houses are very high, and built with stone. The house the governor inhabits is called the chateau. It stands in an open place, on the edge of a precipice that can only be ascended by birds. In fine weather, during summer, one of the regiments belonging to the garrison parades in this square, and the band plays to serenade the gentry, who make it a public walk. Opposite to the chateau is a Franciscan monastery, and near it the Jesuits' college. There are also several nunneries; and being a garrison town, large barracks, and an armory furnished with ten thousand stand of arms, fancifully disposed, like those in the Tower of London.

We have taken our abode in the upper town of Quebec, which overlooks the most grand and delightful scenery imaginable. As soon as I rise, I throw up my window, and cast my eye over stupendous rocks, immense rivers, variegated forests, cultivated plains, mountains, lakes, towns, villages, and shipping; forming at once a rich picture of nature and art. The loftiest part of the rock, on which the upper town is built, is called Cape Diamond, because spars of a brilliant quality are found in its cavities. This elevated precipice rises one thousand feet above the level of the river; you need not be surprised, therefore, that the prospect from it is sublime and extensive. Mr. Franklin's taste differs from mine: he prefers the view from a point not quite so high, because he

thinks the objects are not seen clearly from the prodigious distance between them and the spec

tator.

I often visit, with enthusiasm, the spot marked by a large stone, where General Wolf expired, just as he heard the news that his troops had gained the victory, and got Quebec into their possession; an achievement that few, possessed of less magnanimity and skill, would have dared to undertake, and in which still fewer would have succeeded.

The market people carry their goods in little carts, drawn by dogs, that resemble the Newfoundland breed, and are wonderfully sagacious and tractable. I have already had several rides in a cariole, or sledge, drawn by half a dozen of them yoked together; and journeys are often performed in this manner. In a few weeks you shall hear from me, with a further account of this country. In the mean time, believe that I am always, affectionately,

Yours,

ARTHUR MIDDLETON.

03

LETTER

LETTER XXXIV.

Arthur Middleton to his Brother Edwin.

Montreal.

DEAREST EDWIN,

OUR stay here, and at Quebec, has enabled me to collect many particulars of Canada, and the manners of its inhabitants; especially as we have made several excursions from the town. It is necessary you should know that the British possessions in North America are divided into Upper and Lower Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The two first are governed by a viceroy, deputed by the king of Great Britain; and two houses of legislature, one hereditary, the other elective; the former corresponding to our House of Lords, the latter to our house of Commons. Upper Canada is divided into the four districts of Detroit, Niagara, Kingstone, and St. John's.

The defence of the country is entrusted to the inhabitants, every male being a militia-man, from fifteen to fifty, except those who are employed in the public offices of government; and the Quakers, the Dunkers, and the Baptists, whose religious principles

principles forbid them to follow the profession of a soldier, who are fined a sum of money, in lieu of the service that would otherwise be required of them.

Every religion is tolerated. The Roman Catholic prevails most; though government favours that of the church of England.

Servants are extremely scarce, as most of those who come from Europe obtain lands, and so become farmers; therefore, the regulation that gives freedom to all negroes the moment they arrive in Canada, is as wise as it is humane.

1

Lower Canada is very productive in small grain, small fruits, and garden vegetables of every description. Currants, gooseberries, raspberries, and grapes, grow wild. The raspberries are particularly fine, and abound in the woods; but the grapes require the gardener's care to bring them to perfection. Tobacco also thrives well; and that grown in this country is esteemed for its peculiar mildness. The variety of trees in the forests of Canada is surprising, and highly pleasing to an admirer of the works of creation; there being oaks, elms, ashes, pines, sycamores, chesnuts, walnuts, of each several species, besides others not so well known. The sugar maple grows in all parts of the country, and is a very useful tree; as not only sugar nay be made from it, but vinegar, table beer, and an excellent spirit. The country people pierce these trees with an augur, and put a vessel beneath, to catch the

sap as it falls, which they refine by boiling till it is converted into sugar; and a sufficient quantity is procured to nearly supply the inhabitants, whỏ seldom use any other.

Manufactures not being yet arrived at great perfection, the imports from Europe chiefly consist in earthenware, hardware, the more elegant articles of household furniture, sationery, leather, grocery, wines, and spirits: in return for these things, the Canadians export furs in immense quantities, wheat, flour, flax seed, pot-ash, timber, staves, and lumber, dried fish, oil, gensing, and various medicinal drugs.

A considerable portion of the lands in Lower Canada is in the possession of seigniors, who may be compared to thriving farmers in England; but the peasants who cultivate their estates are their vassals, and, in many respects, are dependent upon them.

When the country was yielded to the English, it was agreed that the Roman Catholic religion should continue to be the profession of the people at large; consequently, convents, nuns, and friars, with the other peculiarities of a catholic country, are to be seen here in all their formalities; amongst others, huge wooden crucifixes are common, by the road side, some of them richly ornamented and painted. The superstitious people call them Bons Dieux, and pull off their hats and make a reverend obeisance to these posts, at which I cannot forbear smiling ;