NOTES TO BOOK IV . 369 the carriages, and usher them into the house, leave them for a short time to see their horses properly taken care of. By the time they return, the ladies have disencumbered themselves of muffs, cloaks, and pelisses; and the frosty and bracing temperature of the season having by this time produced a corresponding sharpness of appe¬ tite, the pic-nic, to which they now all sit down, is enjoyed with all possible zest and good humour. Soon after, a country dance is announced ; the music strikes up, and the party, " tripping it on the light fantastic toe," seldom breaks up before daylight the following morning. The night is thus, with eating, drinking, and dancing, spent in high delight; and when the hour of departure draws nigh, the ladies retire to wrap themselves up in their winter habili¬ ments, while the gentlemen have their cabrioles brought to the door ; and then each drives home with the lady who honoured him with her company. Note C, page 343. A farmer from Yorkshire, who settled a few years ago on lands belonging to Sir James Montgomery , in Prince Edward Island , with which I had at the time something to do, was complaining one day of his hard work and hard living at the same time. He said, with a sigh that reminded one of the murmuring children of Israel when longing for the " flesh-pots of Egypt," " Aye, measter, if I wur in Yorkshire neow, Ize had some good fat beakin poys." This same man has since surmounted his difficulties, and may have " fat bacon pies" as often as he pleases. Note D, page 343. I have frequently heard many of the old settlers declare their belief in the power of witches, and the influence of what they term an " evil eye," in such cases as being offered a fair price for a horse or cow, and refusing it, and the animal dying, or some accident happening to it soon after. When their cows give less milk than VOL . I. 2 A