IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V k^O A Si 1.0 I.I III!! 12 t. Ui lU 2.5 2.2 ^ li£ 12.0 L25 i 1.4 4" 1.6 advantages and comforts they may possess ut home, except under such circumstances as when they can no longer be supported by an adequate revenue, or when it is seen that by lingering too ionff, all may be lost ! With a much smaller capital and in- come than in England, every comfort, nay every lux- ury may be obtained in Upper Canada; and surplus tjapital can be employed to very great advantage." This I believe is honest and ought to weigh well with those who think of leaving home; for self interest pre- dommates here in so truly a wonderful manner, that it IS very difficult to procure a correct statement from writers and authors in Canada— a secret all new comers with cash will very speedily discover ! To the above I will add from personal observation, that there ap- ^ pears in this happy country, a freedom from those an- noying and perplexing cares, which as a canker destroy the peace of mmd of every parent at home, solicitous tor the future welfare of a large family. Here are no signs of absolute poverty and distress, no parish pau- pers, no beggars—except in the large towns— no very rich — with some exceptions — and no very poor people ! All may obtain employment: and instances of death i from the want of the necessaries of life, are quite un- j known. The climate in summer is delightful; in"' spring and fall, wet and unpleasant ; but in winter all agree, that it is pleasant and agreeable: though we have observed little diiference between the climate here and at home, except that the cold is much more intense. When the snow falls and becomes well hard- ened, sleighing commences immediately ; and certainly no other mode of travelling can compete with it for ease, comfort, and expedition : then the store-houses of plenty appear to be opened in all directions, and the contents exchanged for the manufactured goods of old England. Fever and ague are the common diseases, but, I learn, not so prevalent as formerly, except in marsh or now cleared lands : in winter, inflammations ; in summer and autumn, billions and remittant fevers prevail, exactly similar to those in England. In many fr '^mmK^mr "•WP^BUP^^-^WPTipi 'vwm parts, society is as good and genteel as elsewhere ; the same courtesies and habits of life are observed: the ladies are highly polished in their manners, agreeable in conversation, dutiful daughters, and exemplary wives : the gentlemen are equally pleasant and socia- ble. The traveller who brings an mtroduction is sure of meeting with a kind and friendly reception, and every information relative to his views will be afforded him. The manners of the yeomanry or farmers class, (I speak of those among whom 1 reside,) are generally of a more polished caste than those of our acquaint- ance at home, yet they have some peculiarities and ha- bits, of which an englishman and a stranger, cannot approve. In their houses they are particularly hos- pitable, and ready to assist each other to the utmost of their power. Ample opportunities are aiforded for the instruction of youth of both sexes ; the college at York, with professors from Oxford and Cambridge, where every branch of literature is taught at an ex- pense much less than in England : seminaries for young ladies in York, Niagara, and the «« Falls" — the latter situation the healthiest part of the province, and in maj^nificent scenery, equal to any in the world, where a femily highly educated, lately from the south of England, have taken pupils — remove any objections or fears on this head. District schools are formed in all parts, but they seem to be conducted very impro- perly. Clergymen of the church of England are dis- tributed throughout the country, while dissenters, me- thodists, and Roman Catholics abound. In travelling, the gentleman must be prepared to meet with many disagreeables and provocations which he will do well to avoid noticing— it will save hini some additional mortification. An englishman will frequently be treated with much rudeness and incivility from the owner of a tavern, and within difference and inattention to his "wants" perfectly incomprehensible : but this will soon be removed by a few expressions of kind gen- tlemanly greetings on the part of the traveller— a little ** smoothing down"— a few friendly remarks, with a A 3 i-4jS.-^ ■, ir- OT ' 'W polite request will, in a few moments, effect an asto- nishing change in the countenance and manners of "mine host"; and he will then obtain what he requires, save and except a comfortable bed and clean linen — articles auite unknown in a Canadian tavern. The former circumstances are said to be owing to certain pioneers who were too much in the habit of shewing off when from home; hence a prejudice has been ex- cited against a plain well-behaved English gentleman, which I have reason to believe is fast wearing away. The gentleman must overcome his natuml repugnance to find himself in company with "creeping things in- numerable" in his bed, tormenting him till he rises, unrefreshed by sweet slumbers, to seek relief from the "mojTiing air." He must not be surprised to hear himself addressed as "this ere man" who wants some- thing of "that there gentleman;" it must be under- stood ttt once, there is the utmost difference in the meaning of the word here and in England ! A Ca- luidian bar room is frequently filled with these wor- thies who spend their time