Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/205

 187 that in this climate there is no need of such things; yet in our winter we require them as much as you do.

Some things are selling for less money than at former periods, not because they are become more abundant, but because money is more scarce.

14th.—The weather is now very pleasant, but the variance of temperature is rather too much: in the middle of the day it is warm, at night cold; it is just the season for colds, on account of these vicissitudes.

I found several mushrooms to-day. Some natives have been here this evening—a family party—Yelloganga and his two wives, with the boys Parabang and "Nghnoonig." The latter word affords an instance of one of Lyon's "lost sounds;" and it would be a pity if ever it should be found again. Ngoonig, Nghnoonig—I cannot combine any form of letters which gives the sound correctly; it sounds as if you were going to blow your nose—rather nasal, "I guess."

Got some Swedish turnip seed sown, and transplanted almond trees, and one little apple tree, which I reared from a pippin. Mr. Shaw came here this evening, took tea with me, and stayed until nine o'clock—a dark and frosty-feeling evening.

15th.—There is very little specie here: and no private bill on England or elsewhere will be taken now, no matter how unexceptionable it may appear to be. Barter will do among ourselves, as we have plenty of property; but having no exports, we have but little specie to spare for the payment of any thing we procure from other countries. Emigrants should, therefore, bring out specie, which is now the best investment. Hitherto they have been laying out their capital in goods and merchandise.

Ten able-bodied natives were here to-day, none of whom I had ever seen before, with the exception of one.—Sturdy beggars—they will not easily be refused.

Walked to Mr. Bull's this evening, and engaged two bushels