MAY. 
109 
lowing spring. On his return^ he published an account of 
his journey in the most flaming and hyperbolical terms, quite 
laughable to those acquainted with the country by experience. 
Supposing that because his friends sacrificed a portion of their 
time to his amusement, they had therefore nothing to do, he 
seemed to consider a farmer's life in Canada as one of ease 
and pleasure, of abundance and luxury. He returned the 
next summer to his paradise, found that there was some la- 
bour, and toil, and privation, which he had not anticipated ; 
did nothing to his farm, spent his means, and the next spring 
gave up his purchase at a considerable loss, and went back 
poor and miserable. I fear this is too common a case. 
C. — But I have seen some very favourable accounts from 
persons resident here. 
F. — They are generally from gentlemen who have capi- 
tal ; or at least means enough to make them comfortable, 
without personal labour, in any country. These, suffering 
none of the inconveniences and privations which assail ordi- 
nary settlers, usually write as they feel ; and these accounts 
are mostly given while the novelty of a forest life, and the 
excitements of a new country, are fresh ; before they have 
begun to feel the want of that society to which they have 
been accustomed, and of those luxuries and refinements which 
only an old state of things can give. Perhaps it is not un- 
charitable to suppose that some of the praises bestowed may 
arise from the principle developed in the fable of the fox who 
had lost his tail ; the friends they have left are anxious about 
their welfare, and they feel reluctant to let those kind friends 
suppose they are disappointed, and endeavour to persuade 
themselves they are not. I have known something of this 
feeling myself. — I have resided here some time, and have 
engaged personally in the labours of agriculture, and have made 
many inquiries ; and I do not know an instance, with one sin- 
gle exception, of an English emigrant, who is not dissatisfied 
