IMAiSE EVALUATION
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PACKW
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LETTEl
ILLUSTBATIVI
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BACKWOODS OF CANADA:
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BBura
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LETTERS FROlt THE WIFE OF AH
EMIGRANT OFFICER.
ILLU8TBATIVB OF THB DOJIWrW ■OOWOllY Of BBiriBR
AMEBICA.
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B» MBS. TRAIL.
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CONTENTS
i imib i i Mr riow .
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I'TBE I — DMHulanfriNB niMn i V i. «i^ »^ T . * * '
"***r "'-IT fnaih irLi___
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A HOMO th« nui
beta published^
gntion fiar theii
(hat give infonni
ofa settler's life,
fill g^de to th(
whole comfort <
nhowdepartinefl
Dr. Dunlomi
spirited pamidUei
not enter into (
einployment, in
woman's pen aloi
to be told oT the
is the baolcwood
female emigrant
trials and arduou
'*Eorewanied,
^lers, ooa4ainiii
^ following its
psges has endemri
MtioB to d^-wi!
the higher dasi
•Bid our Canad
iilintion^ly he r ri
^,i 'iS *. • , .
INTRODUCTION.
Ahono the numerous worki on Canada that haw
been publi«b«i^ith|,i the last ito ye«r8,with emj.
jratioii for their leading theme, J^«* are few.if a«Y,
^ give infomatk« regarding tidbmeetic ei^
rf a setUer s hfe, euffidenUy n^ut^ to proveTSS.
fid gmde to the person on wfaoee MsnoiiaibiKty the
whole comfort of a family dependt^he misLse.
Hhose department it is "to haud the houaainorder^
Dr. Dunlgp, it is true, has published a witty and
qinriled pamphlet, "The Badcwwodsman," hiit itdoes
not enter into the routine of feminine di^tes and
employment, in a state of emigration. Indeed, a
womanVpen alone can describe hatf that is wmiisite
Ui the backwoods, in order ij&hte the oote^
remafe emigrant to form a |^r judgment of Z
trials and arduous duUes she has to enodunter.
."Forewarned, forearmed," b a maxim of oiir fnre
iMhers, containing much matter in its pithy bi«vitv •
Had, ibUowing ite spirit, the writer of the foUowing
m^ has ttdeuvoured to aflbrd ev«ry possible infoi-
mtion to thb^vea and daughters of emigrants of
tt»e higher clasi who contemphte i^iog » homa
•Bid our Onadian wiWs. 'Ruth^ been con-
Wyntiou^y her iii»<^ JftJhfej rork^^for it w er e <rui!
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2 INfKO.DUCTION.'^
to wtite in flattering terrbs calculated to deceive
emignuits into the belief that the land to which they
are transferring their families, their capital, and their
h^pes, a land flooring with niil]| and hon^, w|iere
comforts an4 affluence may be obtained with little
exertion. She prefers honestly r epra^ t n ting facts in
their real and true lights that the finiMls part of the
pmip^t'* ^jly may be enablid to look them
firmly in the £m»; to find a teinedy in' female in-
genuity and, expediency for soiM Aflkuhies; and, by
being properly prepared, raootimter Che rest with that
high-spirited eheerfuhiest ol whicli ^utell-educated
females often give extraordiiiary prooftb She lilie-
wise wishes to teaeh them to disoard ever^ thing
excluidvaty pertaining to the artiflcid tefinenent of
fashionable life in Edglaiid; and to point ««it i^
by devoting the moncjr tt^nauned in these incum-
braiweB to artiolea of rati Uii, whiflli pannot be
readily obtained in Canada^ Uiey may e^joy the
pleaanre of anperintendyng • plaaaaat, welkrared
lioaie. She is desirous «f giving them tibe advantage
of her three years' np^Asaa, that they mayproperly
i^y every part of their tfatt*, ind learn to coMider
that eveiy pound or ponnd'a worth belonging to any
member of an outrcoming emigraiil** ftmiljr, ought
t9 be laeredly. oonsidered as €a^tl«^ iHUieih muisk
make proper returns either as the miaBK^ bringing
increase in the shape of juKJditoe, ori lAirt is still
better, in healthful domeiiitic comfort. '
nieae exhahitioiui iu behalf of utility fai preforence
j^jLJuiifii^lMsrsonal refinemen t , are not ao heedless
IS the BngUsh public may consider. The emigrants
« 'l.
Y
A
iNtitonuctioN.
I ■ ■ k ■■"'."
ioB,|U»h Ainerim «, bo loag,| oTthe' «»k »f Hfc
thrt formerly WV .he rf,„«| of Ih. Aim hU
It h^not^Iy the pert hu,b.pd,«„ «.d-«««tt.
ttot move m yut bodtee to ^ »«|L bolU-ta the
ImdhoHer^melM tb. dilBciiMie, of «ubiw,i„-
whwe ereiy proltaHoftb otwstocked. that Join the
2™ri ^"^^ !«»?««-<» fa U thM the
femide memben of lh&, noW TdiuUt eokmiat.
l~n Woretand tobfw.their nriU to the teak.
«Atha..«A, the «*,h.g, .Bd di««,ten. thTi.
JJP^to fon«ru»fo«rfrt ,g,..t«i„^ tadftlSL
.bi' B -.T ^ "■**-»)' Imom. to the pubKe.
«« the rough life of . huri,Mit«irik k^^J
Perty and i^UY^T.^''^^^''^'''^
Pertyandifiteltect, to devote all fife enei^e* H.
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IKTROOUCTICW.
certaia spot of unckawd land. It may ea-ity b«
suppoied thai no personswould encounter the«b»Kl-
Ss^ have not a young toily to eataWjA in the
heittifiil ways of independence. This family fenders
thercsidl^oaaf such a head stiU moravahiaWe to
the eoteny » and the halfl»y offidw, by thus ^iMdmg
the adwmced guard of civilisatioi^ end bringing into
U«Me foughdislricts gentk and wdl^^2fl i^
whDSoAsn and improw eU ewwid Mt^ •™f
ing peacful .lU-fa. •"ilfittlm^
trai^bis wUds, as ew h* did by P«m»m |f^«|re»
or mifitaiy atrstagMn. in times of "^t^M;^^'^^.
It win be sew, in th« coarse «fp wi^ tl»t
uL«r to tihe hirfier cl^si of settkf. to cu^^^
SbTSntaliesoioes of. superior eduction. » dbe
Tto induce them to disc«rddl J«g#^ f^^
fidalw«its and mere ««•»« I««%i*^r^
^mngly dir«* iWr sltention to t to^ 1-t^^
and botany of thia iiwr country, ilffP <fy '""
fludewsver-faiUngioaiee of aniua«neii4 «.d instrue-
Se«.ato«»«^%htening and elevating the mmd,
JS^.ervingtofin«p«»e«4leflb^
tbose Ugliter feminine ncocmJliAinentij, the practce
TSuT^ necessarily b«?«-^^ '"^^T^^
domesUc duUes. Tb the person who is capable of
SL . abroad Into the beauties of nature, and
S;*»- Cr.^ «ir«gh his «W«»r«^ "J
««wJ sli^ of unmiisd itow?, irti^.i^
, .nwrmifc lier to be «ui^* unh*||^_p^^^^^.:^;^^-
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"•THODOOTION. (
■JWdimwn plMMn,, hro cheered the MBtode «|
"turn. A^w,rtlob«,v.,a||u»..™gg|, ™ ^
dneed th* ii*«rti to ovmome the Mta-lTl^
mntm Amt •w?^«. ^^ "*•■ *<M»onae inarch
.™'!^"'!L!?" •*«»» "o«»«!il.dtoaib«oim.
these cw tiieir tiaten ahen T*. i-Lui." ^
■BBoUtlei rf «i»^»^Hft ^..yr S?
IXC.W.9 IT the r«Ml. pirt rf fteZJl, I. h
mmmmptMnm.-m,^:-'
,«„, diiBcultia n-y »• tot horn. «f.^*^
!rZw«k; to Wehrf ««H.n» to BcUm iiMg>»
tar««ld l»« "S? ttV- "-fiJ •• ttot d- ^
whom H fc •♦•eWy intorfed. For thwe wh(^
!Srt i^lK^ dare in the privrtiooe end
^try. it to hoped ttat thi. Utth ""l /?« "^^
Zr^«».«»«ri«a ta«*«« »»» town. «o«
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BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
.- ■ »:'
Lbttie I;
OaTmmU-
■ ' * ■ - -- -rt v« .
«4y • fcir hflom l>efo^ ip^ ^^ fo^ OweBock.
the time of our gnbtriartfem. and urite ««.imJ ^ n ^ ii,p
■"»• ^j^ggfs of Groeiioeks aai ftvonnUe iHiidi
I «tntM||it«i| adviuitige, far wlak we low inaaiiiit*
ment«id^|Wfi,^w«aM^gianinc«iilbft. The
«*'» « ««# «^ up. mud I «^oy t|i« luwry (for
■H(^ it l» qoaiiiMagd njth ihi ««-«■> k^^k, ^j fa g
- "^ .. ■ ■- - . - . -. 11 .. . p-»-^— .-..— .^ Tnnr
T^iJWlwb^.lt liJ^iliniBi|Afli,' wtb crimson dfl||
f '"
j^''<?
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H . BAcEwdoos or c'ahada.
-eilefc to <h« gn»l caMn. The state cabin k^ ako,
!!^ We paid fifteen poonda wch for oar paasage to
S^tieaL TOs™ high, biit it iniJudeaeirery ev
Ciel in the riverhoond for Canada, was a P»««n«««;
ship, UteiaBy wwrmh* wifli emigmnto, chieay of
the lower daas of Highlanders. .^^
The onlypa«««ge» besides o«»eW«nntl^^
«. the ca^nephew. M««*^yf ^T^ ^
•bout fifteen years of age, ^o woAs hrt passa^ out,
•ad a yoong gentleman who is gmng out se clerk .n
nmenStLseinOnebec. He seems too mudi
™«K^iipinhisowniffiu«
J^TSotlLi; bewalksmuch. talks UtUe. and leads
|e«, butoften amuses himsdfbysinginga.bBig«.
rieck. -Home, sweet bome." and thjadehghtfid
^byCamoens,-Isleofbe«aty/» I*J»»7««*
lo^, id I can easily imagine the ch«m H has for-a
faome-idck heart. v \.,, «. .j.
• I was much pleased with ttie scenery of the Clyde^
the day we set saU w«B a totely one, and I remained
ondecktinnightfell. The morning light found our
fMMl dashing gaHanOy along, with a fcvouiable
braeze, through tUs north idannel; thatday wesaw
file last of the Hebrides, and before night k»t sight
, cpf the north coast of Irebnd. A wide e«pan«« of
^ iViind sky is now our only pvospeel, unwried by
iiSMect sare the distant and icaicely to be traced
dtt^^jf some vessel just seenatthe teige of the
horittni, a speck In ihe\immensity of space, or some
tiniffft B fti r r rf-f"«^ \l kwe tp w<itcli thsse wan«
deters of the ocean, as «bey risi and fell witti tM
.Si^f^^fftrf
Vi"-
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"•""^aafe^.
fM^iigf t>niow8, or flit about ouar^yessel ; and often
I wonder wbenoe they cami^ to what distant show
they are bound, and if they make the rode wave their
home and resting-place during the Jong day and
dark n%fat ^ and then [ recall tb^mind the woids Of the
American poet, Bryanty— / ' t '
, . - "Hewhofrom Koaetoxone
Chtide* thiQDgh the bouadlcH air their certain flight.
In the long way that I mukt tread alone
Will guide tny «^p« aright"
Thoqgb we have been Httle mora ihanaweekon
board, tarn getting weary of the iK^rage^ Icanoiily
compare t^ monotony of it to being weather-bqand
m some Country inn. I have already made myself ,
acqnftiniyd with all the books worth reading in the
ship's ttbrary; onibrtunately, it is chiefly made op ^
with old noveb and nnisty VDmance^.
MThen the weaUier is flne I iit on a bench on the '
deck, wrapped ip my ckiak, and sew, or pace the deck
with my fauBband, and tadc over pluis for the future,
which in all probability will never be realized. I
.really do pity men who are not actively empbyed:
women bave always their needle as a rasonroe igainal
the overv^hning weariness of an idle Ufe; but where
a man is confined to a small space, sudi as the deek
and cabin of a trading vessel, with nothing to see»'^
nothing to hear^ nothin|f to do, and nothing to raH^ '
he is r^ a very piti^ creature.
Th^ is one passehger on bo ard that seemi |fe^^
^hiTO» irowpay ^vOge frmVmW&inm of
the songs with wJUch he greets us whenever w«''
^- -.-.> . - ,-^ >S -.--..-
M-^'!^.
A
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«4CKWQ0OSiOV ^NAD^.
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goldfinch—" the cnyyiatiiy maUt" •^^ '"^^^'^ *^™>
hioDu This pntti; craatm« faM made no fewer than
lli^tOTagw toslbii'^^ rUJaanonetohim
^rhetber his cage la el sea or on land, he is still at
home," said the ca|i«aiii, regarding his little finourite
with an air of great affection, and eirii^tty gratified
by the attention 1 bestowed on his bird.
I have already formed a flieodship with th^ little
eaptife. He never fiub to gree^ my afipioadkwith
.one of bis sweetest sol^^ and will take ftom my
^Sng#B a bit of bis^iit, it^ he holds in hisctaws till
he has thanked me with a ftvr of hiadeaiest notes.
This maik df aduiowle4giMiit J» tenasisil by the
steward, ** saying grace.^;^^ . j^
If the wind stiU continnss to fimMur OS, tibe captain
telb OS we shall be en the hanks of Newfoundland
hi another we^ fWewell for the present.
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'■■; ''^■-■" - LBTTBRlIi V-
^ dbcomjr rf Laad-Chiir or St LMuwM^-8o«i«y of tiw BiT«r 81
«r Onn blttd.~GiM laW^-^oMiiilMlUvdalloMr-tofaniite o«
■■'•'*■'' ^^">---' •' ' ■ BH|£««fc-Ilh*8tUw«ikv
I Lwrt off writinf , my dew OMllier, Aom tfui tiiuple
*I had nothing to Mqr. Om dqr was hat the
it were, of the OM that preceded it; so that
a |iagelM)|Med from the maleb k|f wonU have proved
ip amuaiBg, and to Um fiiU aa inMmetive, aa my
joamal, provided I had hapl one daring the bst
Sq haii|i$'of ««iQiiiB hie that time heea that the
iightlar Ai^foity^ hottte-noied vf halea* two or three
M]% aodaporpoite, poarihiyoajfheirway toadin
ner or tea party at the North Faiti «pi oonaidared an
oocttRtiite of gieat importaiioe< Every glass ink in
reqaiaitimi aa aqoii « thaymada tfaMrappiintea. and
the manMMi^§ii0iHmm^mm%mA ^ig^ stared oat ol
V
Ip^-^^
'*v
land on the Sth of Augort, MS^iMiBthfiom tht
day we tookeor hat look of thpfittirii ialia^ Tet
though the coMtwaa hRMt and nigged. Mid dtaolate,
I hailed ita appaaw mee vrHh r apture. ~
thing aeeat«ififiiBhinjg and delidous to me as Iha
'"» lanfumfKUfmi^'
It
BACKWOODS or 0Al|4l»4«
hsilth and ghdneas on its wings.
l^Bnd liotioed wiUi some curiosity the rsstless
activity of the (^ptaui's bird some hoon prarious to
*^ bod** being proclaimed fiom the look-oat station.
£[e sang amtinnally, end his note was longer, cltarer,
and iboie thrilling than huetofore; the litde ereatue,
the captain iHKUCfd me, was conscious €f the difference
in the air fiwi approached the hn^. xitmstafanst
as much to ny biid asio tf^ glas%'* he said, **aBd
have never yet been deceii^.1
. Our progreM was somewhrt )(mHoiis after #1 entered
thegnlf. Nini^miksacitoM it the entrance of this
Buyestic river ; it seems an ocean mjjtmlf.. Half our
tiieis spent poriiag over the greirt^*a»tin the cabin,
^^lich is constantly being rolkd^d unrolled by my
hnsband to gratii^ my desixe of learning the names
of the distant shores and islands which we peas.
We aie vrithout a pilot as yet» and the captain
being a cautious seaman is unwilUng to risk the
vessel on this dangerous navigation ; so that we pro-
ceed but slowly on our voyage. ^* ^ *4^;;.•^
Juguaii.^Yft wero visited this morning by a
beautiful little biid, not much bxger than our gold-
ciesledwren. Ihaileditasabirdof good omen— a
little messenger sent to bid us welcome to the New
World, and I felt ahnoet a childish joy at the s^t of
our tittle viaUH^. There are happynioments in our
lives when we dram tfaa greatest pleaaure from the
■aost trifling sources, as children are pleased with the
- m oat s imple to y . , "
From the hour we entered the gulf a perceptible
.'^4
"^f^ ,
OOtr op 8T. LADBKNCI. ' jj
J^ of g»w, quirt Bittiiien, grew ^q^ USkatiye,
"L^TtIl ^^ "«»• **» "wally toima&d, uid
•»«• thoiightliii young Scotchman became pod-
uw«y an enter^ning penon. The crew displayed
th* most lively seal in the peHbrmance of their doty
•nd the goMflnch mng cheerily ftom dawn tiU sun-
!!!" i^ ^i~ ^'^^ '^ ^^ ^** "y '"••rt, charing
tnm it all feetinga of doubt or regie^that migS
"dden the present or ckmd the fhtore.
I am now able to trace disUnctly the outline of tha
toast TO the souO^rn aide of the riyer. SomeUmea
the high lands are suddenly enveloped in dense dooda
of mkt, which are in constant motion, rolUnff alomr
in shadowy biUows. now tinted with rosy light. n«5
white and fleeoy, or bright as siher, as th^ catch the
sunbttuns. So rapid are the dnrnges that take place
m this fog-bwik, thrt perhapa the next time I miae
iny eyesi behoM the sc^ne changed as if by made
TTie mi^ curtain is slowly drawn up. as if by invlsiJ
We Imnds, and tlMj wild, wooded mountains pirtiallf '
mveafcd. with their bold K«ky show, and J^^
1»J8. At Other times the vapoury vohime divldimr.
-Jjves^ the vallU and deep rnvines. like Io%
f^^^"*^ or hWs in snowy dnfeamMmoii
.the duHc^forest pittefcA- ■ ■.->..,.* ..„.'.vi.^^,^.^au,^ ^.i^s^
iTLTT*** ®* *** pleasant time I sp^nt In Ow
ffirl***f?** <*»d-«Wed hins of the north.
Asfre^thedrisyM, «id v ro wqierience fiigaent -
^ \
'^
iSiair^
■ \
■5?
|Hv.'-''
'
^m
If'-"''
'\
I'
4'
'%
.' \
14
,»ACK WOODS or CANADA.
tSie air is iVkd with fragnuice, and fliea, and bees,
1^ iMidB oqme flitting past us from the shore.
V Jtugnti 8.?— Ihough I cannot hut dwell with feel-
j^ if wonder and admiration on the majesty and
power of this mighty river, I hcsgin to grow weary o(
its immensity, and long for a newer view of tbe
^bate ; but at presentwe Sfse nothing more than long
lines of pine-dad hills, with here and there a white *
ipMJi, i^h tbey.tell me are settlements attd villages
to the sooth; while huge nwuntains divested of ver-
dure bound our view on the north side the river. My
admiration of mountfunous scenery makes ine dwell
with more interest on this side the river, and I watch
the progress of cultivation among these nigged and
inhospitable regions with positive pleasure.
During the lest two days we have been anxiously
loolung out for a pilot to take us up to Quebec.
Various signals hsve been fired, but hitherto without
flucceSB ; no pikii has condescended to visit us, so
we are somewhat in the condition of a stage without
si coaffhiPf*'^', wMh onfy some in«q^erienced hand to
fitold the reins. \ I already pexoeive some manifesta-
tions tit impatience ap p ea rin g among ua, but no one
Uamef the captain, who is very anxioas about the
matter; as the river is. iuUof rodu and idio^K and
presents many difficulties ta a person not intimately
aQi|nainted with the navigifetion. Besides, he is an-
mierabte for the safety of .the ship to the underwriters,
In case he neglects to take a pilot on board. 7:^
; ^Hfhile writing the above Ji^ fonsed by sJwirtle
"W?ei^7>^ f(oing up to learil the c^ine wp infinrmc?^
■ „ W«i/^£^iUi:;'ii, -, it, '};Mi-'lf'0i^SMl^^^^
•CENiaif or TB, i|v„. y
Jbat a boat with th« loritf looked^ niio* k J
rf>aU find apples and fhut in ptenS *•
^»«» «d«i begins to«lZ..l^ «««tiyo.^
the skws wd ac^tteied •Ion* tlTiS!^
t ■ \ ^ ■ ~
\-^
■it%
1§ . V BACKWOODS Of CAW ABA, ^
mmeB of foUage as i^ wari^ to snd fko with tHe
dight breew that agitated them. ^I>d '-'""fj^
X, t)e thankftd that I had not folknwd my owh W^
..,»rd wilU for the afteraoott i*oTed ft«gy. and oj the
Jetoii rf the boat I ksroed thai the gioaiidw-.
nwampyjust irtiere the party landed, wd ^«m^
om Seir ankles in water. They itiprtedthej^
to lie corned ktoee^teep with a most tanmant growth
«f wd ctovi^. tall tiedH tow shmhs, and an ehandance
*:^r might A«g*«t not a«!Compaiiyliig Mm,
he had sckcted for me. Among fl»e floweis were
fi^t md nK«. ^semhHng those we call Scotch
Wt-leaved, with smooth shining le^ and few if
, wy thomsf the htae flower caBsd Wmonana or
li^gwort. which I gathewd In Ihe Hi^^^'^
JTpea, with «»^^^**«°ir*,r^i\^Wh^^
pal. «Mn foUage ; *white orchis, the ameU of which
Jrj;,JntSdelicioas, Besides these ^^^^ small
white add ydtoiiflowef^ with "^^^^MS^^ .
unacquaiiHed. Ihe steward ""ojWP^P?*** *
china jar and fiesh Water, sp thaTI shall have the
pleasure of a nosegay during the rest of the voyage.
The SBih» had not foigotten a green bough or two
adorn the ship, and the bird-cage wSi soon a»
#s,y pi kMwes could make 11.^- " ^■"":;;'.^":' •■■;^::.
TV^flyi mtiUher i» now very fine, we make but
■' alow p^ws; the protoklngwind seems determined
—igrblo w irom eve r y quart e r but the ii ^t>^iye float
up vHth the flood tide, and when the tide fails cast
^^i^i'-i^i^v«^
■'l
iiikM
^ ^»J C 1.11
« ~^^ ,
r^ ■".» f.
'* *^V
^B:;
OMEN IttAND.
17
w^i^ 1^^ *«*.g«Ci li* CM «U ft I.
«W«n • gim, or witdiiur for Om minmm^^^r .u
white DonmiflM t.,«.7i: ^ "PP^tmnce of the
^"fr «nr much Uk,4toUd, IteJ, j; ~ 2^
» h ftjtaMIe for mi (kit my tow rf ^„^ U^
"« uwy prasent u, InnhMMiW. fiud of Intm^
-^ ,.' , 1 ""^inj. jnr is the eve cftn maek
— "w-n immm thr «m.. fcuf •lit«,«Bd*«^
"->.
t
11
[i;MA?SI
. ^•
-4^
Fir V' 1" I . ' 1 \ >■
* \
g|^'"'i,V'f-'^t-'*^'' '' -'"■''
lb
./
■AWWOOD8 OF CANADA.
JL^y hue. tbe ftont of tli« giiy edifice being gw^
iwJdwith.g«i«hg«eeB 8l^^
wiOi oBtontotlaw sptendoiMr ilraive ito #*» fn<W««
'^^J^ 1 liJjuBi betow Gteen Island we took on
uJ^ml pilot, who. by the nay,! do noi like half
i^rMon3ie«r F«d. He «• • KtOe bit p»g.
maUcaU and Bewns evidently piond of lua wpenor
knowledge of Oieriw. Th« good-natoed flihennan
lelinquiBhed his poet with a ^ery good gfaoe. and
aecnTSwdy exceUent ftiende witfe hia moie able
rivel. For my part I was very forry 1^11 ^nw
iHlot came on boaid; the first thin« he <W wm to
tond ua ow a pampWet. containing regnlatioM fiom
Umi Boaid of Health at Quebec respecang «» dio-
li«i..which ia laging^be tella^l»»*fi|W^f»epw
koth at that place an* MontieaL ^^
These regulations posiU^ forbid the cap6ttn and
ie pitot to aUow any person, whether of the crew or
p„ii«rs. to quit the «-sd until ihey stott have
pwndexaminaUon at the quarantine ground, under
tibe risk of incurring a severe penalty. . . ^
This was very annoying ; as the captate,^ very
morning, had proposed taking us on shore ata tovely
spot celled Cran* Island, to spend the afternoon.
--/*;;^c-
is hoisted, and thi
uji t^'j: .*.
pw^\fl'''*- "
,j^'!^^ %rX("')''« 'K
r-r ^t^
4UABANT1NB GROUND.
19
i^rj » Scotch ^gentlemi^,, the owner of the
pi^tti^t « tkment I had yet aeen, the buildings and
grounds being laid out irith great taste.
^The^o^
l^„r '\ .'"'Jf'y <^«™>* the commerce of
■emal nationji m lU foi#;«,und are the populous
Wd hTelyjetttemenT^ tS southern sho^^wh^
bchmd and far W aboFe it rise the lofty^™
in^untains to th^ north, now studded wir^J
"Ua»P% ptoMant i^Qs, and cultivated delds. The
irfand Itself shWoduawnooth kwns and meadow,
of emenJd Tf#re, with orchards and cornfield,
•loping down toihe water's edge. After a confine-
ment of nearly. Ave weeks on board, you may easily
nZ^!f* T* ^*^~^'"^ we contemplaid Z
pi^ of spending a few hours on this inviting spot.
xl^^^^^"^^ quarantine ground (Sos
JjOOus evemng, wliece the pitot says we shrf^
*»«ned three days. Though we are all in Kood
iTiy^^' ^^'"^ "^^^ ^^^ ^ infected porLwe
j«»r^ir*<l«.^We reached Gioe Isle' yesterday
I^V ^^ ^.^^ ««ky idand. covered with
fwes of beech, birch, ash, and fir-twes. There aie
»w the melandioly lymbol of disease, the yellow
^; the is a passengewhip. and has the wnall-
m and measles among her crew. Jpien any in-
. ^ appesnl^ll Mvwiuf Hie yeuow nan
i« hoisted, and the invalids conveyed to the dwlei^
*j^'*
\^< '
\. •
h'^ -My^
w
/■
so • jll»*«WOOD!l 0» 0AM4DA.
who Meitore to enforce the qa-mUiMnn"- Tlw»
;«ip«to quite «W»rf, •»« « !«*«*« "* ™^V?
rSd g. on dJr«.kf>« •«& them ^ beading
II doft!^ which « dl V^ ««»j» '^•^*°
^^^« of taking ft. InJfeetlon fi»n.th..n«hds.
-a^Aed. Midboilding.pot »pf«t«he«commod«UM
rf ««« who «. «Wig«l to «bmit to fte qnmntm.
Ia«, M« in the «»ne area M the hoyitol. .
Nothing can exceed the longing de«i» I fee. tr h
Mt b t. ta i»p- thi* «-. -V -!«.'» «^»»o;;z
«— «i «f iiAAtih wuh to •n»tftom tl» colony « »Mge«
S^,^ r—yrth- »»•**., «5«««^»»*»^
' •"yy*** .?^ ^!!^! Inland I ■UPPO »f the mU
;;;,;i,;zr» mil. huitM t« th. «w«a» » p""'*'
KMIORANT TE8BBLS. 2I
allowBdtolandjuideipIorethiapicturtBque island; the
weather IS 8oaiie.and«he waving groves of green, the
little rocky bays and inlets of the island, appear so
tempting; bat toaUmyentreatiestlwvisiUng suw>n
who cane on boaid letumad a decided negative
A few hours after his visit, however, an Ii^an
basket, containing strawbenries and raspberries, with
a laige bunch of wild flowers, was sent on board for
me, with the soigeon's compliments.
J Tf^/^H^'rf* "«««« Uttle sketdMs of the
fort and^the snmmnding sceneiy, or watchinir the
groupsd'ei^tsonshoie. We have alrea^seen
Aelanding of the passengers of three emigrant ships.
You may imagine younelf kwking on a ftir w
crowded market, cbthes waving in the wind or spread
out on (he earth, chesty, bundkjs, baakeie. men
women, and children, asleep or basking in the sun'
some in motion busied with their goods, the women
employed in washing or cooking in the onenliir
be«de the wood fires on the beach; white Srtiei of
children are pursuing each other in wanton gfee
lejoiang in their newiy-acquired Uberty. Mked
inth these you see the stately form end gay tiappimt.
ofthe sentinels, idiite the thin bhie smoke rf tS
liWd fiie^ rising above the trees, heightens the
ptoe and j^ H an addittenal eflfect On my
hisbandremaiking the picturesque iqipearance of the
scene before us to one of the officen fiom the fint
^L^d**" '^J** '"W -^ily, and re.
77? '^•^ **"* •nchantment tp the vie^»
^ you take a nearer survey of some of those veiy
picturesque gnmps which you a4inire, I think yoi i
ji
'4
■:y
ms^ WmmmsmmmvF
m
1^
i^J^II^'J.t 1' .••^
J*
I
t. .
-a BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
„„„,d turn a»»y'from them withte«t «^^'^
«„uld there behold every Wiety cf dteo«, ™e.
Tvertv filth, and fe«ine-liiun«. »«ry m its mort
dSnTand »add«»n« fo™. S«ch pict»» ~
tl^S pencil only conld h.« p<»rtray««. o,
Crabbe's pen described.
^,/*««a4.-We are once tnbre ^^^ 8^* ^nj
fl^ti^np Ac Yirer with the tide. Gros We is just
ITZZenty miles below Quebec, a favo^bje
breeze would carry «s up in a fe^"?^ »* »/^
can only ipake a little way by tacWng from s de to
^^eloeethetide. Ir^ifl^^
of proofing. aB it give. «« a elowviewc^
8id^ the river, which n«rioWB considerably as we
approadi nearer towards Quebec. To-morrow if no
Sdetit happens, we shan>e«jrfu«^
place rendered inteiesting bqth^ by its historical
^iationslanditB own nWive beauty of situation.
Till to^norrow, then, adieu. ' -», .
Iw«i ted»ning much of seeing the Mb «f Mont-
morenei which .re Wtthln sight of the nver; W
rr .^ »d U» -«. n»e «««.*!, be or. w.
^^..eheJwithto «»nd «f the Cmct ; »"f^*»"f
l^ned m, eyai tiU they «« «ary ^ P»'^ °;
the dim staAmy scene nroond me, I «fi disUn
^h nothing beyond the dark masaaiof rock that
^ C^«d through WW* the waters of .h.
' MonunorendruAtotoflBiStlianreace.
Attentat night. Angost to IMh. *• ^^"'
ftecMjof »»t<«« were seen g lesming ^^ ^ ™
- mHA- Cll!B-IlI ^UTt W3«i^re«y »~ ~— p — — t^ j-
distance Uke a coronet rf sta^bove t^ewatew.
half-past ten we dropiied anShor opposite the fort,
and I fell asleep dreaming of the various ^em
^
JS^!. ' i Si .,'s|^*'i0 5 -
' tt^
k-'
■^
^
■^.
■> -l- ■»
tbroaghwli
viobt dis^
and me by i
still raged ii
gave a melai
Jatioiiandwt
for her child
n»yw»llbei
Nothing o
of Quebe^b
nifioent lodc,
Diamood) sti
iuid oonunan<
ing scenes. I
prospecti the I
>^- It wouk
on and recaU
solitude of die
The 0|^Mil(
"ft Mg% pic
the rock on i
iWcliy, precipitt
^^ to t||» 1
I Away tq
hanging c
is done wit
effiKtedifg
iQ(RB» and on
ItNfy mmld m
eio^ng
W
.^M"-'. .',' .^. i
•%?s
,J"l;''>7j'^i
aojtBic.
[f^v ^'
<»nw(>> which I had pMMd A»i. r
•«" n«~I in U» tow. nSt^lrJ?" '^'
NoUUngcaohen»J^ "^^"f ""l-rtilenc
nificent md^ on thThSfc!!. ."°°" of . mag.
**• « wouM have liMt. -«». *i..*^ """* never
"»e rock on wWdTS fa^nf^^ w>po«iig than
«> «ny togiT. phM to white cottomiL Zrf.
"v, «d on*Sll2r.?r^ '»!!»'»**«-
i^i
>.w/* -S.-^,'
2«
f'Y^z^ffi'f/-f
.f.7
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
t^ to mean as ^^^n^^^tty villa* and boose.
^ taken oil »«*rfi "^.rta Stttonv »«""<>«*
1 am told there w a muu ^ tookiwr towards
^WoHe, in the S-^-^f^l^J^
the St Laurence, ^^^^^jS^^iSiipw^-
*^' ^ ^ ^ \ . «W1A '4to •»*« «*«"^ ^"*^
Tlie captain has juBtreturaedlfiomlhe town H«
W Jairfly bm^t on bo«d a iSet of ripeapplea
•ndmilk. •n^deckiaanbusOewith^JL-W
^io«^ Md in«n unloading a part of^ rfjip'g
wd PJ^fijMart. We Bstto leave Qnel^
Wdock t^eTening. The BrUiA AfnerU:a^
•ppa* Mm^v^l of three dedw, takes us in W
• as far as lloitai <| n — ' - '^-
must now say farewell
or fiHdiair^ ftM ottttot bat prava grali.
I Frnidi, wlOki It nb» tba Bkitiah wairior
tt«]iiiIi|U.Hi]
lying to ilit(
ffnoMoflHigkrjrV
m ««um^*^ «ejl«^ »7th
Regiment To the top of the miitmie u louiieen feet from the
gfouDd r on tWi iwte a svrcophagu.,, ^.n feet thr«e inefate
^t' t" L^.^"*** ^ "^^-k frr^-ti* fcrt eight incC
m hMght^Md the ^«i,tw feat «.. inch. mSLriwI,
•^.h. oWkk at thallNMa «a .la i«t byihmfeet ei^HST
4 pn,. «hW wa. adjudg^l to J.C.RAer, LL-aforthTw.
tewmg jngf^;ij|^tojB.<Mithe ^^eOphllg^»^-. ,-<>«<»
,.-., -i". ...-;■ . Jifrt*""!'*** ooBiaiuMaB,
■ " '^■^: ■*:'*;; -gtoumH htei> ■ *^ :: _,::.■ .
■ ■ ■ ;iiv>;v., .*■...-• .■;■»*"»•
^On thriuih^e ia «. iamiptioa ftom the pea of DM^JU,.
•Uhng the fact of the waetioa of tho moauineBt at thr«!
peow of Wd Dalhoiitie, Ooremor of Lower Canwla, to eom.
aMmorate the dMth of Wolf^ aai UOatcabi. fcoLia ^JiT
% the swgl. gun la the powirioa of th. IngUah, dSod OB thB
•Mt d»7 alter dM battle, . — • -» — wiwo
V"'
■gBwavirw-
I,' rJ^^f^'
^
BACKWOO0S OF CANADAL
~\
r
lettke hi. / W
It was after ianaet. and a glorious evening, when
we left Quebec which we did in ^^P^y J»^ *
fine 8team-ve«el, who«i ^,"lf?":^^^*"
crowded with posBenger. oC^ ;^P«on.. A
Lve sight 8he%^ look updn^, plo-khing Uie
bright waters which foamed and ^ "^^^J"^'
nJwks; while our brig. withherwhite8ail8.follpwed
UkTa butterfly in her wake. The heavens were
gk>wing wi^ the richest tints of rose and saffron,
Which were reflected befciw on the bosom of thje
river; and then came forth the stars, in the soft
blue ether, more brilliant than ever I saw them at
hone* and this, I suppose. I may attribute to the
superior purity of the atmosphere. My husband said
this evening rescmb!ed the sunsets of Italy.
Our voyage has proved a very irfcasant one; the
weather moderately warm, and the air quite clear.
lire have within the last few days emerged from a
«old, damp atmosphere, such as we oftw expenence
in Britain in the spring, to a delightful summer,
mod^ated by light breestes from the river.
The farth er we advancejjp the country the more
"Twtile it appean.. T^#-TI8rvwtTS Tipenhig unOw^*^
more genial ^limate than that bekiw Quebec. We
I.
«% ripe they tdl « I, hl^IiSr Jr^ J^'"
Laurence, fonnerly called SokI nZ TL^^«
w:ii:.». rr iL^^^^ oorei, mm Galled Port
Wiiaam Heniy. The rturtioi, i. ^sdha- »C™*
town MODS VMyligh»iurf^,„rf. '" ""
ai bMib of ihe nrcr. It wm not th. mdenZ
Ptot . ftw loee. or honejwAlee about todeor
«h»CM«n e»t.«ri lh«» i, the litt fe hit jl^
,.'f ; j^l
Ji*M\
I
>y ««pt; bm here no such attempt
SO
"H-
.^isiwOOdt Of CA»Al»A.
xunuu fanM and ftame-houaes
cuttivation appeart. The taww aa
«« realiv handwme placps, an^ in good ^*J^
TJ^rf t^ here and thioe to break tte mono-
*" ^^f ir^i^ The land is nearly one «n-
«,ny of the «f!""f vT^ f^^^ and well formed,
broken level plain. -^^^ **™* ^^^^^ ,„tween
but too flat fiwr fine acenery. nie ^^V \^ k«v
^e^ Md Montreal baa aU the appearance of hav-
Qucbec and mo ^^^ cultivation, especially
'"^t^l^ bU^ U^. SOU there iaare^
the captain toldTne it ™ 7~^,^ ._ fla*.
!!; *>.^t«> stuck to these island partares m nai
convey their stocK w ww^ r- phce was
bottomed boats, or to swun «»«'»J' » *™ J -j
fordable. and kave them to graze as long as ^ to^
«^S^^ i«^^!8^JEaton an isl«id with.
te^^adetomUkthem. White bewa.
Um^ tin pails, paddled across ftom the J»nk of
^,C ^rSoS to caa togeth« their herd
. . .ji.«..<w><i liiit our wtoi iwiswpi^
ihe right as we advanced, b,^ our plW ^ '
},''
canoes cvoini]
4PI>II0AC|| to MC
'.'.«■.
MONTBIAL.
and coaU not, or woold not, tell their names. It „«
Sunday morning, and we could Joat hear the quick
tinUinir of tiie dni^ faelK and dMnguiah kmg
lines <|f cal^hes, light waggons, with eqoestriani and
pedestrians hastening atong th« Ateirae of tnea that
led to the churchyard; heddes these, were boats and
canoes crossing the riw, bo)m4 to the same peaoefiil
haven. ■ •/ ■ ■ ,
In a part of the St Lamenoe, when th^ dian*
nel Is rendered difficult by slboab and sand-banks,
there occur little lighthouses, fedking somewhat like
mioiatnre watermills, on wooden posts, mised abo?e
the flilt banks on whfeh they are built These droU
/little huts were inhabited, and we noticed a merry
/ party, in their holiday ctothes, ei^wing a gossip with
a party In a canoe bekiw than, ibey kwked clean
and smarts and cheerftd enoi|gh, but I did not envy
them their situation, wfakh t shouU think far fiom
healthy. v
Some niiles beknr Mbntreallthe appemaoe of the
eountiy beibsme richer, mora citili«ed, and popukos ;
while the distant line of bfaie maintains, at the veive
of the horixon, added an InteriM to the laiklsci^e.
The rich tint of ripened harvesJt\ formed a beautiful
contrast witii the azure sky amf} waten of the St
Laurence. The scenery of tiie riW near Montrad
& of a very different character to thk betow Quebec •
the latter possesses a wild and ringed aspect, and its
productions are evidently ttioee of aWuer and less
happy cKmate, What the former losL in grandeur
md picturescp ie e&ct, it gaip%jft.toi% of soU^
*wiirth of temperatuK. In the kiwer#rision of titt
ll
/^^
■ *t.
^»r^ land se^ms wilUng tp yfeW b«r inciei«e
thecunorywrniAai^
oar minds that ^ ^wuM haidly «^J^l«ff J*» "^^
Xra.wedi«wnearto1fee<jity^th«pe8tden««,a.^
if ashamed of eonfessing a ^«»_^* 'T/^^'
Im po one ipi>ke OB the subject W»«hi jrtuU nn-
S^ ddi^t and admiration al any othei time
should m ^^ gawd Oft i^^ 8«*iie that opened
"driver here expands into afine e^t^T^* ^»'
|Sm with irfnnda, on the laiKcst of whMli ^^^
■ tigal i* aJtaated*-. .yi ■■■'■■.•,•,■■.-, j ■■'-;■■' ■ ■, ^
llift Wto hai from ii^ ^ town takes its name
ri^Slike a crown above it. and fimns a sin^
ndnwmifksent feature in the landaca^ leminding
^S^JUof l^.^iMi^i^W^ ^ 'i*^'^^^
Op^ to tha Quebec Bubwrta, joi* J»V?f^* ^
.pot of infinite lov^Unei^ Hl^ggl^*^ f
^^ by a glow of loftytii*!, fAlli ««• banks,
diL down to the water, seem of tbe moi* teidant
iBirTha icene was heighiened by tba aiflpewmoe
of the troops which garrison the island. n ^ ,
Tha shores of the river, studded with fidilycul-
li va t ad ft rms; tha v illi gt of ik ^ ^^^^ ^J!*
ii^ i&laad of St Ann's in thTBistance; the giifc-
"^
CK^^';"#^
,iy
/■;
/^rlDt AlLdW MONTRBAL.
S3
terinif ateepie9 and roofs of the city, with its gankiM
and viQas,— looked lovely by the softened gbw of a
Canadian summer sonaet - ;
Hie dnuch bells ringing for evening pmyer, with
the hum of voices fiom the shore, mingled not in-
hsnnoniflasly with the rush of the n^ds.
These rsj^ds are caused by a descent in the bed
of the nver. In some phoes this declination is gm-
dual, in others sudden and abrupt Where the cur-
rent is broken by masses of limestone or granitt
rock, as at the Cascades, the Cedara, and the Long
Sittlt, ft creates whirlpools and cataracts. But the
rapids bebw Montreal are not of this magnificent
character, behag made peroepUble only by the unusual
iwiflaess of the water, and its surface being disturbed
by foam, and waving lines and dimples. la short, I
was dis^^hited in my eipectation of seeing some-
jWngyeiyJftand; •ndiiashalfangiy m these pret^
behaved quiet lapids, to the fiioC of whieh we wen
towed in goo4 ^fi» j^ jgr J4|^ oonsort the^ri;
mnAmmea,
hA the captain is nneertain how hny he may be
dKsined at Montreal, I shaU send this letter witlMNi
fcrther dslay. and write i|;aiii aa soon m pumibiv.
h-i: -*.:.>.-
. -, it-i
u.t-t.
■ ti.
'5^*i^
>%.
■ir-i>
BACtWOODS OF CANAOA.
^
/■■I
^ ■ jUma IV.-: ■-.-■- *:-—
, J.. -»it«iit«J^-AM)««i«~<i'«»««''owI.-B«rHWofUieCliol«w.
Uk« OatMte.-^Anlnd at Cobowi
\ NebniiH<*^I.M«itiwa.A%irtSl.
bmmmatt on term ^ d«i«»t mother: what^
strange wnantion it is to treed the land^nce a^.^
ft^from the motion of the heavingwatews to which
Iwa8now,intmth,gtadtobidfe«^»^
By daybieak every cwatme on ^ wae up and
himaelf obligingly eacorted na, and wa&ed aatwf wiur
as as the hotel, where we are at present lodged j^
We found some difficulty in getting on show,
liwing to the badness of the »««««««^ «v«r
iL fidl of Boating timber^ between wto^ it i-
^r^ some skULtP guide the bc-t. A wh«f is now
jKngboilt-notWoie it was needed*.
fZ were struck by the dirty, narrow, illipa^ «
^ unpaged streets of the suburbs, and overpowered^
the hoi«>me vapour "isii* from » deeP^ '^
Ihalnm along tiie stieet behmd the i|^. ™
^BB B iBemea tap "~— "— «~-
80BM •Eceltent whwfchftM tiaea b tea eowpWed.
--Jsu^U-,
k,«i >< jH^1^«,'Ui
/
APPEARA»CB OF MONTRBAL. 95
•nd Boflicient in iUielf to iufect a whole town witk
malignant fevera*. ""
1 IW8 gieatly disappointed in my fint acquaintance
wfth the interior of Montreal ; a phce of which
trtivelleri had Bald so much. I coujd compare it only
Ji the ftmts of the Dead sea. which are said to be
fair and tempting to look upon, but yield only ashes
and bitterness when tasted by the thinty traveller f
I noticed one pecuUar feature in the huildinM
along the suburb facing the river— that they were
mosUy furnished with broad wooden balcouiM from
A mwk«C has iMea
* tilt iiiB lioec Um aiehi^ over,
elected sbofe il^ -
♦ .""I* ^^V.y ^^^f^^ -f Mo«ti»al i. gi,«, by M'Gie.
•Dooatain sad «»."^«r, « a tidge of gentle eWatton, ^,U
J"! *"^?J^ *^*'« «*« «>«»»««» -Jl that grwSlwt
Imuty which characterixM Quebec.
2««f Witt ^o«»y4dold«g hou-ee, having dark i«, A^^ ,
•Dd dttu«gh iiiaay be a littl. d^, ,S q^^ J^ ^Su
iJ*^ *S^!^ "• J?ten~pted by luting. cflhtt-dooJaaS
« It i. Imjjieftli^ilV ir^lfe,!, in hi. FiT. Y«tf^ r^.
««u») to waft the ilh*!. of llonfnwl ott a 8u«d» « houZt
^e •bdew^.bittm ai>d enter doo« of iron, th^tlSrK *
%t«dtocounteitdthedR»rt.offiit ' ^^fP'^
^^tl
IgkCft^OO^ 0* <^*^**^'
Oie lower to the upper ^J*^^^ ^^^ seemed to
«««« R sort of outer chamber, oome ui «»
|5OTn a Bon oi i_, fli-bts of broad stairs from
conies were ascended ^M^^
M«n MM «m^ too*|W««t and too p«ii<»l
*** ^*^?^ ^I iw flcen in the darkened
«« ax hmm oi^rirWHXt. ^^^ ;_
To no *-, I »ni ««.•>"»****" '^T J
vV
|l\».'<-5
"f." '•/
' V ■'i'*" r
'^ CHOLBRA. ^^
**«<l in every MrtrfT.^^ " Montreal in.
«fa»to«beoompla«,t. ^^ '""-edtate vfc-
The mnnlw both of Catholic .ml p»^ . .
t^ned with a Kb«»U,y^'JS^ "'',^^«V« ™aia-
to both parties, who 4«n i-7 V^ *** '»»<»'
-••piriTS^hSLrSlri^*^ "huMed b, a ft,
"^'^""r S^'"„;r «^n. Londo.
! *tal th« iTUvT^ „7^f^ "T^
iio HDM tor arranging. worUh '
"*■•".:■"'"■ ■ *,
,^%-H^^
BACtWOOOS Of C^*^*'^
Wah, •*86t flttW *««* *'* "T"-
experifiiioeaa«s«^ _^ ^^^pain.
Inrteiaoneaving this J^ ^Y ^^ ^.^^
t^iHj and ete^l^ a«^ . ^ to dto^ of my
, The lieat^J^**^^;:;,,!^! little of A^
town beyond ^^'^^ Ca*hed«d. I bave^«ee»
. ihft ejccption of *f« !jr^ «,.j^ ^ former I w«
^ W«"»«V^*^ JStaUnAA The wster.
^J>,%fiKv'JV ^^s>'^';# "f- ^T-nv /*^'f- F^-*-"
-rii' Tf^Hi'y"
CATBOLIO CATJUM^L. ••
I thougW AJ imitation of itaarble,f,itb whicli the p•^
twne-banomngnwBowiieai that age bM beltowed mi
ovandent chorcheB and caOeMa. The grim cot^
teta ahd winged ongeb diat am tane^ oil the ^
■tone, whoee veiy unoouthneas teHs Sir time gon3 by
'^^ ''SiS'*^ ^»wwhipped within their waUi
man iMiUopal interest to the temples of car fore-
»flien.»itK though Ihe new chnroh at Montreal
e»niit oomjMtte inth ou^ YotK Minster, W^etmiaster
Abbey, aiid othere of ow iiacred bnildingg, it is weD
worthy the att^tion oftratellers, who wiH meet with
nothing e^ to R in the Canada*.
■^'^'^^ ***««* "^ nunneries, a hoe-
^fiU for the sicki several Catholic and IVoteslant
Aiirches, meeting-houses, a guaMHioAs^ wRfa hmuiv
odM^pubMcediiMj, __:^^
Ibe rive^side porddn «# the to#tf ^
«ntile. It8naiTOw,dirty8treets and dark houses, with
.tawyiron Antteri, hinre a dftigreeaWe appearance.
irtiiA ^jimotbttt wglrim laiiiifbbrable impression
00 tiienUnd of a British traveller. Ifceother^wrtion
rfthe town, hftirever, is of a diflferent charwter. and
tl» housw are interspeit^ iHth gaidens rt^^
Jto, whU^ looked veiy agreeabte ftwi the windowa
of the ballroom of the If elson Hotel. IWs room
, wWch 18 painted from ibp to bottom, ^ waBa and'
^ing, with a coane imitiilion of grtNillid Caa»^
Jtt Bceiieiy, eomn^^i aimefb>iew of the d^ ^
(1h river/aad all Um^iiuJtir. ^ ^^Tt?'
_ i MH NBIJU^ ivmntfj^
iiliilsntiliamiiriiia of ChamWay, the shores of' St
UMence, towards La Pnirie, andnhe mpida aboro
2
/
/:...
ll
/\
for Wrdaoa
our table 18 com)
to fsntertain the
p^ng to fore
lohemes into e(
1^ 0ACEWOOD8 Of 0AM40A.
and bekm the island of St Anm^^Thefoya,
monnUin (Mont Real), with ite winded ^d^jU
iT^Mii and its city with its streets and public
yon thTeye may w^n b? charmed with the scenery
house s«% wry civil, and the comlpw »** ^f ^^
on^doBerpto%««**>X
th«> wicty of thaiicle«B of whic.
So^ of /4e emignnta appear
m> diflBcniUfeJl in ««3W^P^
tanVlMrf g»a«riiig togelhet wte| l"*"^'^ Jf 1
t1,b hotel b luMfiS^^^f^^*^*^
tt^doUar sad a h«lf W dsyr-*"*
ttir<
^ii
« V ,^
K ' t
DttAPPonrrtD bmioiavt.
41
iM^Yildydeoeiiwd. Such laod, wOi a conn-
tiy-^I'WDuUBotUTOiii itforaU I oooldsee. Why
th?re M not a drop of whok«?me water to he goL or •
potatothat 18 6t to eat I hired for two iiioBtha in V
muerdile ahed they call a ahanty, eaten up iOiw with
inoaqnifawi. I ooaM get nothing to eat Maaltod
iiol^,i|iid»i&ihort, the diKoniforta an nnhe^hle.
And^M an my ftrming knowledge waa quite use •
Jen pMple know nothing about ftrming in thia
**"*^* -J^» it wonkl ha\e broken my hsart to
work attiong the stumps, and ne^r see such a thing
^ a weU-pknigfaed fieM. And then," he added, liTa
HAer tdne, «• I thought of my poor wife and the little
MM. I might, for the pake of bettering my condition,
.bave roughed out a yaair or ao myself, but, poor thing,
r«^ not haTe had th^^^rt to have brought her
. rat irtHMhe, comforts of Ehgluid to such a place, not
5S^ »Mn« of our cow-hottsea or stables, and so I
IgjiiBlgohomei and ifl don't teliaU my neighboure
i^soit lof a domtiy this is they are «& cnuEing to
WW vof their ian^a^ come to, n^ver trust a woid
of mine jgain " J •; Xj
II was ta^iip imfoaeN^ some persons pi^aant
iV»dwi^ fahn «li the fody^ returning until hel^tti
n^ '^^ <»«W bi^done: he «n^ toklvthNn ft^
«hM)oIs if they stijd an hour in ili»untA like this;
and ended by execrating Oiose peno^^^
tte peqile ai home by their false statements, \
apin a few pa^i^tlM idfiHil^gei, without
^wune with Jhe di sffrMt^gi^ lit tjtey MJBJi t ,
^l%ra^aa are aptlo deeeiTe theiM^^
to be deceived^' said i^y jMand i « and l|i^ o^
- \
X^'
A
■ll
K^rXiaV.! j^- ikA
WW'.t\^ i^\
fj
'^^^^^\i''^^'^-^^T^%^i-'»' ffi^^^^^"^- tt'^'^^'f 1^' " -%' :f>'«'
%'V'^
O JA0EW0OD8 Of CAlf ADA*
S^il^ ***»«*'«*«*«* ■*^'";?!!!r
• 1^ S-'th. following ffy' " '"^'^.T
/. jmfl, of «»e word. ! " Bo«t not *Jf'' «_«^"*3
S?L tholi know** «*t *tel ml""" "-r Wj
diaatones from <hftdoo*w"* "'*•'• ^'.
iw giMt •Jtentioo, penrn** *• to leml «
,' _ - — ^ f f^'. ' • tt^^"-' , , ' ,
~ ■ •l.l««M p» TBI lIlTHOUu. ^«
■mi.Uioiigh he cfcMened Md afflicted me. »et««
«» not «« unto deeih. Fn«n 0^ fj^a^
fceing rfW^ ft,^ U„ d-mke, rf dck^tta
I before m.nUo«d,»e«, left me ft,m the ^ "
grted«.emlwr^«rf Wj meo. he, b^
>l»n I TO -nggUng wm, a„rtrf .gm,y. eke™**,
«*«* of m, poor efflicted pertner^ ^^
<l»««».btoe pill,«rf ,»me».tof mli^ J^^
•M'»"»»'«Tkiiid. uid, on taeiimrfl»trw
- • • ' . . J*" ■ _ . _
..^■-*'^
<..''• >"
•▲0KWOOD8 or CANADA.
:>«
of Mveral <layi»I wm «l *««* pronounced in » »uf-
^^fidenUy oonvalesoent state to begin my jouirney,
though still tq iw* ^»rt J J?l "C^^y able to wi^
^ portmytetfl -^ -' ' ^ v., .:.,.- ,~.^^~-,^_^.<-
^The Bun bad not yet risen when the stage that was
to take us to Lachine, the^first nine milw of our route,
drove up to the door, and we gladly bade farewell to a
place in which our hours of aniiety had been many,
and thots of pleasure few. We had, however, ex-
perien<*a a great deal of kindness ftom those around
us, and, though perfect strangers, had tasted some oJ
the hospitality for which this city has oftei^ been cele-
brated. 1 omitted, in my fonner letter, telling you
htm we formed an acquuntenee with a highly re^e-
tabk» merohant in this pboe, who afforded us a ^at
deal of useful information, and introduced us to hi»
wife,av«ryekgant and accomplished y«mg woman.
During our s^»ort aoquaiatance, we passed i^me plea,
sant hour, at their ho»5, much to oar satisfaction.
I enidyed the fresh bieews from flie river along the
bahksofwhidiourioad lay. Itwas'aflne s^htt^
f «e«ieundoirfed sun rising from behind the distsj
<^n of mountains. Betow us lay the rapids in their
Mitarbed state, and there was the island of Et Anns «,
bringing to «» »>»^ Moore's Canadiali boat sonf
« We'll iing at Saint Anne's 6ax parting hymn."
fhe bMik of the St. Laurence, akmg which oat
read lay, is higher heiiB than at Monteeal. and clothed
with bruAwood on the summit, occs^iooally broken
with narrow gulleys. Th^ soil, as near as I could le^
»r Hght I nam I not i ced thi wHd vipefa
■F
^Jik^ -
the first time twining among th^ saplings. !»• ■ iT ewtiun pt^^S
alianLd !»L . "f*^*^ nlaim, that I
Sghnd. ^^^ °" "l*' ""^ «•«» in
«»fc«la*ed to how nine ^r S« iS^r^
"•icWte; iha middle ^T^SiT^ "^"1
.... . - » " •^w «» easiest, only yon an
^wn any of the
liable to be disu
«hoo«jtogetottl. ^ , ,
^toIWttyoahaveSJ^^c^^^
J* quit the rte«n-boat youfiid al^tZ^ « J\
««iTO yog and ^mt i„^,.r^^J^,.^!^l ^
BACKWOODS Oir OAKADA,
'^t'
ei£^MSiile^^Wi#l»g tlw contorts yoii «i^oy.
