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which they expofe themfelves, and the efforts they 

 make, furpafs all imagination. There are however 

 few lefs interefted, who diffipate with greater facili- 

 ty what has coft them fo much pains to acquire, or 

 who teftify lefs regret at having loft it. Thus there 

 is fome room to imagine that they commonly un- 

 dertake fuch painful and dangerous journeys out of 

 a tafte they have contracted for them. They love 

 to breathe a free air, they are early accu domed to a 

 wandering life it has charms for them, which 

 make them forget pad dangers and fatigues, and 

 they place their glory in encountering them often. 

 They have a great deal of wit, efpecially the fair 

 fex, in whom it is brilliant and eafy ; they are, be- 

 fides, conrlant and refolute, fertile in refources, cou- 

 rageous, and capable of managing the greateft af- 

 fairs. You, Madam, are acquainted with more 

 than one of this character, and have often declared 

 your furprife at it to me. I can alfure you fuch are 

 frequent in this country, and are to be found in all 

 ranks and conditions of life. 



I know not whether I ought to reckon amongft 

 the defects of our Canadians the good opinion they 

 entertain of themfelves. It is at leaft certain that 

 it infpires them with a confidence, which leads them 

 to undertake and execute what would appear impol- 

 fible to manyfothers. It mull however be confefled 

 they have excellent qualities. There is not a pro* 

 vince in the kingdom where the people have a finer 

 complexion, a more advantageous ftature, or a body 

 better proportioned. The itrength of their confti- 

 tution is not always anfwerable, and if the Cana- 

 dians live to any age, they foon look old and decre* 

 pid. This is not entirely their own fault, it is like- 

 wife that of their parents, who are not fufficiently 

 Watchful over their children to prevent their ruining 



their 



