uncomfortably 

 lodged. But the thoughts of owning so many fair acres 

 has been a never-failing source of joy and sweetener of life. 

 On arrival of the fourth harvest, he is reminded by the store 

 keeper to pay his account with cash, or discharge part of it 

 with his disposable produce, for which he gets a very small 

 price. He is also informed that the purchase-money of the 

 land has been accumulating with interest. The phantom of 

 prosperity, conjured up by his imagination, is now dispelled, 

 and, on calmly looking into his affairs, he finds himself poorer 

 than when he commenced operations. Disappointment preys 

 on his spirits, and the aid of whisky is perhaps sought to 

 raise them. The hopelessness of his situation renders him 

 indolent and immoral. The land ultimately reverts to the 

 former proprietor, or a new purchaser is found. 



To render the situation of an emigrant purchasing without 

 capital more evident, his case shall be illustrated by figures. 

 Suppose 200 acres, which is the common size of lots pur 

 chased, at 15s., and that the emigrant has the means of 

 maintaining himself without working for hire, and continues 

 in good health. The three first crops being required to feed 

 the family and obtain necessaries, he may be supposed to have 

 nearly thirty acres in crop the fourth year, if he has been very 



