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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. / errata id to It le pelure, pon d 1 2 3 32X 1 : * 3 4 8 6 PUI PI CHEERING VOICE FROM UPPER CANADA; ADDRESSED TO ALL IVHOM IT MAY CONCERN, IN A LEITER FROM AN EMIGRANT. Better is an lianOfiil with quietness and content, than both hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." PUBLISHED BY T. GRIFFITHS, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND; To be had of all the Booksellers. PRICK ONE SHILLING. PRINTED BY ALFIiED ROHI?^S. 29, TAVISTOCK STREET, COVENT GAIJUEN. IS34. /C 14G001 As correct infurruation resporiinj; \\\o cfim, aoif, prothtrtiona, Sic.&c. of Cantuld, is to he so very easily acquired, by means of the variety of cheap tracts now in general circulation, nearly all, which tresis thereon in the following Letter, has been oniittcd, as well as what is of a strictly private nature. The following paragraph having appeared in all the Icst friends, w well tlic luenced my for which I t. Adverse ►ached upon acticable to ly, although y becomiag vith the best nd constant heedless of this means, ia\ekeptup vedlock to a selfishness ; ss the minds r perplexity, e best; and re and more 3ual train of >rst of evils, Iready know, ing, not only m; and after ated thereon, thoroughly ly own case, 1 discover, to nine, as de- to procrasti- ture reflexion imount duty, 3rm courage- own personal One of the best of women, and for whoso gift I can never bu too thankful to Providence, so far from embarrassing my mind at this anxious crisis, by raising peevish ditliculties in the way of proceeding with my purpose, hastened me on by <;oalesceing in all my arrangements, most cheerfully aiding me with the councils of her good and cool judgment, and cordially joining heart and hand in all my schemes ; thereby, keeping up my tl>cn drooping spirits, by tiie invariable sun- shine of her good temper and activity — and this too, when I ^.ould not fail knowing, what a sacrifice the quitting for ever, the beloved relatives and friends of her youth, entailed upon her sensible mind ; certainly, such heroism and noble- mindedness, I did not altogether expect, even from her. With such a coadjutor, and with such an example, after our reso- lutions and plans were once fairly fixed, 1 may almost venture to say, that the toils attendant upon the preliminary arrange- ments, and which, generally speaking, are no doubt vexatious, became to us a sort of pleasure, filling our minds with more agreable hopes and anticipations of the future, and in a very great measure supplanting our dismal forebodings. For the first time in my life, I thus became, I may say, a man of business; for the first time, I really found out the happiness to be derived from the full occupation ol my time ; and from that day to this, I may add, what 1 could not have advanced as a truth before, that I have never found one hour to hang heavy on my hands, or a day that I thought too long. One of the effects of this is, that my wife now assures me, I am more in danger of becoming in shape like Daniel Lam- herty of ponderous memory, than him I before bore some sort of resemblance to, the anatomie vivant ; and the real truth is, my looking glass accuses my face of expanding. — I shall now proceed with what I find to be Note First. Let every man who has a wife, and who intends to settle in Canada, bring her wAth him ; and let him who has not the article, and can get it good, and of a suitable temper, &c., provide himself before he starts ; but mind, she must neither he a fine lady, nor one who cannot help, or has no resources within herself; in fact, she should be a proficient in the art of shift m,aking, her skill in which, may often be put to the test. Let her come here also, as mine did, with the fixed determination to be pleased, and as the sailors terra it, to rough it ; and both she and her husband will then discover, what a bug bear nine-tenth of the perils and dangers they had previously imagined to themselves, or had conjured up to them by others, will turn out to be on experience. Already I have heard of numerous instances of Bachelor Settlers, >vho have discovered the want of the '* one thing needful," and some have either returned for that one thing, or contem- plate doing so. Not that wives, and good ones too, are not occasionally to be had hero, as elsewhere; but there are lew young men who have not lelt behind them some favoured fair one, who occupies his thoughts by day and his dreams by night ; and that he flatters himself may one day not turn a deaf ear on a backwoodsman's persuasion. Note 2. — Few are the rules without exceptions, but speaking generally, I should advise any man to bring all his children with him : young., healthy, light-hearted, and susceptible of deriving nothing but amusement from novelty, and with the care and assistance of their mother, I found the transport of mine hither was attended with but little trouble. By being brought young, you gradually habituate them to the climate, as well as to the manners and the customs of that country, which they are destined, in after life, to play a part in. If well disposed and well managed, they are hero out of the way of learning much of the depravity that is generally to be found in scliools in a luxurious and over- refined country, like England ; they do not acquire wants and wishes, which they never could possess the means to gratify; and they consequently have the better chance of contentment and happiness, and of doing well their duty in that state of life into which it has pleased God to remove them. One of the greatest banes of my native country I consider to be, the fancied necessity which pride entails on almost every poor man's child, (and I call every one of small in- come now comparatively a poor man in England) of apeing others of thrice the means. It is this irresistible but uncon- scious dread of degradation, which fills her gazettes with bankrupts and insolvents, and her jails with debtors, if not with criminals. But here, thank God, things have not as yet arrived at such a height of refinement anc. sophistication. There exists less disparity in the pecuniary circumstances of the multitude, from which it results, that people feel more on a par with each other, and that too without any abase- ment, or being subject, so