children much time for receiving instruction. From such inevitable causes, education was neglected among them, until the neglect almost became habitual. The want of books, at the same time, relaxed their taste for reading.

A sense of these disadvantages excited desires for surmounting them, which have at length produced some corresponding exertion. Books are procured in considerable numbers. In addition to those with which particular persons and families are supplied, social libraries are introduced in various places; and subscribers at a small expence thus enjoy the benefit of many more volumes than they could individually afford to purchase.

A spirit of improvement is evidently spreading, The value of education, as well as the want of it, is felt. The practicability of obtaining it is considered. Gentlemen of competent means appear to be sensible of the importance of giving their children academical learning, and ambitious to do it without sending them abroad for the purpose.

Among other indications of the progress of literary ambition, I cannot forbear referring to the academy lately erected in Ernest Town, by the subscriptions of public spirited inhabitants of that and the neighbouring townships, who appear to be convinced that the cultivation of liberal arts and sciences is naturally connected with an improvement of manners and morals, and a general melioration of the state of society*.

* Such was the prospect when the war commenced, but it is changed. The academy was converted into a barrack; and the

SKETCH XXXIII.

CHARACTER, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS OF THE INHABITANTS.

Mixed National Character--Anglo-Americans People not agitated by Politics-Prejudices excited by the late War-Rural Manners Popular Diversions-Dancing-Athletic Sports-Social Scenes-Little Progress of Luxury-Carriages Sleighing Parties-Travelling Accommodations Fishing-Dress-Manner of Living and Style of Building compared with those of the United States-Smoking-Use of Ardent Spirits-Pugilism----- Chereverreeing-Holydays—Festivals — Observance of the Sabbath-Public Worship.

If the people of Upper Canada have any predominant national character, it is the Anglo-American. Among the first settlers there were natives of Great Britain and Ireland, and a few of some other European countries; but the mass of them were Americans, born in New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. They retain

academical institution has not been revived. The students resorted to other places of education, many of them out of the province. The building is now occupied as a house of public worship, and a common school. It is to be hoped, however, that the taste for literary improvement may be revived, and this seminary be re-established.

a strong attachment to their sovereign, who remunerated them for their revolutionary losses, made them liberal grants of land to settle on, with farming tools, building materials and provisions, to facilitate their settlement, and is still granting lands to their children as fast as they become of age.

Those who have since joined the province are of a similar national mixture. A considerable number of emigrants from Scotland, settled together in the eastern districts, and others have, at a later period, been planted in the western district, under the auspices of Lord Selkirk. One township on Yonge Street has been chiefly taken up by Germans. British, Irish, and a few French gentlemen of business have located themselves in various situations. Some inhabitants have removed from Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Still greater numbers have come from the United States, because of their adjacency, and in consequence of the original American settlers, who left behind them in the States, their fathers, their brothers, and other relatives, neighbours, and friends, from whom they had been separated by the revolution. As their revolutionary passions mutually subsided, the natural feelings of consanguinity, affinity, and personal friendship revived. They were still interesting objects to each other. Friendly inquiries, correspondencies, exchanges of visits, and renewals of attachment ensued. The tide of emigration naturally flows from old to new settlements. These causes, combined with the fertility of the Canadian soil, the relative cheapness of land and lightness of

public burdens, have induced many Americans, from year to year, to move into the province. Here they have generally acquired farms and engaged in business, not as a distinct people, like the French population in Lower Canada, but blended and intermixed with the former inhabitants.

This intermixture produces no effervescence, personal or political. Politics, indeed, are scarcely named or known among them. They have very little agency in the affairs of government, except that the freeholders once in four years elect their representatives. The people are not agitated by parties, as they are in the United States, where all branches of government depend, directly or indirectly, upon frequent popular elections.

They are here distinguished rather by their occupations, than by their political connexions, or the places of their birth. A due proportion of them are in professional, mercantile, and mechanic employments; but the most numerous class are engaged in agriculture, and have the appropriate views, manners, and sentiments of agriculturists*.

* The late war produced a very natural jealousy of persons born in the United States, or having connexions there. A degree of it still exists, attended in some places with mutual alienation, and even exasperation of feelings. The current of emigration, which used to flow from the neighbouring states into this province, seems to be turned towards the south western territories of the United States. Since the peace, notwithstanding the multitudes who have crossed the line for speculation and temporary employment, comparatively few have removed into Canada for permanent settlement. None are now admitted to the oath required, as a con

There is here, as well as every where else, a certain portion of idle and vicious persons, who hang loose upon society, and, instead of adding, by their labour, to the general sum of wealth and prosperity, diminish it by their consumption and waste. Their number, however, is not peculiar. The main body of the inhabitants may be characterised as industrious.

Their diversions are similar to those of the interior of New England. Dancing is a favourite amusement of the youth. Athletic sports are common. Family visits and tea parties are the most frequent scenes of sociability.

The country is too young for regular theatric entertainments, and those delicacies and refinements of luxury, which are the usual attendants of wealth. Dissipation, with her fascinating train of expences and vices, has made but little progress on the shores of the lakes.

There are no splendid equipages, and few common carriages; but the face of the country being level, they will doubtless be multiplied, as the roads become well fitted for wheels.

In winter great use is made of sleighs; and sleighing parties are fashionable; but taverns and provisions for travellers are, in many parts of the country, quite indifferent. The improvement of travelling accommodations has been retarded by

dition of holding lands, without the governor's licence, which is granted upon satisfactory testimonials of good character and intention of residence.