wanting in something, if you happen to look outside into the night, and see the silent jungle all around you. It is in every way advisable to have some resources for leisure, should the chance fall to your lot; but if a man has been in the habit of depending upon settled methods of occupying his spare time, or upon different social mediums for completing the happiness of his life, he had better not go to the tea districts; for if he does, his existence is likely to seem something very like a curse to him. Men who are socially active at home in literary, musical, debating, or similar societies, or who are of a regularly studious turn, who like to read and study in the winter evenings, and take quiet strolls in search of botanical or geological specimens, or perhaps to reason out more clearly some theory that needs adjustment, during the summer, had far better remain in England than go to the Indian teaplantations. And others who love the Sabbath because of its quiet peace, and rest, and spiritual exercises, or are active members of choirs or Sunday Schools, had also better remain in England; or their life will be one long regret and wish to return. After the novelty of being in a new country has passed away, they will find themselves face to face with the hard fact that everything that was most congenial to them has been given up, and that they have reached a country in which all the under-currents of pleasant, gentle, social happiness are lacking. One fact should receive the earnest consideration, primarily, of all persons thinking of leaving home for India. It is that the only

possible recompence for so leaving home is money. For this they will have to give up almost everything which, to the studious, makes life enjoyable. And they ought to ascertain definitely what their prospect is, and put against it what, as they will find a little farther on, is the life they must expect. Now I am perfectly safe in saying that, although not numerous, there are some young fellows who are comparatively indifferent to money and wealth. They are hard readers, never go to places of amusement, are quiet and retiring, fond of the newspapers, and always au courant as to the last thing in social metaphysics, are admirably suited for office life, but unfortunately sometimes think town life is very irksome; that they would like to live in a little country cottage "far from the maddening crowd," and grow roses and strawberries in the day-time, and read books and magazines at night. To such men (I have myself known them) the life that they imagine prevails in the tea districts seems to be just the very thing for them. When they hear that it means isolation, they say with a chuckle, "Just the very thing; I like being alone." When ill-health is spoken of, they think they will take exercise and live carefully, and so keep well; and they give up the substance of home peace, and a vocation for which they are admirably suited, for the shadow of greater peace and greater quietude, and then have to find out, with regret and sorrow that are very sad to think of, that they are singularly wellfitted for the quiet, studious regularity of home, and singularly unfitted for the dreary, empty life of a

foreign lanl.

They would willingly exchange their servants and their horses for the unpretending home of their sisters and brothers, and infinitely prefer the short ride every morning and evening by train or omnibus to " riding about all day in their shirt-sleeves, and never wearing a collar."

Now, on the other hand, there are many young men who are not of this quiet, studious inclination. They are fond of cricket, and riding, and football, and shooting, and rowing, and so on; and where the man previously depicted has, likely enough, never fired a gun in his life, our active friend will rise at any hour in the morning you choose to mention, and gladly go out fasting on the chance of finding rabbits to bang at in a turnip-field. Where the one glories in being alone in his sanctum with a scientific book and a good fire, the other delights in describing the figure of eight on the ice, or having, according to his idea, a jolly evening with a few friends. He is, more frequently than not, robust and ruddy, and likes to see the effect of telling the oftentimes slender reading man, as the latter shivers in the cold, that he bathes in cold water every morning of the year, and snow-balled his younger brother on the previous evening, as the only alternative of doing so to the passing policeman. He is full of animal spirits and bodily vigour, and is the kind of man who is wellsuited for the tea districts.

The relative prospects of the capitalist and the mere appointment-seeker of course differ considerably. The modes of procedure for the former are varied. Moneyed

partners for tea estates are sometimes looked for in England, and an opening made on the plantation for the investor; or the capitalist goes to Calcutta and effects the same thing there. While not for a moment insinuating that thus doing is risky, I think it far more satisfactory, and much more likely to prevent very probably eventual disputes, if a man will go to whatever tea district he may decide upon, and see things for himself. There will be no difficulty in doing this. Let him get an idea as to the neighbourhood of the district he fancies, and any firm in Calcutta interested in tea will direct him to the best agents for information as to that neighbourhood. He will then be able to write to planters who will be mentioned to him, and will not, I am sure, experience any difficulty. Let him state his business plainly that he wants to look about for land to start a garden, or for a garden needing a moneyed partner, sleeping or otherwise; and any planter will do his best for such a man. Another plan would be to obtain a post (in London or in India) with or without a salary, as assistant on a factory to which he would proceed, and on which he would learn his work, looking about him in the meanwhile for an opening for his capital. I do not feel able to recommend one mode of procedure before another, feeling sure that circumstances will invariably determine the best way to work. A man might wish to invest in a new garden and to make it himself; and I would advise such an one to act as assistant for at least two years, in order to get an idea of his work. He will not have very much experience

then, but sufficient to start with, if he has a few wellinformed neighbours about him: at all events, he will have learnt the different modes of working with natives, contracts, &c. He need not think that this time will be lost to him, as he will be able to obtain in India good interest for his money while it lies unused, and will probably have made-or be able to make a nice little profit on exchange.

I would advise no man to be in a hurry to decide upon his investment. Many gardens, both old and new, at the present moment are greatly in need of financial help; and while it may be said to be now a good time for investors, the rider must be added, "provided they are careful." The best thing for an intending share purchaser to do would be to obtain a report from an experienced planter, if possible, from another district, in which all points would be carefully considered and reported upon :-Tenure, buildings, labour, staff, machinery, communication, general plant; ratio of increase in out-turn and expenditure during the last few years; the exact state of the factory advance account; the condition of the garden, as having been, or not, well pruned, drained, and carefully treated; the number of hoeings in the previous year (to gauge the sufficiency of the labour); and, in addition, if possible, a report from London tea-brokers, as to the standing of the garden mark with buyers. I would not recommend any man to work as an assistant on the estate in which he has a share. The resident interest, unfortunately, generally results in dissensions between the