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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartas, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s A des tsux de rMuction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour 6tre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangie supdrieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 2 3 1 2 f ■ ■■ ■- 3 4 5 6 FIFTEEf «'«iiaiiMHM FIFTEENTH THOUSAND. ENGLISH EMIGRANTS IN CANADA: J PEEP AT THEIR NEW HOMES, BV SEPTIMUS SCRIVENER. PRICE THREEPENCE, LONDON. JAMES CLARKE & CO., 13 & 14, FLE5T STREET, E.G. "* 1887. Mi^ iBw-»»«m ^ ENGLISH EMIGRANTS IN CANADA: A PEEP AT THEIR NEW HOMES. ; v^\ -^ ^ ^' V "i 3Y, » • ' SEPTHvIUS SCRIVENER. LONDON: JAMES CLARKE & CO., 13 & 14, FLEET STREET, E.C. 1887. ^^3[T I' • I I II II III IIIIBI |||_ / .''' u^ ENGLISH EMIGRANTS IN CANADA. J KTK/^ r\y iyvy-vxv v> > f\^ v/^-/^ ' » /X/ v/ x» ^^ v « »./^ {^Reprlnied from The Christian World?]^ Four hundred aud fifty emigr.ants to Canada tins senson. Such is the record of the 8e]f-Holp pjtuigration Society, ono^of the numerous offKhoots of tlie philanthropic a^^onoies originated by the Eev. Andrew M earns, of the London Congregational I'nion. This young society, of which the Jiev. Kobert Mnokny, an experienced Canadian, is the active secretary, has dono splendid service in finding new homes and steady work at good wages for a large number of willing workers who had become well-nigh sick at heart because of their ia- ability to procure regular employment in ihe mothir country. "What a good thing it would be to pay a visit to some of these emigrants, to inquire concerning their affairs and see how they do." This idea assumed more tangible form as the holiday season approached. " Why not take a holiday trip to Canada ? " I remembered a sort of half promise given to a party of emigrants a few weeks pre- viously, that itcrko^^s I might look in upon them and have a cup of tea some day. The cheery, respon.sive welcome of theetniijrants t\'a3 fresh in my recollection. Canada wa3 forthwith decided upon, and I had no diffi- culty in finding a travelling companion from my own family circle. So it was that at midnight on the Ith of August we steamed out ot'^St. Pancras Station— or, to bo very exact, the locomotive did the steaming, while we were wrapped in the arms of Somnus within the four walls of a Pullman sleeper. The even tenor of our way was varied wiih more "'bumps" than usual, but we at length reached Liverpool, although consider- ably behind time. " How is it we are so late .' " we inquired of the attendant. " W(dl, you see, sir, there's a strike amongst the drivers and btokers, and we're running all fresh men. It's very awkward when a driver doesn't know ( tho road, ospocially in the dark. We pulled up at several out-of-the-way places and bud some awkward turns ; but, thank God, we've reached here all right. 1 was afraid wo shouldn't, though." " If ignorance is bliss, "tia folly to bo •wise." While wo had heen sh'cping the sleep of the just, the car attendant had been the suhji'ct of anxiety as to whether we phould reach Liverpool in peace or in pieces. Shortly before eight o'clock wo found ourselves on hoard the Ss. hakii Winnijicij, and Vfcre delighted to renew ac(iuaintiince ■with the ever courteous oilicials t>f the " Beavor Line." Mr. liol)ert3 the general uianag- r, and Mr. D. Wilson, who added greatly to our enjoyment on a former visit, had anticipated our wants by providing a most welcome dt'jenner u lafour- chette. Uiir cabins too were all we could de- sire. Tbe numerous little things wliicli go to make up comfort had been provided most liberally, proving tou^ that so far as thought- ful consideration could add to our enjoy- ment, we were lacking nothing. After mak- ing the acquaintance of the captain, one of the genial, jolly, good-tempered, happy-go- lucky sort, of whose attention during the passage out we cannot speak too highly, we asked, and readily obtained, permission to inspect the emigrants' quarters. The extreme cleanliness of this part of the ship, and the general arrangements for the ) comfort of the emigrants, were partlcuhirly striking. The quarters for married couples and families, for single men and for single women, were so arranged that it seemed scarcely possible for abuses to occur. Tiie testimony subsequently received from tho emigrants themsidves left no doubt as to the excellence of the arrHUgements. When the time was reached for leaving liiverpool, we were all in a bit of a fever lest we should b^ delayed a tide, owing to the doctor not having put in an appearance. Nothing daunted, however, Mr. Wilson started off in search cf a substitute, while the steanuM- slowly made her way down the Mersey. The search was succnssfu', to the no small delight of captain and passengers. Ten minutes' notice suiHced for the doijfor to get " ready for any part of the world," and by noon he was on board, by the help of a tender specially engaged for adding him to the Westward-bound party. We left the pier-!iead under delightful auspices, — glorious weather, the water as smooth as a mill-pond, fellow-passengers evidently bent on contributing to the general enjoyment, young children as frisky as kittens, and a realhve kitten as impudent as a monkey. The nextday wetouchedatQueenstown,for the reception of an add itional hund red passeng- ers. For about half-an-hour we had a lively time. The mf>st confirmed hypochondriacmuet have yielded to the delightful excitement of the surroundings. About twenty itinerant ( vondorsof orargos, lemonB, cakes, Irithlaco, liojr walking-stickfl, truvellinjif caps, rnwK- pnpors, &('., Hfenied to rise like spirits from Ibo vafily tU'cp. \s\\ girla Jind women lioardtd the ship with the tigility of tuon- krys, clinibinj? up the sides with the aid of 11 hoat-hook, aud (•oiuinenced operations a^ soon as their feet touched the deck. A good trade was done in a very j-hort tiuie, the husiui ss tracsactions being' enlivened by a luerry chatter, set to the music of iniini- lable -Iri*;li brogue. The older women were not Ijehmd tlieir younger sisters in the bnmour with which they enlivened their sales, or tried to etimi'late cn-Jookcrs into becoming purcdiasers. J'ho lively vendors left the ship with considerably bghtcr loads than wh< n they boarded her. The next day (Sunday) was ppont by several of the paeeengers in qniet medita- tion on the instability of things in genenil. For special reasons, moie physical than spuitual, some of us made it a day of to- tiremeut. Such seas-'ons are said to be very helj>iul to those who ate rightly exercised theiel'y. 1 uj\ist omit sundry mental jottings which were ot interest on our '^utwitrd passage ; the g«mbols of porpoise, the evening play of whaleSjthe endearments of seals, the northern lights, tloating cathedrals with tapering spires foimed by the icebergp, and many other wonders of the deep. One splendid iceberg, standing from J50 to 200 feet out of 5 ) the water, presented a charming picture in t lie morning sunlight. The depth of ice below tiiu surface of the water was estimated by the captain to be from GOO to 80() feet. All went well until wo neared the Straits of IJelleisle, wliere we were brought to a standstill for a])0ut sixteen hours. Tho dense fog that i)revailed made it dangerous! to proceed. At length, however, it cleared, and we went ahead with fie/-h spirit. On Monday we ptissed Antioosti, an island with which sp(!o:ilatord have been somewhat tusy lutely, but whose statements were cbarac- terited by our captain as "pure moonshine." The next day we were fairly on tho Kiver St. Lav/rcnce, and within a thousand miles of Montreal. Our course onward to Quebec, which we reached in the i^arly morning of the 17th, was one of indescribable delight. Beauties unfolded themselves in euch rapid succession as to be positively bewildering. At Quebec we landed fifty or sixty emigrants, and at 6 o!clock a.m. we were again under weigh. The progress from Quebec to M,-)n- treai (ItiO miles) was necessurily slow, owing to strong currents and the shallowness of tho river after passing Trois Rivieres. I had good opportunities during the la?t day or two of ctmversing with the emigrants as to their experiences during tie voyage, and made special inquiries as to the com- missariat. Nothing could be better. Every one I spoke to testified to an abundance of excellent food and in good variety. The ( 6 ) chiof fiUiward was evidently vory much gratified at receiving a roiind-robin of thanks on tlio last day of the passaj/io. The testirnonial wi\» sitjnod by nearly all the emigrants, over 200 in nun»bor. 1 ventured to ask for the fltoornge bill of fare for the preecfliti)^ wefk, f'r the purpose of comparing it with tlui infornmtion rnieived from the cmigrnnts thfuiselves. Here is a copy of it, and when I tay there was ahpoltitely no ptint as to quantity ont' can understand the thauksgivintf testimonial. In addition to the regnhir meals, biscuits were supplied to all comers about 11.0 a.m., and beef-tea and arrowroot served out to sick