GODERICH LONDON. 179 



the whole surface is perfectly level, with exception of the 

 margins of the creeks. The London district is gently undu 

 lating, the soil greatly inferior to the Huron tract, and near 

 the village becomes barren sand. 



The wood on the road from Goderich to London is chiefly 

 maple, interspersed with beech and elm, the latter being of 

 considerable size. White clover is seldom seen on the waysides, 

 red never, timothy plentiful, and a few plants of cocksfoot. 

 Alder was growing in every place where the forest had been 

 cut down, and put forth shoots of uncommon luxuriance, which 

 seemed to die yearly, as I never observed a trunk or branch 

 of a former year s growth. The species appeared the same 

 as that common in Britain, and perhaps the young shoots 

 cannot withstand the rigours of a Canadian winter. 



I observed a wasp-nest in the ground on the Goderich road, 

 where swarms of the insects were passing out and in. They 

 appeared similar to the wasp of Britain ; but my friend was 

 not philosopher enough to be prevailed on to try their stinging 

 powers. 



On reaching London we stopped at the Robinson hotel, 

 christened a few days previous to our arrival, in compliment to 

 the chief justice of the province, who had honoured the house 

 by his presence while on the circuit. The landlord told us 

 the dinner was over, but that he would prepare something for 

 us immediately. In the meantime we retired to wash, and 

 at the end of an hour and a half discovered it was intended to 

 put off our eating till the arrival of tea hour. We had been 

 treated in the same manner at Brantford ; and after remon 

 strating with the landlord on the impropriety of promising; 

 dinner without furnishing it, we removed to the Mansion 

 House hotel, where we experienced civility and attention. 



This evening we parted with our waggoner, Francis Packet, 

 who had brought us from Brantford. Unlike his country 

 men, he possessed little wit or humour, but he was very good- 

 natured, strictly sober, accommodating, and an excellent 

 driver. He seemed disposed to accompany us throughout 

 the remainder of our tour, and I confidently recommend him 

 and his chestnut horses, John and Charlie, to all who may 

 require their services. Francis was seldom disposed to talk 



