go to consult you as she was anxious to see Catherine at all events. Then the weather was ruff and she could not get on board the steamer the time before and the time before that Alexander's illness prevented her going so between one thing and the other I was sadly bothered and did not no what to say or do. I make no doubt but the trip will do her a great deal of good as the loss by the fire has troubled her very much. Of course by this time she will have spoaken to you of our plans regarding building on the leaced land at the Big Bush. Alexander offered me his share if I liked and he says it can be made a freehold of before long at a moderate rate. I do think myself I could do better there as the land if far superior to any thing up here. You are awair I worked and struggled hard up here but had a very poor return, in fact I was getting into debt and but little to show for it. This year my labours in the way of grass is beginning to show very good progress but really it would not pay one for fencing and to fence it all in would cost at least £600. I had 1000 posts on the ground ready to begin to fence this summer but I have gaven them to Alexr