"Now that we have come to a decision, we must commence our arrangements
immediately. How shall we dispose of ourselves? Come, Alfred and
Henry, what do you propose doing?"
"I must return immediately to Oxford, to settle my affairs, and dispose
of my books and other property."
"Shall you have sufficient money, my dear boy, to pay everything?" said
Mr Campbell.
"Yes, my dear father," replied Henry, colouring up a little.
"And I," said Alfred, "presume that I can be of no use hers; therefore I
propose that I should start for Liverpool this afternoon by the coach,
for it is from Liverpool that we had better embark. I shall first write
to our purser for what information he can procure, and obtain all I can
at Liverpool from other people. As soon as I have anything to
communicate, I will write."
"Write as soon as you arrive, Alfred, whether you have anything to
communicate or not; at all events, we shall know of your safe arrival."
"I will, my dear mother."
"Have you money, Alfred?"
"Yes, quite sufficient, father. I don't travel with four horses."
"Well, then, we will remain here to pack up, Alfred; and you must look
out for some moderate lodgings for us to go into as soon as we arrive at
Liverpool. At what time do the ships sail for Quebec?"
"Just about this time, father. This is March, and they will now sail
every week almost. The sooner we are off the better, that we may be
comfortably housed in before the winter."
A few hours after this conversation, Henry and Alfred left the Hall upon
their several destinations. Mr and Mrs Campbell and the two girls had
plenty of employment for three or four days in packing up. It was soon
spread through the neighbourhood that they were going to emigrate to
Canada; and the tenants who had held their farms under Mr Campbell, all
came forward and proffered their waggons and horses to transport his
effects to Liverpool, without his being put to any expense.
In the meantime a letter had been received from Alfred, who had not been
idle. He had made acquaintance with some merchants who traded to
Canada, and by them had been introduced to two or three persons who had
settled there a few years before, and who were able to give him every
information. They informed him what was most advisable to take out; how
they were to proceed upon their landing; and what was of more
importance, the merchants gave him letters of introduction to English
merchants at Quebec, who would afford them every assistance in the
selecting and purchasing of land, and in their transport up the country.
Alfred had also examined a fine timber-ship, which was to sail in three
weeks; and had bargained for the price of their passage, in case they
could get ready in time to go by her. He wrote all these particulars to
his father, waiting for his reply to act upon his wishes.
Henry returned from Oxford, having settled his accounts, and with the
produce of the sale of his classics and the other books in his pocket.
He was full of spirits, and of the greatest assistance to his father and
mother.
Alfred had shown so much judgment in all he had undertaken, that his
father wrote to him stating that they would be ready for the ship which
he named, and that he might engage the cabins, and also at once procure
the various articles which they were advised to take out with them, and
draw upon him for the amount, if the people would not wait for the
money. In a fortnight they were all ready; the waggons had left with
their effects some days before. Mr Campbell wrote a letter to Mr
Douglas Campbell, thanking him for his kindness and consideration to
them, and informing him that they should leave Wexton Hall on the
following day. He only begged, as a favour, that the schoolmaster and
schoolmistress of the village school should be continued on, as it was
of great importance that the instruction of the poor should not be
neglected; and added, that perceiving by the newspapers that Mr Douglas
Campbell had lately married, Mrs Campbell and he wished him and his
wife every happiness, etcetera, etcetera.
Having despatched this letter, there was nothing more to be done,
previous to their departure from the Hall, except to pay and dismiss the
few servants who were with them--for Mrs Campbell had resolved upon
taking none, out with her.
That afternoon they walked round the plantation and park for the last
time. Mrs Campbell and the girls went round the rooms of the Hall to
ascertain that everything was left tidy, neat, and clean. The poor
girls sighed as they passed by the harp and piano in the drawing-room,
for they were old friends.
"Never mind, Mary," said Emma; "we have our guitars, and may have music
in the woods of Canada without harp or piano."
The following morning, the coach, of which they had secured the whole of
the inside, drove up to the Hall door, and they all got in, the tenants
and poor people standing round them, all with their hats in their hands
out of respect, and wishing them every success as they drove away
through the avenue to the park gates. The Hall and the park itself had
been long out of sight before a word was exchanged.
They checked their tears, but their hearts were too full for them to
venture to speak.
The day afterwards they arrived at Liverpool, where Alfred had provided
lodgings. Everything had been sent on board, and the ship had hauled
out in the stream. As they had nothing to detain them on shore, and the
captain wished to take advantage of the first fair wind, they all
embarked, four days after their arrival at Liverpool; and I shall now
leave them on board of the _London Merchant_, which was the name of the
vessel, making all their little arrangements previous to their sailing,
under the superintendence of Alfred, while I give some little more
insight into the characters, ages, and dispositions of the family.