CANADIAN HORSES, 3 
The post calashes are very clumsily built, 
but upon the whole we found them easy and 
agreeable carriages ; they are certainly far su¬ 
perior to the American stage waggons,, in 
which, if persons wish to travel with comfort, 
they ought always to set out provided with 
cushions for their hips and elbows, otherwise 
they cannot expect but to receive numberless 
contusions, before they get to the end of their 
journey. 
The horses in Canada are mostly small and 
heavy, but extremely serviceable, as is evident 
from those employed for the post carriages 
being in general fat and very brisk on the road, 
notwithstanding the poor fare and ill usage 
they receive. They are seldom rubbed down; 
but as soon as they have performed their 
journey are turned into a field, and there left 
until the next traveller arrives, or still they are 
wanted to perform the work of the farm. 
This is contrary to the regulations of the post, 
according to which the horses should be kept 
in the stable, in perfect readiness for travellers; 
however, I do not recollect that we were at 
quarters, eighths, and sixteenths of dollars, pistareens, 
Spanish coins somewhat less valuable than quarter dol¬ 
lars, and French and English crowns and half crowns. 
Gold coins pass only as bullion by weight. British and 
Portugal gold coins are deemed the best 5 next to them 
those of Spain, then those of France. 
B 2 
