Early Letters 



are growing vigorously. I have been praxitising salting pork, 

 and find I can make excellent pickled pork here, which I 

 thought was impossible, as everyone I have seen try has 

 failed. It is because they leave it to servants, who will not 

 take the necessary trouble. I do it myself. I shall there- 

 fore always keep pigs in the future. I find there will not 

 be time for another box round the Cape, so must have a 

 small parcel overland. I should much like my lasts ^ but 

 nothing else, unless some canvas shoes are made. 



If the young man my mother and Mr. Stevens mentioned 

 comes, he can bring them. I shall write to Mr. Stevens about 

 the terms on which I can take him. I am, however, rather 

 shy about it, having hitherto had no one to suit me. As you 

 seem to know him, I suppose he comes to see you sometimes. 

 Let me know what you think of him. Do not tell me merely 

 that he is ^' a very nice young man." Of course he is. So 

 is Charles a very nice boy, but I could not be troubled with 

 another like him for any consideration whatever. 1 have 

 written to Mr. Stevens to let me know his character, as 

 regards neatness and perseverance in doing anything he is 

 set about. From you I should like to know whether he is 

 quiet or boisterous, forward or shy, talkative or silent, 

 sensible or frivolous, delicate or strong. Ask him whether 

 he can live on rice and salt fish for a week on an occasion 

 • — whether he can do without wine or beer, and sometimes 

 without tea, coffee or sugar — whether he can sleep on a 

 board — whether he likes the hottest weather in England — 

 whether he is too delicate to skin a stinking animal — 

 whether he can walk twenty miles a day — whether he can 

 work, for there is sometimes as hard work in collecting as 

 in anything. Can he draw (not copy) ? Can he speak 

 French ? Does he write a good hand ? Can he make any- 

 thing ? Can he saw a piece of board straight ? (Charles 

 cannot, and every bit of carpenter work I have to do my- 



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