far as I can perceive, to any thing like intentional disrespect, unless deliberately provoked — ** civility and not servility" being one of the established maxims of the land ; and, I think, compared with its popu- lation, no country in the world contains so large a proportion ot ml rti ml I stl SI 1 needful," »r conteni- o, arc not re are lew oured fair reams by lot turn a of individual contcat and happiness, caused, no doubt, mainly, from plenty being within every industrious man's reach. ions, but bring all rted, and 1 novelty, found the B trouble, c them to jstoms of to play a are hero ty that is ind over- re wants means to hance of f duty in remove consider [1 almost mall in- apeing uncon- tes with s, if not not as ication. [Stances lel more abase- y thing oked — 3lished popu- )ortion Note 3. — Servants. — If complained of generally as ph\gucs in England, what name shall 1 give them here i but of what I might expect on this head, I had heard so much before we started, that we came fortified, and prepared, in some mea- sure, to meet the annoyance* Men servants. — They no sooner land here, than all sort of notion of any thing like dependence vanishes — is annihilated, and seldom, if ever, returns to its former owner. All arc ambitious, or very soon get it put into their noddles, to be- come at once landed proprietors, estaied men ; and to whicli they are encouraged, certainly, by the numerous instances they hear, of those who came in similar circumstances being new " well to do in the world." To all cases of a contrary description, as a matter of course., they turn a deaf ear; the consequence is, they hurry to take land before they can pro- perly stock it, &c. and thus scarcely ever succeed half so well as those who wait until they have gained, by servitude or labour, or working at their trades, some little capital. This observation is equally applicable to all agricultural labourers, or others who commence with little or nothing in their pockets. Far better would it be, both for themselves and the country, if they were to confine themselves to work- ing at their respective callings ('and for which they never can here want opportunities) until they were possessed of sufti- cient pecuniary means to enable them to enter upon lands with comfort, and they would then get on more rapidly and successfully in one year, than they can expect to do in three by adopting the other course. Aiiiongsi the few grumblers and discontented it has fallen to my lot as yet to encounter, are such people as I have here described — men who thought they were to gallop themselves, as if by magic, into all the good things of this world. Female Servants. — Susan, although good-looking, is still with us, and, mirabile dictu, has no idea of changing her " situation." I believe she entertains a real and disinterested regard for us all, and for her mistress in particular, and says, that as ours has been her first place, if we allow of its de- pending on herself, it shall be her last. This is not an every day instance of gratitude and good feeling; but she ht up, and with good example. fcJhe is de- was well broug lighted with this country ; indeed, so much so, that she has written home, it seems, such persuasive accounts of her tra- vels and opinions, that I find she expects to see two of her brothers here ac\t spring ; and even her old mother is anxious to come, if circumstances would admit of it. Speaking generally, I certainly should not advise the ex- pense of bringing out c\cn female domestics ; for the fact is, that girls all have the opportunity of marrying hero, and few can resist this first law of nature ; and thus, however well suited you may be, you never can tell how soon you may bo deserted. The best chance is, by taking them either before their marrying days are come, or when past, if you are clever enough when here, to tell when that period is. Children from ten to sixteen years of age are very useful, and, if steady, sure to get good places and be well taken care of. Many of the Dmigrants who died last year of cholera, left families quite unprovid as six servants ligh Life e become aclies and le airs of lot won- prostitu- lom their matter of pe of an I overcharge, on every article he buys. The wheels of society, where sueii , '-^ of things-exists, must surely stand in need of repair; for >vi at lietter name does it merit, than a precon- certed conspiracy of two parties to rob a tlurd; and h)ng before 1 left London, tliis was considered a practice almost invariably acted upon, and systematized. Note 4. — Education and Prospects for Children. — I need scarcely tell you that my wife is sudiciently talented to ([ualify her, not only to make her daughters accomplished, but also to lay the superstructure of a tolerably j^ood education and religious principles in her boys. My own time, 1 need scarcely say, is unavoidably too much occupied by day, to admit of my giving them much attention, but of an evening, and as occasions oiler, 1 contribute my mite to assist her. She finds the greatest source of her hapi)iness in this occu- pation, and they repay her by all of them evincing considerable abilities, and (their ages considered) much attention and assiduity. Whether they hereafter liecome farmers, mer- chants, or traders, a tolerable education will not render them less likely to prosper, or less happy. I also find a thousand little things in which, as they arc handy, they can aid and assist me, and which they consider play, so that between us, we take special good care they shall never be a moment alto- gether idle. Amongst other things, Avhcn not at their lessons, 1 have put into the heads of the boys, to learn a little of turn- ing, carpentry, netting, stnjjing birds, gardening, 5f nearly low, ac- t, either yet (and els him limits ; applies more- a bad, ct with ie main d crop isiness, ^e kept easedi icty of 2h soil, hands. uct for is as in this astinjj uture. which hangs like an incubus on the spirits of every right- minded father in England, who may have there, the dire mis- fortune to bo *' blest Willi a large family , and curst with a small fortune;" whereas, truly here, although the sneerer may re- dicule such an assertion, it is no less the fact, that ** chil- dren constitute riches;'' and such a land, in my estimation, bears a far nearer approximation to that described as ** flowing with milk and honey ;" although, as yet, humble and modest in the pretensions it puts forth, than even merry England, with all its high state of luxury ind relfinement, and low degree of morals and debauchery ; rendering one portion of its society a prey to money-lending Jews and extortioners, and another, to usurious pawnbrokers ; the former to supply the higher ranks with the means for prodigal waste, and the latter, to aid the destitute, and the half fed mechanic, to drive the cold out of his stomach, and the care out oi his mind, by pouring slow poison down his throat. Nevertheless, *' England, with all thy faults, I love thee still !" and trust, I shall never cease inculcating on the minds of all my oil- spring similar feelings towards the land of their birth ; as yet, mind, I have only in prospect the hopes of being father to a young Canadian. Trade and commerce are so much out of my beat, thai I give you my sentiments thereon with more dillidence. As yet they are only in their infancy in the Upper Province; stores, alias shops, are in all the towns and villages, but these places are, at present, chiefly confined to the borders of the great lakes, or rather fresh water inland seas. Their profits are said to be very great, but against which must be placed long credits, and, no doubt, occasional bad debts. York and most of the other towns arc increasing rapidly, and the opening of new stores quite keeps pace with these, besides which, many of the large houses in Montrealh upon their posts, waiting to be aroused by some awful con- vulsion? Surely they are not only losing sight of tlu; duties expected from those upon whom wealth has been profusely poured, but of their own proper ijiterests too; if they have no other motive for bestiring themselves, let them consider self. They should have witnessed, as I have done in this distant land, the honest and spontaneous ellusioas of the heart, bursting forth in imploring blessings on the head of their benefactor. I should rejoice, and so too would they, to see one of our principal districts bearing the name of Egremont, and serving as the most durable monument the colony could raise, and the best compliment it could pay, to the memory of the man who has been first in such a race ; and which testimonial would outlast the most solid column ever erected to the proudest warrior. We have lately learnt here that a plan has been adopted, by the Committee acting for his Lordship, of collecting and publishing all the letters they can procure, and wXmihcr favourable or unfavourable as to the reports they contain of the colony, and which have, beyond doubt or suspicion, been received by their numerous friends in England from the parties who were sent out here — a plan more replete with good judgment, and beneficial con- sequences that must infallibly result from it, could not have been devised ; and I trust to hear it is put into active ope- ration ; as v^^hat are called the lower classes, and many others also, are prone to set it down, that all they see and hear has been written and sent over for interested purposes, or at the instigation of those who only want to rid them- selves of a burthen. In my opinion it would repay the Government amply, and in more ways than one, by the obvious good which must spring from it, were it to afford the means and facilities of circulating, from time to time, such sets as these of verified authentic letters, through every parish in the three kingdoms, ht/ means of the clergynun or churchwardens. No one acquainted with the rural districts especially will venture to deny, that they contain thousands who are thirsty for such information as these letters contain, and only await anxiously the means to enable them to make the voyage hither. I also think that if the Post Office de- 24 partment was not to be so screwing in trifles, but by means of some wcll-dujested plan, was to permii, letters, bearing the Canadian post mark, and addressed to persons at home, cither receiving? the parish relief, or known therein to be paupers, to be delivered free, it would prove hi<^hly advan- tageous to the cause of Emigration, and fully make up, by the vast public good it would do, lor the insignilicant loss to the Chancellor oi' the Exchequer's Treasury. As things are, these poor creatures, cut oil" Irom their kindred and com- panions of their youth, and God knows, scantily enough sup- plied with any other enjoyments, are deterred from indulging in the luxury of keeping remembrances alive ])y letters, from the apprehension of distressing, or being distressed ; for it must be held in recollection that those at home, who even send letters here, must pay the inland postage in Great Britain, and doing which may pinch the belly of the poor man sharply, or deprive a whole family of a meal, although beneath the consideration of the rich one. Some means might surely be adopted to guard against much abuse of such an act of grace and favor on the part of the Govern- ment, and which would tend to conciliate the good will of the people so materially. For instance — let none such have a claim for the drawback of postage, who will not shew the contents at the oflice which delivers it ; or dispatches it, if outward-bound. Note 11. — Lower Canada. — Having seen so little of this province, I cannot take upon myself to pass any thing like such decided opinions on it, as those I have given free scope to respecting the sister one. What I did see, on passing up the St. TMwrevce, pleased me greatly. I of course am often in the way of hearing comparisons made, and which gene- rally amount to this : that from the soil and climate being so much more favourable thereto. Upper Canada is the best field for agricidture; but for proximity to market and for commerce. Lower Cai.ada has rather more advantages, and is better situated. The greatest drawback on the lower province is the great length of the winter ; for, by all ac- counts, it is a very beautiful country, ///// of capabilities, with a very excellent soil too, and very healthy and con- ducive to longevity. Heport here says, that the new Company, formed for the settlement of Lands in I^ower Canada, is now certainly to go into operation, and this is one proof of the good resulting from the appointment of such a man as 3Ir. Stanley to the 25 ng he Colonial department, who could