In aAtition 1i thd^^^ t^ fireiglit, «» atewnera
j^ieMB|r to# upsev^ ottier yesseli. Wel>i|^^lhree
^f^tiKiiii\ia^M^<im time, beside jBome o^r smaH
Wftbli^ exception b^Qoelieeaa^^
most giire the pfefeienoe tp ,^ IJpffr FKmnoe. If
ntk on so grand it sole, tfie soen^is moff oslciilated
to please, Sbm the ap|>ewiceo|,indu8trya|i4fertiUty
it displays. I am deflgtited, to teM^ng rfong the
Koad, with the nestnelip, cJewilinetfH and comfort of
the cottages and ftrmlL J^f 1^^ fhanty
rarely occur, haying beeft p^|f||antcd % piet^y frame-
hmiies, huift in a sqp«i^ Style, and often pamted
^^lit»-lead cokrar or a pile pea^gieen. Aravind then
|»bitations wen orchafi^ben^ng down wi^ a nob
- jlnvMil of apples, phuhs, and the A me ri can cnl^
^lliel^tifal tittle scarlet apples so often met with
fa iv«t preserve among our sweetmeats at home. ,
r ton see none of ^ signs of powty or its it-
iltiidant miseries. No mffiBed, d^f» siioalid chil-
dren, dabbling in mnd or dust; but many a tid;,
smart-looking Jsss was spinning at the co(tfigM<>o">
Ifith bright eyes and bnOded locks, while the younger
girls wete seated on thegreen tllrf or on Jfa« thresbold,
l^iitting and singing as hUthe as bii4lt^ivfiv>
fmnning-wheels that ue nsed in this ooontry
spinning the wool, and if^attittidc were to be studied
fas gmduqr the ,»n with «„ l»uid*iarwM.S
rfthi. ho™^ eloft. .hid, Z,SZ^
1.todiflh«,t„^SHi^J*" ** - ml.
•^ dUUnn «, «rij, to„^, ^^ Md hSttS
"BwidcomfeitoblvcloEd. ~^T^ *"**
ftn„,g . cnditoB ««. wild uiTthirC^
t "•"■«» to poi*-. wild ta4. luM ,*, mv »^tj
.--i" i
^ I
-^-
.*#
ilf"' >
^fY*irB;r-V^.' .
^'
s
^f^^fjff'
-^Uf'']^-^-, ' ."**"** "^ "i'- ;*'4 ' ' ?l
^ lucairooDsoF Canada.-
T neiboDB overlooked at that wrae uw m^%
keen, e»PO«ed when they fint " came to tto countr,.
XZT^ rt . dW««» of many y«««. «>»^' «
!±^^<S« h«Htoome timber t«». eoBUi,«^
Sfl« rf. femiVy. or m.y_b^ jom. »vo««a
V 1 . wh tiaknr the turf besiO* «li«m. If
7to . *«H5er. the ^ft «f J^"*^^
—..nlhf itimlaied for hy the fomwr i>o««e«>r.
jTi^rr^ «««• To m. nothing that 1««
: idny^boitt ovoBi rt»* upon four lew; "V * ""^
tL ftom the hoa- •«« »<« <"««*f^ '" H^
tei^
^g^J^J,^ hokt-ktttkM'* tt>^ •» termed.
^J^V;"^'
*^W»t or m $V. LAWMKOl^ 4i
ham tOnady seen a loaf aa l»lr as a t^ie «---.
inkiUff on the Ii*«^k^ ^^« **** mewure
««UBg on the bearth ,n one of tbeae kettles, and
^ «f It, too; bat 1 think the conaneHt^
»to .mp«ts a peculiar taste to the b»ad, ^
Jo« do ,iot perceive in the kmves baked inbri^
^n^ll wound buikhnga, perched upon foiir poets.
JrS^J^ drawing some nfce hot k)aves oiS^of '
ona ^mi stood on a bit of waste land on the r«d.
«<fe.««iefiftyyaHe from the cottage. ^
it w^il!!?"? every4««ae had a dmw-w^ nea,
Bm method » by many persons piefen^ to either
2^eh«n. and fiom its rimph^ can be .T
J^by .oy pe«oa at the mew tnmWe of flS^
!S»I^^ULT"**^ *^ "«««ly toshowtheimwJ
2"^of people in this ««nt.y. ami how Jl^
•BAeirwmya are to their means* . "^T^
..-%■
&H1*^"-£»??4,
■ -/-Ji-
ttburb of ItfiK
ai UsHM^^A^
; a
%%
lAC1tW00lk« 0» CA»fM>«»
'4 >'/
'itK
ietnred IbNB irerj
CfltiiKiR, wfaieh 1
^Ib. I ngrettod that
jM> ^ nwre obliged to
^ii(^ <^ tbeie oek-
■« (-i.<.i-,
■-rfV'
■M:!
dn Ijtfr «bA feacbed
to |WL Hcmiioii hai
minnt^ In W» ^««>* **? ^li
knoir 70a are wfl aoq^iited
ne ooqld not Uiig«r to feaflt -
ivild aiid g»Hd ■» tti* ritw '
nadUA' atage^ndta for BO -
oonlent oundbras fi^tb'ft "
lwatea<i^di/-;«^
ciiiJ,S^tiieiM«rt«v& fl«iioo(Ftti««tage8
Ua^l aU night, bat I wJ too much firtigaed to com-
m«n<Ja « joumey of foif^-ntae "»i»^ *^J^*°
n«Al that night. Our oxample ym^Mkmd by a
^l»i&irJl«fe'WdiierMttia|fami^. ^'■^>m^^^^m_ • .^ ■.
ll^^OMe dineult^ in <A>takanga 1^ th«
fcina beingfidloltmtAia* h«e» fct ttio «wt Ume,
m otp«i«i*l^iWi«4^
MMH AMMHclk dottbtMa too g«ii«>alfy# «o wo Arm*
iiAws or go without ithatthayiwiii*^ Th^absenci,
Ir ftmalea in theaa ert»bli*««itft ia «,gi««* d«»
W wheia ladiw a» tw^ffi-g. Tn« f»»«; ^
«,ti«iy ont of -i^ir *^^t^^
eold^Mi ani indiftronce that yetaMnmmm ^am
fcetioniW)m^th«r:attandan«. i* u'^.y^sW^W^
Aftet aoDM dill^culty in dbtoinlnf eight of tfi«
landlady of tha inn at CominiB»^iiid aaking her to
rtwir me a diamber where w« might paas the nij^
with a moat na p^eioni a ir she poiilaiJo a doqr,
1i5i^ a meiedpaet, in
WMMtMid. JteeiiBi WW w toinf di«m^ at the «|W
CANADIAN ITA^B. ^.
« eitto AteZ dLf^T^.'"'"^ «**«to«l
i.tV,
A.
( ■
i"
■■'i
^^O*-^ -•'■■ '•^j!!* f , ^, t"-*!)'--. '
#i
BACCWOODt 6f CANADA.
WewMted R*«6tt»li(oiil «« «h» ■«» '*«™™'
tad. «!iT«it»we*xJl EngHA, «d»««a««>™
withtMhothettaatliiiUoBtoiM. . __
W^ ,^ Uttb in Oiriiajm of !■«««« to ta^ or
Cd tte Or«< Britain, Urn ftiiW rteaiiw « had
>t««n.««dhef.«"«e)oiiied>yoiiri»w«eiid^
At BrodniB. « anivrf ]»» «» «« •> «>i«f
* A p, «d editing -ne^H '»-J»5~^"
dwe to tli.irboHd.yrtliie; th. dan* M. »«
gto»inei%«idawenJi«8Md compaoj <m iKWd, ««
T^She .dditiond rffect. . -lute «. fcrf fl»m.
temioWT fat «ected for tb. oc«»o« on . U*
SS»itofio«toffl-t««. !*•«»»?»«'«;*
iTw. . moment of totoiiM totoiwt. T^ >«^
cn^r on bo«d the Great B"^*^ "f » ^
ttwi« on lK«d with h« WdegwiiBi oil Iheir wty l»
tiil the feltoof NiagHI^! lr:^> ! T \_ j^
.LAKB ONTAHia
gi% I «. told^ ,ithiB U» hrt few ,«^^X
motmgm pfape of aom^ importance.
The shorw of the St Laawiioe waume a m«U
Ji^y and pfcturwque aqiect as you advance amoiiK
ill ^Qinvid islands, which praaent eroiy variety oj
•ood^ lock. The steamer pot in for a supply S
fim-wood at a Kttle village on the American rf^^tU
mer where also we took on board five-and-twentv ,
«»«^ hoB^ which are to be exhibited at Cobcwii
aud York for safe. * "v-wmnug'
JWw nottingr at aU worthy of observation in
tbr American village, unfess I except a noyelty that
"titer amuiMsd me. Ahnost every house had a tiny
^ntn.^:i^ **""' they «» called.) stuck
!f?^ 5l!5'^'*^" °" lK)aid.thesebaby.hbuae.,
jUj^plea|ad|pcalltheu^^^i^^^
It was midn^ when we passed Kingrt»n, ao U
cojiw I saw nothing of that « key to tite takes.-* aa
Ihaveh^it.tykHi When I a^^tJ::!^"*
2«* "^ITi^ ^^-V 8«U«itIy along tl^
^^^2^ the Ontario. ^.«,irien2d^ ^
"■■'•on of wcknesB. . .■;„.\-:y- f ' — »«•
When the water, of^the take an at aU agitated. ••
<>qrMmetiB>etaia. byh^h Hnds, -inn mislH JniMir
J*»«r upon a terapeat-tossed se«.^ "■»«— v—
l|f diow. of thi Ontario aw very fine, riring &
k, ^* * ^ * , .
■t J- 1* » , ' - *^ .* ■* ■ ■ " r
W» * • - • - '
t'^
'ffS«M
i ■
i
'*«***'''"tf^l* ^ •*«» "*Wr' "^»
ftniilfci of leipw****?.""^
IB or iiMr fl» ""^ ' ' -^Sr '^4 duJl nwcM* to
i ■• "
/ ■ ■ !
yfi-
■ >< ■.'?>■'''"'■
'%sf-:v''
■;-^if',.-
'; ^■;;5^"^•>-«#.***^-!*' ■-■:-.*
•*J»,
• frH''hi^x..rt.t
Xmtam V.
lobM.
wi Ml CoiNfoi)|r onp^ •ftttmoon of tte lit <ir
««»*^ •«« » y«*i«f Wy, yiof who* piwj«^
A^
ere
BAOKWOdDS 0# CAMAI
the direction of the Hamilton or RiceM^pWiM. *»»
iMd ita into bold sweeping hifla and dalw. _^
ThfB ^tUne of the country reminded A^ ot the
hmy port of GloiioesteiBhirB; you want, bow^«. ^
diann with which civiliaatfon has so eminently Adorned
that fine county, with a^ its romantic villages\flou-
rishing towns, <3iltivated farms, and Wtenave ddinis.
■o thkk^ cohered with flocks and herds,
the hold forests of oak, tjeech, mapte, and h*8S
with now and then a grove if dark pine, cover tl
hills, only enUvened by M occasional settlement, with
its fc)g4iou8e and wg-«aff fences of spUttimh^: th«e
fences we very offensiv* to my eye. I took\^ii j«ii
for the rich hedge-rowsj of my liati^coantey. ^^^
the stone fences in th^ north and west ^ EngH;
cold and bare as theV are, are iMjunnghOy. T^e
Mttlers, however, iniwiably adopt whatever plan savftf
time, labour, and money. The grpit Hw of expe-
Sy i» strictly observed ;-4t is borne rfW^cess.!,;
Ma^ of taste appear to be Uttle regarded, or pie, rt
•U events, altoM5onsideration»^^p - , ^ j*^
1 could see a smite hove^ on tte Up. of my feUcnh
toaveUei* op hearing of our project^ p^ for tta
j^dotomwitofoarftttiaedweffing.^ * v „«^
-^f yon go into the badcwood. yo« house nwi
^Ja^bSateg-hoose," said an elderly geiitkn^.
^ had been a settter many years in Ae coo^te
- For you wiU most probably be out of the way rf I
mr-miU. and you wiU find so much *« ^ «°?"
ing tiJMMft improf jemeiit* into efliwt.
i-n.-''
■ \ ^
. " '^ \ ' \ ^
InNd to btw when I m* . I». .«"l ^ "^
".bmke. fi»« tand. win pnwTA.^^'^.S
J«» m ■»» btgin t. t^A^Z^^l!^
« a Uttb whm ^ i„ .rtJI? T «6« ta aWl to
"« don. WW, „ „^ emSiliZf ,"*"^'^
ta« li«rd «rf .^ of hoSTbSr Jj? "^ '
« .«a ta., "t a^TL^^"*^^*^ "^
i«i «»e '*'• « ;"». - yx" i»«a»nd win « J,^
Never mind bookii." amtA «-,-^ '
jwownreMon. Ixwk on thoet intennfa»bl.
J^thnjogh wliieh the eye can oiify S2^
■'i ■
-^^-:'h
4^^:g^K^.
■■' t-
.j§»**"ir?3»r'«jf«,'''
'f^,,
-> -^ t/""
T3. J.
^loKWOOOt Of CA!IAJ»4
J r— -J And s bouie to shelter yw »Ji*«l»
BO«ni and fcneed. aiwi » "^ ^^ j^^t great
without difficulty. i*jthottt«P^^^» ^
l,bour. Never teU me of ^^ fwi. ttveUei
**!^ '...^ iv«niieiiaY IW tarry-at-hogae «?tw«^
wntten ^ *^^JXiS*^^ emigrmit't e,pe-
^^--^^iS^l^tTwritteu on the sub.
IS? i^lSlicb may be *.tn»e picture «f
? :««^Tar to. or dietaut ftom. towns and
^ir^L^^l wU the experience of thirteen
^'^^n^t we Sao had taken too flattenng.
"^P^^ X'Tufr^itmuatbeinthebackwood.
^iew of a settler 8 Me as K ini»* ^
On plM« » <»1»» ™ hence ihtoipot may V<»»
• faihioiwble ^hc* Pt iwon w
rundiui Bath or CteltenhMn n»J ^"* , ;_,
'af.-':i4!!.-*».!f-'JS
2a«!^"-^'"
Iiil
r¥
ill
m
/i, jSj
!>' '/<■►. !,
,/
tM
>-
\f^
\
•
■
■ (1
I; #
Hi
*-^
\hr-
■■ ' •-■4,y"l ■
.4
!|^
. ' *
■
II ^
^
•
1
11
«
f "
^ 1
i..*^'
■«l'fi-'i<»''
<».*4.' u,-.!'!'
ti^M.
RICB LAKK.
n
«ml». The soil » m some places sandy, but vtai^
twi tdd. considerably in different partC and T^
Jmdanosof the finest i«.tu« for catST A nomW
^^jqnisite flowers and shrubs «fom the«j plaint
wWch nval any garden in beauty during the L^
jj^wmjnermonth.^ Manyof these phL^^lSSf
lirto the pkuns, and are rarely met within any ottCT
'^'\^^'^ too. though inferior in si«eto
those lu the forests, are more picturesque, growinir in
groups or singly, at considerable interval rfZ^.
sort of pajrk.like appeawnoe to this porUonnTtha
«anljy. The prevaiUnr opinion seems to bT thai
^l«ns laul out in gracing or dairy farmswould
^ .^r?r ^"'^'" ''^M ;« there is plenty
of land tha^mn grow wheat and oUm* com-cnJ
and can be miproted at a smaU expense, besid«
•tandance of natural pasture fof cattle. One m^
eo^rabk todt. The situation, I should thiiZ
mnet be healthy and agreeable, fmm the elevattoa
Nd dryness of the hmd, and the pleasant pramed '
% commandof a» country below th«n. e^eS^
Hw*Ae lUoe Lake, with its various islandTimd
fty t««emiS» WDlinr »Jl^;;;i«Sm«^
'^S!< *,
flr-
r 9W^'
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
gently slopiiig, a^ other times abrapt and almost
predpitqus. - . , , -
An American farmer, who formed one of oar
nutf at breakfast the following morning, told me
^ theae plains^ were formerly famous hunUng- -
groands of the Ifliiians, who, to prevent the growth
<^ the timbers, burned them year after year; thin in
^^^Bsa of time, destroyed the young trees, so as to
pcevent them again froin accumulating to the extent
they formerly did. Sufficient only was left to form
coverts; for the deer resort hither in great herds for
tl|e sake of a peculiar tali jibrt of grass witb whidi
these plains abound, called deer-grass, on which thej
becppe exceedingly fat at certain seasons of the year.
Evening ckwed in before we reached the tavern
on the shores of the Rice Lake, where we were to
pass the night ; so that I lost something of the
beautiful scenery which this fine expanse of water
presents as you descend the pluns towards its shore*.
The gUmpses I caught of it were by the faint but
frequent flashes of lightning that illumined the hori-
jM>n to the north, which just revealed enough to
make me regret I could see no more that nighL
The Rioe Lake is prettily divei»ified with smiO
wooded islets: the north bank rises gently fiwi
Urn water's, edge. ' Within sight of SuUy, thij
UKiltni froms^which the steam-boat starts that goM |
Bp th* Otanabee, you see several well-culUvated ^
settlements ; and beyond the Indian village the ms* i
sionaries have a school for the education and if J
Indian^ jshik tr a n. Mti n y of
:&■ i:- i .
u>^
M'..:«..;ii#:iiAv#'
• «^'«'««^tO|l OF THE INmAM. fi,
cwi b^ read and write flti^ntiy, Bnd ^ mmi^
tridus setOen. During h-r^T^ *^ •M Fiidii*.
th. »jii— . A'nanf oertftin ieaaona^ the?' lM«to
mMer mfluenoe 6f CliKalianit^ f^ .T^
Certain it is that tho introduction ^ the ri*.^;-
I mil im««««.^ * 8«wwB NBfr Mwaidt «ifi]iattiaii
N'nnlte mankind «« oJlSSE^^^S^^
NWs ^.«%foUtfy «baiii,,rt ll«„:^^
fee; bat «f I«te Iht l(w»^ of arfent -Zij^
c^ ia iiaong thi^Uri^^ diam^J^
fiiith. fl^ fa iiidiid i-g* TS !i^
. when the IndknatM fhnMr7 ^ k^ ^*^
n
iii^iiifsfeu .
rW*-* »«|r«-i
S ' Vt V-
''|'^f#i(^>»;Cl>*'"*
64 BACKWOODS Of CANADA.
XMMm duty.wWch might In «»»• *«» taken »>.
X. w»e f<^ort In todolgenoe at the tabk .nd
the tenm ;« if the crime of dranl«nne» j.Me mm
SlSblein th«m«iofed«»aonth«.in the l»lf-
nelaimed aavage. • „ ,k. Him t^ke.
Itoe m »me 6n« wttlemenle on *• »'" "^
but I am toU the diote. are not considered l«allhy,
^ lnh.Wt«.ta Veing «14«t ^ '»l»-f««r^^
^-XeciaUy where the ground i. low and «ramw.
1 to originate in the extenriw nce-h^ wW.
SLaata^ntaU-water; the "-"^"'"^
X ft»i the »»li«» acting pn a m|«rfd«.„
mrelaUon moat tepd to have a M effiict on to.
Sto of tho.. that «. imm^di-dyerpoeel*
tm, «»»ider.l.l. ri«*., the Ot«»be. »d&e T«4 ;
And an ontlet fiw their waters ■».*« »^„^|
^ ri«r. « competed hy ^d»« rf ««»nH
^ch ,» majtrace « anygoodm^^of^H
vinoe. liend job a diagram, which ta* teeap*
^ at CohoJg. which wiU give 3|« the g««.j2
3^ portioVof the country. !».'•'»,«»• "^^
^ Se. w. porpos. pnrcharing land, »W
SobH the navigation of these wrter. be cm-
Effect, as is generally supp-ed to be i. mH
ZvU^ wiB render the land, on their 4«
lempuMuu. _.. ^^ teuimi at pnaent m
«*iZ«(*SiS Kw bWuTrfpWS
A'
K
. ,iji.
• <J ■• '^'l
ilf
1 1/ 'I
Nifi'
1
i&i
A
» t' >1
t.
ii
1 f:;;; - ■ ;
1
iioim, ti^>id8,
«ven these an
the ahow-iuu
of the river i
pwtstndeM
l%ht be thn
oqwna^hovre
the towndiupB
aHtH it is 1
BBdertab'i^f si
Wbe. if-
Wefefttlp^l
.<f%> at nine c
4 «»W wind bl
1 iras g
cloak, for
|l|iflitae8teanii
W^Tfor asfc
in^t with tba.
htely beei
8t ^ "^
aiWiWOtan
•"ffexultatioB
i'^ for many j
'«»«ijniode ol^
^ themselves i
*%»» the iroii
-^5B»i
iQiotivo
\(.'
>..!■
'«»'"•
■»«'^-s^''Tirf
if eoH wind blew ow* the htoL-St!?^' ^ "^
I St. Uaia^i Osgg?-^ " * O"*^ Md the
H mod. rfXS^ ir k""*"**" "^ -
,i'm''
ttmo
'^9^^
lit a fioeiniiid, deal^i
s"!-*
i>.
■ rS**
\
./»
u^A.
wWa ttii ^,^g ^„ .JlJISmIjS^ Chile
'"'^
mm ■»«
f-f- M.-,fY
tftbempnicU(
or other, to try
by cultivation.
has so abunda
ftvoorablie clmi
the asqistaace «
The Waten c
fivm' ifflpurity
(Nibble or ahell
oftaing in Ibe
worlunff its wa^
albove It The i
the sudden n
'^ Ife^ undni
i^rt^tagie the
Ht^sher,' as it
M put in fdr
about |wlf-way
aiiil^ myself o
UK%ation for g
diBal flowers tbt
riwr's brink. »
" ever graced a
iMwSilhe grasE
•nd, nearer to tb
l»»h nesembling
[nation, proved to
fndt as laigevas
'artness not nnidb
of this tree were oi
Iihouid think it
r'"-^
WATMS OF TBI OTiNABEi: ifl
ff them pwctiable; I diaU endttvour .t ■<.». .»
h« «. .bu»d««y l«t„;^ ftii^ that n» 2^
the Kvistaiice ef cultare and soil • '*'"='*«' |nU>
to mipanty that you distincUy .« eveiT.ti!r
l-Abl. or ^11 .t the bottoo,. 6e« a^d tt»T;.
V«<m m Jhe fore,. ,,vea., «,m, tributl^SHT
«*.« .tM«., beaeaO. the gig^tic trees 7l^l
%tt»™dden rashof the wild duck. dietuIhS fi»™
P* *n^ the left b„k, „ a„ ,^„.„ "^^
kii«6sher, «, it dart, acraa the water IWi*,.
■—•.k • 1 «^ *^ among the stones bv th«
nw'bnnk. Here. too. Iphcked a. n««t. ™!
««rg~»d an English g»*„. r^^
•"•ig (he gr«« of the meadow-Iaftd. toZSZ
K «e«W to the bank. peppemii„r tw^
i 1*1. «.«nbling our h;JZrwUch.^^u
«"«». provwl to be the cocks™, h™.r ^'"
psnSir^tina.r:g
■^' lfl
nnfflf .|i
il
wH| j|i^
illlH
H 'Xm ' '' ' 1 '■
' Iff'
iW ttiiiiiiiiyi
if"
W^^\!Mt':U. '-:■'",:
/
•AO&wiDODf or CAVknk,
aiWanitff to ibrm Uv« fimcet; ^ ft«^ too, wouM
prove by no means contemptible u % preterve.
A» I fett a greei cuariorfty to e^^^
1og4|pnge^^^^ door-way of the taveiB,
as tSpe^tomiia it, under the pietext of buyiiig
a ^b;aii^ of miOk. th^ interkw of this riide dvelK
in^pvesented no wy. ijtfWng aspiife t^^
iible of rough nnhewn lo^ MM between the chiiib
%ith mow and ir»egiil«r wodgea of wood to keep wi
Ib^ wind and fain. Tlfe iiiil*^tew»i w>of «^«I*»J^
^ iafltilBi covered with moss and Vdiens, grm,
yilfcifrvttid gfey; above winch might be seen tb
ahin^ dyed to a fine mahogany-red by Oi
smoke which refiised to ascend the liide clay w*
atone diimn^* to carl gracefhlly about the roof, lad
ia^ its exit in tbe various ««ntaiea and apertnw
4tli i^iidi Ae *pof aodf aides ol*^^ biOldlifi
''^ii^onnded* -'
r^ The ^ wiMi ofiiMPthi widdihad become prttty
fpid and smooth through nse. tWs but reminded
1^ of the one described by the four Russian saikn
that woe toft to winter on the island of Spitzbeiga
tto flimiture was of ooneaiion^ing nideness ; a ft*
Hools, luugh and unptoned ; a deal tabk, whkk,
lW»n being manufiwtaied from unseasoned wmJ
vras divided by «iiee wide ofpen seams, and wa only
held together by its iU-shaped legs; two or Itoa
bkM^s of giey granite placed beside the heartft aer-
ihr easts for toe diildien, with tM eddition of
becto taised a Htfle above ttie gfi^mwl by a frame
edaw^ f in th f i w Uw»l;Li ! WMtoqLJ^^
'f
•?'K/ .,
/ 4L ...»
id
"»»Uy PJdfaiir nn ««»i_ J pigWBs, that
*r»tafc • ^^- f?f» *» •* ■ tohabitanta of :^- •.;
'h
-■/
• ■ ^;i
..•■/
i,'»f'
?/■
■.'fV
^fel-''>
itC^^'^
>- -T^!-«?!r
'v>5f.<- 1;
'■"--»,.»
1
i
i
il I
1
•n
v\
t*
^4 .BAijimwocm^ or CMkMkD^.
••Ylmkeebolinei,".ftom ihe faiiciid ^reaein Mamce o(
the topmost boagha to a awt o^^ worn by Hm
Yankees^ ndt much *nH|ie tbe Ww iKtonA of Seol.
'UnfoitBiMitely, the steamer fan agwti)Oid some four
wHes below the usual #ice of reiidfeBvoitti afid%i
^waited till near fiwr o'clock fdr tat #^s.„ When ii
made its app^nce, -^^e found, to ooTidiMlMnfort,i|pi
Yiffefs (eight in number, and att" Irishni^) wewi
under the exdting influence of 4 cuf of ^♦hlskeji
ffhich they had drunk dry oil tte;:fDy^ TBiy
metb moreover ekasperated by H^ d««i^ on the parfrf j
(Che steamer, which gave them ifonr wffes
lieavy rowing. Beside a nomber lof ||toeto
j#as an emnnhoiis load of fimtitnits, tvunlqis
vhests, sacks of wheat, barrels of flour, salt, ||jdj
with many miscellaneous packages and ortjele^J
andfiwrt, •whicli%we pfled toil heighl tiki •
tery«isafe kitiWto goods iin*pa8sonigim
With • marWnous ill grace the men took up tMl
oars when their load was completed, but declared thu
wonkl go oik shore and make a ftw and cook IIrIJ
dinnen, they not having eaten an|(^b5d, th^^ogh^
had taken terge j^otatxoiu tK the ^^b«y-
measure was of^posed by some of the gentlemen,
a flerae aiid angry sbene enaafd^ 'wUdi ended ii
" Oratineers flinging down their dara, slid positi*
- leftving to row another stroke till they had
flieirhaQger. ,±
Peihifs I had afeWw-feeling for them, as lb
to be exo^adingly ]Mk^\ *^"^*i**^ xavenous^ is
^jyjiyi JlwWdTtBBB WJpjMl^- flmrotpg'; ittoeeo|S6'
♦ s
,■: \
\''t
,. , V^
I'
■ ;
^Wi
ft
"«l iriA oMw " not Inrtil t«. JL? « ""^'3'
» sun hrf^4*-i 2 ^* ^*'<^ w."
and adtoih^tto h. i*^ ^il II" ,Tfy**yy->4
":*!■:
-ii'l
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BACKWOODS qW CANADA.
touch the rocky bank, and heard the boatmen pn.
iMtiag they would go no further that night. Wi
w«i« nearly three miles below Peterborough, and howl {
;was to walk this distance, weakened as I was bj i
recent illness an4 fatigue of our king travelling, I
'knew not. To spend the night in an open boit,:
exposed to the heavy dews arising from the riverrj
would be almost death. While we were deliberaUnj
on what to do, the rest of , the passengers had madej
op their minds, uid taken the way through the wo
by a road they were well acquainted with. Therj
were soon out of sight, all but one gentleman, wtu
was bargaining with one of the rtmisi^ to tidie hioj
and his dog across the river at i^l^ead of the rapiik
in a skiff.
Imagine our situatiou^^ at ten o'clock at nigbt,!
without knowing a ^tugle step of our road, putoij
shore to find the ?ra.y to the dbtant town as we bdj
could, or pass the night in the dark forest.
Almost in despair, we ei^treated the gentleman toj
be our ^guide as far as he went. But so manyol»>|
stacl^ beset our path in the form of newly-chopp(j|
tr^ and blocks of stone, scattered along the 8hani|
&ai it was with the utmost difficulty we could '
him in sij^t. At last we came up with him at
place appointed to meet the skiff, and,.with a
nacity tiuit at another time and in other circumst
we never shfold have adopted, we all but tnsistd
being admitted into the boat. An angry
consent was extorted from the surly Charon, andj
hastily entered the frail bark, which seemed
in >afgty tn the oppoaity '
Dimooitiw or THE WAT. ff
lUefeBr, nl lutened to the toncnt of nrofen. iT
U« th., W forth contia^H, fiom ^^^'^
r •*»^; , Of* o' t^ « were in aj^ ^
1^ ^^K when «■ reached the opposite
fcj«M tat tore . new t^nble ««e : there ^2
J*./r which had to p«, up . ^^ ^4 "T
«i«s at the head of the smallW «, erZlh ^
.0.«>ab«.Bttle beWPeU»C;S.Tldi
Wtai trees, m«Hy hemlock, spruce, or cedar, tW
■m«h Uk tangled thicket which they fornT-V^
Had .t not been tor the humane «^istMK,,of ohr
»**». I hHmnot how I d«»ld h.™t«^„S
ta^Afflcultii. Sometimes I w«i reaTTS*
fen from very wearing. At lengft fSled. «^
f M I couH h«dly have ,«ppo«d Bw^iTZ.
^linffonhisp.,t,we««re.gidn4«rt«d..
fflid enough we were to .«. by lie btaimr B-ht
W ,«^ved 4e oft, rf . gtUd. to -«w „ ^
WK ot the welcome ref»w^n>«a* of^M^ii. frAt_
wed a little rtrength by a shoit itit.' .TTlTS
' ftnjenced oar jpaniey, g^i^ ^ ^ nimii\Z
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BACHWQOPS OF Q'kV^Phj,
quite woBOUf nigards* He lnfflW»e4:wb«wag cm
of sewn orphan who bad loat fMljer ^p4 mother.in
the cholera. It was a sad tWiiif, he said* tp be left
fatherlesa an4 motherless, in a stfange land ; and he
■wept away the tears that gaOu^ in Ws eyes ashe
told the simple, hut sad tale of his eaitoh^r^vemint;
but added, cl>ecrftaiy» be Iwd met ^th> ki^d master,
who had tak^u some of hia brothers and siste^ into
hie service as well atfhimaelf. .
Just as we were emerging from the gloom of the
wood w* found qm progress impeded by a cfedc, u
the boy called it, over-^i^ieh he told t» we must pas
)by a log-bridge before we could g**, to tl^p town.
Now, the log-bridge was eomposed of one log, or
latlltra fallen tree, thrown acrofs the stream, rendered
very sUppery by tbie be»vy dew that had risen ftom
the swamp. As the lo^j admitted of only one peisoB
at^ time, I could receive no a$8i8tanoe from my cob-
p^p^ona; and, tlymgh our little guide, with a natuni
1"^ muteness arising from the beuewleuGe of his dij.
i^Miition, did me aU the service io bw power by hold.
log the lantern dose to the wirfaoe to throw all JM
lighl be could on the subject, I bad the iUluck to f^
in lip to my kneea in the water, my head tor'
quite giddy just as I came to the last step or i
.thmwaalwetaaweWaaweary. To add to oormiil
fot^am we saw the Ughts diiwppear, one by one, i||
tte vilage, till a solitary candle, glimmering from (^
i^iper chambers of one or two housea» were our oi
heaeons. We bad yet a kidging to seek, and jti
new MiiMgfat befOP* we reiK^hed the door of!
\
V' «!J
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71
/brU)-nig;htwiIIend* but a«..4
4. hoa« every one Uiny o^w^^ ^ '"
g«.»S .V to one of the b«k townXw ^^''
I could go no farthen and «. n.H.- ■ J -
[•WW. ^* ^r*^ "^ •■** « J«*i m.y weB
*>»W4 ■ay 4«He4 m,;,^^
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»ACIWOOD« or CANADA. «
^■■UM
1 "v ( ""
'r;S^5;S;s sCi:«f £^S
MtablithiD«aF«n. ,v ^ t-
".'..,....■ |%terbcBPimilii;|^t.».l8a^
it k n^ setUed that we abide here tiU after the
«rtKniment sale has taken place. Weare,ihemto
remain with S~- and his family till we have got a
few acies diopped. and • togwhiii«5 ?at «p on ouHmn
knd. Having detenu^ to go at onoc mto tin
} ^ f g f^ on aooonnt of our foiMtary grants which w
Imve been ao fortunate m to dww in the neiglaboa-
* hK4 ef 8*-?—. we lia^My made up «» minds ij^ 1
enter at o^ and cheerfWly, on the privations and
inconveniences attending sucJi a situation ; asthereii
no choice between relinquishing that great advantage
and doing aof settlement duties. We shall not te
• .worse off than othem wbobave gone before U8 toto
unsettled townships n^any of ^Thom, nava^ and m*
'taiy oftcfre. with theii families, have had to struggi
: with considerable difficulties, but who are now W
; ginning to feel ^ advantages arising from mi
s-i^ eiterj&ons. ^ '
^ nin addition to the land he is entitled to asi
; fifiicer in the British service, my husband is in tt«
- for ^^ p.irrhHBf^oflan eligible lot by small \^\
k,-/A>' This wiU give us a water frontage, and a
/
•'^v^
iocIETT AT PKTBBBORaUQU.
\ <liiof Hi^nt to htingm WitMn a little distance of 8
^mi^ dudl not be quite so lonely as If we had
foneon to our government lot at once.
^^Weh^ experienced some attenUon an* hospl-
m from several of the residents of PeterboS
^rjere IS a very genteel society, chiefly composed of
oflteis and their femilies. besides ii piSnd
mn and sj^rekeepers. Many of the latter ar« per-
Mftough a store IS, mfacV nothing better than What
r ^^"^1 »° the country towns at home a
Cl^*?'* w'i'*"'"'P*' ^^ ^-»«^ holdi
UbSw? "^^ ^"^ ^ shopkeeper <if the
fi^fcrfi^Hage.-'nie storekeeper ^
K bankers of the pU««s in which they reside
Ataost aU money matter are tmnsacted by them
«d they are often men of landed property and con-
tel^ »«fr«q"enUy filUng the situations of
nyt^ commissioners, and even membersof the
nnmocial parhwnent.
As they maintain a rank in society which entitle.
^ to equahty with the aristocmcy of the countrT
I must not be surprised when I tell you that it k
.uncommon circumstance to see the sons of naval
Ki mihtary officen and cteigymen st»mding behinS
rS r ""'"^"^ " «« in the woods^tTZ;
ffters choppers; nor do they lose their graTiS^
fcociety by su^h emptoymcnt. After all. it is educa-t
«» and manner, that must distingui* the gentle-
f this countr y, seeing that the labouring
JPjatBa
_ ,. »|* WW* *n«i«noG8. may soon beoowi
' ^\ in point of worWly possessions. The igno-
f
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fa^( roWi lAl him 1» ever m wwOttiy, w> il«ver be j
eqim^jbo ^.mux of ^iicatioo/ It is tlie mind t^
fohns tlMs distinctioi^ fcitweim Ow ctewwi iu Ihii
country-^" K^no^led||e is |jK>tw?r !"
We \»d h«ard so m«eH of the o9ipM iliannere «(
Dm YiMPkWeen in thi» eoimtry that I ww rathisragreei.
h^ mmwbA bjjF the few «p^meD« <if native Ameri-
b«it^ I haw swft, ^y were, fi?f the moitpart,
poUte. welt^bdwwred peo!^ 1!he onfy pecoliaritiea I
' obseKved ia w»m were a cerUiin nasia twwg in speak-
jgtgt Mjd some few d4d phrase^ ; but these were only
vttBd% the lower class, who " gwti" and ** calcvlaie"
'' a tittle more tlian. we do. Ohe oftbgif most re-
markable term? is to ** JP^?/' Whatever ^ork requii
. * to be don« it must Yxtjixed, **FU the toom " is, aet
it in Older. >** Fix the tabW— « Fix the fir^," saji
the miiitiesB to herlenraiitai |»d the things (^ fixed
voms
I was amused one day by healing a woman tell he?
husband the chimney wanted fi^nf, I thought it
fleemed secure enough, and was a lial« surprised when
the man got, a\rope' and a fisw cedar boughs, wift"
which he diskidg^ an aocumulatidn of soot thii
cansed the ftie to^oke, Th^ chimney being/^e^j
ail %ent right a^n. This o^ term ia not confin^
to ^ low^ orders alone, anii^ ixom hearing it ao I
orient it becomes a stan^dard word even among '^
latrar emigrantu from onrown oodLntry. <
.♦ ^ith the exception of som^ fi?w remarkable «^|
pressions, and an attempt at introducing fine wor*
in tbch* every-day <ton¥»tgatij3|P, thfe to wer onto
'"^^^^rea^^S'^^^aie^ver our Eip
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IIANN^W 0* TUB A1I««,C»NS.
M
•r tke »m<! cliu. w <wy. |«it,qf EiiBUuid.^w^
|lW,ia*l](|«.,M,)ioaw. ' """«•■«. I wp-
*fc lh«r emotion tt, M .«,„. • -tteT^^^ °f
r^Miwwhoicouie to this P«.,n*« ««?«€.
Ida. not mctfy wiWbte to lLfr3^iiSl^!!S
turn; lind kZLh bL^T^T^* '**"''''S' 'P'^'
111.. .'.""*"< "«" mow the fiKt that a bad imii.
1^"' ""^> »M»«iw»4 *. *!» *«nr woii tt. M.
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84
BACKWOODS Of CANADA.
ing lOm with reference to the management of tbt
•ngUeTHis manners were surly, and almost insolent
He scrupokrasly avoided the least approadi to courte^ ;
or ^tward respect ; nay, he even went so for as to
himself on the bench close beside me, and ob.
,>j that "among the many advantages this coan-
™ oflfered to settlers' like him, he did not reckon it
le least of them that he was not obliged to take off
U hat when he spoke to people (meaning persons of
our degree), or address them by any other title than
Wir nan« ; besides, he could go and take his seat
beside any gentleman or lady either, and think him.
,(self to the fiill ad good as them. ^ ^
«^Very likely." 1 repKed, hardly Abte to refrain
ftbmlaughingyat this sally; « but I doubt you greatiy
overrate *e advantage of such privileges, foryoucan-
not obKge the lady origehtteman to entertain the same
opinion of your qualifications, or to remain sejted
heride you unless it pleases them to do so. With
theiib wotds I rose up *nd left the independent gen-
tleman evidently a little confounded at the manoeavre:
however, he soon recovered his self-possession, and
continued swinging the axe he held in hi* hand, and
said, " It is no crime, I guess, being bom apoor man.
"None in the world," replied my husband; a
man's birth is not of his o^n choosing. A man caa
no moW help brfng bom poor than rich; neitheri!
it the foult of a g^nUemanbeing bom of parents who
occupy a higher station in society than his neighbour.
I hope you will allow this?"
JCto Scotchman was^ obliged to y ield ajrehd^
,-i«rmativc to the latter position ; bit wnchided ^"^ ■n^?" (« Good
'•^
. i>
"s>1
•gllii repeaUng Ws satisfiwifoii at n^ Wteir <A!iiMd
in this country to take off his hat, of i^withV
feet to jrentkmen, as they styled them«dv«s.
^ No one^y fKend. codd have obliged yoa to b.
«W mannered at home imy more thanJu, Canada.
m^joa could have kept your hat on your htadif
H^ u"^"; *^'*°*^' no gentleman would have
knocked It off, I am sure.
Cwada, I should think something of it if it benefited
mM least, or put one extra dollar in your pocket •
bat Jhave my doubts if it has that profiible Set.*'
There M a comforl. I guess, in considering one-
selfequaltoagjbntleman." «^one.
I thllff^^t ^r?.*^^°*^ the gentleman to
Ainkthesame.- TW.^ . pdnt that seemed rathe?
to dMconcert our eandldite for equality, who wmT
mencedwhistlingandklckvighis hceb with redoul^
'"••sy*
«No< said his tonnentot; -yoo have^wrfained
your notiow of Canadian independence; be aoiwrf
« to explain the machinery of your engine. With
which you seem very weUacquainted.'* ^
I Hk man eyed my husband for a minute, half sulk^
»flg. half pleased at the implied compliment on hia
•kill, and, walking off to the engine, discussed the
management of it with considerable fluency, and
fiom»^time treated us with perfect respect. He
w«s evideiitly struck with my husband's reply to his
iqaestion. ^ut in a most discourteous tone, *»Phiy
-^ftgcntl e mau riH Uhank^jonfemiwter
?U»at?'
t uood manners and good education," vas
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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)
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33 WIST MAM STIHT
WISSTI«,N.Y. I43t0
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BACKWOODS OK CANADA.
86
the reply. *' A rich man or a high-born man, it h«
is rude, iUrmannered, and ignorant, is no more o^
M gentlemap than yourself.". . - ,. i .r
This TWt the matter oiTa difertent footmg, and tht
engineer had the good sense to perqeiver that rude
familiarity did not constitute a gentleman^,
But it is now time I should give you «6me account
4,6 Peterborough, which, in point of situation, is supe-
nor to any place I have yet seen in the Upper Pro-
vince. It occupies a centpl point between the town,
ships of Monag^an, BrM. Cavan, Otauabee -^
Douio. and may with propriety be considered as tk
capital of the Newcastle district. , . . , ,
It is situated on a fine elevated plam, just above
the small lake, where the riter is divided by two low
wooded isWts. The original or government part o
the tow9 is laid outinhalf-acre lots; tfee streets, wluc
^ now fast fiUing up, are nearly at right angles wUh
the river, and extend towards the plains to the north-
«^. These plain* form a beautiful natural |«rk,
^ly diversified with hill and dak, covered with a
lately S«eu «~d. ««^»«d ^^ * .T'^f ^.
rrel^iefiowe». and planted, as if by Nature
own hwid. with groups of feaOiery pines, oaks b^O-
^,r^. Mid silver bireh. The vieWs from tl««
pkans^re delightful; whichever ^ you turn yojr
^ Ly are^fied by a diversit^f Wll and d«k.
Jood aiid water, with the town spreading over a con-
Biddable tract of ground.
Th^ plains des^nd with a steep declivity towaH.
the river, which rushes with considerable impetuo?.lj
" ucy a long, nartow vnllty.
H>
M^'X- ^lu^-sitel^il^t^* aUaAi^t-lW-f --.iJiSl^J
cciSfe.
l->\
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into (wo dntiiM
HwOUui^In
linr oner Ibe-
ud (he l}iMiiida
jciitBdPeterbaiv
or three individ
town lots are pu
I ground, more tl
J luge city. H
jieckoQed at aeyi
IcootiQaes to inar
|a> it has done I
T^re is grea
and the fii
I the (own,
«re aie aewn
Kng-mill, tvro ]
finiinberof|;bdd
^'^ aho serres i
Ibe built '
lsoiDepre|tjri|
eh^thenal
>K)oo qwiled.
[ I Ml never wet
' Wfl" in every
).
8»
TOW^ OF JWTBRBOHOUOH.
to Moo.^ .d.,.^ ooBuBiurf. «• extend
fttertK)ro«gh uaui divided co™, . g«rt «i.»t rf
jlqie ci^. Ike amnber of inkabitaiito »» Zl
««to«.toiac««..,,pM, i^X^^l"*
I" It hM dime latdr. it will L^ •_ ■ ^ ^••"
|tam». ■ ^ '""WW le • Tety populo,,,
J!"". It "••"W"'. both Ml wpiri, u„
«h fte town. «,d fai. into the «adi lX llw
rj* ""^ ,.■"» pW™ «. edd off in »^1^
J uirecHon, ID ctteh iome new pro^.
pi^-g ^ ^as.-::.'^^:"'-^
jtt^viA^ii/
, <^*r»'
«?■
90 BACKW^©^ OF CANADA.
pect, or gMber sovm MW 6a^f«ni ickuchi tboMgh gHv
ting late in the summer, are i^itt a t i wwtewt
Ajnoot 4»« flwits. witli wboie naniM I am u-
quaiated aj^ a, iFiMMly «rf ataiibVy Mtei^W enery tut
of blue, pwnK Vi^ Pi»fl» whito^l » law »A'*««te.
,i|opt deli^«Wly «KW«»i<V eve» to *l» diy atolks and
9e^-v«9iel9; Uw wbite rvwiK^ttMii. ov everhatin;
1i<iweif I loew of several l|ia4«^ » few late buds ii*
which I found in a valley, He«P the church. lako
noticed aviong the shmdie a Tery pi«t^ little plaiil.
^esewhUngourbttx; it traib along the gwiuid, send-
ina up bmaches and shoota; the leaves turn of i
d^c<i|)per red* ; yet, in qOte cl'thia cQ»tr8dictwn,il
is wi evergreen. 1 also notioedaomebeautiM lichenii,
with coral cape surmounting the grey hollow footstalk^
which grow in Irregular tufts among the dry mossM,
or moi* frequently I ftm»d ttawm covering the roob
of \b» trees or half-decayed timbers. Among a n-
riety of ftmgi I gathered a. hollow c«p of the moni
splendid scarlet within, mA a pcje fawn colour wilh
out ; mother very btaiOifid fungi consisted of smill
buft^hes Uhe dust-sra «f wiUt*? .WW*. l»»* ^ ^ ^'^"^
i^iextnre that the lOighte^l touch caused them to bnik.
The giound in nmiypl*^ was covered withi
thieki cwpet of strawbemei of mwy varieties, whkk
afford a cqnsta*^ dfswut dfiURUg: tfc^ seaso/i to thai
who choose to pick them, a privilege of which I «
sure I shoujW ghldly *wt mp^ wep I pew tbttD «
the summer, Besid* tfce plii»tfi I ^M^ve, myself *
served in blossom, I am told the spring and sammef
.^4^^!^,.
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■ s*
OAlfADlAN BOTANY.
^ ,.r^!rf ' ^ mocassin flower, or !«£»' imZ
«« bwto of tlie oreek and the Ofauiab^ tt^-^^
#wi of bJo«W8. *'''®^"> ««ve. ita scariii
l«m half inclined to be anirry wImu f «WmW- *i^
h^^^ Canadian flo::^"^ii t^^!^
«rt^«fattenfaoo; asiftheeyec«ldBotbec^^
jFWy of fonn ^ hannony of oolouTi^^
To ledeem (hia counby ftom the censiw cast on it
I Ji^ rs""? ^' •• »««« •hwtoSe-
•W I d»U m.lw Mte. rfi ,«, wi WrteZS
'■"ypl" -P«- -' t^ v^-i^ '*t I ' .. ^-if as'^V^j.s'A^iui*
i
if .1 1^-
w n'-.j/ft ^^\'«r,Mr;
92
i.
BACKWOODt OP CANADA.
wbo, living In the Inwh, muait necessarily be shu^ oot
jlfbm the pleasures of a laige circle of friends, and
the varieties thai a town or village offer.
On Sunday I went to diurch ; the first opportumtj
I had had of attending pubUc worship since I was in
the Highlands of Scotland ; and surely I had reason
to bow my knees in thankildness to that merciiiil
dod who had brought us through the perils of the
great deep and the horrors of the pestilence.
Never did our beautiful Lituigy seem so touching
and impressive as it did that day,— offered up in oitf
lowly log'built church in the wiWemess.
Thi^ simple edifice is situated at the foot of a gentle
slope on the plains, sunounded by groups of oak and
feathery pines, which, though inferior in point of size
to the huge pinei and oaks of the forest, are far moi«
agreeable to the eye, branching out in a variety of
fantastic forms. Theturf here is of an emerald green-
ness: in short, it is a sweet spot, retired from the
noise and bustle of the town, a fitting pl^ in whidi
to worship God in spirit and in truth.
There are many beautiful vralks towards the Smith
town hilb, and along the banks that overlook the
river* The summit of this ridge is sterile, and i^
thickly set with toose blocks of red and grey granite,
inter^med with large masses of limestone scatteied
in every direction; they are mostly raaooth swl
rounded, as if by the action of vrater. As they •»
detached, and merely occupy the surface of the grounj
it seemed strange to me how they came at thatekj
vatfon. A geotogistirould doubtless be able to «^
thg m^rj in . a few minutgs^The oaks that giw j
ittir
THIttiAWTT. ^^1
JST^.' PT"*" « being entirely cowijlu
jrr^ "" the like, have Ioc.SZ™e,r"^
Cl^nn!.?^'^ ^ '"*P°^ » •»■»•«•" their
«Ptooonthe,r«n»cUv. grapts, but .h.. m, J
qanjty .t h^ens that they ,„. fo„ indolent, or «alT»
K'wr r *? lots-oftenrituated many S
» .h. Wkwoods, and in distant and unsettled w
*pj,I««nt.ng great obrtacle. to the pooremipTt
t ^i" T*^ '•y « "^ "'^^"t them
Oto, rf .*e and profligate habits, spend the m™«
%»«.,ed, and sell the land, f«r1rijeh U^^ave
K ttor pensio^^ after which ftey remain^iSI!
Ifcijusttera on the shanty ground. ^^
IJhU^"'' "/ "" "' '*''""'" ""t in Canadian
h^ Mdi. nothing „„, than a shedZS
^SSlX'S 'S""^ the round «lg«i of the
»^ kSL .,'"*""^"««> "dWtoof wood ;
XS.^"""' oompo«i of bg, spy. and hol-
'd^t^ "\"1* placed dae by side, so thM
^■«toneachother; the conca™ and conm
a S •??»'*'y "PPennost, every other log
iL?'°'""» ""y Off the Brio .Ld oeW
Se^aves of this buildinff resemble thTs^
V4 .
Ik
1
It
(i
.r
.tfiA^iti. j.^4.''ii^'!a(^s\f i >• ■iwVA.i.'is SV '
pmmt^.
.1
'.
1
•-"N^- .
94
BACK^dOOS OF CANADA.
lopeA^AgailX ti datilj^ 4iell ; fcut tude «s this coveting
19, it ftflfertttifliy «ti«wrt* ttie pitfpMe of keeping tbt
interior dry; far more so than the ipofs formed of
baA or boattb^ (lj|«^ti which ttie m&i' will fiod
^nti'atice. Sbtn^oMfs thift lAiaiity haA a window
sometimes oiriy ah 6plBh doonrway, which atdtnits tfft
light atad lets out ^stnelce!*. Arude<Aii«Miey,wfaiA
Woften notfaiag bitter than a^ openfittg «ut in <nie«f
the top logs abiyve the hMuiJh^ «t ft w iMiards fasteaal
in a sqiiaie forth, seines as the vsnt for ihe smoi*;
^tae only ptedtfntion against the fire «isiching tfa« k|
mOk beUnd the tieflltth b^«g a few large stosR
placed in « half ViklBillsr fohiH, br more oommoo^
a bank of dty eatHi^iilBed Against the walk
Nol!hing can be «not« comfortless than wait 4 \
these shanties, Peeking -|vith sBM>ke and dirt, the co*
mon reoeptadb ftMr eMUAren, pigs, aad^fowk Buftlj
have given f&OL ibB dhtk ^de of the pictuipe; f i
bappy to «iy aU the rfisfities on the sqoatters' gnMll
Were not Mke these : ott tbe contrary, by far the laijp
proportion were inhabited by «idy folks, and had osetvj
* I Wat gi«i%afimi«d>ytIW««iBvk madebyalit1kink|
"w^, that we hired to be out bew«r of wood anddrawer of •rinj
who had been aa inhabitant of pne oftiiese Bhanties. "Ma'aa/j
aaid be, *• ^b/fu the weather wai vtih|^i<kg feotd, we M m
know how to ke«p ontiAf** W»rti»1 «rftW4iil»we»oaiWI<i»
eyes out befcketh^flteiou^bMhmrekSitiirt fireteinig; nMI
w«iimied oae aide andtheit the othei^iuat aa. you would mtfl
« 0m$t on a apit Mother spent half ine money father eardl
at hi» atraw work (he was a straw chair-maker,) in wYaJufl
to keep us warm ; hut 1 06 Ihiiik a lltfget mess of good Ml
pratert (potatoes,) wotdd have kept us warmer than *|
whisfc^d^."
'■'^t^y^f^B
liscovefing
seeding ttw
formed of
^ will «Dd
a M^indo^
adftiite Hit
Lt in <nie«f
ds fasUflad
jie smohet
ingthfekf
rge stoM
Is
% the co» {
rk Boftlj
tul«;fi
ers'gnMlj
r the laigt
hadoM^vJ
iralittkMJ
iwetof«itaii|
B. "MaWJ
I, we did li
ang; nA^I
tuwouUM^I
father wcdl
,) inwhui^l
I of good Ml
i«r thu tbl
5'/ 2}
mn^
I;
"^
^^■
^fvi.
-^mh ■■
t^
d^
1 ?
/
>&
•wp liro iiiia]
k*** up UutM
l^ou wiil, p
)«» thtft maaj
ud familiea, f
*""*"' to evwy^
I^Bn oohtented
<fc»fii« or aec(
woods.
4 haiiftcIiWenec
|«yof theha
|«ttlcra in the n
[contained but twc
jM^r roads cut
f«o the distant ai
Gently the^fli<
W was veiy gi
••ly come hither
^*>en I heani
«er supply of floi
M small hand-n
r '^'y neoessaiy,
* J^'P eipreaaJQg
"«>y account in
Pjlfonthaitaial
J^ particular
^ "are confinee
'»''wthBunae
'^- ;^y»udi
. XiKiawr-^iVfi-
•^m
V'XMf .
■^
b«n contented to i»i. Jt®"* «>ey came hitfc*,T
J"*" ' lietid of .^ i"^ "'*»» of. •
'.■?!!
' 'I
-;^i
^-,!iS4«.«i.-ii™
^1^-
.-*%-
?!•*••.*»»'
• b
! 'i
H-
tWT^^^
9d
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
%SS^r-
the towns, and who had little or no meann to support
them during the lirst twelve monftis, till they cdtld
take a crop off the land, you WiW hear many sad tab
of distress." , .^ i„ vu »
, Writers on emigration do not take the troub^ of
«jarching out these things, nor does tt answer.tiwr
parpose to state disagtwablefatts FewhaverniUef.
Svely on the « Busl,." traveltere genera^
make a hasty journey through the long settled an^
prosperous portions of the country; they see a tract
of fertile, well-cultivated land, the result of many
•years xrf labour; tJiey see comfortable dwelli^
abounding with all the substantial necessaries of He;
the farmer's wife. makes her own soap, candlw, and
«ugar ; the family are clothed tn cloth of ^ehvwj
s^g, and hose of their own knitUng. Thebw^
tte beer, butter, cheese, meat, poultry, &c. are aH fc
produce of the farm. H« concludes, therefore, Oil
Canada is a land of Canaan, and ^t^^.*.^«* *^^
ting forth these advantages, with the addition of J^
tainhig land for a mere song ; and advises all ^rm\
who i^ld be independent and secure from wantto
^^ifTfo^s ftiat these advSntages are the resahrf
long years of uni«nitting and patient labour; «
the«i things are the croum. not i\xtjinl.fnul^ of ^\
settter's toil; and that during the interval many a^
great privations must be submitted to by almost eveij
(^asa.of emigrants. . ,. J
Many persons, on first coming out, especnaliyj
they go back into any of the unsettled township, ««
dinpiru . .^ by th e anpromising appearance of tW
"'X
II
m
1 lit-
ifi
?^T * '
'if(,jr^:r$^v!f" ' } 's^%^
'j h' '
i
\-. >
•• X
.^
.. "f
about them,
comforts of }
tbeyareunpn
gim way to dc
A iittk refl
I «wy rood of i
of timber that
J«M be groini
|P«), eut into 1
Jweoaiit, and
lieed sown, harv
jcaa be obtaiiM
[lalwur, and, if
^ money; m
If at «d»
ibnraghtthim
> tenn, tht Ittn
>toth«dii
^ oonvqnuii
^■n beforehao
^ have to onooi
I £m a Jaiioiirii
, k ofiaii, I gjj
' w?rk for the i
'themaintenanc
'tlKm suffer mi
pefit of their ia
vid the oeri^
■ aatefy, t|
AendureVj,
'tlo not fear ai
y^;'' J ^^E^^'^ sCfeJ
.V
.*
««nr rood of had mart Uol^^ "^ *-
» b. grow,, auui rta, uTSltr "Tf *^
I*", "ud. if tort Irtw^!^ «™ iKl mud,
KkTOtooMsouiitor '^'* »^ »"w» wbrt
[yk for the fii i^rr^' **"*^ ^ *'•'* o«<
l«wn Buffer mnch ,^^' ""^^ «^n w maav
p "d the oertain^L«!^;. ^ »* "ot for the
toendnm. H if thTa lk r " ' ^^^ ♦i»«y
r *> not feaj aToIdll^S;^' ^ them up.
