30 EAULY GAZETTEER AND MAP LITERATURE 



undertook it with, an earnest desire to benefit some, I care not who. 

 If any are benefited I shall be gratified. In short, I write this p?'o 

 bono publico." , 



He may, perhaps, have thought that his glowing descriptions 

 would whet the appetite of his fellow-citizens for Canada, its conquest 

 by the United States being fully expected. His account of the 

 London District is very inviting. " The district of London," he says, 

 " is certainly much the best part of Canada. It is sufiiciently level, 

 very rich, and beautifully variegated with small hills and fertile 

 valleys, through which flow a number of pearly streams of almost 

 the best water in the world. In this district there is a large quantity 

 of natural plains, thoiigh not in very large bodies, and not entirely 

 clear of timber. This land has a handsome appearance, and afibrds 

 fine roads and pasture in summer. Here the farmer has little to do, 

 only to fence his land, and put in the plough, which, indeed, requires 

 a strong team at first, but afterwards may be tilled with one horse. 

 These plains are mostly in the highest part of the ground ; are very 

 rich, and well-adapted for wheat and clover. The surface of the 

 earth in this district is almost entirely clear of stone. It is of a 

 sandy quality (especially the plains) which renders it very easy for 

 cultivation. This district is situated in the 41st degree, and 40 

 minutes of north lat., and is favoured with a tempjerate climate. 

 The summers are sufiiciently long to bring all the crops to perfection, 

 if planted in season. Indeed, there is hardly ever any kind of pro- 

 duce injured by the frost. This is the best part of Canada for wheat, 

 and I believe of any part of the world. From 20 to 35 bushels are 

 commonly gathered from one acre of ground, perfectly sound and 

 clear from smut. Corn thrives exceedingly well, as also all other 

 kinds of grain. Apples, peaches, cherries, and all kinds of fruit 

 common to the United States, flourish very well here. Woodland 

 sells from two to five dollars an acre. The timber of this district 

 consists of almost all kinds common to the U. S. The inhabitant^ 

 of this district enjoy a greater degree of health than is common to 

 observe in most places, but doubtless there are reasons for this." 

 He enumerates their temperance and moderation, the excellence of 

 the climate, and water and vegetables, and sixthly, he says, " The 

 people of this Canadian paradise are more contented in their situation 

 of life than is common to observe in most places, which also very 

 mvich preseiwes the health of man, while a contrary disposition tends 

 to destroy it." 



