13 



are collected together once a year, on their way to York Fac- 

 tory. Norway House would, therefore, be a fit place for a 

 missionary station. Although people from all quarters mus- 

 ter here, yet none of those scenes of carousing and fighting, 

 for which Fort William and other places were so celebrated, 

 disgrace the meeting of friends. Peace, sobriety, and good 

 order have put an end to those demoralizing scenes which 

 formerly disgraced human nature in this country. There are 

 likewise but few of the French-Canadians now in the service, 

 those favorite children of the Northwest school. 



This brings us to the fur trade, the all-absorbing pursuit 

 in the country over which the company hold sway. These 

 territories may be divided into four great sections — the north- 

 ern and southern departments of Rupert's Land, the Colum- 

 bia District and the King's Posts, as they are called ; divisions 

 each of them ample enough in extent for the territory of a 

 crowned head. Once a year the governor-in-chief, as the 

 superintending officer is styled, generally makes his tour 

 through the greater part of these wild dominions, holding his 

 annual council at the headquarters of each department, and 

 assembling round him, on each occasion, the factors and trad- 

 ers, within convenient reach. There the business of tht? de- 

 partments is investigated, and the requisite appointments are 

 made ; in short, it is there that the various arrangements are 

 settled for conducting affairs at the different posts within 

 their jurisdiction. 



Few men in this country ever possessed such authority 

 as does Governor Simpson, the company's present represen- 

 tative, and none, we believe, ever gave more general satis- 

 faction. Courteous in his manners, and active in his habits ; 

 gifted in a high degree with the power of self-command, and 

 above all, with a keen discernment of character, he appears 

 eminently fitted by the union of these qualities for the com- 

 manding position which he so ably fills. 