•««Wwant and pauperism,
. 3
*^l>^-k,p ^ *
S^Bi'fl
gKa
•
M^HfW
'■#'a
ffwH IB
■W.^
91
m
^
t
i6t BACKWOODS or C-VMADA.
tbe P««ent evib. must yield to indosiry and pen*.
veranoe; they think .bo for their chiWien; aud the
trials of the pieaent time are loet in pleasing *nti»
pKtkms for the future. ^ j ,»_
Purely," said I, « cows and pigs and pouUi,
might be kept; and you know wh«« there is plenjf
rfmilk, butter, cheese, and eggs, with pork and fowls,
Jersons cannot be my badly off for food^" ^
« Vew true," repBed my ftiend; -but I must teB
you it is easier to talk of th«» things at first than to
keep them, unless on cleai«i or partially cleared farnwi
1^^ are spedring of ^Jint settlement m tte b«k.
woods. Co^^^"«i fowl, must est. and rfyoa
have nothing to giv« them ankse you purchase rt,
had bLr not be troubtod with them, a. the tnM#
is certam and the profit doablfiiL ^ cow, it » ti«,
wiU get her living during the J^-^""?^ I^JT
in tlTbush, but sometim- d»i»Jl n«»^;^yfa
days together, and thiSn you tose the use of her, and
pliW^ time in seeking herjthen in tte
STshe requires some additional food to the 6ro«r«
that she gets during the chopping se«Km. or tente^
one but she dies before n»ri««i •°*"~^-8*°*^]
lose their milk during the «« j;*^'/ ^^
well keptj ii is best to pit with them m the feU «^
buy agSn in the spring, uhless you have plentyrfl
foil and winter by e«*mg the tend* •aoowoi «»" J ' ^
•adbM., which tht^—k m ^---^^y-^^^^^J^ ''il
«iU die in the very hud weather.
flwl fcr them, which is not „«.„ lu
«- ,« c«.pt do »iUK»t ;lfw £^"'= "^
*4 <k« B0» «,«, to do at fii i/r*""'
h- thy « .(mibl. „.„,y^ H; to C^'T
cops aad your neiirhbouni if t». i. ^^"^ ®^"
ST. 4 rf ots,r".^^i ■»>«-««»
«-* JW cunot pigs: erenVm^ ^•*°" "^
be rf .ny «n*. to you. ,„d „ ofuTu*!^ Ju*°
h-tp" to look «««»M Z^^iL"^ *•
«d more 4™ ie(», mZtI!, Sr ^"** '" ""'^
h" oflife. Md by uThJft •*»• "ll the Mcei-
'l«e the wu Md «rfM ndnaJ^JJ^^"
W% i ■ Si I
if fii
KMIvW
pIB^^
if
1
ii
H
imm'''i^
mWKBm,
Wf
H ffp!
■ ">.:.-^ ,^
ii^i&A
C bAi<Ht Mjt ir^t
v'la'jCll'l
■A ' «,»>,'»-». «»'
,;-5*-::-fii^
104 BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
fon««i to to happy fiilfilment of Ws deaires iW
makes the rough patbs tmootb, and ligliten^ the bur.
d«a of present Ola. He kwks round upon a nume.
roua family without thaw anxious fears thatbeseU
fatber in moderate circumstances at home; for hi
knows he does not kaw th^m destitute Of an honest
meant of support.'' . . , * ^ i
'in spite of all Che trials he had encountered, I
found this gentleman was so much attached toa
settler's Ufe. that he declared he would not go hack to
his own country to reside for a peimanenoe on an,
account; nor is be the only one thi^I have heard
express the same opinion; and it likewise seems »
wniUisal one among the tower «J»«/ •°»«™^
IW are encouraged hy the exampte of ^ers whom
tl^/see eiyoying comforts that they corid never lute
obtained liad they Ubowed •'^^ •» »f^ f ^»
andthey wisely reflect they must haw had hardsbpi
Tendie had they remain«l In ttjeir naUve M
(many indeed had bwn driven ont l«y want), withoul
ttia most remote chance of hettwii^themselvjj. or
becoming the possessors of land fi«J from aU if
strictiom! HWhattousare thesuflenngsofone,
two, three, or even four year^ eompa«4 wijh a wy.
)ife of labow and poverty," w-***^ •^^T^^f "^Pn
^ UAourer. who wa. «««nting to u.^ the other ^
wm of th0 haidshipa he had met with m tlis
ooiintry. He said he "knew they were o^ly fori.
short time, and that hy industry he shottW sooorM
over thero." ■ .^i!i.1
I hav» aheady s e en twa nf jhit p oo r ne i gW)PO«i^
im Wit the parish a twelvcmonth,,*6o ; ibey^f]
■ - . ■ , " r'
rx*.
fr
5 ifi^tVr ■^*'"''
■/•
««FlKCTI0.\a.
IM
tMtdh Canada CompanT Iota. .„j
"^; bW ftqr complain that thei, m^Zl'^u*'"'
pii«igf(ihoni€!. and Ianientiii» th.( "™' ™ •'»»J»
with III ciLms- theJL '*'™ S^nenU oomplaint
% bad Wen used to eniov- fZ """"= wmforts
Ud whtiotts they left .v'^: „ ^ '*8"» «» ftiend.
hS-^^ •^^"•^•'tl^ the,
pailwpnMsAon, beimr dull IW^ """nwdthat
U««, and ffiend.. „d co^tf ^ I't"'^'"^
^^•^-ovS-^;:^^
i?
^.'ii.m.iti^^ ?
.k-'A
^<^0frie^mf^f^m'
'(
- 1
/
■■'it
j^ \KCKitOOWi Of CANADA.
rftht !-*•«>•»« ^th8ihwi*J it not*
merely cboppe*. ^Jy^";^. ^ ^be 9eed-wheat m:
L .ad bum the Wto«. •^„fl^ We paid five
tay^lejjari of%e ^«^^ wWchmyUmkud
gaeilB wrth ---- ""vLtii b« aboui €briatBW*
AninI at a Lo||-h
i
A^^,^
-.tW'V
fCOHNBY FROM riTERBOROUOH.
10»
'^■I^HW
WBiB
M
IfflR
iliV
m
^■iBii'^i
i
^■1
||||'f1|:
1
hH:
'^Bi(;/
1
s9H;
Mliil:.
m
Ltrm VII.
]I1^ m. «y leuer with . descri^*^"*
l-j^iL..,- ..^. ^ --vuKwuc oeittis will not wove
IwnwriinnMiiiiBiiUiig to yon; for vnH i -«. T
ItlHti mother^ .wTL - J-T 1- ^ ' **** "^ored
|«||ght dak op to one'. b,«..3 rSJ?S
ent lots are often m. j.-^* "^T""^ "_••
IM
^(^^^W?j"iwle||'*'i'*^ .: "^f -w^^ra^^*^
BACKWOODS 0» CANADA.
'•f^tf "t^
•_« i!.«i* These blaiM me of m im*
the ooncession-iiiira . "■'=".
«m n flmrer-poets 9f » darit night _^^
1^3 "Twere compelled to take taj ««. th.
L)tion of two or three extensive cteenng..
^^^ibo,^ tt«e miles eto™ Peterho«»«h the »-
winijone the bn«r of a i*eep ridge, tt. b««« i
TuS Zfvery .ppe««.ce of having been fon«,»
^ bed of a lateral bn«ch of the present n-m^\
t.^ some .mdl lake, ^'^J'^,^'}^]
. ZZ channel, and merged in the Ot.»b«^^
On either side of this ridge thereisarteepdnn*
«, the right the Otanabee breaks upon yo^, nnh^
. Zoi greS velocity over ite rocky bed. former"*
ta mSLure resembling th<« of the St. I^J
iU dark, frowning woods of sombre p.n. g.«^
pandenr to the scenery that is very impre^iv^ ft
, Z left lies betow you a sweet secluded deU rf^
^ greens, cedar, hemlock. *d pine enhvened 1, .H
S^ous trees, '"^l' '"? J*" "^ 11 J
track leading to » fine clrared farm, the ^M
.I,:.. . than ue aesia iinitt into so ou^ 1"» « ""
?^«^S^toa ««J <• >» "'"'•«* •» * V^.i
bebg chopped, «> a. to form » "^^^'JJ^^ ^ifa.i
4fc*«; . Kal fhia plan was fouud too troubieMmB . «" • .
^'tirtoun/Krowth of timber .0 cboted the openji^
n^TfrntleuT The lately^urveyed township.. H^
^ on^ to ided l)y blweti Udc«.
iJiA^^W*« tf A^iyuLxi
^i^4tk^ f^^i'
:>f asimieli
&/ over thi
' the riw;
, though it
till the ei.
1^ the nid
16 bottom of
Ben formeHj
snt river, «j
een dhroMj
nabee.
teepdeaoent;]
yovi>
rming-i
It. Laurentti]
pine giwi
pressivf.
1 dell of <
enedbyii
ire is a
the
ons of tlM ^
lot» of 2Wi
jf a wide i
[inicationl
ndto; andintl
theopenii&l^
raships, I '
I
<,?
S^n*
=S=fc
A
«
i r
rx.
..» .*.
,«>'
t
■'4,.ir,:;^^,
'ter**!']^
OLBN MORIISON. ,„
fcotof thehilTI^i. ^ •'**^ that li«i at the
Kwcol the hiD, nrhlch you descend saddenlr cfa*» k!
wli« U«y meet thi^ ^jj,^ ^ ^, ^^
, I called this p«M5^5^*|u„ !31li ,, '
j««»™t owned the ipofc -""wwe
l.^^ ""T* ""l"' "tow on •uxmt rf A..'
liMlira. of th« wid, which i» b-M«r.» ^
"laawWlhirZ-L-fi T^ "•»• not a
?t%i
1
^ «• way inds dTtti^ iKiiS-«J -Zj^
■u^
I
,„ BACKWOODS or CANADA.
^0. «he tapptog «f tl» red-he"*^ «.d Pn ""»*
during oar long day', joume, m •»« «^ ^^ y
' In IhMe TOf* toBtadM one wooM n»turell> be M
. . ^. the ab«oce of man would 1»«
dtowrf N«toea*\M tat the contrary «einslol.
^ "^ jS^ ^M »in«l. a« more .1«»
Umom. *J™^rj™ai»ninthel»u8h. U«i>
dant in the ckaied *«"«*» ^"""1^, ^ 4,
indortry-ippliea their want. -^V^'
Mddnit a scanty mWetenoe in the fcrert.
w„l««. hear.. la^on^ lynM. »« ^"^^^^J
the country ittelt, aa V^' „ the vm> U
fonn .he tree, of -7 "^r."^ Z M>
Hid mighty river, of Canada eicew. ^
•^^l^lTtof pictoe«f»'«»'3' '" "",
*^^ Jmrth of timber alonehaa any pieM
«ni» young g"™r 3e« I except the heinl
;^r^ exhemeiy light ^
t^ «*»hi«g tint of g-cen. Even
%*
'vben
r '
\'#-
TRAVILLINO IN THE WOODS.
J» itripped theforest it is still beautifid and verdant
The young beeches too are prettv en«..^h T.
i« our parks and woodbnds at home ^^^^P^u^
Tfcereinno i^pearance of venerabfe antiquitvin the
Cundian woods. There »i» «« ""qaiiymthe
oJu. Omt miZbe ai^th?«o^- "T"' 'P'^"'^
*. ^" ^ **"*** *"« patnaroha of the fores*
*^!^(brm«y„il«, Hm pine. S »
™* b-W than U» «^ t«.^ «^^ ~
■oted, «. a^ «oeiw Oe <fal| „d nnbmlan, Z> S
'"■"l '"«»!' top.! this it fa tto ttT™^ •
Z\J^^ ««» more liable u, inwanl de^
MpA ., I had «en and l»arf of a,lS.to^ „'
»w»d» in Canada. T n. ■•..< ____ j """km o.
e«i«.i»«ju?^, "•' prepared fcr «uch a
' •« we trawUed aloiw thig daT: ind>«) » iTj.
«™<1 the name of a^ hSl CJT ^^'
"«. pu«a .ide b, rd^^TrrnCaiS
jliSsfiSSoiil'A' lio'..^' ' J.J- ^ .^-aiaf -.>.' »^. wf-aiS'*' ..'*■!.
114
BACKWOODS OP CANADA.
hi
Striped appearaooe of these bridges they are apt^
enough termed oordmoy.
Oter these aboiiundi>Ie owdnroys the vehicle jolti,
juminng from log to log, mth a shock that must be
enduied with as good a gnue as possij^te. Ifjfon
^^Rild bear these knocks, and pitifess i)^||^ngs and
bompiBgs, wiihool wry facta, yoor |a^»^ and pbi-
kMophy would far exceed mine ;-~8C«lml)pte I ha^
beoaose I would not cry.
Imagine yoa4Me me perched up onnseat compoaj
of carpet-bags, trunks, and sundry packages, in i
vehkle little better than a gn^ rough deal box Mt
on wheels, the sides bang merely pegged in sottalj
more than onoe' I found mysdf in ralher an awkvnri
predicament, owing to Che said aides jumping out
IittibieVery midst of a deep mud-hole out wenttk
front board, and with the shock went the teamsle
(driver), who kioked rather confounded at finding
himself kidged just in the middfe of a slough asU
as th^ **Skingh of Despond.*" For my part, m iJ
oaald\do«no good, I kept my seat, and patientlij
awaited the restoration to order. This was m\
efiectod, and all went on well again till a jolt
a hng^ pine-tree gave sodi a jar to the ill-set
thai one of the boards danced out thai oompoaedl
bottom, moA » sack of flour and bag of salted]
whkhvTasV its way to a settWs, whose clearingi
had to pMB/ in the way, were ejected. A good ten
ster is ^eld^m taken aback by such trifles as thne.
He ii,.|br abould be, provided with an axe.
ntm ««■■ I* Allies I— fcsmllinfflr ftmiin^tffC fit
be tt^uirol^ided with an instrument of this kind;
>iik^M&.
-tt»iiii8tt>
i-t
'~W
?■«»'-.
S*OAOITT OF CAMADUK B0»9B».
w OM am anmr fbr the ibetedes that mav im-
Hit form lb. bottom betog qiUckl, repl«ri.'^
^goy-n over ^ ^^ „j LTW-^
-d^Mdmoy i now ag.i„, Oie trunk of «mr.Zd
"r •«, now mountinj- o«r »m. Men o^ JSZ
th bok. uid .tones, and to n^a^ZT^
U»«« round anddippa, ti^tttt^SI^
I track, Ukh^ |^^ ^^ ^j^^^^y ^^^ ^^^^ ^^
:%ftS^-,:w^
ii I J
lie " BACKWOODS OF CANAPA.
ing there was but one road. We were nearly two
miles from the last settlement, and he said we oagbi
ta he within sight of the lake if we were on the right
road. The only plan, we agreed, was for him to go
forward and leave the team, and endeavour to a9ce^
tain if he were near the water, and if otherwise, to
^return to the house we had passed and inquire tk
'"way
* After running fuU half a mile ahead be returned
wUhadejected countenance, saying we must be wrong,
for he saw no appearance of water, and the roadw
were on appeared to end in a cedar swamp, as tbe
further he went the thicker the hemlocks and cedan
became ; so, as we had no desire to commence onr
settlement by a night's lodging in a swamp— wbet^
to use the expression of our driver, the cedars grew
as thick as liairs on a cat's back,— we agreed to retrace
our steps.
After some difficulty the lumbering machine wi
turned, and slowly we began our backward marAi
We had not gone more than a mile .when a boy came i
along, who told us we might just go back again,« j
there was no other road to the lake ; and added, wiA
a knowing nod of his head, "Master, I guess if JMJ
had known the bush as well as I, you would nod
have been fule enough to turn when you were goiid
just right. Why, Any body knows that them cedaal
and himlocks grow thickest near the water; 90j«j
may just go back for yoijr pains." J
It was dark, save thl^t the stars^came forth willj
more t^n usuaTbrilliahc^ when we toddeSTy efissp"
from the depth of the cioomv forest to the showi
OVERTAKEN sr KlOfiT. ^^
tbeaotiful little lake, that gleamed the more brightly
h^-r .t, and th. towering pi„e-woodsZ ^^
^*^^'*^r * ^"«* ^^'^ *^ ^^"^•tone. which
uon^ which the drijer had hasUly thrown CX
waggon, sat your ch|ld. in anxious , expectation ^
|«^.s^ ^ce to my ^^^^^
But when the echo of his voice had died away we
leanl only the gmgUng of the waters at the hei of
. 7!^ '"t ^ ^"' "»^ »»*^ °»'^ur of a
wterfaU some half mile below them
f !ir!^ "^r T ^^^ *"y h*bitotion, no gleam
»f l#t from the rfiore to cheer us. In vain we
K *i*,**Tf ^^'^ orbaryf some house-
hold dog, that might assure us we were not doomed
pass the night in the lone wood.
We began now to apprehend we had i«aUyloBt the
ly. To attempt returning through the deepening
« of the forest in search of any one to guide
« quite out of the question, the load beiii^«o
•fined that we should soon have been lost i7 the
-ofttiewoods. The last sound of tl« waggon- .
had died away in the distance; to have over-* -
'^^y^J^ve been impossible. Bidding me '
t^mctliLirfmr^i --my hnsbaad forced SIP"^
I ,. ^~^-' * "««»» •"/ uusoana forced his
►j through tbe tangled underwood along the bank, '"
\ti^ \
118
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
in hope of disoovieriiig some sign of the hoube m
■ongfat, whiA we had every teason to suppose most
be near, though prpbab% hiddctp by thejdense mp
of trees front our sight.
As I sat in the wood in mlence and in darlcncH,
my thoughts gradilaUy wandered back across tiv
Atlantic to my dear mother and to my old home ; and
I thought vrhat would have been your feelings could
you at that moment have beheld me as I sat on the
cold mossy stone in the profound stiUliess of that rat
leafy wiWemessi thousands of mfles from all th«|
holy ties of kindred and eaily associations that nub
home^n all countries a haDoWed spot It was a ir»
ment to pra» upon my mind the importance of tin
step I had taken, in vohmtaiily sharing the lot of th
emigrant — ^in leaving the land of my birth, to wbidi,
in all probability, I might never again return. Grnt
as was the sacrifice, even at that.moment, strange si
was my situation, I felt no painful regret or feirttj
misgiving depress my mind. A holy and tranqdj
peace came down upon me; soothing and softenii||
my spirits into a calmness that seem&i as unmiw
as was the bosom of the water that lay stretched M
before my feet.
My^verie vras broken by the Bght plash of aj
die, and a bright line of li^t showed a canoe d
ing over the lake: in a few minutes a well-ki
and friendly voice greeted me as the little haAi
moored among the cedars at my feet My huilr
having gained a projecting angle of the shore,
Iscevered the wdcome blaze of the wood fi re inj
log-house, and, after some difficulty, had succeeded!
ili8..4^s^l^s*^ik .ijj! ,. , insiyK^iiuiiSK;'
*itJ*w«™oSap!ii^^wTO»^
■ n\
tA
^ ->,-.
* t
^OOHl KiClpf ION.
•JJ*^tad «»rt ft. dd., •!». tad.„ ^ '
li|(«fce that Maud on the luvtli of the kut-hoi^L
J hi. wife. Tft? !rTT^,"*»*««^ «l<»nicae«
i 3r«wl^ ^' * •***' fatwdueed,
bj^epondMiddeiyrtedfirther. "»«"»«
«»» » «o gntefid to the heM: ««, ..
rZv^ ~~«om«l to Ei^tod. w»™ ,«*^
Irfrftc cooilbrt: •« eO erait. they vnm .^^
lawpo weu lof^^ as we now are.
. maytadeed oomktar oonelvee fcrtuote in not
^Wged to go t once toto the mde Ami, Z.
"M to ,ou „ the only heWtation on ou, lanS
^ rf .or fortitude waa ldndly>a«d » ^
^ «Ao laaisted on our remaining beneath hte
.M. reof till such tune aa we dJ5 t,;^ ™
h^ZT'T^ H«» Uien we are for tli
■\
Wof the nttle comfortg and luxuries of life, I eigoy
i-
pi
i
* 1
T,
S*i.| 1
^'S t T, - 1 . ,•• 1
H
i
mH
1 '
(SbB
1 !■
Ih
1^
ISO BACKWOODS OF OAIWPA,
Mceltent health and apifita, and am very hajipy iii th^
sodeiy of thoae aroaitd me. ,
'Jlie children are akeady very fond of me. T^ij
haw discovered my paiasion for flowers, which ^ey
diligenUy search for among the stumps and along the
lake sh«5re. I have begun collecting, and though the
season is far advanced, my hortus siccus bo^ts oT
several elegant specimens of fern ; th« yellow Cant-
^dian violet, which blooms twice in the year, in the
spring and fsjl, as the autumnal season is ex|;ires8iwly
termed; two sorts of Michaelmas daisies, ftsweciD
the shrubby asters, of which the varieties heye aretnly
elegant; and a wreath of the festoon pifle, aptettj
evergreen -wiih creeping stalks, that run along the
ground three or four yards in length, seeding up, at
the distance of five or six inches, erect, stiff, greea
stems, resembUng some of our heaths in the dark,
* shining, green, chaffy leaves. ITie Americans on*
ment their chimney-glasses with gariands of tUi
plant, mixed vntti the dried blossoms 6f the life-eveh
lasting (the pretty white and yellow flowers we cal
fc)vc-everlas6ng): this plant is alsa caUed festooir
pine. In my rambtes in the wood <»ear the house I
have discovered a traiUng plant bearing a nearresem. :
blanoe to the cedar, whkh I consider has, wiih eqal
propriety, a didm to the name of jproond or creepai
oedar. ' / j
As much of the botany of thesfe unsettled poiJ«^
of the country are unknown to the naturalist, afi
the plants are quite nameless, 4 take the liberty <
i -ij-r^jMina- nnmaa unon them ac<^"^'ng to incliM**
tr feucy. But while 1 am wriUng about fliwen™ ,^^ ^^^^^
A »• BKi.-
ISl
m
m facetting Uiat yoa wifl be more interested in
hunng what steps we are taking on our land
My husband has hired people to log up (that is, to
draw the chopped timbers into heaps for burninir)
•ad dear a space for building our house upon. lie
ha abo entered into an agreement with a youmr
«tUer in our vidnity to complete it for a certain sum
wUimandwithout,aQcordingtoagivenplan. %eare
however, to caO the "bee," and provide ev^ thing*
necessary for the entertainment of our worthy hive
Now you know that a "bee." in American language*
or rather phraseology, aignifies those ftiendlymwtiL
rf ne^hbours who assembte at your summonstoraL
ftejalb of your house, shanty, bam. or any other
baiWiiig: this is termed a "raising bee." TTien
there are Ipgging-bees, husking-bees, chopping-bees.
and quUting-bees. The nature of the work to be
done gives the name to the See. In the more popu-
bos and long^Kttkd districts this practice is mudi-
dacontmued, but it is highly useful, and afanoet indis-
pensable to new settlers in the remote townships.
wh«« the price of bbour is proportionably high, and
workmen difficult to be procured.
Imagine the situation of an emigrant with a wife
Md young family, the latter possibly too young and
helpfees to render him the kast assistance in^ i^
poitent business of chopping, k)gging, and building.
on their first coming out to take possession of a k)tlf
wd land; how deplorable wouM their situation be.
I^J^^^"!^ '^"" ^'^ "^ it^dy helpfa^
-<wparound"ffi«ii. '^-'-'^- *^
This laudabte practice has grown out of necessity,
%vriii wli Atf*f »-s"^'5vb'<4iAL.jL'4*i\AiftJ^^*ii'sSftr*
tm^sfitiiiiifliiaifirj^isWii
'^ >
IM ^ BACEW00D8, Of CANADA.
and if it has ito diaadvantageB, wch ^ instance ai
beinff called upon at on inoonwwnt aeason for a
retuni of help.' by thoi* who 'baife form^y assisted
y^ yetiti.~indj^»«b^^
«rtitodeoughitobedieerft%^pMd. It«mnta«t,
LnHed in the light of a deW^ honour; you cm-
iSheforoedioftttendabee i&. return, but no one
that can does iefw»,ttnlea8ftomurgentreaaon8; and
If wtt do not ftnd it powibte to atticnd in person you
oiar Mo^ * eubrtitiite in a 8Bnrant or in cattle, if you
hatea-yoke. 'i-''^i^'\' '^' ' ' ■ ^ ' ■ . /
does the eqwOiainfeijatein of America appear to such
adfantagoaainmeetingsofthissort. All disUnctions
4d ranM^ication, and wealth m for the time volun-
tarfly Wdaside. Youwill see theaon of theeducay
-entleman and that of the poor artisan, the officer and
Uie wriwte soldier, the independent settler and (he
labourer who works out for hire, cheerfully uniting m
one common cause. Each individual is actuated by
ttie benevolent desire of afflbrdmg help to the helpless,
and exerting himself to raise a home for the homeless.
At present so smaU a portion of the forest is cleared
on our lot, that I can give you Uttle or no descripOoD
of the spot on which we are located, otherwise than
ihatit borders on a fineexpanse of water, whichforms
one of the Otanabee chain of SmaU Lake. I hope,
however, to give you a more minute description «
gur situation in my next letter.
For the present, then. 1 bid you adieu.
;%^>:i.
:^... . . ■'■'■I -■■■■ ..:^.;'>.v^
IMCoiy«NHNCM or pibst mttlbment.
183
I'^ll.
Lettbr VIII.
Ooa l^hmrt^ is not yet finidied, though tt'is in ,
!^.'L^"^ Wea»8liUinSSedtoL^
hospitabte^^ndiim of S— - and hi. wife fork
home. This heing their fertsettiementon their land
%lmve as yet many difficulties, in common with
dl«««dents in the bockwoods, to putupwith^
ye. IlH^ha^aaneb^ki^ JS:JuSL^
^J^IZZ^ "* ^ P'**^"* privations, to
^18 admiraW, calculated to eflect their conquS^
lVya« now about to remove toalaiger and mo«,
^mjnodiouB house that has been ^ this ii"
hanngustheu^eoftheoldonetiUouroLisready •
We b^n to get reconciled to our Robinson Crusoe
«ort rflife. wd theconsidemtion that thepieaentevilB
« but temponuy, goes a great way towarfs recon-
ding us to them.
Jne of our greatest inconveiiiences arises fbm the
^ of^ roads, and the distance at which we
Z^ IT"^ ^^aiW or ^w« where previsions
•reto be procured.
Till we mmj m own^g r ^H m A f a ttegoqr wr
I «wg8, sheep, and poultry, we i^ust be dependent upon
v:t
Si)*'**" ,/ ,, ,
■l^™^
^..■.<
JM
BACKWOODS or ..CANADA^
K:v,
the stores for food of eyeiy kind. These supplies
ha-ve to be brought u^ at considerable expenHe and
km of time, through our be«uUful bush roads ; which,
to use the vfintds of a poor Irish woman, ** can't be no
wonor." 1*Och, darlinC she said, "but they are
juai bad enough, and can't be no worser. Och, hut
they am't Uke to our iligant roads in Ireland."
You may send down a list of groceries to be for-
warded when a team comes lip, and when we examine
oar stores, behold rice, sugair, currants, pepper,. and-
mustard all jumbled into one mess. What think jou
of a rice-pudding seasoned plentifuUy with pepper,
mustaid, atid, may be, a little rappee or prince's mix-
ture added by way of sauce. I thipk the. recipe
would cut quite a figure in the Coo&'s Oracle or Mn.
Dalgaim's Practkje of Cookery, under the original
title of a ♦* bush pudding." '
And then woe and destnictton to the brittle ware
that may dmnce-to travel through our roads. Lucky,
indeed, ate we if, through the superior carefiilnefls d
th^ person who packs them, B»ore tto one-half hap-
pens to arrive in safety. For such mishaps we haw
no redress. The storekeeper lays the accident upon
the teamster, and the teamster upon the bad rmds,
wondering thathsiumself escapes with whole hooti
after aj^lKy'Srough the bush.
This is now the worst season of the year ;-^>btf, and
just after the breijiking up of the snow. Nothing
liaidly but an oz-cart can travel ak>ng the roads, and
01^ tha^ with difficulty, occupying two days to per-
-form thfl iournc v ft"*^ th eworst of the.nnttteri8, th>t^
there are times when the most necessary articles ft
. JIUB8TITUTI rot TIA. i
provMons arts not to be procured at any price. You
r ^t'li^i'J*"'^^^" ^ ^^ "^^ to hold
hJinaelf pretty independent, not only of the luxuriet
ud delicacies of the table, but not unfiequently eU
of the very necessaries. .
.J-!t*^I!S*!!?-" *° ^ P™*'^' "»<^ time
d>aei. a «^ty of flour, owing, to some accident that
harhappened to the mill, or for the want of proper
"W^/''5«^«» grinding; or perhaps the w^r
•ad bad roads at^ same lime prevent a team com-
ing up, or people fipom going down. Tlien you must
hsw lecourw to a neighbour, if you have the irood
fortune to^ near one. or fare the best you can on
potatoes. .Thepotatoeisindeedagreat blessing here-
newsettlerswould otherwise be oilen greatly distressed!
M the poor man and his family who are wit^
Mwrces, without the potatoe must starve
Once our stock of tea was exhausted, and we were
unabfeto procure more. In this dilemma milk would
^;!!^".*" r***"* substitute, or coflee, if we had
\?^ It; but we had neitSr the one nor^
tSl!^-.L'"^*°*^'^ ^*"'^*« tea~4iemlock
ff ^ K t^ PT^ *° "»y taste, a vile decoc
I^D rUiough I recognized some herb in the tea that
t«.soW .a London at five shillings a pound, which I
fcS^Jrr ""**^ ^' than dried hemlock
|I«W8 reduced to a coarse powder. ^
^ laughed at our wiy faces, declaring the
^«a was excenent . and he set us all an e«Lpte
d nabng sa gy of this truly sylvan W^rneT
SirdoqoeneriaW in gaining. d.i^
^^ f if
ew*'
.'^'' " ^J^-v
■; '
h
IM
BAOK WOODS Ot CANADA.
emild not beliavc it wai only second to young hywn.
To his apsuraace tbat to its other good qualities il
united medicinal irirtues, we rq?lied that, Uke allo(ha
physic it was veiy unpalatiiWc. ^
« After all," said S-tt^ , with ft thoughtful w,
-the bkasings and the evils of this life owe their dwf
effect to the foice of contrast, and arc to he estimated
by that wincey. We should not appreciate (he
comforts we eiyoy half so much did we not occasion
' aUf feel the want of them. How we ahaU vatac the
«onw»nienoesof adeaied farm aftera few years. when
we can realize aU tj|e necessaries and many of jhe
luxuries <^ life*" . ^,. ,.
« And how we ahaU enjoy gwen tea after this odiom
decoction of hemlock," s^ I.
••Very true; and a oomfortahle frame-house, ud
nice gaidsn, and pleasant pastures, after these daik
fonsts. Idir-hoiiMS, and no garden at alL
« AndSieabsenoeof honrid black stumps," rejofaied
I «* Yes, and the absence of horrid stamps. D^
pend upon it, my dear, your Canadian faim will seel
to50aap«fect paradise by the time tt is aU under d. 1
action; and you win took upon H with Uie mos
pIcMwe and pride from the consciousness that rtirs
Srr(hrestwild.wWch.ljfthe^^
andwctt-spplied means, has dianged to frmtfulfieW^
Every fresh comfort you realise around youj«n •«
to your bappineas; every improvement within-A»
or wiihottt wiU raise a sensation of gratitude and*
Hg^^ in your ffliMi. tj which th<^
Bg^ ^ in your mnd. tO wmcn warn: »m>.^
'^Am^ i'«i'.tij«#l '<iSmli^ks^,^i^it!^^^^t^^^
"^
\< '
w
INDIAN 8UIIMBR. ]gy
moDest advantagpes of dvilizatiom must in a gwat
degree be st^ngen. My p&as-woids an. «HoDe
Resolution I and Pereev«rance!'»f
"This." said my husband, ^is tnie philosopliy.
nfend tbe maxun but pracdse it also."
I ^^^""""f much on the Indian summer, of
whidilhadrewi such delightful descriptions, but I
a«tsay,thasfanenfarbelowmyeipecitions. jj
tthe commencement of this month (November) we
eipenenoedthw^ or fwwarm hazydays, thatwoved
JJ^dcje and oppressive. S^ sTltK
.t!S^H^K "*'*^ '^'»<«P»>ere. tinging, flie fantasUc
pate cnmsofl hght, much as I have seen Ihe clouds
Irl ";:f:i^^r. awarm, sdtry spring moSg^
Not a breew ruffled the lilrter., notalSf (^Z
M««» had not entirely ftllen) moved. This perfect
J^aljonofJ.^
«tte of i„nd alid snow tbU came on iritliui any
Fenous warning. I w«i standing neara«ow,of
«f, ooUecting some beautiful crimson licheHs, 8 .
fiHl^ TJ/T ^^^^^^ inth his o«n drawing
l!rr^ Suddenly we l^eaid a distant hollow nZ
pr iwnd tt»t TDomentaril, increased, the air amund
fc^/tSf^^***™- t looked up. and bdield
in* douds. hitherto so motionless, movii^ with amT
■«« wpidity in several different diiectiomi. A dense
'' LT'P^ ^ fcqg^M- S-:!r — > w tw> had^
' "on* «> near, and now caUed to me to use all the
„-:m
^M*u.'<!' ,Ji*il^.^
){e ' BACKWOODS OP CANADA.
™«ld I could to gain the house, or an open part o.
SeHleaHng, distant ftom the pine-trees. Im^tcr
SwT^ld tow«ds the hou>e, while the tt,uud„
n shock of tree, filing in all direcUons at the edj.
Xe forest, the rending of the benches from th
piles I had i«»' V^^' "■* *« ™* °' *' n "*;
JId ««««ng down the lake, made rae senableol.
|The^tt«ed houghs of the pines darkened U,
■ i «, they whirled above n»e ; then came the blmd.^
Lw-storai : but I ooyM behold the progress of lb.
Se The driver of the oxen h«l ttirown km*
rZ M whOe the poor beasts Md down «
be^k £js.%»tly """""S TK^TanlS
L.^ »*«««» S , my husband, and the
with anxiety the wiM havoc of the warrmg rf.^
Not a leaf remained on the trees when the humoK
^^vl^Aeywere bare ».d desolate. ThuseaW
the short rd«n of the Indian summer.
•^llSnk r notion enterUined by »me tra«*.
tt^ the Indku. summer is caused by the annual «»
S^on of for.-, by those Indians .nhabmng h
Sored reatomi bcy»»d the larger lakes « ab™i
SrtTinstani what immense i^ of —
m Jb. yesrly con-»n«l to afltel n«|^ the wIkM
""•~"rr ir:?'.ht;rw;»^«reist
i^i^r;"i^rLhun;^^
SXte the peculiar warmth ami hazy appcaranced
',-^S^'
jen part tH
In8tin^
le thunder
it the edge
es from the
* the whiri-
sensible of
ned.
irkencd the
the blinding
rress of the
shold of oar
own hinndf
i down thdr
ilting of the
id, and the
lup, watdied
ng element!,
the hurricaM
Jhus ended
me travelkrB,
t annual con-
nhabiting the
kes is absurd
racts of woods
y the whole ol
rides, it take*
lie fire is leas! |
imidity of '
should rati
appearance d
I ■mniflii^
sil
mi \i
hi
a
if -^
itr, I
I
If
Vi'
'5 i*
\m
1 I :
i s
•i I n.
1 1
'<•
i«is
'*>
cw
"11^
-.<
tin iir thai i
Mjbg on of I
if ODtegbing
Utorpsrt of
fokM been i
dtontionwiD
piof dearii
qn^tHyofde
Jk diflbrepoe
•qnintedwU
Hitherto nn]
Thfrantnmnl
ftiteariyintli
of a morniiig
Stia, thoi^ \
uddleofitlf
W« dreadjr
enmiKiiMd w
WM mwith I
mm, thelatl
f^Mmft damp
Hoifver, it 14
dbate thai i
mdgment of it
noeof Hapac
Jvw'nsidMo
f vast noir
Mr land. Hi
S|:f,K'"
ADVANCKS OP WINTER.
131
(In iir UMi nUdrlES this getaon, to the fenneiitatkm
mj/ag (m of 80 g;raat a xanm of vagttable pnattcir that
ji andogbing a state of deoompoatum during the
liltor part of October and beginning of November.
It^ been sqipoeed byscMne persons that a gieat
tikraiion wB be eflfooted in thb season, as the jmo-
(pi of dealing tiie land continues* to decrease the
qoafatity of decaying wgefiti^n. Nay, IhAveheard
1^ difl^pce is already «jbserfaMe by those long
aqninted. with ihe AmMican continent'
Hitlierto my etperienoe of the climate is favonzable.
nifraiitmnn has beieli veryfine, though the frosts a(e
ftHciiiy in the month of September; at first sKgfatly,
of a morning, bat towards October more sereiely.
StiD, though the first port of the day is ooU, the
wddle of it is WHnii and dwerfuL
We alreadyiee the stem advaness ef winter. It
eomnieiieed f«rf decidedly ftom ti^ bnaUng np of
(be fodian snamth Novembor is not at all Kite the
«iiw month dt home. IRie eaily paM wipi soft and
mno, the latter eoU* with lne» finsts and eocasjonal
fUbof snow; biiiitdoeeiw»tseemtopoaMss the dark,
gioamy, damp dianoCer of our Britkh Novembera.
fioNwer, it ii not one season^ aeqoaintanos with the
imate that enables a person to fioimi any comet
•udpnent of its general character, )|ii« olose obser?-
noeof its psadtarities and vidssitudes during many
)«»' residence in the country. .
I most now teH yon what my hndiaiid is doing ou
ev luuL H« has let out ten aona to some Irish
ikntf for the iHnter. They are to raceive fiMvteen
ik'M foil &Jh?>UUr#».a'aB'iJfjlfti>.'«i/ tk-it! *». Mi*..uttiW.
Hi
BACKWOODS «Oir^OANADA»
^...
.?■
iotlan per acre for chop|Miig, bornlngi and kndtg ji
Ihat quantity. The ground is to be periectly cietnj
of every thing but tlie stumps: dieae wiU teJce hn
' seven to nine- or ten ^^ean to decay; Uie pitie, btio>
Iqck, and fir rrafiaio mopU longer. The proocH i
• dearkig away the stumps is too expensive %p m
beginners to venture upon, labour bdng° so higk
thai it cannot be approprie^ to any but indispeih
sable work. The woridn'g season is very short oi
aoootttat of the length of time the frost remains oi
Uie gromfd. With the exo^^tkm of chop^Hng tms,
very fittle oan be done. Thoae that understand the
poper ilianagement of uncleared land, usually und»
bniab (that is^^ oit down all the smaD timbersaDd
bmsbWood), while the la^f is yet on t)iem; tbisii
pilled in heaps, and the wiptd&UeiLiifiBS are chdppd
fhroiagh in lengths, to be logged up in the spring
with tht winter's diopping. The latter end of thi
fumnijeritQd. the autumn. are the betft seasons fo
this viorlE. The leaves then become quite diy and
tear, and l^reatly assist in the iniporCant bujunea of
bnming off the heavy timbers. . Another reason ii^
IkU wfaea. the snow has fUlen to smne depth, tb
light timbers cannot be cut dose itt the ground, a
Ibe dead branches and other inounbranoes oollectd
and thrown in heaps.
We shall have i^Mmt three aerea ready for tprii|'
crops, provided we get a good burning of that which
id afavady Choppid near the site, of the house,— thi
will be Bbwn wMi oats, pumpkins, Indian own, and
•pqtotoes: tt^^ ottier ten aiat;s will^be ready for
putting in a crop of wheat. So you see it will bei
>>. • ,-
PltBPAI|ATI0N8 yOR SPRING.
133
lldaf tiiAe. before we reap a harvest. We could not
Lq, get in spring^ivfaeat ea^ly enough to come to
Ipsftctkm this year.
[ iffe riialf try to get two cows in the spring, as they
Le BtUe expense diiring the spring, summer, and
Lgtmnn ; and by the winter we shall have puaipkiiifl
'**■■ 4^
y.
\S4
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
/
Lkttke IX.
■ * «
LoMof ayokaofOwii.— ConttraDtionor aLog-hooM— GIusien'auKv
peoten'work.— Deteriptionornew Log-liouM.— WildFiuiUoftlwCM*
try.— Wallu ou th« las.— Sitaatioa of Ibe Houm.— LiJi«i vaul »vttaimkt j
floenery.
) House,
April 18,18J3.
But it is time tha^ I should {^ve you some accooni
of our log^houae, into which we moved a few daji
before Christmas. Many unlooked-for delays having
hindered its completion before that time, I began to
think it would never be habitable.
. The fint i^isfpMune that happened wa#ihe loss of
a fine yoke of oxen that were purchased to draw ia
the house^logs, that is, the logs for raising tlfl> waib
of the house. Not regarding the bush as pleasant a
their finrmer master's cleared pastures, or perha^foR'
seeing some hard wwk to come, early one morniog
they took intotiinar heads to ford the lake at the head
of the rapids, and march off, leaving no trace of their
route excepting- their footing at the water's edge.
After many days spent in vain search for them, tlie
work was at a stand, and for one month they wen
gone, and we began to ,give up all expectation oi
hearing any news of them. At last yn learned tbej
W«^ some twenty miles off, in .a distant towns^
having made their way through bush an d swam^
creek andlake, bacllo their foraier owner, withii
V ■■
PICNIC IN TB«, BACKWOODS.
13a
iirtiiicl that supplied to them the want of roads and
conpass.
Own have been known to traverse a tract of wild
comtoy to a dwtance of thirty or forty miles goinir in
s&ect hne for their former haunts by Sro
j ^ when, memory could not avaU them. In the
I ''"Sje «>n«»»der it is scent as well as memoiy that
gmdeshim to hip f«r^ home ;-^bui bow ta Z
^d«^ of the oxen to be^;«»ounted «„? They
ratamed home through tfis ma«» of int«min.bta
tSlI^K "*"L'^u •" »»^ -^-o- t"! know.
lii«g«, would have been be|nldefed and lost
\l7J!t ^*^' ""** ^ ^^**** before even the
«?i«^^r>"**- '^«»««^«>i- we called
ILS'^* "^ °" neigfeboms cheerfoUy
hM <ntf rammons; and though the day was f„
HL^ ^ »«bt the outer walls weitTraised.
TbewoHc went merrily on with the help of ^
kp«k of potatoes, with a rice-podding, and a iJaf ^
^^wT "iH"^ Che-^eheese. f^ed thefa:^
* w« to Rgale them during the raisini. Sta
». aad rwte as was the^ I can ««.«.
«a»ong^thos€ mat assi^ a| the beJ^T
e-TT^^Bihfe T^,„y -^^^^ j;^
•^ICd. 1 . i^U
I'jffujj^ j; •'•***;f/
Wf/* '
136
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
separated well pleased wiUi the day's work and enter.
tainment.
The following day I went to survey the newly-
raised edifice, but was sorely puzzled, as it presented
very Uttle appearance of a house. It was merely an
oblong square of logs raised one above the other,
with open spaces between every row of logs. Tlje
spaces for the doors and windows were not then
chopped out, and the rafters were not up. In short,
it looked a very queer sort of a place, and I returned
home a tittle disappointed, and wondering that my
husband should be so weU pleased with the prpgrea
that had been made.- A day or two afterthkl
again visited it. The tleeitTs were laid to support
the floors, and the places for the doors and window
cut out of the soUd timbers, so that it had not quite
so much the look of a bird-cage as before.
After the roof tfras shingled, we were again at i^
stand, as no boards could be procured nearer tk/
Peterborough, a tong day's journey through honiWe
roads. At that time no saw-mill vras in prqgiW;
now there is a fine one building wUhin a little
dUtance of us. OuHflooring-boards were all to be
sawn by hand, and it waa some time before any one
could be found to perform this necessary work, aoil
that at high waget*— «ix-ahd-sixpcncc per day. VIM
the boards were at length down, but of counerf
unseasoned timber : this was unavoidable ; so as ajl
could not be planed we were obtigcd to put up wftj
^ their rough unsightiy appearance, for no betteniwl
tobehad. I began to recaU to mindtheob8enBti(S|
""of tETordgehUcmaa with whom^nre travelled f«r
.sAm
i%
197
/ANNOriirG CIRCUMSTANCES.
Coboonr ^ Rice Lake. We ooniwie ourselve. JJi'
the pnMp^ that by n^t m.n.^^Z T**/** ^'^
). Jimr J .J ""V*«nnw5r the boaids will all
bM^ «.d then the house is to beturnedZs^
2^ having the floo» .U r.1^ jdnKd
/™^«»"fcrtiiiie that happened. WM. #1..* *u
Nfcg 1^ PU . Slop to oar pnKWjding fOT «,!!^^
•to bourn jinlu jMdiiMiA-Z «_ "* '""^
lite Uteod » i„ u» fclfltaent rf^^'T"'"
coming to Out cmalxr,-.Jr^^ "* **-
L^'? roan in this r».int,y jq u:.. ,, -. .__, __
r ^ ""Sn at,, but If he does not wish to
'i
'1
ij„;M|
m
m
'ISh
^•,i^toA(i:SS'
>•■■■
. v^*'.
(38
HA^UKWUUDS 0¥ OAMAUA.
h'
f I
■m-
see and feel th*! diioomfort of broken panes, he muK
l«arn to put them in his windows with his own
hands. Workmen are not easUy to be had in the
backwoodi when you want them, and it wouW be
prepoeterous to hire a man at high wages to make
two days' journey to and firom the nearest town to
mend }pir windows. Boies of glass of several #
tereut sizes are to be bought at a very cheap rate ii
the stores. My husband amused himself by glaxing
the windows of the house preparatory to their being
filed in. , t
To understand the use of carpenter's toQls, I assun
you, is no despicable or useless kind of knowledge
here. 1 would strongly recommend all young men
coming to Canada to acqijire a Utfle acquaintance
with this valuable a^^ as they wiU often be put to
irreatintonveniwicefbrthewantofit ^
I was once much amu?ed with hearing the remarks
made by a wry fine lady, Ihf Reluctant sharer of h«
husband's emigration, on seeing the son of a mi
officer of some rank in the service busily employed » .
making an axe-handle out of a piece of rock-elm.^
'^ I wonder that you aUow George to degrade
himself so," she said, addressing his father.
The captain kwked up with surprise. "Degn*
himself! In vrhat manner, madam ? Myboynaths
•wears, drinks whiskey, steals, tior tells Ues."
«But you aUow hin^to perform tasks of theiMjJ
J menial kind. What is he now better than a Iwlgij
* carpenter; and I sup^ you altow him to
mjM, \ ■ ■ ■ | -' , ' . ; ■■■— ,, - , , ^ , I . .. . I ' " ~ •' _ . I • ' ■■■ - ■■■ I m
^Mbst assurctPy t-^. That pile of logs mwj
r^
,,JS?.:, -
.■**.; .
L(/0UE.
CHAKAUTKRISTIC DIA
-I would see myboydead before they should
un an axe hke common labourers"
« Idfene« is the root of all evil> said the captain.
r^T^.T'^^^^^ '"y ^" ^ employedif he
You win allow this is not a country for gentlemen
or Mies (o live in," said the lady. ■
"It is the country for gentlemen that will not
work and cannot live without, to starve in," implied
the captain bluntly; "an^ for that reason i make
»0r boys ear y «%itom themselves to be usefully and
a»«ely emi^yed." ^
.^\^?!f^^ ^'^^ "^^^ like common me-
chamcs," said Ae lady, indignanUy.
«Then, madam, th<?y will be good for nothing as
I "^*J'«"'^*>««dfo«)me. Wecould not Uveas
Ne had been used to do at home, or I never would
laaw come to this hprrid country."
"Having come hither you would be wise to conform
^ arcumstances. Canada is nbt the place for idle
Ifoto to retrench a lost fortune in. In sone parts of
m ccmnlry you wiU find most articles of provSor as
lH'^"l ^"*»°» f^iOdng much dearer, and not so
Kood, and a bad market to choose in."
Ifor?-' "^^t "''*' "^^^ **»*"' "^^^ Canada is good
pr?' said she, angrity. *
jLll^a good wuutry ibiu tbfr^wnetrt, ihdusti
■ - y
«}*
140 ' BACKWOODS OF CANADA. , -
urtisan. It is a fine country /or the poor labourer,
who, after a few years of hard toil, can sit dpwn in
his own lo^house, and look abroad on his own land,
and see his children well settled in life as independent
freeholders. It is a grand country for the rich specu-
lator, who can afford 4o lay out a large sum in
purchasing land in eligiWe situations; for if he have
any judgment, he Jwill make a hundred per cent, as
interest for his money after waiting a^^few years.
But it is a hard country for the poor gentleman,
whose habits have rendered him unfit for minual
labour. He brings with him a mind unfitted U) his
Bituation; and eren if necessity compels him to ex-
ertion, his labour is of little value. He has a hard
struggle to Uvc. The certain expenses of wages and
living are great, and he is obliged to endure many
privations if he would keep within compass, and be
free of debt. If he have a large family, and brings
them up wisely, so as to adi^pt themselves eariyto
a settler's life, why he does weU for them, and soon
feeb the benefit on his own land; W if he is idle
himself, his wife extravagant and discontented, and
the diildren Uught to despise labour, why, mailam,
they wiU soon ba brought down to ruin. In short,
the country is a good country for those to whom His
adapted; but if people wiU not conform to the do^
nine of necessity and expediency, they have no buanesi
In it It is plain Canadais not adapted to every daa
« It was never adapted for me or my feuiily," said
t he lad y , d i sd >ii tfu Uy* , —
I SI A.
■-;;T->' '~^'iifiy«!S"'''5v^), • '/ ' ■-'.iS*!"'-7S^*r!?'. 'y^H
REMOVAL TO LOG-HOUSE. 14|
•^Very tfue," was the laconic reply ; and so. ended
I the dialogue.
But while I have been recounting these remarks,
1^1 have wandered far from my original subject, and
^ft my poor log-house quite in an unfinished state.
I At last I was told it was in a habitable condition,
liuid I was soon engaged in all the bustle and fatigue
lattendant on removing our household goods. We
I received all the assistance we required from - ,
Iwho is ever ready and willing to help us. He
I laughed, and called it a "rnown^ bee ;" I said it was
jg "fixing bee;" and my husband said it w^ a
"setfling bee;" I know we were unsettled enough *
till it was over. What a din of desolation is a small
Ihouse, or any house under sudi circumstances. The
Jidea of chaos must have been taken from a rei^ovitl
jor a setting to rights, fot 1 suppose the ancients
■ their j^«in^, as the Scotch call it, as well as
modems.
Various were the valuable articles of crockery-ware
\ perished in their short but W>ugh journey through
he woods. Peace to their maiies. I had a good
elper in my Irish maid, who sooti roused up famous
» and set the house in order.
We have now got quite comfortably settled, and I
llgive you a description ofour little dwelling. What
finished is only a part of the original plan ; the
' must be added next spring, or fall, as draun-
es may^suit.
A nice small sitting-room with a store closet, «
=4100- bMH3^mber fonir the ground^
■^Ifi
^.jTvv ,^•;> •' '
/
i^'^T^''^'^^ *"' H-s" + 'Y''5**'~
I
^ iJ-:
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
flow ; there is a good upper floor that will make
three sleeping- roomH.
** What a nut^shell !" I think I hear you exdaim,
Bo it is at present ; but we purpose adding a hand-
some frame front as soon as we can get boards ihigi
the mill, which will give. us another pagrlour, long
hall, and good spare bed-room. The windows «od
glass door of our presisnt sitting-room command plea-
sant lake-views to the west and south. When the
house is completed, we shallhavc a verandah in front; |
and at the south side, wbidi forms au agreeable addi-
tion in the summer, being used as a sort of outet I
room, in which we can dine, and have the advantage
of cool air, {nrotected from the glare of the sun-
beams. The Canadbns call these vorandahs '* stoupi.'
Few houses, either kig cf firam*, are vnthout then.
'^rhe (HlUufg look extremely pretty, wreathed withthi
luxuriant hop*vine, mixed with the scarlet creeper vA
** morning glory," the American name for tlw mot
qdendid of mi^or convolvuluses. These stoups is
really a considerable ornament, as they conceal ini
great measure the roug^ lqg>» uid Inreak the btn-j
like form of the building.
Our parlour is warmed by a handsome FnnfcfitI
stove with brass gallery, and fender. Our furnitare
consists of a brass-railed sofa, whk^ serves upM
occasion for a bed, Canadian painted chairs, a staid
pine table, gpreen and wlute curtains, andabandfioiiie|
Indian mat that covers the floor. Onc.side oftbtl
loom is filled up witii our books. Sodie large nufi
»iid m. few ggndjgnn tojniearlx^j^^
^U 1 I
• ■(S>u""f»<'~S
'C^i^r -i^s ■>i^^m>;ft?',t«-<-a
WILD 8TBAWBBBRIES. 14J
and form the decoration of our little dwelling. Out
bed-duunber is furnished with equal simplicity. We
i» not, however, lack comfort in our humble home ;
I and though it is not exactly such as we could wish, it
is 88 good as, under existing circamstanoes, we could
Ibve.
I am inxiously looking forward to the spring, that
Imq fgti a garden laid out in front of the house ; as
^ttsa^^: to cultivate some of the native fruits and
which, I am sure, wiU imiwove greatly by
k^re. The strawberries that grow wild in Our pas>
[tarei, woods, and cleuings, are several varieties, and
I Iwr abundantly. They make excellent preserves, and
I mean to introduce beds of them into my garden.
I There is a pretty little wooded islet on our lake, thai
lit called Strawberry island, another lUspberry island ;
lihey abound in a variety of fhiits— wild grapes,
Inspberries, strawberries, black and red ciurants, a
IwOd gooseberry, and a beautiful litt^^traiMng plant
jihftt bears white flowers like the mspbbny, and a
IdarkiBh purple fruit consisting of a few grains of a
Ipbsaot brisk acid, somewhat Uke in flavour to our
jdCTrberry, only not quite so sweet. The leaves of
Ms plant are of a bright light green, in shape b'ke the
B^[weny, to which it bears in some respects so great
i nflemblanoe (though it is not shrubby or thorny)
li»t I have called it the *♦ traUing raspberry."
I suppose our scientific botanists in Britain would
■midcr me very impertinent in bestowing names
'^ flo^c" and plants I meet with in these wild
"^: I can only say, I am gjad to discover the
' or even the Indian names if I can, and
fc«S"-
'
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
W^ete ihey fail I cona^er myself free . to becomt
flortl godmother; and give them n^mes of my
T.^ cboosing.
Atoong our wild firnits we have phuns, which, ia
iom^ townships, are very fine and abundant; thoe
makl admirable preserves, especially when bofled is
mapte molasses, as is done by the American hou^
wivei. Wild cherries, also a sort called choke chenies,
(torn their peculiar astrin^lit qualities, high and low-
bush cranberries, blackberries) which are brought by
the Squaws in birch baskets,— aH these are found oi
the pluns'^and beaver meadoWs. ^Thc'km-bush cnui-
herries are brought in great quantities^ by the Indiaoi
to the towns and vUlages. They form a standiiig
preserve on the tea-tables in most of the settkn'
houses; but for richness of flavour, and for beauty
of ippeaiance, I admire the high-bush cranberria;
these are little sought after, on account of the laige
flat seeds, which prevent them from being used aii
jam : the jelly, however, is delightful, both in ookv
and flavour.
