Various Boats suit Various Waters. 303 



on with you so prosperously. A little steamer would 

 be of great advantage to you, and would further the 

 work greatly and save the toil of the men, but I fear 

 that it would be difficult to get one that would 

 answer your purpose satisfactorily at the money you 

 name. Anything of boats or engines that requires 

 frequent repairs becomes a most annoying and ex- 

 pensive investment, such outlays soon doubling the 

 original cost. I think it would be best if possible to 

 have a good substantial thing, although it would cost 

 more at first. 



" However, except for greater distances, I would in 

 most cases prefer the boat with oars to a larger 

 vessel, particularly where the ground is rough, or in 

 creeks or bays where you have to return often over 

 the same ground, which has often to be done where 

 we find rich circumscribed banks. 



" Your letter unfolded a puzzle that we had after 

 much guessing failed to make out, that was, who 

 could it be who had so kindly sent so many fine 

 oranges ? At first it was at once ascribed to you, but 

 then they came by London, and as there were boats 

 going and coming direct between Glasgow and Naples, 

 we conjectured that they must have been from some 

 other source. Nothing certain could be made out 

 till your letter came." 



Subsequently it will appear that Robertson placed 

 a far higher value on the services of a steam launch 

 for dredging than he was at this time inclined to 

 attribute to them. As often happens, a theoretical 

 view was modified in the light of experience. 