passengers. The latter were ab"o supplied with gruel at 8.0 p.m. Us. "Lake Winnipcj." SfaraijP Rill nf Faro for ucrlc einlimj SalunUnj, Angud 13, 1887. Sufi., Aug. 7. Brenkfnut. Pofi'^lL'p. AhI). bread and butter, coffee. Dinner. VeK'''tii*'lo soup, boili'd fresh bfcf, potatots, pliini-putldintr. Tea, Fresh broiid and l)ntter,toa. Mon., Avg. 8. BrcokJ'asl. irisli Htow.frt'.'il) Vinailaud butter, crilToe. Dinner. Pea 8oiii>, liii^ finh and butter sauce, potatoes, rice pudding'. Tea, Frosli bread, inurmalade, tea. Tr„ Arg, 0. Breakfast, Torridge, fresh bread and butter, cotreo. Dinner. Kice soup, fresh beef, po- tatoes. Toa, Fresh bread and butter, tea, Wed., Antr. 10. B'i'akfn»t, Porridffo, frosli broad atul butti'r, oott'oe, Zhnnfl)'. Pea soup, salt pork nud po- talo"H, rjtiri piiddiiii^. Ten. FroHh broadiiiid butter, tea. Tb., Auff. Jl. lirenkfagf. Porridge, frosli broad and ))uttor, colTtH;. Din,ner, V^^^;ota^d<) suup, svlt boef, potatoeu, plum pud- ding. Tea, Fresh breaJ, marmabide, toa. Fri., Anjf, IL. Breakfnut. Irish stew, fresh broad and butter, eoU'eo JJinnor. Pea soup, salt fish, pota- toes, rico puddinif. Tea. Fresli bread, maruiahido, toa. f,at,, Aug. 13. Brenkfiift, Porridt,'0, fresh bread and butter, cotfoo. Dinner, Pea soup, salt boef, pota- toes. Tea. Frosh broad and butter.tea. In addition to this ordinary catering, I had sotuo undertone intimations of "si.-rews" of tea being now find again dis- tributed to tho-e luenibers of the lair ae.x who delighted in liaving a quiet brewing — extra stroHij— oil their own areiunt. On Thur.xday, at noon, thirtt-en pt from tlio oiitpide. 'L'hf inner and outer man having boon re •• frrsht'd, we ma.\; om- way to the Yoiiiij? Mon'rf Cliristiau AfSf (.'iation, to t,'h.'tai infor- mation from Mr. Budge, thi' indefatifjable Recretary, uh to the emigrants Cimsigned to his kindly supervision. The first speciHl inquiry ylicitod the information that th(! subjects of it were living within a stone's- throw of the buiMing. The case had been an exceptional one. A young married coupl", a few days after arriving in Lon- don, found thrmaelvea unexpectedly on the brink of destitution. 'J'lie husband's fadtj was almost ut a standistill, and in a short time they must have started on a down- ward course. In London, without money and without friends, what could they do ? They had been in Australia and luid saved money, but soon alter reaching London the savings (about .£40) were stolen. The caao was brought before the Committee of the Self-Help Emigration Society, and it was decided to advance all that was requisite. The timely help proved social salvation. The next day husband and wife started fov Canada, commended to the care of Mr. Budge. How have they fared? A few minutes brought us Lv/ the door of the new ) lu.ime, but the objects of our Boarch woro out. Turning away in quest of other eub- iectPj I was hailed by my good gui'le, nn feet square, aboiuuling in nicknacks as well as substantial furniture. For this capital accommodation and use of kitchen our friends were paying six dollars (2is.) a month. What a happy contrast to some of the miserably furnished rooms 1 had .■seen ia London for which the occupants were paying live or six bhillinga a week. When we were wmmammiumfii ^lij comfortably seated, I began a little inter- viewing. "I want you to tell me about your expe- rience in Canada. I understand you had a i^ood passapfo out, but I want to get ini'or- ination about work and vvages." " Well, directly we landed I went to Mr. Budge with the letter I had from Mr, Mackay, and he very kindly helped me, hoih aa to work and to lodgings. I got eiuploy- meut at my own trade (bootmaking) in the afternoon, and worked three days, for which I received tive dollars (203.) Ttie next week I worked four day .^, and earn'^d six dollars and seventy cents (2/3.) The next week I had five clays' work, and earned nine doll'irs and ninety-five cents (iJOs. 9d.) So 1 have gone on, and I have every reason to be'ieve that I shall continue to have steady work ; but if I went further Wesc I have no doubt I could get three dollars (123.) a day easily." " You have told me about your earnings ; now what about expenditure ? " " Well, you know what we are paying for our lodgings, and we are very comfortable here ; but if you want information about provisions, the wife will be able to tell you tetter than I can." Just then the wife returned from market- ir* ■ bringing with her a loin of lamb, for v-r* . ; ihe had paid ten cents (."id.) a pound. I f ''0M;4ht of some of the struggling wives in w'oy poor homes in Southwark, and tried .'.' p. h??e them buying lamb at 5d. a pound. ( 8 ) " Now, Mrs. •, I w.int yo;a to enlighten miy. about hoas ikeeping expenses. Wiiat do you pay for bread ? " " Seven cents (3^1.) for a three-pound loaf, but th.) bread is better here tuan in England. Butter is twenty-four cents (11 Jd.) a po'itid. That is not the best, but it is very g'>.id butter." ' "T^heu wliat is the cost of vegetables?" " H ilf a p:?ck of potato.)3 costs ju^fc now eight cents (ii.). a good largii cabbage costs five cents (2id.), and oth-r vegetables iu proportion." " Dj vou find much difference in the cost of clothing ? " " Not so much as compared with Au-?tralia, but m.^n's clothes are decidedly dear in com- parison with whit we could have bought ia England. I think they are nearly hilf as much again in price," So we went on, picking up information about other emigrants who left London at the same time as our informants, and getting an insight into Canadian life in general, so far as JSiontreal was concerne i. Pick-and- shovel men we found were earning a dollar and a quarter a day (as.), and those who were working on the railway received three dollars for the Sundiy, when required to work on that ci ly. In the course of conversation I ascertained that the good wif was also a bread- wiuner, earning scmetimes a.s much ai a dollar (ts.) a day by her own labour. The husband, too. I y ( 9 ) W'as conleiiiplatiilp; etartiog a repairing bupiiu'ss on his own account, by which an extra ten or twolve shillings a woek might be added to the general income. We left our grateful friends iu the full conviction Ihatj with God's blessing, they were on the' high road to social prosperity. The next day was occupied in gaining in- formation respecting the industries of Mon- treal and the principal occupation of its 200,000 inhabitants. Again and again was it impressed upon me by those of whom I inquired, " if men are willing to work there i.s no difficulty in finding employment iu Montreal." In the afternoon, as we were driving to the Canadian Pacific Station, I noticed several posters on which the words " 500 hands wanted at good wages" were Specially conspicuous. We left Montreal for Ottawa, 120 inil?s further West, with a very lively sense of several newly-formed friend- ships. To Mr. H. E. Murray, of the Canada Shipping Company, we were very greatly indebted for much courteous attention, valuable information, and generous help. Ottawa ('ity, the capital of the Dominion of Canadahas, according to its last municipal census, a population of 30,000. This does not include tlie suburbs. 'J'hirty-one years ago Ottawa, as a city or town, did not exist. In lS5-i the pop^ilation was 10,000; in 1S61, 15,000; in 1871, n.^-i^; in 1880, 25,000; and now it is 30,000. The new Government buildings indicate the growing importance of the city. They coutain t*vo Legislative Halls of the same size as those provided in the English Houses of Parliament, and are very handsomely decorated. The cost of the buildings has exceeded a million sterling. The " lumber " or timber trade is the staple industry. So far as I could gather, some six or sererr thousand handu are em- ployed at the several mills. As a considerable number of men had been sent to Ottawa by the Self-help Emi- gration Society, I took an early opportunity, after arriving, of calling upon Mr. Wills, the Immigration agent of the Domiuiou Government, to inquire corwerning those committed to his care. Mr. Wills most M'dlinsjly and generously phiced himself at my service, and spent the greater part of the day in search of the information I required. Soon after I entered the office, a young fellow called inquiring for work. I recog- nised him as one who was sent oat about four months ago. In England he was getting five shillings a week, without board ,and lived with his parents at home. On his arrival in Ottawa work was found for him at ten dollars (-AOb.) a month, with board and lodg- ing, but after working ten weeks he threw up the situation bpcause he wanted some- thing better. Although he was absolutely penniless when I eaw him, he was as particu- lar about what work he undertook as if he were master of the situation. Mr. Wills A-2 ( 10 ) offered to stud him to work on the following Monday, but tbe •young' m.'in was so particu- lar that the offer wr ■ withdrawn. In order to econoiiiise time, wo secured a "hu<^iry," and drove to several mills, in ■which thousands of hands were employed. As we drove along', noting the numerous