Mr. Bentley and lady, late of London, who, here, with a little property, have turned farmers, doing all the labour in the field and log-house themselves, and, it is said, seem very cheerful, happy, and healthy. In London he had the gout, and she the delicate blue devils, but here milking, fetching water, and all kinds of drudgery, in doors and out, have cured her, and ploughing, him. He never, he says, loved her or she him, half so much as in Illinois. At a distance of five miles from any dwelling live also two young gay gentlemen, late of London, of the name of Millor, now called children of the wood, who cultivate one quarter section, and shift for themselves in great comfort, cleanliness, and satisfaction, though they never saw a plough before. Here they do all. Mr. J. Cookson, of Bond-street, is now in Fordham's store.
{290} 27th.—By appointment, I revisited the Flower family. When it became known in England that they were about to emigrate, they were constantly assailed on the road and at home by inquiries, insomuch that it was necessary, for several days, to keep a servant posted at the anti-room door, to give a general answer to such inquiries, by saying that they neither wished nor wanted any body to go to America. At this time Mr. Birkbeck's notes appeared, after some difficulty in finding a respectable, independent bookseller, Mr. Ridgway. Mr. Flower read to me a manuscript letter, intended for publication, which he had recently written, addressed to Mr. Birkbeck, respecting the conduct of the latter gentleman; the object of which is to put him on his defence in all matters, public and private, relating to their mysterious and unfortunate quarrel. As I have heard both sides, from both parties, or at least as much of both sides as the parties, voluntarily and unquestioned, thought proper to give me, I shall
