CHAPTEB XL 



WINTER. 



OLD-COUNTRY people are often positively frightened from 

 emigrating to Canada by stories they hear of the rigour of 

 the Canadian winters. It appears to them that their own 

 winters are quite severe enough, and that a climate, where 

 ice is measured by feet instead of by inches, and where 

 snow covers the land for months instead of for days, 

 must be unbearable. The Canadian winter is undoubtedly 

 too long ; were it two months shorter, the Canadian 

 climate would be one of the pleasantest as it is already 

 one of the healthiest in the world. Five months of 

 winter is somewhat monotonous, but where shall we find 

 a climate that is perfect? Certainly not at home. As 

 regards severity, those who have some experience of 

 both climates are not dismayed at low temperatures, in 

 fact actual cold as indicated by the thermometer, when 

 unaccompanied by wind or dampness, is positively enjoy- 

 able. A March east wind in England is infinitely more 

 trying and more chilling than 30 degrees of frost in 

 Canada. Quite as much clothing is required at home 

 as in Canada, for damp cold is more searching than 

 dry cold. In Canadian winter weather there is no damp, 

 no wet feet, consequently colds are less prevalent than 

 with us. The. Englishman's idea of snow is that of a 

 wet sticky substance, in fact, 7 inches of it make 1 inch 

 of water. Canadian snow is as light as feathers, it takes 



