Life in the Clearings versus the Bush

ments--Sketch

pirit! ris

ncy's glas

own this

-a bright

a century

s of lig

eous visi

eet the

le view with

s mirror'd i

.

the whim or convenience of the owner, without the least regard to taste or neatness. At that period there were only two stone houses and two of brick in the place. One of these wonders of the village was the court-house and gaol; the other three were stores. The dwellings o

and size, was painful to the pedestrian, and destruction to his shoes, leading you to suppose that the paving committee had been composed of shoemakers. In spring and fall the mud was so deep in the centre of the thoroughfare that it required you to look twice before you commenced the difficult task of crossi

t as the same. It has more than doubled its dimensions, and its population has increased to upwards of 4,500 souls. Handsome commodious stores, filled with expensive goods from the mother country a

-side. Now, Cariff's Mills is as large as Belleville was in 1840, and boasts of a population of upwards of 1000 inhabitants. A fine plank road connects it with the latter place, and the whole distance is one continuous street. Many o

burnt down the succeeding year. A new and more commodious one of brick has been erected in its place, and it is tolerably supplied with meat and vegetables; but these articles are both dearer and inferior in quality to those offered in Kingston and Toronto. This, perhaps, is owing to the tardiness shown by the farmers in bringing in their produce, which they are obliged to offer first for sale in the market, or be subjected to a trifling fine

you, Mr

ou. Did you hear how

tal

s heard that he was getting q

as given him

t there won't be money enough to pay his debts. But what of this marr

about to let that young gal m

be sure--they

e never made his

bad set,"--with a

r exhibited in buyer and seller. Both exceed the bounds of truth and honesty. The one, in his eagerness to sell his goods, bestowing upon

owly and irresolutely in front of his stall, where he has hung out for sale the side of an ox, neither the youngest nor fattest.

with some asperity in look and tone. "It seems hard and old; some l

-suggests a rival in the trade. "Here's a fine

ng on to the next stall, "as if it h

oaned beneath the weight of good cheer--fish, flesh, and fowl, all contributing their share to tempt the appetite and abstract money from the purse. It was a sight to warm the heart of the most fastidious epicure, and give him the nightmare for the next seven nights, only dreaming of that stupendous quantity of food to be m

ifer--four ribs for Dr. C---;" this he pinned upon the carcase of the beast. Shortly after the doctor quitted the market, and a very fat young lady and her mother came up to the stall to make some purchases. Our student was leaning carelessly against it, watching with bright eyes the busy scene; and being an uncommonly mischievous fellow, an

ces of public resort. All up the length of King street walked the innocent damsel, marvelling that the public attention appeared exclusively bestowed upon her. Still, as she passed along, bu

ly wooded level plain below, through which wanders a lonely creek, or small stream. I don't know what the height of this ridge is above the level of the meadow, but it must be very considerable, as you look down upon the tops of the loftiest forest trees as they grow far, far beneath you. The road is well fenced on either side, or it would require some courage to drive young skittish horses along this dangerous pass. The settlers in that vicinity have given to this singular rise the name of the "Ridge road." There is a sharp ridge of limestone at the back of the township of Thurlow, though of far less dimensions,

within a few years crowns the ridge above. The plain below is private property, and being very valuable, as affording excellent sites for flour and saw mills, has been reserved in order to obtain a higher price. This circumsta

ect of wood and water, and of a rich, well-cleared, and highly cultivated country. Their sides are adorned with fine trees, which have grown up since the axe first level

he other, but I have some doubts whether it is really the prettiest. I have often imagined a hundred years to have passed away, and the lovely sloping banks of the Bay of Quinte, crowned with rural villages and stately parks and houses, stretching down to these fair w

y the impotent rebellion of W.L. Mackenzie had hardly subsided. The public mind was in a sore and excited state. Men looked

the standard of revolt against the mother country. In justice even to them, it must be said, not without severe provocation; and their disaffection was more towards the colonial government, and the abuses it fostered, than any particular dislike to British supremacy or institutions. Their attempt, whether instigated by patriotism or selfishness--and probably it contained a mixture of both--had failed, and it was but just that they should feel the punishment due to their crime. But the odious term of re

on, was not always the case; but the preference shown to the British emigrant proved an active source of ill-will and discontent. The favoured occupant of place and power was not at all inclined to conciliate his Canadian rival, or to give up the title to mental superiority which he derived from birth and education; and he too often treated his illiterate, but sagacious political opponent, with a contempt which his practical knowledge and experience did not merit. It wa

y ignorant of how the colony was governed; and many did not even know which party was in power, and when the rebellion actually broke out it fell upon them like

e political discussions. All parties were wrong, and nobody was convinced. This vexed political question always brought before my mental visi

h a view to their mutual benefit, had flung a shank of beef, with meat enough upon the upper end to have satisfied

he had as good a right to the beef as the bull-dog, and flung himself tooth and claw upon his opponent. While these two were fighting and wrangling over the bone, a wiry, active Scotch terrier, though but half the size of the ot

