away,) every man was able to buy the lot of ground on which he had so long wrought. The owner sold them at a moderate price; but he more than made up for this small advance by the greater prices obtained for the rest of the land which he owned in the neighbourhood.
In consequence of the success of this scheme other landholders adopted the same wise policy, and the benefit to their property was immense. The love of horticulture opened the way to better habits and tastes among the poor of the district; and there was none so humble that had not a garden spot of their own. The ladies' societies fled from them for ever; and the poor women blessed the day of their departure, for now they could earn an honest living by their needle.
During the ten years of which we speak, other changes had taken place, greatly beneficial to the village. A pier had been built by a company from New York, and steamboats now plied there daily. In compliment to Mr. Price they intended to call the first one that was built for the place, "Oliver Price," but that gentleman declined the honour for the present; he said, if they had no objection, he would give them a more suitable name—"The Seven Shanties"—and that if they ever built another, of which there was no doubt, he wished it might be called the "Bonny Betty."
They did build another, and another; and at this moment there are no less than five for the trade and pleasure of that place alone.—The Seven Shanties—The Bonny Betty—The Little Norah—The Henry Barclay, and the ———.