substantially-built residences, Mr. Wills said, " There is one thini^'I want to impress upon you, and that is that all these buildings have been erected by immigrants — men who have come to this country determined to work. Every house you see is a freehold; every occupier is his own landlord." We passed a magnificent mansion, sur- rounded by rich foliage and beautifully-kept gardens. The house alone cost over ii20,000. The owner and occupier commenced hia career of prosperity with " a, black satchel and a wife." " You see that house," said Mr. Wills, pointing to another magniticent dwelling. " Th.at was given to his daughter on her marriage. Her father tijade it a condition that she should marry a mechanic — some one with a trade." As we drove pa?t numerous large dwell-' ings, and some of a less pretentious cha- racter, I said, " J am delighted to see all these indications of prosperity ; but what about the other side of the picturo. Where is your poorhouee ? " " We haven't s^trh n thing in Canada, Sir. We have institutions of a private character for the sick ar 1 *he aged, for widows and orphans, but V have no poor house. Our law is Work or Want, but no man need want if he is willing to work." " Yon stated that all the houses we paseed were freehold. What is the value of land in the neighbourhood ? " " Good land may be bought to-day within five miles of the city at a himdred dollars (-£20) an acre. Further out it is still lower io price." " I find a good many people have a dread of the cold of Canada. Are your winters really seTcre ? " " The c«:>ld in this part of Canada is much more endurable than in England. You pertr »e« a man shiver here. Let him take care to Lave his boots big enough for his f»et to move about in, and wear woollen c'oth'ng, and he will not complain about the co'd.' " What class of immigrants are you most in want of r " " If you will send me good servant girls and agricultural labourers I will undertake to give a giXid account of them. Servant girls will- get better wages, better treat- ment, and better chances of getting good husbands, than in England. There is a splendid field here for agricultural labourers." " What is the cost of living here ? " *' A man may live hero much cheaper than in England. Clothing is no dearer, if the ( products of the country are used — good gen- uine stuff, not shoddy." •' "What is the cost of food ? '* "Brtnd is slightly cheaper than in Erg- land. Meat is much chenper. Jn winter, when the farmers brirg in their produce from the country, a half or a quarter of a shcfp may he Vonght at five cents (2^d.) a pound. Legs of mutton are six cents {2d.) a pound." " "What would a sheep's head cost ? " " A Ehoep's head! "^ly, if a poor woman ■went tea butcher's for a sheep's head, he would most likely let her have it for nothing. A buUock's head, including the tongue, costs only twenty-five cents (1p.)." So we went on talking until we reached some large lumber-mills, about thioe miles from the city. I wanted to see some of the men who had had experience of the peat bogs of Lincolnshire, who had previously ex- perienced the bitterness of "no work" in London ; but who, rather than eat the bread of charity, had gladly undertaken work at a shilling a day. The training in Lincoln- ehire had proved a splendid preparation for rough work in Canada, and there was the fullest confidence that the men selected for emigration would turn out well. We bad no difficulty in finding the first man I inquired for. He had received no previous intima- tion of a visitor from the old country calling to see him , but a look-out from an upper floor of the boarding-houee connected with the u ) millg had revealed to him a familiar and a friendly face, and I was very quickly greeted with a smile of welcome and a hearty grip of the hand which made my heart thrill with delijjht. "1 am real glad to see you, sir," was uttered with such warmth as to assure mo of the genuineness of the wordp. "When did you arrive here ? " "On June 4, and! went straight to Mr. Wills, who found work for me directly." "What wages are you getting here ? " " Seven dollars (28s.) a week, and I pay two dollars and a-half (10s.) for my board and lodging." " Then you are saving money ? " " Not much yet. I want to get a good stock of clothing before the wintor sets in, but after that I shall have no difficulty in saving money." " That is a capital sort of shirt you are wearing ; how much did ]t cost you?" "Seventy-five cents (3s.), It's all wool, and woven -like a stocking; a capital thing for this kind of work." As wo turned away, Mr. Wills said," That man is bovmd to do well. He has through- out acted like a gentleman, appreciating any help I have been able to render him, and has stuck well to work. I think it will be a good thing for him to have a turn in the bush. He will get good wages, and after a seasoa in the bush he will be a thorough Canadian, ! v 1 4 ( and if he goes on as well as he has done hitherto his fortune is secured." Inquiries about other ineu led to equally satisfactory information ; but as a set-off ]\[r. Wills told me of one man who had abused him most disgracefully, day after day coming to his house in a state of in- toxication, and demanding money to which he had no more righKthan the Governor- General of Timbuctoo. Off we started on a drive of ten or eleven niilea in another direction, calling on our way at other extensive mills situated close to the Chaudiero Falls, which are generally considered to rank next in importance, grandeur, and beauty to Niagara. The greater fall is about 200 feet in width and 40 feet in depth. The boiling, seething, foaming character of the water as it poured over the fall certainly had very much the ai pearance of a huge cauldron. Inside the mills we saw the logs of timber received from the water, and in a few minutes they were turned out in planks, joists, rafters, or laths ready for building purposes. Hundreds of men were attend- inr to the several departments of labour, with the systematic regularity of clockwork. Close at hand we saw Eddy's Match Factory, and other important industries. Everywhere around the signs of prospeiity presented themselves. Not a single loafer was to be seen. The busy hive was for >yorkers, and drones were not recognised. 12 ) Seven miles from Ottawa, I had another warm greeting from a man and his wife and the baby, all of whom had benefited very greatly by their transatlantic change. What a transformation in that blessed baby ! Three months ago a pale, sickly, wizened, ever-crying mite, now a chubby faced, smiling, robust child who would not fear to engage in a wrestling match with any piccauniny of the same age. *' Well, II , are you sorry you came to Canada ? " "Sorry! No, sir. I am very glad. I wouldn't go back for r y thing." " What wages were you earning before you came out ? " " For about seven months in the year I was getting twelve shillings a week, and the rest of the year it was pretty hard work to get along." " What wages are you getting now ? " "Twenty-eight dollars {£5 123.) a month i and it's constant, regular work." With a promise to make inquiries about some relatives in England, we left our friends to their good fortune, and made our way to " The Kussell House," which, in due coarse, we reached after a delightful drive of about twenty-five miles, during which we received much valuable informationon social problems which had hitherto seemed extremely diffi- cult. Mr. Wills very kindly tabulated particu- lars respect'ng some forty or fifty cases sent r . ( out Ly the Solt'-Ht^lp Society. On looking over the list I found evevy man had bi.en provided with work. In aome cases a delay of a few days had occnir^d, but the Society had authorised an expenditure in such cases for board and lofl^inf»^, or for miirration to more suitable fields of labour. The f vcrage outlay, as shown on the list prepared, had not exceeded ten shillings per head. The following epitome will show the results in a few cases :— H. P. arrived April 1. Work provided at 1 dol. 50 cents (fis. I ii day. Paid 3 dels. {123.} a week for board anil lodf^iiifj. A. H. arrived Mfty 4. Now earning 28 dolH. (£51'2s.) a month. Permanent eniployment. F. H. arrived May 4, Work provided at 1 dol. 50 cents (6s. t a day. Cost for board and lodging 3 dols. (128.) a week. M. F., engine-flttpr, arrived Jnne 3 ; work provided immediately at 1 dol. 75 cents (/s.) a day. iioarded and lodged at house opposite works for 3 dols. '25 cents (139.) a week. Board in every case means three meat meals a day. J. V. arrived drunk June 3, but set to work next day at 1 dol. 25 cents (.5s.) a day. J. C.and J. C. arrived June 3, both provided with employment at 7 doN. (28s.) a week. Now eui^ai^edto work on a railway in Eastern Ciiuada for the winter. O. C. nrrivfd June 3; engaged at 100 dols. (£'20) a year, with board and lufi^ing. J. W. arrived June 22; at work on the Canadian Pacific Railway at 30 dols. (£6) a month. Permanent employment. These are simply specimen cases. Pome of the men have moved off to other parts of ('anada, in the expectation of still further bettering their condition. Some few have 13' ) not turned out satisfactorily. Ill nearly i every case of failure drink has been the caua •. The next day I had the pleasure of meet- ing Mr. Lowe, the Secretary of the Depart- ment of Agriculture for the Dominion of Canada, who very readily suppli(jdadditional information, and promised any help in his power in connection with the emigration of willing workers from England. One remark of Mr. Lowe's is specially worth recording. " The genius of our country is adnptatum, the adaptation of tools to work, the adapta- tion rt men to circumstances" The men wanted in Canada are "all round" men. Men who only know one branch of .