Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/261

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land, beautified by British park scenery. The visitor, coming here out of the forest, fancies himself in England, especially if he looks at the country through the windows of Messrs. Flower's and Birkbeck's houses, during the green and flowery season, when the scenery presents a wide waste of grass, flowers, and shrubs, of every hue; but the flowers have no fragrance, the birds no song. The sight of a flock of 500 Merino sheep, and a large herd of cattle, all their own, is indeed a novel and unexpected pleasure in these wild regions; {272} and, added to all these, the comfort of such houses and harmonious families, escaped from the embarrassments and anxieties of England, to quiet rest and independence, makes it indeed a delightful spectacle. All say they have nothing to regret, and are full of satisfaction, except the wish that more friends would follow; whom, unless they follow, they shall see no more. They acknowledge that they have much to do here, from want of servants. One female, Biddy by name, recently came and engaged to do only what she pleased, and to sit at the same table. The terms were complied with, but a plan to cure Biddy was laid. On a certain day many visitors were invited to dinner, at which Biddy was not allowed to rise, even to help herself to any thing, but all present vied with each other in attending on Miss Biddy, who, in great confusion, left the room, fully sensible of her folly, and next day determined to be a servant for the future.

Mr. Flower and family recently visited Rapp, the High Priest of Harmony. After dinner a band of musicians entered. Mr. F. thinks highly of this community, who, in religion and doctrine, are Lutherans; in discipline, Presbyterians. He says, that house-keeping here is nothing compared with England. A fat buck, one dollar;