166 IMPROVED HEALTH OF SCOTCH FARMERS. 



countrywomen appeared calculated to stimulate their husbands 

 to industrious exertion, and some, under divine Providence, 

 seemed to owe almost all they possessed to their fair partners. 

 One great source of rejoicing to Mrs T was her hus 

 band s improved state of health since his arrival in Canada, 

 which she attributed to climate. But were I to ju&amp;lt;Jge of the 

 matter, I would assign his change of circumstances as the 

 more likely cause of his better health. Land in Scotland is 

 almost always occupied on lease of 19 years endurance, and 

 perhaps there is no situation more trying than a tenant with 

 an over-rented farm. In nine cases out of ten he cannot get 

 quit of his lease, or a modification of rent ; if he rise early or 

 toil late, the fruits of his labour go to the proprietor of the 

 land, and year after year he finds his funds diminishing, with 

 ultimate ruin in prospective. Under such circumstances I 

 have known individuals become drunkards, others gamblers ; 

 some have sunk into a premature grave, and but few minds 

 remain in full tone, and still fewer constitutions. To escape 

 from such a situation, and reach Canada, where the present 

 may be said to be without care, and futurity so brilliant, must 

 be a perfect Elysium and restorer of health. It is but justice 

 for me to say, that I am altogether unacquainted with the 



circumstances in which Mr T was situated in Scotland, 



but if like many of his profession, his improved health may be 

 regarded as an effect of his improved prospects. 



We reached Captain A s, in the township of Blenheim, 



in time for dinner, having passed through miles of forests, in 

 which a track could scarcely be recognised. The general 

 appearance of the place had an air of neatness, although it 

 was only fifteen months since the first tree was felled. He had 

 already cleared about 30 acres, and reaped a luxuriant, though 

 mildewed, wheat crop. Oats, potatoes, and Indian corn, were 

 advancing towards maturity. Here, for the first time in 

 Canada, I saw crops injured from luxuriance, and only two or 

 three instances of such afterwards came under my notice. 



The residence of Captain A was within 50 yards of a 



rivulet which joined the Nith, the space between the house 

 and the stream being occupied as a garden, in which the taste 

 of the family had begun to be displayed in cultivating flowers. 