mastiff, stood proudly aloof, with quivering ears and tail, regarding the doings of the others with a glance of sovereign contempt; yet, watching with his kee

the prolonged scuffle among the higher powers: while the figure of Justice, dimly seen in the distance, was poising her scales, and lifting her sword to make an equal division; but her voice fai

and vilify each other, through the medium of the common safety valve--the public papers--are not so virulent as in 1840. They are more equally matche

ct councils, free schools, and the improvement in the public thoroughfares of the country, are owing to them, and have proved a great blessin

verer male heads. But, even as a woman, I cannot help rejoicing in the beneficial effects that these changes have wrought in the land

and the real, of the absurd and the ridiculous, gives a zest to the cold, tame decencies, to be found in more exclusive and refined circles. Human passions and feelings are exhibited with more fidelity, and you see men and women as they really are. And many kind, good, and noble traits are to be found among those classes, whom at home we regard as our inferiors. The lady and gentleman in Canada

hers and sisters. They cling together through good and ill report, like the bundle of sticks in the fable; and I have seldom found a real Canadian ashamed of owning a poor relation. This to me is a beautiful feature in the C

untry; and, as sure as you hear any one boasting of the rank and consequence they possessed at home, you may be certain that it was quite the reverse. An old Dutch

t brought you to a poor country like this? I am s

commendations of the country, th

perhaps," said the

never paid them. He was told that it was a very fin

if you never had had a da

, putting on a very languid a

able to be delicate, but horribly vulgar to be considered capable of enjoying such a useless blessing as good health. I knew a lady, when I first came to the colony, who had her children daily

m to look delicate. They have such red faces,

fused with a faint flush. During the season of youth this delicate tinting is very beautiful, but a few years deprive them of it, and leave a sickly, sallow pallor in its place. The loss of their teeth, too, is a

ce of public entertainment. The father of these ladies had followed the lucrative but unaristocratic trade of a tailor in London. One of them began complaining to

e to-night? Is it not terrible for ladies to have to dan

vern-keeper, was indignant at being introduced to a

of their humanity, they cannot with any justice be called vulgar; for vulgarity consists in presumptuously affect

s, could not deprive him of the honest independence and genial benevolence he derived from nature. No real gentleman would treat such a man, however humble his circumstances, with insolence or

e owners of fine clothes, fine houses, splendid furniture, expensive equipages, and plenty of money. They have all these, yet even the most ignorant feel that something else is required. They cannot compr

The very poorest are the most remarked for this ridiculous boasting. A servant girl of mine told me, with a very grand toss of the head, "that she did not choos

ever beheld. If I called her to bring a piece of wood for the parlour fire, she would thrust he

ith the dignity of his wife's connexions, said

the ould counthry of Connor's racers.

ad at home, and thought of the racers, I could hardly keep a "straight fac

ncy among our professional men and wealthy traders of that nice sense of honour that marks the conduct and dealings of the same class at home. Of course many bright

n. A man loses very little in the public estimation by making over all his property to some co

, will give large parties and dress in the most expensive style. This wo

uing on the subject; "but, Mrs. M---, it won't do in a new country like this. You may as well c

entertained such principles would

was tauntingly told by another lad at school, "that his ma' said that Mrs. M--- inve

dsomely furnished room, in which there was no lack of substantial comfort, and even of some elegancies, in the shape of books, pictures, and a piano. The

on, and gave us a very hearty and friendly welcome. She was a short, stout, middle-aged woman, with a very pleasing countenance; and though only in her coloured fl

t of me, and, resting her elbows on her knees, and dropping her chin between her h

at last, "you

es

an that

e s

le. "Well, I have he'rd a great deal about you, and I wanted to see you bad for a long time; but you are only a humly person l

t I had no dou

h the same provoking scrutiny,

er my ex

ubted my word, "two years younger nor m

ther searching gaze, "Do yo

gravity no longer; "in the very truest sense of

rs," said she. "But airn't you

r startled at this

sunk in your head. Well, well, so you are Mrs. M--- of Bellevi

s of the home truths to which he had unwittingly exposed me. Between every pause in the conversation, he broke in with--"I am sure Mrs. M--- is a fine-l

e her thoughts, and I was too much amused with the whole scene to feel the least irritated by her honest bluntness. Sh

o ladies who, after calling upon me for the first time, comm

we were so surprised to fin

u expect to

ifferent. We were ver

; "I like Mrs. M---, because she is in every respect like other p

to that insidious enemy of souls, Canadian whisky. Such a spirit was the unfortunate Dr. Huskins, late of Frankfort on the river Trent. The fate of this gentleman, who was a learned and accomplished man of genius, left a very sad impressi

he means to remove to a more favourable spot,--and his was not a mind which could meet and combat successfully with the ills of life. He endeavoured to bear proudly the evils of his situation, but he had neither the energy nor the courage to surmount them. He withdrew himself from society, and passed the remainder of his days in a solitary, comfortless, log hut on the borders of the wilderness. Here he drooped and died, as too many like him have died, heartbroken and alone. A sad mystery involves the last hours of his life: it is said that he and Dr. Sutor, anoth

