WINTER AMUSEMENTS. 
391 
middle of the dav, feel disposed to lay aside the 
thick far cloaks usually worn out of doors. 
Those who have ever passed a winter in Ca¬ 
nada, have by no means that dread of its se¬ 
verity, .which some would have who have never 
experienced a greater degree of cold than w hat 
is commonly felt in Great Britain; and as for 
the Canadians themselves, they prefer the win¬ 
ter to every other season ; indeed I never met 
with a Canadian, rich or poor, male or female, 
hut what was of that opinion; nor ought 
this, to excite our surprise, when it is consi¬ 
dered that they pass,the winter so very differ¬ 
ently from-what we do. If a Canadian were 
doomed to spend but six weeks only in the 
country parts of England, when the ground 
was covered with snow, I dare venture to say 
that he would be as. heartily tired of the same¬ 
ness which then pervaded the face of nature, 
and as desirous of beholding a green held once 
more, as any one of us. 
Winter in Canada is the season of general 
amusement. The clear frosty weather no 
sooner commences, than all thoughts about 
business are laid aside, and every one devotes , 
himself to pleasure. The inhabitants meet in 
convivial parties at each other’s houses, and 
pass the day with music,, dancing, card-jday- 
ing, and every social entertainment that can 
beguile the time. At Montreal, in particular. 
