it will serve as a plea to retain all at their posts. I wish
that I could boast of a little more patience than I feel I now
possess.

The fortifications of Quebec are improving pretty rapidly, but
workmen cannot be procured in sufficient number to proceed as
fast as government would wish. Labourers now get 7s. 6d. a
day, and artificers from 12s. to 15s. Upwards of three hundred
vessels have already arrived--a prodigious number.

_Brigadier Brock to his sister-in-law, Mrs. William Brock._

QUEBEC, July 10, 1810.

I cannot allow the frigate to depart without sending my
affectionate love to you. A Guernsey vessel arrived a few days
ago, which brought me a letter from Savery of 10th May, and
nothing could be more gratifying than the contents. The May
fleet, which sailed from Portsmouth the 24th, reached this in
thirty days, but as it had not a scrape of a pen for me, its
arrival did not interest me. We have been uncommonly gay the
last fortnight: two frigates at anchor, and the arrival of
Governor Gore from the upper province, have given a zest to
society. Races, country and water parties, have occupied our
time in a continued round of festivity. Such stimulus is
highly necessary to keep our spirits afloat. I contributed my
share to the general mirth in a grand dinner given to Mrs.
Gore, at which Sir J. Craig was present, and a ball to a vast
assemblage of all descriptions.

I mentioned in a former letter my apprehensions of being
ordered to the upper province. I return this moment from
waiting upon Sir James, who sent for me, to say he regretted
he must part with me, as he found it absolutely necessary that
I should proceed upwards without delay. I am placed in a very
awkward predicament, as my stay in that country depends wholly
upon contingencies. Should a brigadier arrive I am to be
stationary, but otherwise return to Quebec. Nothing could be
more provoking and inconvenient than this arrangement. Unless
I take up every thing with me, I shall be miserably off, for
nothing beyond eatables is to be had there; and in case I
provide the requisites to make my abode in the winter in any
way comfortable, and then be ordered back, the expense will be
ruinous. But I must submit to all this without repining, and
since I cannot get to Europe, I care little where I am