Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-10-12


and coffee: dinner, some sort Of pud-
ding, with meat ~ game, and water to
drink {; supper the same as breakfast. |
never liked my living in England better
than do here, and am quite recon-
ciled to the loss Of beer or cider at din
ner. But l expect beer will be plenti-
ful enough in few years, and cider at
some future period. Brandy, rum, and
wine can be procured, and whskey is in
great plenty; and too much of it is drunk
by great, many. Beer, peach brandy,
and pcrsica, are also frequently to be
purchased. Tea, coffee, sugar, spices,
&c. to be procured at the stores, and
most articles OF clothing; the latter dear.
We have most kinds of mechanics, so
that we can have many sorts Of furniture
made; and we have black walnut and
chcrry-tre wood to make it with these
trees are in great abundance, and we
have other sorts for building"
" Here man with a family may get a
good living, in plain way, and leave
his children IN situation TO do the same
But money Is too scarce for man to get
rich by farming, as produce is low, and
labor high, SO that ii Will not do to hire
but what man and his family do
themselves turns 10 good account for
though produce is low, yet here man
has no rent, titles, foor-rates, or tareS
OF any sort worth mentioning. NY taxes,
Tor $40 acres oil land, amount to the sum
OF tour dollars eighty cents, trille less
than ~. Is, Sd. sterling; this for years
TAX to the Government and State
" was lately al an auction, of a little
live stock and household furniture, be-
longing to person leaving this neigh
borhood. The auo,ioneer was no less
person than justice of the peace, ana
he was an excellent auctioncer. The
terms of sale much the same as in Eng
land, except three months credit on all
purchases above three dollars, On giving
bond and security. But the most slrik-
ing contrast in this sale from an English
one was, the auc:ioneer held bottle of
Nhiskey in his hand, and frequently Of
tered dam to the next bidder. AS
made several hiddings, l was several
times entitled TO a sip out of the bottle
And though | much dislike the taste OF
whiskey, | took a sip for the novelty of
the thing. But | found the auctionecr
had takenrgood care to keep his compa-
NY sober, BY lowering his whiskey con.
siderably with water. As only purchas-
ed a small lot, under three dollars, | had
no need TO give bond and security; nor
did | stop 10 see their manner Of giving
IT,"
"Nr. B.rkbeck has two diaries OF
about sixty cows, and makes a large
quantity OF cheese. Mr.. Flowers is also
gong 10 establish one, on large scale,
SO that cheese will soon be plentiful
Butter is sold at l21 cents per lb. Most
kinds of provisions are very cheap: beef,
a cents per h.; bacon, 6 to cents per
ID; -four, As. cd. TO SIS. per bushel, Eng
'sh weight and money. A good COW
and calf, from II to IA dollars; sheep
scarce; mutton, 5 to 6 cents per lb.--
Venison and game in general not so
plentiful as las; year; prices much the
same"
There was an assize or Circuit Court
held at A lbion, on the 9TH, 9Th, and OH
ut june there was not great deal OF
hus;ncss--only two criminal CAUSES
One for pig stealing, found guilty: the
sentence, fine of fifty dollars, and TWEEN
ty-iive lashes, which we're Immediately
inflicted by the sheriff. The other was
Tor stealing peacb-,rees, but was acquit-
Ted. -Four or five counsellors attended
no particular dress worn by them or the
Judge. AS the heat was great, one ofthe
counsel, who had the most causes, took
of his coat, and pleaded without it. Al
though no wigs CT black gowns are worn,
there was no more want Of quirlSs or
bubbles than in Westminster Hall; nor
were they deficient in eloouence but
not SO much tied down to forms, nor
perhaps quite SO polite as with you"
w III iCSdru " VIC idiSudSC vi WIS
country, | have found no difficulty to un-
derstand any of the Americans. have
met with few words only excepted. l
have seen several from England, that
came from distant part from that in
which resided, tina, have had far Vorc
trouble to understand. Yet the manner
of discourse among the true Backwoods-
men is rather uncouth to an Eng fish ear,
| will attempt to give a specimen Of it.
in conversation between two of thes
who met each other on the road; one all
Esquire, the other Judge.
Esq. Well, Judge, how do you do?
hope you are we'll. ~ or
Judge. Well, Squire, am tolerably
Il Il ,