CANADA. 93 



" perhaps one acre buckwheat ; eight acres grass ; and 

 " four acres pasture. Sometimes at first, when weary 

 " with labour, and finding things rather awkward, I was 

 "inclined to discontent; but that soon wore off: the 

 "thought of projected improvements and anticipated 

 " returns, together with the beauty of the country and 

 " freedom from the bustle of the counting-house, have 

 " dispelled the gloom, and I am now as merry as a 

 " cricket all day long. I have made successful applica- 

 "tion for the conducting of one of the Government 

 "schools through the winter, say four months, at the 

 " rate of i^3 per month, besides board. This will help 

 ** my finances, though I am not compelled to have recourse 

 " to it, having still a few pounds in my pocket-book. 



** You ask if we have to work severely : I think I may 

 " say no ; our labour is occasionally Jiard, but not severe — 

 " not nearly so hard to learn as I anticipated. As our 

 " minds were set on the Upper Province, it is hard to 

 " draw a comparison between our expectations and the 

 " realization, as it is so different from our anticipations ; 

 ** but I think I may say we are not disappointed. On 

 " no account would I change my acres for my place at 

 " Slade, Elson, and Co.'s desk. Society here is almost 

 " wholly ' Yankee.' Their manners are far too forward 

 " and intruding for our English notions, still all are not 

 " so ; there are some very agreeable and good neighbours. 

 " I much regret that you did not come here to reside the 

 " winter. Pardon me for saying you could have boarded 

 "much more cheaply in the village than I take for 

 "granted you would in a city like Montreal, and perhaps 

 " realize nearly as much practice. We shall eagerly look 

 " forward to the promised pleasure of seeing you in the 

 " spring, if all be well. I think you will find it advan- 

 "tageous to cultivate a small farm in addition to your 



