APPROACH OF SUMMER. 61 



about seven or eight pounds each, and which 

 are taken in greater or less quantities for the 

 most part of the summer months. 



June the 20th. The canoes arrived from 

 Montreal, via Lake Superior, and brought me 

 the gratifying intelligence, in letters from 

 England, that my family were all well. It 

 was my intention that they should have em- 

 barked with me in my mission to this country, 

 but circumstances prevented it ; and now that 

 I was surrounded with unexpected difficulties, 

 situated in the very heart of an Indian terri- 

 tory, most difficult of access, and without 

 military protection, I deemed it most advisable 

 that they should defer the voyage, in the hope 

 that another year might lessen these difficul- 

 ties, and bring a better arrangement for the 

 prosperity of the colony. I could undergo 

 privations, and enter upon any arduous official 

 duties, for the best interests of the natives and 

 the settlers ; but I could not subject Mrs. West 

 (and infant children) to the known existing 

 trials of the country, whose useful talents 

 would otherwise have greatly aided me in the 

 formation and superintendence of schools. 



July 2nd. An agreeable change has taken 

 place in the scenery around us ; the trees are 

 breaking into leaves, and many plants are in 



