should ever sell an acre, and that as they permit people to pick and choose, leaving much unsaleable land on their hands, they are entitled to get all they can for what is good and saleable. Against it, it is said. First, It is never right to do evil that good may result; but, as evil is the consequence of speculating, it is unjust, unreasonable, and unnecessary; and, besides, the public would rather buy of native than of English speculators, if any must speculate, and it is better that nuisances should live at a distance. Secondly, That no beneficial improvements being made, the owners are not entitled to any other remuneration than what naturally results from good neighbourhood. Thirdly, That no reasonable honest man could desire it, under such circumstances. Fourthly, That it is foolish and impolitic to buy land in the mass, good and bad together, when an infinite supply of the {300} good could be had separately in a better situation. Fifthly, That as property is created gradually by population only, then land, without followers, must sink rather than rise in value. Sixthly, That as speculation had driven away settlers calculated to improve and cultivate land, it had become an evil, which should, if possible, be resisted and destroyed, and that no country affords greater facilities than America for resisting the prairie speculation. It was expected of Englishmen that they came to farm, not to speculate and prey upon their more needy countrymen.
Sunday, 28th.—At breakfast this morning, Mr. Flower, regretting the habit of duelling, said, that a lady of Lexington, finding her nephew not inclined to fight a duel, encouraged him to go out; and immediately on his departing for the fatal spot, said to her black servant, "John, light up and get the large drawing-room ready for the