. The bush on which this cranberry grows resemWa
the guelder rose. The blossoms are pure white, and
grow in fciose umbels; they are very ornament4
iffa«n in bkxHn, to the woods and swamps, sUitiif
' the lakes. The berries are rather of a long ovd, «<;
of a brilliant scarlet, and when just touched by Ik
frosts are semi-transparent, and look like pen('-^
bunches €^ scarlet grapes.
I was tempted one fine iroety afternOon to Uke
" wdk withmv h usb and on the ' " '
was perfectly safe. I must confess for the fint luiH ^^^
^ALKS ON THE ICB.
14i
Bile 1 felt very timid, especially when the') ice is
■) tnuisparent that you may see every littfe; pebhle
or weed at the bottom of the water. Sometimes
(]m iocT was thick and vrhite, and quite opaque.
As m kept within a little distance of the shore, I w^
linidt bythe appearance of some splendid red berries
4n the leafless bushes that hung over the maigin of
the like, and soon recognised them to be tibe afore-
■idh^-bunAi cranberries. My husband soon stripped
the boc^ of their tempting tevawre, and I, de-
Ijgiited with my prize, hastened home, and boiled
the fruit with some si^rar, Ip eat at tea with our cak6s.
ttmet ate any thing more delicious than thfeyproved/
the more so perhaps (ionjr having been so long with- -
out tasting fruit of any kind, with ttie exception of
imerfes, during our journey, and at'Peterborou|^.
Soon aAer this I made another excuilfion on the ice,
but it was not in quite so sound it state. We never-
thdeas walked on for about three-quarters of a mile.
We were overtaken on fmr return by S ^ with'ia
haadaleigfai wfaidi is a sort of wheelban^w, eaSh lA
portos use, without «des, and instead of a vfheel, is
fiaed on wooden runners, which you can drag over
1^ snow and ice with the greatest ease, if ever so
heavily laden. S insisted that he would draw me .
home over the ice Hke/ a Lapland lady on a dedge. /^
I WIS soon seated in state, and in^another juaiite
felt myself impelled forward with a velocity thiii nearly
took away my breath. 6y this time we reaished the
dMM I was in a gkm frtmi head to foot. v^
Too would br p»eni^f~wilfi Ifie^Kiaflwr^lrar^
The sp</t choeen is the summit of %ftu«
.J*Ti lt» ' A-
<•
-^'t.
*
•9
>
i
f
4''
146
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
8loi»ng bank above the lake, distMit from the wuier'i
edge some hundred or two yards: the lake is not
quite t^ mife from fhore to shore. To the south
again we command W different view, which will be
extremely jHretty When iully opened— (t fine smooth
basin of water, diversified with beautiiiil islands, that
rise like verdant groves from its bosom. Below these
th^re is a ftU of some feet, where the waters of the
lakes,- confined within a narrow channel betweea
beds of limeston^rush along with great impetuoaty,
foaming and dashW op the spray in mimic clouds.
During the summ^rthe waters are much lower,
and we can walk for 8ome~way along the flat shores,
which are cMnposed of difll^nt strata of limestone,
full of fossil remains, evidently of very recent fo^
mation. Those shelb and river-insects that are
scattered loose over the surface of the limestone,
left by the recession cf the waters, are similar to the
shells and insects incrusted id the body of the lime-
stone. I am UM that the bed of one erf* the lakei
above us (I forget which) is of limestone ; that it
abounds in a variety of beautifhl rivershells, iviui
are depoated in vast quantities in the different strata
and also in the bkwks of limestone scattered akxi;
the shores. . These shells are also found in grat
profuaon in the soil of the Beaver meadows.
When I see these things, and hear of them, I
regret I know nothing of geology or conchologyl 11
1 might then be able to 'Account for many drauD*
stances that at present only excite my curiosity.
«TuBt beknr^die walerfaft I was mentioning tliar^
m a lairious natitral arch in the limestone rock, which
J. W-v'«&isAv^^'j^4iJ-!?y'''
Ml, ■**
'^S*''^'-f y v^ ?"/__;^3g««*^%j8»9;?i*^'^'t"r«f^sSi*4'-«.
(AttlihMrlactk* Interior N«riKktiMi«r ihf Dhlrkte of N«»tt«U«
ud Ui^n Oaaada.
V !il
k8
jUj^'a !i.iSA.©A6.**''*i%tij»i^'*s^ ' i!'^ I " #i *'
- I,
i?-^^r
^<
ite.,. aVW^ 'iji'- rU»i.j^v"'-^W**''^'/^''l(^'^'^
•fKl
LAKE, AND SirRHOUNDING/scllflRY.
Jijhis place mes to a he^t of/ten or fifteen fe«
U» a waU; It is oompoeed rf liu«e plates of gwy
to«rton^ ijr^g one upon the 0^; the ardisiS;
po«bly, l^the action ofW rwOiing throughft
lock. Hemlodc fin and cedats aierwaTinff on this
devated spot, ahoye the tarlmlent waftsn, andcfcinne
fte stone bamer with a sad Jot ^evei^fiidi^^
Ah- Here, too, the wild .fee, red creepe^.M»d
p«8on-eldcr, luxuriWe, and wreathe fimtastiTblmera
^themose^ered masses of the stone. Asud-
^, ^* "L^ ^"^ ^'''^^ «» ^ • ^"o^ per-
fectly flat>d smooth bed of the same stonT^Wi-
ppnj^r^ of fiill fifty feet along the shore. Be-
in th^ fissures of this bed I found some rose-
bashes, anda variety of flowers that had sprunir up
imng the spring and summer, when it was I^dnT
and tree from the action of the water
J^l P^ will shorUy be appropriated for the
builiiig of a saw and grist-mill, which, I fear, will
[nt«fti.^th its naiunU beauty. I dare say.TaJSl
1^ ,T^^ ?!?^" *" ^ neighbourhood who will
«g«t the erwtion of so usefiU and valuable an
acquisition to this portion of the township,
^e fint time you send a parcel or box. do not
Net to enclose flowerifceds, and the stones of
phms, damson^ buUace. pips of the best kinds
J ** iauw«Tiere trom seed,
Hgpod m without bring pdVedi th. Itter.
[kWTOr, m, finer in me and flavour. I shonH
■■il'ip"«*^«- -!'"■•
V.
150 BACRW00D8 OF CAWAOA.
U gratdiil for • few niiti fiom our beautiful old
«lock-Btti teew. !>«*« <>1** ^J*"^^ ****^ """y 8*"'
bote hiw we bad in thnr bnmchM wben I was ai
Ughiof spirit aiid>«8 llwe (torn cmo tt the squimk
«iat peitthei unoog tte topmoii boogfaa) above m.
tilk of andi %ild titekt aa eUmblng nut-trees, the
bMlMV'^ ' FortBWHrfjF, young todl«»«io in no temjh
tttioft bMt,' Mdng thiil nolhing bnl a squirrel or i
b««r ooaM cKmb ^ onr lofty iatettrtnti. Even i
aailor mwrt; g^ M up in deq^afa^. ' ~ :^ ^
I am vwydeifaoua of having the aeed^ pf our wiU
piwiioaa and «#«*! violet preserved forme ; I loqg
to introdnde Ihent in oar meadows and gardeu
Pray let Hie obttaye-cbildMn collect some.
Uf Iwsband requests a smaM quantity of iucen*
taea» wbich he seems indined to think may be nt
liK(atidU-advant*i|».' >-'•"- ^'.' ' ,,..-
'^mmm
}^f,x^^ >•/ .TSwH'eiii'^nff'-*
% '■ ""^i ? '''^^'^ ^yif^jwAw^i
VABUT^ONS IN THt WIATUIS.
Ul
Lbthr X.
- WtalOTv-CooBtiy Mkiwt in PoMtod AaM«h«iaM.-8u|ur-
-«->'>^8«uoii>-Ma<toor PUIiiagr-Dwik-shooliaii^FataUy
lUks H«MHk May tiia Ml. 18381,
What a different winter this lias been to what I had
antidpoted. The snows of J)ecember were conti-
Doslly thawing ; on the Ist of January not a flake was
to be seen on our elearitig, though it lingered in the
bub. The warmth of the sun was so great on the
lint anf second days of the new year that it wa&
baldly possible to endure a cloak, or even shawl, out
rfdoorej and within, the fire was quite too much for
, UB. The weather remainita pretty oiien till the latter
part of the months wheif the cold set in severely
enoogfa, and continued so durmg February. The 1st
of March was the coklest day and night I ever expe-
rienced in my life; the mercury was down to twenty-
I five degrees in the house ; abroad it was much k>w«^
Ibe sensation of cokl eariy in the morning was yfy
ptiniul, producing an invduntarylhuddering, andan
[almost convulsive feeling in ihe chest and stomach.
jOwrbreaths were copgpated inh oar-fWiBtontheshcem
-J Wnnkets.-^vinrr thinrwe tduked of iSetoT
nemed to freeze our fingers. This exccssiw degree
C, ^ viV^yk , ; *!
■H
I
1
R^'^'^P^
'
1
^l^■^i•r;l?il^^
li
4
•l^."!^^'
/Kr -J-
U
^M
1^AOKWOOD» OK CaKADA.
1. ,
of coW only lasted three days, and then a gradual
amelitMratioD of temperature was felt.
During this very cold weather I was eurpriHcd
by the frequent recurrence df a phenomenon that
I mippose wna.of an electrical nature. When tha
ihwtB were moat intense 1 noticed, thai when I u-
dressed, my dotbes, which are aft this cold seaaoa
chiefly of woollen doth, or lined with flannel, gavt
out when moved a succession of sounds, like the
crackling and snapping of fire, and in flie absence of
a candle emitted sparks of a pde whitish blue Ugh!,
similar to the flashes produced by cutting loaf-sugai
in the dark, or stroking the back of a black cat: the
same eSfect was also produced when I combed and
brushed my hair*. ^
The snow lay very deep on the ground during
February, and until the l9th of Maroh, when a rapid
thaw commenced, whkh oontinued without interm»
won till the ground was thoroughly firecd from t
hoary Uvery, which was cHected in Ujss thnn a fort-
night's time. The air during the pitogiess of the thaw
was much warmer and more balmy than it usually ■
ia England, when a disa^^eaWe damp cold is ft*
during that process. \^/
Though the Canadian winter >m its disadvantaga,
it also has its charms. After a d^ or two of h avy
snow the sky brightens, and the luXbecomes eiqui.
Bitely clear and free from vapour; the^moke aacendi
ia tall spiral columns tiU it is lost ; seen against tlK
Bafl&on-tinted sky of an evening, or carijr of ackii
'«r ia »««f d»* — Eo.
Jllia,^
tkk^M
&m»wm»
■W-'
CANADIAN IVIMTKR.
■'-n^
15S
mmng, when the hoar-fhnt sparkles on the trees
tbe f(^t is singulariy beautiful, '
leajoy a walk i||^ woods of a bright winter-day.
"^ " ''^^^t/""* •*»*^ of a doud, o^
"^ *** "^ ^SPfc**®*'^"" •^'« J when bat
^ ^l!*^,n^P*iP*" ••^^ ' "%ht look up.
I »7/n^ ^^^^ iP^ ^'» *' " aune, sweet
Jms^^lTie ewigfpg^ ^ *• P«n«,oedais, hemlock.
airfWBain fin, ai« bending their pendent branches.
lo«W wth ttiow. which the k«t motfen scatter ina
mmK shower around, but so Bght and dry is it that
.twBhaken off without the sl^htest inconvenience.
The tops of the atumpe took quite pretty, with their
^8 of snow; a bteckened pinenrtump, with its
1^ «ip and mantle, wOl often startle you into the
beH that some one IS approidiing you thus fandfiilly
r^l^f'"^ ** 'P*'*** they appear totally
bsnkWfrom Canada. This is too mattwof-fart
eountry for such si^ernfliturab to visit. Here there
are no historical associations, no k!dtt|k takn o^
l^.^Sr^^^"^ lW«dstarve|>r
Mrf marVelteus food to Wp her alive in tlie back.
^™^. We Imve neither fev nor fafiy. ghost nor
*elter dryad or hamadiyad. ^o naiad hauntsthij
Ay margin of our fadces, or h,^ with her pie-
Inr/'^^ NoDnndc^uH. our oaks;
i«l instead of poring with mysterious aWe among ou^
>«««« limestone rocks, that «« oAeu singulariy
t fgcfeer, W6 refer t^ to the eeofcy int m
hir
uJtorf uf nivesting them with the sotemndmarter.
k5
' I'-
vfs^^r
194
BACKWOODS or CANADi
Itan, we look qjos
natural philnopiij
(^ andent temples or heathei
them with the curious ef^ot
alone.
Even the Irish ana Highlanders of the humblen
dSfls seein to ]«M«de their ancient supersdtions og
hecoming d^awns rf the woods of Canada. Iheari
a friend ^£uaim, when qpeaking of the want of lute.
rest this country possessed, **Itislihemosttuipoetiel)
i^f^l lands; there' is no scope for imagioa^;
here all is newr-the very soil seems newly formed;
there is no hoary ancient grandeur in these woods;
io Recollections of fcnrmer deeds connected with the
country. Hie only beings in which I take any i^t^
rest are the Indiaps, and they want the warlike chii
Mbter and iajtelligence that I ^d pictured to m^j
they would possess."
This was t^ lamentation of a poei Now, the cian I
of peojde to Whom this country is so admirably adapted I
are formed o^ the unlettered and industrious labourm
and artisans.; Hiey feel no regret that the land thej
labour on h4s not been celebrated by the pen of the
hiSu^n or the lay of the poet Hie earth yields bef
increase to them as freely as if it had been eorky
by the blood of henoes. They woukl not spare the
ancient oak 6rom feelings of veneration, nor look i^i
it with regaird fbr any thing but its use as timba
Hftey have no time, even if they possessed the taSc^j
to gaze abroad on the beauties ci Nature, but thil|
ignorance is bliss.
After all, Uiese are imogiuary evils, and can hirdtfj
Jbe con ai d ttfedrT^
They would excite little sympathy among every-di||
;:
wsaafl).,
8UGAR.MAKINO.
tar TOght with the more refined Widrfntelleciual
.J^fe™^. «d geniu, sl««ld be th»^ ^t .
■i|lt^r sphere. /
For myself. Uunij* I can easOy enter into the feel-
T 1 ^"1'' "" «"*■»''«*= lover of the ^d
»d Ih. woBd«f„l of historic lore, I „» ,et mite
isjKff vcT-JMHW and contented in this conntrv If
""*»' "'..^ » yet . blank. th« of N^re i.
V^ md eloquentiy marked by the ftnger of God •
«Ki(i»m ,1, p^ , can e«™ct a thou»!Sd soureTof
ffliiKment and mteieet whenewr I file mv w^Z
Ita li«st or by the bonJe™ of the laC ^ ^""
Bat I mmt now teU you of ««r .ugar-mrfdmr, in
SdLttJw.„^w**i '"'''« ^ "■« kettle,
fTf "™.'"'' '"P«i»! bat it was efficient to
■■*-e «, ,n the art 4„d mysteiy of boiUn^ tto
^«to molars, and 6nally the molas«s down to
tol«™fe httle .o^5h treugh. to catch the «J a. k
Ir.L •^"""''y Pfe*" of Pine^ree. hoUowed
•pA m the bark, or boring a hole with M «,g^
*«»«» usually pn«*i«d. AdightIy.holk,w«dp4ce
^ii^'^'"'"'^ '«»«''! Il»veeven
. ^ . raade^thfr conductor* Ouw^^S
"waged acconUng to rule, you maj be sure. Th"
JiBj»tS^V^'^-4W'"- '
m
1<^ BACKWOODS OP CANADA.
MP runs most freely aRer a IVoBty night, followed bj
a bright warn day ; it should be collected daring the
day in a barrel or large tro gh, capable of holding all
that can be boiled down the same evening ; it should
not stand more than twenty-four hours, as it is ajrt to
ferment, and will not grain well unless fresh.
My husband, with an Irish lad, began collecting tbe
sap the last week in Mardi. A pole was fixed acron
two forked stakes, strong enough to bear t^ wcighl
of the big kettle. Their emptoyment durinjr the da;
was emptying the troughs and chopping woo<l U> sup^
ply the fires. In the evening they Ut the fires and
began boiling down the sap.
It was a pretty ,and pictuieeque sight to seelbe
sa«r boUere, wifli their bright log-fire among the
tr««, now stirring up the bteing pile, now throwi^jg
^in the liquid and stirring it down with a big ladk
When the fire grew fieree, it boiled and foamed upm
the kettle, and they had to throw in fresh sap U) k«p
it from running over.
When the sap begins to thkiken into molasses, Ui
then brought to the sugar-boiler to be finrshed. l\i
process is simpfcs; it only requires attention in skin-
ming ind keeping the mass firom boiling ever, hi! it
h«s arrived at the sugaring point, which is ast^rtainei
by dropping a little into coW water. Whenaisnw
the proper consistency, the kettie or pot become M
of yellow froth, that d.n»pk« and rises in large kWita
from beneath. These throw out putts ot steam, ui
when the molasses is in this stage, it is nettriycol.i
^vfrtPt into »ug «'' Thos a who p ay g r e n t iittotion l
keeping the liquid free from scum, and umlei^taudlkj
fit , ,-'--. . I .
'X-:
MAPLE-SUGAR AND MOLASSES. 157
precise sugaring point, will produ(« an article liu|e it
at all inferior Um muacovado *.
In general you see the maple sugar in lai^ cakes,
like bees' wax, clc^ and compact, without showjng the
ciystallization ; but it look! more beautiful when the
grain is coarsfe and sparkling, and»the sugar is broken
ill raogh masses like sugar-candy.
The sugar is rolled or scraped down with a knife for
use, as it takte fong to dissolve in the tea without this
preparation. I superintended the last port of the
process, that of^^iling the molasses down to sugar;
and, considering it,||Bs a first attempt, and without
any experienced person to direct me, otherwise than
the information I obtained from .. i suc-
ceeded tolerably weU, and produced some su^ of a
Ine sparkUng grain and good colour. Besides the
sugar, I made about three gaOons of molasses, which
provedagreat comfort to ub, forming a nk» ingredient
in cakes and an exoeUent siuce for puddings.
The Yankees, I am told, malp excellent preserves
with molass^ instead of sugar. "^ The molsMS boifed
from maple-sap is very- different from the mobsses
of the West Indies, both in flavounj colour, and con-
Nstency. •»
Beside the sugar and mofaiflBes, we manufactured a
small cask of vinegar, whfch promises to be good.
This was done by boihng five oaib-full of sap down to
fr .. and fermenting it afier it was in the vessel wiUa
* Good wril-mado mapkntugM bears a strong resemUanee
to that called powdered ■uffar...«.»!y, ^w U y .^ rm u u
Micate article to suMten coflbe ; it is mora like inaple.«i<r«,
witswgulMcrjrstalliaationt. ^
Ml
iiWhl^^^
B- ■,»■ s^n ^
15$ BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
barm ; it wbb then placed near the ftrf!» and iuPeM"
to continue there in ^erence to being exposed to the
-sun's heat v.- . /^j.
With regaid to ^ et^ediency of making mapfe.
sugar, it depends on drcumstanoes whether it be
profitablfr Of not to the fanner. If he have to bire
hands for the work, aid pay high wages, it oerteinly
does not answer to itoake it, unless on a large siaki
One thing in its favour is, that 4he sugar season com-
mences at a time when Uttle else can he done on the
farm, with the exoeptiofi of chopping, the frost not
being sufficiently out of the ground to admit of cropi
being sown ; time is, therefiire, le« valuable than it n
later in the spring.
Where there is a laige fiunily of childien and a con-
venient sugar-bush on the lot, the making of sugar
and molasses is decidedly a saving; as young children
ean be emptoyed in emptying the troughs and coDej*-
ing fire-wood, the bigger ones can tend the kt^tlei
and keep up the fire while the sap is boiUng, and the
wife and danghteis can finish offthe sugar within-dooa
Maple-sugar sells for foW-penceWid sixpence per
pound, and sometimes for more. At first I did not
particulariy reUsh the flavouir it gave to tea, but after
awhile I liked it ffx better than muscovado, and as i
sweetmeat it is to my taste d^cious. I shaU send
you a specimen by the first opportunity, that you mflf
judge for younelf of its exodlence. ^
The weather is now very warm— oppressively so.
We can scarcely endure tiie heat of tiie cookingnstove
-~Tn flie kil^. As to ^i^ih^iir^paifeur Uuwkj
not mpch need of it, as I am glad to sit at the opes
i ■
■■,i . \-
^W'f^
VISHINO SBASOlf.
r\t9
J«•«ndc^^oytheWce-b^ecxe. The insects are al«drg
S^'ll^t ^ troubjeaome, particularly the black
ft»-»^ked-look,i,gfly. with black bodyand white
• 1418 and wiBgB; you do not feel their bite for a few
^^^ ^ ^"^ ^y^ ofit hy ^ Bixe^ ci
. Wood floidngfiom the wound; after a few hoSa the
^swells and becomes extremely painful
^^^»«^^ chiefly delight in biUng the sides
flf the throat, ears, and sides of the cheek, and with me
the sweUing conUnues for many days. The mosqui-
toes are also very annoying. I care moreforthe^
JY make even than their sting. To keep them out
flf the hou^we hght littte heaps of damp chips, the
ii4ioC entirety •ffectual, and is of itself rather an an-
BOjiaaoe.
JBu. i, the 6Mng «w)n. Om hto „» &„^
fcrmMciiiiiioiigrf, (almon-trout, while 6ab, bhck l»».
^r°*^ W. often «eth. lighted «„o«^,
I. «ir door. 8-__ j, coiBidered wy .^^^
J«n»».^ «#li(joj, the .port » m4 Se" l'
gund *e.^fte^,a« Utter it i. for the
^^1 *°" "■"" "™J* "belSTpine^SS
U«, rtnderri vWW. i„ ,h. daHcne. by the hl^
Hslt yonthewterftomth e j«h-^'«.rt ofon.n
«» "fair or canoe. Thi. is filled with . ve,y combu.- « I
jt-cAv-'St.
A.;
"A
i^H^stinctly viai^
^person stands
^anceN^lM fot-plnc, ^whlch burns with «
^ which is
<^Tbeli„_ ^ w.^^^^..lB
^: We betoif thei|r%iDf t||^ ^
^^, in the mi&ft ttf'fl&i^t^
sort of iron trident, rtjady ta strike at the fish that he
maysi^uuioe to see-^gliding in Uie stfll waters, while
anothcT with hi^^addle steers the canoe cautiously
iiong. This spoil requires a quick eye, a steady
hand, atid great ^tion in those that puisue it.
I delight in wi^^ng these torch-lighted canoes bo
quietly gliding over the calm wators, which are illu-
minated for yards ^$h a bright track of light, by
which we may distinctly perceive the figure of the
gpearsmai^ standing ^n the centre of the boat, first
glaudn^ to pne side, then the other, or poising his
weapon ready for a blow. "Vrhen four or five of these
lighted vesMls are seen atonqe on the fishing-ground,
the eifect is striking and splendid.
The Indians are very expert in this kind of fishing;
tlie squaws p(pddling1he canoes with admirable skill
and dexterity. Qjlliere is another mode of fisliing id
which these people also excel: this is fishing on the
ice wj[ien the lakes are froaen over — a sport that re-
quires ihi exercise of great patience.. The Indian,
provided with
an o[()ening ^i
decoy- fish
upon,
self on ha:
him, so
k, with which he malui
a spear, his blanket, an^
to the place he has 6
hole in t|ie ice he places him-
'kn^es, and casts his Jjjan ket over
thA. water and o^ooeaT
./
• <v ''.',' "^ . ••;.
WILD DUGKS. ' ...
■ 161
, libni observation ; in this position he will remain for
hoan, patiently w^hing the approach of his nre*
.hfchhesjrikes with adnumbleEn asso^^^^
hHWOT within the reach of his spear.
•ne maaqninongrf thus caugfht ai« superior in fla-
Ur to UK»e taken hter in the season, and may te
Itotienty pounds. The masquinonj,J is to aU^eJ
InvenouB propensities of that fish
>^ Mke, fiom Um abuiid«K» of salmon-trow
toe Jakes and i. very ddfci«8. The law, sorto
mm ■»««ty taW. with the q«„.. f««,^. ,
Ai»oa .8 the to breaks up, „„ Ukes ire vWted '
bj.n™enJJe flights of wild fowl: some JT
»«M»«hemely be«itifiU in their plumage, «,d
n«,flne.flayoured. I love to watch theTpre",
*»«, floating so tranquilfy on the water, or and.
ktoged shores, to drop .g«n on the aXe, JnS
T^Pf^*> '*>W duck lead out a biwd of '
Crrt r' '^^* ""''W ""■"! their mother.
T"uff' "" ''W "re^ateueniicVto
'3^,.
%
<#■ T
'f .V
,, ^ri-t:^
/-
"^"^^
"11 bbl
! "I
•Ml
, fl
IP
\ »
l^v
lt2
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
masquinongiJ, an4, 1 believe, of other large fiBhUni
abound in these jfnien.
The ducks ai^ in the finest order during the earij
port of the summer, vrhen they resort to the rice-tei
in vast numbers, getting very fat on the green rice,
^fhich they eagerly devour.
The IndiaM are very, sueoessfld in their duck-
shooting: ^ey fin a canoe vrith green boughs, ae
that it resenibles a sort of floating Bland\j beneitk
the cover <tf these boughs they remain coocealed,
and arc eriabled by this device to approach modi
nearer than they otherwise could do to the wary
birds. The same plan is often adopted by our on
MKMTtsmen vrith great success. , ^
A fiun^ly of Indians have ipilched their tents wij
near w. On one of the islands in our lake wecai
distinguish the thi^| blue smoke of their wood fiia,
Ti8ing>a^ong the ^^^, from our front window, of
curling Over the bosom of the vraters.
The ^uaws have been several times to see me
sometinies iiom curiosity, sometimes with the viet
o^ berthing their baskets, mi^ta, ducks, or venison,6r
pork, ^our, potatoes, or articles of wearing-appuH
Sometimes their object is to borrow ** kettle to cook,'|
fifakh they are very punctual in returning.
Once a squaw capi» to borrow a washin^tub,
not unkkntanding her langmige, I could not
some time discovw the ol^ of her sfPtude
last she t09k'up a^orn^r of her blanket, and, poinl
, to iWMnO soap, began rubbing; it between hej '"
— IraititBd^fte^ action of wasWngi^h^ *
V
Hf!^tifjhz'' '^'^^■jSw^V''' V
BABTSR WitH TU It INDIANS. 103
pointed to a tub; she then held up two fingers, to
iBtimate it was for two days she needed the loan.
Biese people appear of gentle and amiable dis-
■' poAiOBS; and, as far as our experience gpes, they are
ytxf honest Once, indeed, the jold hunter, Peter
obtained from me some bread, for which he pijimised
togiwapairof/uck8,but when the Ume dime for
piyment, and I demanded my ducks, he looked
gloomy, and «pUed with characteristK brevity, « No
dock-Chippewa (meaning S , this being the
name they have affectionately given him) gone up
like with canoe— no canoe— duck by-and-by." By-
•nd-by is a favourite expression of the Indians,
agDifying an indefinite jioint of time; may be it
means to-morrow, or a week, or month, or it'may be
• year, or even more. They rarely give you a direct
[pmniae.
As H is not wise to fet anyone cheat you if you can
prevent it, I coWly decUned any fiwther overtures to
Ibartering with the Indians until my ducks made their
|appearanoe.
Some time aflerwaids I received one duck by the ^
Ihandsof Maquin, a sort of Indian Flibberty-gibbet *^
fto lad is a hunchbacked dwarf, very shrewd, but a
■^ect imp ; his delight seems to be tormenUng the
m babies in the wigwam, or teasing the meek
tr-hounds He speaks English very fluently, and
itolerably for an Indian boy; he usuaHy accom-
f U^ women in their visits, and acts as their
' h!.fy"'i^ ^t h mis chie vous gfee at hia
r« bfttl EimtImK and ray petptexity at not" ~
! to understand her signs. In spite of his extrem.
-^
I
BACKWoocraf of Canada.
I
he seemed to poaseaaji^ inconsiderabk
feoe in tW looking^aae. / When I adjei his name.
he lepUed, « Indian n^ Maquin, IwifBnglish Qine
• Mi0ter Walkftr,' very gdiod man ;" thi* was the per-
son he was called after. ^
1%eae Indians are scropoloos in their obsemuce
df the Sabbath, and show gjr^t reluctano^to having
any dealings in t^ iray of trading or pufsiing their
luoal avocations iif, hunting m fishing on that day;
The you^ Indians we very expert in the use of s
long bow, witb wodpi «nowB, ra«a||, heavy ind
bhmtattheend. Maquin said he coni^oot ducb
«nd small birds with hU arrows; but I»ld tlUnk
ih«^ were ncit calculated to reach objects at %f greii
distance, as tiiey appeared very heavy. *
"Tis sweet V> W the^dians singing their hyn
of a iSitiday ni^t; their ridi soft voices rising
the stift evening air. t have often listened to tHk
Uttle choir pnii^«g>he Lords naoR^ in the simplici^
Mid fervour orto«tt beart% an*liav« felt it w«si
rewolicai^iliat Ithese^^ i^ hatf-avili«ed wandcren
tJistcfOtjdinffhewiideniess. . > 1
f^W miidi pWSid with the simple piety of our
friencl the hunter Peter's squaw, a stout, svrarthy luj
tion, of meat ^oiiaMe dpreasion. We were talod
4iurteawhen^ softly opened the door and tookey
in; an eiJCOuragingsmOe induced her to enter,
depositing a brOwn papouse (Indian for baby
4it tl e^ tJuld) on M grwnd, ste jgaaed round
cur^y and de%ht in her eycf . We ofered!
,.141
-A *r-*f^,f^ %^^}r'^^iK'\^^V
-a
^At \^lA^ -*'w*iJ
■^ .'«4
i/>
y"
.^yi
■7".
r//i^:5
■ 'i^ih*^"
rAi*C»Uj)B»ORADLRS.
low U» aod br^ moUiniiig to her to UAm «
U.tjje.ibi.lde the table. Sb^^rZl^^
bmiitirtwn, and drawing her Uttle om to herW
bom^ some tea into the saucer, and irave ;* tTrt^
««» performed Wthout the dightee, .ppej!
ta^rfhe,^ She then aiMkedta with. ^
B^bjr tihetad^ threw i.,„«, her d3
M^« deight ttal r fe««, ,^ ji^'
W«tt.J». «».. but .he pepo™. «.„ed^
iM with thu mode of treatment "''"
MiSJouniej, the ehOdren « phced to upright
Sfirlr? ' ""V *•"* fi'-'y "Often
Bwreiease herself from her burden, and ^elr
Jifftt h ew jU lo reh ai r ,! ^ . and , tick
\
I 'i fi ^. ^1'^
i If ii ' '*! i-
|p^'«^-i-ti:rj:sr^^^
■y
mm^^ki^ '■
'' *;
t !
BACKWOODS of CANADA.
168
looking not unlite ^ mummy ^^^- » »««
seen *e picture pf th^.Vi^ti" ^"^ <^^"^:^ '" «"™«'
the oldHhuhinated misses, not unlike.the %Breofi
napouse in itd,swaddUng-clothe8 _ _
The squaws are most affectionate to their liWe
onite, Oentlen^ and goodaiumour appear dis^
ffuishing teaiS in the tempew of the femal»^Indian.,
whethef this U natural t« ttw .characters, the savag,
8tat«, or the softening effects bf Chnst^i.ty 1 cam^
deterniitie. jCcrtainlyJl no in^ce do,, the Clu«j
tian religion appear mote lovely than when,unM
by the doubts and infidelity of modern scep^ic^d
displayed in the conduct of the reclaimed IndH
breaking down the strong^Mds c^idolut,5.an .
tural evil, and brining ^^^^^
and- morality. They may ^fe said ^ rwei*^
tnUhs of the Gospel as little cbiJ|K|^th sii,,pl,,
of heyt and uhctottded favtji. " ^Jjfe^ ,
The squaws at« wry ingenious J*«W »
hanljrorks. We find their birch-bark^e.
convenient for a number of P^T«^f " /^'j, ^.
basket, knife-tray, suga^-basket, are all^of th.
bte nSteiial. .When oriiamented m^^^ro^
patWrns with dyed quUi^ I can assure you. U^yi
by no means inelegant. Tbey maimfacture^v«
pf bireh-Wrk fid welK that they will- 8erv^4br
useful hooaehoM t^wposes, such aifl^ldfflg
milk, broth. or.«iy other Hquid; th«y ai^^^«
, rather stitched together with the tough voo^^
.tamarack:*r lait^li, or else with strips of M-h
jisetul -soria of JSaiKeis B
■v-.,
«dfl^
tye^yery
,ftprtR
of the bass-wooff'^'anrwluif'Mrggiv^^
► *•
- 1
>
■ '■i
INDIAN MANUFACT0R«9. ,5,
s4 or'the%,b«keu,, of. c«a«e kind, a« made u^
rfforgalhenng. up potatoes Indian cotii ori.,,.f!
"2K''f »»«>fi'"«hp«rpo8«,i„the old 4unln-
n« Indian, are wjuainled with a wiety „f dv«
•ajrlud. they «ap, the more elegant fanay-baS
-rthjewml «,, pjetty q«i„ena of their ingenutty
C^''^ "It*' "* ""^ °f ^ and'
kKeutaws, flower-stands, and work-basket.
l!^]? S^ r""*"" "«*» «»« you may
B^nnV pertftUMty in «,„« instances. If LJ
^tl*"; n,md on «,y„„e arUcfe. aJ^a
yWwtothen-i^otice. One of the squaw. ftni„
« wft agaycUnIa AttMnfteown beUmlh^
I5».»nd^ though I JK^^-*-*^
K nS. r^ > Prenounced with their
<^«!r«r«d JT^/ '^""'"■'^ •«'•- .
S '^J^^ ^ "f^ » *»<« to have
fDO
^■^
»,^!J
i^
' ! * If
*(« I > J !
' ^h K <' 'ii it
1 £ ^ A V "4
ri\4i
. -^iV.
'# 1^ ffli
'in
' f,
^^V. nnvc read), made by ibein, ffioy iiw vnn ' ^ . Ifti / " il
•^'T^.^p'y »C"V«.di4y." lute's . . '■ •' ' *«*; ' |
■ « .
'» «
fi)i
'.#
BACKWOOuS OF^ CANAttA.
You/d^r them in exchange for theirs do not answer
S expectations, they give a sullen and doggd,
look or reply, « Car^ur^' (no, no), or « Carwi^:
which is a stiU more forcible negative. Bat when
the bargain pleases them, they signify their appro-
bation by several affirmative nods ^be head, andi
note not much unUke a grunt j^^e ducks, fish, veni-
Hon, or baskets, are placed beside you, and the ^
cles of exchange, transferred to the folds of. t^id
capaciou* blanket^ w deposited in a sort of nisheD I
wallets, not unlike those straw baskets in which En-
glish carpenters carry their tools.
The vvomen imitate the dresses of the wlutes, and
are rather skilful in Converting their purchases^ Manj
of the young girls can sew very n^tly. I ofien p
them bits 6f sUk and velvet, and braid, for «luch
they appear very thankfiil.
I am just now very busy with my ^tden. Son-
of our vegetable seeds are in the ground, thoughla.
told we havebeen premature itherebemgtenc^^^
to one but the young plants wiU be cut off by tje b
frosts, which are often felt through May, and e^j
thebeginwingof June. . , i_^
. o7 garden af present has nothing toboa^
beinc merely a spot of ground enclosed with a n
Sly fence orsplit rails t. k«.p the catUe i.
drying the vegeUbks. Anottjer. spnng, 1 1»
^ie a nice fence, and a portion ot rfie gn
7JZ^ to flowers. This spring there ks *> >«
ne^worktobedoneonthel^nd in cleann^^i
I crTi..th.t. T<ionotliketourgc.nycla.r..
jj'i if J behalfofa pretty garden.
(o not answer
I and dogged
• " Carw'u
e. Bill when
iy^'tneir appro-
le head, andi
Lcks, fish, veni-
1, and the arti-
folds of theii
sort of rushea
B in which En-
ling to boast I
>sed with a !
p the cattle
•r, spring, I
jn of Jtl»e
there is «)
nd in clearing I
irgc my claims
'^- 7;'.»
i'V- ; ,: ^'
t.111 II » IIIJ
il;
>•*.■
xSv
It
'f-r
l^i
P . V '-^^
.^.
it: r-
111
Jfc
#^^
4^
"■^,% ^ -if 573
tlw fix
ipring bu
done this
mii A
the woods
stas mute
bigie^ng
feakbutn
liiriffing^, fil
%myi
atth^'good
ofthatwhiG
the fasbioajt
I tribes are eil
cries, that j
please. It",
anging. bind
[the whole as
I prejudice to]
|wi%gt one
jbtbered vot
|bave been Bel
eir notes, 1
»u«cal. Th(
filed over
ffreen
of on
JJdsomer in
latof a ^(irrl,
The buflfix
fT
>,.-
INDIAN FROOS.
v..
•fl
^
^ 173
«« wood. 3!Z,^ 'N-nTo.?:!,*^'* to
wdi M not lupIeaaW cfl of the kS!i;-^ ,1**
•LT.' «« ^^ wreiit wnoee note b smW .»j
Win?, 811 oar woods. •»» " «weet and
, *ta which i«. fS^oS^ Jt: '°^'« -
tabes are either ifiute or irivA tiw-JT^ "P^»«mieH!d
«i« that p|ei« ^ If IS^"* ^ ^'^^i^^tdBni
please It«^ C^ ^f'v *°** *Wtttt wther tlian
jwase. It woni4 be untrue were! ib — — ^ a *
«W bird. w»«^ a. niiei^i%t!i^ ^'
Ithe whole as those of F,^^^^^. nwIpdleuB oa
LrtJ J T ■ ■ "« "?<*«»» i^ behalf of her
Ifeathered vocalists N«v r ««„ *j .^^ oj^ ner .
M over with bnnrn ov«l dilekb on the nini
fltofabinl «Ii? ^^ ^^"' "*»^ ^««mbler
1 '(' ' t i
If Ml ''m
N. '. -i* ,,* i*^/ .11
■■-fc *|f .^
:■ " ,/:yrw5„v - j, Muicrem^ lWni^4hl^ ^, . gg^
' ' "» w'' "^z; ^ ■ *•" J.
I'* V
4^
.74
BACltWOOOS or CANA-OA.
BriHinc-
„otel^ 1 can hardly refrain from M^»f *^°/
ZaT fellow popa up his broad browh head from to
S o? rwatl^. and says, ^mUiroo^P^m
Jufiroo- to which another bidl-frog, from ad«»«^
part of the swamp, replies, in hoarser accents, W
out, get Old, get out ;" and presenUy.a sudden chon.
I hL Of old and youBK, as if each party was de.
mas of out-croaking ttie other.
\ ■'
■ r ^
-,A..<^..\ .\ . 4^Aw ^ r-. ^ . ■ T
''4>'
K'OOOIN^.BBK.
4Wlu8 month. I feel snm*. o«^- * ®'
burning of the loB^LTonT Ji,'"'*'""*^ "■»
k_ : *^ P^ **" "^ fi^Dow round tK*.
N^ « appeir, to ™e «tt«, a hazardous"
I • V
'} 'Ir' ^1 If
:¥^
. ^-A,
176
.y
■ACEWOODS 6F CiWADA.
Limn XI>
Com?«id to CuUivatlon.-lH»»iao«^IUt« of Wages.
_>^ . ~ Augntt 9, 1833.
Wi^ re^KJCtto the vMiouB questions, my dear friend,
to which ydd request my particular attention, I can
only promise that I will do my best to answer them
as explicitly as possible, thou^ at the same Umel
must remin* you, that brevityMn epist^tery c«r^
spondenoe is notoneof my excellencies. If Ibecgme
too^difluse in describing mere matters of fact, yoa
must bear with mine infirmly, and attribute it to my
womanly propen^ty of ^ver-m^cb talking; so for
your comforl, if your ey^s be weaned, your ears will il
least escape. ^ . .- a^
1 shall take your queries in due rotation ; tiwl,
then, ySiask, -Who are.the persons bestadaptedfot
hush-settj^rs?" <^
To Aich 1 reply withoul hesitatidn-the poor
hard-working sober labourers, who have kdustrio^
hablte, a large family to provide for, and a laudaWe
hdrror of the Workhouse and pariah-overseers : IK*
will bear them through the hardships and privatioM
- TFfa^^t lett lew e nt ii^ ih c^4m^kw o od s ; and i n doe j
time
they will realize an lK)|?est iiidcpendej.co, andbej
• r
(.
ru-
INFORMATION FOR RMIORAN'TS. 17$
above want, though not work. Artisans of all crafis
are bettter paid in village-tovtrns, or long-clearefl dis-
r^ricts, than as mer^^l^ush-settlers.
^,Who«re the next best suited for emigration?"
Mcin of a moderate income or good capital may
make money in Canada.- If they have judgment, and
can afibrd to purchase, on a large scale, they will
doable or treble their capitals by judicious purchases
and sales. But it would be easier for me to point
out who are not fit for emigration than who are.
The poor gentleman of^ delicate and refined habits.
If ho cannot afford to employ all the labour requisite ,
I to cany on the business of cleariiig on a tolerable
large scale, and is unwilling or Incapable *of working-
binuelf, is not fitted fw Canada, especially if hiV
habits are expensive. Even t^^jpn of small income,
unleffi he can condescend to. tak^ hand the axe or
the chopper, will find, everfwifli prudent and econo-
mial l^bitsi much difficulty in keeping free from
debt for the first two or even three years. Many
such have succeeded, but the slxuggle bias been
[severe. . T^
But there is another clawof persons most unsuited %
to the woods: these are the wives and faniilies «JF
those who have once been op^l^t MeSipen, at-
tustomed to the daily^enjoyment if every luxury that
nwney could procure or fashion invent; whose ideas
of happiness are connected with a round of arouse- .
ments, company, and all the novelties of dress and
pleasure thj^t the gay wo^ld
|»fao have Wa brought
P^fiSis. with a conteQipt
offer.; ^oUHg ladies
thjonahlej sa rding-
every., thing useful or
\
./
X^
w**1
.#'
ire
BA^K!^b09S or CANADA.
edbnomical, nwjce very inoiiferent settlers' wivei
Nothing can be more unfortunate than the Bituatiou
in the woods of Canada of persons so educated: ds
gusted with the unpleasant change in their mode o^
lifte, wearied and discontented with all the object*
around them, they find every exertkm a trouble, «nd
-4svery .occupation a degradation;
f'or persons of this description (and there are such
to be met with in the colonies), Canada is the wont
country in the world. And I would urge any one,
so unfitted by habit -and inclination, under no con- >
sideration to cross the Atlantic; for miserable, and
poor, and wretched they will become.
The emigmnt, if he would succeed in this eottntry,
must possess the followmg qualities: perseverance,
patience, industry, ingewdty, moderation, self-denial;
and if he be a gentleman, a small income is almoK
indispensable ; a good one is still m6re desirable.
"^ The outlay for buying and clearing land, building,
buying stock, and maintaining a family, paying
servants' wages,mdi many other unavcndable expenses,
cannot be ^he without some pecuniary means; and
as the return ftom the land is but little for the fint
two or three yean, it would be advisable for a settlei
' to Wing, oat some humnedis to enable him to cany
on the farm and clear the above-mentioned expenaeii
or he will soon find himself invohr^ in great diiB-
cultleB. ,
Now, to your thit<i query, " What will be the mod
profitable way of employing money, if a settler
brought out capital more tlum wto required for hii
own expenditure ?
.: INfOBMATlON FOR RMtGRANTS. 17i^
^qn thto head,I am not of course comnetent to ghe
•JrH*. My husband and fHen^v&nt with^he
hJliurf of the colonies, say, tenflTon portgaire, on
H landed setniriUes. and at a ^ghi^te of in^^st
T^ purchase pf land b often a i^ speculating^
H !5 !l**r**" " mortgage, as it pays no in-
H; and thoMgh ,t may at some futur4 Ume make
irentietoms, it is not always so e^ to ciq,dae of
.t to sa advantage when you happen to need iT A
\rm posKssing many thous^d acres in different
townihips, may be distressed for twenty pounds if
Menly <^^pon for it when he is unprepared.
Irfhe mvcs^^all his capital in property of this kind.
I Itwoold be difficult for me toenumerate the many
opportuniUe^ of. turnii^g ready money to account
mm IS so httle money in circulation that those
Ipennui who ar^ fortunate engugh to have it at com-
iTir* **^ *^«»^^y tWng with it they please.
,Wliat are the most uaefiil articles for a settler to
nngiout?" , r
i??!!i!.*^ "^^^ "^ wearing-apparel, and shoes,
jood Mding, especially warm blankets; as you pay
k for them here, and they are not so good as you
^snpply yourself with at a much lower rate at
. A selection of ifood garden-seeds, as those
"buy at the stores are sad trash; moreover, they
Jpastedupin packets not to be opened Ull paid for
<» you may, as we have done, pay for little better
»ch^ and empty husks, or old and worm^aten
• This, I am sorry to sai, is a Yankee trick ;
^i^jubyLOi Mt J^ would do the HHirte
'if
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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
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180
» BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
ifheliadthejpportnnity, as there are rogwesinaB
QNUitrieB nnmr the sun.
With respect to fiimituTe and heavy goods of nj
Wnd, I wooM recommend little to be brought
Articka of hafdwaxe are not mnch more expenart
here than at home, if at aU, and oaen of a kind mm
mutable to the coantry than those you are at the
trooble of bringing; besides, all land-carriage is d«.
We lost a large package of tools that have neter
been recovered from the forwarders, though thdr
carriage was paid beforehand to^Prescptt. It i.
safest and best to ensure y<«ir goods. When the fcr
warders are aflcountable for Ihem.
You ask, ** If groceries and articles of household
consumption are dear or cheap?"
They vary according to cipcomstances and sitnatioa
In towns situated in old cleared parts of the coontij,
and near the rivers and navigable waters, they w
chMper'than at home; but in newly-settled \im\
ahips, where the waiercommanication is distant, oil
Where the toads are bad, and the transport of gooil
difficult, they are nearly double the price. Where thl
supply of produce is inadequate to the demuU
owing to the influx of emigrants in thinly-*^
places, or other causes, then aU articles of
visions are sold at a high price, and not tol
procured without difficttlty; but- these aie
temporary evils, which soon cease. %
Competition is lowering prices in Canadian
ds it does in British ones, and you ntay now
gfflwfa of »H kinds n» ariy aa chwp as in Eir *
..^^i^W:
'^'.•»M»aSiwa(lS*wna
yt ."'■J
^
re rogues in iB
sles of househoU
aCALrtriCATIONS OF A SBTTLERS WIFE. 181
Wbm prices depend pn local cir iimstanceB, it is im
ponble to give any jost standard ; as what may do
fcr oiie town wuld not for another, and a continual
^ » gowg on in aU the unsettM or half-settled
townbips. In hke manner the prices of cattle vary •
dxymcheqier in old settled townships, aud^ sJli
■« 80 on the American side the river or lakes, than
I m toe Canadas*.
"What art necessary qualifications of a settler's
wife; Md the umial occupations of the female part of
I a ttttkr s family ? » are your next questions
Tothefiretclause, I reply, a settler's wifeshouldbe
irtiVe, industrious, ingenious, cheerful, not above
putting her hand to whatever is necessary to be done
Imber househoW, nor too proud to profit by the
lahnce and experience of older portions of the com
like that pattern of all good housewim described
■Id of the emigrant's wife, « She layeth her
Ml to the spindle, and her hands hoM the distaff"
r»t ieeketh wool, and flax, and worketh idllingly
mj^ which wiU Mplain ih,^ circumstance of man,
i^^lH!^^!^'^ cheaper in pWe. where theij
^^oftnuaMitlun.thom.j whileintheB^ckwoodlK
TJ^Z Z •^'^y^ '■•""•^' *»^« »-t be taken into
^t the eoet .f turiage, ^ i«cw«i^ „umbe, ^
«•; tiiegwMerjr.lueofoapif.1, and conwquent incre««3
F*«q>«ntfy beco Biee^>ettJed.aad d eagd^ -Kn.
^t
rn
ife.=.
"^ifftB
1/
W--
Itt
BACKWOODS OP CANADA.
wkh her bands.'' '^ She k>oketh well to the nji
of her household, and eateth not the bread of idh.
If
nesB.
Nothing aqg^ a greater degree of good sense anj
good feding '^lisa a dieerftd, oOnlbrmity to ciicani*
stances, advtfse though th^^be compared withi
former lot ; surely none that felt as they ought to Ad, I
would ever deqDise a woman, however delicatdf |
brought up, for doin^ her duty in the state of lift
unto which it may have plisased Ood to call krJ
Since I came to this country, I have seen tUe «•!
compUshed daughters and wives of men holding do
inoQudderable rank as officers, both naval vil
military, milking their own cows, making their on
butter, and perfbrming tasks of household work ths
fewof <mr fanne»' wive|M^ now condescend to
take part in. Instead <l(l|||pising these useAil iri^
an emigrant's family raOier pride themselves on tlsit
jkill hi theas m9ttexs.\'^e less silly pride and tliij
more practical knowledge the female emigrant ]
out with heii' so much greater is the chaoQe k\
domestic hapj^liess and piospeiity.
I am sorry to observe, that in many cases ihti
women that ooioBe hither give way to me|i
rcgi^ and destroy^^ harmony of their fire^d^l
and deaden the energies of their husbands aa^l
brothers by constant and useless repining. Havii|j
once made up their minds to foUow their hnafcia*]
or fHends to this 6ountry^ it would be wiser and betkrl
io conform with a good grace, and do thair partt"
make the burden of emigration more bearable.
•■H
-;j^-
;«^-«?^-;
PUICKNCr OP ,,T.,Hd. « ,o«. ,«ALES.,83
SClZSr r''t^'"" loMdSr
ttirt:?"*." "1_****^ with whl^
ISLi r\ *" "^^ qxarwffing when the.
fadjnder the ««e «»f) „. Be«h!f,d^^J
Irt Wjale » !»»«,„,«.♦ And M for u„ ,^
«d cIottog,M«l an for a few jtm-budmak.
Id ^home. with no other ..ri ,„ ^J"^^
' q^ piobdJy for e«r. She dgh. for tt«^
g '^■'•■j^ «" «« to biainew « «|| .
fc™L^_"'"?^*~Bt!_AeJ«i._m«„
'^*™ "^ •**"«« "derVeheraiBtibecoiii.
M2
■-f*^:-
■ \ >
84 BACKHSpOM QF CANADA.
skilled in the arts of BUgai^boiUng, candle and ao^
iaking, the makuig and baking of huge oaves,
cooked in the bake-ketUe, unless she be the fortunate
mistress of. a stone or clay oven. She must know
bow to manufacture hojHrising or salt-ruing h
leavening her bread; salting meat and fish, km\&^
stockings and mittens an^ comforters, spinning yam
in the big wheel (the French Canadian spinnings
wheel), and dyemg tte yam when spmi to have
manufactured into cloth and coloured flannels, to
clothe her husband and children, making clothes for
herself, her husband and chUdren ;— for there are w
tailors nor mantua-maker« in the bush.
The management of poultry and the dairy mil
not be omitted; for in this coimtiy most persom
adopt the Iri»b and Scotch method, that of chuminj
-the «ui*. a practice that in our pvt of England^*
not known. For myown parti am mclinedtoprefe
* the butter churned from cream, as being most ecorw-
mical. unkss you chance to have Irish or Scrt«
!«rvait8 who prefer buttermilk to Uew or 8wd|
■kimmedmilk. ,
There is something to be said m favour of
plans, nodoubt. The management of the calves difl
here ve«y much. Some persons wean the ailf ft
the mother from its birth, never altowing it to sacM
aU- the Uttle creatui« is kept fasting the P*
twenty-four hours; it fa then fed with (he fingers
new milk, which it soon learns to take rea^
have seen fine cattle thus reawd, and am dispoMd
adopt the plan as the least troubksome one.
-^^ The o id^tettkgs put a uc an Qpppsitejnodej T
,...:^;,^;(::>'^lt^k^,^>^
k$:-A'"%>t'^
ft^ m.
MANAGBMBNT OF THE DAfRV. ||5
Bent, allowing the oaif to suck till it is nearly half a
jnr^Id, under the idea that it ensures the daily return
of the cow; as, under ordinary circumstances, she is
ipt to lamhie sometimes for days together, when the
bedMge grows scarce in the woods near the home-
ieadB, and you not only lose the use of the milk, but
often, frorti distention of the udder, the cow is
Bateriafly injured, at least for the remainder of the
Lifldng season. I am disposed to think that were
die taken to give the cattie regular suppHes of salt,
ud 8 small portion of food, if ever so Kttle, near
I the niilking-pl««e,they would seldom stay long away.
I A few refuse potatoes,, the leaves of the garden veJ
IgetaUes ilaily in use, set aside for them, with the
Ipeen shoots of the Indian com that are stripped off
ItottreDgthen the plant, win ensure their attendance
p the faD and winter, pumpkins, corn, straw, and
lioy other fodder you may have, with the browse they
■-t during the chopping and underbrushing season
1 keep them well.
Tt» weanKng calces should W givgft iikimpi^
i* or buttermilk, wjth tiie leafy bdflghs*^ h^
land maple, of which they are extremely fond.
I warm shed at fenced yard is very necessary for the
-♦^ during tibe intense winter irosts: this is too
I disregarded, especially in new settlements, which
I the erase that many persons have the mortification
f Wng their stock, either with disease ^r cold
Wnrally the Canadian cattle are very hardy, and
*eB taken moderate care of, endure the severest
F^" ? ^t owing to the difficulUe s that atte,wl
ktatRttliment iiTHK! bush,lthey sufler every pri
E,^> i
i
ft i '
r^rr
),
rM
BACKWOODS OF CANADA
vation of i cold and hunger, which brings on a com-
. plaint nnterally fatal, called the " holUm koF^i ," thk
originates in the apj^ or extends to it, and is cumi
?~ (W pallynwi by haiiii|t *^ ^p™ and inserting turpen-
tine, pepper, or other beating substances.
When a jpew comer has not winter food for hi
eattle, it is wise to sell them in the fall and buy othen
in the spring : though at a seeming loss, it is peh
haps less Iqbs in reality than losing the cattle altogether.
( . This was the plan my husband adopted, and we fomtd
it deddedfy the better one, besides saving much caie,
trouble, and vexation.
I have seen some good spc^mens of native cheoe,
that I thought very respectable, considering that \k
grass is by no meansequal to our Britiih pastures. I
purpose trying my skill next summer : who knows Int
that I may inspire some Canadian bard to ceklnte j
the produce of my dairy as Bloomfiekl did the SuiA
' cheoM, yclept ** Bang." You remember the passage,
— f(»- Bloom6eld is your countryman as well as mioe, [
— it begins :—
** UarivaUtfd itaada thy eounty dMsso, O Gile8,'il||
I have dwelt on the dairy information; as I know
you were desirous of imparting all you could coDedto j
ytmr friends.
You widi to know something of the chlture of
Indian com, and if it be a useful and prpfitaUe cnp^ ]
Tfatt cultivation of Indiui com On pevdy eleanij
lands is very easy, and attended with but little laboor; j
on old farms it requires man. The earth is jotj
m- broad hue,~«nd Hmw or four
OULTIfATION OF INDIAN CORN. 187
"i
dropped in with a pnmpkiniieed, in «bout every third
or fourth hole, and in every alternate row; the seed
m Mi several feet apart. Tha pumpkins and the
con grow v%ry amicahly together, the hroad leaves
of the former shading the yo&ng plants and pievent-
iaf the too great Evaporation of the moisture from
tilt ground; the roots strike little way, po that they
rob the com of a very small porUon of nourishment.
Hie one crop trails to an amazing length atong the
gramid, while the other shoots up to the height of
leieral feet ahove it. When the com is beginning
to branch, the ground shouM be hoed once over, to
draw the earth a little to the roots, and cut down any
weeds that might injure it This is all that is done tiU
tho cob is beginning to form, when the blind and
wak shoots are broken off, leaving four or five of the
eaeat bearing shoots. The feather, when it begins to
tnm brown and dead, shouM also be taken off, that
the plant may have all the nourisliment to the corn.
We had aremarkable instance of smut in our corn last
mmmer. The diseased cobs had huge white'bladderB
•• big as a small puff-ball, or very huge nuts, and
fliese on being broken were full of an inky bUick
Ikpiid. On Che same plants might be observed a
•ort of fake fructification, the cob being deficient in
keraeb, which by some strange accident were trans-
powd to the top feather or male bkMsoqis. I ksave
botanists to explain the cause of this singuhu' anomaly ;
I only state facts. I oouU not learn that the smut
tit a disease common to Indian com, but kst year
■»tordn8tbwm,a8 it is called by some was v«y
iRTifent in ihe bat, l>arley, and wheat ciopi>». In this
'If ■< N
s£k!^iM
-■...> .
