Page:Extracts from the letters and journals of George Fletcher Moore.djvu/172

 146 events that have occurred. My sitting days in the court have been Tuesdays and Fridays in each week—there were many arrangements to be made. I generally come up here on Saturday, and return on Monday; and I have to walk the distance, which is nearly sixteen miles: the hours of sitting in the court are from ten to five. I have already sat four times: the average number of cases has been about fifteen each day; some of them trifling, and some important and complicated; the pleadings are oral; the case is heard in a week after its commencement; judgment is given immediately; the costs of court in each case are very trifling; and a man may have his case tried, judgment given, and execution and sale within a fortnight. No jury is empannelled in any case under 100l., and then only if the parties choose to pay for it.

I have been this day busy getting trees burned, and ground prepared for a wheat crop. I shall have almost three acres broken up and under crop; but I have not yet procured horses or oxen for my plough. We have been proposing to the Governor to import cattle, and we would guarantee him; he is well inclined to assist us, but the means allowed him are very limited.

21st.—I was setting fire to some stumps of trees to-day, when a spark communicating with the grass, in a few minutes the whole scene appeared one sheet of living fire. It was in the