again if I made any change now. It is the truest kindness to leave
me alone." He would not even shake hands with me; so I rode back;
discomfited, to hear from F--- that he had made many attempts to
befriend him, but without success. "In fact," concluded F---, with
some embarrassment, "he drinks dreadfully, poor fellow. Of course
that is the secret of all his wretchedness, but I believe despair
drove him to it in the first instance."

I have also known an ex-dragoon officer working as a clerk in an
attorney's office at fifteen shillings a week, who lived like a
mechanic, and yet spake and stepped like his old self; one listened
involuntarily for the clink of the sabre and spur whenever he moved
across the room.

This has been a terrible digression, almost a social essay in fact;
but I have it so much at heart to dissuade fathers and mothers from
sending their sons so far away without any certainty of employment.
Capitalists, even small ones, do well in New Zealand: the labouring
classes still better; but there is no place yet for the educated
gentleman without money, and with hands unused to and unfit for
manual labour and the downward path is just as smooth and pleasant
at first there, as anywhere else.

Trew and Domville soon got over their momentary shyness, and
answered my inquiries about their families. Then I had a short talk
with them, but on the principle that it is "ill speaking to a
fasting man," we agreed to adjourn to the clearing, where they had
built a rough log hut for temporary shelter, and have our dinner.
They had provided themselves with some bacon; but were very glad to
accept of F---'s offer of mutton, to be had for the trouble of