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longer submit to the regularity and restraint of civilised life. He has gone off now on some frolic. If food be scarce, or the weather very bad, he will come back. Speaking of weather, we have had a most disastrous occurrence in the colony. On Saturday there was a very severe gale, and, of all times in the year, on the very night of the equinox. Three or four vessels were lying in the most exposed situations; one—the Elizabeth—has been wrecked. She had sailed long ago from this, and put back again in consequence of unfavourable weather. The mail from the colony was put on board of her, and I suppose it is lost. This is very provoking. As far as regards my own letters, I feel quite vexed; for there was a long interval comprised in the journal, and I have no way of recalling events. I have been suffering some losses of sheep lately: two on their way from York, two by native dogs, four after severe dressing for the scab, and two others missing tonight—I do not know how; I lost fourteen at York, and many lambs. I have brought the flock to this place, so that I have now 450 here—rather too many for this farm.
Sept. 26th.—Came from Perth to-night. It appears that both the Shepherd and the Caledonia had drifted and gone ashore. The Caledonia has been got off safe, but the Shepherd is in a very perilous position.
Sept. 27th.—What has put it into your heads that I am on my way home? Have I said anything of this in my letters? I seem to be tied down here more fast than ever. Not contented with Executive Councils every week, the Governor is about to call another meeting of the Legislative Council, on the 14th of next month, to lay on other taxes. This keeps me still more busy. He was about to lay a tax upon land, but I fought stoutly against this tax at present, as land is not productive generally in the colony as yet. I proposed a duty on goods sold by auction. All these taxes are to maintain a police to quell the natives. Now, is it not too bad that the burden of conquering the country should be thrown upon us?