^^^^
1^^Si<t1<..^£k~.
*
-ib^f.^fi^'^-
I ^1
- i , ■ -•■
188 BACKWOODS or CANADA.
country especiaUy» new lands an very subject to iht
The ripe corn is, either shocktfd- ta beans are a
home, or. the cobs pulled and braided on ropes atler the
manner of onions, and hung ovef-pibles or beams io
Uie granaries or barns. The stripping of the corn
gives rise among some people, to what they call •
husiung-bee, which, like idl Uie other bees, is one of
Yankee (n%in, and is not now so frequently adopted
among the more independent or better class of
settlers.
The Indian com is a tender and somewhat pre-
carious crop: it is liable to injury from the late frasti
while young, for vrhich reason it is never put in
before the SOth of May, or beginning of June, and
even then it will sufler; it has afao many enemies^
bears, racoons, squirrels, mice, , and birds, and is a
great temptation to breachy cattle, who, to come at it,
vrin even toss down a fence with stakes and riders for
protection^t. e. a pole or cross-bar, supported between
crossed stakes, that surmounts the sig-zag rail fences,
for better securing them jfrom the incursions of cattle.
Even in Canada this crop requires a hot summer
to ripen it perfectly; vrtiich niafces me think Mr.
Cobbett vras deceiving the Englidi fanner when he
recommended it as a profitable crop in England.
Profitable and highly useful it is under every dis-
advantage, as it makes the richest and sweetest food
£nr all kinds of granivorous animus, eveii in its green
state, and afibnjte sound good food when ripe, or even
partially ripe, for fattening beasts and working oxen.
lA st w imm g r was j^ t yy fevo u rabte* and t h e smt * ^
KATR8 or WAOkl.
IM
icmabimdiint, but owing to the fiuhire of the two
inceding ones, fewer settleni grew it. Our smaU
P^ turned out very good. Tlw flour makes a
ir!!!"*'^ T^^ P**™*^' "^^ Vthe Americans
'^^qtporm! ; this is made with water, and eaten with
mift, <* dse mixed with mUk; it requires long
bolllDg. Bread is seldom if evet made without a
htgt portion of wl^aiten flour, mixed with the com
ineaL
f ith «2«ct to t^ culture of other grain, I can
tdFyou nothing but what every book that treats on
«mig»t.on wiU give you. The potatoe instead of
bdw sown m dnlls is planted in hills, which are
nujed over the acts: this crop requires hoeing:
With resj^ct to tbe usual rate of wagtsj this also
JJen accorduig to the poputousn^ of the place-
but the common wages now given to an active able
mu are from eight to efeven dollar? per month ; ten
ttpeihaps aie general average; from four to six
fcr Ws, and three and fo^, female servant^
Yoa may get a Bttfe girl, ^%om nine to twell^
W for her boMxi and dothing; but this is far from
j«Tmgpkm.asthey soon we«r out ctothes and shoes
to«b«towed. I have oncetried this way,but found
m^badly served, and a greater k)«* than if I had
CJ^' V««^>^K«<»»t to service for
^and two and a hilf^flollars per month, and will
^ the fields ^ if requireTbindinT aS^r ^
.^mplantingand hoeing com anA^tatoes. I
^ veiygood girl, the darter ofT^Sj
I «wwRn^ ^^m-r give three doUare only ; she
''lilr mi
itf".K-' iJ."A>iiy;«|
N.~'*'T • ■- 'f j' S_<^«T^^'»
•_,Tjs , ^^-prji* '. ■''WUi
m
BACKW.OODS 0f-04MADA.
i& a happy stwdmen of' the k>#er or^r '<rf'^ngUih
emigrMte; and her family are quite aof^oitttioiis to the
towniiiip ia which they K^. ^ '
I think I ^ve now.ans^rped all your querk^ lo
tlw heat of my aUli^ ; Imt I would hfive you bear in
mind that my IcnoiHedge i* efilbflned to a smaD
portion of ^the townships along the Otanabee lakes,
therefore, my lilfiMrmation ailer all, may be but local:
things may difl^, and do difier in other parts of the
jvovinciii though poanbly not very materially.
. I muit nAw iay fareweU. Should you ever fed
tempted to tr)r your fortune on thto 6ide the Atlantic,
let me aesure you of a warm welcome to our Canadiu
home, fionp your rioeerely attained firirncL
- ... _. '
VsT
. *^%
^ifRS^'j*
LOOGINQ.BlJl.
!^
Ifl
;.-T»-
- .N ^i/
r^iTTM xnr
tta pretty (MM mkI woaS/* .i^" changed with
«dle« ahnct fancy 2S«rft^ '*"'"*'^
I Lit "Siir^^^^
Mw n. iTmSi «^ fegac^as it has ^
|fcaootiDart™i!r!!^_*!**.'^^ Wehave
a 8nelot
I
•1
%:
■■■■i
^r
iM^-
^H:
fSri '
^™i
.ifti'.jiKsfcJ*':- ■»'• ■
^P
IIH BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
of tond adjoiniog our home lot. The quality of oor
new purchase is exccUent. and, from ite wtuaUon,
KreatW enhances the vaiue of the whole property.
We had a glorious burning this Summer after the
1 Aound was aU logged up ; that is. all the large tim-
' ben chopped into lengths, and drawn together id
heaps with oxen. To effect this the more readily m
3 a logging-bee. We had a number of ^ttkn.
attend, with yokes of oxen an4 men to assist us.
After that was over, my husband, with the men-
iMTvants, set thg heaps on fire; and a roagnificent
Wht it was to see such a conflagration all round M.
I was 4 Uttle nervous at first on account of U»
nearness of som^ of the logbeaps to the house but
caw is always taken to fire them with the wmd blow
iiig in a direction away from the building. Acch
dents hav^ sometimes happened, but they are of mer
pccunence than might be expected, when we consider
the subtiety and destructiveness of the element em-
pkyyed on the occasion. . au^
If the weather be wry dry, and a bnsk wind blow-
ing, the work of destruction proceeds with astonishmg
rapidity; sometimes the firewiU communicate with
the foiest and run over many hundreds of acres. TTm
is not considered favourable for clearing, as it destroji
the underbush and light timbers, which are ajncrt
indispensable for ensuring a good burning. It }^
however, a magnificent sight to see the blading tim
and wateh the awful progress of the conflagration, u
it hurries onward, consuming all before it. or leavwj
Buch ae orching memento es t>8 W^ bl<isUjd the fpwt
V growth for years.
kfu'm^L . ,*<<«i^%lSIMA45i»^'*»"'k'iJ4 k.ii^ji 4ntsi»«
BUftNtNO OF THE LOO-HEAPS.
199
When th« grodnd.is very dry the fire will ma all
efcr the fallow, consuming the dried leaves, sticks,
sod roots. Of a night the efi«ict is more evident •
flometimes the wind blows particles of the bumine
feel into the hollow pines and tall decaying stuinps ;
thM readily ignite, and afterj|^me present an ap-
pemmce that is exceedingly anmd fanciful. Pie^
columns, the bases of which are hidden by the dense
amoke wreaths, are tb be seen in every direction
•ending vp showers of spacks that are whirled about
like rockets and fire-wheels in the wind. Some of
these taU stomps, -^hen the fire has reached the
«mmt,k)ok like gas lamp-posts newly Ik. The*fire
wiU sdmetimes continue unextinguished for days
After the burning is over the brands ai« coUected
•Bd drawn together again to be rebumt ; and, stnuure
II it majri^ppear to you, there is no work that is mwe
interesting and exciting than that of tending the
lqrh<»ps, roodng up. the dying flames and cLinir
thraa m, and supplying the fins with fresh fuel.
There are always two burnings: fi«t, the brush
heaps, whKdi have bun during the winter tiU the
AjMigwinds and hot suns of April and May have
w^ th«n sear, are set fiw to; this is previous
to forming the kg^heaps.
ff the season be dry, and a brisk wind abroad,
much of the lighter timber is consumed, and iS
hj«r trees reduced during this fint burning.
Aft«r this IS over, the rest is chopped and Ibggedl
WjotectedjuHt crw i s iim cd till the g nmi rf b^pef. ^
•wny iree from all enqimbraoces, excepting tb«
^1
) !
Uli^pki'#%Ai
^>^
^
194
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
Standing stumps, which rarely bum out, and remain
eyesores for several yean. The ashes aw then scat-
terad abroad, and the field fenced in with split tim-
ber; the great woA of clearing is orerv
Our crope this year are oats, com, and pumpkiiw,
atfdpotatoes,With«onieturaipa. WeshaUhavewhett,
rye, oats, potatoes, and com neict hanrest^ which wiD
.enable ui to increase our stock. At present we have
only a yoke of oxen (Buck and Bright, the names
of thi«e-fourths of sU the working osrea in Canada),
two cows, two calves, three smaU pigs, ten hens, and
thiee ducks, and a pwttybpttwn poay : but she is
such a skiMul dearer of seven-rMleA fences that we
shall be ob«ged to part with her. Breaeky cattle of
Hiy kind we gMit disturbers frf fhiblic tranquilHty
sad private friendship ; for whkh reason any settler
who values the good witt of his neighbours would
tBthir i*rt vrtth the best working jwke of oxen in
the township, thap keep them if thsjrprove brea^.
A smaU ftrmer at home w«4^ think very pooriy
of our Canadian possesswns, c^peeisfly when I add
that oir whole Stock of fiurminfe impferaents consisb
of two wsping-hooks, several Sx^ a spade, and i
couple of hoes: Add to these a queer sort of harrow
that is made in the shape of • triw^fte for the better
paMing between the stumps: this is « rude mftchiM
eompsMd with ths nicely paintwl Instruments of the
lort I liBV« been accustomed to sei used in Britain.
It UfOOgWy hewn, and put together without wgiri
to neatness; stiehgth for use is SU that is looked to
hsti TTfcS pkmgh (« w^Mfl"" put into the la nd befoie
tlM thiid or fourth ysur, nor is it required; ti
;^-
<»
''^.&^&|Mi ^ts US^^^^^Af^ijk^imfiifh.'it
/3*2-*i^
g«-n»l phn Of cropping the fiist fiUtow with wh^
or oats, and sowiog gi^^^eds with ^^t^
mkemntts, renders the plough nnneLSTn^
wch Ume as the gntt»-l«,di, ,^„T*" ilTT^ *"'
IWs method is P^IW^byZ^^u^i^^^^
«• cteaHng bushed ralw«r^^A'^'^
-^enough ta keepa^uJ^:^^
nuff croiM. whilT ♦!:?> ■™*«»n ^ wheat and
The low price that is now «ven for irmi« x.
*»»«»* men «e ^.t to look for on nertTc^
Wik ii.>^>~..- .,'"'■''*> "•"•ver, must v«t»
h^«t«itt,« and fertihty of the soil. whicTfe
£Tfy fess productive in theimuMriiate vSr rf
lUie hkes and rivers fthn a KttlTfil^r^* ' "
Motile bad h^ dSl i!?.^^*r ^^^^
UTIT^ "naiJeing «'M>«»waroj»yorridffT4Co»BMrf
P Nnes and beset with blodb of ZSmT^
■ T*i« is the ««• SHhTiSSlhkeil^i^r ^ -"T
••b of the Otmbem ^hT^^ *"* '^ ^
■s naer m «p^f|*. imotj..^ 1 1.,_ « o~-«»wwy
■nvh, Iwkoiry. I,ai(r.m.t.^ fc,.,,^
■J ^' T
H }l
"I
'If:
« -1 -7 ■
*!••
'BACKWOODS OR CANADA.
^
ml iron-wood ; which trees ahmys indicate a nU
prodnctivB soil than the pine trib^ ^
In nate of the iadifiference of the soil the adV
tage of a w^ter firontag** is considered a mattei^of
Ki«at importance in the purchasing of land ; and, lost
^ water privileges, usuallyfetch « much higher pHc-
than those further lenioved from it. Theselands^
in general in the possession of the higher d
settters, who can afiford to pay somettring extra U
nretty situation, and the prospect of futm impr^
ments when the country shaU he under a higher f
of cultivation and itorc thickly settled.
We cannot help regarding with infinite satisfa
the few acres that are cleared round the house i
covered with crops. A space of this land in the mH
of the dense forest imparts a cheerfolneas to themrt
of whidi those that tive in an open Qountry, or everii
partially wooded one, can form no idea. The brigbt
wnbeams and the blue and cloudless sky biea%
in upon you, lejoioes the eye and cheers the heart J
mwiras the cool shade of a pahn-grove would tli.
^veary traveller on the sandy wastes of Africa.
If we feel thb so sensibly who enjoy the openingc
ft lake of full three-quarters of a mile in bread*
dinctly in fiont of our windows, what must thow
wboae ck»ring is fint opened in the depths of I
fenst, hemmed in on every side by a thick wD (
trees, through the interminable shades of which tln|
me vainly endeavours to penetrate in search of o^
Ji&ds and other scenes; but so dense is the groiH*
" bfywA th e imm ediate cteanngsj
wrapped in profound obscurity. A settler on Trf
W^,\h-
OHOICB OP LAND
197
lottiing on fate lot knows no more of its boundaries
ind its natural features than he dbes of the north-
wdtpaasage.
Under such disadvantages it is ten chances to one
if be chooses thel)e8t situation on the land for the site
tf his house. This is a very sufficient reason for not
pottiiig up an expensive building tifl the land is suf-
llidently cleared to allow its advantages and disadvan-
Itiges to become evident. Many eligible spots often
Ipfcoeut themselves to the eye of the settler, in clearing
lliis land, that cause him to regret having built before
Ihe could obtain a better choice of ground. But cir-
Icoimitances will seldom admit of delay in building in
Itbebush; adweUingmust be raised speedily, and that
Generally on the first cleared acre; The emigrant,
"wver. looks forward to some no ve^y distant period
«n he shaU be able to gratify both his taste and
- of comfort in the erection of a handsomer and
habitation than his log-house or his shanty
he regards only in the light of a temporary
D)odation. ^
On fiist coming to this country notWng surprised
M more than the total absence of trees about the
ifing-houses and cleared lands; the axe of the
tw lelentfessly levels afl before him. Man ap-
» to contend with the trees of the forest as though
jwere his most obnoxknis enemies; for he spares
her the young sapling in its greenness nor the
«nttrunk in its tofly pride; he wages war against
norest with fire and steel.
Bverai suffieieht reasonrtol* gtven^r^
»«eemin« want of taste. The foiest-trees grwr so -
1*
m
l^ ^VZ -ai, •!■ i*- ■* •i' LfiiiStig.
f.rsT'*''
19^ BACKWOODS 0» CAWADA.
thickly together that they hs^ no room for expanding
and patting forth lateral bnnchea; on the.contfary,
they run up to an amaaing height of stem, resembliiij
seedlings on ahotrbed that have not duly been thinned
out Troeaof this growth when unsupported by othen ;
an talU weak, and entirely divested of those graca j
and charnls of outline and foUage that would make
thMn desirabte a» ornaments to our grounds; but^ii
is not the moat cogent reason for not leaving them,
supposing some more sighUy than others were to b*
Instead of striking deep roots in the earth, the fore*
tiees, with the exception of the pines, have very sup
fidal hold in the earth; the roots running along flu
surface have no power to resist thevrind whenitbendil
the tops, which thus act as a powerful lever in tearinij
them from their places.
The taller the tree the more haWe it is to
uprooted by storms; and if those that are hemmed i»,|
as in the thickly-planted fbiesta, fall, you may so^Mi
the certain fate of any isolated tree, deprived ofj
former protectors, when left to brave and battk «*
thestorm. Itissure tofen,andiilaychancctoinj«
any cattle that are withm iw reach. Thisisttar
reason why trees are not teft in the clearing. Ii
it^ is a less easy matter to spare them when ch
th«i I at fhst imagined, but the fall of one tree
(HM»ntly brings down two. throe, or even moreffl-
^ that stand near a. A good chopper wffl en
voar to promote this as much as possible byp
cfaonping thrnug** -^^^ o°w i" ^ ^"*^ '
porpoM the hrger one to faU.
s><ft
CLEARINO LAND. 'j^
l««J^toe«. Umt pleasrt mt. that I dedred i. d«^
jn to v«ftem , bat the only on. Uurt w» «,5
fi« dHtrMt»n m the chopping had to p«, thiongh
• faTonkd, which quickly scorched and withered^
««™nt of th« mpcdbiB^ of p«erri™ ^^ v
taleft. "The only thing to be don. if yo^de^
««, » to pl«.t jh^ while p„„,f i. L«»„^
*J*™. «*« they take deep ™„t .,rf ,p^
^tth»^ the «ne a. the trees in our parfaMd
*«^PI« which we mean to adopt on ou, l.„d
H r^ «»• of fo«* in a oonwnient
I r»°; r* ."^ "<> 4« out the oU a^W f„
fe^2.rs:r.r^f"^T::i
r^'-^^oi^^^''"-'-^-'''^
Ll^th """T ««"«»"" c«atri in the mind
r* "'?'»f "» 'i'Ming of one of the gig,^
»,m!?t!T *• "o™ of btow, thM a«ul
iSTSS. u .*°* of d«rtniction conUnue^
^1^^^ Skn^-MidowlyUin^
fct ,t. to hoHonewthiegone. IL axe of
"«. aown in «ta„^inrrti2r,^^sr
^^•14
1,
J,A in*>t'^'-^j'
ij*- *^i^__j»?t ^^^-^wA
Ji^'
■ H
BACKWOODS 0» CKilADk,
that makes the earth trembk, and the neighbouring
trees reel and bow before it. „. .
I Though decidedly less wfaidy than our British islM,
CaMdaislubjectattinies to sudden storms, neariy
approaching to what might be termed whirlwinds and
hurricanes. A description of one of these tempests I
ffavewn in an early letter. During the present sum-
mer I witnessed another hurricane, somewhat racm
violent and destmctiw in its e»*t
The sky becanwi suddenly overcast with clouds of a
Wghly electrib nature. T** f^T «"*/~" ^
3h-west, and its ftiry appeared to be confined^thin
the breadth of afcw hundred yarfa. I was watehing
with some'degree of i«*«f««^JJ«^* J*r2t«
thehirid,bhck,andcopperH«loi«r^
careering above the lake, when I was surprised by 4^
^^ trees Ming on the oiV«te shore, and ,«
Zr^bv seeing tiS ai* fitted with scattered remnants
Jl^ while the wind ^ acareely fdt on the kd
MonndonwhichlwaaitaBding.
*Ta few s««nd. the hurricane h^^^swept over^
water, and with irreaistiblB pow« hid low not to
than 'thirty or forty trees, bending otherstotbegwj^
b1»reedJ ItwasanawfiilsighttoseethetaUf«j
^ng and bowing before the fury of the 8t.m,«rf^
^ite grert trunks faffing one after the other, «rf
^had beTn a pack of canls thrown down V,.
Slth. Fortunately for us the current of the win*
merely passed ow our open ctearing, doingj^-
=SSii^a4haii uprooting ttoee bigpine-te^
^^^Z^^S^XyZ ButinthedirecUonWi
VARIABLE WEATHBR. ^
201
" ^ fP • ''*** S^*' ™«5Wef, destroying
imyro^offenang, and crushing his cropg with the
imtoBte Vu«k8 and scattered boughs, ocdasioning
gint loss iind much labour to repair the mischief.
Ue upturned roots of trees thrown down by the
wind are great nuisances and disfigurements in clear-
ings, and cause much more trouble to remove than
thoK that have been felled by the axe. Some of the
stomps of these wind-fallen trees will right again if
dwpped from the trunk soon after they have been
bioiro down, the weight of the roots and upturned
nfl being sufficient to bring them back into their
former places ; we have pursued this plan very fre-
qnently. ^
We have experienced one of the most changeable
MiMiis this summer that was possible. The spring-
WI8 warm and pleasant, but ifrom the latter put of
May till the middle of harvest we had heavy rains
dottdy skies, with moist hot days, and frequent tem-
p«te of thunder and lightning, most awfully grand,
bat seemingly less destructive, than such storms are at
tome.^ Possibly the taU forest-trees divert the dancer
from the low dweUings, which are sufficientiy sheltered
ft«. the effect of the lightning. The autiu^nl^
1*0 p«,ved wet and cold. I must say at present I do
liot^nk veiy favourably of the climate ; however, it
I • not right to judg« by so short an acquaintance with
*,memy one says this supimer has been unlike any
I n Its pedecessors. ^
^insects have beejH. sad annoyance to us, and
[•tar attacks; for these pests ^umerous and va-
.UV«
^ J kv*'l
■ V , .
%i-,
JM BAOKWOOD» OF CANADA.
• rwu^ and no f«q»cterB of perwii^M I have learned
IVom sad expari^nc^ . <.
I am looSng ^^ hom-laiiari i let me he^r fro.
you ^o<>n.
K
\
"^ !^ ^«»lir| 7 "JK " •
■»"
,V-
r
HEALTH INJOYBD IN WINTBR.
Ml
l4mE XIU.
Butt M^ajTBd to *• rtiBwUwintat— fiw«««.rf-^ _^ j^
• s . ■•
luoimiB jmor .«r««ioii.te and immeur hu^
L" ""^^ '"^ '•^ "niMHiat the wme fb,
I»*fa<J to hMT of you, i^unone IwWi and In-
jr!n ,)IT^ .^ "V^ - jou term m»
I T« 6, j^ ft., Ul. rigoi» of tie CWBm win,,
PMm.. I ae«t enjoyed better h«Jth,,Kir» '
'"«'%«» toftited tote m..-. »^ 1,^ ^TiT
I "™""P>«« «*n«i»ting. Theveiymow
«-<»T
J&^-
^^^V%iy;C^.
.-/.•
jji \ itv* Ja j!t,
'Vf'^-* ■■
y
]04 BAC»WOODa Of CAHADA.
.«^ Whiter and maw b«i»iUful tJmn it does in ,
damp ypcmry cBmate. During a keen bng^f
ter'8 d^ wai often perceive the air^i
minute fh«i» P-rticles, whicH axe ^ ^^ggjt , "*
dightly prick your face like »*«<»^»**f*^^
S^i8hl«andbrightaboveyou. WfeadeoW
diflference between the fi«t snow-Wb and thojej^ ,
^ mid-winter ; the first are in large noft flakes, and ^
dom remain tong without thawing, but tho^ tha^M
after the eoM has nga^y set in are smaller, dner,
aod of the mort beautiful fotma, ao^eUmes pointd
'^V^M. darter of roya, or elip featured in the moa
i^^^te numner. . . u a. j
^ dnd myeyea muk inoottvenufnced byflieda.
lUwr KUtler of the anow on bright sunny days, 90 as B
rcnLr my aight extremely dull and^ndistinctforhoto
after exppeure to its power. I wotdd strong yadw
any one^wming out to this country to provide M
idiea with blue ongreen passes; and by no meanstol
omit green crape or gieeh tissue veils, ^oor }ILm1
groaaSr green spectacles would not have proved wl
a apec. in Canada*. ^dH^i^^' .'\ ,'- v '
Cme few nightaj^^^ f. VT.
Jut a sick friend, mm^^.^r^^^^
diad by ihe fiat. The earth, the trees, ev«yi
dried leaf, and atone in my path was gUttenngia
. mimicdiamonds. asif touched by wmemagKa^Iw<»|
objeeta the moat ruik and devoid of beautylwd^
denly aaaomed a brilUancy that ykw dazzling l)ey
'^ • Ocoaala eondemn eolouwd tpectmslw, *» »nj«n»^ '
ayM bythe best whicb they orci-ioii. q^ouied gtonu*
- — ToHWJ«KiagriwT>re f ti»blw«--46p.--- . ., ^
,;S1ji>U.>W-> lluf 'jl 1- '' ,-l1i,''^i.f-^ , ,dv " W'fe»fc*^^l!"^A
' #'7^
WIWTKB is CANADA.
sua
tekjlBt forth rays of triffht Ilght^ You might iT^^
LviD^ yourself m Sinbad's ^y of gems; nor
m ^ temperature of the air at <d] unpleasanUy cold.
I haij often felt the sensation of .old on a windy
Jy to Bntoin ftr more seveye than I have done in
ftasda, when the merbury indicated a much bwer
ir **"r»*!»^;^ '"»«"» i» almost a trance-Uke
fcjTil^ir *!P? "^^ ^'y »«»»*» ^l^at lessens
MiaiilileiiiantiBSB of the lensation.
r 'Skm arecertmnrysome days of intense cold during
l«iifaiter,^bttl thB low temperature seldom continue
iifli.thanlhreeday».together. The coldest part of
Ifedsyis fiiom an hour or two before sunrise to about
hineiicfockin the morning; by that time our hJai-
Tf "L"?*^ "^ *>*^ """^^ thehouse.
j4|ityour^do not^care for the cold with^ .
^ out of doom you suffer less inconvenience
joa would imapne whibi you keep i« ^notion,
«e toferebly weO cbthed: the eam and nose
ttbe most eiposed to injury,
(fcrtlemen sometimes make a singular appearance
-™agiA from a tong journey, that if it were not for
riaike woiikl draw fiom you^^mite;— hair.whis-
"iS! "7^ *'^^***^ ^'•^ -U incrusted with
*«*. I t«TO >een young ladies going to even-
:T^^ ^^^^'^ '*°«'**^ " Jetty as your
".d-mged by (he breath of ^oBer Pioatto sih^iy
2*j " "*** y^ «»"^ •»»«* fiuicy the ftir
>Nk had been suddenly metamorphosed to their
*^ui «rfort>a ,«tdy far ^ and bf iimy
»™»ge M but tninatoryr ,
^
^^■^
206
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
In the towns and populous pwrte of the province the
approach of winter is hafled with deUght insteadof
drrod ; ft is to all a season of leisure and enjoyment
TravelUng is then expeditiotisly and pleasantly pe^
formed; even our vfle bush-roads become positiTdy
my respectable; and if you should happen to be
overturned once or twice during a journey of pleasure,
very little danger attends such an event, and very little!
compassion is bestowed on you for your tumble in '^
Bnow; so it is wisest to shake off your light k
and enjoy the fun with a good grace if you can.
Sldghing is certainly a very agreeable mode of t»l
veiling ; the more snow, the better the sleighing mA
■onisconsidered; and ihfi harder it becomes, the ear-*
the motion of the vehicle. The horses are aH ador
with strings of Uttie brass bells about their necks (
middles. The merry jingle of these beUs is far ^
disagraeable, producing a light Uvely sound.
. The following lines J copied from the NewYa
Albion for you 5 I think you will be plea*^! -
them: —
SLEIGH BXLLS.
"Dm merry to hear at evening time
By the blaaing hearth the ileigh-belU chime;
To know «ach boimd of the eteed briug» am
The form of him to our bosoBM dear ;
lightly we spring the fire torai^e,
Till the raftore glow with the ruddy blaae.
«
•TU he— and blithely the gay bells sound,
A« hie etee d tkime over the fipoien ground.
Haiiil he hae piit^d the glooiiiy wood
He crosses now the ice-bound flood,
tH.'^
fXii'**)*-,
.. .^->.
tligu
K»*.K
SLEIGHING.
r j^"
207
And «M« the light from the open door.
To had hu toUsome journey oVr.
OBr Imlu tmaU and rude our cheer.
fi Tli?" ^""^ ^^^ »»°q«*«t here, -
ABdchddhood.priag.tobec«e8»T'
,W^m.^ngbrowhi.talehetdi;
They koghing nng the merr^ l^ll^;
' JJ^Ii! ff ""^""P the wolf may bowl. '
P«»m the Waited pipe loud whoop the owl •
JhemiddeaciMhofthe&lliiurtwe
Are -oond. of terror no moieto me:
No longer 1 list with boding fear,
TTm. d^h-bell.' merry ^al to hear*
As won as a sufficient Quantity of snow hoa ikii
1™ J^ •^Hooking. h« but'on..!"
■<nni(we to our pg ot cbaise.
^^^^/°'?'"'*P"»K'» y<«»««». which
1^ '^"/•^ '''■ • *"■» heaver ., 1~
-If?"' J "" ""T**^ to and, is seldom
»M«on. The red. g«y. »„d U«k .q„i„,b ^
t« I
1^ «
-T*T*'*
:-■*'-,
'vri.^' j^wr 4.Cj^.
(08 BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
abundant in our woods ; the musk-rat inhabits little
houses that he builds in the rushy parts of the lakes:
these dweUings are formed of the roots of sedge^
sticks, and other materials of a amilar nature and
p'^tered with mud, over which a thick close thatch-
laised to the height of a foot or more ^^ve^water;
they are of a round or #me-shape, and ar^nctly
visible from the shore at some distance. ^ ^^e Jndianj,
set traps to ensnare these creatures ii^thd* houses,
and sell their skins, which are very thick and ^
towards Winter. The beaver, the bear, the blacklyni,
and foxes are also killed, and brought to the stoiesby
the hunters, where the skins are exchanged for goods
or money. , . « i • I
The Indians dress the deer-skins for making mo-
cassins, which are greatly sought after by the settto
in these parts; they are very comfortable in snowy
weather, and keep the feet very warm, but yourequirt
several wrappings of clotjx round the feet beforejoa
pat them on. I wore a beautiful pair all last winter,
^rked with porcupine-quills and ^«n<J7»^^.«^
ribbon; these elegant mocassins were the handimftof
an old squaw, the wife of Pet^r the hunter : you ha«
already heard of him in my former lettere. I w«
delighted with a curious specimen of Ind.nn ortho-
paphy that accompanied the mocassins, in the form .<
a note, which I shall transcribe for your edification ^-l
Sir,
H^Uft
Pleas if you would give something; you
nrair in store is woyth (worth) them ittOff»i|
^^pine quill on et. One do.lers foure yarBT
70 1 i
kDA.
-rat inhabits little
arts of the lakes:
roots of sedges,
milar nature, and
ick close thatch ii
i above thewater;
andar^^pCnctly
ice. v^^e Indians^
es in^thdit houses,
y thick and glossy
ear, the black lyni,
;ht to the stores bj
changed for goods
ns for making mo- j
eiler by the settkn
nfortable in snowy
rm, but you require
the feet before yott
ptur all last winter,
bound with scaitetl
ere the handicraftofl
e hunter: youha«j
mer letters. I wij
n of Indian ortho-l
ssin8,intheformu(|
your edification ^-j
■^ *■
I 4
if;
m
!h
fe
mi
"^'l;
A?"
I »
Jl . ■ ,!
n
„,-'
V
^(ifi^^r
VISIT TO Am|NI>lAN oAMP.
«M
TThfa curious billet was the production of the hui,.
lers eldest son, and is meant to intimate that if I
would buy the mocassins the price was one dollar or
sn order on one of the stores for four yards di calico •
for so the squaw interpreted its meaning. Theoide^
I fer fow yards of printed cotton i^ delivered overt©
Mra Peter, who carefuOy pinned it within the folds of
! hiar blanket, and departed wefl satisfied with the pay-
I Bent. And this reminds tile of our visit to the In
I ton's camp last week. Feefing some deare to see
these singular pec^le in their winter encampment, I
eipr^ssed my wish to S . who happens to be
8 grand favourite with the old hunter and his family •
r.T^ f » distincUon they have bestowed on him*
the btle of Chippewa, the name of their tribe. He
was delighted with the opportunity of doing the ho-
JJ0IU8 of the Indian wigwam, and it was ag«ed that
kmlh some of his brotheis and sisteis-in^law. who
tappened to be on a visit at his house, should come
lewtlr'"""^"^"^^ '»**'-»?
A meny party we were that sallied forth that even-
llThn!^ 5lonous starlight; the snow sparkled
w^a thousand diamonds on its froien surftcTover
wbKhv^ bounded with hearts as Kght as hearte could
be in this careful worid. And truly never did I look
upon aloveh^ sight than the woods presented; there
W been a heavy fWI of snow the preceding day;
owmg^to t^ extreme stiUness of the air not a^d^
of It had been shaken from the trees. Thelveiw
ireens were be nding bene ath their brilliant buidtt^
'"" "^ evwy leaf; and spray was covered, and
'i:M
' ^ ^ i'h ^ HI
^ 1 f *; 5 rm i
^ L. A. Mf I
m
? ^l\
•j-j-
iidWi
^*^Vu iu/Wi
211 B^CWWOOD*. or,C4MADA.
aome of the swiik sapling* actually bowed down to tne
earth with the weight of snow, forming the most
lovely and fandfd bqwere and arcades across our path.
As yottlooked up towards thStopa of the treSthe
snowy branches seen against the deepUue sky formed
a ^tery «il. thnmgh which the bright stars were
gleaming wUh a chastened brilliancy.
X- X waa always an admirer of a snowy landscape, but
neither in this country nor at home did I ever see any
tl4«g8otorpasBinfi^ylowlya8 the forest appeared that
night. 4 - • . . . , - -^
J^eaving the broad road we struck mto a bye-path<
deep tracked by the Indians, apd sdon perceived tbn
wigwam bythe red moke that issued from the open
baiket-wktopoftheUttlehut, This is first formed
with Hght poles, planted round so as to enclose acirde
of tend* twelve feet in diameter; between these poles
are drtiN* largfe ttieets of birchrbark both within and
withiiui, WvinlJ «» opening of the bare poles at the
top so as to fond an outkt for the amoke ; the outer
walls were also banked up With snow, so as to exdude
the air entirely from bene^. .
Some of our party, who wer^ y^ungei* and lighte!
of foot than we sober mairried folks, ran dn before; so
that when the blanket, that served the purj;tos«J of •
doqCi wito urfftstened, we found a motley group of the
dM tfkini and the pale faces reposing on the Wan^
kets and aklnn that were spread round the walls of the
wigwam*
The iwArthy coihpifeidons, shaggy black hair, and
siilgukkr costume of the Indians formed a striking con-
- • .Ti l , n.h c.AmJfat>ttA "F-iirnneans that wcrc ni'n
■ 1
■ii
i'^n!»l»»^?^^^«?
n
INTERIOR OF A WIGWAM.
213
with them, seen as they were by the red and fitfid glare
of the wood-fire that occupied the centre of the circle
Thedeer-hounds lay stretched in indolent enjoyment.
do0e to the emben, while three or four dark-akipned
ilde orchini were playing with each other, or angrily:
Kwaming out thdr indignation against the apish
bicb of the hunchback, toy old acquaintance Maquin,
tM Indian PUbberty-gibbet, whose delight appeared
to be in teteing and tormenting the litUe papousps,
CMtiog as he did 80 sidelong glances of impish glee {at
Jbe guests, while as quick as thought his features jL-
somed an imjienetrable gravity when the eyes of
iither or the squaws seemed directed towards
tricb.
There was a sligfat bustle among the party wuen
m entered one by one through the low blanket-doJ-
way. The merry laugh rang round among our friendi
which WBS echoed by more than one of the Indiai
men, and joined by the peculiar half^Iaugh or chuckli
I of the squawB. ** C%»peioa " was directed to a pos.
of honour beside the hunter Peter ; and squaw PeUsr,
wkhai air of great good humour, made room for me
on a comer of her own blanket ; to effect which two
P«i»«i»e8 and a hound were sent lamenting to the
neighbourhood of the hunchback Maquin.
•ftemost attracUve per^ns in the wigiram were
tm Indian girls, one about eighteen,— Jane, the hun-
ter's eldest daughter, and her cousin Margaret I
rogiwrtly struck with the beauty of Jane; her
ta» were pocntively fine, and though of gipsey
l!!!!!"^-^ * j^^ ygrmil ioii on h c r^i e ek aadtip
p*red it, if not beauUfiil, very attractive. Her hair,
.l-«V
rfti »**''**.», i'u-~.u*sV . •% *w *,, t^^K-AhJ-i^'' J^-i l'iiJ<&h
i ?.
^ <
1 fr
ii
rV*!]
5^14
BACKWOODS OP CANADA.
which WMTof jetty blackness, wassoftand shining, aud
was neatly fdded over her forehead, not hanging loose
and disoiderly in shaggy masses, as is generally the case
with the squaws. Jane was evidently aware of her su-
perior charms, and may be consid«!ed as an Indian
belle, by the peculiar care she displayed in the arrange-
ment of the Uack doth mantle, bound with scarlet, that
was g;raoefnIty wraj^ped overdue shoulder, and fastened
at her left sida with a gilt brooch. Margaret wa>
younger, of bwer stature, and though lively and rather
pretty, yet wanted the quiet dignity of her cousin; she
had more of the squaw in face and figure. The two
girb occupied a blanket by themselves, and were
busily engaged in forking some most elegant sheaths
f^ dee^skin, richly wrought over with coloured quilis
and bltads: they kept the beads and quilis in a
small tui bafcing-pan on thdr knees; but my old
sqvttw (as iahrays call Ifrs. Peter) held her porcupin^
qs^in her month, and the fine dried sinews of the
dear, whkh they make use <^ instead of thread in
work of this sort, in her bosom.
On my expressing a desire to have some of thepcx''
,cupine*qailb, sbe^ gave liie a few of different eokNV
/that she vras working a pair of mocassins wiUi, bat
signified thai she wanted **^*bead* to work mocsiD,"
by %rtudi I Qoderstood I was to ghre someinexdiaDge
for the quills. Indians never give since they haw
i kamed to trade with white men.
She vras greatly delighted with the praises I he-
slowed on Jane. She tokl me Jane was soon to
may ry the young Indian who mi on one si de of htf
in all the piide of a new blanket coat, red sash, em*
: .tfija'-
i&a*!
^\ iv
•■cl
i^ INDlANi/SlNGING A HYMN gfj
irtterod powdter-U^ and great gilt clasps to Uie
^» n«.^h^ fleece. The old squaw evidently
«tprwd of tlrt/young couple as she «awd on theni
•aa/c^^pi&ted, with a good^mpered lau^
*Jtuie8hi»pand---iharrybyandby/'
Wrlmd so often listened With pleasure to the In
to singing their hymns of a Sunday night that I
teiidMted some of them to sing to us ; the old hunter
nodded Msent; and, without removing his pipe, vdth
tiw iftevHy and phlegm of a Dutchman, iQsued his
OMnnmnds, which were as instantly obeyed by the
jwnger part of the community, and a chorus of rich
wiees filM the little hut with a melody that thrilled
io oar very hearts.
Tlie hymn was sung in tlie Indian toQgue a
lingwge that f9 peculiarly sweet and soft id its 'ca-
d»oe^ and seems to be composed with many vowels.
; "11"*** °"* "****** *« modest air of the, girls ; as
if viBNiB to avoid observation that they felt was
•ttncftHl^ to voices, they turned away ftom
hhe giw of the strangers, feeing each oth<^«nd bend-
uig thor heads down over the work ttw^ still held in
to ^Dds. The attitude, which is that of the
z!^ ''^®'*-' *• *^ ^^ hair and eyes, the
Nw^mplexion. heightened colour, and meek ex-
PJ-Jon <fepe, would have formed a study for a
K T ~^ ha^e witnessed the scene;
1 fldnk you would not easily have foiwtten it i
|w» pfeffled with the air of deep revei^nce that sat
»Jto fectt rf the elders o f the Indian TStniKr, is ^
lAej listened to the voice, of their childnn, singing
I
. )
M>
4 m
fi If
a|#!«i4iSi,"
4.,*^X"i
'r '
BACKWOODS OF OAUADA.
p™« «,d gl«y to thi Ood ««1 Swirfir they W
teamed to fear and lo«. ^,»- •
The Indi«ui «em a««t ten**!""* ; »' » I*»
toK to «e the i*KUoi»te mw^m whid. they (»..
SSir,»ungchDd«n.fondly.n^»tIy«««."«ftm
.torioB ««* i»po»» aept to the feet of .t. .e.pe*,.
S£.„dmiu»r. «>dthc«. that «« too joungto
W» thdr Trice, to the Uttle <*«».«"•""«' ^
2.1.1 tffl the hymn «. at an edd. One U tie girl, .
Sher-. kner««**W time to t»M ctamed m to
natural taste for music. . t j- v^
Iwas •t It loss to conceive wbiSife the Indians kept
their slar«^ dotlii«. and other movwibles, tiie^«?
W» so small that there seemed no room forany
' S besides themselves and their hounds. ^
to^uky, however, suppUed the want of 2^^
^n diiovered a |ton that answered aU the p«j«j^
rfdosets, bags, boxes. &c., the mner hning of bmie
^ttVngliwn l^tween the poles so as to for.
^ poiOies dl round; in these poudies w«
^ S>»ds ; one set held their stock of dnd
Siesh, an^r dried fid^ a thW cont.n«i»«
flTcakes, which I have been told they bake m • »y
Iculii^ to themselves, with hot ashes overandunte;
SHmrpait I ttunk they must be far from pahWil
•o ssawMd. Their dressed skins, clothes, j
lb, th«r various toys, such as beads, q* trtM
"" ^rithAthoiaandothermiscdlaneousartw
occupied the rest of these reservoirs.
k^i"'-^»M!»\\.J
ji-mhif
- t
ywifi'-yiVf-:^:':'
^^m^-
:'m'-
ITORT or AN INOUN
917
Though open fbr « considerable space l^die top,
the interior of the wigwam was so hot, I could i
hwtbe, and was constrained to throw off all
•nppiDgs during the time we staid. Before we wen^
may the hunter insisted on showing us a game, which
MMomething after the manner of our cup and batt
ttijmon complicated, and requires more sleight of
hud; the Indians seemed evidently well pleased at
m want of atfaoitnesS. They also showed us another
fUM, Mdch was a little like nine-pins, only the num-
b«r of sticks stuck in the^ground was gi«ater. I was
BaaUe to stay to see the little rows of sticky knocked
oot» as the heat of the wigwam oppressed me almost
ionflbcation, and I was glad to feel myself once more
bmthing the pure air.
lo any other climate one wouM scarcely have un-
dogone such sudden extremes of temperature with-
att^>binga severe cold; but fortunately that dis-
twmg complaint calchSe le cold, as the French.
BM termed it, is not so prevalent in Canada as ol
borne.
9me twenty years ago, while a feeling of dread
texi$t«4 in the minds of^e British settlera to-
ws* the i^ndiana, from the remembrance of atro-
el^ committed during the war of independence,
|'W»J[on»*n» ^ widow of a settler who occupied a
IWB #one of the then but thinly-aettled townshipa
iMciof (he Ontario, was alarmed by the sudden ap-
l^noe of an Indifin within the walb of her log-hut.
p had entered so silently that it was not tifl he
^ J^y^lM«» the Wa gi ng ( I pe th at he waa
~^w by the frightened widow and her little one9
i 'I
:t
■' "s^"
BACKWOODS Or^ CANADA.
218
who iettwitodt tremWing with ffl-concealed tenprui
the lurtheBt comer of the room.
Without seeming to notice the dismay which hk
ftppeaiano^ had excited, the Indian proceeded to d»
encumber himself ft«m his hunUng accoutremento,
he then unfastened his wet mocassins, which he huhg
up to dry, plainly inUmating. hia design was to pia
the night hene«lh their roof, it being nearly dark, iri
snowing heavily. .^_2. . I
^> Scarcely daring to draw an MHible breath,*!
Uttle group watched the movements of their uufd-j
come guest. Imagine their horror when they beheU
him take from his girdle a huhting-knite, and defrl
berately proceed to try its edge. After this his kwa-l
hawk and rifle underwent i^ similar examination.
Thedespair of the horror-stricken mother vm i
approiwAiiB^ a dimax. 8b^ ah^Miy beheld in i
the ^htliil mangled corpses of her murdered (
di)^ upon that hepjrth which had so^flenbeen
iMiie of their innocent gambols. Instinctively
&ped the two^roungeft to her breast at a fa
movement of the Indian. With streaming eye8i
was ^bout to throw herself at his feet, as he adv"'
4o,,,^|Hiep-witrtSe>eaded weapons in his '
sod imj^lore his mercy for hertelf anff her
What then was her surprise and joy when he gentl
iaid the rifle, knife, and tomahawk beside her.sij
jii^ng by thb action that she had nothing to feari
|d» hands**
• II is M^oit aa invMiable ««»*«»«» "o* *<" ^^^ ^"^
--wi t«itt»ai iw iak»frh< > » « « to leava al l t h^ii r 'weapQ% M J-
timwhawk, ftc wrtiide tlw door, wen if the weiUwi
•^«» <* AN INDUH. \ I g„
>>VW to. coodemmd criminid Mft, m„m,„,
tartedio the ■eoommodrtoB of the «•«»«?*;
hrr,Hjjh ! h«gh r „. the »&;„ tJS
W h«pto»„ W when he wentV^e^^T
k It w« evident ttohZ.^^^'*"-
Iiiyi i.»«.:-i- tnoian bad never seen.
llte.mute.««inrtfenoftheb«|.cIottiriZ
lumites was sound asleep.
IMaim of day the Indian had deputed- bu
•rfuu_„ I™ ''"°^' ■*■»•""» to aee him.
^n. no Hr» ..rtlWd „ hi. .w.rt.y co«n-
« ft. hj»«„^Oife. „ ^ fi„dy.,„^ ^
r*^' -Wte 1- «»Jd pet their h^
tW. «, the rt,^ „i.ted to „e by . y,^ „i^
* ^ tiHT > n.. u., it „„a i i. to «t4. imisr=
%^''-"
J> '
I*
i ■
|l-| 1*
-* -.K -
o2
SIP '.• ^«
11
■ \i
/*
:>
■.T«i.
DO BACKWOODS or CANADA.
.onwy. 1 Oiought it might prove not uninteresting,
.« a trait of character of one of these singular i^eople.
Chiboya (for that was the name of the Ind,an, Was
one of the Chippewas of Rice Lakr, most of whom
a^ now converts to Christianity and makmg 6on.
Arable advancement in civili^Uon and knowkdg, ,
of agriculture. Hunting and fishing, however, ap^
toTtheir favourite pursuit.: for *hese hey 1..
1 comfortable houses at the Ind»n -U^ «^
^ at stated times to their forest haunts. Ik-
STitls g^eiaUy considered that ttieir numb»
^TdiminiBhLg. and some tn^es have become^
tfttot totauTStinct in the Canadas*. The »» i
IX p2g away from the fiioe of the earth. «
• l^jLT^r^a^mis with the colonists, UU, a fci|
:^»„ri„ to ua tot they once 'f^-J
^„ «xt you «md .box or«««l. kt o»ta
. fe. good trica «l4 Bymn-book.; as the, ,».i
* , * - ;« tW wiirwam ; it is the Indiii
nnA th«v laDflC to us in tne wigw"*" » „ . u
Cri^Hnd written by the hunu.r, Peter^^
s^he wis delighted when I toldhmi I wante^l
rcop7it for meftU I might send it across tb..
to mj own country, that English people m«ht,
how weU Indiana could wnte.
. •It is itated that the North-West Company had K
r « Ifc^^raad that the whole Indian populatum of
of all the tnbet, •"«»"*"" ^^ ioq.OOO souU. bl
iiDMenae continent^ not now «»««» *""' J
SSntwy docSnt of 1834, the Indiaiis of Wj
\Smt«d at 8,437. «°d thoae of ym^^j
ahoi« of Lake Huwn. and totha weatwaid.-Eo.
M/.. ,!!^,
it Company bad a i
ndun population of i
Bed 100,000 9ouU. UJ
le Indians of Lw« 'I
lose of Upi)ei CaniJiJ
jdto wclud« ihtm *f
itwatd. — Eu-
CANADIAN ORNITU<ft.OGV. 221
The hunchback Maquin has made me a miniature
moe of buch-bark, which I send ; you wiU prize it
• a oinoBity, and token of reni^branoe. The red
jnd h^ squurel^kins are for Jane ; the feat^
h^ the neit time I send a packet home, she shall
bm specunen. fit for buffing of a«r .pfcadid rl
f^^ I am wire, te tht Vh^rfan ii%liliiig«fe ;
l«o« in, May or April, and leaves uT^^
•«,; *i. -JsmLv
222
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
summer: it exactly oonesponds U* a stuffed Virg..
nian mghUngak that I saw in a fine coUection of
American biida. Tha Uue-bW is equaUy lovely, aud
migialM much alwut the same thn*; ihe ptapjj
^ than upon the wing, so cannot describe itim-
nntely. The cross-biUi an very pu^tty; the m*
»ud to ato c i a i ta o ffosito^ «^ ^^ one ;^^
lov^y mixtiue <d soariet and orange on the \m\
^* ^V^".
SNOW-BUNTINO.
«I«IM g«y and white ;«,d^ *• "^'
j taitl; the darp chitt«i JT^ ««« to be
rf-MwrntoT ^^ '""?"«*•'"«'>« the ««„
Ua» hemlock. ^ZittSj^^^ f^
|l»»ildi their pbriU firiZr J if*'** "y ""I"
■wMuui^. 4 so, mjj quite <»Hnin i».4 t ^i.. . °^
t-ine little bi,d tlTk S* »«* I thmk this is
-^ with few elwng^^ ^^thougl, weak,
%thewilr^*^^""«"»yl^*^singH
, J **• *»<»wi much of the snow.h,m«— . i^..
^•^» it till the 6iS C«.d^^' ^ "*^
•>«h to mark its for*/ i - ''^° "^^^ "««
w almost warm . ^: Tl/fy '***"**^ wd ^
'■^""mirDriZTi/ ™°> feofcfaig toward, il^
^ near the sh«,«: it «e««d a. if ^^
^,._
, '^ih ^-in^y- tx' ■.:-. .„_.'>- ■ ■ ♦ "^
l^^^i^Jwyv,...^ -pr ^ -y,;^
,X
i.V£S.^
BACKWOODS OK CANADA.
,,^r^ ^f »l,et that twinklea and ^'''«» W»»|
J^^t J ol«n.tt«m n«-«; «h.B.^X. "-y™.•
L^^ rt»8 dl took fligW •» »noth«r tree «h«^
J^^^t waying »d flattering of tor ,mll
whit .^ "gt^-t «»» ■»»"«'"• "^ ^"^
i^ i^n dl the pm« «ithin 'fl't <* ««
^;CrorKformeto.««niae.»
"X-. singing-Wds. the robin, ^^^M
a tiny bird. Bke our common wren, are, tl>« I "
m^^Sat* with. The Can«li»n mtaJ^^H
Z«rthan OUT dear robin at home ; he .s loo e««
S^a ^ to redi«the ideaof our little^™..
ri "Z tioa«hold-bird ««h the red ^<«'^'\
^y. .^dbv Bishop C«ey, in a sonnet addr««llj
^,^S^^daug^.-jj«-j^»;;^;r«|
wiU. the unfortunate Flrederic Pnnce P.Jatm 1
The «»g of the Canadian robin «> .»?™",
The sMg ^ „^ and nn«
tr^ ^e :^ eheerfid Uveiy cba-Ur ^
'ttSTthe earol of its nam.«*e ; -^J^^
S of the bird «e «r, <«»■"* „„^j^|
-.itiS^iS
I sparkled agaiasi
r il^ nowHy, that
wben, to my sm-
other tree, where,
ing of their small
they produced the
ttracted^ my olwer-
lin sight of the
e lovely creatoei.
I I have seen them
m the ground, or
to examine them
the blackbird, and
en, ara those I MJ
lian roibin b mudi
le; he is toocoene
M)f our little feww-I
5 fed stomacher," Ml
sonnet addreasedtoj
\ ht on her
ince Palatine.
>hinis^n^«
sweet, and varicmj
»ly character that (
ake; hut the gen
kilar. The Cans
but more so with I
flocks soon aiter I
appear very
r evi^, api«w*^
reast is of a pinli
• iJ
■m
-;fv<^
m
"■smm
/.
r^y-
.y
y ■
!-^
y
-n'
\»
*.
1
_,,-"'
■ /•
*
»
t •
' i
^
-- ■ ■* ■ "--,
;
.
\-
'■
*\
■ \ .
' '■ ' ■«< ' ■ "■■■■■■■■
r^i^^ '
*
*
"
*,,-.
> .
f ■. ' " <■
-
i
tS
,1^^* "*,^iai^'A.^ .►i.tfj^ . v-jU^ '
S'Tfll
■';JJs
^i'JK,^-, T^I^*'*'--'
Bl.Ack.BlBD.
M?
iiJDion colour; the hiMiHKi i . — ^"
• tlmialL """"ey are a» Wf (^
Hie lihckbi,^ j, -,j„_
«^<V torn, iMtaj fiTlT ^ *"**". «>•
J^fr bmb. n«r fa the Cu^J!^^^ '" *«
My. Wlie« 0^^^^, «h« elder, of the
•«»ti»h. and on ZiZ^ *7 ««»«• 8««J
"^^^look^f^ « fly «P to U»
* no, I »3d" 1!X^"J^'»«»
•"r distant comnKksa. i« T K ^ ^ ^^'^^^^
> Wte Alio, i ^iJV^'*' •«« "hSB .
1 >>WH tin you wth „, oniithologSl
... i
r^MfclLjU .'«■«>'
^-
E
lli!
«5(g BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
d«tch«s but mart enumenrte two «. three ram
i^ti^XoawJme to the po«Ury-,»ds: th^
■omedmrieeticany away scroes the toke.
"CZ-h««k we oceasiondly «e .k.mm.»g the
,urf« of the water. «ri it i. »g«*4 » »» '""^
IS^-ho tdte delight to n«»ri»8 O*" ^ '^
"^n we have the night or moeq»to-h.wk, «bid.
J^ ^n to the «r pa««ing the in«<* tabM«
r Wri« ^A^ wWlThandnids of great dragrf-
Z^t^^^Tmh^; notwithstaodtag the« «■
mes parauo •" ___.a-Bl. bv those summet
sstance, we are bitten iwrc^yDy ™
n««l»flie mosquitoes and btocktlies.
•^iTtrfWed woodpecker is «ry 8pl.nd.dijte
. A J n^Mnit of • rich crimson; the tai,
• ^'^ rt^OT divided betw«=n the m».
""■^ viSltrbhl ThetoMssant tap«
rS^^ti^ "^ aisco,*"" ^'^ -^ t
Wue^ayTTTea^ft- «.nri.e to -mset. as ».» «
bareh«.d.o«tto greettheoldon.s,«how«« tartwr
^, at the old .tumi» to their ne^hbourhood
t--^;-
B1RD*S-NBST.
or three mow ■ wpply their cravings, as busy
229
at work.
88 so many carpenU'ra
^: V
''ii
nry splendid;.^
maon; the tack,
tween the most
ncessant tapping
tent shriek of the
mi^ilt, as soon as
Wtinow Oriole <____
'*<»««" of a mod;LrS-i."r "^
miuu , It was com*
in
' '1^
•*'i
. i . , 3. !
'It ' >
h '
pi " -^^
"4. >
.-Ai . Li
'i
^^ •
-i-
M
• ^»
k*^a
V# *<-
Ji^oviv"-";
M", C .»>
,«'\
230
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
poaed of the fibres of the baahwood bark, which
are very thready, and may be drawn to great fine-
ness, on the whole it was a curioos spedraen of the
ingenuity of these admimUe little architects. I could
not discover the boilder; bat raOier si^spect the nest
to have belong^ to my proof ^ the little winter tit-
mouse that I told you of.
The nest of the Canadkn robfaif wUkb tdiscovered
ivfaik seeking for a hen's nest in a bush-heap, just at
t|MB further edge of the cl«uing, is very much Uke our
home-iobin's^ aUowing something fcr: diflference o(
nse in the biid, and in the malwU; the eggs, firc
in number, were deep blue. >
Befora I quit the subject of Utds, I must noil
tc> your lememlOTUioe the httlB hqiWii tot the Aim-
nouiB build for tl» swaO^ I iivie rfBbe foasd ooi
onf oi tbeir jpeat reasitt ibr cfaoiAdng this uaefid
^WiA It«HJ«artttiatiiiosti0O|sd a^
betiiieii l»i*p«iti Wd «li*ig»*t*«^
jfoK imiM, aijinoyihg them; in every possible way,
hmii#^:l|Nl|^^ like its eiii gemai: it is moet An-
gnlar^ iQ smafl a cwafc^ro, ahoii* thus overwme
one thatisthefonnidablBenemyofso manyoftln
feathered race. J should hajss been somewhat icepH
cal on the subject, had I not myidf Jjcen sn ^
witness to the foct. I waskiokingoutof mywindoi
one bright summer-aay, when I noticed a hawkofj
large description flymgheaway along the lake, utteriatt
cries rf distress} witljin a jaid or towo ofitwnjj
— stttitMiri he dittMW »
— blid {Uipiiiig it dosely, and also screaminif.
*^'*,l!i|M|4b'f
r
'__v,"-'-«<B<i4'-"i i-^^m^i^vi ■
^.WALLOWS.
