struck with something of remorse, and added:"But, poor old England! I should be sorry if after all, her own children were to trample her under foot." I give this, not as the opinion of an individual, but as the idea prevalent among many of all classes in the United States.

From their versions of the history of our collisions on former occasions, they learn that England has always succumbed to their prowess. Among their children (as it used to be in England when a boy believed he could beat three French boys) they teach that every American could "chaw up" three "Britishers." There is no doubt that it is to a certain extent politic to instil these ideas into the mind by education; for, if you can, as I said on a former occasion, convince people that they excel, they are likely to use their utmost exertions to prove the truth of your assertion. But, as occurs in every case where truth is deviated from, a vastly greater amount of evil is the certain ultimate result. For instance, at the present time, when the cry from the West is war, one motive is, that they are convinced they can overpower us, and wrest from us our American possessions. "The American people will it." I have over and over again seen them looking affectionately and

approvingly at the fortifications of Quebec, as the future stronghold for their northern territory; observing its noble position, solid bastions, and skilfully-drawn lines, with the careful eye of an heir presumptive.

I soon found that it was quite useless to make any effort to persuade my American friends to take a clearer view of the position of England, or to believe that her arm is not yet quite withered; it was vain. "All Englishmen say the same, they are blind to what is going on, behind the march of the age, brought up with bigoted notions." They think, in short, that we deserve a severe lesson, and that they are the people to give it us. All this sort of thing is said with the most perfect good feeling and friendliness towards the individual whom they may be addressing, and with general expressions of regard to us as a people; but what they call our dreadfully despotic and tyrannical system of government is the real object of their ignorant wrath.

CHAPTER XIII.

NOVA SCOTIA-NEW BRUNSWICK- -THE ISLANDS

HUDSON'S BAY.

THE last sight I visited at Boston, was the steam-packet which was to carry me to England, for the purpose of securing a berth; being one of the latest applicants I got but an indifferent one. She was a splendid vessel; even to a landsman's eye, it was evident she would not disappoint those who had built her for strength and speed. Some dozen of the passengers were known to me, enough to form a very pleasant party, and many among the remainder were infinite sources of fun. There were Hamburgh Jews, Spaniards from the Havannah, Northerns and Southerns, Westerns, English, Canadians, and a few who had no country in particular. One man was going to England on a speculation of selling Indian corn to the poorlaw Unions; another was the owner of a large im

portation of Yankee clocks, and was of course christened Sam Slick'; another was going to examine the last improvements in cotton-spinning; and a family of four brothers and a sister were going to sing in England. When the gun was fired, as we started on our voyage, this family sang, with much feeling and effect, the 'Farewell to New England,' Their music was a great source of enjoyment to us on the voyage. Some of the Yankee songs were excellent, rich in native wit and the inimitable 'Down East' twang. They were children of a farmer in Massachusetts, had made some money by singing in their own country, and were then on their way to try their chance abroad. The sister was a pretty and very interesting girl, not more than sixteen years of age. I have not heard of them since they reached England, but we all felt quite an interest in their success. I hope their voyage to Europe may not have proved too bold a specula

tion.

There was also an 'Abolitionist Lecturer,' on board, a man of colour, who had been a slave to his own father, and made his escape from the most cruel treatment. He had not received any education till after getting free, which was not very long ago, but appeared to be intelligent and well

informed at this time. He was bound for England, to collect funds by his lectures, for advancing the cause of Abolition in the United States. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Oregon and several Belgian priests were also among the passengers. We had a fair passage of thirty-six hours to Halifax. This is one of the finest harbours in the world, affording sufficient anchorage and shelter for twice the number of ships in the British Navy. The entrance, when not obscured by fog, is so safe that the largest-sized ships, need no other guide into it than their charts. There are several small islands in the channel, not interfering with its navigation, but assisting its defence. In winter, the ice very rarely closes its shelter, and on that account it is the great naval depot for our North American possessions. Three formidable forts

protect the entrance.

There are many splendid harbours on this coast, far more numerous than those of the United States, but as yet the scanty and indigent population have turned them to but little account.

The town of Halifax is on a small peninsula, standing on a slope, which rises from the water's edge to the citadel; this stronghold crowns the summit, and is now able to withstand any force