24 The Agricultural Itesoureet of Canada. 



of a Jewish pedlar." In Canada every child, if he has brains and 

 determination, has an equal chance to climb the ladder of life, and is 

 given exactly the same assistance. Beyond the elementary schools are 

 higher grade schools — where education is wonderfully cheap — colleges, 

 and universitieL;. Over 9,000 students attend these schools. 



There is no established religion in Canada. With the exception 

 of the province of Quebec — where the Eomau Catholics are allowed 

 to enjoy the same privileges as they had before the country was 

 ceded to Great Britain — no religion is in any way State-aided. The 

 Koman Catholics are the most numerous body, their adherents number- 

 ing about 2,000,000. The principal other denominations are the 

 Wesleyan Methodists, 809,637; Presbyterians, 754,142; Church of 

 England, 644,259; and Baptists, 257,449. There are also Congrega- 

 tionalists, Lutherans, Salvation Army, and other denominations. 



The distinction of classes, so general in this country, is unknown 

 there. There are no Poor Laws in Canada, and therefore there are 

 no paupers. The expensive parochial system in our country creates 

 paupers, and multiplies them. The fact that there are no poor in 

 Canada is a splendid testimonial to the country. 



The Canadian farmer is independent of everyone. This con- 

 sciousness of independence makes the farmers a better, nobler, and 

 more honourable class of men. Over there the farmer is not expected 

 to be the catspaw of his landlord, and obliged to think, speak, and vote 

 as that master thinks lit. Canadians now enjoy most of the reforms 

 which have yet to be granted in Great Britain. The law of primogeni- 

 ture does not exist. After certain formalities have been complied with, 

 any city or county may put in force the Canada Temperance Act. 

 This Act is very stringent, and provides that no person shall expose for 

 sale any intoxicating liquors. They have also Sunday closing, although 

 in some places the police authorities are not over-sharp. In Ontario 

 the public-houses close at seven o'clock on Saturday evenings. As to 

 the franchise, every person over 21 years ol agCj if a British subject — 

 and persons going from this country to Canada have the same rights as* 

 the Canadians — can ^ ote. In the United States, all persons arriving 

 from other countries must be naturalised before they can vote. The 

 qualification is to rent or on ii a place value £60, or being the son of a 

 farmer, or a fisherman, &c., *fec. In some parts the Indians have votes, 

 provided they have the necessary qualification. Parliamentary life is 

 never longer than five years;. Each Senator receives an indemnity of 

 $1,000 (£200) a year. Members of the House of Commons receive 

 SIO (£2) \>eT day whilst in session, but not exceeding 881,000 (£200) 

 per session. In the Dominion, marriage with a deceased wife's sister 

 is allowed and sanctioned. With some few exceptions, the laws are 

 everything that could be desired. 



In the matter of railways and canals Canada is specially blessed, 

 There is a natural waterway from the Straits of Belle Isle to the head 

 of Lake Superior, a distance of 2,260 miles, along which there is 

 uninterrupted navigation. The Government have spent on canals 

 alone as much as £11,957,114. These works are of the greatest 

 importance. The railways, except the Intercolonial Kailway, are owned 



