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O ll 3t??S^*j*fJ mmmt ■1 % PREFACE O CRAPS F'ROM CANADA were sdibhKd off at odd ^ — ^ moinciits and sent in '• tlie roii^'h ' to a Scottish journal, to fulfil a pronnsc made Old Country friends before 1 left in Heing "S(r:ii>s" in homely letters, they appear in pamphlet form unaltered. The object in publishing them in this style is for distribu- tion among my a( quaintanccs and friends during my conteni- ])lated visit to Scotland this summer. WILLIAM HOPK. 92 Mkkrkk Strkki, IIamiiton. Cawda, A/iiv, 1S77. , ( ■^■'^'•^i^mmx' 1; \<;raps ^'ROIJ (■■ :\HADA. at odd loiirnal, 1 left in )ani|)hIot distribu- conteiii- OPK. Ti> ///(■ Editor •' Cl\iitS(hxle Neios^' \\'isluxu\ Scotland. Dkak ICoirok, SI'"A'ION days on board the good shij) •'Canadian," with a ( Icar sky, a warm sun, a fine, cahu, and a placid sea, liroughl us into the Straits of UcIIe Fsle. and within si^ht of eight gigantic icebergs One in shape and si/.e \ery much re- seml)led your I)uml)arton Castle. On the eighth morning our hearts were ( heered by the sight of land. To the south we discerned Newfoundland T.ritish possessions. Under the i)atron- age of Henry \\\. of l-jigland, Sir John Cabot, along with his son, in 1497 discovered the land on which we ga/ed. 1 sighed as I thought of the eight years" war between tiie Freni h and Knglish, but rejoiced that peace was now reigning, under the banner with the signifu ant and familiar motto " iieino me impitnc laces sit." From north lo xoulh the island measures about 350 miles, having an average breadth of 130, e(|ualing about 25,800,000 acres. Not so insigniticant. is it? Its lakes and woods are nu- merous, out the island as a whole is uneven and hilly ; some of the peaks rising a thousand feet in height. To Ihe north was the e.vtensive territory of Labrador, dotted here and there by neat little villages, raised by the industrious settlers and the hardy fishermen. ( )ur next great rejoicing was our sighting the island of Anticosti. A French com|)any had the control of the division and sub-division of this island, and held out great inducements to emigrants to settle on it. .SC'A'W/'.V f-KOM CANADA m The Uritish (lovcrnmcnt's rcpicscntative rcportt-d last autumn that the condition of those who had been induced to settle on il was very serious. The inhal)ii ints were mostly settlers from New- foundland, who hitterly ( oaiplainjd of tlic i ompany having acted unjustly towards them. They had only got over /mt winter by breaking in upon the (lovernment stores kept on the island for shipwrecked mariners. This year, their prospects were not im- proved, and will only tide over the winter by the help rendered by our (lovernment. We saw ihe hull of a ship that had been wrecked and driven to the islan 1 by a storm. Part of the crew were saved, and passed si.\ months on the islantl. When the captain returned to (Ilasgow, he found his wife the spouse of another. Ik-fore long we had land on both sides, and derived great enjoyment from the variegated scenery. At eight o'clock on Sabbath morning, we reached " l-'ather Point," mu\ cabled our arrival to Scotland. At half-jjast ten we assembled for worship. 1 preached from the words "Prepare to meet thy (iod." On Monday morning at seven we drew alongside the harbor at Quebec. How changed the whole scene I How different from past experiences. How altered from our anticipations. The sky was cloudless, the sun hot, and the thermometer standing at 80 degrees in the shade as we left the ship and made for the Grand Trunk Railway Station. We walked on wood, sat on v.ood, and was shaded from the sun by wood. Almost every thing wood. 'I'he Canadians smiled, and set us down as " awful green,"' and laughed outright at some of our Scottiscisms. We got our luggage transferred in good time to take "stock"' of our surnnmdings. 'I'he houses, one, two, and three stories, were nearly all built of wood, and seemed neat and comfortable. The inhabitants gene- rally spoke French, and could only converse ui broken English, while our Scotc/i entirely •uiandttrd them. We were much pleased with the emigration officers here, and can cordially testify to their utility and wonderful efficiency in all that pertains to this depart- ment. Our money next took up our attention. We were led to believe that in Canada our half-penny was eciual to their cent. We found that at Quebec at least, oar sixpence would only go for ten cents, and our shilling for twenty. We profited by the infor- TO OLD COVNTRY bKlENDS. st autiiinii L'ttic on it roni Ncw- ing a( tc(l A'intcr by island for : not ini- rcnderai had been the crew N'hen the ipuuse of 1 derived U o'clock abled our worship, jd." On liarbor at ent from The sky ing at So le Grand ood, and ng wood. en," and r luggage )undings. built of nts gene- Knglish, 1 pleasetl J to their s depart- re led to eir cent, ly go for le infor- ination, and put a double band on our purse and an extra l»utton on our pocket ; and from experieni c would advise every pas senger to do the same. We were not favouraldy impressed with the conduct of the railway oflicials. 'I'o all our encjuiries we could get little more than a pjlite " don't know,'' or was shown a doggish silence. We refused a warm insitation to tea made by numerous apparently very interested parties. We learned from those who accepted the invitation that " the lea" cost them 50 cents (al)out 2s. 6d,) The system of " checking" the passengers' luggage, is a decided improvement over the " old country." A check with a number is attached to your luggage, and you get another check with the same number ujion it, wliicii you retain until you receive }our luggage at your destination. Our train for Hamilton, Ont., via Montreal, was timed for nine o'clock, and it left at a quarter from eleven ; so much for punctuality. During the delay we amused ourselves watching the strange customs of the Canadians. The carriages are called 'cars. " We looked into the thirddass. 'I'hey were open right through from end to end. Dirty looking in the extreme ; and the W. C's at each end, with the intensely warm weather, smelled terribly. The first-class was "first-class." At a (|uarter from eleven we were all ordered " on board," as the cars were soon to " move off." To our surprise they did " move off," and with a violence that was more startling than pleasant. Leaving the city, we slowly passed some of the finest self-contained cottages we had ever seen either in pen or pencil sketch, or reality. There was a sweet pleasure in gazing on the ingenious architecture dis- played, and the cheerful appearance of the people as they gazed upon us from the open window (not shot up or down, but thrown open like a door.) We were 2,700 miles from home, and 500 miles yet to ride, as we threw ourselves back and closed our eyes to think over the varied phenomena we had witnessed since we stepped on board the " Canadian' at Mavisbank (^uay, Glasgow. How we fared in our ride to Montreal, what we saw at Toronto, when we reached Hamilton, i\:c., will form the suLject of next letter ; after which we shall carefully record the sayings and doings of the Canadian people, and shall from time to time faithfully 6 SC/fAPS FROM CANADA chronif Ic the state of the weather, the rate of wages, the |)ri« e of provisions, and the educational advantages and religious oppor- tunities that prevail in this distant British territory. 4 FROM the brief iind meagre report which we gave ot our experiences and ini|)ressions of (Quebec, some of your readers may imagine that it is (piite an insignificant place a small outlandish village partially inhabited, and the uncivilized residents living in imminent danger of being devoured by wild beasts. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is an an- cient aiid important city, with a population of about 65,000. Its history is pregnant with interesting fads. The town, (ailed by the Indians Kepec, was founded in 1608 by the much respect- ed French explorer Samuel de C'hamplain (.Shaum-plain.) In 1629 this New France capitulated to the F-nglish. Three years after, C!harles I. restored it and other ])arts, by treaty, to I.ouis .Mil. of !■' ranee. In lOyo Sir \\'m. Phipps acting for the Knglish attacked the city by sea. The battle raged in al' its fury, but the beleagured city at last echoed with the loud hurrahs of triumph. The French were victorious and their exultant leader Frontenac was awarded by the French Monarch with a medal bearing the inscription, " Fraiuia, in No7'<> Orbe, Victrix : Kc/'eun Libcrata, A J)., A//)CXC," which in I^nglish is, " France, Victress in the New World ; (Quebec free, .\. I)., i(u)o." A church which is still standing was also erected to commemorate the event. F"rom this date till 1720 her defences were twice strengthened and her forts increased. The most notable and decisive campaign took place in 1759; when, on the i,^th of July, (leneral Wolfe opened the batteries on the French citadel. His success was small. On the 3d September he encamped at I'oint I.evi (where we landed.) On the evenin,' of the 13th, Sooo British soldiers scaled the heights. Wolfe was twice wounded. At last the cry, " They run I they run 1" fell on the dull ear of the dying Wolfe. Turning himself, ^"^m ic |)ri« c of lis oppor- vc i,f our of your place ii IK i\ ili/ed I by wild is an an- ,000. »\vii, railed :li respc-ct- )lain.) In irec years to I,()uis lie English ry, hut the f triumph. Frontcnac earing the r Lilh'rata, .'ss in the lich is still From this i her forts ook place pened the On the ided.) On ic heights, run : they % himself, TO O/.D nWiVTh'V f'fi/fiJVnS. y he said. "Now, (iod he praised, I die in peace.' Thus died the heroic James Wolfe. The old monument erected to his memory has been replaced by a fine new structure on the very same spot where he fell victorious. .Since then the defences of the ( ity have been greatl\ strengthened, and now the emigrant and visitor tread her streets in peace and safely, each interested in the mighty con trast with his own city and ( ounliy. We here remembered that we had forgot to write or telegraph. The guard (conduc'tor they < all hinO. who at intervals walks through the carriaj;e.-i (cars), informed us that we could despatch it at the next depot (station), at 25 cents for ten words. We thoujjht our Hritish shilling and one cent would be eijuiva- lent. I-et emigrants and others note that it was four cents short. The railroad (the Orand 'I'runk), wasAvvv/'/r /v//^-//, else we would have enjoyed ourselves immensely. The blue sky (not a cloud to be seen), clear, warm sun, verdant fields, magnificent forests and shining lakes, all contribute lo our increasing pleasure. We are now in the heart of Lmver Canada (\\()\. America U. S. remember.) Scotland boasts of a territory of .^0,6X6 st|uare miles, while Can ada ahnie has 400,000. Thirtei-n Scotlands I .All along the railway tra( k the industrious settlers were busy on their own farms clearing off the remaining portions of the once mighty forest. They at least feared no "wrack renter,"' and stood in awe of no "term day." It wrss close u|)on nine p. m . and tlark, when we neared the '• (iarden City"- Montreal. It has a populati )n of about 105,000, and is finely situ.xted. Its buildings took us by surprise. The Roman Catholic Church ah)ne seats 10,000 peo- ple. We were delighted with the " \'ictoiia Hridge " of 25 sjjans — an iron box, 20 feet deep, 16 wide, and 7,000 long. It is here where they never bury their dead in winter. I'he frost is so intense they cannot open the graves. The corpses are all laid in vaults till spring. It was with great difficulty we ascertained from the disobliging railway officials that we had to change '' cars.'" .