20th April

One more change — the parties have accepted my service. Salary modified to $1,200 with house rent and fuel free, and I go to town to-morrow.

1st May

I am yet in Waverley and this contrary to expectation. My next entry will probably be at the Victoria Coal Mines, C.B. I have turned my business of the old crusher over to Sidney and Charles L. Sullivan. I must not omit to record God's goodness in an especial manner during the past month. Surely, I ought always to trust, and that implicitly.

9th May

Not yet away — the route not being connected between Pictou and the Gut. Employed packing unused articles preparatory to a final move in, I hope, two months from date.

7th June

The years roll around (which is pipers news) and here I am at Lowpoint, Victoria Mines, south side of the entrance to Sydney Harbour, and 54 years old today. I left home A.M. 16th May for Halifax. Steamed thence in the Commerce at 6 P.M. Arrived at Hawksbury at about 2 P.M. next day. Left there in the evening and after over 2 hours cold drive, arrived at West Bay about 11 P.M. Next morning looked round and saw that this could be made a most delightful spot.

At 6 A.M. left in the Neptune, John Howard Beatty, Commander, for Sydney and intermediate ports. (It was cold all the passage down and has been more or less so ever since.) Called at Grand Narrows, and Baddeck (where every man has set his own house on his own hook, heading or facing every point of the compass.) Came out north side of Boulardrie Island with heavy head wind. Entrance to Sydney Harbour (or “Spanish Bay” of old) is pleasant to the eye, particularly on the right hand side or old mine side. Called for an hour at the Bar or North Sydney, and thence steamed up to Sydney, south or old or proper — which is delightfully located for quite a pleasant good-sized business town.

Attended to some business and next morning, 19th, left for these works. Stopping with W. Lawson, the Manager, who with Mrs. L. kindly lodge and board me, there being no other home to be had.