COUNTRY FOR SPORTING. 435 



prairie, which does not present an interruption of any descrip 

 tion, and would literally form a fox-race. The deer and 

 prairie wolf might be hunted with dogs, or shot, according to 

 fancy. I recommend the upper Mississippi valley to British 

 sportsmen, as a country likely to afford them amusement and 

 instruction. A person may cross the Atlantic with a brace 

 of dogs in one of the best vessels, and travel to the prairies, 

 and devote a year to the excursion, living in the best style the 

 country affords, for the sum of L.200 sterling. If he were 

 economical in crossing the ocean, and living with settlers, 

 and serving himself while in Illinois, the expense would be 

 under L.I 20. 



The mode of selling government land in Illinois, is the 

 same as in the other parts of the Union. When a tract has 

 been surveyed, and brought into the market for settlement, it 

 is advertised, and a day and place of sale fixed. Lots are put 

 up and sold to the highest bidder for ready money. The tracts 

 generally consist of millions of acres, and the sale is continued 

 from day to day while individuals call for particular lots. 

 When purchasers are satisfied, a public land-office is opened 

 for the sale of the remainder, the price of which is invariably 

 SlJ, or 5s. 3Jd. sterling per acre. A person wishing land 

 goes to the land-office and selects any lot which pleases 

 him. There is no form of application or interest necessary, 

 title-deeds and possession being immediately obtained on pay 

 ment of the purchase money. Government land is never sold 

 on credit,, and there is no fee of office, nor any other expense, 

 on receiving titles. 



Formerly the price of land was $2 per acre ; one-fourth 

 was paid at the time of purchase, one-fourth at the end of two 

 years, one-fourth at three years, and the remaining fourth at 

 four years. It was, however, found that much of the price of 

 land sold on credit could not be recovered. An act of Con 

 gress was passed, limiting the price in future to Sl^ per acre, 

 ready money, and the purchasers in arrears were dispossessed 

 of a part of their lands. With this example on record, it may 

 appear somewhat singular that land should continue to be sold 

 on credit in Canada. It seems, however, the policy in that 

 country to enrich the aristocracy at the expense of the poor ; 



