OLD SETTLERS. 95 



letters ; and I regretted to observe a restraint in the family, 

 arising-, perhaps, from the extra, which probably was the only 

 one that ever approached their dwelling. When engaged in 

 putting questions regarding farming, in presence of father and 

 son, the old gentleman said he would send for his man Peter, 

 as best qualified to answer me. Peter was from Stirlingshire, 

 Scotland had been several years in the country, and pos 

 sessed more information and address than any of the royal 

 family. He told me farm-labourers receive $10 a-month when 

 engaged by the year, with board. In winter, labour can scarce 

 ly be obtained at $6 a-month, and boys sometimes engage 

 for their food. Canadians drink less spirits than they did at 

 one time, and they are not now served to labourers in the field. 



King and Prince boasted of making their farm 



implements, which a mechanic could have done at half the 

 labour, and of treading out the wheat crop with horses. The 

 day continuing wet, prevented a walk over the dominions, and 

 we returned to the Pavilion in time for dinner, to the expressed 

 regret of Mr , who was as kind as possible ; but a pro 

 longed stay might not have been agreeable to either party. 

 The interior of the house presented few marks of comfort, 

 according to my notions at the time, although after experi 

 ence in Canada enables me to say it was respectable in this 

 view. 



The old settlers are evidently the least enterprising class. 

 Having come to the country uncultivated themselves, and ever 

 since living without intercourse with the world, they seem 

 content with the necessaries of life, which are easily obtained. 

 Their descendants imbibe the same sentiments and habits ; 

 and before the first settled portions of Upper Canada can be 

 farther improved, the present farmers must either sell to others 

 of more enterprise, or another generation arise with new 

 opinions. 



I could no longer conceal the disappointment experienced 

 with Canada and its inhabitants. The Pavilion House, so 

 much praised by travellers, lately purchased by a company, 

 and puffed off by advertisements, was greatly inferior to the 

 hotels in the States. The manners and customs of the people 

 were essentially Yankee, with less intelligence, civility, and 



