104 THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY GOSSE. 



" work, such as getting in my crops and ploughing. I 

 " believe my complaint to be an attack of rheumatism, 

 " brought on by a chill taken during a day's work in the 

 "field amidst heavy rain. Besides this, however, which 

 "was trifling, though painful, I have suffered from a 

 "general debility of body, with a depression of mind, 

 " from which I am not yet freed, though I am recovering. 

 " Could any employment be obtained at home ? I am 

 " tired of more than ten years' exile, far from friends and 

 "kindred. I have been thinking that I might do well 

 "by establishing a school in Poole, or in some of the 

 "neighbouring towns. Is there any opening? Would 

 " a school at Parkstone do ? I should be very glad if 

 " you would let me know by the first spring vessel. If 

 " you give me any encouragement, I will endeavour to 

 " sell my farm, and, please God, embark for Poole next 

 " fall. I believe I am competent to take a respectable 

 " academy, teaching all the ordinary branches of 

 " education, mathematics, book-keeping, Latin, and the 

 " rudiments of Greek and navigation. I should be glad 

 " of a change of food, for I live on buckwheat and pig's- 

 " meat." 



About the same time he urged a former Newfound- 

 land companion, who had just got a clerk's situation in 

 Philadelphia, to inquire what chances there were for 

 him in that city, either mercantile or scholastic. And 

 in the ensuing winter he had made up his mind ; for he 

 wrote to this same friend on February 5, 1838, as 

 follows : — 



" My purpose is to sell my farm at any sacrifice, and 

 " take the first opportunity of the Hudson navigation to 

 " proceed south. My eye is towards Georgia or South 

 " Carolina, as I understand persons of education are in 

 "demand there, both in mercantile and academical 