\t last, we got reseated ; 180 miles from (Quebec — the (libraltar of America — and 333 miles from Toronto, the next change. It was a clear, calm night — warm, and when not overcome by sleep, we had unspeakable pleasure in ga/ing upon the numerous ^ 8 SCA\JPS FA'OA/ CANADA on liards, richly laden with luscious fruits, and \vat( hing the moonbeams glancing in the large fresh water lakes. The railroad is here wonderfully improved. By-and-hy daylight dawned. Then we saw somewhat of the grandeur and glory of Canada. Long stretches of rich alluvial soil (thinly populated), dotted with numerous lakes, relieved at intervals by long rows of tempting vines. About noon we reached the " Queen City of the West" — Toronto. Greatly fatigued, we were in bad trim to enjoy the grand sight of her magnificent buildings. This city was founded in 17S4, and then called York. It is laid out with singular regu- larity, in the form of a geometrical parallelogram The fine Lake Ontario waters its eastern side. Here the scenery is inexpressibly delightful. Population about 70,000. New for Hamilton, our future home. We dined before starting. We paid 2s 6d each, or 60 cents. Money is better value here. Your half-sovereign is worth 240 cents, /. c, two dollars and forty cents, or a cent ecjuals a half-penny. Thirty-nine miles, and our journey ends. My old Scottish friends would deem it "bouncing"' if I were to speak of this tract of country as I found it. Skirting the shores of a vast lake (Ontario), and cutting through fine gardens and delightful orchards, we steamed into the depot (station). A telegram from Toronto haa brought kind friends to welcome us to our new home in the New World. More surprises and additional wonders were in store for us. As we whirled along the shaded streets of the "Ambitious City" (such they call it,) we reflected on the contrast. How changed the whole scene I Two hours after, and while enjoying Canadian cheer, we thought of " Auld Scotland" — 3100 miles away, and the many kind friends we had left. When we retired for the evening we could not help repeating. " This is no my hoose, I ken by the biggin' o't." V IS£. THE summer of 1874 had been exceptionally dry in Canada. In Hamilton the luxurious trees that shade the streets had begun to change their colour, and the pasture everywhere to lose ww'^^mmmm PPPNW pathways appeared strange, but pleasant. On the right is a large brick building. It is surrounded by a tasteful lane and pleasure ground. The late owner of it came to this city as a " tinker," with all the tools he had on his back, and now his widow (no family) has an ample income, and enjoys a princely residence. To the left is a larger and more attractive edifice still, built of stone (each are larger than any building in your burgh or vicinity.) The owner has risen from the position of a small druggist to independence. Our " merchant princes," I learn, have nearly all had such beginnings. The banks and public buildings will be noticed in detail. By-and-by we made the circuit of the city. The heat and dust had fatigued us. We purposed retiring early, but a chorus of bells wakened us up. It is fire. A wooden barn is in flames. It is spreading. Dwelling-houses are in a blaze. The fire brigade is seen hurrying to the scene. What a contrast. No horse. No steam. Men, volunteers, drag it along. The fire is extinguished, but the desolation is awful, and the loss heavy. Such fires often occur, and we wondered that the manning of the brigade depended upon volunteers instead of hired, well-trained, and ever-ready firemen. No doubt these hardy sons do a great work, but still there is at times a great loss. During the day we were immensely amused with the people's " Canadianisms" (they won't let you say Americanisms), which we will notice by-and-by. Of course our broad, Scottish dialect (we are not ashamed of it), afforded them counter fun, and seemed equally strange. i I TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. tr THE day mentioned in our last scrap was the warmest we felt since our arrival. Old residenters assured us that the thermometer rarely rises higher than 80° in the shade. We had five weeks of the most ' pleasant weather we ever experienced. Quite an " Indian Summer." A clear sky, warm sun, and a pure atmosphere. In the end of October we had slight frost in the mornings for about a couple of weeks, which was regularly dis- pelled by the cheering beams of a genial sun. Early in Novem- ber we received numerous letters from the old country tenderly pitying us, because in Scotland it was " awfu' cauld," and they were sure it would be terrible in America — not Canada. How different in actual fact. Recent evening showers had clothed Nature in her richest garments. On 13th November the thermo- meter suddenly fell, and we had frost, and a slight fall of snow ; not enough for sleighing, which caused a general disappointment. The snow quickly disappeared, but a slight frost continued. On the cj[uieter streets the leaves which had fallen from the frost- nipped trees, were literally knee-deep, and the school boys enjoyed themselves as if on a hay stack in the month of July. Only once before Christmas were the sleigh-bells heard. This " Sleighing business" was new to us. There was not more than half an inch of snow on the ground, but the lorries, waggons, &c. were laid aside, and sleighs — " cutters" as they are called — of every con- ceivable description were pressed into the service. Some were rude and primitive enough in their construction, and dragged by sturdy hack horses, while others were silver-mounted and com- fortable, drawn by fine spirited animals. It is Christmas, and the fine mild weather continues. It is a general holiday in the city ; thousands are on the ice, which now covers the large and beau- tiful bay. New Year's day is also observed as a holiday, (ieneral grumbling -and regretting because there is no snow. Early in January we have a good fall of snow, seven inches deep. The " cutter" is now the favourite. The warm atmosphere gradually reduces the snow until it barely covers the ground ; still people won't give up the sleighing. On rbth January the wind rises and 'H t» SCRAPS FROM CANADA the thermometer falls to 6 or 8° below zero. How intensely cold it is ; we have two days of it. Extra fuel is heaped into the stove, but John Frost stops or bursts the water pipes. The bread in the cupboard is as hard as a rock. Every one you meet is running as hard as they can to keep them.selves in warmth. The heaviest big coats are donned. Furs cover heads and hands, and all are agreed that the air is cold. Since then, till this evening, we have had clear frosty weather, but exceedingly mild and pleas- ant. Three inches of snow covers hill and dale. Sleighing is good, and all are delighted with the mild season, and insisting that it is the most pleasant winter ever they experienced. Per- sonally I have enjoyed the Canadian weather, but it is predicted that every year my blood will become thinner, and I will not be so very comfortable. All my remarks aj^ply to what I have ex- perienced, and witnessed in Hamilton, Canada West, only — not America in an indefinite sense. America, even Canada, is such a vast territory that climate changes remarkably. For instance, here the thermometer never was lower than 8° below zero ; while in some parts of the United States, also in some parts of the Dominion (Grey and Bruce Counties), it has been as low as 24° below zero. We once had 7 or 8 inches of snow here, but 50 miles off they have had it 7 or 8 feet. They have it so still. When I write about climate, customs, people, or wages, I must be understood as meaning Hamilton, Ontario. Your contem- porary's correspondent— F. Lambie, Esq., Detroit, is only about two hundred miles west from here, and if he were writing to-night -Tbout the climate as he finds it in Detroit, our statements would gree, but still both would be correct. BEFORE we left Scotland we had become so familiar with the British jC s. d. that we fancied the Canadian currency would be a perpetual annoyance to us. We had heard in a crude way about greenbacks, dollars, cents, quarters, dimes, half-dimes, &c., that we concluded it would take an immense time to cor- ».: TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. *3 ic id ^ I J rcctly understand their relative values. We have had six months' trial now, and have never experienced the slightest difficulty in this respect. Our money division is simply dollars and cents (nothing more) as yours is pounds, shillings, pence, and farthings. A dollar isone hundred cents, and it takes four hundred and eighty-seven of them (that is four dollars and eighty-seven cents) to make a pound .sterling. Of course, we have our copper, silver, and paper money as well as you. Our one and two cent pieces are copper — eciual to your half-penny and penny. Our silver pieces are, five, ten, twenty, twenty-five, and fifty cents — equal to your twopence half-penny, fivepence, one shilling and one half- penny, and two shillings and one penny^ respectively. Our paper money is, twenty-five cents, sometimes called a " shinplaster," one, two, four, five, ten, twenty, fifty, and one hundred dollar bills. Greenbacks, dimes, half-dimes, &c., belong to the United States, and are at present 14^8 per cent, discount here. At first, we could not help feeling that their silver pieces were " lead," or, as the Canadians would say, " no good." We soon got used to it all, but when we changed a " sovereign" we imagined that we got (juite a " pile" (that is a lot) of money for it. With all our attachment to " Auld Scotland" and her time-honoured customs, we are already fully persuaded that the dollar and cent — that is the decimal currency —is by far the most simple and best. We often see an old face, in the shape of a British half-penny, sixpence, shilling, and half crown. They are quite good here, and by your correspondent, warmly welcomed. The Hamilton people are, in some resp,^cts, very much the same in habits and appearance as in the " old country," and in other respects widely different. Very frequently you meet with a real type of a " canny" Scotchman. He has probably spent forty years of his life here, and has not lost one spark of his indivi- duality. He will gravely tell you that a man -and a woman too, we suppose-— dies tvvice a year here. He is frozen to death in the winter, and perfectly roasted alive in the surtimer. The.e is the Englishman, too. Just turned a trifle " Canadian. ' Just "what you would know." He has lost none of his corpulence, and still '4 SCRAPS FROM CANADA insisting upon calling heart 'art, and art heart. He likes Canada. Well, so he may. He has property for sale, and money loaned at 8 per cent, interest. The native of the " Green Isle"— the hearty, persevering Irishman— is no stranger here. By dint of close application, he has gradually raised himself to a position of trust or post of honour. Physiognomists — professors or amateurs — have here grand opportunities for exercising their skill on all sorts of faces, and under all sorts of circumstances. Black, yellow, and white, all mingle and co-mingle in keen competition to make their mark in the record page of this great dominion. The Canadians are reckoned, or they reckon themselves, " sharpers." Some of them are doubtless smart, and could teach the Briton more lessons than one. Still the Scotchman, English- man, and Irishman are prominent in all leading business. Here the citizens are, as a rule, tall and slender. It is rarely you meet a " bouncing hissy." The idiom of their language strikes us as peculiar, while their pronunciation of some words seem ridiculous. By-and-by we will notice some of their peculiar phrases. A correspondent asks " what kind o' claes dae ye wear?" Personally, those we purchased in (Glasgow; but there is little uniformity in clothing here. Every one suits himself, and you will scarcely find two suits or three dresses aUke. We have not seen the inhabitants in their summer garment yet. In the " fall" (autumn), the most common hat worn was straw, six times broader in the rim than any seen in Scotland, while their gar- ments were mostly linen of the lightest make. Just now it is of the heaviest tweed. Boots, Wellingtons, come right up over their " pants" trousers are unknown here. Gauntlets coming com- fortably over their hands and coat-sleeves, and fur caps made to come snugly over their ears. A visit to church produces the im- pression that the "girls' here fairly eclipse the ladies of the " old country" in dress and deportment. How the opinions of people change. Six days ago every body was singing about the mild season ; they never had experi- enced such a delightful winter. These few days past the ther- mometer has steadily indicated i8° to 24° below zero, in some TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. '5 places