not have passed through such a country, without perceiving what a source of effectual consolation and relief to (jlrcat Britain it may be turned to. The operations of this Company, we understand, are to be carried on in some of those townships bordering upon Ver- mont, in the States, and South of Quebec. I am told it is a beautiful and higlily picturesque part, and the land very good. The proportion of shares set apart to be otfered to subscribers for them in the province (and which was both a wise and just measure) were caught up with the greatest avidity, and application made to England for more, but if acceded to or not I have not yet heard ; this augurs well for the concern, as it proves the opinions held of it by those, who must be the best judges. In the list of directors too, we see the names of men well known to be intimately connected with the province, and to have a deep interest in all that concerns the advancement of its prosperity, which is also a wise arrangement y and quite as it should be ; for these are the men to direct, manage, and protect the body of pro- prietors, most of whom take all for granted, sleep or doze over their own concerns, and may not even really understand where their property lies, and would be puzzled to place their finger on it were the map laid before them. It is not such as the ever-ready, all-grasping metropolitan omnibus, who is watching to pounce a claw into every pie and to ex- tract all its tit-bits, while perhaps his underground workings may tend to endanger the whole fabric, and who possibly (but mind solely for the public good) combines a dozen such official situations with his own proper calling, and therefore, unless gifted with the power of Omnipresence, must neglect either your business or that of his customers, who can make proper labourers to employ in such vineyards as these; but it is men who know by personal experience the real qualities and capacities of the field they have to till. I shall sum up my ideas on this subject, and illustrate them in a few words. When I want a good pair of shoes, 1 resort to a good work- man of that craft, I don't go to a tailor. All here rejoice to see, in the establishment of this Com- panj^ an additional illustration of the way in which the Canadas are attracting the attention, both of the people and the Government at home, and that our prospects thus go on brightening in such a conspicuous way. The various im- portant uses v/e may be turned to, English statesmen have been dull and slow in finding out ; but depend upon it, we are making our way rapidly now in their hearts and affec- tions, and I confidently believe, that if my children live, they i>(i will sec the whole face of this country in both provinces smiling^ with cultivation, and affording useful employment to millions of human beings, in the course of the next twenty years. I find it is calculated, and by means of official documents too, that within the last six years these two provinces alone have received into them from Great Britain nearly two hun- dred thousand Emigrants, which mind, is the fifth part of one million ! and all of whom have been, long ago, dispersed and provided for, with a loud cry still raised for want of labour. Now am I far wrong, whon 1 call such a country *^ England's main safety valve?" The largest proportion by far of these people, as is well known to all conversant with the subject, sought in this upper province an asylum from want, and prospective, if not present misery and distress ; consequently, must not the subtraction of such a numerous body have very materially tended to lessen clamour at home, and to ?»Tord considerable relief to the public at large; and can it lail to be a subject for joy and congratulation to every humane mind 1 Or is not the unqualified success that has attended the laudable spirit of enterprize shewn by these poor settlers in the V/est {see published Letters from Lord Egremont's Petworth Emigrants) far better and more worthy of imitation than their loiteiing away their idle time at home, perfecting themselves and children in immorality, and train- ing them up to ciime and to set the laws at defiance i General and concluding remarks. Note 12. — And now my good friend, if you have kept your patience awake to wade through the whole of these memoranda, you will be fully prepared for my telling you, that favorable as was the view I was led to take of this inter- esting colony, before I entered it, the two year's experience I have had, has amply confirrued it, and that so far from having cause to lament the step I took when I entered upon what I know some of my friends at the time considered to be exile, I now rejoice at it, and feel an indescribable self satisfaction, that in spite of misgivings and obstacles, 1 did screw up courage eno Jgh to surmount them all, and if I have a regret, it is that ignorance made me put it off so long. As I have before said, I feel a degree of inexplicable light-heartedness and activity about me, as if I had dis- burthened myself of some everlasting oppressive weight. Mine is naturally an anxiously sensitive, and what many 97 It. may call fidgetty frame of mind, and consequently the posture of my affairs before I left England was fretting me to iiddlestrings ; but this is the faintly drawn picture of what I waSf what I now am, and the happy change wrought in both body and mind, and of her own change too for the better, you will have learnt before, through the medium of ray wife's correspondence with her friends. 