330 CRITICAL NOTICES OP NEW PUBLICATIONS; 



History of Upper and Lower Cafiada : by Robert Montgomery 

 Martin, F.S.S. London: Mortimer, Wigmore-street, Cavendish- 

 square. 1836. 



Hisiorif of AustraLAsia : comprising New South Wales, Van Die- 

 man's Islandj Swan River, South Australia, S^c. : by Robert 

 Montgomery Martin, F.S.S. London: Mortimer, Wigmore- 

 street. 1836. 



The British Colonial Library, by Robert Montgomery Martin, 

 is a work of such talent and utility, that we are neither surprised at 

 the popularity it has attained, nor the praise which it has received 

 from most of the critical commentators by whom it has been noticed. 

 In its first form, this library was by far too bulky for common peru- 

 sal, and to the author much merit is due for having himself under- 

 taken the task of reducing his voluminous works, for the pur- 

 pose of bringing them within the reach of the general reader. 

 Such abridgment is always better performed by the author than by 

 a stranger, because his deep attention to every minute circumstance 

 and the powers of his mind fixed on a subject which he had ex- 

 plored with a perseverance far beyond that of a simple nar- 

 rator, must enable him to bring forward the more prominent parts 

 with greater clearness and vigour, than he who reads simply for the 

 sake of abbreviating within the limits of a given space. We hard- 

 y need say, therefore, that Mr. Montgomery Martin has completely 

 succeeded in his undertaking, and has exemplified his success in the 

 two volumes of " The Canadas, and " Australia," now under con- 

 sideration. 



From the first-named volume — that treating on the Canadas — 

 it appears, notwithstanding the great influx of settlers from Eng- 

 land, Scotland, and Ireland, that Upper Canada, in ])articular, still 

 holds out an eligible situation for emigrants of the higher class, and 

 abundance of employment for those of the labouring community. 

 On the policy of encouraging emigration, we shall not now speak — 

 but Mr. Martin has made it clear that persons of small capital, and 

 skilful mechanics and labourers, have an opportunity of imi)roving 

 their condition in the Canadas, most beneficially for themselves and 

 families. The rate of wages is very high, and good and steady 

 artizans are in great request. Connected with this subject, the 

 information is altogether extensive and interesting. 



Notwithstanding the pains taken by Mr. IMartin, to shew the salu- 

 brity of the climate, as instanced by the numerous settlers who have 

 attained a very advanced age, there can be no doubt of its extreme 

 rigour during the long months of winter. What must be the feel- 

 ings of an Englishmafi, freshly arrived, who, while engaged in 

 viewing the country to which he has exiled himself, should be sud- 

 denly accosted by an inhabitant with this sort of salutation } " Sir, 

 excuse me, (rubbing a handful of snow in his face), but if you do 

 not take most especial care, your nose will drop off! it has already 

 begun to be frost-bitten, and if not instantly checked, to-morrow morn- 