it has fallen to 43° below the balancing point ; and now every one you meet shiveringly affirms it is the most severe arid protracted storm they ever witnessed. Wages in our next scrap. I ■) IN a previous scrap we spoke about our fire-brigade. Your readers must bear in mind that it is manned l)y "volun- teers," who receive no pecuniary remuneration for their hard and dangerous work. On Friday evening last they were installing their "chief" and retired from the "Social" about one o'clock. At two the fire-bells rang the alarm. It so happened that the greatest fire known in Hamilton for years had broken out in a three-flat brick-block near the market. We visited the ruins about seven o'clock. What a scene I The night had been intensely cold, the thermometer at that hour stood at 15° below zero, 'i'hc ^re had been mastered and confined to one tenement. The whole gutted block hung in one immense coating of ice. The gallant firemen who laboured so effectively in extinguishing the flames were literally sheathed in ice, while their beards resembled so many snow drifts. Poor fellows ! It was terrible work for them. How unlike the eld country scenes. Now about wages. I am reminded that general statements covering the whole field of trades, etc. is seldom satisfactory, and liable to be disputed. We take a different course, and hope it will be commendable. We give one instance only, and leave the reader to form his opinion about other trades. Hurd & Roberts are the proprietors of the Provincial Steam Marble Works of this city. They execute all kinds of mantel, marble, and Scotch granite work, embracing monuments of every description, headstones of all kinds, counter and table tops of every pattern, and mantels of numerous designs. Mr. Hurd, the senior partner, is principally engaged in extending their Scotch granite trade in the United States. He also annually visits the Aberdeen granite works of Scotland, and the marble quarries of /6 SCJiAPS FROM CANADA Italy. This firm in 1874 purchased from the granite works in Aberdeen, and had deHvered to them on this side of the Atlantic, over ^'5,000 sterHng worth of polished granite. Uon't say Canada does "auld Scotia' no good. This year their purchases in this department will be more than doubled. We learn that they have at present over 300 Scotch granite monuments being made for them in Aberdeen and Peterhead alone, which are to be received here this year. The granite is mostly polished in Scotland, as wages are much lower. They employ here from 35 to 44 men. The following is their wages as taken from their pay book (they pay all their men weekly) on 2nd Dec, 1874 : — Working Foreman per week of 59 hours $iS.oo £2, 1 7 o 1st Class Journeyman " " 1500 326 2n(l " " " " 12.00— 2 10 o 3i ^■m TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. »9 The Victoria School, recently built, is such a fine edifice that a description of it is left over. In next scrap we will endeavour to describe it, and give some idea of the course of instruction pursued, and as all the education is free, will explain how the revenue necessary to carry on such an efficient system of instruc- tion is obtained. V ) V ) THE Victoria School was erected in 1873. With the except- ion of the Central School, it is the finest school-house in our "Ambitious City." It was built with the view of accom- modating the children living in the eastern part of the town. Where a few years ago there was a large tenantless common, we now find a dense population, in the midst of which stands the magnificent structure — Victoria School. The building is red brick, with cut-stone facing, two stories high, surmounted by a tower, on which is a vane, and in which we trust we shall soon have a bell and a clock. Nine divisions can be accommodated, there being nine rooms. Heating apparatus, at a cost of $700, has been provided for the inclement weather. The very best facilities possible are provided for ingress and egress. The ven- tilation is excellent. Galleries have been dispensed with, which permits the pupils occupying the same room during the whole session. The school s*-ands on a lot containing about 2,000 square yards. Outhouses, planking around the building, fences, &c., encloses and completes the whole. The internal fittings and furniture reflects credit on the contractors, who are citi::ens of Hamilton. These schools have 70 teachers, and 5 paid monitors — that is, persons engaged in aiding teachers whose divisions are too numerous for one person to attend to them thoroughly — and 70 divisions and sub-classes. The Canadians believe, and promi- nent among them the Hamiltonians, that school-houses are cheaper than jails, teachers than ofiicers of justice, and that they stand towards each other in an inverse ratio. They think by JO SCRAPS FROM CANADA employing more good teachers, and giving them sufficient remun- eration for their services, and l)y bringing the educational facilities as near perfection as possible, they will materially reduce the per- centage of crime. It is not deemed enough to supi^ly the pupils with instruction in 1 he ordinary branches cf education. The development of the moral nature is considered of so much importance to the individual* and to society, thai its culture receives careful attention. They are taught by the example of their teachers to love and practice kindness, politeness, neatness, punctuality and truthfulness. The development of character, the formation of right habits, the incul- cation of correct principles, and showing the scholar hozc to learn and practice these virtues is not overlooked in the carrying on of our great educational work. For the benefit of teachers in the ''old country" we must give a minute notice of the classing and grading adopted by the public schools, and their respective work. There are 12 classes, 12 grades and 12 divisions. The first class, first grade and twelfth division spends in reading 7 ho"rs, spelling 3, writing 2^, arithmetic 5, object lessons i, music 30 minutes, and lessons for next day 1, geography i)^ hours, Christian morals and drawing 50 minutes, making a total time of 22 hours and 20 minutes instruction per week. This does not include five minutes for opening in the morning, ten minutes for recess in the afternoon, and five minutes for closing at 4 p.m. Before any pupil is promoted from this class they must be able to read readily any passage in the first part of the First Book of lessons ; to spell any word in the reading lesson and to give its meaning in familiar terms; to be able to form letters and Arabic numerals on the slate; to know the Multiplication Table as for as four times twelve; to be able to add together any one of the first five simple digits to, or subtract it from, another; exercise on the calculator, also counting on other objects; exhibit the compass, show its working, and ascertain by means of it the geography of the school-room ; understand what a map is, and be able to point out on a skeleton map of the county, the city they live in, the townships (your parishes), the bay, marsh, beach and mountain; on a skeleton map of the city, point out the principal streets, the wards, V TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. the schools, the place where he lives and his road to school. In this class there are no lessons prescribed for preparation at home. I OWE you, and through you, your numerous readers, a sincere apology for so abruptly terminating "Scraps from Canada.'' While writing the last one that appeared in your journal, I was suffering very severely from what is best known in Scotland as " rose in the face." This was succeeded by a bilious fever which confined me to bed. On this being mastered, inflammation, first on the left, and subsecjuently on the right lung, took a serious hold of me. At one time it had so far reduced me that there were grave fears of my recovery. I am now strong again, and by consent of my medical attendant at liberty to resume " Scraps from Canada." Doubtless much interesting matter has been lost, but Deo Volente, will do my best to make future notes as interesting as the subjects permit. V y THE winter weather continued far into the spring months. At last the transition came, and it was rapid. The warm south wind with clear sky and hot sun soon chased away all traces of the severe winter. During my late illness, when I became unconscious to the outerworld, there was not a bud upon the tall bare trees that line our well laid out streets. Ten days after, when I was able to look out upon fa'r Nature, the fruit trees in the orchard opposite our residence were in bloom. This is so unlike old country experiences that some may be disposed to doubt its truth. Times have been very hard throughout Canada this season. Why, is not rightly known. Doubtless the dull trade of the 3^ SCKAPS FROM CANADA 1 ' United States has had something to do with it. Things are in a very bad condition there. Perhaps the severe winter and back- ward spring tended to cause the uncomfortable depression. The fine weather of late is brightening the prospects of the jjrmer, and it is anticipated that harvest time will give things a favourable turn. 'J1ie money market has been exceedingly "tight." It is estimated that 75 per cent, of our merchants have been, and are still, at the mercy of the banks. Our Dominion is not so much of a "cash" country as Scotland. Being young, the credit system is carried on to an extent almost incredible. Merchants this season find that in order to keep the machinery moving they must sell "on time" — that is, give credit by taking their bill for three, four, or twelve months. And often when those notes or bills — which have been discounted at the bank from not less than 9% to 15% — come due, the parties instead of paying them, as is done in Scotland, send another bill for renewal. So the merchants have to pay the bank cash for what was discounted, and can only raise the money by discounting again at the enorm- ous rate of 9 to 15%. In some cases 17% is exacted, and in others they are cut off altogether by the bank. Labour on this account is a little cheaper, and good steady situations difficult to secure. We have had quite a sensation here for some time about a hundred men who were induced to leave Scotland last spring — principally stone-cutters — masons — from Aberdeen. They were to have three dollars per day (12s 6d), but on their arrival they were offered piece work, and refused the 12s 6d per day. The matter will not be allowed to rest until it is discovered who is at fault —whether the firms here or their representative in Scotland. Every one is indignant, Canada is a vast territory much in want of skilled labourers ; and the Government, the people, the journals are all interested in the question of emigra- tion, and are sensible it can only be promoted and accomplished by upright, honest dealing. We have had no real warm weather yet. The highest degree indicated was 95 in the shade. We have lately had some fine showers, and everything is fresh and pleasant. V TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS, 33 \ MANY of your readers (even the business portion of them), are not aware that the United Stntes money (or currency) is not fixed in value like the jQ s. d. of (Jreat Britain, or the dollar and cent in Canada. For instance, for a long time during last winter and up to ten days ago, the United States do'lar (that is one hundred oents), was only worth about 83^ cents, being 3s 5^d, instead of 4s 2d, or in other words, at 16^ per cent, discount. This increase or reduction of value sometimes affects the standing of Canadian manufacturers and banks very materially. Two weeks ago "gold came down," or as willbe better understood in Scodand, the value of the United States dollar rose to 90 cents, instead of 83^ (6^ per cent. rise). Banks therefore lost 6 J per cent, on all the capital they held that has changed hands. This is one cause of the suspension of one or two banks here. I have quoted these facts to show that while emigrants may hear of large wages in the States, they must mind that the dollar and cent does not represent the real value. We are still suffering from "hard times," but the fine weather of late is bringing in favourable reports from all parts, which will in some measure tend to brighten prospects. We notice with regret a cable dispatch announcing the destruction by fire of Grant's Cotton Mills in Glasgow, yesterday. We are also discouraged to learn that there are 12,000 persons thrown idle at "Bonnie Dundee." This country takes a deep, interest in the prosperity of the "Mother Country." This leads me to speak of our loyalty as subjects to her gracious Majesty the Queen. Her birthday was a universal holiday; not by one sect or party, class, or division, but by everyone, and on the same day; not as you have, Glasgow 19th, Wishaw 24th, Carluke 28th, and so on. We can put you to shame in this respect. The strawberry season has just closed, and cherries are all the go just now. We used to have fine luscious strawberries at 6d the quart. This is market day, and I had a turn through it ; 34 aC'/iAPa FROM CANADA but I* must withhold what I heard and saw until next week. 