mory of D

of genius! th

earted lone

zed thy talents

eath above thy

yet thy spirit

orld, relenting

rel round thy br

innate maje

poverty and

ould'ring ashe

s of thee in d

ad, Time shall

me deserved--d

verse the Bard a

mens, have joined the tee-totallers; but their abstinence only lasted until the re-establishment of their health enabled them to return to their old haunts, and become more hardened in their vile habits than before. It is to be questioned whether the signing of any pledge is likely to prove a permanent remedy for this great moral evil. If an appeal to the heart and conscience, and the fear of incurring the displeasure of an offended God, are not sufficient to deter a man from becoming an active instrument in the ruin of himself and family, no forcible restraint upon his animal desires will be likely to effect a real reformation. It appears to me that the tempera

ental aberration is often of the most dangerous kind. Place him and the confirmed maniac side by s

new him, secretly indulged in the pernicious habit of dram-drinking, and after a while bade fair to sink into a hopeless drunkard. At the earnest solicitations

cult matter than he had at first imagined. Still, for examples' sake, of course, a man of his standing in society had only joined for examples' sake; he di

che seemed likely to become a case of incurable tic douloureux. His friend took the alarm. He found it both expensive and inconvenient, providing t

ng in his easy chair before the fire, indulging in a hearty fit of la

o well. I thought by your sending for the bra

it of late. It does not come on, however, before eight o'clock, and if I c

ve it before you

d the doctor

d water does not

l a rat, and fell vigoro

on. It is the brandy that is the disease. It may cure you of an imaginary toothach

the first time his conduct appeared in its true light. Returning the bottle to his friend, he said, very humbly--

ppeal of his better feelings effected a permanent change in his habits, which signing the pledge had not been able to do. To ke

t any oppressive measures that infringe upon their private rights, even though such measures are adopted solely for their benefit. It is not wise to thrust temperance down a man's throat; and the surest way to make him a drunkard is to insist upon his bein

must first convince the mind: the reform must commence there. Merely withdrawing the means of gr

ducated when children in their schools; and if we wish to see drunkenness banished from our town

l him that God has threatened in words of unmistakable import, that he will exclude such from his heavenly kingdom. Convince him that such loathsome impurity must totally unfit the soul for communion with its God--that such a state may truly be looked upon as the second deat

rs against this terrible vice--will recall that disgusting spectacle--and will naturally shrink from the same contamination. Should he be overcome by temptation, th

nkard's

ot of my m

dull it glo

nd fierce dom

ng heart of a

one heart-

led moans

upon my sh

tones of w

g, weeping,

oul with so

gg'd her n

f grief I k

fresh to he

might take

whom? Ala

rm life-hopes

young and

frequent tea

ose light of

soul, and

comrades in

cheek, so co

neck, and h

he oft-rep

could not

ir force, as

er fade fro

e cause of

he father o

saw him c

an awful o

sh word, and

to her plea

terror, ti

eyes th' unwhi

dward, for thy

t, in his s

heart with an

as felt, an

son, thus sch

o soothe her

oath'd him!-

augh, or de

s bloated a

h which he so

sness of sin

proof or

fearful t

en hate, th

whom nature

ink in her

in strong an

ile reason ru

g love with

e parent d

bear to th

was I bor

lept his las

trod the ha

he tide of

od's fiery he

mptation tos

w that lost

npitied,

burning sham

remorse aw

f mental

one dark v

pure--his e

g child; bu

ved that los

fount which

ges dark, fro

heart--and s

to his stu

felt remonst

to resist

lly she hi

the idol o

hoped, agai

p love and s

is heart, and

dark and de

drunkard's heart

rbs his selfis

ep, his starvin

with cruel

, nor heeds thei

wine-cup owns

y a low, deg

laugh defianc

-more dear than

n ruin from t

ell careering o

that glads hi

e his body a

es self-murder

k and fearful

tempest round

wet, and weary

isten'd for hi

other!--'twas

rink and shiv

attling blast;

ook along the b

s!--and, quiverin

welcome to th

--'Get supper--

sneer, he tau

t that stared h

rrow, and his

money to pro

al, to raise a

up may warm you

ck of that whi

ect one moment

his lip; wit

fe which glitte

h fury on his

usky nook I f

manhood in tha

oated form I

ught the murdere

ples struck the

d forth--he die

and he died!

sh thrill'd my

se and mem'ry

aise my falle

pon my mothe

ke to sorrow,

ht was that!--

ad beside the c

elf a monster

ther was too

ee her gentle

got the fathe

d--for her, thro

my soul in un

roved the act;

awing consciou

e of crime, b

d a father's b

or aye the deat

le of woe; an

e, the sparkli

rks within t

trong as him w

t parents in the

pting draught y

ill, and spark

entence has been

er from the h