OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 85 



who first settled on these " Free Grant Lands" were very 

 poor, possessing no live-stock of any kind, and in many 

 instances they were even strangers to the American con- 

 tinent, persons who had been tempted by the offer of 

 lands to leave their homes in Europe, and in many cases, 

 too, these immigrants were entirely ignorant of all agricul- 

 tural pursuits. 



Many of these people became quickly discouraged. 

 Some turned back from the front without even attempting 

 to battle with the cold climate and the discouraging sur- 

 roundings ; some remained there only a few weeks or 

 months, and then left the " Free Grant Lands" thoroughly 

 discouraged and frequently half famished. However, there 

 w.as still another class of these early adventurers who went 

 into this wild wilderness this land of beautiful lakes and 

 hills possessed of strong hands and strong wills, fully 

 determined to make a home for themselves ; and these 

 have battled bravely ; have won, and to them belongs the 

 spoils. It was to this class that the gentleman whom I met 

 on the boat belonged. He supplied me with much valu- 

 able information in regard to the early history of the 

 country about Lakes Muskoka and Rosseau, a district 

 which is now fairly settled, and where the necessaries, with 

 many of the luxuries, of life are now enjoyed by its inhab- 

 itants. 



This gentleman, like the old soldier or sailor whom we 

 occasionally meet, was delighted with the opportunity that 

 was now offered him to detail to me his struggles and his 

 successes ; and I was likewise highly pleased with the in- 

 formation which he imparted. A process similar to that 