'Tis true that our mode and style of life, is as different from our former one as can well be imagined, and I may almost compare it to one of primitive patriarchal simplicity; true happiness and en- joyment can never be very far removed from that man, who complains only of the too rapid jQight of time ; employment, full, and I trust profitable occupation for every hour, depend on it, are sovereign remedies and restoratives, and such as I shall always recommend for those to resort to, who labour under such complaints as were mine. By day the clearing, cultivation, and improvement of my property fully occupies me, and as you may guess, pretty well tires me too, and this has eflVjctually removed my old complaint of nocturnal restlessness and watchfulness, which often left me unfit to engage either in business or pleasure; such ailments have become strangers to the whole family, for all have enough to do, and plenty too chalked out for to- morrow. But of myself and of them I have said enough I fear to tire you, did I not know the interest you take in me and mine ; suffice it for me to add, that in the boast of what I call this my regeneration, I by no means stand alone here, for numerous are the instances I meet, of those who draw a similar picture of themselves. I do not intend to say, that we have no grumblers, no discontented people amongst us, for where is the spot on this wide world that this can be said of? but this I may safely add, that ninety-nine times in a hundred, if you dive into the cause, you will discover, it springs from a want of energy of mind or body, a lack of resources within themselves, from careless improvidence, or from being badly brought up, and with bad example, before they ever dreamt of such a place as Canada. Such as these had far better stay away, as they are wholly unfitted for the life they will have to engage in ; but if they should un- fortunately encumber us with their visits, let them not throw blame on the country for want of success, but have the honesty *o put the saddle on the back of the right horse, or rather ass, namely, their own. From all these observations, it must be deduced, that the creed I have formed of this branch of the British dominions, is conclusively favorable as to its capabilities of being 28 turned into a prolific source of relief, and a safe and hcpc inspiring place of reluge for all classes of my countrymen, that are encumbered with the complaints I once myself had ; for Canada, and I now speak of both the Provinces, may almost use these words of scripture to them, *' come unto me all you who arc weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Of its political consequence to the empire, as well from offering itself as such a safe asylum to its destitute T?nd un- provided for poor, as in a commercial point of view, both immediately and prospectively, I find myself inadequate to impart my sentiments as I could wish, but you shall have them as ^vell as I am able to explain myself, and I suppose they will induce you to set me down as being transformed into a sylvan philosopher. It is said, that ** coming events usually cast their shadows before them ;" and so, to my vision at least, the quickly approaching greatness of this vast, but hitherto little used, depot of riches, is now become quite obvious and unproblematical — and lor these reasons : that the mother country, with an admitted ever-increasing supera- bundant population, has a deficiency of land, sufBcieutly rich, at least, to bear of its being cultivated with profit, or without a greater outlay upon it, than its returns would compensate for. Her ** bold peasantry, the country's pride," are therefore, for want of employment, driven to the degra- ding necessity of resorting to the overseer, or in other words, of asking alms; and what can be more demoralizing and pernicious? Look now to the state of her manufacturing population ; here the complaint is, that there is over produc- tion, which, every now and then, brings on a glu^, arising from various causes, and amongst others, as I think, chiefly from the great improvements in machinery, and a competition of half-famished Irish workmen, who will, therefore, toil for almost nothing ; so that numbers of this class too, and their families, seek refuge in parish relief; on the other hand, again I read in youk journals, that the coffers of your rich men are overflowing with capital, which, they know not how to lay out safely, as well as profitably. Of the public funds they seem afraid, at their present high price ; not from the little interest it brings them, but from so many of them knowing, by experience, that there may suddenly, and before they can look around them, befal some unforeseen event, which, in as many hours, may reduce the value of their in- vestments, 20 per cent, or even more. Now, unless the public journal are one continued ticsue of misrepresenta- tions, this, my view of the present state of things at home. 2!) y cannot be very far Irom correct; I, therefore a^k, what can be more notoriously manifest, than that England's chief com- plaints, and which, all serious and reflecting min;ls declare, she must by some means get rid of, to avoid a convulsion sooner or later, arise irom a want of that space and scope for the profitable employment of both her redundant labour and capital, which these provinces are by nature so eminently calculated and peculiarly adapted to supply ? And what also can be clearer, than that if she dors furnish us with the means of bringing into full cultivation such a fertile soil as we are blest with, by sending us what we so much want, labour and capital, it must infallibly cause us to draw every year, more and more largely on her accumulated store of manufactureSy to supply those wants, which a progressive increase of com- forts and prosperity must go on annually augmenting ? As yet, it is true, our chief returns must be in the relief afforded to her parish rates, by taking off an ever multiplying number of discontented paupers, and in supplying her with good and cheap corn, in any quantity required. But are not such reliefs as these of the most pararaout importance to a country, where the mass of its population, and more particularly in Ireland, never-ceasingly complain of being half starved, and who never can be prevailed upon to starve in quiet? And thus, would a new tone be gradually given to tlie state of society in both countries, and the moral and social state uf the people be improved by giving them employment, which must also tend to render property itself more secure; ce- menting at the same time, their bonds of consanguinity and friendship, and strengthening, by reciprocity and commercial intercourse, their mutual good will, which is the best and surest way to render their union permanent and indissoluble ; for their common origin never can be lost sight of. So much for my political musings on this important sub- ject, and which, I think, must every year, more and more force itself on the serious consideration of the British govern- ment, and quickly lead to the best results, to both parent and child ; and I am induced to argue more favourably than ever of the