Frank was not yet aware (as he afterwards became) that, for want of knowing the rate of wages at the colonies, emigrants often bind themselves for a much lower rate than they might obtain if they went free, or if they were properly informed of the existing state of things; and thus think themselves deceived, and are tempted to break their contract when they find how matters stand. This evil is to be referred to the ignorance of emigrant labourers, quite as much as to the close economy of the settlers, and should induce all who have heard of it to obtain such information before concluding their bargain as will save them from repentance afterwards, and guard them against quarrels on this score with their new masters;—quarrels, which, always a great evil, are most so in newly settled countries, where all hands and hearts are wanted to work together for the common good. As it is, a British artisan jumps at the offer of a plentiful subsistence and 2_s._ a-day besides for five years, out of which the expenses of his removal are to be paid; and for this rate he binds himself. When he gets to his destination, he finds that this plentiful subsistence, including meat, bread, beer or spirits, tea, sugar, comfortable clothing, and a convenient dwelling, costs no more than 2_s._ a-day, and that, if free, he might earn, being a good workman, from 7_s._ to 12_s._ a-day, or even 15_s._, if he be a superior mechanic of a scarce class. It is mortifying to find that he has sold himself, however much higher than formerly, for less than he is worth in his new position; and hence arise discontents which embitter the first years of his new life, if they do not occasion a breach of contract. The friends of a rational plan of emigration should do their utmost to make known to as many as it may concern, to what extent labour is wanted in the colonies,—what is the rate of money wages in each, and what those money wages will procure. The official information on these points transmitted from Van Diemen’s Land in 1827, was, that common labourers earn 3_s._ per day; common mechanics 7_s._; better mechanics, from 8_s._ to 12_s._; best ditto, from 12_s._ to 15_s._; and persons of peculiar qualifications, fitted to superintend farms or other undertakings, 1_l._ a-day. Since that time, wages are understood to have risen. The price of wheat is 7_s._ a bushel; meat, 2_d._ or 3_d._ per lb.; sugar, from 3_d._ to 6_d._; and tea, from 1_s._ 6_d._ to 4_s._ per lb.—No wonder that, amidst all their gratitude at being well provided for, many such workmen as Frank are vexed and mortified to find how much more they might have made of their labour.