'I'hanks for Daily Mail, Glas^cnv News, Daily Herald, Hamilton Advertiser, Weekly News, Weekly Mail, Christian Ne^vs, and other papers received fiom unknown friends. TUESDAY, Thursday, and Saturday are market days in the ambitious city of Hamilton. Summer and winter, three times a week, the Market Square — a place corresponding in size to Carluke Market Sijuare— teems with all kinds of mineral, vegetable, and animal life. The scjuarc itself is pleasantly situated in a central part of the town, completely level, and laid out with straight rows of wooden pavements, after the form of an immense draught board. From four to eight o'clock on these mornings it is delightful and romantic to watch the great influx from every point of the compass. To the west, one, two. three, six, ten, twelve, or more horses and "spring carts" — we call them waggons here, but don't suppose that they resemble railroad trucks — come trotting briskly along. Some are richly laden with large assortments of the luscious fruits of the season. Others packed with every descrip- tion of farm produce, in boxes, baskets, bundles, and bales. Next comes a "double team" — it is a great place this for "pairs" — wearily dragging a heavy load of what was once "live grumphies." Further away still, comes a few monster loads of new and old hay made up to suit the capricious — I hope they won't be offended — Canadian marketers. The occupants are more interesting to the stranger than even the contents of the waggons. Generally, there are three, father, daughter, and servant, or mother, son and servant, poor, slaving, hard-toiling mortals. Two o'clock a. m., does not find them in their beds three times a week. Still they are cheerful and healthy. This is only one approach to the little center of activity and interest. What has been pouring in from ^ TO OLD COUNTR Y FRIENDS, ^1 > ^1 J Other quarters can only be known to us by calculation from the now densely-packed sijuare. As the hour of seven chimes from the large town clock there does not seem to be a spare inch of ground, still they come trooping in, quietly, earnestly, and interestingly. The smart men of the world, men thoroughly up in business, have been "all round." Merchants, more indolent, continue to straggle in. Thrifty house-wives are busy picking out their two days' sup[)lies. Business has begun in earnest now. Flour and oat meal of the best (juality are offered to the "good wives" at is 2d per peck, but they beat them down to is. It's a great country this for cutting close. Potatoes are bargained for and carried off at lod per peck. Butter brings lojd per lb., and cheese, very finest, ']\A. Beef is so remarkably cheap, your readers would hardly believe the actual figures. Vegetables of all kinds, and fruits of every sort are carried off at satisfactory prices. 1 )clf, china, and glass wares are also offered and enquired after. Why need I try to enumerate. It would be an endless task. Everything almost, machines of every description, good and bad, patented and unpatented, luring the needful in the various "lines" to speedy purchases. Nothing you will name in the products of the country for twenty miles around but what is to be found here at prices, being competitive in oi)en market, very reasonable. There are some of our working citizens, good, active, useful citizens, who do not attend market. Well, they j)erhaps can afford to purchase "second hand," and it is no business of ours. There is some hawking, "peddling" they call it here ; but it is not allowed until after 12 noon. By this time the best of the market is past, and the goods then vended are not quite first-class in quality or price. Our marketing is one of the advantages which the thrifty, honest, and intelligent workmen enjoy. Such a gathering only ret|uires to be seen to be enjoyed, and its workings understood to be approved of. The fine weather continues, and agricultural reports are still cheering. mmm mmmmmmmmmmmm ■ 36 SCRAPS FROM CANADA To save your humble servant, and to lay the responsibility on some one else we copy verbatim et literatum an article from the "Hamilton Evening Times" of July 9th, which will give your readers some idea of how the Canadians here persevere and get on : " In these times of considerable commercial depression it is a pleasure to be able to make allusion to one branch of Canadian industry which is progressing in a most satisfactory manner — an industry which, though it has its headquarters in this city, has ramifications throughout the entire Western Dominion as well as the Eastern and Western States. We refer to the /ery extensive wholesale and retail marble business, and its connections, of Messrs. Hurd & Roberts, of Hamilton, to which, at some little length, we propose to refer to-day. We might say, however, that in a very short time the retail branch will be disposed of, and every attention paid to the wholesale portion. For that purpose the agents are already being called in and preparations made to sell out the present business on Merrick street. A retrospect of a few years will not be out of place in this sketch, in order to afford some idea of 'he humble commencement of the business, which has now reached its present great proportions, being, we can safely say, the most flourishing in Canada. Twenty-seven years ago Mr. H. H. Hurd arrived in Wellington Sfjuare and opened a shop, we may believe, under no very cheerful auspices, for in addition to the natural dullness of the trade he was assured by an old resident that he could not hope to dispose of his large stock of marble in this country — his "large stock" consisting of no more than two horses could draw and not exceeding in value the sum of $200. In that somewhat remote day, the demand for handsome monuments and tombstones was very slender ; people were contented with the most modest memorial tablets and head- stones, and, often, with none at all. In the face of this, one may imagine that the prospects were not of the brightest kind. However, Mr. Hurd went boldly and assiduously to work, with •^ TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 37 i. J V J ^ J Mr. D. C. Yale, who at the start was taken into partnership, and left nothing undone to work up the business, the result being the nucletis of the present one. In 1850, he bought out Mr. Yale's interest and after two years by himself, was joined by his brother, Mr. M. Hurd, with whom, in 1853, he came here, establishing the business in the building on the corner of Bay and York streets now used by Messrs. Brierly & Graham, which has been so favorably known to our citizens during a period of 22 years. In 1854 the brothers, as H. H. & M. Murd, opened a branch in Toronto to which in 1855 Mr. M. Hurd removed ; but his health failing he sold out and began business in Minnesota, in which Mr. H. H. Hu. ' retained an interest until a few years ago, when Mr. M. Hurd also relinquished that which he still held in the works here. In 1856 Mr. D. E. Roberts, of this city, became a partner with the Messrs. Hurd, a relationship wMich has existed to the present time. These gentlemen, by their thrift, business foresight, and valuable practical experience, conducted their business by regular gradations from what it was in 1856 to what we find it in 1875. Their retail trade was by far the largest in the Domii;ion. Their chief field for the sale of marbles has been Canada, but in Scotch granite, of which they are very extensive importers, their sales are not only large in the Dominion, but also throughout the States of New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. During the past twenty years the firm has witnessed a complete change in the market. At the commencement there was but a slight call for elaborate and expensive tombstones, but within the past few years this has not been the case. Now the most costly monuments are asked for, and we are assured that of no country more than Canada is this true, even exceeding the wealthy Eastern States. Last year, though in the retail line, the firm made sales amounting to nearly $100,000. In order to accommodate the increasing demand from the dealers throughout the country, for marble and granite, Messrs. Hurd & Roberts have decided, as we have said, to dispose of the I^^WBi ,i/^ I 3S SCRAPS FROM CANADA retail business and confine themselves exclusively to the whole- sale branch. In order to carry out their plans, they, last year, purchased, on the south side of the junction of the Great Western and Hamilton & Lake Erie Railways and contiguous thereto, 3^ acres of land, forming a most eligible site for their business and mills. From the road a switch will be run alongside the properly, and so close that blocks of marble, weighing fifteen tons, can be hoisted by an immense steam crane, with a boom 60 feet long, from the very cars to the doors of the mills, about which will stand the gangs of saws which will cut them up. So admirable are the arrangements, in this regard, that cargoes of marble shipped from Leghorn, Italy, or granite, from (ilasgow, Scotland, can be put in the mills with but one transhipment, at the ports of Montreal, Boston, or New York, where the ship loads will be transferred to the cars and be sent directly through. The mills, which will be by far the most extensive in Canada, will form a high two-storey brick building, in two parts. The main portion will be 160 feet in length l)y 60 in breadth, and, on the ground floor, will be used for sawing, cutting, turning and polishing the stone. There will be eight gangs, capable of runntng any number from one to sixty saws each. The upper storey will be used for cutting and polishing marble and marbleized slate mantels, for which there is a growing demand. At the north end of the building will stand the engine and boiler house, 30x40 feet in size, containing two boilers of 45 horse-power each, and two engines 35 horse-power each. Mr. Thomas Northey is manufacturing seven of the saw gangs, and the engines and boilers, and Mr. Hinchcliffe, the pulleys and shaftings. The mason work is being done by Mr. Isaiah Beer; the carpentering by Mr. Butcher, and the painting by Mr. Matthews. The cost of the building will reach about $20,000 and that of the engines and machinery $18,000 more. While Messrs. Hurd & Roberts will use American marble, their chief supply will be brought from the Carrara cjuarries, Italy, whence it is shipped via Leghorn, where the best qualities in the world are obtained. One hundred and fifty tons of blocks and slabs are now en route via Boston. Though vast quantities of V J TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 39 J marbles will be imported and supplied to the trade, one great feature in the new business will be the direct importation of the beautiful red and grey Scotch granite monuments ranging in value from $200 to $5,000 each. One firm in Scotland is turning out 106 monuments for them ; altogether, 250 of these monuments are being made for them under the supervision of a representative of theirs located in Aberdeen. Four hundred tons of Ohio freestone are being imported for tombs and architectural purposes, a large business being done in that line. The firm expect to have their mills in active operation by the ist of October, by which time the capacious yard will be stocked with valuable marbles and granite, a handsome building added to the northeast portion of the town, which will be