216 SANDWICH FERRY DETROIT. 



Sandwich Is also on the Detroit, sixteen miles above Am- 

 herstburgh, and derives its only importance from being the 

 county town. The houses compose an irregular street, run 

 ning along the river, and chiefly occupied by French. The 

 trade of Sandwich is more limited than that of Amherstburgh, 

 and I do not think it has the same chance of progressing. 



About a mile and a half above Sandwich is the ferry at 

 Detroit, at which there are fifteen or twenty houses on the 

 Canadian side of the river, and several brick buildings were 

 being erected at the time of my visit. This place will soon 

 eclipse Sandwich, and may rival Chatham. Detroit is the 

 great market of Western Canada, and the ferry possesses 

 advantages, in proximity and access during winter, above every 

 other situation. Since leaving Montreal, I had seen no place 

 bearing the marks of age and wealth, and the town of Detroit, 

 situated on the magnificent river of the same name, ranks 

 next to that city in appearance ; and in recalling old-country 

 associations, forms a striking contrast to the poverty and 

 lifelessness of Amherstburgh and Sandwich, on the oppo 

 site side of the river. Lofty spires and large brick buildings 

 are seen in the distance ; steam-vessels, and engine-stalks, 

 employed in manufactures, on a near approach. A fine large 

 steam-boat leaves Detroit daily for Buffalo, and smaller ones 

 for less distant places on the north and south. Now and then a 

 steam-boat plys to Chicago and other places on Lake Michi 

 gan, and in course of a year or two it is probable there will 

 be a daily line of boats. There are three streets running pa 

 rallel to the river, and many at right angles. The houses in 

 the principal streets are of brick. The population exceeds 

 3000 souls, the greater part of whom are of French descent. 



