Still, amid all these changes, the prices paid for labour and provisions remain pretty steady. Of these, the following list expressed in English money, will give a correct idea. It is drawn up with due consideration, and the prices quoted, may be safely relied upon as being fair averages.
| Common Labourers | 4s. day. |
| Mechanics, Shoemakers, and Tailors | 5s. to 6s. ” |
| [D]Farming Men Servants | £1 15s. to £2. month. |
| [D]” Boys | £1 4s. to £1 8s. ” |
| [D]Waiters in Shops and Clerks | £40 to £70 year. |
PROVISIONS.
| Beef, Mutton, Veal, and Pork | 2½d. to 3d. lb. |
| Fine Wheat Flour | 1s. 4d. to 1s. 6d. for 14 lbs. |
| Tea ... 3s. to 5s. per lb.—Sugar | ... 3½d. to 5d. lb. |
The price of clothing, hardware, and a variety of other matters, depends greatly upon the judgement of the purchaser, and his acquaintance with the random mode of doing business practised throughout the country. Sometimes these may be obtained very cheap—sometimes they are very dear. English gold and silver coin bear a premium of about twenty per cent.—but let the stranger be careful what description of paper he receives in exchange.
Steam and sailing vessels, fitted up for passengers, admit of two, and sometimes of three orders of accommodation. The cabin is fitted up in a splendid style for gentlemen and ladies; provisions of all kinds are supplied at about thirty guineas each. A very comfortable berth may be obtained in the midships of some vessels, for five or six pounds. The steerage is the lowest; here a passage may be obtained for from four pounds, to—I know not what sum downwards—perhaps thirty shillings. In these two last departments, passengers are required to furnish themselves with provisions for six weeks. Persons of circumscribed means are advised to make enquiries of disinterested individuals on the spot, and not pay for their passage till the vessel is just on the eve of sailing.
Caution—caution—caution is required by the emigrant at every step: from the contract for his passage to his final settlement in his adopted country, this quality cannot be dispensed with.
Unfortunately the climate of the United States, was found to be so very prejudicial to the health of my husband and family, that we were compelled to relinquish all thoughts of remaining; and as we had given the land of liberty two year’s trial, and had suffered nearly two year’s affliction, we decided upon leaving those to share its blessings, whose constitutions were better adapted to enjoy them. But it would be unjust to conclude, that because we were unsuccessful, others will be so also. Want of health was our calamity. In this case, I can give no opinion with respect to others;—here individual experience can alone decide.
Let those who contemplate crossing the Atlantic carefully weigh the contents of these pages; they were penned for the purpose of imparting useful information, whose foundation is truth. The writer has no party spirit to gratify; no interest to serve; and she will be as happy to find that she has been the means of obstructing an unfortunate speculation, as that she has promoted a happy one.