324 BOOK NOTICES. 



THE FIRST SETTLERS. 



" The settlers of Upper Canada, up to 1790, may be divided into those 

 who were forced away from the States by persecutions, during and after 

 the war ; the disbanded troops ; and a nobler class, who left the States, 

 unwilling to live under other than British rule. 



" To what extent were these pioneers fitted to enter upon the truly formid- 

 able work of creating homes, and to secure the necessaries of life for their 

 families ? But few of them possessed ought of worldly goods, nearly all 

 were depending upon the bounty of Government. In the first place, they 

 were supplied with rations ; which consisted of flour, pork, and a limited 

 quantity of beef, a very little butter, and as little salt. 



" They were also supplied with ' clothes for three years, or until t-hey were 

 able to provide these articles for themselves. They consisted of coarse cloth 

 for trowsers and Indian blankets for coats, and of shoes ; beside, each received 

 a quantity of seed grain to sow upon the newly cleared land, with certain 

 implements of husbandry. To each was allowed an axe, a hoe, and a 

 spade ; a plough, and one cow, were allotted to two families ; a whip and 

 cross-cut saw to every fourth family ; and, even boats were provided for 

 their use, and placed at convenient points ;' and 'that nothing might seem 

 to be wanting, on the part of the Government, even portable corn mills, 

 consisting of steel plates, turned by hand like a cofiee-mill, were distributed 

 among the settlers.' We have learned they were also supplied with nails, 

 hand-saws and other materials for building. To every five families were 

 given a 'set of tools,' such as chisels and augers, of various sizes, and 

 drawing-knives ; also pick-axes, and sickles for reaping. But, unfortunately, 

 many of these implements were of inferior quality. The axe, with which 

 the burden of the work was to be done, was unlike the light implement 

 now in use, it was but a short-handled ship axe, intended for quite a differ- 

 ent use than chopping trees and clearing land. Notwithstanding, these 

 various implements, thoughtfully provided by Government, how greatly 

 must they have come short in meeting the varied wants of the settler, in 

 his isolated elearing, far separated from places whereat things necessary 

 could be procured. However, the old soldier, with his camp experience, 

 was enabled by the aid of his tools, to make homely and rude articles of 

 domestic use. And, in farming, he constructed a rough, but servicable 

 plow, and harrow, and made handles for his scythe. 



" Thus provisioned and clothed, and thus armed with implements of 

 industry, the old soldiers advanced to the attack of a last enemy, the wild 

 woods. Unlike any previous warfare, was this lifetime struggle. With 

 location ticket in hand, they filed into the batteaux to ascend the rapids. 

 A certain number of batteaux joined together, generally about twenty or 

 twenty-five, formed a brigade, which was placed under the command of a 

 suitable officer ; if not one who had in previous days, led them against the 

 foe. It is quite impossible to conceive of the emotions whieh found a place 

 in the breasts of the old veterans as they journeyed along wearily from day 

 to day, each one bringing them nearer to the spot on which the tent was 

 to be pitched for the last time. Eagerly, no doubt, they scanned the thickl}^ 

 wooded shores as they passed along. Curiously they examined the small 

 settlement, clustering around Cataraqui. And, it cannot be doubted, when 

 they entered the waters of the lovely Bay of Quinte, the beauty of the scene 

 created a feeling of joy and reconciliation to their lot, in being thus cast 



