IV 



of residence. Like myself, he had seen Upper Canada 

 before visiting Illinois, and his preference of the latter 

 district may be regarded by some individuals as corrobo 

 rative of the opinions which I have expressed, and by 

 others as the cause of my partiality. But since an in 

 ducement to praise Illinois may exist, my statements 

 regarding it ought to be carefully examined. 



Being a farmer in the strictest sense of the word, and 

 having written the volume at intervals snatched from 

 professional duties, I make no pretensions to correct 

 ness, much less to elegance of composition. My only 

 aim has been to state plainly and freely what appeared 

 to be truth, and I trust this will be received as an 

 apology for any inaccuracies of style which may be 

 discovered, and for such dogmatical and homespun 

 expressions as may be considered inconsistent with 



good taste. 



PATRICK SHIRREFF. 



MUNGOSWELLS, ~) 



IQth January, 1835. J 