.!*,"'-<a«r.f'
c.
^^ 231
^y^rTdlu^; «- pi- wood hid then.
•t lifeh prices to be m^inJi^.^"'^
^f"'^ TimneLTL^ *1^°* P«rt8 of the
iw natAW ^^^ *** *»«»»«• when
Utodists of the m^tv^^T?^ ."^"^ *»y
I tow. howw, •eribl*d«,„a„,'i^5^
■I
'<■*
m t
'*% -S-i
4 J
bIso fiCreaminf •
^ J--T f-
'>'--^^t:^±m^
•'■-/y':
■ACRWOODS OV CANADA.
/
hdnn XT//
r
V«ii% «f BotaaW KaMrtedgCf— TIm ^i>»-tl^ead.— flumpuilU FhtliL-
/
Julyl3.183i
Onm winter Droke^up unusually early this vear: by
the end of February the ground was quite tree firom
SHOW, tnd tlw weather continued aD through March
mfld and ji^asant, though not so warm as Uie
pieoedlne^r, and certainly more variable. By the
last weiek in April and;^ beginning of May, the
foicsUrees had al burst into leaf, with a briUiancy of
[4 that was exquisitdy lovdy. .
^ the 14th, 15th, and 16th of May, the air
__, suddenly cold, with sharp winds from the
uwth-west, and heavy storms of snow that nip{)^ the
)0ang buds, and destroyed many of the early-sown
vegetable seeds ; fortunately for us we were behind-
hand with ours, which was very well, as it happcneA
Our woods and clearings are now full of beaatifiil
llowen. Tou will be able to form some idea of
them fiom the dried specimens that I send yoa.
You wiB lecoj^ise among them many of the che-
rished pets of oar gardens and green-houses, which
are here ihiiig carelessly firom l^ahue's lavish hiid
— iiii^ra^r^M~~iwni^r'i— fMWln— » i aal ■— wii*^" ' , ._,, ■ ■ ■ -■ ; , ■
^■(nllW UUf WUUUS imO^wrtiWBr •
Sow often do I widi yidli were beside me ii
\ »■■♦ iim'lii.
i .f
n
¥v
833
UriLlTV OF BOTANICAL K^WLBDGB.
m^nmbles amon|r.the woods and dearimn,- vou
lower-pamting; you often told me the timS would
«« ijjen I thould have cauM to regret neglectu^
rfte golden opportmiity before me. ^ "^ "^
Ton proved a trae prophetess; for I daily lament
, Jitl annot make fi^thfiil representations of the
^taiwsof my adapted country, or understand as you
j wodd^do their botanial arrangement. With some
ftwl have made myw* acquainted, but Bave hardly
eonfidence m my acaiity stock of knowledire to ven-
J«» scientific deecriptions. when I feel^scious
n! ^hmd«r would be easily detected, and expose
J!!lA^1^.t*.r^^^^ '"' "^ -sumptioHf
botledge that I did not possess. The onfy bota-
lalwork I have at my command is Pursh's North
U«mn Ploro, fh»n which I have obtained some
"fematKm; bat mart confess it is tiresome bhw-
Nmog out Latin descriptions to one who kirows
ihuwledge of Italian. / "™»«n
I I have made m a Ust of the plants most worthy
pfjteition near us; there aw many others in the
"•■Mlup that I am II stiaiiger 4o; some there
infhose names I am miactjiiainted. I suljfoni/a
i JlT!**"^* ^*^ ^*'^ "y ^^^^ ^^ ™y pen/of
liPK ilbwers that pleased me particularly, orioiat
^"Jimarkable^<pluilitiefc
' '.1 mk
nts do not grow on clearecj laiid that
f v)^
«34 BACKlifOODS or CANADA.
fonnerly occupied the same spot when if was covered
with fowstrtrees. A distinct class of vegetation
malws its appearance as soon^as the fire has passed
oiver tb« groond. ^ ,
The same thing m^yhc remarked with regard U
the change that takes (jace among oar forests.^ An
one generation falls and decays, uew ones of a dif-
ferent diaracter spring up in their places. This w
illustrated in the circumstance of the resmous sub-
stance caUed fot-pine being nsuaUy found in places
where the Uving pine is least abundant, and where
Oie ground is qca^Jied by oak, ash, buck, maple, and
/ ba8S*wood«
The fire-weed, a spedes of tan thisUe of rank and
unpleasant scent, is tlie first plfmt that ap^ars when
the ground has been fireed fiwm timbers by fire : if «
liece of land lies untilled the first summer after its
being chopped, the foUowing spring shows you •
smothering crop of this vile weed. The next plant
/ you notice is the suma<j^ with, its downy stalks, and
bMd of deep Crimson velvety flowers, forming
•B upright obtuse bundi at the extremity of the
branches : the leaves tara scarlet towards the latter
end of the summer. This shrub, though reaUy vaj
ornamental, is regarded as a great .pest m -old
dearings, where the roots run and send up sickm
hi abundance. The raspberry and wild gooseber^
H« next seen, and thousands of strawberry pl<»nli
of diflfeient varieties carpet the ground, andjnii
^ with the grasses of the pastures. 1 have H
«A>li ged this spring to root out with remorseless
Is^ainda of mapaflDa planb, and a^ pi
'HJ.- S-J ■!,'■
en it was covered
188 of vegetation
be ftre has passed
mipiwwBoe on • dry sandy prth in „, _^„™
r^ lr*r "ter flowws. that elo« inZ
«dp» «,me rf ae .eed of this pi.nras itl
r»«™«»b. MmplmtoovnsUieeaithlikeBthiek
_[««« thai Moi^g „, jrtrf plant. I cooH «rt
»^«"Mi»8ciommpoi, thewaten*. Tiua
• $'l
'^> 'II
si
t it
'r
j; «'r i
'»<i%.Si
. V J
t^*
[WOODS or dAHADA.
magnificent floma^ n about the size of a mode-
rafeely laige dahlia i it ia^><»^l«V^ '^^^^ *^^^
row of petals dimini^jHing by ^hpreea in size, and
gradually deepening i^ tint from] the purest whife
to the brightest lemon cokur.XThe buds are
wry kwely, and may be seen beW the surface of
the water, in diitaent stages of forwardness from
the doaely-foWed bud, wrapped in its oUve green
cafix, to the half-bknm flower, ready to emerge
from its watery prison, and in aU ita virgin beauty
expand ita snowy boaom to the sun and genial air.
Nor is the beailty of the flower ito sole attraction:
when unfolded it gives oat a rich perfume not unMkc
the smeU of fresh lemons. The leaves are also wor-
thy of attention: at first they aic of a fine dark
green, hut as the flower decays, the leaf ohangesits
hue to a vivid crimson. Where a large bed of these
lilies grow closely together, they give quite a sanguine
appearance to the vraters, that is distinguishable at
acHpe distance.
The yellow species of this plant is also very ban*
some, though it wants the silken texture and deUcite
colour of the former; I caU this the -water-king"
The flower presents a deep golden-coloured cajt,
the ooncave petals of which aie douded in the centre
: with a dark leddishhrown, th^ forms a striking
contrast to the gay anthers, which are very nunw
rous, and torn back fiwm the centre of the flowr,
falling Uke fringes Of gold one over the other, ii
anolgnve rows, tiU they flU up the hollow floiw
^j l M ft, ^ ^
''^'^*^^ ■
_,-^<^f* '
• l^*'"'
tlClUBfiDS.
23f
1'^* *^"'*^*'' /^**- ' '"^ »«' * •"<"• lovely
t^rJl 'It* ^* r^"*" ^»°« *^ '^
tekes^ purple. Nearer m shore, in the shallowest
otoared persecaria sends up Its beau-
«Ji«K^ !!?""* ^^ ^^ «™^*^* yon see the
»«ro a«d smooth dark green leaves velhed
mri^ofthM beautiful q^cies of plants. Then a
W of my fejourite white Blies,' all in fiUl blol
SaTtfL"^' ^"^ their double ilZ:;
J^pnde. It tjn^ plant, with dark green s^ar-
TiL J ^T^ ''^'^^l ^ «»"»« of this viS
inujd-tookipg flower. „d I'S^flected to exanS
iywhich to discover its nwne or spScies.
Oo'rioe.bedsarefar fiom being unworthy of ad-
-ArtwiM «« ihMn a distance they look Uke kw
iZ!^^"^ lakes: on passing thmugh ^I
rftij« noc^beds When the rice is in floZThas I
^appeomnce with its b«M«l grassy tea^
Vtfi»^iig spikes, garnished with pale yeUow ineen
22^ "Tl'"**^ breath.ofairor
h^ mot»n of the waters. I g.the«d mmnA
[2^,*J^n only ja«t opened, bul the tii«Min*
ttractly iliey became Aif . ^Nexl
V
y
•■?i
l*\fcC»^ ■
^i ^1», .Aii -i"** k^f^*!^
<v.
•i'Xif»ify
S38
-n-
BACKWOODtt OP CANADA
fnaimtr I will make anotlier attempt at preserving
thens and it may be with better success.
. Tlw kMT ahore of the lake is a complete shrubbery.
We have a -v«ry pietty St. JohnVwort, with handtMNne
^Mkm flowere. The white and pink spiral fhitex
alao aboimds with aome ekqaisite ufvight honey-
suddes, ihnibby phmts about three feet in heigb;
tfaib bloMooa grow in pain or by foi^rs, and hang
beoea^ the li^t green leaves; elegaftt trumpet-
flhaped floweni of a delicate greenish white, which are
. ioooeeded by ruby-ookmred berties. On gathering i
Wndi of ibis plant, yon cannot but be struck with
the ctegani anrangetnent of the flowers along tbe
under pM of the stalka. Tha two blossoms are con-
nected at thi nectary of each in a singular manner. I
The Americans call thia hon^ywcWe « twinflower."
I hava seen some of the flowen of this plant i«k
p^k : on the whole it is one of the most ornauental
shrubs we haw. I transplanted some young tices
into my gaiden last t^ngi they promise to GTel
aiia do weU. I do not find any description of ttiii|
tthmb in PW^^ Flom, but know h to be a specie«or|
honeysttckle, firom the class and ordervthe shape udj
ookHir of the leaves, the stalks, Oie trumpet^hqx'
bkMsom and the fruit; att bearing a resemWancel
0at honcyaockks in some degree. There is a
H^iright bosh, bwtring large yellow trumpetn
flcywen^ springing from the eiitremities of the bn
the involncram ibnns a boat-shaped cup thatei
♦ At flowers fiwn whk^ they seem to spring,
^ofe^
':M
imi&iij'<<^K a'i/"
„^^ »<ti.
**» '' ' *• i.
"JSP.
A CUftlOOb PLANT.
t3t
I '^ The k»ve8 and hUmoms of this plant ai«
\«^Bnd by no means U, ^paw io the fornu^r
^* ^ a very pretty flower,, and grows in
I luayer meadows. s . * "»»b la
lilt autmrin I observed in ths plne-wood iear us
L^canous plant ; H came up with nakedZ^^
I f..S!"i ""r *~^"« '^•S^*^*^^ «^kled and/
«tym Am rtm^ige plant with some de««^of
» towards the htter end crf»October ; &1ittl«
.which conristed of two angufer h^'^^Z
. wheu My operie^. to a booV in shape,
^ »nd displayed a pole ^w-co W
IMbitanoe that resembled flile^w^dust: ^
»U^ to seeds; this singular flow«r would
h^^'T"^. ^ • microsoope. One
S^ ^ I objej^ was. thai o^ pXngm, a
^ Its room feund the blossoms^n uX
W. ipnngiag up from the lowest psrt of the
jn^wd just a^ advanced to maturity as
^^SJZ^ »^»^ f^ Bp ting U«t
H^^fmncwliat blandwdrihinr being covered
fxwwe air. I cw And no descriptibn pf ihii
'A.
> t,
i:*'-^#'*^-
A.4-- -v,
•^^m'
2\^#?'^''
f AOKWOOOS or OAllMrDA.
- -i . -J ■ 1 .
Jant, nor any pcnwi Tmi v^!f^ aeems to have tahn
notke of it. The apedmen I had on being dried
became ao^brkOe ttial it M to pieces.
I h^wepromiaedtoeolfactaoiiie of the most singula j
dP our natiw flowers for one of the Profeasots o I
^ Botai^y In the Bdinl)urgh University.
W« have a very handbome plant that bean the
idosest affinity to our potatoe in its floral constroctioi;
tgrowstotheheightoftw^or three feet in favourable
nitaationB, and sends up miny branches j thebtossom
hn large, purely wWte.frecU^ near the bottom ofthel
eoroB# with brownish yellow 8|>ot8; the corollaisnih
dividfld: this is evidently the same plant as the
cultivated potatoe, though it dc^ss not appear to fora
apples at the root. The fruit is very handsome, egg-l
sC^,of a beautiful apricot colour when ripe,M(ll
rfaSiningtempting appearance ; the smell. hwwvaJ
betrays its poisonous nature: on opening one of M
froita you find it consists of a soft pulp HM
aWningblnck seeds. The plant continues m bloA»
from June tiH Uie first frosts wither the leaves; it i
far less oo<ip« than the potatoe; the flower, when f
blown, ib about the sia* of a half-crown, andqn
flat- I think it iswhat you caU salver-shaped:
deliffhts in light k«ny soil, growing on the uptor
rocS Of &nen trees, where the ground is m^
tobcsandy. I toife never s^i this plant rt«i
> thanonoorownfaHow.
The hepatica is the first flower of the Can
monna:: it^dens us with its tints of azure,p«
mKlted from the earth. The dSOTTs caBHii
k - <. i'J .^.- ' n^;-^ A%!i*E^V'^;
4 \
I
... ■ ^v
1
V
nM to have takes
on being dried
1
1
I.
the most singak
the Professors o
1
i^'., , .■841
■m f^ Its cominflr so soon after the imL ^•
WPW- We 869 its gay tufts of fl . ^°^ ^^"^
#*«. Wd the <^,'"^ the op^
h«w are also ao •nduiSr^^ '^ ^*^"»*»; i*t»
P^' the ph.t L^tala*^";! »^y™<e.
Lin «»««. "^ • "^ "P** of whitfah cnS
h^m of t^nST^'Si"" ""^i^y "P""*» ""'I
vme name oflamb's quarter, thai git>pi
If Pi 1
^^J
I.' «-
fifl'SiX-'**^* <-f -*-
'r-;?^'
■f^m
.T.*fVjS'tV' '^
N-c.
^•Nie'-i
/ ■. ' .
S49 BACEirOpDS OF CANADA.
in itreat jAfiision abJut our garden, anA in rich f»i)
rii« to two feet, and Is very luxuriant in its foliage;
" tbe leaves are covered with a white tough powder.
The top shoots and t«inder parts of this vegetable are
boiled with pork, and, in place of a more delicate
pot-herb, is very useful. .....
Then we have the. Indian turnip; this is a very
handsome arum. the:^root of which resembles the
. capava, I am told, wfieii^bofled : the leaves of th.8
'^ ^1iehandsosie,8i£^Ung^ ^
gpathe is of a lively pen. striped with p^
Indians use. 4e itwt as a medianc, and also |» m
esculent; it is often^n bythesettlcreasavegetabW,
butlncrvirt^itmyself. Pursh calls this spede.
ArtmJtiropurpureum. ,
I mW hot pass over one of our greatest ornaments.
thfetowberry bHte, strawberry-be«ing spmach »r
Indiaii strawberry, as it is variously named. Tb
aSdar plant throve out many branches from one
. 5em. these axe garnished with handsome hm,\
iesembUng in appearance our tong-l[«^^^ J^f*"
spinach ; the finest of thisplant isof a bright cnw
pipy like the sttawberry, and contiumng a immber of
Se seeds, partirfiyemraaMTr^^
L same manner as the strawberry. The firuitgrowj
doM to the stalk, completely surrounding it, an^
forming a long spike of the richest crimson beme
I have gathered branches a foot « le«gt*^;'r
covered vrith the beautiful kK,king frmt. and to^
regretted that it was so insipid in ite flavour « J
S ri t unea t ^bte. "i^« i t h e b a nk s of cree to,^^
T^ound, it grows uiort luiurianUy. «ne «» e«tanec«
/
-i,aJ^5S 1*
L,iV>- i^i>4fe'-*^-
— '^^X^-'^'' ,f}'ty.s^
=i ■T' ^y* '* '^°'
"t\.
'^''•^y^''^ r'^w\t^??^;^^'
> . *
fi«J.Jy tiD the frost. »ip a«n ofrr^uT^
niiKtaidto eat the berries* it k nZ: ^^f^^^
oka mhigltd with ilum.. Aftfenarf-!! . .^
<iilI»owft^iiit« miotaOigiU. the cobml. i.r-
Mwaction, It proved only a aouiw of Vexation and
iM rf Arvii !.«_ , oo^nv. Aa soon as the
W«» lAite buds dnMtd «« , B,jt-j fiMtafc*'
^ JJ? Adjffi, and abo m ^tft ^ww^^ ^ r TL ^
V
^1
3(
^11
■^f
^--i-i.. ,' ',.,.
» X: ."li's:
t-f -s
J^p-'-fr-
Tf"
■^
■ACKWOOD8 Of CAMAI^
«4*
wfaen it tot com« ip the bud ii aupported by Um
teaf 'and is foWed together with It; the flower, how-
ever, soon devntee it^lf ibote itt protector, white
the leaf having performed its doty of guardian to
the tender bud, expands to its fiiU sixe. A rich
black vegetable mould at the edges of the cleanngi
^ms the favourite *i»a for this plant
The scariet cohimWne is another of my favoanU
floweis; it is bright ted. with yellow Unings to the
tubes. The nectiries are more elongated than 1&
gaHencotambbes. and foim aiort of munj cm™,
Amounted with Uttle bans atthetips. AtaUgracefid
plant, witli its brilliant waving bloasoms, is this cohun-
Sne; it iiows both in the sunshine and the shade, not
perha^ to deep sh«ly woods, but where the jd«
Vrt^W been removed by the runmng of the fiit,
or^ axe of the diopper ; it seems eventofloundiB
nrior stony soils, and may be found near every
Z^it. The feaAered columbine delights in moiJl
open JLps, and the banks of rbuleta; it^^
Sic height of three, and even four and five fat,
and is very ornamental. .J
Of Violets, we have evwyvarietyof colour, sizeand
d«p^ kKdring only the ddlghtM t«ote orf^
^Une^wKKUands: yet I l»«^_fV'5f |
XJ"^ ^ these meek daughter of tl«
«rinir Waase they want the firagianoe of tlM«iw»
^wry beautifiil. are also devokl of scent; here^
uf ^ul our ought tn mak« wf^ Mnends for want of pw- 1
tUme. We have tiolela ol every shade of blue,i
■2 f.
▼lOLBTa.
i4S
iHto oHUmT down? iS^T^!^'^ "** »^
huge; wareihe seed-WaBelkbottiTfl ^ "^y
«n— T.^^; l>toqim under ground. The
poaVrfthe Yelkn, Violet fe descri^iW ^fi ^
nationed violei , *~«npuve of thefimt-
iWeia an «tegMt twto «ruja&»., that Woom. in
te«tamn; it i. the atee of a 8«i«H Wa^J
«Mw. we tower Hp purple, apd the aide winm a
J;^-*^^. «.««.«, „d^. "Snld'
J^^ Wge I-febhpBhe. or white fclZ
-~««u«iijti-~iheBe anthaii Ave a pretty eAct,
p3
^- i-
.'Mi,
/
h^
i-
* i
II-
<!*/
V
/l^
i'
<s
fe!
S^l^ivii
-'W*i^
■V"*
BACKWOODS Of CAI^ADA. ,
cont»rtedtlllha»wliite»t«rryptUfci. There iuont
Tttriety of the toll •■««• Umi I hvre tnn oii the
phin«,ithasiloww8 abom th« nM of a «xpence,of
iioft p9Hly tint of Uucvith brown anthers; tha
pbat giOPf tery toll, and hrancfaM iWwi the parent
Item in many graoafol Aopafy bo«gfaa; tiw ieavMof
thk fpecks aw of a pmiito ««d on the Undar tide, and
indining to hoartHi«pei the leayee «nd Btalks are
^MD not afraid of Uaiyhig yon wil^ m^ floral
aketebea,! haw yet mkny to deaeribe; among these
aie those ekgantUttl^ «v«rgieen8,thataboand in this
Qoontry, under the name of winter-gwens* of whkji
theie are three or fiiar remariiable for beauty ot
foBage,flower, and fruit Oneof theMwint^p^greew.
that abounds in oor pine-woods is extiwnelyb^tifiil;
it seldom exceeds six indies in height; the learn
are a bright shining ^n, of a kmg narrow oval,
delicately not«*ed like the edges of a loae-leaf ; and
the nlantemefges from beneath tho snow in the eariy
pwt ofthe year, as soon as the flist thaw takes ptm,
as fresh and veidant as before they were covered up:
itsetms to be a shy bkwwmer, I haw never seen
necimens of tjie floweis in bloom bnt twice; the«e
roiwIiiBy preserwd for you, but the dried ptnt
win aib«d but an imperfect idea of the onginal
You always called, you know, your dried spedmew
oorfises of planto* and said, that when weU painted.
theiTrepiesentations were far more Uke them-selm
The flowernitalk ri|p tmi or three inches from the
centre of the ptont,a&d ia crowned with loundcnnwon
''4
f^
fc»n|h« palest pink to t^gh|«tbli«hV«Io« tie
^Jgm* « of an emerald uii|,««, fo^j^ , ,jj^
ilbbed turban In the
powd ten stamens of
tUs is one of the gems
aptljr be oompared to an ei
methyttB. The oontfauBt
weedingly pleasin^^, and
>d which are dis-
«*?» J In shorv
^Noild, and might
riWf M* round with
«o*<>an in this flower is
the crimson bods an<^
Ptfe.
ifauig ewr-green leaves are scarcely less to be J
Anoto of o«r wint«^greene groiw in Owndance
«_the Rioe-Uke plains; the plant dpes n
to inchesj the flowen are in Kttle loose tochm.
£trSfbl2^ai\'^'*'J^ bb^T^TS
«w», the bemes ace bright ■cariet,andareknowi»
ftemust be ChuOtkerim procumbtnT m7^
guttle e
uT^* Ijr"^ *»* arbutus in leaf a„^
d^* *"*''^ to • learlet ^Ti iT
2g^MMded^al the^ edge in ««. pcSSutl^
IWt. ^ tfa-o« of this elegit UttleA^^
^fl^ ^irh It hwlw Uhe-tfae iBfaiag n,^
y'
'i •..;
-ja —
V.
■~iJ
6'^. /J
^!Kr»^^;?^
esm
^i
S4B BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
appear in «iroopiiig handben a» the fMune time IIm
ripened berry of the fimner year i» in perfection ; this
cirtnnwtancc adds not a little to the charm of the
nlant. If I mistake not, this is the GuaUheria ShalUm,
v!^ Puish Ukens to the arbutus: this is also one
of our winter-greens. ..c j r .
There is another pretty trailing plant, with debcate
little ftinnei-shiiped flowers, and a piofasion of smaU
darkgreeninnmd buds, dightly variegated, and bright
red berries, whk5haie produced at the extremities of the
branches. The btessoms of this plant grow in pairs.
closely connected at the germen; so much so, that the
scarlet fruit that supersedes the flowem appears like a
doubte berry, each berry containing the seeds of boA
flower? and a double eye. The plant is also called
winter-green, or twin-berry ; it resmbks none of the
other winter-greens ; it grows in i^jossy woods, trading
ak>nff the ground, appearing to deKght in covenng A
Uttk^lk)cto and inequalitiei of the ground In I
»^ eWance of growth, delicacy of flower, and brightne*
ofterry, this winter-green is UtOe inferior to anyrf
the former. *' ..
There is a pUint in our woods, known by the nainii
of man-drafce, may-appte. andf duAVfoot : the bo-
tanical name of the plant is PodophyUuro; it be-
tones to the daas and order Polyandria tnonogfm.
lie WoMom is yeflowish white, the corolla cousistong
of six petals; the fruit hi obkmg'.jwten ripe, of «
««eniih yeDoW; in six? that of an ^ive, or large
''^amsoti; whenfullyripe ilhasttarflavour of p««er«d
tamarind, a p teasant ^msk add; it appew tobe2«g
-Kyiiiiriifliiighit fawreaaesrapi^ t^ r*gb f^"^ *""'
■-^¥A
ywi'SterasswB j'Kw
^f«' -"^n K^2#«^'V' «i^'^** i~
ULIBS.
249
wU malM a delicate ii«»r»._.-.k^*" ^'>«*»i»
"Agon grow abundanUvon oJT^ C" "^
« "xxfa, where a«e ^. ' *"** ***=«»» '"
h«te tab.;. Twt^^"!*^^''"'*'^ ««h
|»H».M<1 thickly coroed win. IT .^''^•
[•»* The dafedUrf r' ''"^'^ «">-
Jh ftmr-stalk at inK^^ ^ave. grow ^ / ^
I A wy baauwa plan, rf U^ , r««- ,
*» «T «™od. and deling, , fcr^, rff^
r -li:'
u AM — » •%» »wi want or a rio**^.
» gwJtt portioa of the continent, ni
^\.l-
\ '
5«
»»,
■■S ■«■- ;►■■
•I,:
r^ ■■•■
w
m^>f-
lAO
BACKWOODS OP CANADA.
^P~
AmeriGaDs term the white and red wieties of tUi
^Mcies, the ** white" and ** red death." The Oower is
either deep red, or of a dazzUng white, though thr
laUer is oaen found stained With a delicate blush-pink,
or a deep green i the latter a^ipears to be cawed
by the calix running into the petal. Wherefiw
il bears so formidable a name has not yet transpired.
The flower consists of three petal% the calix three;
it belongs to the class and wtder Hexandria mm-
gynia; styl^ thiee-deft ; seed-vessel of three vahr«|;
aoa, dry woods and olean^ lands ; lea¥e8 growing in'
three, springing from the joints, large round, but a
little pointed at the exttemities.
We have lilies oi the valley, and their couainB the
Solomon's seab, a small flowered turk's-cap, of pale
primiose colour, with an endless variety of smaL
flowers of the lily tribe, remarkable for beauty oi
foliage or delicacy (^ form.
Our Perns arevCTyd^ant and numerous; I haw
no less than eight difierent specimens, gathered from
our immediate neighbourhood, some of which an
extremely efegant, espedaUy one that I caU the "ftiiy
fern," ftom its lightness. One elastic stem, of i
purpliih-red colour, supports several light biaactaM
. ^vhich are subdivided and furnished with innumenbli|
> leilets; each leafethasafootstalk, that attachesittof
branch, of so slight and hair^e a substance that t
least breath of air seto the whole plant in motion.
Could we but imagine Canada U> have beeivi
loene of fairy revels, we shoukl declare that f"
»« 1 ^ MUBii mull nillflMl *" M t»»*t i ♦ti l' olft P-i
gfUOBluiiema were w«u buim«i-««» ■••■"■■ >■■• *— ^«
of Oberon and Titania.
*SS%i
m
MOCASSIN KLOWBR8.
Wta. Urn feni flnt appear. ak<«* the ground it »
«j«^tobedMng„ished f™„ the d.SX*„^
™»«ljr .Mried up. In May and J„„e, the S
««d. ™d aoon aa«i,e the most deU^te UM S
ucuuc uecween the common name of t>.«
Amencan and English species) i, nl T '
to C. ^mo™™ are the BMW beaMifiU of the sL^
& coljur of the lip of tte former, is aT«Tv
"«y ydl^. d.d«d ^ deep crimso^^, "^J
W« pet^ couart if two dnrt .„d twrions jl
tatae and colour nsenOtfug tiSe eheati «f «Se' ^
».««ia.™ tribe, «,.*„,» o„« «.„d™,'^
rfclToi'Sr T"^ « UM«^ pair are tCllm^
tatagft of the former, ye^, „„,„,. and AegantI,
*««d. like the spM hona of the WaUchiwran,
^.g^ ttick yeUow fl„hy «« of Ud.V:L
•Mfc of the flower, you perceive the exact fccc of an
,"J»»«4: below thi. dq»«|. ,„ open .«*
ft^gathered ,m.nd ai the opening, Xch^
hWow andp^minenl appeain« fi^rXo"
Pliwpart. and tdM. a direct bend i the !««,
<-4 " Bv r
i -•(
.■ ?^«i*i.,!Mi*',-^ ^t4 ■.;■'.-
t/^BI
«ftS
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
• ' \
^ large oval, a little pdinted and nbbed ; tlie^i
Muce^ exceeds ax inches: the elegant colour and
rilken twitnie of the lower lip or bag renders this
flower very mrich moiie beautiful to my taste than the
imrple and white ^rarwty, though the latter is maefa
more striking on account of the size of the flower and
leaves, besides the contrast betw»en the white and
red, or white and purple colours. ^ '
The formation of this species resembles the other,
only with this difference, the horns are not twisted,
-iSd the face is that of a monkey ; even the comical
expression of the animal is preserjNsd with such ad-
mihible fideUty, as to draw a smile from every
one that sees the odd restkss-tooking visage, with
its prominent, round black eyes peering forth ftom
under its covering. >
Theafi pkmts belong to class and order Gymndm
diandria ; are described with some Uttle variation bj
Pnrsh, who, however. Ukens the face of the latter Ui;
that of a sheep : if I sheep sai for the picture, me.
t^nks it must have been the most mischievous of the |
flock.
There is a curious aquatic plant that grows n
shaUow, stagnant, or slow-flowing vraters; it wiU con-
tain a fiiH wine-gtoas of water. A poor soldier brought!
it to me, and told me it resembled a plant he used tol
tee in Egypt, that the soldiers called the " SoMierV
drinking-cup;" and ftiany a good draught ot -
watitt, he saki, I have draSk from them.
Another spedmen was presented me by a genti
_„ jnao^who Jnew m^tP'^ilecUon fo^^^ ^
vary apUv gave H the name oT «^Fit«her-pStr
i
-c.,v-;-':i^
'■1-J
v^
ffS^-fMMTJf^iWW''
' \^ :y URASSBS. _.],
^2f^^^ belongs td the tribe that bear that
Y"^^*^^^ .ost decided perfUn^e.
ZZk^Lr^o^ "^ P««e88 ..deUeffius scent,
tte mafc-weed, which gives out a smeU not unlike the
«^-blow,ng ^k; the purple monarda, wlj^ t
finance Itself fiom the «x,t to the fl<me^and eve^
Jft«- months' atposure to the wintry atmo^phe^nte
F&me to your hands or clothes. AUourMintsC
^««n<ed: the lilyof the valley is ren/Xwe .
ferts fine smell; then there is my queen of the
Jte flowery I cannot now enumerate. Certain it ii
^ imiong such a vast assemblage of flower, there
«Otomp«at.vely, veiy few that are gifted with
%»^to. Some of our forest-treesVe out a
jiAA the iic»grance ftom tTckar sw^mp on soihe
[JiVday while the boughs wei^.8tni wet with tl«
^"^•cmpe or reoentfy fallen shower, ^t
% is tte balsam-poplar, or tac&ac. 1e»'de^
^y fragtMt. especiaUy while the gummy bodi
just begmmng to unfold; this is ai^elegaqt
nng tree,, where it has room to expand into
It grows chiefly on the shores of the latccs
in open swamps, but it also forms one of th^
^ns of ^our plains, with its silver bark andwiV-
foUage; it emits a resinous ctear gum in trani-
'"* ?!"!^^ *^ *^^» a nd the b qds are covered
t* highly uromadc gnmmy fluid. ' " ^ ^ / ""^
i Our Grasses are highly interesting; there are v»
^^ - ■ .._ -Q / . -.
V '
■tm, ?.'
*-•'
t54
the mo^ elegant am\
and lliqiiWl look Itory
always prefeir
ial to the
^
Jc
;thave
two BpAcies of 6 — .-t— „ - ^ ^.
ilSiX. having a top <^-ff ^^f t^
«S^ of Uttk grains dispo^^d at% wdeiointa. Tje
fl^r^ « a^ure blue, with goldifi spot at tfaebj*
!f^h pe^; the leaves ^ flai. «*"?. "»<! ^^'^
toC^ flower 8«>^ i°^^ ""1^*^ r^^^t
:^ hW^ given ^description oFuie floweis moj
worthy of Slenticrti rand. Ihougb it is vs^r p«>l«We
Zn^lf tny descriptions may not^ «act^ m tto
. t^nical liguage of tlifc correol botanist, I have 1^
least described ti»em » they i^ipear/
My dear boy seems already to ba^ a taste fa
flow^ which I shaU enoouiage ~ '"^^^^f*"*'
I^ a study that tends to ««»« ««»*,PS'^,^J^
ild can be mad^ by siinple steps, a ladder to heave^
Zi were, by te^g a **« tol^ -^^
admiration to that bountiful ^1^.^^^ jf
,„ade flower, so fair to adomiyii|ct.fy th« e^ I
ITarewelU my ^kir m
f
ff
r.
# •_ ' ■ . ■ ', ■'■,•'
BBCAPIJOLATION OF VARIOUS TOPICS. 2^5
Vyt to. «idWy oft M BorfnaSTcL^ »^.°^^
k P.tt J^ Sucir • EmigTMU eMenti.1 FagredienU
^ Septoabair the SOth, 1834.
L'i^T? ''^'" I P«rt«d fiom you llB«re I left
»*fectory account of o^ settlement in this country.
^1^ "7>«1^ "^tn that promise, and ^
W^asjghtaketchofourpioc^
[ pe ha^ fixed omr aBod^ as I think Ukely to affoid
jfo .nte,^tor«,„sement P^pa« your patience.
Jea^my dear fiiend, for a lon^ and ramWinrcpislJ
jwbch I may possiWy prove somewhat of a^UwV*
2r^* "^^"^"^^ "~^ y«» ^**^ me in my de. I
^Tfa jogh bu8h.throu^ bfain
^TtTwwgh flood, ihroaghaie,-, # >
lltSJT ^T^il*^^ *"*' of abigc^swaml'
gl " '^ '^^ y^> or evenWiali^^
^ouwill have
&■* '
3 ■
*i> \h
Aa
grh my letters to #3/ dlair
■<f«'^
j't.
i A
i^^S?t^
f'? •fi»'vi«5-nj,i*
i 856 ' ^AUKWOODS or' CANADA.
mother, of our saf^ arrii^ftt Quebec, of my illness at
Montrc»], of all our adventures and uiisadveiiturea
during our journey up the country, till after au^
weary wandering we finally found a homi^ and rest-
ing-place with a kind rehitive, whom it was our hap-
piness U) meet after a separation of many years.'
As my husband was anxious to settle in the neigh-
Ibouxhood of one so nearly connected wi^ me, think-
ing< ifr^ould lob the woods of some of the loneliness
that mbst women complain so bitterly of, he purchased
a loi of luid on the shores of a beautiful lake, one of
a chain of small lakfes belonging to the Otanabee
river.
Here, then, we are established, having now some
five-and-twenty acres cleared, and a nice house built.
Our situation |s very agreeable, and eachj|b^ increases
its value. When we first came up to live in thebpiir
with the exception of S- — — , here were but two or
three settlers near us, and no roads fivet out. The
only road that vras available for bringing up goods
from the neatest town was on the opposite side of the^ I
water, which waa obliged to be crossed on a log, orj
biidi-'^tfk canoe ; the former is nothing better than
\ a large pine-log hoDowed vrith the axe, «|o as to con-
tain three or four persons^ it is flatrbottomed, and
very narrow, on which aocountit is much Wd on these
shallow wateit.^ The birch canoe k made of sheets of
birch bark, ingeniously fashioned and sewn <(^ether
by the Indians with the tough roots of the cedar.l
young pine, or Iftrch (tamarack, as it is termed by tW
Hhidianid ? it is e xcee d ini^4ight,^ tiiat it - " ^
carried by two persons easily, or even by one.
-'<* ' ^» 1W' hl l^ W >«| rtn » trHV
^■v ^ ^; *! Mij^'^-'-i^eifK' <f'f,i'"p^*^m^i w^vi^.^fw^:'"^ -'*r''^9^^^
each dM increases
unedon a log, flrj
PR0GRKS8 OF SETTLEMENT. 267
tben, were our ferry-boats, ana very frail they are, and
lequire great nicety in their management ; they are
wrked in the water with liaddles, either kneeUng^r
:iM>ng- The squaws /ke very expert in the ma-
n#nieii| of the cana4, and preserve their balance
with admirable skift sian^iig^upwtile they impel the
little bark with great/velodly through the water."
Very great is the change that a few years have
effected in our situation. A number of highly respec-
table settlers ha^ purchased land along the shores of
these lakes, so that we no longer want society. Tfee
reads are now cut several mUes above us, and though
far from good can be travelled by waggons and sleighs,
and are, at all events, better than none.
A village has started up where formerly a thick
pine-wbod covered the ground; we have now within
a short distance of us an excellent saw-mill, a grist-
miB, and store, with a large tavern and many good
droBings. A fine timber bridge, on stone piers, was
erected last year to conttect the opposite townships
and lessen the distance to and from Peterborough ;
and though it was unfortunately swept away early last
spring by the unugjial rising of the Otanabee lakes,
• new and more substantial one has risen upon the
ruins of thfe former, through the activity of an enter-
P™»nff Tp^g Scotchn^, the founder of the viflage.
But the grondwojj^tis, sooner or kter, to raise
this portion of th^^lKt^from its present obscurity,
IB Uif^pening a lineji/f navigation from Lake Huron
through Lake Simcoe, and so through our chain of
^•ilHakerto Rice L|ke,a!id^fiiia}Iy thnwgli theTVehf
40 the Bay of Quin^j This nobfcwork would Wve
.^kaHi^S^VX
'I.J i ■ t- ■;,
U,^
■ v;j
I'l
m
t *
, \
• »M '
■4" ' ■■ '■ ' ' .1 1 i
«/
t'^
baCkwqops 6r Canada.
'A
%:
df incalculable advimtafflpp||li% a^tfipmmu.
*' nkation between Lake'Hiudn an4 the inland town-
, v^ps at the back of itbe Ontario with the St. Laurence.
f^^This project has already been under the considerattoi^..
of the Governor, and is at present exciting great in-
^tertet in the country: sooner or later there is little
^ doubt but that it will be carried into effect. It pre-
sents some difficulties and expense, but it woukl be
gn^y to the advantage and prosperity of the coun-
try) llnd 1^ the means of settling many of the back
towitehips bordering uponahese lakes*
I must leave it to abler persohs than myself to i
cuw j^ large the policy and expedienpy of the measure;
but BB I suppose you have no intention of emigrating
to our h^kwbods, you wifl be contented with my cm-
sqry view of the pattest and believe, as in friendship
you are bound to (^ %it it is a desirable t^ng to
open a market f(^r inhmd {NToduce. /
Canat^l^ thi^nd of faope ; h^ every thing is
new; eve^%ung going forward ;' it is scarcely^^
sible fi^ Jut^«ciences, ag|nculture, manhfactUres, to
retrograde|f|i^ must ke^advancid(|:; though in
some ffltuatio^ ^e progi«ss bI^ |eiem slow, ^|^)Uien,^
they are pttoporUwably rapMJ^ -^..^ " * ^#*'
There is a toii8taa||g[Lel1^)en^ on \ the minds ^
emigrants, parUculailrap t|| partiall|r tattled town-
''^hips, that%Teatly ai^^ iff keeping them fromdte-
iqpfmding. The arri^ of some enterpripiiig person
givies a stUnulus to those about him : a prbiitable i^-
cul^n is started, and k>, the value of the land in the
vicinity risen Jto doubl e and t reble what it was thought
~ wbrthbeibre ; so that, without any de«gn of befrneW
J
^
Wi
JISIT.TO A WAVAL OFFICIR'S FAMItV. ^5,
^~^!^je^^ the Bdiemes Of one pettier hting
amed into effect shaU benefit agreat number W«
b- alny^ felt the beneficial eif^f T^L^f
»j^t,ble e^te locating themselves in this
toirnship, as it has already increased the val« of our
oiro land m a three-fold degree. " V « our
/ AU this, m dear friend, you wiU say is very well
-Id m.ght Ad aubjec^fora wiseciiscli^ionX^^^^
gme men, but will hardly amuse us women , ^
litjr turato some othc theme, and just tell me how
yi.^i.ri^^r^^'^* ''""* ' ^"°' ^y ^^r to visit
?l^l?.?iEg "/^ offi^r, whohadpurchased^
» wiy pretty lo^l^d some two miles higher up the
We; omr party oonsisW of my husband, babyTand
myself; we met a fewlltaaat friends, andenoyed
w«cur8,onmuch. Dinner was laid out in the ,ii
•hjdi, as you may not know what is meant by the
*wd, I must teU you ^t it meamr a Mrt of wide
l^d^ supported on piUan^ often of unbarked
top. *^«flooriseith«;pfWthbeatenhard,orplank:
JjBiwf ^ered with sheets of bark or else shingled.
^ TT 'Z "^^^ *^'*»'°' ^^ were iL,-
J^'i have been told by the fi«t Dutch settle™ '
b the stetes, since whidi>ey have found their way
lO over the ook>nie». ^
^Wreatbrf witti the scarlet creeper, a native plant •
1"" v!^*°** "^'^ '**" ^»'^ ^°«' »»d also witlX
^ which liere grows luxuriantly, with no labour or
mfa on to U a cu ltur e, thiocoto ui H. have a very rural
.•PPearance; In summer serving the purpose of an
It
■ -li
5 'i.'
'II
ifi
i I
i '.;
■S !J
ft- :.j,m:,-^
I.
m
BA0KWOGI>^OF CAM ADA.
0»ptn aDte-room, in wUch ymt ean take your tmakt
Itnd enjoy tbe fanning breeze Without being> incoih
venieiloed by the extreme heat of the noon-day am/
The situation of the house was remarkably ^^Q
chosen, just on the summit of a llttte elevated plain,
the ground sloping with a steep deseNit to a little
valley, at the bottom of which a brig{^ rill of water
divided tiie garden ikon ' the opposite corn-Betds,
which ck)thed a corresponding bank. In front of the
stoup, where we dined, the garden was laid out with
a smooth plot of grass, surrounded mih borders of
flowers, and separated from a ripening field d* wheat
by a light railed fence, over whkdi the luxuriant hop-
vine fhing its tendrib and graceful blossoms. Now
I mwt tell you the hop is cultivated for the purpose
of making a barm for raising Inread. As you take
great interest in housewifery concerns, I shall send
^CNi a recipe for what we call hop-rising*.
The Yankees use a fennentation of salt, flour,ancl
warm water or milk; but though iha 8tdt-ri$ing
makes beautiAil bread to look at, being far whiter
«id fimi^r than the hop-yeast bread, there is a pecu-
liar flavour imparted to the fldtur tint does not pleaae
every one's taste, and it is very difficult to get jour
salt-rising to work in very coU weather.
And now, having digressed while I gave you mj
recipes, I shall step back to my party within Ak
itotq), whiclj^l can assure you, w^as very pleasant,
and most ocMrdially disposed to enjoy Uie meeting.
We had books and drawings, and good storerdf
pretty Indian toys, the collection of many km
See Apfwndix.
'\
■': jrf.-
RIA SODiiliitI,.
Ml-
2«V° '''«»f Sl««»^ to look * *^ admi«.
«J to U» landJag « the W* Ao«. wSL w^
^»<t«Br bark c«ioe rewfy to wnw, a, home.
»»"« ou, voy^, j^ ^ U« herf rf U« mpid,.
"■^"*^» *« *»"» «o »me .m.n oMsct h tto
«m, mo™s ™,y.rtft,y .k,„j, u^ 3vlri™J
*. ,wm ,.™k« „f"j piri-b^rrtr-' jr
rfteoroy from a naighbouring isl«,d. t^\^
^ w.ft a ooumg, and M^ ^^ ,^^
4*«on. sprung ,^Uy „„ the point rf the upS
H^i^ from thence with a bound to the Lm
""led again mt» the water, and m«fe di^ct for the
*^Bej*r having deviated a aingfe p„i„t (^ Z
h. I» w«i mnmming in when he fi«t eameinriX
S^^tLlH^'^''''^ ».ythi.i„„o«nt««..
«», I cooM hanUy have given credence ioMfar.
"«««»«. I«rf I not been an eye-witne«|^K.
2- •■•d moreover been wetted plentifofi}Wl^v
■tajjr bjr the sprinkling rf water ft»m h» coat.
^I» yya m.y.U,k my«pm«I anecdote incre-
>«fci but I can vouch for the truth of it on myown
tfe^ a K f % — ^^ r: * -;;^YHJX g » %-iMM aiBo felt
r«eTlack squirrels are tnosilovety and dwa„i
P^ coiisfderably larger than the V Ih^ ^y!
* 4 5
14 l^ k"* J&.j!'l,-J,li.
#■
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FF
ft
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V.
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»62
6ACK\V00D$ of CANADA.
'and the striped: the latter are called by the Iiidiani
" chit-inunks." , \^
We were robl)ed greatly by these little depredators
last summer ; the red squirrels used to carry oiF great
quantities of our Indian com not only from the stalks,
While the crop was ripening, but they even ^cig^ie into
the house through some chinks in the log^-walls, and
carried off vast quantities of the grain, stripping it
very adroitly from the cob, and conveying the grains
away to their storehousek in some hollow lo^ or tub'
terranean granary.
These little animals are very, fond of the seeds oF
Ihe pumpkins, and you will see the soft creatures
whisking about among the cattle, carrying away the
seeds as they are scattered by the beasts in breaking
the pumpkins: they also delight in the seeds of the
sunflowers, which grow to a gigantic height in our
gardenswid clearings. The fowls are r^arkably fond
of the sunflow€r-seed8, and I saved ^e plants with,
th^' inlention of laying tljp a good stprl|of winter food
for^tuy poor chicks. One day I went to cut the ripe
' bieai^ the largest of whic|^ was the size of a large
dessert-plati^ but found two wicked red squimels
bttvily employed g&tbering in the seeds, not for.mej
1)6 sure,-^but th'jrfjselves* Not cpntented 's^^ith pick-
ing out the sc©^ these little thitjves^ dtxteJouSly
,sawe/i throu{ih the^^talks, and conveyed away whofe
iieadis at once : so bold were they that they would nw
desist when I apprcliqjlicd till they had 8ecu,ied their,
object, an<^, encumbered with a load[ twice ^vie;ig
of their 6v/n agile bodies, ran with a swiilness?
tne Totts^ antt over root, stump, anu io^4jjtta
eluded my pursuit. „ -'iiSNfc
!•
i\
Ui
■*■:*■
5-"r
e
- ' f ,.
ADA.
ed by the Indian
little depredators
to carry off great
lyfrom theslalks,
ey even ,.cs^e into
ihe lo^-walls, and
rain, stripping it
aveying the graiitv
Lollow lo^ or fcub-
d of the seeds oF
he soft prealures
;arrying away the
leasts in breakin?
tt-the seeds of the
tic height i^ our
e r^arkably fond
i ^e plants witb^
torK)f winter food
mt to cut the ripe
16 size of a large
ked red squirrels
seeds, not for.me^
tented \*ith pick-
hi«ves^ dexte<»uSly
veyed away'whote
lat they would not
had sec^ied theif
dl twice ^weight
a switXnessJ
and
)<f0 ' • !f;i • mf^/sim^. ^t ifs
r
^
PIYlNG-SauiRRBL.
1»* remained «,d put them i„t CS' J^ "*
on a unaU block in Uw. ~Vj . "* "* "">»
rf me and the rflawe^^"^ '„^ •«;«» .
rf- X saw a little family of tinv *mim.l- «. T^
«c softest, .most deii..^^. ^ j q^ ^^ ^^^ ^^
' 'li
■'■^ H I
h
!>•;
i
it It
^
-'^
f ",.«*.-
i.
m
1 ■■
t!
Hi! t
11
flj 1
W
■'1
■■:';
if
m
M
. '
ri
'^pm:F ''f'^ i 4cm * !Sia'smm
266
BACKWOODS OF CANAt>A.
fur thick and short, and as silken as velvet ; the eyes
like all the squirrel kind, are large/ full, and soU
the whiskers and long hair about the nose black;
the membrane that assists this little animal in its
flight is white and delicately soft in texturie, like the«
fur of the chinchilla; it form^ a ridge of fur bet^^een
the fore and hind legs; the tail is like, an elegant <^^
broad grey feather. 1 was i^pneeably surprised by the
appearance of this exquisite little oreaturell the pic-
tures I bad, seen giving it ^ nnost inelegfint and bat-
»»■■
w-
\
' *»i«
_^ \
i^^v
\
Er^ -3
- ^^ ^^r^^MpfS^
^0
\
r
■ ,
inyi^r8v*N>>
° , " .
4 . .-^
A
••■■"■■'•'■• \:
•„<
1
■^-•n^-^^r
m. look, almost dismifitinir Th- «
^y .™«., and Jft;''-p,a^" ZlZ^ T
•ton under conBnemenL affectionate
.1^°"m t"' $''-*'^""y "»«Id delight in s,.h
I enclose in my^I I^,h I'^.Tr'' "■"■*
p«a™t mo» SL but r jr"5 °'^' y"" ™^
• beiag entirely BnShtir ^ ">»"•*«;"«« ;
Iirfian.' top, I ,Sd fi^ •. -.^"P""" "^ *^
I am obUired ♦« Ko.~; wrention ; therefore
Ik. land rfj; wlllk *'" *» *"?«*»' ,
»**». tb«5 «,«^ .nd delightfiU li^'STiiM
- tfl-
'f '
,^>:
rW'
•i i
■( ■•.
•f -y;** chiW; «„, t n^TZTZ
,«■■>
r^v-^^.^!
s,.J
,>„•
")« I
■"Q •'
In "
268
BACKWOODS 0P CANADA.
tasted the rapturous delight arising from materuai
feelings ? When my eye rests on my smiliq^ dar-
ling, or I feel his warm breath upon ray cheek, I
would not exchange the joy that fills my breast fdir, ,
any pleasure the world could offer me. " But this
feeling is not confined to the sOlitnde of your Cana-
dian forests, my dear friend," you will say» I know
it ; but here there is nothi|ig to interfere with your
little nurslih^. You are not tempted by the plea-
sures of a gay world to forget your duties as a
mother; there is nothing to supplant himxin your
heart ; his presence endears every place ; and you
leam to love the spot thiaJ. gave him birth, and to
think with complacency upon the country, because it
is hia rounCry ; and in looking forward to his fixture
welfare you "naturally become doubly interelted in
the place that is one day to be his.
Perhaps I rather estimate the ciuntry by my own
feelings; and when I find, by impartial survey of
ray pi^sent life, that I am to the full as happy, if not
i^illy happier, than I was in the old counti^, I can-
not but value it.
Poasibly, if I were to enter into a detail of the
advantages I possess, they would a(^ear of a very
negative charaipter in the eyes of persons revelling
in all the splendour and luiury that wealth could
procure, in a comitry in which nature and art are so
eminently favourable towards what is usually termed
the 'pleasures of life ; but -I never was a votary at
the shrine of hixury or fashion. A round of eom-
paiiy, a routine Of pleasure, were to ine source of
weariness, if not of dif^ust."** There?' nothing inW
ii •
l*j '
4- ,■•"
.*. -M»4;'i
'^h-
ADVANTAGES IM CANADA. \^^
this \p saUsfy the heart." savs <3/.fc;iu ^ ,
k force of L «„ti„eot.T "' ""* ^ "''*»
UK leuers that etiquette ^d fiahion are wont in
•^ on Moiety, till they rtb its uZZ^l
(reecJom and independence of will- .nj .k '
.blig«i to Ii« tJl worid tS^f 'si^tt J,7" "'
"dloathe, f„. a ^u, Ux. thLll^r^aj:
««. contempt, beca„« the, 'dare not .T^th !^
^^ndence. which wo„« be cashed Z^^Z
^^ it. Pew. ™^ft :^'rr'*°" *■"
".e tovthe ^i^^Titj^T"' "^
*.«^ '-•J^naence f«. .L:^,^™* "^
ta". WUeve me, ,„„« never e:T«e tl^mseC t
w pnvations and disaimt>»i.i. iT^ ""msenres to
'^' .ife in Can.^rS^.'rr^'trJI
Mference we draw thn* ♦!,- y™» «i8 is the n»tonj
h'.'^ -^t "^nataTClf'^rn'^r
"•kUon, and benefiting a f.mU» A., k k ? ''"
*• »>«»n. of wUing ta iL t L^ »« had not
i ' ^1
-^f
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■ >
^\
i.-
.*■
■?>fs-^*;y^?^'B
^^^^■'-'■"'
^
/<
29o
BACkWOODS OF CANdDA
aUnc^s, without being the less regarded for the
practice of prudence, economy, and industry.
Now, we bush-settlers are more independent : we
do what we U^e ; we dress as we find most suitable
and most convenient; we are totally without the fear
of any Mr. or Mrs. Grundy; and having shaken off
the trammels of Grundyism,^ we laugh at the ab-
surdity of those; who voluntarily forge afresh and
bug their chkins.
If our friendiB come to visit us unexpectedly we mak£
them welcpme to oilr humble hotiiet^ and give them t&
best v^e have ; but if mir fare be indiffer^t, we offer
it with good will, and no apologies are made or ex-
pected : they would be out of place; as >every on^ is
aware of the disadvantages of a new (settlement;
and any excuses for want of variety, or the delicacies
of the table, would be consklered/ather in the light
of a tacit reproof to your guest ibr having unseason-
ably put your hospitality to the test.
Our society is mostly militarysOr naval ; bo that we
meet on equal grinds, and are, of course, well ac-
quainted wit^ the hd^s of good breeding and pdite
lira ; too much so to allow any deviation from
those laws that good taste, good sense^^ and good
fiseling. have established among peraonrof our class.
^ yet here it is considei^ed.by no means deroga-
tory Jto the wife of -an officer v. or gentleman to
assist in the work of the house, or to perform its
entire duties, if occasion Tequires it ; to understand
the mystery of soc^ e&ndle, and sugar-making ; to
make bread, butter, and cheese, or even to milk her
lamn~oamii toTk^iHtaiiffspfn, and prepare '^th^w^
4
i '♦-
,7
HABITS OP SOCIKTY, j,,
(br (he loom. In these matters we bush-ladies hav.
. ^olesome disregarf of „hat Mr. or wTZ^
« tknks or says. We pride o^selves .reon W
2^U, o,rcumsta„c«,; and as a British officer Zt
mis be a genUeman and his wife a lady, perha JT^e
^ qjuetly on tt^i,^„u=stable prorf rfou^^^
^' fr."^ •» be useftl without inin*.
^^^«kft a similar Ii„e of conS'^tit
lu« into a sickle; and if he be seen plouehiB„
ir^onhis"^^, ".'"■' •*" •'*"'• " %
•*« on hu, own Iwd. no one thinks less of hi,
»". *hen he ^peared upon parade in aU the pride
im,li^ euquette, with s«h, swort and epalJte
;«y *« .. as it shouU be in . count,;. „C
lApendeaee » insepar&bl. f™m i.jdust.7; and for
i Jli»t(»Ke it. 1 T- J . <"iu lor
^0;^ many advantages we in this' township
jr*, It ,s certainly no inconsiderable one that the
M«tr or working class of settlers a,^ weU disposed,
^^d.sungu«h many of the earliei^setUed town-
Ut^ ^'^ '"' "« *ey admitted to ourtablS
%l^ndV^ "^' -^P«"ff «^
•^ and such kinds of public mcetinirs- when
Kus^eonduct themselves with a propS^^I^
l!llr^Jl!:.?Sy "*"" ^^ voluntari ly Umm
"mg 41 respectable situation. !«'""«■
■ih-i
fi 'I
■I'
' «
272
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
ecu
InteiAperance is too prevailing a vice among aB
ranW of people in this country ; but I blush to say
it belongs most decidedly to .Uiose that consider
themselves among the bette/ class of emigrants.