generally in disgusting in- toxication, and many even take pleasure in insulting a well-dressed stranger. He will frequently be detained many hours, and even days, in these post-houses, or pay a most exorbitant sum for a miserable conveyance particularly if he evinces some natural desire to leave his quarters in a hurry! In many places, the "back settlements" especially, his ears will be shocked with horrid disgusting language, interlarded with oaths the most awful and extraordinary, and should the parties "shew fight," let him avoid the slightest interference. The roads are very bad, but it is said an improvement will be shortly made: they cannot well be worse. There seems a perfect recklessness and indifference to life among those in authority in this country, perfectly as- tonishing to a stranger, or the roads and bridges would not present so many appearances of danger, which at the cost of a little labour might soon be repaired. Ac- cidents frequently occur, and though occasionally at- tended with the loss of life, no steps are taken to pre- X IH^I"l.ll!liijii|W»W ^ mm '''mmm m vent a recurrence. One of the greatest troubles and vexationb which an emigrant meets with fafl cLisset are includedj on his arrival in the country, is the want of accommodation for his family : even in York, the seat of government, lodgings were not to be obtained when I arrived there ; empty houses can rarely be hired •—he is reduced to the unpleasant necessity of quarter- ing in a tavern, which is very expensive and generally very unpleasant: hence the miseries and inconveni- ences of a new comer accustomed to the comforts of home, with a family brought up in the courtesies of life, are intolerable, and cause much and deserved dis- satisfaction. I ought to add that the word comfort as understood in old England, has no such significa- tion in this country, either as to lodging or cooking, &c., except among the higher classes of society. Ser- vants are complained of, and not loithout rea"^ > i; they are lazy, independent, and saucy, seldom remaining long in one place, with no bond of affection between them and their masters, the former considering them- selves equal in respectability, and generally disdain the term, servant, styling themselves "helps." The ex- penses of travelhng are very great, arising from the immense distance of places. The most serious mis- takes which are made by emigrants, are in the amount of money or capital, which they are told, by those in- terested in misleading them, is necessary to bring with them : viz. — that if a labourer or mechanic has onW the use of his hands on his arrival, and the gentleman possesses £500. or £600. they have all that is required. These are I fearlessly assert, falsehoods^ calculated to bring the greatest misery and distress on all those who are so credulous to believe them ; the latter often be- come with this inadequate sum, a prey to those, who, under specious pretexts and promises, induce them to purchase farms, which they must mortgage, and which ultimately, returns to the decoyer, while the unfortu- nate dupe, finding his hopes and sanguine expectations of realizing a comfortable independence, from the wreck of his property in England, iranish from his (C^ l!l- ST; ^'"^ ^'T^*^ VPto intoxication and despair- poor men have been induced to purchase wild^a^d V, who, when a modemte clearance*^ has been effected and improvements made, such as to enhance the value of the property have been suddenly compelled to^ve up possession for a more wealthy custom^ ! No^ a! bounng man or mechanic with a large family should venture here, without having from llO tTjEao aftLr S"^.k' ^"*^^'" • " ^^'"^^'^ o»« «*' «"•• smaller c^a^ &amnv tf '"V -^'r-' ''"^ ^ gentleman X aether wuK ™*'"*«'"« from £800. to £1000., to- gether with a permanent income of from £50. to £l50 ^'JnJ:r'f '' ^'" ^' «^^^» '^'' I difpprove he?e to Canada Th?''ff «^"^-&r.* ^^"^''^ ;'-^-' da^s were Jfn «"ff?"ngsand distresses of tllis latter Class were awful during the last year fto mv own knowledge,) while traveTling up the Saint Wrence enduring all the horrors o? famine-expoirto the burning sun by day, and the heavy dews^by night- refused relief by the inhabitants o/ Lower ^aZa^ rhJl. "! ?" Tl ^'^y *° the awful scourge of Cholera, and hundreds perished in their wearyinl ef- forts to reach the « promised land :" those who escaoed and arrived m Yorlc, found their expect. Ins d^f tTem 'Vt'^'^""^ '^' imposition 'p..cS upon them. Labour was not in the demand, nor wages so assisted by the charitable donations of the rich the poorer emigrants were distributed to those places where their services were required. Much suffering and ^nt would have been saved to each family, ha§ thev possessed even less than I have named. The poor^ !Tk 7'^^^"^ 'f ^'« ^"*^'-^«t to hire himselfTr a year before he settles : he will learn the customs of the countiy. and be enabled to work his own grTund to SrwhtT^-i, J^^^ti""^ *^-^ much^to ; fug! gle with, he will have to labour hard, early, and late and be veiy sober and economical, before he can^U the farm his ovm. He will find I'have not overmtd the sum required, and will speedily discover the diffi- cultv of paying up his instalments by the urodnr^ of near a market, where he can obtain dollar, fTrW,' met with^'P"*^ <^^*'?- description wilUoSim; be met with on reasonable terms, from £300 to f finn accor»"' H'hy neighbourhood, n^r a p"bnc nil fl,... y . 