\ trade are at a discount in comparison with the man of many resources and general adaptive- ness. The visit to Ottawa proved a decided " eye-opener," and we left it with pleasure- able regret for Toronto, about 8U0 miles further West. During our brief stay ia Ottawa we had the pleasure of making the acquaint. ance of the Kev. John Wood, who had proved himself a good friend to immi- grants, and who most cordially promised to render any assistance within his power to any who might be sent to Ottawa by the '' Self-Help " Society. We reached Toronto at 8.30 a.m., after a ride of 9a hours. Upon the whole the sleep- ing saloons in Canada are certainly not superior to those in use on the best lines in Knoland. There is lesa privacy. This, per- haps, is accounted for by the freer life of the ( w ) people. Our "sable" night attendant was courteous, but indeptJndeut. In the early morning we were delighted with touches of sweet harmony from his favourite instru- ment. At 7 o'clock, a table was spread and breakfast supplied to thosi! who required it. Another attendant passed through the car at intervals with a supply of fresh fruit, and another with general literature and the morning papers. In Toronto I found more difficulty in tra- cing individual immigrants than in the places we had previously visited. Mr. Donaldson, the Government Immigration Agent, was unfortunately out of town, Inquiries af- forded full evidence tbat he is a real friend to immigrants, and spares no pains to forward their best interests. I was directed to the Rev. Mr. Darling, a minister of the Episcopal Church, as one who had specially interested himself in immigrants, but I found his house closed, as if the family were in the country or at some quiet resting-place on the St. Lawrence. I set to work to m'lke some general inquir- ies as to the class of men most likely to succeed iu Toronto, and the testimony waa everywhere thesame, " Send us sober, steady, honest, hard-woriiiug men, artisans .or labourers, and we will find work for them." Of the men sent out by the Self-Help Emi- gration Society not a single one haid been unprovided with work. A few facts will indicate the importance of Toronto aa a labour centre. Eight lines of railway have terminal stations in the city. There are at present about 20,000 public and private buildings. The population is 120,000. In 1851, it was 40.0C»^; in 1861, 44,800; in 1871, 50,600; in I8Sl, 86,415. The yearly civic income and expenditure is over 2,000,0j0 dols. (iJ400,000 sterling) on an average. The assessed value of property this year is 82,000,000 dols. (^10,400,000 sterling). There are over a hundred churches in Toronto : 27 Episcopal, 22 Methodist, IG Presbyterian, 12 Baptist, 9 lioman Catholic, G Congregational, 6 Salva- tion Army, and 12 of various other bodies. Before leaving England a friend had given me the name of a gentleman residing in Yonge-street, as one who would be willing to supply me with information. The number of the house had not been given me. On making inquiry for Yonge-street I found it was more than thirty miles in length, extend- ing north and south. King-street, the principal one in Toronto, sixty-six feet ia width, runs east and west. Forty years ago King-street was composed entirely of wooden structures ; now it is well built up with substantial brick and stone buildings. However, I found the required address iu Yonge-street, and from there -started off in search of a family who had recently arrived in Toronto. On the way, I endeavoured to get some gleanings. A mother, leaving a baker's shop with three little children beside ^ ( her, seernod a likely subject. Tho way to a mother's heart is to take notice of her children. ' Well, little maid, where did you get those pretty black eyes from ? " The little one looked up at her mother as if she knew all about the matter. As two of the children were carrying loaves of bread, I ventured to ask the price. "These two loavis cost 11 cents." (ojd.) " What is the weight of the two ? " " Four pounds." '• Have you been long in Canada ? " " About two years." " And do you x^refer it to the old coun- try ? " " Oh, yes ; although it has been rather a trying time during the last ten weeks, owing to a strike among the joiners. That is my husband's trade." " What is the result of the strike ? " " It came to an end yesterday. The men are to receive twenty-five cents (Is.) an hour." " That is better piy than in England ? " " Yes, and living is cheaper ; so that alto- gether we are better off." With a good-bye to the little ones, and something to buy *' sweeties," we proceeded on our way, iind at length found the house — closed. Inquiries of neighbours elicited the information that those of whom we were in search lived " in one of four newly-built rod brick houses about a raile further on." Then 16 ) followed further inquiries, and eventually we succeeded in our quest. The good wife of the house came to us with an inquiring look on her face. " Do you know Mr. D ? " I asked. The mention of the name of an oid friend in the mother country was quite sufficient. At once we had a hearty welcome. Husband, wife, and two children arrived in Toronto on the first of June. The husband, a brass founder, a man of superior intelli- gence, and an earnest Christian worker, found work at onca at two dollars (Ss.) a day. Tho son and daughter are both earning money, the former is preparing fir taking a small farm. The house occupied by the family consists of six or seven good- sized rooms, bath-room, with nutne ous modern appliances, and the rent is only nine dollars (36s.) a month, including all taxes. The good man was not at homo when we called, but he afforded me the pleasure of Beeing him by calling at my hotel in the evening. " Will you tell me, Mr. S., what is your opinion about Canada, after three months* experience of it ? " " That it is just the co mtry for steady, perseyering men to come to. We meet here more on an equal footing. Tne foreman of the works where I am engaged mixes with the men and converses as freely with them, and we with him, as if there were no distinction iu position. He is a / I ,i ( Christian man, and has told mc that if I can recommend any steady young fellows from the old country, there will be no diffi- culty in finding work for them." " Are you able to save money ?'' " Oh, yes ; and there is every inducement to save. The Post Olfice Savings Bank allows 4 per cent, interest. Nothing less than a dollar is received on dop sit. I hope soon to be able to buy a piece of land." " Do you find living c^ieap or dear, in com- parison with England ? " " iVi.'idedly cheaper than in England. We Inxy good beef at eight cents (4d.) a pound, and new milk with the cream on it ar five cents (2.^d.) a quar'. if the milk is allowed to stand awhile there is a splendid head of cream on it." We had further conversation about future prospects, the rauses of failure with some who had emigrated to Canada and not succeeded, the openings for Christian work, and nmiiy other subjectp, on which I re- ceived intelligent and valuable informa- tion. Toronto furnii-hed another very satisfac- tory case in a lad who until recently was a member of the shoeblack bri^jfade in connec- tion with Westminster Chapel, a case in which the Bev. Hmry Simon had taken special interest. Ou arriving in Canada the lad found employment at a saw-mill, but he soon came to the conclusion that ho 16 ) ought to be doing better in tho way of wages. To use his own words, " I began to open my eyes. It didn't pay me to stay there for four dollars (lt)3.) a month and board, so I left to go to a farm for ton dollars (40s.) a month and board. After working there a mouth, I heard of a place about eighty-five mil- 8 away where they wanted some labourers, so I took the train down. The next morning I started work, and now I am getting eighieen cents and a half an hour, making nine hours a day and five ou Satur- day. My mouey comes to nine dollars and a quarter (373.) a week, and I board and lodge tor three and a quarter (13s.) ' There is uo difficulty in lads of this stamp getting con- stant work in Canada. The next morning was spent in visiting several factories, and noting the various in- dustries of Toronto. Soon after noon we were again " on board " the train and on the way to Hamilton, about forty miles fui,- ther west. Arrived at