255
here. I had some of them employed in cutting down overhanging branches of trees, which threatened my cow yard.
In considering your proceedings at home, nothing strikes me as a more surprising, more useful, more ingenious contrivance than the hydrostatic bed which I read of in the papers. What a luxury it appears to us to lie rolling about, as if in the water! You have so many new ideas, new inventions, and new words since we left, that I suppose we should find it difficult to understand your conversation now. It would not be as of yore. I have been greatly interested in reading Babbage's "Economy of Manufactures," which the Southerns sent to me. I wonder if it is usual with you to say, "Run to the clock and tell me what is the square or cube root of such a number." It would be droll to see school-boys, instead of hammering away at their "twice two's four, twice three's six," all busied in striking chimes upon calculating clocks, and working their sums upon machines.
Monday, Feb. 16th.—Went to Perth this morning. There was a great public meeting, convened by the Sheriff, for the purpose of considering the state of the colony and preparing a memorial of grievances, &c.
Tuesday, Feb. 17th.—Finding no other means of getting a constant supply of fresh water, I have commenced sinking a well beside the kitchen. I fear I must go down very deep—perhaps 40 or 50 feet, and must build it up with stone. Commenced ploughing, also, to-day; it is hard work, the ground is so hard.
Wednesday, Feb. 18th.—Got a reading of De L'Orme, from Lady Stirling. I devour a novel now with great interest.—A small vessel, the Eagle, has come from Van Diemen's Land, bringing stock and a little provisions. My wool is all ready to go with her to the Mauritius.—Our weather is very changeable now; sometimes hot and sometimes quite chilly, so I have got a twinge of vile rheumatism in my back. Thermometer, at noon, 82 deg.; 10 p.m., 75.
