A VISIT FROM ME. FOEEST AND FAMILY. 299 



flesh here is not much esteemed ; it tastes like indifferent, poor, 

 but very tender venison. 



" August 17. We should now be ploughing the deep had the 

 wind been fair, but it has been ahead, and we remain here in 

 statu quo. The truth is we have determined not to leave this 

 harbour without a fair prospect of a good run, and then we shall 

 trust to Providence after that. I have added a curious species 

 of alder to my drawing of the white-winged cross-bill, and 

 finished it. We received a visit from Mr., Mrs., and Miss Forest ; 

 they brought us some salad and fresh butter, and in return we 

 gave them a glass of wine and some raisins. The old lady and 

 gentleman talked well; he complained of the poverty of the 

 country and the disadvantages %e experienced from the privi- 

 leges granted to the French on this coast. They told me they 

 were relatives of Lord Plunket, and that they were well ac- 

 quainted with our friend Edward Harris and his family. I gave 

 them my card, and showed them the Duke of Sussex's letter, 

 which they borrowed and took home to copy. I had also a visit 

 from an old Frenchman who has resided on this famous island 

 for fifty years. He assured me that no red Indians are now to 

 be found ; the last he had heard of were seen twenty-two years 

 ago. It is said that these natives give no quarter to anybody, 

 but, after killing their foes, cut off their heads and leave their 

 bodies to the wild beasts of the country. 



" Several flocks of golden-winged plovers passed over the bay 

 this forenoon, and two lestris pomerania came in this evening. 

 The ravens abound here, but no crows have yet been seen ; the 

 great tern are passing south by thousands, and a small flock of 

 Canada geese were also seen. The young of the golden-crested 

 wren were shot. A muscipcapa was killed, which is probably 

 new. I bought seven Newfoundland dogs for seventeen dollars : 

 two bitches, four pups, and a dog two years old. With these I 

 shall be able to fulfil promises made to friends to bring them 

 dogs. 



" On the 18th of August at daylight the wind promised to be 

 fair, and although it was rather cloudy we broke our anchorage, 

 and at five o'clock were under weigh. We coasted along 

 Newfoundland until evening, when the wind rose to a tempest 

 from the south-west, and our vessel was laid to at dark, and we 