Hamilton, the first thing was to put myself in communication with Mr. John Smith, the Government Immigration Agent. Mr. Smith is an ingrained hater of all shams and humbugs, and 1 soon found myself the subject of a little incisive cross- examination. " Who are the men avIio are working the • Self-Help Emigration Society ' ? " I mentioned the names of tho Earl of Kodcn, Lord Dorchester^ Sir Kegiuuld i ( 17 ) ; Proctor Boauchanip, Rev. Andrew Mearns, and others, and was then asked : — " Do any of the committee receive any re- muneration for their services Y " "Not a penny piece; every service is gratuitously rendered." "What becomes of any conoessiDn or commission H " " Every pennj voes to the geneial fund for helping emigrants.'' •' Are your expenses paid for coming out Lere'r"' * " I have the privilege of paying my own expenses. The fact is — I wanted a holiday, and I thought I could nob do better than take a run to Crtnada, and pick up informa- tion on the way in relitioa to emigrants." " Do you expect to be reimbursed any ex- penditure H " " Certainly not. I am taking this trip for my own pleasure, and quite independent of any counection with the Society." " Pardon me for putting these plain ques- tions. Tlie fact is, I have seen so much of professional philanthropy that I like to know with whom I am dealing. I will gladly ren- der you any help in my power." I was amply rewarded for this interview- ing by Mr. Smith's subsequent testimony — viz. : '• The Self-Ilelp Society is the best I have had to do with. 1 see the men con- nected with it have no private ends to serve, but are devoting themselves to promoting tlio real welfare of tho men th?y send out. It is a thoroughly honest, unselfish Society, and it will give me the great eot pleasure to aid it in every possible way." I must avoid mentioning other societies and Individuals to which Mr. Smith reftired, but of one prominent individual he said, with coDfeiderable warmth : "The man is nn utter humbug. Ha getd two hb'ilings for every emigrant, and in one instance, at leant, he received ten pounds each for reveral dis- charged prisoners, and roarly every penny went into his own pocket." While we were talking a young girl came in to make some inquiries respecting a rail- way transportation ticket. " Well, Kitty, how old are you!' " " T don't know ; 1 think I am sixteen." " When do you want the ticket." "To-morrow." "All right, Kitty. I will see that you have it." As soon as she was gone, Mr. Smith said, "That is one of Misj Rye's girls. She civaa out here as poor as any of them, nnd now she has investments of her own amounting to at least fifty, and possibly a hundred pounds." I made inquiries about some men sent out by the Self-Help Society. " How is a man named S doing ? " " He came out in May last year. He is now working at a place about twenty-seven miles from herp, and is earning three dollars (12s,) a day. His mate, who came out with '••V -"f"" T ! " ' " , ? ■■ A. "-Jii ( him, is earning two dollars, eeventyfive cents (lis.) a day. They were both ordinary labourer?, and firo now working in a stono quarry." Of another man, Mr. Smith said : " lie caino out as poor us a rat, he is now doing splendidly, and has Just boiight two houses. lie lives in one and k'ts the other." "I find so many men succet'd hero in Canada ; what about those who fail ? " "With much quiet emphasis, Mr, Smith said: " 1 have been here thirty-four \ears, and have never known of an honest man, or his children, bogging bread." I inquired about a man and his wife who had done well at thu peat work provided in Lincolnshire. The two arrived in June last. "Well, the man's a donkey. I got him work at which he might havn had fii'teen dollars (£3) a month and board, and his wife might have had nine dollars (IJGs.) a month and board iu another situation, but they didn't like the idoaof being separated. People who come out here must be prepared to make some sacrifices, and to rough it for a time." It was gratifying to hear Mr. Smith speak highly of the integrity and thorough prinei- j>leof this man and hia wife, and before we left I had the pleasure of seeing both of them and of arranging for an improvement in their position. "What are the elonocnts of success in men who come out here ?" I inquired, 18 ) " They may be summed up in three words ; honesty, sobriety, and industry." " Is drink a frequent cause of failure ? " " Yes, a man can get drunk here much cheaper than in England. Beer will cost him more, but whisky can be bought here, 34 up., at from four to five shillings a gallon. If immigrants will only keep sober, and are honest and industrious, they are bound to succeed. I have about seven thou- sand pass through my hands every year. I could tell you of scores who came here with scarcely a cent in their pockets, who aro now worth thousands of pounds." We left Hamilton by an evening train for Niagara Falls, forty mile.s east. On arrival we were soon "fixed" as to hotel accommo- dation, and in conversation with the laud- lord. " Do you call this a village ? " " Oh, no ! this is a town. It was formerly called Clifton, but is now Niagara Falls, Ontario, to distinguish it from ' Niagara Falls ' on the American side." " What constitutes a town? " " Two thousand inhabitants." " What is the population of this town ? " "Over three thousand." " What constitutes a city ? " " A popuiation of ten thousand." We continued in conversation for about half-an-hour on a variety of topics, then took a two-mile walk, arranged to be called at (5.30 the following morning, and went to bed to W ii.a:..ja--^PSaHM^i^W!i dream of the anticipated delights of Niaj^ara. At 7.30 the following morning a carriaj^e and pair was in waiting, and off we started, flr^t to " Tho Rapids," where Captain Webb lost hia life. By means of an inclined railway we wore soon nearly on a level with tho seething current. The rocks on either aide, of red sandstone ana white limestone, 2K) feet high, presented a picture of majestic grandeur. The water, estimated to be about 250 feet deep at this point, rushed past us in its onward course to Lake Ontario, thonco to the St. Lawrence and the Atlantic ocean. The scene in the early morning was of great beauty, and wo would willingly have made a long stay, but were obliged to hurry forward. Our youthful guide quietly remarked, " I have no regular wages here ; I only get what I can pick up from visitors." I took tho hint and handed him "a quarter," and having paid our fifty cents each for admis- sion, and inspected the curiosities of the bazaar, we proceeded to " The Whirlpool." Here another payment of fifty cents each was required, another ride on • i inclined railway enjoyed,another hint received from a guide, " I have no regular wages here," &c., &c. ; and here we had a further contribution to our enjoyment from the ecenery around us. As our young guide talked like a halfpenny book, I 'eutured a few questions. — " Now, do you mind telling mo, in confi- dence, how much money you make by show- ing people the whirlpool.'' 19 ) " Well, you BOO, tho season is only a short one— about three months in the year, and there are several of us." " How many visitors do you get here ? " " fn the season, from 300 to 5iX) a day." " I suppose you make a ^ood thing out of it. Now,jii3ttell me. I will promise notto try to got your berth, and besides, I r mldn't talk as you do. How much do you get ? " "About 180 dollars (ijaH) in the season. Sometimes it's more." Not a bad thing, I thought, for a small boy with '* no regular wages.'" A couple of minutes' walk brought us to a charming sjvot named "The Swiss Glen," in which we indulged in the delights of an i imagi- nary picnic. As the shale and fallen rock matlo progress somewhat difficult at places, wo asked our guide if many accidents occurred. " There hasn't been an accident hero for fourteen years. When Captain Webb lost his life there were thousands of people here, but not H single accident." We re-entered an open carriage on the in- clined railway and, with our faces to tho chiirming scenery which we had just visited, were soon on the higher level. On payment of another half-dollar each for actmission, asked for when we went out, and another "quarter" to our guide, we were free to proceed on our drive. We were soon in view of the new suspen- sion bridge which unites the mainland on the American and Canadian side of Niagara. ( 20 ) The cont oF thlH briilj]fo amounted to nearly £iU),00O. The span ia 1,230 feet from tower to tower, thn towers on the Canadian side nro 120 f»>et hi}^h, the deptJi from the floor of the bridtje to the water bol<>w is 250 feet. A little further on wo saw the Maid of the Mist, tlie little strainer whieh, to escape seizure by the sheriff, ^.as tjuided by the pilot Robinson, through thi; Avhirlpool, to the Aiaoricun side. " Do you know what that boat is made of ? " our driver inquired, after giving us a prraphic description of the perilous voyage referred to. " Iron, I suppose." " No." " What then ; oak ? " "No." We made several other guesses, and afc length gave it up. Mr. Driver