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 212 this distance of time and space. I think —, should he come out, is well fitted for the life of a settler, but there are many little inconveniences and annoyances here which it requires a schooled mind to eudure patiently: his presence will be a great comfort to me if he comes. I strongly suspect that the accounts of other places are exaggerated or highly coloured, that the advantages belonging to different places are nearer on a par than we think at first, and that "non omnia omnibus" holds good of place as well as person.

Monday, 3rd March.—Mackie came here on Saturday night and left me yesterday evening. We had great consultations about my holding the appointment (which had been offered to me) or not. Mr. Shaw called; Dr. and Mr. Harris with Miss Harris, and Mr. Stone also.

I recollect in the calculations made for Van Diemen's Land or Sydney, of the profit and loss of a flock of sheep, that the shepherds were reckoned at £30, and I fancied it must be exaggeration, but I have my shepherd just now on easy terms (comparatively), and he costs me £71 8s. 6d. a year. I am greatly dissatisfied about our grants on this side the hills. They are not capable of supporting large flocks without cultivation to a greater extent than we can afford or manage at present; this cuts short all our profits. At the very utmost that part of my grant on this side of the hills lying between the house and the hills would not support more, now, than 200 or 300 sheep. I am obliged to reduce my flock to nearly that number. Mr. Bland (who lies over the hills) has always about 700 of his own and others, but will not take a smaller number than about 100 into his charge. I wanted to send about 30 over, but he would not take them.

4th.—Was passing one part of the river to-day and heard a great splash. Was not a little amused to see my new boy in the water with a lot of natives, boys and girls, having rare fun. They are a merry race when they have their belly full.