country, in which is now centered the future hopes of myself and children, from the manner in which the office of Secretary of the Colonies is now filled. Mr. Stanley has travelled through both of these provinces, and his penetration, although not then a statesman, must instantly have seen their manifest capabilities, if judiciously taken advantage of, and properly directed. It is a pity that more of the sons of our nobility and gentry do not extend their travels in this direc- tion, for the information they may gain, would prove, in after i]() life, far more beneficial to them and their country too, than what most of them pick up from kt»3t mistresses, and splen- did, but svvindlinj? gaming houses about the Palais Royal, and which is the limits of the travels of so many of them. I shall now wind up what, if you have found tiresome, you have only yourself to blame for, since you so strictly enjoined me to impart my ideas fully, by desiring you and my other friends, who thirsted for this kind of information, to hold in view, that favourably as I have depicted this my adopted country, I by no means intend to say it is well cal- culated for every one. No, my strong recommendation of it is to those who, with frugal, persevering, and industrious habits, can look first difficulties boldly and courageously in the face : — to those who, let them toil, moil, and drudge ever so hard at home, are but barely able to get themselves and families but badly housed, badly clothed, badly fed, and badly sheltered from the vicissitudes of weather : — to those who, like myself, with a tolerable education, and brought up to enjoy in early life most even of its luxuries, fortune has not altogether smiled upon, but who have still some capital left, and too much proper pride to submit to dependence, or to quartering themselves and their necessities upon relations and friends : — to those who, with humble pretensions, are en- dowed with an independent spirit, vigour of mind, and a healthy frame : — to those, who have families of children to provide for, with but limited means to do it, and who would prefer seeing their off^•pring established with the en- joyment of all its necessaries, and leading a moral and con- te ted life, away from the temptations, vanities, and artificial wants of an over-refined country :— to those, whose narrow incomes barely suffice to eke and spin out their days in the most moderate enjoyment of the bare necessaries of life, with but few of its real comforts, and without having one farthing laid by at the year's end to meet any unforeseen contingency, and this includes those farmers who can scarcely pay their way, and are fast getting through their little capitals. These, and which I lament to think, now include a very large por- tion of the British public, are the description of people for whom Canada (either Upper or Lower) is, according to my judgment, peculiarly adapted. Nor do I consider it to be beneath the notice of even your gentry, and men who, al- i though well to do in the world, find the greatest difficulty in discovering any pursuit for their younger sons, either in the learned professions, army, navy, or even commerce, which is now complained of universally, as being already greatly over- stocked ; and, even if their pride admits of their turning their 31 thoughts to trade, will they not be told, that excessive com- petilion already r nders the profits so trifling, as to make any scarce worth toilowin*; ? To half-pay or retired officers oi" the navy and army having little beyond their pay or pen- sions, I also consider Canada offers a very eligible retreat. But, in God's name let the invincible idler, the slu^rgard, the mere lounger through life, the drunkard, the everlasting grumbler, the conceited pretender, the ruined or half ruined gamester, the quarrelsome and litigious, of whatever denomi- nation, avoid us ; for I wholly and absolutely exclude from my estimate every one of these descriptions, both men and women. Nor should I pretend to tempt here those whos.7 command over money can procure them, at home, the com- forts and enjoyments of life ; for you must hold in mind, that every observation I have made, is intended only to have a direct reference to the relative and positive w^ants and neces- sities of my countrymen. Man is said to be a mere creature of habit; and how for- cibly is this truism exemplified in my own person, for would you, six years ago, have thought it came within the limit of possibilities, that the friend who now addresses you, could ever have been manufactured, by any means whatever, into a happy and cheerful backwoodsman ^ who is " Content, and careless of to-morrow's fare ;" and, most assuredly, if the true value of a man is to be esti- mated by the uses to which he applies the health and un- derstanding which is bestowed upon him by a kind Provi- dence, you may now set your old friend down in your books, as twice the man he was when you last saw him. I need scarcely tell you, that all my circle join in the kindest regards, although the younger part are grown and altered so much, as to give little chance of your recollecting them, were you to see them iiovv ; and I am, as ever. Your afi'ectionate Friend, J.C. Ibe (All who are not interested can pass by this note : — ) Note 13. — Canada Company. — As your late letters have so particularly requested me, on account of certain of your friends, to furnish you with my sentiments, as to the pros- pects and opinions held here of this enterprise, I have quietly gathered what I could on the subject, and which is, in substance, as follows : — that they may rest satisfied of the ill safety of their investments, as they have no less than landed security in a country in whicli, accordinf;- to the test of the last four or five years, all such property has anj^mented in value, we will say, to be within compass, twenhj per cent, per annum. Now I ask whereabout the property in Great Britain is situated, of whicli this can be said, and so as to defy contradiction? Hut this is not all — for as money so notoriously makes money, so likewise does civilization, and the settlement of wild lands, as infallibly tend to widen the gradual, but constantly expanding circle of cultivation and improvements ; and thus, the impetus being now powerfully given to the wheel, nothing, as we all think here, can