Page:Extracts from the letters and journals of George Fletcher Moore.djvu/156

 130 . Let such stay away: better to have their room than their company.

I have finished my door, and actually ornamented the show side with the aid of a bead-plane; and ground some of my own wheat in my steel mill, which grinds well and fast. I had been apprehensive on finding my store of flour so low, but now I have as much as relieves me from all danger of want. Flour is at present 7d. per pound; but the usual price, when there is a supply from the Cape or Van Diemen's Land, is 3d. per pound.

Towards this morning I was aroused by the sound of a boat, in which E— arrived, on his way to Mr. Tanner's to parade the soldiers there, in order to recognise some who had committed an outrage. He and Mr. Dale took beds with me. This making of beds must surprise you,—I managed it easily enough; having three matrasses, we have only to stretch one for each guest on the floor, with sheets and blankets. The colonising system (like "misery,") "makes us acquainted with strange beds" as well as with "strange bed-fellows."

I could not hang my new door—reason why—the doorposts are crooked. I shall have sad and warm work at them. Ther. 90°.

How different my rural life from that which I had imagined it would be! Instead of being demi-savage and romantic, it is civilised (often