Let none such complain of the airs of eqtiality dis-
played towards them by the labouilng class, seeing
that they degrade themselves- below th^ honest,
sober settlejr, however poor. If "the sons of gentle-
men lower themselves, no wonder if the sons of poor
men Jlttiivour to exalt theiAiselvies above him in a
ire they all meet on equal, ground; and
ict is the distinguishing mark between
Some months ago, when visiting a firiejid in a
distant part of the country, I accompajiied her to
stay a few days in the house of a resident clergyman,
curate of a floiurishing village in the. township of
■ I was struck by the primitive simplicity of
the mansion and its inhabitants. We were intro-
duced into the little faioilv sitting-room, the floor of
which was painted afiter tW Yankee fashion ; instead
of being carpeted, the walls were of unornamerited
deal, and the ftnrniture of the room of corresponding
plainness. A large spinning-wheel, as big a^ a cart-
wheel, neu-ly occupied the centre of the room, at which
a neatly-dressed matron, of mild and lady-like ap-
pva^nce. Was engaged spinning yarn ; her little
daughters were knitting beside the fire, while their
father was engaged in the instruction of two ot his
sons; a third was seated affectionately in a little
straw cliair "between his feet, while a. fourth was
plying his ike with nervous strokes in the court-yard,
■' i
-»+-/ ,
< ' >/-f»^
VISIT TO ANiillORANT CLRRQTMaN. 27»
ttsting froth time to time wistful glances through
Ihe parlour-window at the party within ^
The dresses of the children were ofa coarse sort
rf«toff. a mij^ture of woollen and thread, the produce
rfthe farm and their mother's praiseworthy industry.
ThB stockings, socks, muffatees, and warm com-
Ibrters were all of honie manufacture. Both girls
«nd boys wore mocassins, of their own makinir.
good sense, industry, and order presided amonir Se
■embers of this little household. ^
Both girls and boys seemed to act upon the prin-
aple, that nothing is disgraceful but that which is
immoral and improper.
Hospitality without extravagance, kindriess without
lasiDcenty of speech, marked the mannm pf our
torthy friends. Every thi/ig in the house was con-
ducted with attention to prudence and comfort The
bing was but smaU (the income arising Trom it, I
should have said), but there was glebe land, and a
smafl dwelhng attached to it, and, by dint of active
aertion without-doors, and eoottomy and good ma-
nag«inent within, the family were maintaiUed with
respectability: in short, we enjoyed during our so-
journ many of the comforts of a cleared farm-
Njry of every kind, beef of their own killinffl
eiceUent mutton and pork : we had a variety of prfr-
•erves at our tea-table, with honey in the comb.
tWtcious butter, and good cheese, with dix^rs sorts
of cakes; i, kind of little pancake, made from the
flour of buck-wheat^ whieh, are made in u batter
«»»^Taised witfi^arm, afleimrds dropped into
inff lard, and fried; also a ^preparation mad«
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#74 BACKWOODS OP OAI^ADA.
of Indian c(nm-flourf , called supporne-cake, which is
firied in slices, and eaten with maple-syrup, were
among the novelties of our breakiM-iBre.
I was admiring a breed of very fine fowls in
the poultry-yard one morning, when my friend
smiled and said, ** I do not know if you will think I
came honestly by them." *
** I an^ sure you did not acquire them by dis-
honest means," t reified, laughing; ** I will vofuch
for your principles in that respect"
" WeD," replied my hostess, " Aey were nellher
. given me, nor sold to me, and I did! not steal them.
I found the original stock in the foUowing manner.
An old black hen most unexpectedly made her
appearance <Hie spring morning at our door; we
hailed the stranger with surprise and delight; for
we could not muster a sin^ domestic fowl among
our little >oolony at that time. We neve^ rightl^
knew by what means the hen came into our po6r
sessicm, but suppose some emigrant's family gmnf
up the country must have lost or left her ; she laid
ten eggs, and hatched duckens from them; from
this little brood we raised a stock, a^d soon supi^ied
aU our neighbours with fowls^ We /prise the breed,
not only on account of its fine siie, but from the j
singular, and, as we thought, providential, manner j
in which we obtained it" ^
I was much interested in the slight sketch given j
by the pastor cat evening, jks we all assembled
round the bkueing log-fire, thitwas piled half-waj
up the^^himney^ which reared its stone fabric sou |
lioeMes a eithar side of ttr abutment
K1.HI.T DIFFIODLTlBg.
%n
\tMng to his first settlement, he ubserred, "it
Ens a desolate wilderaess of gloomy and unbroken
Ijmttrees when we first pitched our tent here : at
Ilbt time an axe iiad not been laid to the root of a
jim, nor a .fire, save by the wandering Indians,
limdled in the% woods.
*I can now point out the identical spot where my
Ifife and little ones ate their first meal, and raised
jlheir feeble voices in thankfiilness to that Ahnighty
jttdmercifiil ^eiqg who had preserved them, through
Idle perils of the deep, and brought them in safety
plotlus vast sohtu^. . ^
"We were a little flock wande^n^^^n a great
Jiildemess, under the special protection of our mighty
|Siq>heid.
" I have heard you, my dear young lady," he said,
ddressing the companion of my visit, " talk of the
hinbhips of the bush; but, let me (ell you, you
mm but little Of its privations compared with those
mt came hither some years ago.
*Ask these, my elder chiMren and my wife, what
|ne the hardships of a bush-settler's life ten years
and they will tell yon it was to endure cold,
w, ,and all its accompanying evik; to know at
the want of every necessary article of fiwd. As
the Imwries aQd delicacies of life, we saw them
I;— how couM we ? we were far removed ftom the
tmity of obtaining these things: potatoes,
and flour were our only stores, and often we
of the two btter before a firesh supply couU
t procwvl;^ We had not milk nearer than thirteen
.if) i]
h:l]
I
mark«ronly% Raided Hnei ;
)fS*#i J^W</^Z.?m/i ^'^
tr^ jK; ' "Vjj ''' V-
tn
roc/i
BACKWOaVUS op CANADA.
nor were thero at that time any settlef s near us.!
Now you see us in a cleared coontry, suitoul^
inth flourishing farms imd rising villages ; but
the time I speak of it was not 8o:^ihere were i
stores of groceries or goods,' flo'1l$ut<ibers' shops,
cleared farms, dairies, nor orchards; for these thifi
we l|ad to wait with patience till industry si
raise them.
" Our fare knew no other variety than salt
potatoes, and sometimes Ikead, for breakfast ;
and potatoes for. dinner; pork and potatoes for
per; with a pwridge of Indian oom-floiir for. _
children. Som^mes we had the change of porij
without potatoes, and potatoes without pork; tl
was die first year's fare : by de0^|^e got a
of flour of our ov:ii growingyJ^Bhbruised into
coarse meal with a hand-mill : *^Ke had no n
or windmills within many mifaa ofi^our oobny,
good bread was indeed a hikury we did not
have.
•• We brought a cofr with us, who gave us mill
during the spring and summer; but owing to
wild garlic (a wiM herb, common to (^ woods),
\which she fed, her milk was scarcely paklaUe, i
for want of steelier and food, she died the foikmiii
winter, gpreatly to our sorrok: we learned experiei
in this and in many other matters at a hard costj
but now we CM profit by it."
" Bid not the difficulties of your first settlemen
incline you to despond, and regret that you had evJ
embarked ^on a life so diflerent to that you had
used ton asked.
h 1
•• (\
I-*
■^
■•KOTO.ITION TO BMIOBATB.
377
^yZ^n.^. ■»" l"^ U»« efe* had „«, a
Niber fflodve than men wnrMk, -j "™' "<» a
IrteJ me in Ieavin»^ "™""y "^^nw-nent ac-
\m«. Lo^ ^J, "^ "f ™ """'^ to come
f dWTO in th« Lord A n..mK» r ^ •' ' *°"
I -f 'ed .n emigmmjf lo CanX ^ "■"''•
■ • Uiged by a natural and not iinlo»A i j .
tearing the,, condition.Xy .^„ "^„*="" '^
Ufc«ble gn»l. of wildhTd. which «TL ■*""
•« freely awmfed bydme„t.n '*''"'
*«oof looming cobn^ """"" *" »^"» ''«■
K™t friend., to accompany then. .Wftlw'
fc«« of the Wert. lert Sey d««dd Z^ .^l'''
PJ^ilf '""■••'-^'^'•^'^-
Lu'*f *'™"*"'^"'"» Px-iwritioni jtwemed
P^.^TX^r'^ IbadfewS,
I ' J' uuM^e vii|ig« ; the income anmn0> «««,
I^JiKe uok lsmfth's curate,^ wa a ^ ^■^■^-^ —
/•
•J ■■*■■»
I I
• Pawing rich with forty pounds a yeai.'
/
278
BACKWOODS OR CANADA.
My licari yearned after my iieople ; ten years 1 \u<i
bee|| their gii^^^^4nd adviser. I was the friend ot
> the tffd, and thak teacher of the young. My Mary
was chosen from'iimong them; die had no foreign
ties to make her look back with regret upon th^i
dwellers of the land in distant places ; her youth and
maturity bad^been spent among these very people;
so that wken I named to her the desire of my pa-
rishioners, and she also perceived that my own wislies
went with them, she stifled any regretful feeling that
. might have arisen in her breast, and replied to me in
the words of Ruth : —
*'*Thy country shall i)e my country; thy people
shall be my people ; where ithou diest will I die, and
there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and
more also, if ought but deathjiart thee and me.'
" A tender uid affectionate partner hast thou been
' to me, Mary," he added, turning his eyes afFectiqn-
^^^ on the mild and dignified matron, whose ex-
^^ssive countenance bespf^e with more eloquence
than words the feelings passing in her mind, ^he
refuted liot by words, but I saw the big bright tears
fall on the work'vbe ^Id in her hand. Theyi sprang j
from emotions too sacred to be profaned by intrusive j
eyes, and I hastily averted my glance from her face; :
while the pastor proceeded to narrate the particiuanj
of their leaving England, their voyage, andfinallj,
their arrival in the land that had been granted to the j
little colony in the then unbroken part of the town-
ship of — — — .
**;^We had obtained a great deal of useful advice and j
t i'4
assistance from the Government agents previous toj
■^
;i
't-
"MIGRANT CLEHOVMAN.S,A>.,Lr,
- 279
m coining ^p hither, and abo hi~H „
Irtish wage, .. i^i^ :^„^'^:;''y'^;r~
Iwng, burning, and clearing the^-^H ' ^'
■or main object to «.t !n ""f"™"''; « it was
Jwiofoienand hbour *«j i^ « "K™ with the
2, a^^ n-^'P. ««1 W the satisfaciontf
wmg a little spot 'dearMl fnr ♦!,„ _.•. *"^""" *>'
■«l com, whir i^[h . ^ ^"* o*^ P"'»to«»
|i^e,ert!™r ^ "'" *"" "''^ ""y -y
tayeiow-hllla 1 T^ '""* "' «*»« Wther.
U. C ,i!^ K """ ''""*''« "^'ide you was a
ll»b of the oTk ^,2* "T P^*'' o" the
la In u. ^ ""* ''°™ " "» «>ot of the
rjta a hut of .ed^^ hemtek ioug,„l^
r'" Win mv axe. unrf nritk *k-. i. i. ^ ^ * "^
^ my axe, a„d with the help of^e of ni^
.k :
MC
BACKWOODS OF CANADA
ebrnpaiiions, raised to ahelter my wife and tlie litile
ones. ,
" iftjjgh it was tlie middle of teay the nights were
chilly, and we were glad to burn a pile of wood in
front of our hut to secure us from the effects of the
cold and the stings of the mosquitoesj that came up
in myriads from the stream, and which finally drove
us higher up the bank.
" As soon as possible we raised a shanty, which
now serves as a shed for my young cattle; I would
not pull it down, though often urged io do so, as it
stands in the way of a pleasant prospect from the
window; but I like to look on it, and recall to mind
the first years I passed beneath its lowly roof; We
need such mementos to remind us of our former
state; but we grow proud, and cease to appreciate
our present comforts.
** Our first Sabbath was celebrated in the open air:
my pulpit was a pile of rude logs; my church the,
deep shade of the forest, beneath which we assembled
ourselves; but sinoerer or more fervent devoUon J
never witnessed than that day. I weU remember tile i
text I chose,^ for my address to them was from the
viuth chapter of Deuteronomy, the 6th, 7th, and 9th j
verses, which appeared to me applicable to our cir-
cumstances.
"The foUowing year we raised a smaU block-
house, which served as a school-house and church.!
At first our progress in clearing pe lanij was slow,
for we had to buy experience, and many and great
*ere the disappointments and privations t hat befel|
^s during llw ftr^t^sw ycSreT Ofle li mewe were alt J
«» «». The Ude of em^^.^ ^ «" "*« '■» »•»«
.«*eoof. 0.« o»XJr^jT" *" •* "««
gt-HiiB Mowed „^ X, . ^^' • «" miU; .
*» -"Otter, til, ^ brt^id" 2!". T """""•
l««ase m value, ^d tdtm«r ^ . "*«*» •»
•; Pn.feMlo„al duuT STJ ?' "^ """^o- "JiJ
>« been paid f^^.^ «» "» «■« ftw
*«' by »y liW. i^"';^'""^ "d »olunta„
f««ping . reward ^,;^f".''V« "» ««'»&<*on
•T pariAionere. JfT ft™ "^ ™* buriemwmfe to
Pl^" a buying upon jj^ "" ■*•» I*»««l to «„„
•sgh to make, me^ . P**" "o" •»
J«n.with this deUrttftOfliT '??•>'««««'»».
h*<^ comeut^e^f ^'^^ r?b » «Wi«oual
^*- R 3
\
M
ii
282
^
!'
BACKWOODS OK CANADA.
Thep<K)rboy had conceived the moRt romantic noUoi
^ of a settler's life, partly from the favourable accouii]
he had read, and partly through the medium off
lively imaginaUon, which had aided in the deceptio
and led him to suppose that his time wottW bechieil
spent in the fascinating amusements and adventu..
arising from hunting the forest in search of deer an
other game, pigeon and duck-shooting, spearing
by toircfaiigiit, and voyaging on the lakes in a bir,
bark canoe in summer, skating in winter, or glidii
over the frozen snow like a Laplander in his sledg
wrapped up to the eyes in furs, and travelling at
rate of twelve miles an hour to the sound of an
monious peal of bells. What a felicitous life to
livate the mind of a boy of fourteen, just let k
from the irksome restraint of boarding-school !
How little did he dream of the drudgery insepa.
We from the duties of a lad of his age, in a count
where the old and young, the master and the servan
are alike obliged to labour for a livelihood, will
reqpect to former situation or rank !
Here the son of the gentleman becomes a he*
of wood and drawer of water; he learns to chopdo*
trees, to pile brush-heaps, split rails for fences, atten
the fires d^ng the burning season, dressed id
coarse over-garment of hempen ckith, called a l(i„
ging-shirt, with trousers to correspond, and a Yanke
straw hat flf4)ped over his eyef, and a handspike I
assist him in rolling over the burning brands. Td
tend and drive oxen, plough, sow, plant Indian
and pumpkins, and raise potatoe hills, are ainon
some of tlM» y oung tfipiirmiit'HBpmmnliglimnntc
%i
IVOIJTH TUB IIHST SUA80N FOR kMIUUATIN(>. 283
llaxattons ore but a>m{)urtitively few, but they are
ted with a relish and avidity |hat give them the
eater charm.
|You may imagine the disappointment felt by the
lad on seeing his fair visions of amusement
before the dull realities and distasteful details of a
ing settler's occupation in the backwoods.
jYuuth, however, is the best season for coming to
lis country; the mind soon bends itself to its situa-
Isn, and becomes not only reconciled, but in time
Bsed with the change of life. There is a conso-
tion, too, in seeing that he does no more than
liers of equaj pretensions as to rank and education
obliged to submit to, if they would prosper; ijind
brhaps hie lives to bless the country whi^h has
bbbed him of a portion of that absurd pride that
pade him look with contempt on those whose occu-
ations were of a humble nature. It were a thousand
[ities wilfully to deceive persons desirotti^^ ^^i^"*^^'"?
[ith false and flattering pictures ofvpp advantages
I be met with in this country. Let the pro and ton,
I &irly stated, and let the reader use his best judg-
|ient, unbiassed by prejudice or interest in a matter
f such, vital importance not only as regards himself,
at the happiness and welfare of those over whose
tinies Nature^has made him the gusurdian. It is,
vever, far more difficult to write on the subject
f emigration than most persons Uiink: it embraces
wide a field that what would be perfectly correct
regards one part o^ th^ provincie would by no
prove so as re|Hkrded another. One district
fnmi imotfa<(r, aM one tovihSBbqp ftenranother, -
ordiug to its natural advantages; whether it be
r
284
PACJCWOOUH UK CANADA.
i :
■
.V -
S, f
I
long settled or unsettled;, possessing water privile<re«^
or not; the soil^alhd even the climate will bedilleieut,
according to ijituatiun arid circumstances.
Much depends on>the leinp«r8, |isi,bJt{H and dispo--^
sitions of the emigrants themselves. What suits one
will not another; one family will flourifl^ and accu-
mulate ever>- comfort about their homesteads, while
othero languish in. poverty and discontent It would
take vchiD^es to discuss every argument fur and
against, and to point out e\actly who are and who
are not fit subjects for emigration.
Have you read Dr. Dunlop'is spirited and wilty .
** Backwoodsman ?" if you have not, get it as soon as
you can ; it will amuse you. I think a '^Backwoods-
woman might be written in the same spiriCsoiling
forth a few pages, in the historj^ of biuh-ladies, as
examples for our sex. Indeed, we jaeed some whde- '
some acimonitions on our duties and the Jolly of^
repining at ftdkiwing alid sharing the fortunes of
» our spousies, i«fabih yH6 h6^ vowed in happier hours
to love ** in riches and in ^verty, in sickness and in
health." Too many pronounbe these wot-ds nitbtrnt
hieediiEg their importance, and without calculatiug
the chancer that may put their faithfulniiss to the
Mvelre test of quitting home, kmdred, and country, to
ihaHt the hard kii of a settler's life; for fevfeu this
.■aerified rtnidurs it hard ^ be borne; but the truljr
attadied wife will do this, and more also, if required
l^. Uie husband of her uhoice.
^ But ndw it is tiine I say farewell : my dull letter,
grown to a formidable packet, will tire you, and make
ytm wid tyt^at the bottoj o^qf th^
y^
fe'f*i"---"^.i''wJ
{
^
''.
)|NDfAN HIJlfTBRS>
y
2to
... N J
* - jfer
Lbttbr XVI.
woodfc— N.W VHi— p!r^ V? " U*»ni» ia the BaeV..
Havino jn a former letter given you sonfe apcount of
7T^t "" "^ '"^•'*"*' * '^^ "*«^ »i^ short
.ketch of their summer ehcampment. which I weut to
jeeone beautifiilafternoon in June, accompanied by
ay husband and some friends that had coAe in to
ipend the^y with us.
\m% out bet^n two small lates; our nearest
I path would have beey through the bush, but the
pound was so eDcumt)ered by fallen trees that we
•«re«l to go in a canoe. The day was warm, with-
«t bemg oppressively hot, as itloo otlen is during
te and black-fl.es were so civil as not to mdkTus.
[ tejeath th. overhanging shade of ceda,^, hemlpck
M balsams, that emitted a deUcious fragrance as^
Pwwng breeze «wept through the bought J wa.
Iw. n-' \'^ "^^'"^ W«es>ixedwith«»w.
kU,, Stony bank ^ formed the point, we saw
M an d soon our can oe w a s safely moored rfong-
" .*
I
ffl
"i
M*of those bel^ging to the Indians. ^„a bv he^
988
UACltWOeDS UP ChUADA.
•^"V>«,V1,
"ot^the straggling bi:anches and underwood I conlrned
to scramDIeup a steep path, and soon found myself in
front of the tent. 1 1 was ^ Sunday afternoon ; all the
niei\ were at home ; some of the younger branches
of we fan^ilies (for tliere were three that inhabited
the wigwam) were amusing themselves with ttirow'
ing the tomahawk at a jiotch cut in the bark of a
distant tree, or shooting at a mark with their bows
and axtoirat while the elders reposed on their blan-
kets within the shade, some reading, others smoking,
and grkvely eyeing the young rival marksmen et their
feats of skill.
Only one of the squaws was at home ; this was my
old acquiuntance the hunter'a wife, who was sitting
on a blanket; her youngest, little David, a papouse
of three years, who was not yet weaned, was reposing
between her feet; she often ^yed him with looks of
great affection, and patted \ak dbtaggyhead from tine
to time. Peter, who is a sort of great man, though
not a chief, sat beside his spouse, dressed -in a hand-
some blue surtout-coatjwitb a red worsted sash about
his waist. He was smoking a short pipe, and viewing
the assembled party at the door of Qm tent with an
expression of quiet interest; sometimes he lifted his I
pipe for an instant to gyte a sort of inward exdama-
tion at the success or failure of his sons' attempts io I
hit the mark on the tree. The old squaw, as soon as
she saw me, motioned me forward, and pointing to a
vacant portion of her blanket, with a good-natuBBdi
amik!, signed for me to sit beside her, which I did,j
=«d amfged^B y s elf with taking no te^
ofXthe wigwam ai^ its inhabitants. Tlic building]
.; .'L4tto'
"jJ-M '-^.h^yi;..-;.';-?^/ ■
HUNTER'S FaMILV.
287
^11 was told the openings were closed by blan-
■f ' th« .upper part of the roof w..s aN6 onen ?k
^ we,^ rudely fenced with large sh etsTf L" .f'
barki drawn in and out h.t^..^ .t _! ?^il /^^ '^"^^*»
k. 1 J . •' "'"^" wim largfe sh<
Wk, drawn m and out between the sticW^n. ^
Atk fmmo.»^-K -z. .. ^'^^^ ^"C'jrapiat made
lender
ft. frame-work of the Zr» > , ^' ""^
ta-«»d formed a W S 'f '""» ^'f? P?'» »f
hoints of ftesh-KIIed yen «,„ Jj ^ -tL «V'''° """"^
Uupied the centre of rT. "^ **' "" "■«
tec;:? fiT"""" "^'""^ -•'""^•^
k«< f^m tC '^4 t r^' S"^" ""^
Jimong them- nprfi.^ „J/ ^" common
|)«»«me».iheyp»,Tt„Ti,l'^ l«M<b of the
KTrf .l! ^""P'"^"^ ^'th our wishes the men X
P^ hymns, which sounde d very welT hn?^
ipiiffl % sweet voia.B nf ii.^ ^ ^,_^r^^"t Wn m
.L. ' ' ^" auuiiuea very welL but wa
I front of the hodse, sitting on a pine Io|r
I;
■ * »
■11
ill
^^it'
f88 / BACKWOOOi or CANADA.
and/amusing Oieinselves with my baby, and Hecim..?
highly delighted with him and his nurse.
Outside the tent the squaw showed me a Liich-
bark canoe that was building; the shape of the
canoe is marked out by sticks stuck in the groUnd at
regular distances ; the sheets of bark being wetted,
and secured in their proper places by cedar laths,
which are bent so as to serve the purpose of ril)s oi
timbers ; ithe sheets of bark are sUtehed together with
the tough roots of. the tamarack, and the edges oi
the canoe also sewed or laced over with the same
material; the whole is then varnished over with ai
I She honour of being paddled home by Mrs.
Peter in a new canoe, just launched, and really the
motion was delightful; seated at ttie bottom of the
Uttte bark, on a few light hemtock boughs, I enjoy««
my voyage home exceedingly. The canoe, propellecH
by the Amazonian arm of the swarthy matron, flei
Bwiftly over the waters, and I was soon landed m i
little cove within a short distance from my own doorl
In return for the squaWs dviKty I delighted her by *
pi«sent of a few beads for working mocassms m
knife-sheaths, with whkh she seemed very weU please
cwefully securing her treasure by tying them in
corner of her blanket with a bit of thread.
Withapeculiar reserve and gravity of temper, thej
is at the same time a degree of childishness about tM
Indians in some thmgs. I gave the hunter and I
8on one day some coloured prints, whfch they seem
mightay taken vrith, laughing immoderetely at so
— of the faahiaiiably drewed Ogures. ^9^^^^
\.
JO
moTAV arcog o» ^^^^^
!»•» supposed the Brave iJ^' "^ ''«^'y
[*Wi.b behariour. *" '•H'le of a^h
te™tr r ".i^ef '*^. " <^y "»<« «•.-
f •» an ladiu, h.bit«lT'. «" "","'"«»' «ght
«<> to look .t .^ ^2''^'^ *ey like weU
Han r.Jir J «PPearanoe of one nf ti
FW Cupids, adwned with tK. »: ^ '^ '^^^
^ '^ar-bW ; a ^il^:J^ ^ng8 of the Ame-
t!
it
: !
"-itvi,^l,'^.a'
ft^ lACEWOODS OF CANADA.
,1
black mnd white. This bird has been called tUe
" w»r-lMrd,"ftom its having first made its appearance
in this province daring the late American war; a
fact thai I believe is well authenticated, or at any
rate has obtidned general credence.
I could hardly help smiling at your notion (hat w
in the backwoods can have easy access to a circula
ting library. In one sense, indeed, you are not sp far
from tni<h, for every setUer's library may be called a
circulating one, as theb books are sure to pass from
^end to friend in due rotaUon ; and, fortunately for I
us, we happen to have several excellently furnished
ones in our neighboiurhood, which are always open to
m. There is a public library al York, and a small
circulating Ubrary at Cobourg, but they might just as
weU be on the other side of the Atlantic for any aocew 1
we can have to them. I
I "know how it is ; at home you have the same idetl
of the facility of traveUing in this country as I onocl
had : now I know what bush-roads are, a few mile»|
journey seems an awful undertaking. Do you re-
member my account of a day's traveUmg througlil*-
woods? lamsorrytosaytheyaiebutUttlearaenti
since that letter was written. I have only once wnj
tuied to perform a simikff journey, which took sever
hours- hard travelling, and, more by good luck thari
any other thing, arrived with whole bones at my desj
tination. I could not help laughing at the frequenj
CT^lB«.,«k»n. of the teamfter, a shrewd Yqrkshirel
«* Oh, if I had but the driving of his excellent
-aMmarakms this road, bow I would make the*
trot over the stomps and stxines, till he pn"
1 ili.'«*j't3
ROADS. J,,
l^again; I warrant he'd d^sunmut to mend
^tem before he came along them again "
j^J^nfortanately it « not a statute-road on thk gide
Itemer, and has been cnt by the settlers for their
r" «>»^«nf«<»» 80 that I fear nothing wiU be done
to improve it. unless it is by the inhabitants them-
We hope soon to have a market for our grain
m** ^"^^^^ Peterborough ; a grist-miU has
r T^" T^'^^ «ew village that is springing
y. 1^^ prove a great comfort to us; we have
tm ^ ^.^^'"P^'^ff^^t^Pen-e. through
\^^ t^J?" loss of time to those thatT
«Mg«d to send wheat to the town to be ground, is a
w whole neighbouiiiood. '
Ym do not know how important these hnprove.
ZL*!S.'^'*^ *^ they have in raising the
jntsof the emigrant, beskfes enhamang thevJL rf
fcBot onlyenaWesus to build at a smaller ex^J^
N^nablesusto^diangeU^s^
\m p.pe.t.«» whfch. under other cinM««t«u«.
•WH be an encumbrance Mid dmwb«dc to clearing
•rm the torm of s«w-k.g,, which is easily done where
[geteirA;r.S __
] nl
J..!
If
■■iM»a£itaA,,..
tot
■ -r-
.<A'-
BACKWOODS OK CANADA. >^
foytigmg down
How valuiptbl
pines be on an
are as little thi
Some years heni
to our windows covejvd with these floating timbera
the saw-mill.
irould the gpreat oaks and gigantic
in England ; while here they
It o( as saplings woUd be at home.
th^ timbers that are now burned I
up will be regrett^. Yet it is impossible to preserve
them ; they wouldl prole a great encumbrance to the
farmer. jTWie oaks are Idesirable for splitting, as thev
make the most durable fences; pime, cedar,, audi
white ash are also used for rail-cuts ;Jmaple and dry
beech are the best sorts of wood for nfes: white ash
burns well. In making ley for soap, (Ure is taken to
use none but the ashes of hard wood, as oak, ash,]
maple, beech; any of the resinous tr^ are bad fori
the purpose, and the ley will not mingle with ^e fat)
In boiling, to the g^reat mortiBcatwn of the uninitiated j
soap-boiler, who, by being made aoqdunted with this
simple fact, might have been spared much useless!
trouble and waste of material, after months of careiiiil
saving.
An American settler's wife told me this, and bade]
me be carefiil not to make use of any of the pine i
wood ashes in running the ley. And here I mustj
observe, that of all people the Yankees, as they are
termed, are the most industrious and ingenious; they
are never at a loss for an expedient: if one thing
'*ails them they adopt another, with a quickness od
ihought that surprises me, while to them it seems onlji
a matter of course. They seem to possess a sort oj
innate piesenoe of mind, and instead of wastinj^thei^
s nergi ea i in wotda, they ae4 — 3^ old setUera
TH^l CANADA8 PRBPERRID TO aKIO, ^9?
have been jongr among them seem toaoquire thesanie
wrt of hal^its, insomuch that it is difficult to distin-
piish themi I have heard the Americans caUed a
loquacious boaEting pedple; now, as far as my limited
•cquamtanc^ with them goes, I consider they are
almost laconk and if I dislike them it is for a certain
cold brevity ^f manner that seems to place a barrier
between you knd them.
I was somewhat struck with a remark made by a
travelling clock-maker, a native of the state of Ohio
After speaking of the superior climate of Ohio in
Mswer to some questions of my husband, he slkl
he was surprised that gentlemen should prefer the'
Canadas, espedaHy the bush, where for many yeare
they must want aU the comforts and luxuries of life
to the rich, highly cultivated, and fruitful state of
Ohio, where land was much cheaper, both cleared and '
wild.
To this we reined that, in the first place, British
objects prefeirred the British government; and, be-
sides, they were averse to th« manners of his country-
taai. He candidly admitted the first objection; and
ffl reply to the kst observed, that the Americans at
huge ought not to be ju«lged by the specimens to be '
fcund in the British cotomes, as they were, for the
liwt^part, persons of no reputation, many of whom
had fled to the Canadas to escape from debt, or other
jBgraceful conduct; and added, **It wouMbeharf
If the English were to be judged as a nation by the
•mvicts of Botany Bay."
j^Jhere waa aothini t u n fair ^ rade in t he ma r
!lh
aere ot this stranger, and his defence of his natkm
I Vk'
.:'f . ■ --^,itt*.
mm
' >-*■'■" /^>
iJII
S94
lAOlWOODt or GANAbA.
WM mild and reasonable, and «Bh as anyunpreju.
dked person must have respected hhn for.
I have jnst been interrupted by a friend, who haa
called to tell me he has an opportumtjof sendipgRafe
and freeof cxpeilM to Limdon or LHerpool, and that
he will enclose si packet for me in the box he ispack-
ing for Englaild.
I am delighted by the intelligence, bat regret that
% have nothing bat a few fl o w er s ee ds , a specimen of
Indian wprkmanship, and a few botterflics to send yon
— the latter axe for Jane. I hope all will not share the
fate of the last I sent. Sarah wrote me w<ml, when
they came to look for the green moth I had enclosed
in a little box, nothing pf his earthly remains was
visible beyonid aiitUe dust and some pink feet I
have, with some difficolty, been aUe to procure
another and finer specimen; and, for fear it shouU
meet with a similar annihilation, I will at \eM pn-
serve the menoory ci its beauties, and give you a de-
scriptwn of it.
It is just five indies from wing to wing; the body
the tbidmcss of my little finger, snow-white, covered
with feng silkoi han' ; the legs bri{^ red, so are the
antenme, wfakfaavfe toothed Kke a comb on either side,
shorter than those of butterflies and elegantly curled;
the wmgs, both upper and under, are of the most
eupusite pale tint <^ green, fringed at the edges irith
goJdenookmr; each wing has a small shaded crescent
4^ pale blue, deq^ red, and orange; the blue forming
the oenU«,^ke a half-ckMed ^eye ; the knrer wiogs
ebngated in dee|> soolkip, so as to form two I
Bae tao&t ot ine swcwow-tair ixitteriiy, omyi
p^^
remains was
DRAOOW-FLIES.— FIHE-fUtS.
2M
full Inch in len^ and deeply fringed; on the whole
this moth » the most exquisite creature I have ever
seen.
We hne a variety of the peacock butterfly, that is
veiy nch, with innumerable jeyes on the wing?. The
yeltoirawyjowH*! is dao very common, and the W«Ji
and bhie admiral, and the red, wWte, and blacic ad-
mira^ with many other beautiful varieties that I can-
not describe. The largest butterfly I have yet seen
« a gay vermilion, marked with jet black Unes that
form an etegant black lace pattern over it^ wide
wings.
Then fOT dnigon-flfes, we have them of every site.
shape^ and colour. J waa particularly charmed by a
pair of superb blue ones that I used tb see this sum-
mer m my walk to visit my aister. They were as
Jai^ as butterflies, with black gauze wings ! on ea^
w "■ '^^^"*!^ •" "^"' •*" ^ ^'Shtest azure
blue, shaded wrth sc^fet ; the bodies of these beauti-
Mcreatiij^ were also blue. I have seen th^m scar-
lei and bhick. yeUow and black. copper«riou,«,,
green, and brown; the latter are great enemies to
the mosqmtoes and other smaU insepta, wid mav be
Ken in vast number flitting aiound in aH directions
of an evening in search of prey.
The fire-flies must not be forgotten, fw of al'
others they are the mc«t ren^sr^^^ ieT.^'.
Mce generally precedes rain; they are often ^„
J^r Airk, on miW damp evenings, sporting am^"
Uie cedars at the edge of the woodTTdlpeiiaSy
hriuLTr^n'^*^" **"" "^ '' illuminated witMhJJ
anmni^jj^t. Scwaetimes thcymajrbe gech
, J
s#4i
■jssw&u^^Sr^^V'j.' ;,»'.i.
'mfJ^t,'f?.,f.ffr
hi
U
296
VAOKWOODS' dp CANADA.
in (i^roups^ glandnj^ like fiilUng stars in mid-air, or
descending so low as to enter your dweDing and flit
about among the draperies of your bed or window-
.curtains;^ the light they emit iV mote bnlfiant than
that of the glowworm ; but it is produced in the same
manner ftom the under part of U^ body. The glow-
wonp is alto frequently seen,- eveui^aa late as Septenw
ber, oa mild, warm, dewy nights*
We have abunduioe of large abd small beetle^
some most sfdendid : gpneen and gdd, rose-colour, red
and Mack,* yellow and black ; some quite black, for-
midably large, with wide branching \^rns. Wasps
are not so troublesome as in England! but I suppose
it is because we cannot offer such temptations as our
home gardens hold out to these ravenous insects.
One of our choppers brought me the other day
what be called a hornet's nest ; it was certainly too
small and delicate a (Hece of woorkmanship for so large
an insect; and I rather conjecture that it belonged to
the beautiful black and gold insect oaUed the wa^
fly, but of this I am not certain. The nest w^ about
the size and shape of a turkey's egg, and was com-
posed of six paper tups inserted one within the other,
«neh lessening^ tiU the innermost of aU agpeared not
larger than a pigeon's egg. On kwl^ing carefully
within Hbe orifiee of the last cup, a small comb, con-
taining twelve cells, of ^e most exquisite neatness,
might be perceived, if anflhing, superior in regularity
ti> the ceUs in' th^ comb of the domestic bee, one of
which was at least e(|ua] to three of these. The stib-
stance that composed the cups was of a fine silver gijly
gilken ig«>uwi as fine as the finest India silk papfr,
HUMMING BIRD.
■^'
297
wdeitremeTy brittle;, when slightly wetteditbecame
(rluimou., and adhe«d a little to the finger; L
whole was carefully fixed to a stick : I have \^xi o^
mire the mstmctive care disphyed in the formaUon «/
Uus exqufate piece of insect arehitecture to guaitl t^
ISS" *T'^ f"°» ^"J^'T' eitW fi^m the voracity
of birds or the eflect of rain, whiScquId scareely find
entrance in the interior. / i
I had d^fully. as I thought,/pre8erved my trea-
btUe th«f oi a mouse found ii mit and tore it to
P«ces for the sake of the drops of honey contained
^ one ojr two of the cells. I was much vexed, as I
purposed «ndmg it by some favourable opportunity
^^7vT^'''^ *'" ^^^"^**^ ^^^\^ took
great dehght m natural curiosities, and once showed
T * f***^:^!^" form to this, that had been
found in . bee-hive; the material was much coaijer,
wd,.if 1 .emember right,.had but two cases instead
I'h.TOdwijr.fdt«grMtde«iretoi«ethen«tof
Tto «m,mer I had «,me bed. of mifenioS and
oiher flowas, „th wme most splendid major tonvol-
^ or "monjUHt gloyes." „ the A Jric^"cl
too; th«e. lovely fl„we« tempted the humming.
l«ds^io ™t my garden, and I had the pleiwm of
«e.»g a p.,, of thMe be«,lifi4oreatu«8, but their
L"«ht of their colours i their motion when on the
I , »wg waembles the whirl ^f n ^tJuaJag-wheet,
if!
>^i^t)iiiA i^4(. . *4l i a '
'^ '
"■^^'V
' Vi^H^ •>
IN
BACKWOODS OIK CAHj^VA.
the MranJ they make is like the ham of a wheel ■(
#ork ; I shall pbnt flowers to entk» them to Imild
near OB.
I sometimes fear jon will grow weary of My long ^
dull letters; my only teiKraroes arS domestic dixiOm
and the natural histoiy of the cooiitry, which, I gf^
whenever I think the subject hlu nof«lty to recom-
mend it to your attention. Fossihiy I may spmetimn
disaptpoint^yciu by details that appear to place the
state of the emigrant in an unfavourable light ; I
merely give facts aS I' have seen, or heard them
stated. I could give yon many flourishing accountg
of settlers id ^ country; I coukl also reverse the
{Hcture, and jwvroald come to the pondusion that
there are mitty arguments to be used both for and
against emigratkm. Now, the greatest urgiiment,
and that whi^ \afi the most we^ht, is nbcbssitt,
and this will alw^ torn the scale fai the favour of
« emigration ; ai|d that same imperative dame Necex-
sity teUs me it ia neoe»$ary fw .me to <toiw ii^y letter
to a conclusion. ^
Farewell, ever feiihfiilly and affectionately, v>ui
attached aistar. '
V
if
i^<.-
J*.
".'^P-
A«i'i.
2V»
Unnti XVIX.
L..
r r Mdreinb«rUMSBUi.ia84i
You wfll hame been surpriftd, juid ponibly dtstnaMNL
by ray tongr sikQoe of several months, but whenTteD
you i^ has been oecasioned by sickness, you wiB cease
to wonder thai i did not write.
My dear husband, my servant, the poor babe, and
m^lf. were aO at one time oonfined to our beds
with a^nie. Yon know liow severe my suflerings al*
ways were at home with iotll^ittents, and need not
marvel if they were no less great in a country wfaeie
lake-feven and aO kinds of intermittent fevera abound.
Pew persons escape the second year without being
afflicted with this weakenings complaint; the mode of
treatment is repealed doses of oabmel, with eastornn!
^ #dts, and js foOowed up by quinine. Those per-
ions who do not dioose to empfey medical advice on
the subject, dose theqiMlTee with ginger-tea, string
ihfu^n of hyson, oi any other powerful green tea,
jepper, and whiskey,, with many other remedies that
have the sanction of custom or quackery.
I will not dwet on this onoomforUble period,
further than to tell you that we considered the oom-
pjiiint to have had its origin in a malaria, arisipg
a ceHariietow the ioic httt. Wh en ISe sno^
>.
r-i m
t^ '
-;«^
lir-'&i.M'i A . . *"'*«i*4.'- s.iMifi!ii
''^*!?^t
1' /^W ,'^%''^'^K*'
300
BACKWOODS OF CANADi
■
I
meUed, tikis cellar became half full of water, oildei
from the moisture draining through the spongy eurth,
ur from the rising of a spring beneath the house;
be it as it may, the heat of the cOoking and Franklin
Ktuves in the kitchen and parlour, caused a fermeii-
talion to take place in the stagnant fluid before it
could be emptied ; the eflluvia arising from thb mass
of putrifying wat^ affected us ai. The female ser-
vant, who was the most exposed to i^ baneful in-
Uuence, wap the first of our household that fell sick,
afler which, we each in turn became unable to assist
each other. I think I suffer an additional portion
of the malady from seeing ttw sufie^ngs of my dear
husband and my beloved child. 4^
. I lost the ague in a fortnight's tfibe, — thanks to
calomel and quinine ; so did my babe and his nurse :
it has, however, hung on my husband during the whole
of the summer, and thrown a damp upon his exertions
and gkwm upon his sfurits. Tha is the certain etfect
of ague, it causes the same noti of depression on tbe
spirits as a nervous fever. My dear child has nut
been well ever since he had the ague, and kwks vciy
pale and spiriUess.
We shmiki have been in a most miserable con-
dition, being unaUe to procure a female servant, a
nurse, or any one to attend upon us, and totally unable
to help oursehres; but for the prompt assistance ol
Mary on one side, and Susannah on the other, I
know not what would iiave become of us in our sore
tnuble.
lliis summer h^ been excessively hot and dry
UlB Vratf m i n t hf lakfi i a nd ri vpr w liPing Inw o r tl
g.*
CULTIVATION OF THE MELON. so|
kins W*. iTi '^^^''^^ *»««; fio were the pump-
««n». We had some fine veffetAhW ,„ tu »^ , *^
mould beinir raised t^^^aI ?^ "" abasin,the
lolW part rfTCw .C, H ■" "^'"^ "^ «
"".t in Zi^.!^ "Pcnenc. „f u« counSj,
"-«. whe» U« bed. „. eI.,.,«lTS^ S^^te,t?
"Kl. m coiuwpKnoe of the drvnia. of ,L ^
tt" phnts «ilher .w.y. ^ "* K™""*
As then appero »nie troth in the remark I ..„
'"Aned to «l„pt the plan. ^ ' ""
•" """.y. fine. e.p«i.By ,^ n,.„J^tJ^
II
Ul
rjRt!<ifmK9mtrtfrtXf^^
892
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
i»
I -
iometimes grown in the fields, on cleared lands that
are under tlid plough. We have a great variety ot
beanSy- all of the French <Mr kidney kind; there is a
very prolific white ninner, of which I send you somr
of the seed : the method of planting them is to rais«>
a small hilk)ck of inould hy drawing th^^ earth v^;^
with ^le hoe ; flatten this, or rather hollow it a Utl^
in the middle, and drop in four at five seeds roank''
Uie edges^ as soon as the bean puts forth its ninnen
insert a pole of five or six feet in the centre of the
hill ; the plants will all meet and t^^ne up it, bearing
a {Hpofusion of pods, vrhich are cut and fcnled as the
scuki-mnnerB, or else, in their dry or ripe state,
stewed and eaten with salt iheat; tlds, I believe, ia
the more usual way of cooking them. The early
biish*bean is a dwarf, vrith bright yeUow seed.
Lettoces are very fine, and may be cultivated
eaafy, and very early, by transplanting the seedlings
that appear as aeon as Uie ground is firee firom snow.
Cabbages and savoys, and aD sorts of roots, keep
during Um vrinter in the ceDars or root-houses; b&t
to the vile custom df keeping green vegetables in the
shaUow, moist cellare below the kitchens, much of the
uckneas that attacks settlers under the various form
of agues, intermittent, remittent, and lake-fevers,
may be traced. .
Many, of thfl>wer class especially, are not suffici-
ently carefiil in clearing these ceUars ftom the de-
caying p(»tk)n8 of vegetable matter, whfeh are often
■uflRned to accumulate from year to year to infect
the air of ihfc dwelling. W he re t he hou se ia small,
and the family numerous, and consequently exijoeed
■Li^t^lkMdii^^^i
:'iL^^a^''^«^i4t-V.-l='d:lA-...
ROOT- HOUSE.
SOS
fc$
to ite influence by nighL the K»«4.fiw
*X^^™?S' "^ r' "«*«=". Witt.
Now, dear mamma, this is exactly what •,»» «^
«any u«^l and coni«nient buiidin« wTfeft to
^^in^^r Vr"''' -"^neTan^ea^
^te m two days, if he work well, i. made to
ornecesrity obliges the loot^house to be made vS
«wounrin» proof of this very sort of «««^'
r^ation; l«t the logs l^n^^^T!^'Z' '
kou«, and we shaU have one eari/in L^''
I wouW. howeviH- »»«.».». J ^ ^ *P*^fir
«uu, oDweyer, recommend any one that could
-«i»-.«^T^Tsr3^^H»^^^
4^i'iE=S'-.
B*'i.S-*''— ■
■i
9H
BACKWOODS or CANADA.
veiy few feet bekw the surface renders this neitlicr
laborious or very expensive. The creeks will often
laU in very dry.weather. and the lake and river-waten.
grow warm and distasteftil during the spring and
summer. The spring-waters are generally cold and
pure, evea in the hottest weather, and delightfully
refreshing./ ^ f
Our winter se^ms now fairiy setting in : the snow
has twice fallen, |Mid as often disappeared, since the
middle df i pctoVr; but now the^ ground is again
hardening into s^ne; the keen north-west wind is
abroad; and eveify outward object looks coW and
wintij. The daiic tine of pines that bound the
oppoflj « side of the lake is already hoary and heavy
with ino^, while the half-frozen lake has a deep
leaden tint, which is only varied in shade by the
masses of ice whksh shoot out in kng pnnts, forming
mimic bays and penins^hs. The nuddte of the
stream, where the current is strongest, is not yet
frozen over, bat runa darkly along like a river
httween its frozen banks. In some parts where the
banks are steep and overhung with roots and shruba,
the fallen snow an(|L water take the most fantastic
f<Hrm8. ■ \
I have rtood of alMcight winter day looking wiUi
infinite delight on the beautifril . mimic waterfalls
congealed into sotid ice akmg the bank of the river;
and by the mill-dana, from contemplating these petty
irolks oT Father Frost, I have been led to picture to
myself the sublime scenery of the arctb regions
In spite of ito kngth and extreme severity, I do
like the CjtiVM^i*n
•^X^^i-iAJH^ ^i^^u SS^-^s ilMt.-rii£'\<^it-bi^ikt' ^l^^Ki^
- ANNOyANCE OP INS«CT8. 30a
Jest season of the yeai- j and it in no smaU enjoy,
ment to be exempted from the torments of the insect
tnb^ that are certainly great drawbacks to your
comtort m the warmer months. •
We have just received your last packet ,-« thou-
Mnd thanks fpr the contents. We are aU deliirhted
with your useful presents, especially the warm^wls
and mennos. My little James kwks extremely well
in his new frock and cloak; they iJiU keep him very
warm this cc^ weather: he kissed the pretty fm^
hned shppers you sent me, and said, "Pussy, pussy."
By the way, we have a fine cat called Nora Crena,
the parting gift of our friend , who left her as
a keepsake for my boy. Jamie dotes upon her; and
r do a«ure you I regard her almost as a second
Whrttingtonscat: neither mouse nor chitmunk has
dared intrude within our log-walls since she made her
appearance; the very crickets, that used to distract
us with their chirping fiiom morning tiU niirhL
have fonaken their oW haunts. Besides the <aio£t.
which often swarm so as to become intolerable nui*
8an«», datroying your clothes and woollens, we are
P»«ered by large black ai^ts, that gallop about,
eating up sugar preserves, cakes, anything mce they
Z ^".K"^i!f ^' ***** *"•**=*« «« three times the
«e of the black ants of Britain, and have a ^Z
voraaous appeUte: when they find no better prey
t^mf r'?K """^S' *"^ '***' "^"^ '^ fierceness and
wbtilty of the spider. They appear less sociable in
^rl'.t*?^ :;" *****"' ""^» **»«"»**» ^^'^ "»« n-m
tere tharmv ^ yo»rdwe lli niC 8, f shoukl think the
Termed a community Uke the rest of their speciei.
fcsi^.i'
Sue
iACKW0,OOS OP CANADA.
i:
I
. The first yearns xeudence in a new logp-bnue yon
are disturbed by a oontinnal craaldng 80|uid which
grates upon the ears exoeedingty, tiQ. you become
Accustomed to it : this is produced by an insect com-
monly called a ** sawyer." This ia the larw of some
fly tl|iat deporita its eggs in Hbo bark of the [Hne-
frees. The animal in its immature state is of a whitish
colour) the body cmnposed of eleven rings; the
head armed with a pair of short, hard pincers: the
bkin Of this creature is ao rough that on passing your
finger over it, it reminds you of a rasp, yet to Uie eye
It ii perfectly smooth. Yoo would be surprised at tlie
heap of fine saw-dust tihai is to be seen below the
hole they- have been" woridng in all ni^ These
sawyers form a fine feast for the woodpeckers, and
jointly they asrist in promoting the ra|^ decompo-
sition of the giganUe forest-trees, tluit would other-
wise encumber -the earth fipom age to age. How
, infinitt' is that Wisdom that rules the natural world !
How often do we see great events hrougfat about by
seemingly hisignificant agents! Yet are they aU
servants of the Moat High, work^g his will, and
fulfilling his behests. One irreat want which has
been sensiUy felt in this distant settlement, I mean
the want of poblic worship on the 8abbath-day,
l^iomises to be speeflQy remedied. A subscription
is about to be opened among the settlers of this and
part of the adjacent township for the erection of
a small building, which may an«wer the purpose of
cfanich and school-house: also for the means ot
paying a ^^niater for stated seasons of aU^ndamv.
'^^.^ii^i^s'^Hrl^oPed^^tra pw^Qiur to be used as a
t'A^^^aaju^Ji'fe.
*!•
■'^'\-
ir.«iiiii,i jwf^
'^m
TKMPORAHy CUURCM.
307
porary church, and service haa been «vpr«i .•
' ii3
It
sM&'
U-v^M^
Lfei&v'*
S08
BACKWOODS OF CANADA.
^
I
LettoiXVIII
B uf iipring.— lucTMM of Sodaty and Comlbrtr-RecoUecUouB of Hi m*
— Aotoni'Boradia.
This has been a busy spring with us. First, sugar
making on a larger scale than our. first attempt was,
and sinca that we had workmen making considerable
addition to our house; we have built a laige and
convenient kitchen, taking the former one for a bed
room ; the root-house and dairy are nearly completed.
We hav£ awell of excellent water close beside the
door, and a fine frame-bum was finished this week,
which includes a good granary and stable, with a
•alace for my poultry, in which I take great delight.
Besides a fine brood of fowls, the produce of two
hens and a cock, or rooster, as the Yankees term that
bird, I have some ducks, and am to have turkeys and
geese this summer. I lost several of my best fowls,
not by the hawk but a horrid beast of the same nature
as our polecat, called here a scunck ; it is far more
destructive in its nature than either fox or the hawk
for he comes like a thief in. the night and invades
the perch, leaving headless mementos of his barba-
rity and blood-thirsty propensities.
We are having the garden, which hitherto has been
nothing but a square enclosure for vegetables, laid
imt in a pretUer form ; two half circular wingB awegp
cir firom the entrance to each side jof the house , the
,^^4'Sf^'
309
BITS? 5PAIN0.
3\
tUectUtUB of III m*
fcnce is a sort of rude l>asket or hurdle work, such m
ence this formg a much more picturesque fence
than those usually put up of split timber
a s^rt of flow' T. *"'•"'"•* ' *^^^* *^^» P'-»«nff
Z^l^ 7 "^^'"'^^^ ^''** some of the native shrute
that abound m our woods and lake^hores.
Among ^ose aheady introduce are two species
th ' ^?r^"'^'^» ^*^^*« and rese-blossled
n J^f ''L'^' ^^^''^ ^V'^a/ru^ex, which grows
K'Z^'''"*'^"^ theCanadLwild^
the red flowenng raspberry (ru6u« spectabitis) lea
ther-wood (rfirca,). called Americarm^e^n or
Zni^\''^^ \^very pretty, and TtlT L^
as a suDetitute for cord in tyinir sacks &r • ♦>,« t»
dianssewtheirbireh-barkbicTte^thitt:^ u
Wiij , > ^* "*»*«» witn It occasionally.
WiU .P«ebeny. red «.d bl«,k curoote, appfe
"W. wthhere „d there a stondarf hawthJ™ fte
■»!.« Ire. beari^ „iee red ftuit I named S ^
aihaveaayetbeenabletomtarfuce. "'""•»"
,. ™ "»«P « "P. Md I have just planted hon. ..
*.b.«.fthepi„.„. Ihaveg!>ttrbrn|Z.S
of a p«T,le wild grape (h,m the tatand near uf wS
I long to Bee in ftnit. "».wnicn
»^ within ,h» hrt two yea™ "that »L o^u
regret OUT a bsenee fbm th^ »««« ««™.i . ^
Tfv dear «.«.., o^^u™^."^ PPP"'°«« *«^'-
"Mv rUoi. 0.0* ™"'***^"««« populous town.
My dear s.ster and her husband are comfortably
•>
■■t-.
■■'l^i!' ■:
i ■'
im
BACKWOODS OP CANADA.
Mttied in their new^abode, and have a fine spot
ckMrml and croppfML We often aet them, and ?njoy
a chat of home— twfet, neter-torbe-foigotteil hom^;
and cheat ounelvea' into the fond helief that at no
▼eiy distant time we may again retncerjii fertile
fields and flowery dales.
With what delight we should intn)dac|^ young
Canadians to their grandmother and aunfet^my little
bushman shaU early be tanght to lisp the' names of
those unknown but dear inends, and to bye the lands
that gave birth to his parents, the bonny hills of the
north and my own beloved England.
Not to regret my absence, fiom my native land,
and^ne sq iair and lordy wit|^ would aigue a heart
of insensibility ; yet I most say, ^c all its roughness,
I love Canada, and am as happy in my humble log-
house as if it were courtly hall or bower; habit re-
condles us to many things that at fint were distaste-
ful It has ever been my way to extract the.,sweet
rather than the bitter in the cup of life, and surely it
is best and' wisest so to do. In a country where (»n*
stant exertion is catted for fitom all t^gn and deg^
of settIeEB,itwould be foolish to adcf^ree to dampo^
energies by complaints, and cast a gloom over oil
home^ by sitting dcyecledly down to lament for aJr^
that was sp dear to us in the old country. Since we
are here, let us makejhs best of i^ and bear with
cheerfufaieso the lot wl^ have chosen. I believe that
Hjoe of the chief ingredients in human happiness is a
oqiMcity for enjoying the blessings we possess.
Thpufl^ at oujc fint outset we experienced many
pfiMny "Uniooked-ftMP expenses,
CLIMATB OF UPPER CANADA.
311
nuy annoying delayg. with some wants that to tu
wemed great privations, on the whole we have
toen fortunate, especially in the situaUon of our land,
Which has increased in value very considerably; our
chief difficulties are now over, at least we hope so.
md we trust soon to enjoy the comforts of a cleared
fain.
My hus^tand is becoming more reconciled to the
country, and I daily feel my attachment to it
strengthening. The very stumps that appeared so
odious, through long custom, seem to lose some of
their hideoushess; the eye becomes familiarized even
*fch objects the most displeasing, till they cease to be
(*BerTOd. Some century henoe how ditferent wiU this
spot appear ! I can picture it to my imaginaUon ^th
fertile fields and groves of trees planted by the hand
of taste ;--all wiU be different ; our present yude dwel-
lliigs will have given place to others of amore elegant
style, of architecture, and comfort and grace will rnle
Ihe scene which is now a forest wild.
You ask me if I like the climate of Upper Canada;
to be candid I do not think it deserves all that tra-
TcUers have said of it. The summer heat of last year
WM very oppressive ; the drought was extreme, and
in some respects^ved rather iiyurious, especiaUy
to tlie potatd|;^cropl qThe frosts set in early, and so
did the snom^ as^tfe)lbe far-farmed Indian summer
It seems to h% taken its fareweU of the land, for
lilfle of it have we se^n during three yean* residence.
Ust year there wa^ not a semblance of it, and this
,goPg horrible dmrk gloomy day,, that reminded me _
most forcibly of a London fog. and which was to Uie
ii
'!jk^^ms&M;js. ,','.&
1
1
1
I
1
;
I
1
;
!
1 u.
11
i liil
•-
u
m.
JL
, ■ ,. ■ ^ ,..■
318 ,f BACKWOODS or CANADA.
lull «s diBtnui ami depressing, was declared by tlieokl
iQhabi|ants to'^be the commencepientxif the iHdian
summer; the sun looked dim'Snd red, and a yellow
lurid mist darkened the atmo8]|here, 90 that it became
almost necessary to light candles at noonday. |f
Ithis be Indian supfimer, then might a succession of
London fogs be termed the " London, summer,"
thought I . as I groped about in a sort of be^ilderinl
dusky light all that day ; and glad was I when, after a
day or two's heavy rain, the frost and snow set in.
Very Variable', as far as our experience goes, this
cJimate has been ; no two seasons have been at all
alike, and it is ^u^posed it will be still more variable
as the work of clearing the forest goes on from ydif
to year. Near the rivers and great lakes the climate
IS much milder and more equable; more inland, the
snow seWom falls so as to allow of sleighing for weeks
after it has become general; this, considering^ the
state of our bush-roads, is rather a point in our favour
as travelling becomes less laborious, though Btill
somewhat ro\igh.
f have seen^the aurora borealis several times ; <dso
a splendid meteoric phenomenon that surpassed every
thing I had ever seen or 6ven hcaid of before. I
was very milch amused by overhearing a young la*
giving a genUemaa a descriptign of the appearance
made by a chistwi.aO^'flfiJioting.stars as. they fol-
lowed each other in 9uick succession athwart the sky.