then informed U3, " She is Mai) we reached London, a city of about Uo.OOO in- habitants. London ! the very nan)e was suggestive of hovic. It was interesting and amusing to note how " the powers that be " in London, Ontario, had endeavoured to make their city a miniature of the metropolis of PJngland. London, Ontario, has its river Thttmea (100 yards wide), its JJ'ackfriars- bridge, Westminster-bridge, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, Pall-mall, Piccadilly, Co vent-garden, Victoria-park, Cheapside, Crystal Palace, and also its East-end and West-end. I wanted to get information respecting emigrants from London, England ,p, nd so, early in the morning following arrivafl, waited on Mr. A. G. Smyth, the Government agent, who most generously laid himself out to further my wishes. His first statement was most gratifying. "I don't know one of your men who is not ( doing well. I havo received and placed a good niauy tbis year and they have all turnsd out well." " I should like to see some of the men ; would it bo possible to arrange it ? " " It would tako a good bit of time, a? they are somewhat scattered. I could, however, give you particulars about mo8t of them." Then followed details about more of the Lincolnshire men and others who had experi- enced sharp struggles in the old country. Mostof those montionedareengagedon farms from nine to thirteen miles from London, Ontario. Special mention was made of one family which had caused rather more perplexity than usual on account of illness and other matters. " But," added Mr. Smyth, " they are all right now ; the man, al- though totally unaccufitomed to farm work previously, is well placed. I spent the greattir part of three days in getting him fixed. Ho has now house and firing for him- self and family, board for himself, and eigh- teoci dollars (^£3 12s.) a month in addition. If he prefers it he may have a dollar (da.) a day and a house." ' What does it cost for liouse-rent in the rvCighbourhood of London ? " " Nice little bouses may be had here for five dollars (jCI) a month, and in the country for two and a-half to three dollars (lOs. to 128.) a month." Our next visit was to Watford, a village about thirty miles further west, where we 22 ) were delighted to make the acquaintance of the Kev. E. Hay, who has most generously devoted himself to promoting the interests of a large number of'immigrante. By his kindly influence thirty have been well placed during the last few months, and it was exceedingly gratifying to hear that all had turned out well. Mr. Hay had made arrangements ff^r a number of the immi- grants to meet i: i on the following evening so that I might receive their own testimony about their new homes and surroundings, and he further volunteered to drive us round a good part of the country to see some of the farms. This offer was, of course, gladly accepted, and at 10 o'clock on the following morning we were on the road. At a farmhouse, about seven miles from Watford, we had a delightful experience of Canadian hospitality. Although we -were unexpected visitors, we received a right hearty welcome, and throughout the day were treated most royally. The goodman of the house was not at home, but the "goodwife" became at once '• giiide, counsellor and friend," and showed us over a good part of the farm of over two hundred acres, and also enlightened us as to the requirements and appliances of Canadian farming. The numerous outhouses, well kept and furnished, were evidences of pros- perity, especially when wo learned that the whole property was free. With the cxcep. ( 23 ) ticii of two or ibree farms in tlie neighbour- bood every occupier ia his owu landlord. At the dinner-table we met Mrs. , one of the numcroiis cases wliich had come before the committee of the "Self-Help" Society, owinj? to the failure of the jute works at Barking. She was treated in every way as on an equality with the family. In the old country she had experienced severe trials. Owing to the prolonged illness and death of her husband she had had to do the bi'ead-winuing. The closing of the factory threw her and hundreds besides out of em- ployment. The Eev. T. Davies proved a iriend in need, and arrangements were made for the widow and her daughter to emigrate. " Mrs. C , would you like to go back ? " " Oh, dear, no 1 I am too comfortable here to want to go back." " How is your daughter ? " " She is Yery well, and is living on a farm very near me. If you see Mr. Davies, will you tell him how happy we are here, and thank him for all the interest he took in us ? " It will be understood with what pleasure we ate the del'cious farmhouse bread made by Mrs. C after this testimony. Looking roand the table we found that England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland were each represented. The representative of the last, although of Irish descent, was Canadian born. It was amusing to hear him remark with true Hibernian humour, "I'm shure no one would know I'm Oirish by the way I spake." In the evening we met eighteen or twenty of the emigrants sent to Watford, Only one expressed dissatisfaction with his lot. Every- thing was wrong with him, although others who Vere there said he had a good situation, and that altogether he was not a bad sort of fellow. I could only suppose that he was the subject of a fit of hypuchondria, and for the time dubbed him Mr. Grumbler. When appealed to, not one of the others could bo found to endorse bis testimony. I subse- quently ascertained that Mr. Grumbler had saved a considerable sum of nioney, al- though he had been little more than a year in Canada. Turning to another man, whose happy face would be a passport to good socit- ty any- where, I asked, " Do you regret coming out ? " " Not a bit of it. I engaged for twenty-seven dollars (jBd 8s.) a-m -nth for the season, and I have no dou) .. about getting somi'tliiugelse." Just before, I had had a chat with a farmer in the neighbourhood, who was formerly connected with I'arish-street Chapel, Horseljdown, ond, referring to this youug man, ho said : "He has gained for himself a very good name since he came here. I am commisHioncd to offer him what I think will be a good opening for him. ( 24 ) Mr. L Wants a cOafiJential man and he believes Mr. O here will «uit him. Ho will have 240 dollars (ii48) a-year, a house to live in, free pasturage, feed for a cow if he likes to keep onf, as much fjarden ground as he wants, oil the apples he can eat, and may keep any number of hens, his employer supplying an equal number, and the two sharing the proceeds of the eggs." Well done, Mr, 1 " A good name is better than great riches." Speaking to the father and mother of this young man later in the evening, I found they heartily' endorsed the testimony of their snn .'la to Ccnadian experience, although they had onlj landed atMontnal about four months before. " We have here," said the mother, " what y/e hadn't at home- plentj to eat and drink." To another man I said, " You are looking well — much better than when I saw you in England." *• Yes ; I guess this is a pretty good coun- try for being well." Another jiarticularly commissioned me to let his friends know how well he was doing, and there were special reasons for. this testi- mony Ineing given by one who had seen him. 1 hiul previously received his employer's account of him, to the elfect that he wus thoroughly satisfied. There is no reason why he should not be in possession of a farm of his own in a few years' time. Another vei'y steady and intelligent man said, " I am better off by far than I was in the old country. I was in London two yearef, and during that time I was only able to get eight months' work. Another, on being asked, "Would you like to go back to the old country 'f " re- plied, " I would rather go to the ^^North Pole." J recognised a man who came out about a month ago, and inquired what progress ho had made. He replied, "The wages for the first month were very poor, but I had to prove wh>it I was worth. I only got seven dollars (28s.) for the month with board and l«xiging ; but I have just engaged for a hun- dred dollars a year and everything found, except clothes." So the men went on, one after the o- her, testifying to the change for the better iu their removal to Canada. Watford certainly has one great advantage in that it is thirty mites from any place where intoxicating liquors can be obtained. Q'he men, too, are made to feel the influence of family life in the way they mix with their employers and tbetr children. How vastly better than tiie lodg^JDg-houses of London, vvbich thousands of working-men are obliged to make their honats ! I found that, as a genera rule, farmerg gave their " helps " a hundred dollars the first jeir, in addition o board, lodging, and 111 I' ( in most cases washing and meading, and the second yew the wagc-s were advanced to i;30 or 150 dollars, according to the progress made. Families, too, could procure firing at a very cheap rate; a cord ot' wood — that is, a pi'e 8ft. long, -l-ft. high and 4ft. wide, or 12S cubic feet — beiug purchasable for a dollar and a half — sir shillings sterling. We closed a most enjoyable time by sing- ing one of the old familiar hymns, and com- meading one auDther to ojr Father in heaven. Mr. Hay kindly drove u^ back to our hotel, and we at length separated, with a deep conviction on our part of the true spirit of consecrated devotion which marks Mr. Hay's work, not only in relation to the spiritual interests of those amongst whom he labours, but al^so to their material welfare. We had a now experience at Watford On our arrival at the station we re(iuested to be driven to the best hotel. The citer- ing generally was satisfactory, but wf were scarcely prepared for the experience uf the morning. Our boots were placed outside our bedrooms as usual, when we retired to rest, and there they wore in the same con- dition when we rose in the morning. Thinking they had been inadvertently over- looked, we spoke to a domestic, and were by her referred to the landlord, as such a matter was altogether beyond her province. As the landlord was not to be found, I men- 25 ) tioaed thecii'cumstauci to another visit' ir at th(5 breakt'aat-table, and asked, "How do they u.