MAY. Ill 



another which I have not mentioned, the evil of exile from 

 country and home, he might better his condition by coming 

 hither, if he has the means o"f setting himself agoing when 

 he arrives. But in common justice, in common humanity, 

 he ought to have both sides of the question fairly laid before 

 him, that he may know beforehand the difficulties he will 

 have to encounter, and not have to repent of his choice when 

 repentance is too late. I do not speak against emigration in 

 general ; but I think that emigrant makes a very unfortunate 

 choice, who fixes on the eastern townships of Lower Canada 

 as his place of residence. From what I have heard from 

 many sources, I believe that Upper Canada offers an incom- 

 parably greater advantage to the settler, without the peculiar 

 drawbacks of this country. 



There is a class of emigrants, however, to whom these 

 townships hold out a very fair prospect. I mean the class of 

 agricultural labourers, who would be content to work for 

 hire. One of our greatest evils is the want of hands in busy 

 seasons, such as haymaking, harvest, &c. It is often very 

 difficult to hire labour at any price ; and good, and even high 

 wages may at all times be secured. But that class of men, 

 as soon as they come here, almost invariably become discon- 

 tented, because everything is not exactly like- England ; and 

 generally go into the States, probably going farther and far- 

 ing worse. Those that remain accumulate money so fast, 

 that the spirit of independence comes over them, and they 

 become farmers ; so that the lack of labourers continues, from 

 year to year, unsupplied. 



C. Have you not drawn too dark a picture ? I have 

 found the winter very severe, and very dull ; but I have met 

 with many pleasant things, especially of late, since the spring 

 has begun to open. 



F. The naturalist finds gratification in any scene, and 

 at any season, if he can but get abroad among the works of 