much improved, and Messrs. Hurd & Roberts fully launched in their new wholesale trade — doing a business in cutting marble slabs from the rough blocks, as imported from the quarries, which was formerly done in foreign countries and by but one firm in Canada. By this, a heavy duty is saved and the price lowered to Canadian retailers." V \. V "civic" SINCE I wrote you last week, we have had our holiday. Business of every kind was suspended. We go into these holidays right jolly. We have quite a lot of them during the year. There is Christmas ; No work that day ; Skating, sleighing &c. only prevail. New Year's Day shares the same fate. May 24 — notable day — her Majesty's birthday, is un- iversally celebrated with great eclat. We are not like Mother land — Carluke holding it on 19th, Wishaw on 24th, Glasgow 28th, and somewhere else in June or July. You make the day to suit yo^r ar- rangements, we make our arrangements to suit the day. Then comes " Dominion Day," held by all Canadians with great reverence and much rejoicing, in memory of the amalgamation of the Provinces on is*: July, 1867. Thanksgiving Day comes on in October. Well, thn day should not be held as a holiday ; neither should the Gk^sgow .sacramental fast ; but what can you 40 SCA'APS FROM CANADA ■ do if it is so kept ? we have opportunities of worship during the day, but the bells are poorly obeyed. Road and Rail are better ■ patronized by far. We have been here almost a year now. We have, therefore, had a round of Canadian weather, and so can speak of what we have seen and felt : Yes, felt. There is feeling when the thermo- meter is lo degrees below zero, or indicating, loo above. We have seen it standing at these figures, but they are exceptional. Then we have "spring" and "fall" — three months at least — in which we have a real Indian summer. Climate is not against our great country; not at all. Our produce has taken a first place in our own markets, and our merchant princes are having inducements offered whereby we will be able to find a market in India. Great pleasure is felt here at the sentiments expressed by the present Prime Minister at the Lord Mayor's Dinner, where he repeated what he had previously said, that the mother country ought to consider the claims and condition of her colonies, as they would by-and-by become sources of great wealth and strength to Great Britain. Referring to Canada he nevti uttered a greater truth. ' Taking thesamewordsof thesamegreat statesman, which he applied in connection with O'Connell, on a certain occasion, we might in a sense apply them to Canada, and say, "We have been mocked and laughed at to-day, but the day will come when you will be proud to listen to us." We are very jealous of our power, and very loyal. The United States would fain " curry favour " with us, but we are not yet to be seduced. We entertain the kindliest feeling towards poor Jonathan, but }narriage\?,<\\y.\Xe another thing. J AT last we decided to spend our "Civic" holiday at the far-famed Wellington Square. We can cal- culate upon the weather here, and so were sure of a fine day. Fine, not in an old country fashion, but splendid in a real Can- adian sense, A sky innocent of clouds, and no dull haze inter- vening to mar the view of the delightful scenery we had to pass TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. J through and enjoy. Eight a. m. found a select part)' of nine — an odd number — fully equipped en route for the Great Western Railway Depot — they cannot say station here, and if you do it for them the one-half would not understand you. The living stream of the merry pleasure-seekers, pouring in from all quarters, was not bad for the "Ambitious City." As we waited for our car (train you say in Scotland), I could not help remarking to an old country friend that it brought me in mind of Carstairs Junction on a Lanark race day. Two stone-casts off the fine steamer "Florence" was taking in her vmusually large, living cargo. The railway plat- form we thought pretty much crowded, but the wharf seemed even more so. We had only seen this station once since we landed here a year ago. We thought it very pretty, compared with Motherwell, Wishaw and Carstairs Station at home; but our guide informed us that the large brick building in course of erection close by was to more adequately meet the wants of the rapidly increas- ing city, Hamilton. The railroad track for about two miles from Hamilton towards Wellington Square skirts the beautil.il Burlington Bay, which is connected by canal with the great fresh water lake Ontario. ' It was very pleasant to recline on the easy seats of the well- cushioned, comfortable cars, and look out upon the glassy surface of still water, upon which numerous small boats were seen, filled with pleasure-seeking parties. As we lost sight of the bay, with its small craft, schooners and steamers, we awoke to the fact that the bright king of day was far up over the eastern hills, and in all its effulgent splendour casting a sweet halo and golden glory over the ever-varying and delightful scenery, which is altogether unknown in the dear old country. The cars, you must not forget, are totally different in construction from those in Scotland. You enter and leave at the end, and you can walk from car to car, just as the conductor (guard) does, calling the stations, collecting the tickets, and giving the passengers all the information they may want Being informed that the next station was our purposed destination — ^Wellington Square — on the stoppage of the train we merrily sprang upon the commodious platform, and hailed a 'bus . ,(■! 4\ 1 1 'fi T' % ■-') SCHAPS FROM CANADA that plied between the station" and the village. We had only time to observe that the station and its connections were neatly fitted up with all the latest American improvements. The sur- rounding country was one unbroken undulating holm, relieved only by the homely farm otead and variegated plantations. The village orcupies a delightful position on a plateau of slightly elevated gri>u.:d. winding along the waters of the great Lake Ontario, and seems to have, by ii.^' connection with the rail- road on one side^ and the lake upon the other, superior facilities for becoming a large manufacturing town. Situated in the very centre of the finest grain-producing country in the Dominion, it seems destined, at no great distance of time, to develop into incredible colossal proportions. The streets are laid-out, generally, at right angles, and the principal buildings are chiefly of brick, some of which, with their ingenious architecture and pretty verandahs, present a very imposing appearanx;e. On the rising ground near tlie Lake are a number of elegant residences, having tastefully ornamented and well laid-out grounds. Nearer the station than the village proper is the pleasant and highly-cultivated farm owned by H. H. Hurd, Esq., of Hamilton, and worked under the super- intendence and management of that highly-esteemed gentleman. Adjoining the farm, and forming a part of it, are the extensive and widely-known Halton Nurseries. These are now under the efficient care and personal management of Mr. Hurd and his son. The farm with its vast resources and numerous improvements; the nurseries, with their formidable crops of healthy young fruit trees and many other things interesting to note, are left over till next week. FARMING is not quite the same here as in the dear old country. Indeed, it is altogether different. Your readers must, therefore, try to forget the pleasant little holms by the Clyde, and the wild unbroken heathland so common at home. The farm we visited at Wellington Square, a place about V. ^^ TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 43 seven or eight miles from Hamilton, is somewhere about 85 acres in extent. It is part of the great basin, valley, plain, or holm, 75 miles in length and about four miles in average breadth, which has its beginning at the celebrated Niagara, and terminates at Nassagaweya, in the county of Halton. These 85 acres, as well as the surrounding country, was once like memorable Scotland, in the days long, long gone by ; in the days when the hardy, invincible Britons took shelter in the dense woods, and watched their opportunity to repulse the invading Romans. Yes, this neat, little farm was once part of a mighty forest, and in some parts a little inclined to a treacherous morass, or unwhole- some swamp. Even in 1862, when purchased by the present owner, part of the dense wood was standing, with a good part cleared, but the stumps and roots still remaining, and the swamp still undried. At enormous cost, it has now been thoroughly "stumped," the roots taken out, and all efficiently underdrained. Eight acres is set apart or leased to H. H. Hurd & Son (formerly S. M. Durkee & Co.), to be used as a nursery for the raising of fruit trees of every description, to supply the large and still in- creasing demand of the surrounding fertile country, the ground being deemed too valuable for the raising of root or grain crops. Other parts of it were planted with the choicest apple and pear trees, then all heavily laden with rich and luscious fruit, of which we had full permission from those in charge to "taste and try." Other parts we observed were devoted to the raising of oats, barley, &c. A fine barley crop had just been harvested, which was estimated to yield not less than 70 bushels to the acre. The oats were yellow as gold, fully ripened unto harvest. Not a green stalk to be seen in the whole field. The men were in the field, orchard rather, just beginning to cut them. Fired with the memory of earlier days, I took a great interest in the work, and ardently longed to try the harvesting in Canada. About six acres grew in the large open spaces between the fruit trees, and it was thought that the reaping machine could not be worked to great advantage. Three men Avere, therefore, set to "cradle" it. That is, they were to mow it. We eyed the "cradle" with suspicious wonder. It had a long blade, in every respect shaped r la': 44 SCRAPS FROM CANADA like a scythe, and a "sned" a little like the old-fashioned " long sned," but riuch shorter, and with only one handle. It has an immense bow or rake, with teeth the full length of the long blade. Instead of cutting the oats to the "face," and being lifted and bound as we do at home, they are cut out from it like hay, and left to win or dry for a few days, and then bound up into sheaves and "stocked." I cannot explain, but you can fancy the position the man must be in the whole day, and how he must handle the cradle so as to prevent the great bow stripping the standing grain. Imagine my surprise to see them taking little more than the tops off the grain, leaving the rest standing. I got jjermission to try my hand, but got "paid off" for cutting too low, and taking too much straw with the grain. It seemed to us terrible work, the tops were not even all taken off. Cutting oats like hay ! Who ever heard of such a thing in the Motherland ? This explained how and why people here can cut from four to six acres per day. Having lifted and bound a sheaf of the golden grain — just to be able to say we did it — our harvest operations came to an end. A plough and team were busy in the next field, I was eager to get a "baud." It was a wheeled plough, and the only t'ing I had to do was to watch the width, The wheel regulated the depth. I think I satisfied the man in charge that I could "haud" — even wide enough to suit the Canadians. I could not help contrasting the work done in that field with the field near I^esmahagow, where, before I was fifteen, I was a successful competitor in the ploughing match. Where was the barley that had grown upon the field now being ploughed? Harvested, we are informed ; but where were the stacks, then? There are no stacks — neither hay nor grain — in Canada or America. We were then shown the "barn" into which all the crops are garnered. It is an immense new building, after the American style of architecture. We found on enquiry and examination that it was not only capable of containing under cover the entire products of the farm, but was also adapted for a stable, byre, hennery (hen-house), &c. It "contained all the modern improvements, and must have been erected with