34 EA.RLY GAZETTEER AND MAP LITERATURE 



tiling amazing. The work of destruction caiTied steadily forward, 

 now during a series of years, by the relentless surges of Lake 

 Ontario, appears to be regarded simply as a curious spectacle arranged 

 for the entertainment of "the judges, magistrates, and gentry of the 

 province ; " for the delectation of the merchant princes, the great 

 manufacturers, the railv/ay directors, the civil engineers, the common 

 council and aldermen of Toronto, who look on, like the chorus in a 

 Greek play, and prattle to each other about some nefarious deed 

 which is being perpetrated before their eyes, but never seem to be 

 aware that common sense points to action of some kind on their part, 

 with a view to the prevention, if possible, of the direful result which 

 is threatened. 



In 1832, appeared Dr. Dunlop's Statistical Sketches of Upper 

 Canada. We have here no formal topographical arrangement, but 

 much excellent matter of use for Gazetteer j)urposes, and abounding 

 with humour. The climate, especially, is graphically described. 

 Field sports, fishing, shooting, and hunting are dwelt upon. Each 

 chapter has a motto, like Six "W. Scott's novels, some of them 

 extemporized. 



In 1832, Mr. Andrew Pick en published in London (Effingham 

 Y/ilson, Royal Exchange), a book, entitled "The Canadas," containing 

 information for Emigrants and Capitalists. One division of this 

 book consists of Geographical and Topographical Skeioches (1) of 

 Lower and (2) of Upper Canada. We have here virtually a brief 

 Gazetteer of the latter Province, principally confined to an account 

 of the soil, the advantages and disadvantages of position. Mr. Picken 

 derived the materials of his volume chiefly from Mr. Gait, formerly 

 ' 'Chief Commissioner" of the Canada Company. In his dedication 

 to that gentleman, Mr. P. uses the following language : " It is 

 proper that a. work of this kind should be inscribed to you, from the 

 services you are known to have rendered to Canadian colonization. 

 Of the extent and value of those services — services which will here- 

 after connect your name with the history of this interesting colony — 

 it is to be hoped, for your own sake, that the public at home may 

 yet become as fully aware, as the settlers are in those parts of the 

 Province where the efi'ects of them are more pai-ticularly felt." Mr. 

 P. gives as the population of York (Toronto), in 1832, between four 

 and five thousand ; aiid of the whole Home District, including the 

 neighbouring District of Newcastle, 36,264 (in 1828). 