I* Sir," said the bpy, '*I never saw such a sight
before, and, I can only liken the ^hain of stare to u
•ogging^chain/J, Certainlya mqst natumlafid tinique
-similc* qujtrin charteler with thefroccuration of ihr
r^. Wi'^^^'^'i'^j^fft*-
n
ADHOBA BORkALia. 3,3
tot l^ ,?^ •»■"" " K™i<»«y filled, «n
ri , '■"*• I» WM so fair and lovelv .
H»n I »» grieved when H vanished into 0^11
»r»W '*T' '^'^ ""» "» beliefXt ;
iwerwofld,_,niagmatioB apart, couM it be a nhm
!*or,c exhalation fiom «,me rfoL, nuwy ^?:"'
*»'■"?: «"■*»".» .n oonneote^SirZ,"
,»Xr'^!°*^'"° '^^' ^ ""^ """"y letter,
iJT ^ "'y high ; and you must not onlv oa.
|h Jl m rece,.e but ril you «nd to and ^.m 'nT^
my k indes t and b ea t of friends:
'Vnft'.Mayhi.iaas.
'■ H
,il«2
'%'V
■■*£■■
APPENDIX.
TaefoUowing Communication. h.,e bMn nwmed fiomth.
Wnterofthi. Work duri^ its progw»th«H.gh the P™-.]
M^LB-SW0A«V
Th» spring I h«ve nurie miiple.«,gar of a much
finer oolour aad gNn than any I have yet seen;
and tove been aasHred by m^y old Kttlen it wa^
2fi5r^!!' °!;!;^** l^et, they had ever met with:
which eommaiidation induces me to give the plan
I^poitottl in- m^ufactunng it. The aap having
1)een boiW doiir« in the 8ugw.b«.h from about si^
PM«^ tte liqi^ through another thicker flannel
r^ ^f^i|>wi^Ipi«!«e«dboiUngdoIln
the sugar, an«J while ^et cold. fH at bert lb«t luke-
m^V? *»» '^ o*' one egg to a froth,
and spread it gentl? over the aniface of the liauoT
wateWng the pot canrfUhr aRer the foe began to*
heat It. that/I might aoi snftr the scum to boil
r^?"!*!^- ^ ^^ "*""*** ^^«" i* «>n>e8 to
• boil, the 8^ must be caieftUly removed with a
dummer^jladh^^ fanp^ i,-,^ I ^,,^, .
thttt tm ihe care takeB TO reniow every p^
•Hun depends, in a great measure, the brightness
4
:
•v',s
"ft<B«^-:
316
APPKNDIX.
/
I '■-
and clearness of the $ugar. The best rule I can give
-as t^the sugaring-olr, as it is termed, is to let the
liquid continue at a/fast boil : only be careful to keep
it from coming ove^ by keeping a little of the liquid
in your stirring-l^le, and when it boils up to the
top, or you see it rising too fast, throw in a little
from time to time to keep it down ; or if you boil on
a cooking-stove, throwing open ope or all the doors
will prevent boiling over. Those that sugar-off outside
the house ^hav^ a wooden crane fixed against a stump,
the fire being lighted against the stump, and the ket-
tle suspended on the crane : by this simple contrivance,
(for any bush-boy can fix a crane of the kind,) tlie
sugar need never rise over if common attention be- .
paid to the boiling; but it does require constanr
watching/: one idle glance may waste much of the
precious fluid, I had only a small cooking-stove to
boil my sugar on, the pots of i^ch were thought,
too small, and not well shaped, so that at first my
fears were that I must relinquish the trial ; but I per-
severed, and experience convinces me a stove is an
excellent fiimace for the- purpose ; as you can regulate
the heat as you like.
One of the most anxious periods in the boiling I
found to be when the hquor began first to assume a
yelkmish firothy appearance, and cast up so great a
volume €i steam fit>m its smrfaoe as to obscure the .
contents c^ the pot ; as it may then rise over ahnoet
unperceived by the most v%ilant eye. As the liquor
thickens into molasses, it becomes a fine yellow, and
seenas nothiny but t hick frothy When it fa g ettii_
>rftty well boiled down,' the drops begin to tall deal
in to tfdl dear
APPBNDIX. SI 7
•nd ropy fiom the ipdie ; and if you see little hrighi
gtamy-looking bubbles in it. drop some on a cold
plate, and continue to stir or rub it till it is quite cold •
If It is ready to granulate, you will find it gritty, and
turn whitish or pale straw colour, and sUff. The
sugar may then safely be poured off into a tin dish,
pail, basm, or any other utensil. I tried two diflferent
me^ after taking the sugar from the fire, but
could find httle difference in the look of the sugar
except that in one the quantity was broken up more
completely ; in the other fte sugar remained in large
lumps, but equally pure and sparkling. In the first I
kept stirring the sugar tiU it began to cool and form
"^j;?* n* ^^ «a^»t«ice. agd the grains were well
ijrystalbzed; m the other proce8s,r-whidi I think
preferable, as being the least troublesome,—! waited
till the mass was hardened into sugar, and then,
piercmg the crust in many places, I turned the mass
mto a cullender. |nd placed the cullender over a
vessel to receive the molasses that drained from the
sugar. In the course of the day or two, I frequently
stirred the sugar, which thus heosane perffectiy fiee
from moisture, and had acquired a fine sparkling
gram, tasting exactly Uke sugar-candy, f^ fit)m any
taste of the maple-sap, and fit for any purpose.
I observed that in general mapk-sugar, as it is
commonly made, is hard and compact, showing little
grain, and weighing veiy heavy in proportion to its
rr' ®"<^"y **»« reverse is the case with that I made,
It being extremely light for its bulk, aU the heavy
!h!T? '"^lll L^" sepa rated, inst ead of d ried into
thfl Bugttr. Had the povient season been at all^^
t3
'>h'-'
WV'(J«% •<,
318
t"",
M
APPENDIX.
favourable one, which it was not, we •houW have
made a good' quantity of excellent sugar.
Vinegar.
By boiling down five gallons of sap to one, aud
when just a little above the heat of new milk, putUng
in a cupful of barm (hop-rising will do if it be
good), and letting the vessel remain in your kitchen
chimney-corner during the summer, and perhaps,
! longer,' you will obtain a fine, cheap, pleasant, and
strong vinegar, fit for any purpose. This plan I have
pursued snccessfiilly two years. Care must be taken
that the cask or keg be well seasoned and tight before
the vinegar is put in ; as the dryness of the suhimer
heat is apt to shrink the vessel, and mak& it leak.
If putty well wrought, tar, or even yellow soap,, be
rubbed over the seams, and round the inner rim of
*he head of the cask, it will preserve it from opening.
The equal temperature of the kitchea is preferred by
experienced housewives to letting the vinegar stand
abroad ; they aver the coldness of the nights in this
country is prejudicial to the process, being as speedily
oerfected as if it undei[went no such check. By thoiSB
well skilled in the manufacture of home-made wines
and beer, excellent maple-wine and beer might be
produced at a very trifling expense ; t. e. that of the
labour and skill exercised in the makiug it ^
Every settler grows, as an ornament in his garden,
or shoukl grow, hops, which form one of the principal
con9|ioiients of maple-beer when added to the sap. •
HOP-KISINO.
This exce llent, o » d , . 1 mif^ht a d <l.
.tf^i-ii^,-^'; *>•■ ' •' «-jf'^-|^^^^
APPENDIX. . ,,j'
wmde in ev«y «ttler'. b™^ ■„ , valuable «b..i.u,e
'"dy.'fc.tte, fom,ed by stirring a d^^u"^!
of «o«r and cold water till smooft a„r^tL S
»«",to8et it to work; let th« bam rtand «ii » ■*
-orkad well, .bed bottle «.4 JXTT, t k -^
«Ha,««,I place if in . J„^Vnj in wiit^i^ '
•bo the beat place to keep it fr^n fl^ir si
b^»^jdn«d vejjradvan^^eouaij.; and U,Zt^
^:^J^^ aU tbei, flon, .„ buy, I think it 'C
n awwtt Uiree quarts or a gallon of water till *i,-
^U^watenitbtTpo^^-n^
.•i: ■
:*■■
11 *.
S20
APPENDIX.
was mixed up, na water beii^; reqiuired, unldn by
chance I had not enough of the mixture to moisten
faiy flour sttfiiciently. Tlie same process of kneading,
fermenting with barm, &c.,ifr pursued with the dough,
as with other bread. In, baking, it turns of a Inrighl
light' brown, and fe lighter than bread made afler tlie
commoiiinocess, and therefore I consider the know-
ledge of it serviceable to the, emigrant's family.
Salt-risino.
This is i bum much used by the Ynnky settlers;
but thoi^ the 1»ead is decidedly whiter, and prettier
to look at, than'' that raised in any other way, the
peculiar flkvour it imparts to the brehd remkrs it
highly disagpneeable to some persons. Another dis-
advantage is, the difficulty of fermenting' this barm
in the winter season, as it requires a temperature
which is very difficult to preserve in a Canadian
winter day. Moreover, after the barm has once
reached its height, unless immediately made' nse of,
it sinks, and rises again no more: careful people, of
course, wbo know this peculiarity, are on the watch,
being aware of the ill consequences of heavy bread,
or hjaving no bread but bannocks in the house.
As near as I can recollect, the salt-ricjng is made
as follows:— 'For a small baking <^ two or three
loaves, or' one ' large bake-kettle^af, (about the
size of a London peck kiaf,) take about a pint
of moderately warm water, (a pleasant heat to the
hand,) and stir into the jug orjpot containing it u
much flour as will make a good^ttter, not too thick ;
> (CM VpWjlUlU UI sun, IHWUHHW, )
■Sp**.^
.Ur
-^
,. Y»t-'«ivJ?>-?w^^^^^
. APPENDIX. ^^j
*e d;,^^^:! Xr* S 2" *^'!: '^■'
w tough, anddoi^- . T *"'*' *• "•"" "" "
"8"> "UM ooes not stick to the InoM « i
J«»r Io«f or loawa, and keen i^^T^' . ■** "P
near the fire Mil Z.. "" .f "»"> warmly covered
-n method of bakS^ Ji Z artZ"' "T
sees prjictised it i« «« ii J ' that a settler
fi^urwiSutUaTd" f,;^ •? »•*'
lo grumble and rebel aZ^- .u J *" "°"»«<'
l»n» or bake httL??°f ** "Ped'™"^ "^ """ke-
oven., «.d'.4ntSSr*.^ f «>ok,ng.„ove,, ir«,
- ««. J^'Te.ratp'tS- 1^
In
w.
id'
1
.^#I^^V'^i.-^r^'
Ut ^ a ^
"klfj'l
i22
APPENDIX.
universally naeful utensil : so let it not be despised.
It is one of those thingc peeuliarly adi^ted to the
cucumstanoes aS settlers in tiie bush before they have
collected those comforts about their homesteads,
within and without, that are the reward and the slow
gleaning-iq> of many years of toil. '
There are several olh«r sorts of rising similar to
the salt-rising. " Milk-rising,** whidi is mixed with
milk, warm from the cow, and abgut a third warm
water ; aiM ** bran-rising,'* wlucjl^ i& made with bran
instead of flour, and is preferred by many persons to
either (^ the former kinds.
SoPT Soap.
Of the making of soft sc|ip I can give little at no
correct information, nfvejif having been given any
certain rule my^lf; and my own experience is too
limited. I was, however, given a hint from a pro-
fessitmi^ gentleman, which I mean to act upon foitli-
with. instead of boiling the soap, which is some
trouble, he assured me the best plan was to run oif
the ley from a barrel of ashes: into.tbis ley I might
put f((kir or five pounds of any sort of grease, such as
pot skimmings, rinds of bacon, or scraps from frying
down suet ; in short any refuse of the kind would do.
llie barrel with its contents may then be placed in a
secure situation in the garden or yard, exposed to the
sun aqd air. In course of time ibe ley and grease
become incorporated: if the grease predominates it
will be seen floating on the surface; in such case add
morg ley ; if tlijp mixtjiTy dop« ""t *^ck# n ^ nH(
grease. NoWi this is ib/b simplest, easiest, and
&i
X
» eVWftSi » >r
s . t. , 5.'.. ;
'\
APP»IIDIf,
3sa
cfcan^acctHint I have yet received on the subject ol
soap-lnakingr, which hitherto has seemed a mysteiy,
even though a good quantity was made last spring by
one of my servants, and it tuhied out well : l^ut she
could not teD why it succeeded, for want of being able
to explain the principle she worked from.
Candles. \
Every one makes their own candles (t. e. if they
have any materiab'to make them froni). The great
difficulty of l&aking candle*— and, as far as J see the
only one, is procuring the taflow, thich a bush-settler
until he begins to kill his own beef, sheep, and hogs,
is rarely able to do, unless he buys ; and a settler buys
nothing that he can help. A cow, however, th»t is
unprofitable, oW, or unlikely to s^rvive the severity cf
the coming winter, is ofteij suflered to go dry during
the summer, and get her own living, till she is fit
to kift in the fell Such an iinimal is often daugh-
lered veiy advantageously, especiaUy if the setUer
have UUle fodder for his catUe. The beef is often
excellent, and good store of candles and soap may
be made from the inside fat These candles, *if
made thvee parts beef and one part hogs'-laitl, will
burn better than any store-candles, and cost leas than
half price. The tallow is merely melted in a pot or
fuk convenient for the [mrpoee, and having run the
cotton wicks into the moulds (tin or. pewter moukU
|for six .candks cost three shillings at the stores, ^and
many, many years), a stick or skewer is paMed
rttetoopslTyour wicks, at the tt^^
the stand, which serve the purpose of drawing tbe
: ttut 'jSi
ifii
-qrtr
324
APPKNDIX.
candlea. The melted fat, not too hot, but in a fluid
state, is then poured into the moulds iiU they are
full; as the fat geu cold it shrinks, and leaves a
hollow at the top of the mould: this requirelfiUing
up when quite cold. If the candles do noi draw
readily, plunge the mould for an instant into hot later,
and the candles will come out easily. Many peisonJ
prefer making dip-candles for kitchen use ; fcul for
my own part I think the trouble quite as great, [and
give the preference, in point of neatness of louL i„
the moulds. It may be, my maid and I did notjuc-
ceed 80 weU in making the dips as the moulds. "^ - ^
"^ Pickling.
The great wpnt of spring vegetables renders pickL
a valuable Edition to the table at the season wheii
potatoes have become un6t and distasteful If yol
have been fortunate in your maple-vinegar, a store,
of pickled cucumbers, beans^ cabbage, Ac. may b^
maite during the laUer part of the summer; but if\
th6 vinegar should not be fit at that time, there are
/two expedients ; one is to make a goodhnne of boiled
salt and water, into which throw yourScumbers, &c
(the cabbage, by the by, may be preserved in the
root-house or ceUar quite good, or buried in pits,
Hell covered, ^U you want to make your pjekle)
Tho«» vegetables, kept in brine, must be covered
close, and when you wish to pickle them, remove the
top layer, which are not so good; and having bciled
the vinegar with spices let it stand tiUit iscoW. The
cucumbers shoul d previously have been weU washed^
-andsoalvmih two or three fresh watersi and drained;
\:'%i
l.f
APPBNDIX.
335
!12 ^'^'J"\'^ *• "« "»'e=.r poured ov„
• In th««%ckwoocl*inftn,'* thiiwbiikM »»:»*•
^ ■!
■k ".
r^-
^JkUil^''
■feS.2£ t»V» 3e »«?*>' vv''
■VV'- jI^ t, V Vif
Vi. ^ ^^ r> f**ri •
i \
APPENDIX B.
[Ill iIm wish to reiMkr thia Work of mora nr^tical value to
pmoM detinng to emigrato, some offieul tnfurmatiui. u
■ul^ouMd, under the foUowing hAada :—]
#ATISTICS OP EMIGRATION.
I. The number of SiUet and Grants of Crown Lands
Clergy Reserves, Conditions. Bee.
If. Information for Emigrants; Number of l^mieranta
arrived; with extracts tnm Papers issued !»
Government Emigration Agents, Sm. «
III. AbstiaeC of the Amerisan Passengers* Act. ol
Session 1835. ^
IV. Transfer of Capital.
V. Canadian Currency.
VI. Canada Company.
VII. British Amaiieaa Land Company.
I. Salit ami Grant* qf Cnum Lands.
The followiiw tables^ a^itraeted ftom Parliamentary
documents, exhibit^ /
I. The quantity of Crown lands *M in Upper and
Lowtr Canada from 1898 to 1833. inclusive, with the
average pnca per acre, ftc. ^
^. TWn Md park lots sold in Upper Canada during
m|9 sfifie period. ,_
3. the QuantHy of Crownlands granted without pur-
enaaa, and the cmditions on which the inrants were
given^ftdm 1824 to 1883, inclusive. -
"i. ThsilBdiunt of eteigy reserves sold in each yw
•moe the sales oflMManced under the Act 7 and f
Geo. IV.. 0. fla.
^^^^[wtn.- ^u
APPENDIX.
*'\ .
' (
■■ir-
/:
vS
■jy^'ft^ ^4k» <^i^i*i4?&t,.»^>iiM|i^^^»i^ ^
k'f
f Uf^ T^^^^
"»ft "-JfJ^l s^-ati^l^
APPlNDix.
»
1 Is 1
-.
B^
t
111
«.' 1
i,H — L
-^ 1 ■ \] a
l\
*!l.. h
II
[2
fil
I
1
i
I
K8
I
n$
08
atACr'-.: ^««'
!
rii
'i
'I
i
!l
i
i'.d *. ^ < I ',<!', .C-4lS(l\*
sso
APPENDIX.
If
1
I
•*•%•»
S:
TT"-
00090
geoe
.t M «« M
oo
09
•no
«« M M
*2S
ooiQOOo>no<e<
Q0<Oift<O00C^^^^'
»ii< i5« « ►* Ki «0
OiA
e<
e«
eo
lA
CO
©I
S do 00 00 do 00 a6 w OO 00 j
«-v
i«
.\ii^ai.s^.^£w)^^«d-,jj^^£. Vj l
.^J?;»^'il)K--,*v!s • '-^r? '^^KE$l^^f'^^y<'*-^^^!'^''
E6ff
PSWStiSSWKIOJK-
APPBNDiX.
1
>
»
>
r4
■« «»
f^
o
«A
« ~ "^ "^^o o -N CO rr S
8 § S S ^ fjV^-S gf
SSSm'*''^*'*^**
Sooosesoo
>ooo 9 = a
> O O O 9 3 ;3 i
§g§S
(N
s
I
j;j§«ooio«oioo»o
s
<0 t^ 00 0> O 1-4 C>l I
:!■
■ j^%li^*ik' .i Ja J' *,.•). i,' ^■. « V
.9.
APPENDIX.
^ The conditions in forcd in 1824, the time from which
the Betiiras take their commencement, were enaeled bv
IJrderi m Couiicil of 20th. October* 18i«. and 2lst
ttbroioy, 1 12«. Applied equaUy to aU ola««ei of grantees.
«ud w<fre as foil^i :—
" Ti>at lotetees phall dear thoroughly and fence five
acree (w eveqr 100 acres granted ; and build a house
18 feet by 30 m the clear ; and to clear one-half of the
road, and chop down, without charring, one chain in"
debth acroM the lot next to road. These road duties
to be oonsid^d as part of the fiv* ackes per 100. iTie
whole to be completed within two years from date of
the locatioiL and upon proof df their fulfilcnent patehts
to issue. *
** On the 14th of May, mo, an additional stipnlatioh
was made in locations to discharged soldiers, which
quired an actual residence on their lots, in person, for
fiMB years before the issue of their patents.
^' On the 14th of November, 1830, the then existing
Orders in Council, respecting settlement duties, were
cancelled, and it was ordered that in lieu thereof each
iooatee shpnldr dear bdf the road in front k His lot,
and from 10 feet in the centre of the road cut the
stuiniw so low that waggon wheels miirhtj pass over
them. Upon proof of this, and that a settler had been
resident im the lot two years, a patent might issue.
Locatees, however, were at liberty, instead df placing
settlers on their lands, to clear, in addition td half the
road on each lot, a«hain in depth across the front, and
to sow it and the road with grass seed.
•• Upon dischaiged soldiers and seamen alone, under
this order, it became imperative to residi on and
improve thti^ lands three years before the isiue of the
patent. • ', j
" On the I4th of May, 1838, an Order vk Council
was made, abolishing, in all cases except that of dis-
ciiarged soldiers and seamen, the regulations pre-
viously existing ; and whidh directed that, ujpon proot
of an actud settler being established on a bi a palent
shodd issue without the condition of settlement duty.
The idlowing extract is taken from " official iolorias
"V
:M
y
• ».
^^^^^^!^£^:-Sl^ othe, Ooven..
offered for sale in l^x^Tot^Su^ »»» surveyed and
Crown lands, at unset SLt^ .'°^""><>n«' of
situation froi lo. K ,i£?S;' ''*'^"« according to
township, of dunnidale anrN^t?' «^P«»^ ^n thJ
uiMet pkoe of Sown w? ;. ^*'^,*«^ '^«« *«»e
Canad^theCommSonerof Pr^'-'i^^-^ In Uwer :
P»ts up land for sale iS S^-i •''^ ^^* »♦ Quebec
; Jhip.. it iroml, "S'tf liJ ITh^J »» variou^town?
^ W payable by instalmSitt^ Wuf f !?'^"^J^' ^?«'
be purcliased fiJom the uSlSr f£l->'!?'* "'^ »'''o
very easy terms, and t hos7w^S Jfii^'^P*"^ ^^
ftnns will find little aScuKHS «M*"i*"* improved
Private proprietoii On «« ^ " o'^J.wWing such from
final eng«SbS"or vou^Y^nJ?^"?* *"**^ '"♦« »ny
qSSs^' *"** ^ ^'^rtain of the TolloJiJg
'• 4' l«fhr«'P"wl^* oil^njnntng stream of W4ter
yourchUdren. ■ *'*°°^ ^^"^ **»« education 01
" " «. A good titlfc* *
•
i
■7^
aifer,'... •. ^.»-v-..
334
APPtHNOIX. '
•^ (%ri9jr lie$en>et mid im «aeA year ttnoe fAe ttUet cwnme/uua
voder the Aetl md^ Geo. IF. c 62.
LOWBR
C^JfADA.
Y«tt.
Mw&b«rof
AvmgB
prie*
AoKrant of par-
t\yum-nifauirj
noeif cd witluii
the flnt y«w.
Whole 'mmount
of the iiurehmM-
iMNwy.
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
fDtillS .
1,100
9,956
11,332
, 6,873
^7,278
4 6
, 4 9
7 2|
£. $. d,
10
543 17
541 7 ,6'
533 2 8
3,454 11 6
£. «. (il
230 0«
1,610 3 0*
2,665 9 3*
1,278 11 8
12,791 17 5
'66,539
18,576 I 4
The BomlMr oTvewt* wHhte ^kieh tl» whole ■inoaiit of the purchase
oney btohe pdd Is An*.
• On Mlea ra qnlt mt. at ft per eeat, the eepitd ledeemable at
pleeanra.
N.B. Selei oa qdt-rrat eeaaed ia 188t.
UPPER CANADA.
Yew.
1829
1830
la-ii
1832
1833
ToUls .
Number (rf
eeieeeold.
Avenge
priea
per
16,014
34,705
28,563
48,484
62,282
192,049
AmottBt of pur-
ehaae-monry
reeeived iHthin
the flr«t year.
£. «.
2,464 14
6,153 5
8,010 2
10.239 9
14,080 16
d,
9
11
7
8
Whole amfmju
of the purchasS^
.mqdey.
£• ' «.
13,229
23,452 4
17,362 12
32,287 19
44,747 19
131,079 14 10
The whole amount of the piuchas^money to be paid ia
nine yewM. In addition to the pmchaa^-money paid, interest
hai auo been paid with each initalment, a statement of which
basfoUowy; —
Intereat received in 1829 £17 3 cunency.
„ 1830 62 16 I „
- ,. 1831 259 14 9
T!g 2 4 7 3 ty
w
1833 854 4 3
■-^fefeii'.
'''W\
i tP-'-fi^
I , APpgNDIX.
3Ji
£. «.
13,229
23,452 4
17,362 12
S2,287 19
44,747 19
d.
J
9
31,079 14 10 1
In the year 1832 a little pamphlet of advice ♦« •».:
f^ r,^} f '?P??* The Commissioii no longeriSt J^
*«.'•«« <>[»*. J. Denham Pinnock. Esq.. hM^Tli
^^iTeVSraJST!.*'- been ap^SSTSe*
bSST** • • • fl^'^Lo'^.R.N. ..
SJh • • • f'?<»»Mfe»»y. R.N.
Gwenoek ' * fieut. Forrest, RN.
^^* " . Lieut. Hemmans. RN.
Owk ' • J'?«»t.Hodder.R.N.
SSSt * ' • • |^«»*- Lynch. RN. ' •
▼emment emigration ai?eot. wUl lUfora everv infor^
I«SS£ S?2"*- •" extract f«m the pamphlet pub-
be';?r.^«si??o?p%v^:„^^^^^^ ■
water. Aiel, and bed places, wfthout bedding. Cbifdiwi
f^^^^«fP^»SWli« Maje.fy', Com w w;;i«
':'^;
^i'
i J
!
*. C I- *J t 4 -^ '« t ij f
^~ ^'^ J ' -.^ ^^,^K. j^jj;r,.Y>,^^ <%-Jli»ljf^jW,^
336
APPINDIX.
^1!
.1 !.
under' 14 years of age are charged one-half, and under
7 years, of age one-third of the full iwice. and i'oi
ehtldren under l^months of age no charge is made.
Upon these conditions the price of passage from London,
or from places on the east coast of OreiU Britain, has
generally been 6/. with , pnmpons, or 3/. without.
Frbin Lirerpool, Greenock, and the principal ports of
Ireland, as the. chances of delay are fewer, the charfi^e
is somewhat lower ; this year [1832] it will probacy be
. from 2/. to 21. 10«. without provisions, or from 4/1 to 5/. ,
including provisions. It is jpossible that in March and
April psMagesmay be obtained from Dublin foi; 1/. 15;.,
or even 1/. I0«. ; but the piices always grow hieher as
the season advances. In snips sailiiig from Scotland or
Ireland, it has mostly been the custom for passenj^eis
to find their own provisions ; but this practice has not
been so general in London, and some shipowners,
sensible of the dangerous mistakes which may be made
in this matter through ignoraince, are very averse to
receive passengers who will not agree ta be victualled
by the ship. Those who do resolve to supply their
own provisions, should at least be caRiftil Qbt to lay in
an insufficient stock ; fifty days is the shortest period
for which it is safe to. provide, and fh>m London the
F^sage is sometimes prolonged to seventy-five days.
The best months for leaving i&ngland are certainly
March and April; the later emigrants do not find
. emi^oyment so abundant, and have less time in the
colony before the commencement of winter^**
From a firinted paper, issued by Mr. Buchanan at
Quebec, the following statements are. taken : (the
paper is dated July, 1835).
** There is nothing of more importance to emigrants,
on arrival at Quebec, than correct information on the
leading points connected with their future pursuits.
Many have suffered much by a want of caution, and
bv hstening to the opinions of interested, designini;
chpacters, who frequently offer their advice unso-
licited, and who are met generally about wharfs and
/ grants from falling into such errors, they 8hould,^imnie-
IHi'
>f^^i'£fe.?;tsi&sv'-JfeS';¥':(i'^C'.-.
AI-PimDlX, ,,,
and schemn offered to vow rnT.M-J^? ""»;/?'«••
»"W from them u"e.. tou are -ff'SSS^/S™
•hprived if .OT of^iS. ""^*'' ""«■<!«> they be
s:?hVd'ot?rd"2'iSi:jj'&!i"« '^i V^'
equal to 8,. in New York ; thS t'^t^ York cSt*' "
situations are to be^JS^i? w^^^^ "amr desirable
obtained by p«;\i^ St tTe\„SLt^^^^
Lands m vanous townshina in ^^^^ • i^rown
** Pa^ M M l mt»j...^^A.^
^SWmkJwurer^^eTntich^anteaTnairthedi«tri^
K'/?-'!^,
yV* ^ y '
-'Jt^fK^
*/^H«»».l
•it5;%{r'?;frvj»;-3.
A>PKNI
ot Uppsr Canada, and. Ki^ustrifwt. tbe^r aay be tttn
of <ob«itiii^ vary
avtfjF d«^npti«B«
art mooli ia ra^i
^EoiUaantt
the Ot^wa
ly tlM^ii^Tet with
wages; mcehamcs of almovt
good Mrvants, male md/<maie.
^
. , ^ to^Upper Canada, either by
It. Lawitaoe roi^ are aduiied to wipl
with providons at Ifonbeal* Mieh as
J sugar, and batter, wkieh th^ will purehaRe
; and of <b«ltor 9M{i<tf. untU thqrieaeh Kingston.
^ T.1^8 !**• *?*»*«• ^«y ^ •*» paHicalari}
oanliqbad ageinst the use ot ardmt tpiriti or drinhfi
oM^irimer laalsr, or lying on the baidor of the riTei
, expoM to the night dews; they should proceed at
once /fkionr the steam-boat at Montreal to tht eminmce
qftkt Carnal or Laehine, fnm whenoe the Durham and
steam-boats^ start for Presoott and Bvtowndaily. The
^ total npense fpr the transport of jii adult emigrant
from Quebee to Toronto and the beadof Uke Ontario.
by steam and Dariuun-boats, will not exceed li-it.
eofiettcy, or It U. sterlmg. Kingston. BellsTUli up
the Bqrof Quinte, Cobouigh, and Port Hope, in tiie
y Newcastle district, Hamilton and Niagara at the head
of Lake Ontario, will be convenient stopping-places for
' flunilieshitending to purchase lands in Upper Canada.
"Thflve is considerable competition among the
Forwarding Companies •at Montreal ; emigrants there-
fore had better exercise a little caution belm agreeing
fcr their transport to Prescotf or |Cingston, and they
should avoid those perscms that crowd on board the
steam-boats on aitival at Montreal, ofbring their ser-
ftees toget passages, fee Caution is also necessary
at Presoott or iungston* in selecting i«g^ar con-
teyaoees up Lake Ontario. I woidd particularly
adviie emigrants destined for Upper Canada, not to
meur the expense of lodging or delay at Montreal. Wt
«o proceed on arri«al«f the steam-boat to the barges for
Bytown or Presoott. i / ' /
** Labourers or oMehaniea depMidinlott hnme^iate
emjafknrment, are lequested to proceed immediat^y on
arrival into the country. The chief agent will consider
sueh petions as may loiter about the ports of /landing
/-
ffml^'l^
't1t ^'■"'
■ -^ *iv
. ^^^
939
> •#FENMX. :—
f
Bnglaad
inland .
feoUand. . .
Bamburff and )
OibmlLr. f
fo»a Scotia,)
Newfound- I
land, West
Indiei, &c..
Totali
I829l*i1?4™M6;l*!?8Tt»^ -iiJh^bec, from
, reiy
»««*rict of Three Biflii '^ *
Ottawa Dirtrict . . ' ' •
l,i
Total to Lower Canada .
^ CPPEE CANADA. -^
"'*'"-* ^ "he Home Dii
/4,090
2,650
oiiiiejfayofQumte . : . '. ^'} 2,650
Toronto and IJw Home Dwtrict,, indudimr Settl/l
' : 1. ■
f
"l
H
IF
i:
f n
■ \
S4f
APPBN01Z. / j
rthef
dnto>
Humlton, Qu«rph^ and Hanm TVwto, and gitn*.
twiwadiaeent . . ^. 7"^
SS^!if!Il¥?f "*? ^**' Induding the line of
{fe2X!^o^/ "^ ~"»* *^^«» «>f Lake
Unteno, to Hamiltoa
■•*U««4« botdering od Uke Kris, indndia.
{-»*« IMjtriet, Alelaide SetUeftent, and
/ Tstal to Upper Canada
Dfadqr cholm in Upper and Lower Canada
Of tk* mmkr qf 30,9» Bmi/frml, ^ arrived at (?XT
l9M,thtr»W€rtof—
Voluntanr emigianta . . '
AwirtedW parochial aid . . ■ ', \ '
Number of males , , *,
Nomber of female! ...'** 7
Nomber of children under foorteen yeaig of age I
2, MO
3,300
4,600
22,210
800
350
3,483
^,635
29,041
1 ,892
13,565
9,685
7,681
/N^ teJiJ?^ P"^" f'*?"* »"*® Canada by way of
/New York wUl receive advice and direction bv anilv-
, ing to the Britiih C!on«ul at New YoV (jS
£ f^r'S.Sj^ ^r""^y **»'• |fentlemi»no„W r.
•^n^kL?*"**."**" ^^^^ positively determinecf to
.«^ ^ the CanadM, permission to land their bajrgaee
SttifeiTn,?;! f?3ts;*S5r.i"*^^ >"' ^" •^'«''
SSS.rSSST' ■**«?*«<»•* this port, in permitting,
iMmage. houidiord.and terming utei/sils of emigrants
Mfe5*i^^?S? ^" t'^'^'it.throuii, thi. .tateTo h!s
th?S2^lM!!t^' T" «r**®"**,P«^°8 furnished of
SI^/kw '^»t>cn Pwkages a)bne contained arti-
»?ir« kn;«^;?7f W^^^"' ^ *'««™ 't my duty to
make known that alK article, arriving at this port
ISlZ^;^'!:* emigran^in tran^t to Canada. wiK
subject to the same msp^tion iM» if to remain in th«
T
^^.
m
"'M 5I1.'.- "^^'F* ;'■■ J
/'
APPUfOlX.
,7
■ >.'•• ii
r
United States,
an siibjeeted.
artioleH suited tb new Mt
on better termJ than
■uch at are adapted to
The dillisrenite betw
*>/ w»y of Qikibee and'
1 think it .proper to mention, that all
"^^ to be had in Canada
brought 9iit-«ad
thcKeinniais
all the year
rence up to
river ia onl
the yrar.
ebee
nee
)und.
^g to Upper Canada
that thgi^ New York ia dpen
^ i,whik t^aVimttion of the St. Law-
Quebec and Montrea ii tedi«NM»MMl the
>pen between eeven Hnd eight montha of
«..♦'♦« ♦i.^-K*"*' *!i**^''.*^«''' **»« oMapeet route.
^t!!t^ "^'^ *^ ""^ »♦• New Yortt is the mo^
SSSSfclr"*"^ **\* *"~* «tpeditio«» way^
P*«|f«aM»« to Upper Canada. "^ ■
K *!l* tfy**».»" ?>▼«« in a printed paper, distribttted
P-n5T**i/^"i ^S?, Y*** *»<* Albany by the BrU
&?llr *" ?^"<»f ^PP«' C«»~»». West^ef^Kni,^
*y_the/^yofOfwegoandBullWo.^ ^^^
?»i.^}?A^^^* 160 miles by gteaai-bbet.*
Syracuse to Oswego, 40 „
Syracuse to Roehester, 99 -
Rochester to Bnflklo, 93 „
Total eipense from Albany to BuffsJo. bv ^iwi
exclusive o/victuals for an adult steerage pasTenlSl*
d^ packet-boats, and found, l|* dollaia, « daji
S" ft*l®, ^J*y «**««• 2 days--6* to 7 dollars.
H 2 *.**!L*'***l^*^'',* moderate quantity of baggage.
xa
t*
!;%
. _JBv«"»4>S.'
^%
1(4^.. -.ji**..-*;,*
* '^'-
I
J
i-HH
1
^r^^^H
1
^B
. I^Htfll
B'
' Hwl
Mb
'iVffi
W'
mm
ill
■mum
i?-
"i
^~HP
.;'
'1m
. . (
i
w
w
a^^W.;
'^;
•,&wrv!^AfP^^¥^ ^it*?^^!!^^^ '^'f
:•>
y^
^
MS
APPENDIX.
"Whitehall to St. John's, by steam-boat boar,!
faclu^edjCaWn 5 dollars ; deck p/ssageTd^a™ ^S
to rf «/****"** *** ^P'**"®' *« «n»le« P«r »tage. 5*.
mi'l'irj?"* to Montreal, per ferry steam-boat. 8
cabiS^foin^iV«^"*i^°,:^y "team-boat. 180 miles.
mose, proceedmg to the eastern townshios of
S3/?;;JS f'SKt^ to^St Johh'^ from whence good
rowto lead to all the settled townships eastward I
Emigrants can avail themselves of the advice and
jssistanceofthe following gentlemen :-at Montreal
Carlisle Buchanan, Esq.; Pr«cott. John Patton? Esq •
Kingdom fvr tyt year; from 1829 M' 1834 :—
Y<lr. KngUnd. Imkad. Scatland.
•IT "^ ' I
8,110
16,350
13,808
18,947
Totel.
2,443
3,497
6,721
6,050
1,584
2,078.
3,286'
ToUI
11,501
'21,433*
22,607
28,283
16,000
26,540
126,464~
of Itortyli!™' *^' ^^^^ are made up t^ the 20th rfoveftbei
4^
%
MM^m^i.:!:<iA;4S^^M^^^>.'>. ^ >
" j'-.-rr'' - "^■^'^a^i']:
nilcs. 1 dollar ;
um-boat. board
2 dollars with-
per stage, 5*.
steam-boat, 8
^if 180 miles,
bund, 79. 6d.
townships of
)ke, Stanstead,
» whence good
eastward. If
y will proceed
stagesvsteam-
ille, Hull, and
try, Cornwall,
he advice and
-at Montreal,
Patton, Esq."
APPBNDllE.
firomthaVnited ■
834.— ■
ToW.
11,501
"21,433*
22,607
28,283
16,000
26,540
126,464
1
SOth Novel&bei
III. American Paggmgera' Act.
«
343
^ The 9th Geo. IV., c. 21, comnibnly called the " Ame-
ncan Passengers' Act," was repealed during the Session
of 1835, by an Act then passed, the 5 and 6 Will. IV^
c. 53. The intention of the new Act is, of course, to
secure, as effectually as possiblCrand more effectually
than the previous Act did, the health and com-
fort of emigrants on board of passenger ships. By a
clause of the Act, copies or abstracts are to be kept on
board ships for the perusal, of passengers, who may
thus have an opportunity of judging whether tlie law
lias been complied with ; but the discovery of any
infractions of the Statute may be made at a time when,
in the particular instance, it may be too late to remedy
» it, so far as the comfort and even the health of the pas-
sengera are concerned. It is to be hoped, therefore,
that the humane intentions of the legislature will not
be iVustrated by anv negligence ou the part of those
(especiallv of the officers of customs) whose business it
IS to see that the regulations of the Act have been com-
plied with before each emigrant ship leaves p<Mt.
No passenger ship is to sail with mora than three
persons on board for every five tons of ragisteied bur-
then. Nor. whatever may be the tcmnage. is there to
be a greater number of passengers on board than^afler
the rate of one person for every ten superficial feet oi
the lower deck or platforrh unoccupied by goods or
stores, not being the personal luggage of the passengers.
Ships with more than one deck to have five feet and
a half, at the least, between decks; and where a ship
has only one deck, a platform iif to be laid beneath the
deck in sueh a manner as to affiird a space of the height
of at least five feet and a halC and no such ship to have
more than two tiers of berths. Ships having two tiers
of berths to have an interval of at least six inches
between the deck or platform, and the floor of the lower
tierthroughout tlje whole extent.
Passenger ship's are to be pro visioned^i n the following
proporlkm:'^pi]TOWSter;tD the amount of five galldns, ~~
to every week of the computed voyage, for each pat-
^i^ifit^i
'■■iei'-^J'if'-S tf,:,'«A
■-*'
.?ikffl-p,
344
APPBUDIX.
m
si-—
•eag«r— the water to be carried in tanki or sweet
ca.skH; seven poundg' weight of bfead, biscuif. oatmeal,
or bread stuflk, to every week tor ^h passenger ; pota-
toes may be included to one third of the extent of sup-
gy. but seven pounds' weight 6f potatoes are to be
reckoned equal to one pound of bread or bread stuflFs.
The voyage to North America iWto be computed at ten
will be secured fiOy
ids weight of bread
tgers, a medical praf ti<
100, medicines of suffi-
taken out as part of
weeks, by which each passen
galk)ns of water, and seventy
or bread stnft for the viqrage.
Where there are 100 passe;
tioner is to 'tile carried; ifunde
cient amount and kind are to
the necessary supplies.
Passenger ships are not td be allowed to carry out
ardent spirits as merchandise beyond one^enth of the
quantity as would, but fortkis restriction, be allowed
Dv the officers of the customi upon the victualling bill
ot such ship for the outward /voyage only, accoiding to
the number of passengers. / ^
A C^" j"Port«rt reftrictioii./which ought to be enforced
to the letter of the lair. The strong temptation which
the tednrai of a vovage preieats to numbers pinned up
in a small apue to resort to driakiag. has frequently
made sad havoc of the moier, eoafort. and health of
emigrants, irhen. especiallvL the ship stewani has con-
trived to lay in a good stock of strong waters.]
lathe enumeration of passengers, two chiklren above
sewn, but under ftmrteen.1 or tkne under seven y 'ars
or age, are to be reckoned las one pasMnger. Iniants
nnderl J months are not tofbe included in the enume-
Tafion.-
Piisiiengeri are entitled t^.be maintained on board
for 48 hours after the ahip hfts arrived at her destina-
tion. [Emigrants whose m^ans «re limited may thus
mvoid much inconvenienee and expense, by planninir
and executmrwith pronpHtude the lonte whi«h they
mean to Uke. instead of landing, and loitering in the
expensive hooias of entertainment of a seapport.]
M asters of ships aw to enter into bonds of 1.000/. for
Hfac dus pei fe i maMe »{ the TwuytsiOfts oftBraa: TBe~
ifl
ni
M
"S-^ ■■
APPKNOIX.
3H
ima. The -^
penalty on any infratTion of the law is to be not les!»
than 5/., nor more than^^O/. for each offence.
[The government emigration agents at the various
porta; or the officers of customSjTwill doubtless give
every facility to passengers who seek their advice rela-
tive to any violation of the provisions of the Act, and
point out the proper course to "be taken.]
If there be any doubt that a ship about to sail is not
■ea-worthy, the collector and comptroller of the cus-
toms may cause the vessel to be surveyed! Passengers
detained beyond the time contracted for to sail, are to
be maintftined at thcMexpense of the master of the
•hip; or, if they have contnuted to victual themselves,
they are to be paid 1«. ea% for each day of detention
not caused by stress of weather or other unavoidable
caose.
IV. Traru/er of Ccgrital.
It is, of course, of the greatest importance to emi-
grants that whatever capital they may possess, over
the necessary expenses of the voyage, &c, should be
remitted to Canada in the tqfegt and most profitable
manner. Both the British American Land Com-
pany and the Canada Company affopi facilities to
emigrants, bv receiving deposits and.'franting letters
of credit on their tktntu in Canada, by which the emi-
grants obtain the. benefit of«the current premium of
exchange. It is unsafe and imudicious toNsany out a
larger amount of specie than what will defray the ne-
cessary expenses of the vovage, because a double risk
is incurred,— the danger of losing, and tl% temptation
of squandering. The emigrant, therefore, who doea>
not choose to remit his money through either of th«
before-mentioned companies, should procure a letter <^
credit from some respectable bank in the United Kinir-
dom on the Montreal bank. .
V. Canadian Currmcy.
In all the British North American colon ies aceounti
, -.irsiinringjs.
The accounts are contra*
and pence, as in England
^lii*'
«
V.4
. /,••■
n
MHI^!:
«
'^m-
I
w'
m
I
mt
^^TO
Mm.
jH^»'
n
t^Hi';
H
^Ki'
1
ml;
/
iL-
346
^*f^«
APPENDIX.
distinguished by callingthe former curreiicv or H*i!f-.
currency, and tW latter •terling. or BHtSK'steSni '
The one pound Halifcx ciirnSjy. o7«^uwncy as ft i»
?°W «o«»»0"^y called, consists of YWSJsTdoVirl
The dollar \s divided into five parts-cSfed „ finiS k
pistoreens-each of which is KJd J^ifllin/Tch
of these shillings or pistoreens is anin sIbSlfdpH in*5
.. twelve parts..c«lled Jence. but i^liS^o^^,^^'
no com answering to any such sunSSpnTom'^
*h?T^tagfeatTarietyVcoppercoin8Treusii^m
pn.,ng the old Engli/h hJpm^XeTh^r^ny^
cjnt. ; all and eao^ pass as the twenty Lrth^ of
theplstoneeB or colonial shilUnir. pZt^^e in £mu^
tTiJLi^ ^'^ " **** twenty-fourth p^f o/lhi puT
. At a time when the Spanish dollar, the oiece of
t£i thf tTJl'^ caUedrwas both iSer an&ier
than the coin now in circulation, its value st tKr«/»*
OOTdin^. the Dound currency was fixed at 18t. &rliW
*nd £90 rterfing was ^iifil to £ieo ouirencv th^'
ru^ of conTCrsion bejng?a& anB^^kZ7t!7in^to
^n currency, andtleduci one-tenthjnm ciStSJ to
nnd the eterhng. This was called the par of excSS«
tuations were fh>m m trifle abtfve, to a trifle bdS; pJJ.
'iJi^i dSSr^iS'*' ^\^' »••' *»»i«* -the eighth
CrML'4S^;.rtiSS?i.lV" iTatM;;
IST^I'"*^ " *? EngUnd •qtii*ri«itbirtto4r2Lird
that the Ameriean shillm» k *•-?—*-. ^*' *•:< •?"•
fl..t.l0.^d.y^fi5. hS ton Mi.2tSi "rK^Sft
payment it may be said is Si i«*T.T» vL R"."*" "^
Ubour uiular • hi;-?--^^^ ' . It w, It IS for excessive
■**
l e i rjjf witJh.tb >=
,*■*
>r^
APPSNOIX
/
347
"■'-%-.
•nd thw jiuotuation was a real premium or digcoUnt,
. foverned by the cost of the transportation of bullion
■ ftom the one to the other side of the Atlantic, an ex-
pense which now does not exceed, and rarely equals.
S.**® J*?.'**- i!' ¥• ***» lo"K «e»««<l to be the value o«
the dollar. Both the weight and purity of the coin
have been reduced. untU ite value in the London
m«(^et*is not more than 4*. 2*. the pound currency
bjwitf consequently reduced to 1ft*. sd. sterling, and
iSrj*!, "^t-"®*'**"* equivalent to 1201. currency, or
480 doUaw, the common averaee rate now giv^for the
*oJf.jit«rling bdl of exchange in England.
The Government, however, still sanction, nay, will
not chahge, the old language, so that the difference is
". "Pjoy adding what is commonly termed a pre-
mtum. The diflference between the real par, 4« id
and the nominal par, 4t. 6rf ., is 4i. or eight per cent!
Thus the fluctuations, instead of being from I or 2 per
cent. below, to 1 or 2 percent, above the real par, are
from L to 2 per cent, below, to 1 to 2 per cent, above
8 per ceiit. prmuum as it is called on the nominal
par, or ftt>m 6 or 7 to 9 or iO per ceitt. premium on the
p«r. This leads to gross deception, and the emigrant
in consequence is not unfrequently outrageously cheated
by parties, accounting to him for money obtained by
sale of bills, minus this otjome portion of this nominal
premium. NothinV: is ifiSre «pmmon than to hear the
new comer boast that he has sold hb bill on England
fer 8 per cent, premium, whiH in fact he has not
received, par vahie. Aa by the |iltove changes I OOl.
sterling IS shewn to be equal to^O currency, oMSU
dolUure* the rule of conversion, in the absence of dw,
whefe no understanding to the contrary fisted, shslud
be, add on^/t/th to §t§rlmg mone^, ai^currwttat u
obtatntdt or deduct on$-nxthfixm atrreney, and eterUng
If found. An examination of the exchanges for ten
years has proved this to be correct.
* It is neeesMiy to use tfae marlut price, as the diffsrenos
netwimi the mint and the market price u 4 per cent., and m
<lm %Mw i s h doH s r po s ia is cs ao coovntionai vnhw , it is e «l y
werth wlist it will bnog as an article 6f traiRe.
•<&
'^'
***--»< ,'
348
Vif ; #irte£ and #;t of Paflianj
^i
extract* from the prospigti
lymh
ale itiAlmosl
^#nnot fell to be highly advantag^us to the
mm, « from the Company r«flumnir only one-fifWi
• l^J!?*'"x***^ l^ ¥ ^^^"^^^ into tve annual payments
^ '^!Z^i^^^^''^? settler, if i^ustrious. S S 5
- Whl^ balance from the prodBe of the land.
. The lands of the Canada C%pany are of three
^"desonptionfl, VIZ.— W
'^' A Scattered reserves ; 'fe^
. Blocks or tracts of land, of fi^ i.boo to 40 ooo
acres each ;
Th^eHuron tract, containing upwards of 1.000,000
v:£.
^'Sll
i .
Bli
r-
"i'^f**^f«'**'f?"- Ths scattered^ crojvh reserves
are lots of land of froin 100 to 200 acres each^diltn
buted^thyugh nearly eve^r township. in the prov n
•nd paitifi^gt>f the 8oiMimate.l&c..ofek?hpa.??:
cular township. These lands are especially desnable
Z K"T who.mity have friend8*1Sttled in their
neigh^urhood, and can be obtained nt prices varv n^^
from 8t. 9d. to 259. currency an acre. ^ ^ ^
Jl^^J^/^' ^« **^°«^« or tracts lie entirely
otf^^^^ ;f the prov nee situated to the west^va J
of the head of Lake Ontario, tind contain lands which
for soil, climate, and powers of production. areS
and nerhans lunerinr. tn anv «« A- -^«*:-'r - *!*"*'•
and perhaps superior, to any on the
rica. These are worthy tha atte^
of emigrants, who from country,
or anv,other bpnd, wish to settle
"The laifrest block of tf ^ "
VMion IS the township
Is of 40.000 acres, of ,
.... already sold, and, in thpHifeof
town nag been establisr
itinent of Ame-
f communities
iship. religion;'
the Company's
, containing up
gireater part has
a fewjears only,
V
l^y^i •■"
v-
t
(.>,
APPBNDIX.
34»
■chooli. storis, tavtrhs, and milli^ dnd where there kta
iJ'd^f "'^ ^7^*'*^. TW» w 4 tract of the finest
h^*.A"®"°^***'?"8*» "^^^^ *»»; Canada Comr" ny
tS! S!"* ??«npt»o" of which a new country Jod?.
The population there is rapidly on the inor^.
l«7nt*?''; <»i?«lerich.at tlie mouth of the rirer Mait-
Iw^d. on Lake Huron, is very flourishing, and contains
several excellent stores, or merchabts* sWin wS?h
ihSI^"*"?,**'.""* J!**'* is a good school estiMbhed
pSfw/ir*" f"*"^^» * ^^"^^ of InglandTnd a
rresbytenan clergimaan are appointed thei«; and as
the churehes inl&Fper CanaJir^j^rfe now pHncipallJ
■upported by the voluntaiy sub^tion. of tS «^
snective ooiwregations, an inference may be drawn of
the respectable character of the inhabitants of thi.
settlement ahd the neighbourhpod. Tht town aS
township of Goderich contain about 1.000 inhSt«S?.
and since the steam-boat. buUt by the Com^MTfo?^^^^^
aocommodatfon of their jettiers. has commenced run!
ning betwwft^ Odt^ch and Sandwich, a greatlSrSsi
is **ken place n the trade and prospSity Tth J
J«ttlement. In this trtet ther^aie four giS^Sw-milla
ttm grbt-miUs, and in the ne^hboSrtSl ofllL "Jui
be found stiwwweU suppliedT And as the t«ct <»n-
tamsamilhon acres, the greater portion of wWcrSi
SSl^.?J'*"*"'f?]2i^*^yof«nigrants. however
I!!r»??15' •*?• P"»l «™*« lands is from 1 1*. 3d.
tops. ^j)rovincial currcAcy. or about from u#, to 13*
M^erlmg peri^." ^ * t w lo*.
Emigrants wishbgv to commoniiite with Iht (A-
panfjould addr^l the secietaiy, John l»errj,^.
C^.^ri^il'lS?^?''*^*^*' London.%r tSe V
,i<^panys agents at ouiports^, - %
rr
.r />.
js.-. '^*-''»
^M
'
N. ■
\, °X-
\j
;'.
Ri*
«i»
APPENDIX,
The British American Land Companjr %UA% in 4htii
proipeetiu, that they hare purchaaed <hMii the Britwh
Go>«!rament " nearly 1.000,000 of acres in the countiei
of Shefford, jfttaoatead, and Sherbrooke." in wbatavw
termed ''the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada.**'
ITiese townslups comprise "a tract of oountrr» lyins
mlaad, on the sooth side of the St Lawrence, between/
4fto.and 46||9 nort^ latitude, and 71^ and 73« w«
lonntude. This tmct^^ontaining between five and
Hnilhons of acres, is divided into «ght counties. &„«
these again are aulMiiyided into aJimit ope hundred
townships. Tlieee townships enjoy an ioiportanf ad-
vantage in their geof^raphical position. On f iM one
aide, they are of easy aooeas from Montreal. Quebec^
and Three Rivers, the shipfMne ports and grwit, i9ar-
kets of thfrCanadae; on the other, from New Yjork up
the Hudson River and through Lake Champw^i ae
well as timm Bostop and other parts on the seaboard of
the Atlaatio. By their compact ai|^ contiguous poni*
tion, fiacility of intercourse and q^ual support are
ensured throughout the whde, as well at a fenet«l
partjcipatidn in all local improvements.*^
The ternw on which the Company propose to dispose
of these lands ** vary aMordin^ to the situation, quiUity,
and advantages which the different lots May possesa ;
but in the first instance they will generally ranfEO from
4«. tp \%9, currency per acre, and in all caaet a deposit
of paf^ of the purehaseHOKmey will be required, vii, :—
On the higher piioed lots one-fifth ; on the lower priced
lots o«e-toarth.
" The terms of pavment Ibr the bai|aiice will bf k\x
annual inetalmentii. bearing the legsi} interest of the
province ftom the date of sale ; but sh^BuJkl purchasers
prefer anticipating the paynM^ts,! they wi)l have the
optimi at any time of doing spL \ . ^ f
** The price of a building lot at I'ort St. Francis, tor
the present seaabn (1835), is 12/. 10«., payable itAcash '4
down, and the balance in one year, with interest.
^ M ^ *^ . ^ _ > « - — - - - -,
-^Depontrofpurofaase^money^iniy be made within
^f'^ra^'ib*';'?" ,
AP^NDIX.
3At
KfComntmif;
imr «tAt«, in 4lMii
i froiii the British
69 in the countiet
oke/'in wh»tftni
Lower Cmtda.**
of oounti7» lying
Mfrrence* between
!• and 73«> w
ween five and
l^t counties.
Kit ope huni^fred
m iaroortantf ad-
nn. On ftw one
ontrealt Quebec^
I and gnoatjiar-
)ni New Y^k up
e Chaoaplki^. m
a the seaboard of
contiguous poii*
tual snppcNft are
ell as a feneiftl
I."
ropose to dispose
iitttation,qiuuity,
its aajr possesa ;
iraUy ranfto from
leases a deposit
rehired, vis, :•—
the lower prioed
ance will be Imx
I interest of the
isuld purchasers
y will have the
- , ^"
; St. Francis, tor
payable ik cash
1 interest.
B made with TH?
t:P
Company in London for lands to be s^t^f-rf k.' t
granfs on their arrival in the^unt,?? ^"^"^ ^ •»^-
«y»he agremnent between his Mate«tv».fx»
ment and the Company, npwardl Titrnt^f^Z
improvement and advancement of^STJisWiSTt!
the great wants of a new country : and the aJStSI
. of capital on works of this rtituref which iK^bSoS
j!hiTT **^ P"^**« individuals. '» tfij best mSJ h!
wiU SferTtJ. l^JS-^I **** '"^^ •"" *^^« mentionil./
t«!!i* * L ' *"• ■*"« *'nw »n opportunity of einnir '^
TsLli^T"^"^ industrious iSKourenl/uSLSS
is J*''! n?°* **' *J* J"*J"^ Amencan Land Oompanf
m^:^f'^V^.u^' Bucklersbuiyy London; th^wl
w«^ agents at the various outi "^ ^
t
/
. ^8
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¥
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f
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