stop it ; and it is only now wondered at, how it came to pass, that the unlimited resources contained in the bosom of such a country, should have continued so long, either unused, or not profitably so. The simile is not inapt, which I have heard applied, and which compares it to a parent having a child he has been accustomed long to consider stupid, and void of capacity, until some unlooked for event had suddenly, and as if by magic, elicited from him, such bright sparks ot genius, as to prove, beyond a doubt, that he was possessed of splendid talents, which required only to be brought into action, to lead to a successful career. If you can gain access to them, read our Upper Canada papers, very little from which, as we notice here, gets into the English newspapers, and which we think extraordinary, now that there are so many in the three kingdoms, who must feel such a lively interest in the welfare of their numerous friends in this colony; you will, by perusing them, be convinced, that what I have advanced in the course of these notes, is no hyperbole, for you will see improvements are contemplated, if not in positive operation throughout the entire colony, in nearly every undertaking which tends to advance a country and community ; such as new roads, canals, harbours, bridges, banks, schools, places of worship, steam boats, public carriages, with minor ones, too numerous to mention. Now if any thing will bear me out, in what some may suspect to be too flattering an eulogium on this colony, and its future prospect of prosperous advancement, surely all this will; and I therefore do earnestly request of my sceptical friends, if any, to satisfy themselves by a reference to these public documents. If this cannot be controverted, must not the inevitable effect be, a gradual advance in the value of all our landed pro- perty? \nd as I understand that the Company are pro- prietors of about two millions of acres of this property, and that too scattered through nearly every township in the 33 lis at le, in oo ;ct I y. ts. set o- 'O- tld he province, and what is very important to keep in view, con- sequently mixed with, and beneiitinj^ by, so many of their neighbour's improvem'^nts, I trust I may venture, without incurring the danger of misleading your friends, to say, they may rest satislied they have at any rate, got good security for any investments they may have made, and this I have en- larged and dwelt rather upon, as security I consider to be the first object to be looked into, in all such undertakings. The improvement, and making the most of this vast extent of land, over which we may call the Company the lords of the soil, until it is sold and paid for, must, of course, very materi- ally depend upon good management, in which I include econo- my without parsimony, or the fear of judicious and moderate outlay, on obvious improvements, that cannot fail in their con- sequences to repay tenfold, and at no mighty distant date ; a vigilant eye, on the part of every individual interested therein, to prevent or detect, and expose jobbing or favoritism, in the disposal of their lands ; and a sharp look out to keeping purchasers up to their covenants for clearing, settling, and improving, &c. ; and which is obviously of vital importance, I may say to the whole province. If this is done, there can be no necessity for being over rigid, with those I shall call tenants until their whole purchase money is paid ; as there will be then ample protection for any reasonable indulgence they may, from a variety of unforeseen causes, possibly crave; and more particularly after the first or second season of going on their wild lands (which is the term used here), and in which compass lies the chief part of the troubles and difficulties they will have to combat with. But mind, this J say only with reference to the poorer class of their pur- chasers ; for others ought to, and I should imagine by my own feelings would, be glad to get out of debt as fast as possible ; although doubtless they will find, occasionally, that they have to contend with crafty, over-reaching schemers, who will require to be dealt with in the most decisive and positive way, and which a public Company can so much better do than individuals. I say again, they will have more than their share of luck, if, in such an extensive concern, they wholly escape such fellows as these. It rests with the proprietors to look to the servants tfaey employ both here and at home ; but T must tell you one remark I have often heard made, namely, " that there are too few men in the •* direction ol" it, who are themselves thoroughly and per- " sonally acquainted, aiid intimately connected with this '* colony ; and in which such a magnificent enterprize is now ** in such active progress :"— and again, "that it would be c 84 (( (( <( " well if they had men, whose avocations were to induce them to visit tho scene of action occasionally, and to see and hear on the spot what is going on, or what ought to go on." Are your friends sure they have a set of men, who are indefatigable in promoting that grand, and almost only want here. Emigration? This, after all, is whal is to fill their cotfers, and on this mainly depends, whether that is to be done quickly or tardily ; for, from what I have already said, you may perceive that I consider it to be only a ques- tion of time. I need scarcely add, that every one here con- siders it to be folly in the proprietors to imagine they can have too many irons of this sort in the fire, either for tho advancement of their own particular interests, or for the general benefit of this province ; and which was understood to be the primary object contemplated when the Company was established. Their Huron Tracts as is confessed by all I have conversed with, is one of inestimable value ; and which must be considerably enhanced, when the Government lays out new townships for settlement on its northern boundary, and which is much spoken of now, although such an opera- tion, a few years back, would have been thought insanity. I should have imagined, that it would have been practicable for the Company to have secured from the Government, by purchase, the whoVj of the space of land, which you will see on the map lies between the Huron Tract and the still more northerly Indian Territory: certainly they should be entitled