-ually manage about boot-cleaning here ?" " I guess every man cleans his own," was the response. "But how do ladies manage ? " " I don't know ; they iiave never favoured mo with their experience." As we were unprovided with a shoeblack's stock ia-trado, I made further at eiiipts to got the usual hotel polish, but they were all in vain, in Watford every man is his o.vn shoeblack. W^e certainly hfid no reason to complain of the hotel charges. For clean, well- furnished bedrooms and three good minils and attendmce we were only called upon to pty at the rate of a dollar (1^.) a day Although this was an exceptional experi- ence, we found hotel charges throughout Canada to be exceedingly reasonable. In no case did they exceed three and a-half dolla-s (lis.) a diy. The average did not amount to more than 123. Tuere are no "tips" to servants, the only "extra" being a tritlc, usually ' a quarter" (Is.), for the conveyau ;e of luggage to or from the railway. Just as we wtre leaving Watford, an easy- going farmer accosted me. " iVre you the gentlem\n that'iJ looking after imtuigrauts here ?" ( 26 ) " 1 bavo seen a few &ijce I have Leen hero, ;iuh you would send mc a good servant, I ani prepared to pay a good com- mission." I assured him that "commission " did not in any way enter into n)y calculations, and then asked, " vVhat Avages are you prepared to give?" " Year in and year out a dollar and a half ((Ja.) a week, and if a girl doesn't under- stand the work at first my wife will very soon teach her. We don't mind any trouble in that reepeot." I took do^yn the name and address of my inquirer, and promised to do 'iiy be?t to fuither his wishes when I returned to Eng- land, and in a short time we were again " on board" the train, bound for Kingston, 307 ini}es further east. The ride from Watford to Kingst.-n, a town (not yet incorporated into a city) of about 15,000 iniiabitants, was a very fatigu- ing one. We left Watford at one o'clock p.m., and did not reach Kini'stou till 'i.'20 the following moruing, when .vf, nt once made for the British American Hotel, and betVire four o'clock were far away in the land of dreams. At Kingston we had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the Kev. Dr. Jackson, who very kindly assisted lis to find bonie of the immigrants who had settled in the town, and in other ways rendered us valuable help. 'J'he first family visited had met with un- expected difiiculties, owing to the illness of the head of the family, and especially to an accident which he had met with whilsb en- gaged at his work. The wife, however, had proved a good holp-meet, and I lera-ned afterwards that she was such an exc<.dlent worker that she need never be a day without employment, and could easily earn six dollars (2ts.) a week. As the husband was earning a dollar and a quarter (5s.) a-day, there was an income, fairly sufe, of fifty- four shillings a-week. It Avas interesting to notice how much the Sunday-school cards rect-ived bv the children in the old country were prized. They occupied the most conspicuous position on the wall of the room, and termed a " run and read" library of a very extensive character. Another immigrant we visited — one of the cases in which tlie Eev. J. Uavies, of Barking, had taken great interest — afforded us very much pleasure. She was evidentiy in a very comfortable home, where she re- ceived the utmost kindness and considera- tion. The heaity manner in which the girl referredto her employer and those con- nected with 'her spoke volumes as to the kindly relationship of the two parties. The generoxig tribute which we received as to •■,.*»• »^-^^ ( 27 ) the cjirl's faithful service was equally gratifying. Such a home, with seven dollars (28s.) a month and everything foiincJ, is one to be valued. Hero, again, I was specially charged with a message of gratitude to Mr. Davies for the efforts he had made to relieve the distress in Barking, occasioned by the stoppage of the jute works and other industries. Dr. Jackson kindly escorted us to the residence of Mr. Macpherson, the Govern- ment Immigration Agent, init that gentle- man, and also other friends to whom we had hitters of in troduction , pi o ved to be a way from home, and thus we failed to procure detailed information about several individuals and families whose names we bad jott.ortion similarly occupied on the Canadian side is about ono in twenty. Several are the property of various religious bodies, and during the season are the means of bringing together large numbers of their respective adherents. As the islands showed themselves through the grey light of the early morning, there »was a peculiar charm about them. Sud- denly, some one near us exclaimed, " Oh, look ! one of the iblands is on fire. IIow rapidly it is spreading." The mistake lasted but a few momenta. The sun had risen. Its glorious light capped one of the distant islands, and soon the horizon was flooded with such an effulgence of crimson and gold as to fill us with reverent wonder- ment. " The stinrise enabled us better to follow ( 28 ) l^ < i \ \ _ li ;i I ! ■'! f the windirff ccnrse ^bith we were fre- <|iiontl} c< nipolled to take. At times it setuied ns if wc wore entirely shut in, and that our oDwaid progress ■vv'ould cause us to strike figaiust the bnnks, but as v>e approached a -^vay was optned by sfine bitteito unsefn channel, which introduced us to fresh and varied beauties. " Shooting the rapids" was an experience we had t^ptcially longed for. The minor rapids were somewhat difnppointing ; but at Long Fault, a continutniHiapid about nine miles in length, we had a pcniewhat exciting lime. The water rushed along its narrow channel at the rate of twenty miles an hour, and we for the first time txpeiieuctd the 8enFati( n of " sliding doM n bill on a steam- boat." During the pnssage there were four men nt the vheel and f<.ur others at a tiller attached to the rudder. This steering force is neceff-ary to keep the vessel steady and her bend straight with the course of the rapid, for if she presented her side to the current she would be immediately capsized. In such an event swimming belts would be of little use. It was cheering, however, to be told that at a neighbouring station there was a notice: "Post mortem examinations held weekly." Of the sfven or eigm, rapide we pasfed, " Long Sault" and " The Cedars" were the roost delightful. As the darkness was set- ting in wc did not attempt the Lachine rapids, but landed at the village cf Lachine and proceeded by rail to Montreal, which in due course we reach* d. Our fifteen hours on the river contributed rota little to our plf asapt memories of Canada. We had now returned to our starting- point on Canadian soil. Quietly Feated in the Saint Lawrence Hall, the general im- pressions made on our minds during the run of about a thousand miles began to focus thtmselves. Three subjects were r-pecially distinct, viz., the temperance, the morality, and the indystiij of the Canadian people. After travelling fiom one etd of Ontario to the other, mixing with all clafses and conditions of mt n, seeing woiking men in their leisure hours, looking into byplaces and scanning public thoroughfares, we were glad to be able to testify that not a single rase of drunkenness had come under our notice. Repeated inquiries of ministers and others elicited corroborative testimonj', that the Canadians as a people are comparatively free from the evils of intemperance. Drunkards are to be found m Canada as well as in England, but such cases are almost invariably injportations from other countrif s. As to morality, what is known in England as the social evil seems to be almost un- known in Canada, at least so far as its public manifestation is concerned. I closely ob- served the condition cf the principal ( thorou^lifares at nig'it, e^pejially ia tha larger towns— Aloubreal, Of-Uwa, Toronto, Loadon, and Kiagaton — but nowhere