a view to economy and comfort. We could hardly estimate— i;vcn approximately — the immense \. *v y TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 45 C .' V. *v y cost of this great building, and so leave the figure blank. Every- thing in and around the farm is in commendable order. The cattle are of the best breed obtainable, and are expected to carry away the prizes at the great Provincial Exhibition — open to the world — to be held in Hamilton about the end of this month. We do not remember the number of the fruit-trees bearing or the average yield. The number seemed to be "legion." The Hamilton and North Western Railway, which is only projected, but to which the citizens of Hamilton have, by a sweeping majority, voted a bonus of a hundred thousand dollars, will run through a small corner of this farm, after which the ground will be too valuable even to make orchards of, and will probably be laid oft" into suitable building lots, and sold. The Halton Nur- series seemed one great forest of young fruit trees of all kinds and progressive years. The present firm, H. H. Hurd and his son, have only recently purchased the entire interest of the far-famed nursery, and have thrown considerable energy into the work, which, we understand, is prospering in th'^ir skilful hands. The raising of strawberries is a remarkable feature, and a source of great profit. Montreal, Hamilton, &c., is the market for this kind of fruit. We were to see the root-house and to have the grafting process explained to us, but we found we had only time to retire to the hotel asid have tea preparatory to catching the train for Hamilton. A sumptuous tea only cost us 24 cents — ii^d each. In high spirits, we reached our own dwellings, loud in the praises of that part of " Fair Canada." We have had three days pretty hot. At noon to-day, the thermometer stood at 103° in the shade. While I write, it is darkening down, the air is cooling, fire is seen, thunder is heard, and we are sure to have a fine rain. A correspondent writes me, wishing to have the notes on our Public Schools continued. I anticipate seeing the Inspector soon, and will by-and-by attend to the matter. The objections urged by the minister referred to against our education is a foul libel, so far as Canada is concerned. You will have full facts in course of time. Other matter by other correspondents will be worked into "Scraps" so far as they have come under my observation. ...^ 46 SCRAPS FROM CANADA 3tO. WE have just received from our Canadian contributor, Mr. Wm. Hope, of Hamilton, Ontario, a prize list of what is termed a (ireat Central Fair to be held in the city of Hamilton there, on Tuesday, Wednesday, I'hursday and Friday next. Competition open to the world— the latter, a telling hit surely —and at the same time, showing the tendencies of our Canadian brethren to do things on a gigantic scale, a tendency or desire which is more fully developed on reference being made to the prize list, which occupies thirty-six large pages closely printed. On visiting the great Highland and Agricultural Show, lately, we were greatly exercised at the number and multitudinous variety of the exhibits, but this Show or Fair beats us all to sticks. It seems to us to be a Cattle and Agricultural show, a Horticult- ural Show, an Industrial Exhibition and an Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures all knocked into one. On referring to the list we find there are forty-nine classes, all of these classes are exhaustive in their various departments, and which, amongst other things, include the following : Horses, all manner of cattle, pigs, poultry, roots, fruits, flowers and vegetables, which include sorts quite strange in the majority of our gardens. The same may be said of the fruit class, which would do the heart of some of our local pomologists good to see. In apples, there are no less than 34 sorts; pears, 20; grapes, 19; and so on ad lib. We would direct the attention of our farmers' wives, to the variety of items which here appear under the head of dairy products, viz.: cheese, butter, preserves, canned fruit, honey, maple sugar, pickles, loaf bread, wine, (three sorts), sugar-cured ham and bacon, and spiced beef. There are some items there which would tax the capabili- ties of our local dairy-maids, we imagine. Next in order come all manner of agricultural inplements, cabinet ware, carriages and sleighs ; then the fine arts, oil paintings, water color drawings, photographs, crayon drawings, groceries and provisions, ladies' fancy work, domestic manufactures, machinery, metal work, stoves, musical instruments, natural history, including birds 'v J TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 41 fishes, insects, mammalial and reptiles ; minerals, plants, stuffed birds and animals, woollen, flax, and cotton goods ; furs and wearing apparel of every imaginable description. The items in this class numbering 43-- all of which are to be entered for competition for jjrizes, varying from one to twenty-five dollars, besides a large number of special prizes, in kind, valued from five to sixty dollars. With such a formidable list as we have just given, we think the most fastidious visitor will find something to suit his taste and his pocket also, if inclined to invest, as we presume it will also be a selling fair. — Clydesdale News, IVis/umi, Scotland, Sept. 25th, 1875. ^(i-^^^j^.. J REMARKABLE progress has been made by the business men of our Dominion during the last few years in emancipating themselves from the thraldom, vexation, and misery of the long- winded credit system so prevalent here. I find that a good many prospering houses are conducted on the cash principle, while nearly all the first-class establishments have adopted a system of commendable short credits. . Many thousands, however, particu- larly in the retail trade, are still "dragging their weary length along" through the fatal slough of long credits, with all its losses and perpetual annoyances, and in too many cases only get extri- cated through the uncovetous pathway of insolvency. Hundreds are ruined annually from this cause, who might otherwise have been rich, and yet the vicious system continues with unabated vigor in numerous localities, with all its baneful results. In the early settlement of the country long credits were of course, unavoidable. These were pre-eminently the days when there was little wealth in the country, when no railroads and but few good roads of any kind existed, when there were but few markets, and cash very rarely paid for produce. During these memorable days and years the hardy settlers saw very little money, and unless they bought upon long time, very few of them could purchase at all. These conditions have long since t% ^ I 4S SCRAPS FROM CANADA passed away. Wealth has become abundant. Railways have brought markets within a few miles of every farmer's door. Cash can be obtained now for every article produced. 'I'here can, therefore, be no valid excuse for continuing the ruinous system of twelve or fifteen months' credit, which still obtains in some localities. I have no desire to preach a sermon on morality, but I wish to plainly state that the evils of the long credit system are severely felt by all classes of society. There are many men throughout Canada to-day who are in a serious sense "hard up" — who find it diflucult to keep the sheriff from the door; but who have their business books well filled with notes and accounts. Many of these unfortunates, who daily take advantage of the bankrupt laws, hand over to the assignee book debts and notes, which if they were worth 75% would far more than meet all their engagements. IJut, alas 1 in nearly all cases these debts and notes are found to be the worthless dregs left of the wretched credit system. The articles which they represent may have been sold at exorbitant prices ; but what of that if the persons owing are worth- less, if they have removed to parts unknown, or the claim has become "Outlawed," from having stood too long. Although this season has been very trying, still the country is generally prosperous throughout, and there should not be so many businesses found in all parts in imminent danger of shipwreck from the owners foolishly giving too extended credits. Many ol these persons do a large trade, they sell at good prices, and outwardly appear to be amassing money; but they are only puddling away in the vile mud of the old credit system They have in a sense made money; but it is sunk in old doubtful or bad notes of hand, and long winded accounts, which should have been settled long before. The sad result is that there is a constant drag from month to month to raise enough of cash to meet bank engage- ments, which not unfrequently ends in a "collapse." To com- mence a complete system of cash payments through the whole Dominion is probably impracticable at present, except in parti- cular trades; but there can be no doubt but that the short credit V '''^ TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 49 system would work with great advantage. The Americans — we are Canadians — ever since the war have largely carried on their business transactions on a cash basis, and but for this wise policy, what would have become of their business men, with values hourly slipping up and down as gold rose or fell? There must long ere this have been a great commercial upheaval, compared to which that of the i)resent year would be a mere trille. 1 may be blamed by Canadians for speaking so plainly of their business doings to residents of the mother country; but the only answer and apology I shall make is, that my aim in these craps has been and shall continue to be, to speak the truth, sufk who mu}. Many — -might I not say all — merchants .would do well to begin 1876 by cutting down the length of their credit at least one half, and offer special inducements to cash customers. They might loose a customer or two at first by this course; but they will speedily attract others, and come out far richer and more respected in the long run. The business of our Dominion is now ripe for the adoption of the significant motto "cash or short credit," and the sooner it is acted upon universally by all classes the better for our country. The excessive boat is past again. Fine, mild, pleasant weather prevails, and will probably continue for six weeks or so. *^ WE expected to have written you a long letter about how we spent our New Year's day, but there has been so much "dining out," attending "socials," making "presents," drinking tea, &c., that old country friends have in a sense been lost sight of. The Canadians have been bitterly mourning since before Christmas that there has been little sleighing and less skating. Such an open winter has never been heard of. One Savan (how old he was we did not hear), once, only once, saw such warm, genial weather in the winter season, and that was forty-five years ago, just (as he says) before the cholera broke so SCRAPS FROM CANADA out and decimated this our ambitious city. Ergo, therefore, we are on the eve of a terrible pestilential scourge. We hope that he has n:ade a mistake for once. To-day the weather is so mild and warm that we are reminded of a June day in dear old Scotland. Such open, fine weather is bad for the country. The felled trees .