1839] 



FARMERS' REGISTER 



71fl 



he possesses a temporary government. Though 

 the abilities of my servant were not conipleleiy 

 tried during my short absence, still ( am inclined 

 to think them above an average. He is sober and 

 steady — qualities of great importance ; and, hav- 

 ing got rather a better education than common, is 

 /'ree of prejudice, and eager to iniroduce every new 

 improvement which has the appearance of being 

 useful. 



If any thing could lessen the pleasure of the 

 visit to^.your house, it was the absence of my fa- 

 ther, who, you know, was unluckily confined to 

 his room at that time by indisposition. I am hap- 

 py, however, to acquaint you, that he is now res- 

 tored to health, as you will observe from the en- 

 closed extracts olihe letter sent me yesterday. It 

 was out of my power to see him on my return 

 from your house ; but, knowing his anxiety about 

 the business which carried me there, I wrote him 

 immediately. Very likely, a copy of my letter 

 may ah'ord some satislaciion to you and your wor- 

 thy family. 



" Dear^Father, — I felt great concern at your be- 

 ing unable to meet me at Barnhill ; especially as 

 the business in view was of such a nature as ma- 

 terially to influence my future vveKare and happi- 

 ness. Upon my arrival at Barnhill, Mr. Jamie- 

 son showed me your letter, the contents of which 

 damped my spirits, and certainly served to lessen 

 the pleasure which otherwise would have been 

 enjoyed at his hospitable mansion. Trusting you 

 are now in a convalescent state, I proceed to detail 

 the leading particulars of my visit, firmly convinced 

 that you and my mother must be highly gratified 

 at my meeting with such a lavorable reception. 



" I Ibund your old friend in good health, and tis 

 active and attentive to business as when I was in 

 his service. The first and second days were spent 

 in examining the larm, and inspecting the live- 

 stock 5 but of these things we will talk afterwards. 

 With regard to the chief object of my visit, sul- 

 fice it to say, that after several conversations with 

 Miss Jamieson, I ventured to disclose my senti- 

 ments to her iiither, who received ihem in the most 

 favorable manner. ' George,' says he, ' I have 

 no objection against receiving you as a son-in-law, 

 having formed a good opinion of your principles ; 

 but you will attend, that, in a matter of such mo- 

 ment to my daughter's happiness, I will not pre- 

 sume to dictate to her in the slightest way. If 

 you can gain her consent, neither mine nor that of 

 Mrs. Jamieson will be wanting. Indeed, neither 

 of us were so short-sighted as to be ignorant of 

 your intentions long belbre they were formally an- 

 nounced. One thing, however, I must tell you, 

 which is, that my daughter will not have a large 

 fortune; therefore, if you are guided by expec- 

 tations of that nature, you will be completely dis- 

 appointed.' I quickly replied, 'My dear sir ! it 

 is not money, but a good wilt;, that I am in quest 

 of. From my knowledge of your daughter's dis- 

 position, I entertain not the slightest doubt of her 

 making an excellent wife : therelbre, money-mat- 

 ters shall be left entirely to yourself.' The ice 

 being thus broke, I applied to Miss Jamieson, who, 

 in the most agreeable manner, referred me to her 

 parents ; and 1 have the inexpressible pleasure of 

 acquainting you, that every thing was soon arran- 

 ged. Mrs. Jamieson, however, insists, that the 

 connexion shall be delayed for a few months, so 

 as she may have time to prepare her daughter's 



providing — a phrase well known in your neigh- 

 borhood, though likely unknown amongst our 

 southern neighbors. To this delay I was obliged 

 to yield a reluctant consent, being of opinion that, 

 after parties understand one another, no time ought 

 to be lost in bringing such a business to a conclu- 

 sion. 



" Be so kind as let me know, per return of post, 

 concerning your health. And with love to my 

 mother, and other relatives, I am your," &c. 



My iiither's answer to the above was highly 

 gratifying. After mentioning that his health was 

 completely restored, he adds, — " 1 feel the moat 

 heartfelt satisfaction at the prospect of your con- 

 nexion with such a truly respectable family — a 

 circumstance of more importance to a young man 

 than generally imagined. Mr. Jamieson has 

 been my intimate and steady friend lor thirty years. 

 Often have I received benefit from his advice ; 

 and, though both about the same age, I have 

 somehow or other greater respect for his senti- 

 ments than for those of any other coternporary. 

 He is not only a prudent, but a good man ; there- 

 fore, I mutit regard your connexion with his fam- 

 ily as the most fortunate circumstance which could 

 befal you." So speaks my worthy father; and, 

 by doing so, increases the obli<rations which, from 

 first to last. I have been under, to his parental 

 goodness. After these egotisms, you will likely 

 wish to know what is doing upon ihe liirm. At 

 this time, the detail shall be given in a few words. 



The fields intended for summer-fallow next year 

 are nearly ploughed ; and, when that woik is fin- 

 ished, it is proposed to break up some ofthe old grass 

 land. I formerly mentioned that filiy acres were 

 in grass, of different ages, last season, all of which 

 is meant to be plouiihed for oats, except a ten acre 

 field that is reserved for the ewes. Upon this field 

 they are to receive turnips, either during a storm 

 of host and snow, or when the spring season ar- 

 rives, as it will not be prudent to give them any 

 of the young grasses till they have dropped lamb. 

 As yet, I have only lost two ewes, which I presume, 

 out of six score, does not exceed an average loss. 

 The remainder are in excellent condition ; and, 

 having been tupped about the end of October, may 

 be expected to drop lamb in the end of March, or 

 thereby. The cattle wintering in the yard are 

 thriving well. Hitherto, they have got only one 

 double cart-load of turnips per day, which, amongst 

 thirty beasts, can only be considered as a tasting. 

 Abundance of good straw being furnished, they 

 have been kept in good order by that quantity of 

 turnips ; but, in a few weeks, I mean to increase 

 it to two loads. 



I have spoken to my servants, as it is called 

 here ; in other words, have engaged them for an- 

 other year, upon the same terms as formerly, 

 i'pon the whole, each oftliem has behaved well ; 

 therefore, no advantage could arise from making 

 a change. I have not taken them bound to pro- 

 vide ioorke)'s, as many people do ; considering 

 such a practice !o be arbitrary and oppressive. If 

 a servant has children capable of working, it is ful- 

 ly more for his interest that they should earn wa- 

 ges, than it is for that of the master who employs 

 them : therelbre, as voluntary work is to be pre- 

 ferred to that which has the appearance of being 

 compulsory, I thought it better to make no agree- 

 ment on this point, further than that those who 

 were capable of working are to serve me in pre* 



