MR FERGUSON. 67 



viewing it generally, more discouraging ob- 

 stacles to profitable agriculture present them- 

 selves, than are to be encountered in Upper 

 Canada. 



During one of my excursions from Hamil- 

 ton, I visited and dined with another old 

 friend, Adam Ferguson, who resides about 

 seven miles from that place, on a small pro- 

 perty which he has named Woodhill after his 

 estate in Scotland. Here he has built a cot- 

 tage commanding beautiful views, particularly 

 of Burlington Bay, but its own situation is rug- 

 ged, solitary and gloomy, so much so that 

 I could not help giving utterance to my sur- 

 prize that he should have selected for his resi- 

 dence a place which to me seemed fit only 

 for the abode of wolves and foxes, or of some 

 recluse disgusted with the haunts of man. 



In the course of seven years, Mr Ferguson 

 has cleared or partially cleared a few acres, 

 of which the soil appears sandy and of inferior 

 quality, such as in Scotland would not be con- 

 sidered worth a rent of ten shillings an acre ; 

 but he possesses here but a small extent of 



