96 EMIGRATION, OR 



its being mostly seen on trees, up which it climbs, where it 

 sits, and in rainy weather makes a loud noise similar to 

 an English quail; but its greatest curiosity is its power of 

 changing its colour to that on which it is placed, from nearly 

 white to almost black, and intervening colours ; it is not 

 done instantaneously but gradually, in about ten or fifteen 

 minutes. Had I not witnessed it more than once, I certainly 

 should not have been easily convinced. While standing on 

 the wharf lately, a pleasant behaved American came up to 

 me, and, in the true spirit of his country, was in an instant 

 as inquisitive and communicative as if he had been parti 

 cularly acquainted. Taking me for an American, he said 

 he had just come from Salem, near Boston, New England; 

 after a lot of land some few miles back of York, which 

 had been made over to him for a debt incurred for shoes 

 sent from there to here, (i. e. smuggled, of course). He 

 never had been much from home before, but said, &quot; I see 

 people are alike all over the world ; &quot; and added, he had 

 been taken as much care of, and as civilly treated, in Ca 

 nada, as he had been in the States, as far as he could see. 

 This person s surprise in finding people in Canada as civi 

 lized and polite as in the States, is by no means singular 

 among Americans. Gardens in York are generally in good 

 order, better than I have seen elsewhere in America), and 

 the vegetables, &c. in them very thriving, except when 

 too much crowded or under fruit trees. Brewers appear 

 to do well. There are two or three in York thriving, 

 who began with but little. A porter brewer would, 1 think, 

 succeed well, if he made a good article. 



Aug. 21. Sail for Kingston in a schooner made by two 

 farmers, brothers ! farmers are ship-builders, or any, or 

 every thing, as inclination leads, or necessity dictates ! A 

 few good ship-builders are wanted on both Lakes, and like 

 wise a few steady sailors. The latter get from 14 to 18 or 

 20 dollars per month during summer, and the former 1| to 

 2 dollars per day. 



Aug. 27. After experiencing a smart gale, and some 

 head winds and calms, we arrived at Kingston with a fair 

 wind and pleasant weather. As you approach the town by 

 Long Island it looks very fine. Point Frederic in front, on 

 which is situated the navy yard, barracks, offices, and 

 houses of the government officers and others, has a very 

 similar appearance, in miniature, to New York and vicinity. 