^hat lie waiting for the frost, snow, and sleigh, cannot be touched, and if things don't "freeze up" firewood will go up terribly in price next year. One of your Glasgow worthies has been " kicking up a row " in our peaceful city. A man — may we call him such — named McConnell, kept a butcher's stall in the Market Square. He owed his landlord a month's rent, and would not pay it because there was a dispute about some garden fence. The landlord sent down the bailiff to make a seizure of the furniture. McConnell's wife ran down to the market and told her husband of the fact. He deliberately sharpened his butcher's knife, and accompanied by his wife, walked away to the landlord's residence. He did not find him in, but as he came out he met him, dre-tv his knife, and without speaking, struck him several times on the face. Not satisfied, he plunged the knife three or four times into the bcdy of the prostrate man, piercing the lungs, after which he walked quietly home. He was soon arrested, and Monday next he is to be tried for the brutal murder. This is rather like the "back woods of America." Is it not? Had it been in Belfon- taine, Ohio, instead of Hamilton, the populace would assuredly have lynched him. We, however, believe in British law, and suppose justice will be done, although the defence are already talking about something being wrong vvith his head or brain. He came from Glasgow about eight years ago. We had the pleasure of hearing the renowned orator, John B. Gough, 1? t night. His subject was " Elocjuence and orators." Dr. Chalmers, Candlish, and a few others of our Scottish clergy were very faithfully imitated. He kept us for over an hour and a half in the best of humour. The tickets were 2s 2d each, still he drew a bumper house. It is the best lecture we ever heard. He is getting grey in the service, and many of his Scottish friends would not know him now. •v^l TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. S' I have got matter for a very nice scrap, which will interest your Aberdeen friends specially, and will in some measure show that the colonies do help the trade of ihe mother country. V.I *vl WE are frequently twitted by residents in Great Britain about our comparative insignificance. Being young, and wiihal very loyal, we bear and grin, but at the same time are fully aware that our four thousand miles direct from Ocean to Ocean— from the Atlantic to the Pacific — are not to be laughed at; and are confident that this vast, rich territory will some day afford hearths and homes to the offspring of many who at present despise us. Indeed, who dare say that this immense territory — through which a railway is being projected 4,000 miles in length — may not some day be considered the head and centre of far- famed Great Britain. Even now Canadian enterprise is giving hundreds in the 'Old Country" work who would otherwise be idle and perhaps starving. From the wide field of commerce \ve furnish you with one example of industry, which will, in some measure, open the eyes and soften the hearts of our ungenerous critics. Some years ago, Messrs. Hurd & Roberts of this city — Hamilton, Canada — added to their extensive marble business the importing and furnishing of the celebrated Scotch granite monu- ments from Aberdeen, Peterhead, Craignair, and Dalbeattie. The increasing demand for such work and material soon spread to their neighbors in the United States, and we find, from the books of that firm, that they are now supplying the different kinds of Scotch granite to the principal marble dealers in the States of Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. In New York State alone, they are at present supplying about thirty different firms. A little more than a year ago, Mr. Hurd — senior partner of the firm — in order to purchase more largely, to supply the in- I J*' SCRAPS FROM CANADA creasing demand and to secure lower prices, made a fourth trip to Scotland. From one manufacturer he contracted for io6 monu- ments, from another 70, from a third 50, and so on until the purchases had reached over 250 monuments of various designs and sizes, raging in price from ^25 to jQ2e^o sterling each, the whole to be finished within one year. A considerable number of these handsome Obelisks were brought into the Canadian market — eighty of which may be seen set up in their yard here — but a great many of them were regularly imported to customers into the United States as fast as manufac- tured, A short time since this firm sent ten cases from Glasgow, containing monuments, to a firm in the United States, for entry at the port of Chicago, Illinois. This shipment was accompanied by the usual Scotch invoice and American Consul's certificate from Aberdeen. J^ote — This certificate is an oath made by the manufacturer before the United States' representatives resident in Aberdeen that the attached invoice contains a full and true statement of the transaction between the manufacturer and the firm, and that the prices mentioned are the exact prices at which the goods were sold to the firm, neither more nor less. IT was our intention to give you a description of some of the principal buildings and manufacturing establishments in Hamilton, but a correspondent is very anxious to know the rate of interest upon money in Canada and the United States, so we must postpone that department for another week. The rate of interest, so far as Canada is concerned is easily stated. Six per centum per annum is all that can be cc'lected by law, where no definite rate has been stipulated. But it is legal to charge any amount or rate of interest that may be agreed upon. Hence, as money is pretty scarce with us, it is no unusual thing to V TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 53 he Vl exact from 9 to 14 per cent, for dis-honoured bills or over-due accounts. Upon good security, about which there is no manner of risk — such as good mortgages, &c. — you can borrow any amount of cash at from 8 to 10 per cent. It would be a long, tedious and uninteresting process to give n detail the legal rates of interest in the United States, as every section or State has a law regulating the interest that can be charged. If you are doing business in the State of New York, it would be illegal to charge more than 7 per cent. The law on this point is so stringent that all contracts or engagements that include more interest than 7 per cent, are void, and cannot be held against them. More than 7 per cent., therefore, vitiates all con- tracts in the State of New York. In the state of Ohio it is different. The legal rate of interest is 6 per cent., but, on written agreement any rate as high as 10 per cent, may be charged. If more be reserved, the excess is void. Were we residents in Pennsylvania, 6 per cent, is all that the lavv would allow us. Usurious interest cannot be recovered, and, if paid, may ," sued and collected; but usury does not render the entire contract void. In the State of Delaware, the interest is also 6 per cent. Whoever exacts more is liable to forfeit the whole debt — one half of which goes to the State and one half to the prosecutor. These States will be sufficient to show the necessity for cau- tion in the charge of interest, and proves that no one State can be taken as a criterion for another. The laws regulating "exempt- ions," mechanics' liens, chattel mortgages, contracts, limitaticm of actions, collection of debts, r'ghts of married women, framing of deeds, making of wills, &c., all differ in many respects in different States. You don't know much about "exemptions" in Scotland. We suppose when a poor fellow gets in debt with you and cannot pay his way, you sell hiri out "bag and baggage." Not so in America and here. Take the State of New York for instance, a State having a territory of about forty-seven thous- and square miles, and a population of nearly four millions. ijr I S4 > SCRAPS FROM CANADA There is exempt from execution, and the law nor any man can touch for debt the following property : — ^All spinning wheels, weaving looms, and stoves kept for use in any dwelling-house. The family Bible, family pictures, and school books used in the family, and a family library not exceeding in value $50 (£10). Church pew, ten sheep and three fleeces, and the yarn or cloth manufactured from the same, one cow, two swine, and necessary food for them. All necessary pork, beef, fish, flour and vegetables, actually provided for family use, and necessary fuel for the use of the family for 60 days. All necessary wearing apparel, beds, bed- steads and bedding for such person and his family. Arms and accoutrements required by law to be kept. Necessary cooking utensils ; one table, six chairs, six knives and forks, six pbtes, six teacups and saucers, one sugar dish, one milkpot, one teapot, and six spoons, one crane and appendages, one pair of hand irons, and a shovel and tongs. The tools and implements of any mechanic, necessary to the carrying on of his trade, not exceeding $25 (£5) in value. In addition to the foregoing, there is exempt necessary household furniture, and working tools, and a team of horses owned by a person being a householder, or having a family for which he provides to the value of $150 (£30.) So you have got your School Board election fracas over ! You have been wonderfully (juiet over the bone of contention — the Bible and Catechism in the school — this year. We suppose Scotland will be the better of the new Education Act by-and-by. We Canadians will be glad to see you upsides with us, meantime, we believe— perhaps you don't— that we are head and shoulders taller than you. ' In answer to enquiries, 1 may tell you that Hamilton, Ont., is about 42 miles S. E. from the celebrated Falls of Niagara. Fare, by cars — that is by rail — first-class, i^d per mile. From Toronto, the "Queen City of the West," and capital of the Pro- TO OLD COUNTR Y FRIENDS. S5 vince, we are distant 39 miles southward. Ottawa, the capital of the Dominion, and the seat of Parliament, is eastward from us about 256 miles. From Woodstock, the chief town of the county of Oxford, we are distant 48 miles. Montreal, to which we have previously referrcf', is eastward from Hamilton 372 miles, and more easterly still fro.^"" Quebec about 500 miles. Some suppose that we are (juite near to the great city of New York. Well, we do not think that we are very far away, but still we are over 500 miles north-west from it, and from Boston, United States, about 600 miles. We are about 450 miles from Philadelphia, where the great centennial exhibition is to be held. Hamilton is ap- proachable by rail from all the places I have named, and also by water from Montreal and Quebec. We can sail from Glasgow (Broomielaw), to within a half mile from where our cottage stands. In our next "Scrap" we will give you the rise and progress of Hamilton itself, meantime we must tell you about wages, fuel, and provisions. The depressed state of business having thrown a large number of common labourers out of employment, the city had, out of compassion, and for humanity's sake, to find them work at the ** sewers" — cutting drains — for which there were 75 cents — 3s " sterling — per day. This is very low, when you bear in mind that common boarding-houses charge 12s sterling per week. Any number of good, strong, hardy, skilful workmen can be got for $1 — 4s 2d sterling — per diem. Clerks — good smart, conceited chaps — command from $300 to $500 (^60 to ;;^ioo) per annum. A really handy, good book-keeper, who is thoroughly up in all the branches of business can command ;^i5o to ;^25o. If you were a paterfamilias you would require to go a-shopping — it did not matter whether you were the invisible "we" of the "Clydes- dale News," or a very rev. servant of God — Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (these are the market days), and if you did not look pretty sharp the Canadians would steal a march upon you, and think it smart. If you wanted butter this week they would ask you 34 cents (is sd) tell them is id is the real market price today, and it will be knocked down to you. The price of the MWh rr^r* S6 SCRAPS FROM CANADA 4 lt> loaf is 6d ; eggs, the very finest, 8^d per dozen ; butcher's meat, your choice, 4^d per It) ; potatoes much the same as in Carluke or VVishaw ; tea is cheaper, and sugar a little higher, making the two balance. If you had been farming inclined we could have suited you to the very letter. We can let you have loo acres for yourself, and an additional hundred for each of your family, over 1 5 years of age, with a house on each of the 100 acres, and 20 acres of each lot cleared, all for _;^8 for every 100 acres. This would be about four or five hundred miles from here. We looked at a farm 15 miles from here, containing 100 acres all cleared and "stumped," except about 15 acres of fine wood.