as an uninspired member, who spoke only on routine business affecting his District. In addition to numerous business engagements, Douse found the resources to become a landowner, in 1855, purchasing 14,000 acres from the 6th Earl, having negotiated his own price. A self-serving endeavour, Douse acted seeing the rush to sell in the 1854 'private sale' of the Worrell Estate, perhaps to pre-empt later agitations to the Earl, and the 'attempting' of forced purchases by the government. With a lack of financial return, on considerable outlays, with indifferent tenants, some refusing to pay their rents, a 'distracted' estate manager, knowing of the Worrell sale, it was perhaps finally the tensions falling out of 'Land Purchase Act', that would cause the 6th Earl to consider selling his PEI holdings. In 1853, the Island's 'Land Purchase Act' sought to empower it to 'force' the purchase of estates from absentee proprietors, who had not met the financial responsibilities of their land grant, a first effort was unsuccessful as it could not be legally enforced, the proprietors could not be forced to sell, and the government lacked the funds for their purchase. Politically astute, or prompted by Douse, perhaps intending to pre-empt the findings in the report of the 1860 Land Commissioners' Court, Dunbar Douglas, offered his holdings to the Island, embracing parts of Lots 53, 57, 58, 59, 60 and Lot 62, containing 62,059 acres, at a very reasonable rate, though much less than in the 'public sale' of the Worrell Estate. Sold 'out and out' Dunbar got clear of it all, the bad land as well as the good, selling the 'unproductive land' on which he could not collect rent, but must pay quit-rents. With the sale he was done with keeping on an agent, to collect small sums to be paid in a period extending for 10 to 20 more years, while perhaps continuing to not see profit from other commercial engagements. Not knowing if his arrears of quit-rent of £12,000 to £14,000, were remitted or to be remitted, and forgiven, the offer was eagerly embraced and a large and valuable tract of 'province' became public property at the moderate cost of 6,586 17s 8d sterling or £9,880 6s 6d currency. The purchase described as "This fortunate purchase has been of immense service to that section of the country; brightening the hopes, and strengthening the energies of all; and pointing the