5^ ' """• ''^ """' '"PMt to pay for lo tiioo. . nnd as hrs expenses for stockinir hi, f»r™ &for Vh' 'fi"t"''-^' ^^•' ^-derthei'j; of wJ family for the first year, must be very considerable ^uch a ^j„ cutaveryindiffereTrfigurr^^^^^^^^ into thP A ? rf ? *^^ '""y S° <">ther bacl?, or Tven iloltedf •|^"\ ^'■"'^r K^"*'^"'^" ^ith a will" ment. The misenes, wretchedness, and sufferin^rat tendmg it, mental, as well as bodily cannot hf. pressed: rather suffer all the hardsK^s anS de^rada" tion of dependence in England, than this. I Je thil advice from those who weTe persuaded to try tfeJel 8un.s of a residence in the oire of Toronto, Ld other's Pa5hpg:-i^W^$£^ man with the property, I have named, a perfe!tln^' pendence, and a happiness to which he has ionrbetn a stranger. For h.s sons, the professions, trades^ mer chandize, and agriculture, are all open He ™u t think It no degradation to drive his own team^ o^su. iSMliJ^kie^; ; / y 13 10 .K*^'I'^iv!f,''^'*^°*^"^°*'*^^'^^^= if too proud or too indoient, httlesucce-s can be expected here. Farminir pursuits may De condrcted in this country to a great extent: the same mode of culture may be advanW- ously employed, as at home, and as there are neither ty thes nor poor rates to burthen a farm of 300 to 400 I nS* '^ ^J:\ 1^ ^' ^"^"^^^ ^^*^ «'> ™"ch expense. I o^satished that apractical English farmer who pos- sesses capital, and has two or thr?e active and intelli- gent sons, who would apply themselves diligently to the work, would realize a handsome property in a few lt^\ ""^V^ ^'^/°y ^^ *^^ ^^^^« ^»»« <^«d it diffi- cult to maintain a fair position at home, and who are prepared to undergo the dangers of the sea, and the route upwprds-the miseries and inconveniSi^es-Se jenture— with cheerfulness, good nature, and paiience, let them come to Upper Canida, for I can assure them when once fairly settled, care and anxiety are at 2 end, and m my humble opinion, they will find the change much to their own and their children's advan! tage. Men of capital, and artisans of even/ descrin. tton, are much wanted in all parts of the province. Me!«r, "^h P°^^!l f""d«' should Pay the sStme into Mfews Thomas Wilson's Bank. Warntord's Court London, Agent to the Canada Bank; and should come by New York, from thence to Oswego, S Onlano, or BufFaloe, by the Erie Canal. After arri! Z? r *r P'"^^'"^^' ^ney will find it best to leave their families in quarters, if they can be procured, and tmvel through tne country. Be not hasty in deciding, nor trust any one in the choice or purchase of a situl- tion, trom the highest persm m the realm, to the medn- ^t. Make enquiries of all and look well around. renrr JlV'>''"i r '^^"^^ ^^ "^^"^^ ^^ *^^ Saint Law- rence, will und 1 understand better modes of ronvev- ance than was experienced before I came- Improve- ments are making, which will be more expeditious more comfortable, and less hazardous to the wT; and his family; yet with all these «/«> promises,^^ \ •^■"^ II do sincerely advise all who can, to come via New York The dangers we endured in journeying up the river! and Its banks, can only be understood by those who nave tned its perils. No enquiry should be made by emigrants, at Que- bec or Montreal, as to lands, modes of conveyance, &c except of the gentlemen appointed by his Maiestv's government. This is my honest conviction, and I recommend those who follow, to adopt my advice I smcerely hope, the candid statement here offered to those m the old country, whose means of subsist- ence and capital are fast decreasing, and who have families to provide for, will induce them to prefer the beautiful and happy province of Upper Canada tor a permanent residence, to dependence and want at home. If the wife only is persuaded that by some se- vere privations, vexations, and sacrifice of feeline in separating from her near relations and friends, she can Ip.y the foundation of her children's future prosperity and comfortable independence— let no husband be afraid to venture. There are few I think would hesi- tate to make the change. 1 have met with very few. who have regretted their lot : almost all classes express themselves as happy and content, and in my humble opinion, why should they not? For myself and fa- mily, 1 can truly say, (with some sorrowful and dis- tressing exceptions, but to which we have endeavoured to submit in patience and resignation, though the trials have been severe and heart-rending indeed,) we have reason to be well satisfied with Upper Canada. In a beautiful healthy village, amid excellent society, and kind friends of the most respectable class, we observe little ditterence, between our present situation, and home. If my sons are industrious, there will be little fear of their future success, while for myself, I have strong -eason to believe, I shall do well in this "land of promise." The kind and friendly letters of intro- Quction with which I was favoured, insured me in all parts a hearty welcome; and, on my settling, brought me into immediate practice. I sincerely hope that ¥ li what I have stated, may not induce any one hastily to iMve his native land. Those who can live well at home •hould remain : those who cannot, should come to Upper Canada. Having thus described, in truth and sincerity, the "bitters and the sweets" of emigration, I have only to express my desire that I may not be misunderstood : satisfied with my own lot, I have no desire, no inter- ested motive, to exaggerate or injure my friends. I am, &c., &c., JOHN MEWBURN. FINIS. CwtMtDd Fwnwr, Printer^ DtrMngton,