^ It was well fenced, had a good orchard, an excellent supply of water, and fine farm steading. They asked $5,500 (;i^i,ioo) for it, payable half cash and balance in five years. We offered $4,500 (^£^900) cash. They did not come to our terms, so it is in the market yet, and may be purchased to-day for ^1,000 sterling. A really fine home for some one who has a couple of thousand pounds, and who would like to settle down in a fine part of " Fair Canada." Who will buy ? AFTER a commendable silence, here we are again. Once more an effort shall be made to record the queer sayings and " queerer" doings of the wonderful people of Canada. We have been waiting and waiting until our literary patience is tired out, for the dull trade, hard times and tight money market to pass away, but, sorry to say, the end is not yet. Beginning in the p.utuir.n of 1874, our " Scraps," up till early in 1876, were a gradual development of a coming commercial crisis. During the last twelve months every department of business, from the small- est to the greatest, has undergone a cropping and cutting which has thrown an immense number of hands out of employment- But with all the care, prudence, and business economy possible, TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. S7 it is lamentable to enumerate, and heart-rending to recall, the exceedingly large number of businesses that have been forced into bankruptcy, and which have paid little more than 25 cents on the dollar — or, speaking more intelligibly to your readers — five shillings in the pound sterling. Political jobbers (pardon the Canadianism), savans of various hues, and wiseacres of different shades of opinions, have all a fine theory as to the cause, and a never-fi.iling panacea for these commercial ills. Some unmercifully lay all the blame upon Her Majesty's Liberal Government — poor dears ! — and others come down pell-mell upon our banks for being too easy in their advances to upstart firms or rotton busi- ness houses. All these theories, however, don't explain away the stern fact that today there is little or no work for the toiling millions, no bread for the starving children, and no money to carry on in full blast the many silent factories. Of course, there are some firms not feeling it at all, and these are the loudest in the sickening cry of "hard times." This is the way they work it : They are wholesale dealers, say. Their retail customers have sold a long time without interest. The wholesale man says he can only take a 4-months' bill. At the end of four months the retail customer can't meet his bank bill, and so renews for other four months at 10, 11, 12 or 15 per cent. The wholesale man has not much more money than the retail, but he has plenty of credit at the bank, and so gets his customer's bills discounted, and sometimes his own paper, at 7 per cent. So, while he is ciying out "hard times," he is making 5 or 8 per Cv nt. off his helpless customers. But the end does come. Sometimes these renewals total up to a good few thousands, and then an announce- ment of a failure and a compromise of 1 5 cents on the dollar is the next part of the programme. That is the way we are living. Not very creditable, is it ? But what can we do ? We are work- ing, waiting, hoping, trusting, for the good time coming. Ungrate- ful and sinister partizans were inwardly rejoicing at the prospects of an immediate Eastern or Russian war. But while such a calam- ity would help us here, you must not suppose that we are as a whole so selfish as to wish prosperity at such a terrible cost. The best and only opening here just now is for your well-to-do farmers, ss SCA'AJ'S FROM CANADA men with a little capital. Land is so cheap that it can be laid hold of by a numerous class of unskilled laborers, who are as destitute of agricultural knowledge as they are of money, and the once rich and fertile soil is beginning to be worn out, and has begun to withhold her natural products. There are, of coarse, many old country farmers here already, doing a great and good work, and getting fat and rich over it. But there are thousands of acres crying out for proper culture and management. Twenty miles from Toronto, the "Queen of the West," in the heart of the finest grain-producing country in the Dominion, the writer bought last summer i6o acres of land, well watered and good steadings, for $7,000 (£1,400). The land is good, he soil deep, but very poor. He astonished the villagers by lauling and spreading about 1,000 bushels of lime, 12 tons of :ommon land salt (we are far from salt water), 10 tons of land plaster, 5 tons of Peruvian guano, and over 200 cubic yards of stable and byre manure. Their astonishment was intensified when they saw us plough- ing with three horses, turning up the new soil ; and the whole neighborhood set us down as mad. The fact is, they are in the habit of taking from ten to thirty crops off without applying an ounce of manure. We want the skilled and practical farmer to increase our exports, and draw out and expand the natural re- sources of this great farming country. Butter is selling at is. per lb ; oats at 2s., id. per bushel ; wheat at 4s. 6d. per bushel ; hay at £2 15s. per ton; straw about the half; eggs at is. per dozen ; beef at 1 6s. per cwt. Everything is encouraging for the farmer who has a little money laid past and a large family grow- ing up around him. Should any of your readers wish to learn more about this matter, I will have great pleasure in answering any and every question they may propose. TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 59 y ^ [Frcm the Hamilton Weekly Times.] OC//^ M/±RBLE TRADE,— Items Concerning Hamilton's ' Marble 2 '. ade — the Leading Firms Engaged in it — Something Relative to Hard, Hope &> Roberts. WE daresay that a large number even of our own citizens are unaware of the fact (or if they are, have given it little attention), that Hamilton is the leading city in the Dominion as regards the extent of its marble trade. This is the " head centre " — our jobbers supply dealers throughout Canada and ship very largely to the United States, and the writer has been at i)ains to gather such items relating to the leading firms engaged in this business as will prove of interest. At the head of the list stands the firm of Hurd, Hope & Roberts. The enterprise had its origin at the hands of Mr. H. H. Hurd, and a brother, Mr. M. Hurd, in about 1858. Subsequently the firm became Hurd & Roberts, and remained such until the ist of March this year, when Mr. William Hope, who, for some years had been associated with the house, became a co-partner, and the present firm style was assumed. The business originally had no more prominence than is accorded most marble yards in growing cities. Its transactions were at retail and necessarily largely local in their nature. By degrees a jobbing trade was entered upon. Direct importations of marble and granite became a distinctive feature of the enter- prise; its affairs were ably managed, and as the years passed by the operations of the house extended to every part of the country, until now the firm holds a commanding position as manufacturers and dealers. It is a place in the trade circles of the country that has been attained by honorable dealing, by developing a liberal and progressive business policy, and not only has the firm but the city been benefited by the results that have flowed therefrom. The works now occupied by the firm were built in 1874, and comprise, beside outbuildings, a main building, of brick, three 6o SCRAPS FROM CANADA Stories, 160x59 feet and an engine house 60x40. The force em- ployed usually numbers 25. As nearly as possible the work is done by machinery. Great blocks of Italian and American marble are received direct from the quarries, and in the workrooms of the firm are cut up to such sizes as are required. Seven gangs of saws are used, each gang containing from half a dozen to twenty or more saws, according to the desired thickness of the slabs. These saws are operated by steam power, and day after day the process of sawing marble is carried forward. The saws are so thin that there is but little kerf, and the huge blocks and monu- ments are easily handled by means of powerful cranes. Two lines of railway skirt the premises owned by the firm — the Great Western and the Canada Southern — so that receipts and shipments are effected at little trouble, and the entire business appears to be perfectly systematized. The trade of the firm in Scotch granite is simply immense. At least $80,000 worth is exported by them to the United States each year, and in the yard we notice a great many magnificent specimens of this beautiful stone. In Scotland a large stock ready for exportation is also carried, and the resources of the firm are such that they can fill any order at almost a moment's notice. This completeness of stock is unequalled in the Dominion and not even surpassed in the States. The entire business is at whole- sale, and though it is an enterprise that makes little display, yet in its aggregate transactions it is one of which the people of Hamilton may take pride. All of the co-partners give personal attention to the business, Mr. llurd attending to the outside matters, Mr. Hope presiding over the office, while Mr. Roberts manages the shipping depart- ment. All are workers, and need not be ashamed of the results of their work. TO OLD COUNTRY FRIENDS. 6i K V [From the Hamilton Weekly Times.] THE RETAIL MARBLE TRADE— In Tmportance it Compares Fai'orably luith the Wholesale, — 7vhat Hope, Furniss &' Son are doing. WHILE the wholesale marble trade of the city is of such large proportions, the retail trade is eciually important, and we are in possession of some items cDncerning the firm of Hope, Furniss & Son, who are to be considered as representatives of this interest. The works and yards of the firm occupy a central location at the corner of Merrick and Bay streets, and are well worth visiting by those who take any interest in this branch of business — combining, as it does, much that is artistic with the higher type of mechanics. The works are the largest of the kind in the Dominion, and are the results of a consolidation of two large establishments at the time the present firm was formed — in January last. Previous to that time Messrs. Furniss & Son had been carrying on the business. Both of them are thoroughly practical men, fully under- standing all the details of the business — indeed Mr. E. M. Furniss had, for eighteen or twenty years been foreman for Hurd & Roberts, while his son Mr. Spencer Furniss, learned his trade here. The premises occupied comprise nearly one-half an entire block, upon which are two separate shops, two large yards, dwelling houses, &c. The force of workmen employed is usually thirty or more, and eight experienced canvassers are kept out, taking orders from photographs and lithographs of finished work. A large business is thus attracted from all the surrounding country, and specimens of exquisite work emanating from their shops may be found in almost countless cemeteries. Not only is work finished to order, in any style and after any design, but a large quantity of finished work is also carried — of Scotch granite alone about $10,000 ba SCRAPS FROM CANADA. of monuments are kept in stock, and this work, being imported direct, is sold at rates extremely favorable. In a conversation with Mr. Hope, we learn that the tenden- cies of the times are for a better grade of work, and to that end the firm employs the best workmen and purchases the best material it can secure, and it is gratifying to us to be enabled to state that the business now reaches about $80,000 per annum, with every prospect of a substantial increase during the present year. Not marble monuments and slabs .alone constitute the entire business. During a recent visit to the Works we were shown into one department wholly devoted to marbles and marbleized man- tels. More beautiful work cannot be found anywhere, and the firm is prepared to give customers extraordinary bargains in this class of goods. Indeed, in the entire establishment nothing is omitted that would render it complete. Mr. Wm. Hope, the senior member of the firm, is a young man — a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and one of the wholesale marble firm of Hurd, Hope & Roberts. His time is largely occu- pied with his duties in the last named house, still he exercises general supervisory management of the business, and its rapid and substantial development is owing, in no small degree, to t' '^ business-like energy he has infused into it. We can certain extend our congratulations to the firm for what it is accomplishing, and hope its prosperity may never be less than no\v.