did I see the slightoat sign of public immjr'ilify. On mentioning this fact tD a minister who has been many years in the Dominion, ho said, " You will find nothing of that sort in Oaoada. Our streets are r.s safe by n'ght as they are by day so far as that evil is con- cerned." I'ne industry of the people was every- where apparent. They are not afraid of work. In such an atmosphere the loafer has no chance. From very sham •, it fr >m no )iigher consideration, he is compelled to re- tire, or to enrol himself among the really industrial classes. Everywhere i was re- minded of Mr. VVillrt's words. "Our law is work or want," and the fact thit thcrt? was so ii' le want proved the disposition of the people to work. My principal object in visiting Canada was to ascertain as far as possible to what extent the emigrants sent out under the avispicca of the Self-H».lp Emigra- tion Society had been benyhtfd by the change. it IS a significant fact tha^ after the most careful inquiries I could only discover ten cases of failure. T am more than ever satis- fied that in Canada there is a splendid field for the surplus labour power of England. The capitalist is not so much wanted as the 29 ) labourer. The lib)uror gro vs to bo a capitalist. The now Guile Bojk ja-it p ihlishe 1 hy the Doparttnjit of Agriculture of the Dominion of Canada says : " An iutonding emigrant should have, above all things, good health, and be stout-hearted. A man who comes to work should be prepare. i ti) do anything at first that comes to his haad, and he should try to adapt himaelf to the ways of the new country in which ho has plaee 1 his lot. . . The condition of suc- ce:js in Canada is honest work, and none should come s^-eking t > m ike a living who have not made up their minis to work. Canada is no place for the idl* >r the dissi- pated, !' ' 1 none of this class should think of corai. ,." Referring to the Province of Ontario, the same authority says : " Men commencing as labourers, without any capital, but strong arms and willing minds, seldom remain in that condition loug, but after a period of greater or less duration they gi nerally be- come employers of labour themselves. It is this moral certainty of rising in the social scale, when the i)rupc'r means are employed, that brightens the hopes and stimulates the exertions of the poorest settler." The last official return of the average rate of wages in the province of Ontario during 188G is an interesting study. I have selected three places in the province as iiiust ration Sj tit i ! ( m ) ftnd for convpnienco quote English equiva- lenta as to money value. Toronto. Kingston 12, to 14/; 12/ to 16' 20/ „ 32/; 20/ „ 32/ 8/ „ 12/ : 10/ „ 12 48/ „ 72/ ; S6/ „ 100/ 'V „ 7 6/ „ 7 Farm laTjourers, per week and boarfl... Pemnle farm ser- vants, per month and board Bricklayers, per day without board ... Lumbormon, per month without bonrd Smiths, per day without hoard ... Gardeners, per niontli with board Female rooks, per montb with board 1 40/ „ 48, i 32 „ Female domestics, | j per month v*itli board 24, „ S6' 24/ „ 36 General labourers, per day without 1 'oard Saddlers, per day without board . i 5, Tailor.*, per day ; without board ... ' 6, Port Arthur. 20/ to 24/ 40/,, 48/ 8,' 10/ 72/ „ 120/ 9/ „ 10/ 60/ „ (34 48/ „ 64/ j 160/ „ 2C0/ 40. ICO/ „ 2C0/ 48/ „ C4/' 6/ „ 7/ 9/ „ 10' 10/ ,. 14/ 4' „ 5/: 4/ „ 7 5' „ 8/ 1 6/ ,. 5/ 6/ 8/ •riie population of the placf s named must be talren into consideration. 'I'hat of Toronto is about 120,000 ; of Kino;stC)n about 15,000 ; of Port .Arthur about 1,5'')0. Port Arthur 18 situated on the shore of Thunder Bay, Lal?e Superior, in theuiidstof arich mineral region. Although the population is at pre- sent very email, the town bids fair io be one of the moat populous in the province. . The Canadian Pacific Eailway runs through it, and it is, the port to which the steamers of the company make tii-woekly trips from Owen Sound. The cost of living is much higher in Port Arthur than in Toronto or Kingston. The retail prices of the ordinary provisions required by the working classes are equally interesting to intending emigrants, and those concernedfor their welfare. I will take the official return for 1880 for TorontOj Hamilton, and Kingston. Toronto. Bacon, per lb j /6 to /7 Bread, best white.l per 41b. loaf j Butter, per lb. (salt „ (fresh) Beef Mutton „ Pork , Cheese „ Cotfee ,, E^ji^s. per dozen ... Milk, per quart ... Tea, black, per lb. ■\1 /<5l 1/0 ' /6 II /5 /8 Hamilton j /i to /5 - /5 /7i „ /8 10.,/1U ,3 /3i /4 '7 1/:^ 11 /o ,7\ „ 1/0 ; i7i ,2.i „ 3ij /;!i „3/0 l2 1/3 .. /6 „ /6 .. /5 ., /8 ,.1/7 ,. 1/0 „ /3 „ 3,0 Kingston. /4Uo /5 - /« /« „ /7i I7i „ /lO /4 „ /5 ,3J „ /5 /4 „ /5 /•5 „ /6 - ]/0 /5 ., n\ /2i „ /3 - 1/7 It should be borne in mind that the ' ova prices are funished by the several agents of the Dominion Government, entirely inde- pendent of one another. Each agent sup- plies i'-formation in relation to his own dis- trict. ( The retail prices of some of the leading articlea of clothing required by the working classes may also bo of service. I will take the same places — Toronto, Hamilton, and Kingston, as illustrations : Tweed Coats ,, Overcoats .. ,, Trousers ,,. ,, VeHts riannel Shirts Cotton Shirts Flannel, per yard .. Cotton 8hirtin|i», per yard Men's Shoes Men's Boots Women's Boots ... It will be seen that there are greater variations in tHe prices quoted for clothing than for food. If the several agents were quoting for identically the same article and same quality of material, there would be little variation in the prices for the places named. Immigrants frequently make a mistake in retaining their preference for materials of English manufacture. The charges for freight, duty, Sec, in many cases incretise the cost by 30 or 40 per cent. Cloth- ing- made from English materials must necessarily be much dearer than in the old country. The working classes would cer- Toronto. Hamilton Kingston 16/ to S-'/ 16/ to 24/ 16/ to 24/ 32/ „ 60/ 24/ „ 40/ 28/ „ .36/ 12/ „ 20/ 8/ „ 16/ 10/ „ 12/ 6/ .. 12/ 6/ ,. 8/ 6/ „ 8/ 29 „ 5/ 5/ „ 8/ 3/ „ .5/ 2/ „ 4/ 2/ „ 4/ 2/ „ 3/ /7i „ 1/5 1/ ,. 1/7 1/ ,. 1/7 /4 .. /7\ /2i „ /5 /5 ■„ /7i 3 6 ,, 8/ 4/ „ 8/ 4/ „ 5/ 6/ „ 16/ 7/ „ 9/ 8/ „ 10/ 4/ „ 8/ 5/ ,. 8/ 4/ „ 5/ 31 ) tainly do lietter by pi'.rchasing the products and manufactures of tlieir adopted home. I have endeavoured to furnish an ontlino of my trip to Canada, and of the information procured during my brief stay there. The voyage home was mide under conditiona which were upon the whole favourable. The s.s. Lake Superior, of 5,000 tons burthen, afforded capital accommodation. The cap- tain, an able seaman and a courteous gen- tleman, did everything in his power to pro- mote our comfort, bub he could not coatrol the winds nor regulate the waves. Ou the morning we left Montreal, I inquired as to the number of emigrants on board. With the exception of one family returning home on account of the death of its bead, there were not a dozen steerage passengers. "Emigrants," said the captain, " come out in hundreds, those who go back are as units in comparison." "But what about the immigrants who have succeeded in Canada, surely they want to revisit the old country sometimes ? " " Yes ; but they go bick as cabin passen- gers, not as steerage." I turned to one of the men in charge of Eome cattle, thinking that he was probably working his passage to England. "Are you going to the Old Country, to stay there ?" L inquired. "Oh, no ! I would return the next hour if I could. I have settled in Canada ; B y home ■HP ( 82 ) is in Montreal, and my wife and children are there. I shall be glad to get back to them. This is my third trip this year." Our hcart-Bongs blended, although wo were thinking of diiTerent localities, and we silently fang together, " There's no place likeh( me/'"for>vifeandchildrfnflrethcre." Septimus Scrivener. [The required outlay for fach emigrant is about £5. Ihia includes passage- money, cost of kit, rail to defetination in Canada, and a small reserve for contin- gencies. To provide for extending the beneficent work ot the Self-Help Emigration Society, a fund of Je5,000 ought to Le raised without much difficulty. Eev. Andrew Mearns, of the Memorial Hall, Farringdon- Btreet, will gladly receive contributions, or they can be sent to the Honorary Treasuier. Mr. E. E. Barclay, of the banking firm of Barclay, Be van, Tntton, and Co., Lombaid- street, E.C.J W. Siieaight £ Sons, Printers, Fetter Lai\0, London. t ■ I ^ -- ... ^ 1.. SELF-HELP EMIGRATION SOCIETY, 50, FLEET LANE, FARRINGDON STREET, LONDON, E.C. Commiltfc. The Earl of Roden. LoRo Dorchester. Lord Monkswell. Sir Reg. W. Proctor Beauchamp, Bart. H.L. W. Lawson, Esq., M.P. Rev. Burman Cassin, M.A. Rev. Andrew Mearns. ^ - G. W. DoDDS, Esq. ' * Walter Hazell, Esq. Arthur Miall, Esq. Arthur Fash, Esq. E. Wilson Gates, Esq. B. Clarke, Esq. Russell Coote, Esq. C. E. Jerningham, Esq. QTrengurer.— Edward E. Barclay, Es • Banketg. — Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, I'ritton & Co., Lombard Street, E.C. •v'ctttarg. — Rev. R. Mackay.