to a prelerencc, since they have borne the brunt of the battle ; ibr every liberal and unprejudiced man here admits the gre^t public good, that it has brought about to the colony at large, by as it were awaking the British public from a state of torpidity, and almost utter ignorance'of the existence of such an immeasurable field being open for the relief of, what I will call, British necessities ; and this certainly has been mainly efiected by means of the gratuitous dispersion of the Company's prospectuses and published tracts. Be- sides such a Company, by combination and concentration of capital, can do more in one year towards the effectual set-« tlement of wild lands thar individuals could in twenty years, and doit better too. It would be a curious illustration of the strides this noble colony has made in so short a time, to see this Company going up to Government to make overtures, and ask leave to purchase another million of acres of land adjoining to that, which, four or five years ago, they were so anxious to get the Government to relieve them of, by cancel- ling their bargain ; and which I have lately heard was really in contemplation^ and made a subject for grave debate at 86 [e- w one of those learned conclaves, and gathering together of wise and cunning men of the East, viz. a general meeting of proprietors. The Company, I am told, was reduced to the brink of bankruptcy, by a reluctance shewn to advance more capital. CJoodGod! ti^Aa^ iV/norance of the true value of such a purchase — did the bare idea of such a thing display ! Future times will scarcely believe it possible ; and well, indeed, might the Government laugh in its sleeve, and express its readiness to accommodate, by disencumbering them of such an onerous burthen. Supposing the proprietors were called upon for money, (and how could such a property be made valuable without?) so long as that money was judici- ously expended, how could they lay it out anywhere to so much advantage to themselves, let me ask? It is to all intents and purposes, like a man having an estate which brings him in only five shillings per acre, grudging an outlay of a few hundred pounds, which would ensure its then producing to him double that income, at least. It is not quantity alone this company possesses, but quality also, at least, if I am bound to credit what every body admits ; and we have amongst us, some, who would be very slow to praise what they would rather have had a good slice of, here and there, for themselves ; indeed, it is not many years back, when almost any Government hanger-on, or great man's satellite, might have secured the gratuitous prossessions of thousands of our acres. Such proprietors as these, have long ago been discovered, to be the greatest nuisances that Canada has to complain of; nine out of ten of them being absentees. The Government, however, has for some time adopted quite a difierent system in the disposal of their lands, and none, I believe, is now to be had otherwise, than by purchase; even old naval or military settlers are compelled now to purchase, but have a certain pecuniary allowance in lieu of land, ac' cording to their respective ranks, so that they can now settle where they please. Our absentee proprietors too, have been looking sharp about, since they have discovered that their property is of bona fide value; besides which, we have had clergy reserves in the market, all which competition, added to a less num- ber of Emigrants this season, has somewhat diminished the Company's sales I understand. In my opinion, the disposal of all these various kinds of reserves^ which have been here- tofore only barriers against improvements, is the very best thing that could possibly happen for this Company, in as far that it cannot fail, by removing a universally complained of nuisance, to render all land in the province more valuable, c 2 . . 3G and especially what is bordering upon any of them ; and of course many parts of the Company's liirgc possessions come under this description. Let not your Iriends I say, and /or these reasons , feel jealous of the competion 1 have spoken of; indeed, I am very much disposed to believe, that the last sold of their lands, and which prior selection will be almost sure to make some of the worst in quality of them, will turn out to produce the highest price. Now after this preamble, you may say this — that were / concerned, I should look more to the being possessed of property which has the best of security, as being an {u:ticlc that Great Jiritain tranls, must have, and therefore by detjrees must take off their hands ; and if it brought me in any thing like a reasonable interest at present, I should shut my eyes as to the price of the day that my property might be called worth, and by those, perhaps, who can know nothing of the matter, or who have, perhaps, formed all their conceptions of what this country may be, from a view of Epping Forest on an Easter hunt day, never having possibly extended their travels further from Change; resting satislied, that ere many years passed over my head, or of my children's, unless it was all swallowed up by a convulsion of nature^ it could not fail to produce brilliant returns. — The following is some of the talk concerning the said Company : that Goderich harbour is to be improved, or rather, I presume, a secure one made ; that a steamer is to be built to navigate Lake Huron, for convenience of settlers; and that a bridge is to be built over the river Maitl^nd ; but, as I before told you, the Government havingit in con. . iplation to settle some new townships to the Northward, and which, if done, must partake largely of the bcnelits of such improve- ments, I presume it will contribute towards the expense incurred, either immediately or prospectively ; but a far better arrangement would he, for the Government and Company to bargain for the tract 1 have spoken of, and I cannot help supposing it might be added on liberal terms to their Huron tract. This is the marrow of what 1 have informed myself on, respecting this concern, and I shall not hereafter again lose sight of it. I have received safe all the documents you sent me out by Mr. , and which have of course told me much on this subject, that I did not before know. THE END. Alfred Robins, Printer, 29, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden. if