for a summer excursion. The facility for frequent intercourse between the two countries must conduce to mutual advantages: it must, at all events, tend to dispel such prejudices on either side of the Atlantic as are the result of misconception, or misrepresentation. Between countries the most dissimilar, and which for centuries have regarded one another as natural and national enemies, the facilities of communication have contributed to render the very term "natural enmity" an almost obsolete expression, applicable only to the ignorant and impolitic barbarism of past ages. Whatever information may be afforded by this Essay, or by works of a far higher order, on subjects connected with America, they cannot tend to remove either wilful prejudice, or mistaken impressions, nearly so well as even a short visit to the United States: ("Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem, where, whatever deficiencies may be perceived by those accustomed to the life of an European capital, it must be allowed that a wide and interesting field is open to the research and observation of the statesman, the politician, the philosopher, or the practical man of business. Although not immediately connected with the subject of this publication, I cannot forbear saying a few words on a topic deserving of the deepest consideration in this country, and of which the importance has only of late years been duly appreciated. The North American colonies furnish England with similar, and almost equivalent, advantages to those which the Americans possess in the superabundance of fertile territory and consequent provision for its population generally, but particularly for the poorer and lower classes of society. From my own observations in Canada and Nova Scotia, I have no hesitation in affirming, that to a moral certainty,—as well ascertained as any circumstance can be by human experience,—the moderately industrious and sober, however poor, are sure of obtaining not only a plentiful subsistence, but many comforts to which, in the present state of the commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural interests, they must in all probability long be strangers in the mother country. There is but one circumstance that might prevent the emigrant from realising these fair prospects, the loss of health. But in a climate so very salubrious as that of British North America, the probability of this evil is more remote, than that to which, under circumstances of privation, he would be exposed in England. He will also find, I think, that the physical and positive advantages are more encouraging to the settler in Upper Canada, &c. than in the United States; independently of the reluctance that every right-minded Englishman must feel to abandon the colours of his country. He may be said to be nearly at home in the North American colonies. "Cœlum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt.” By facilitating the means of emigration to the poorer classes of Englishmen, the British government would, perhaps, contribute as efficaciously to their welfare as by the extension of their political rights; and would probably find, in the vast resources of the North American colonies, a means of practically awarding "the greatest share of happiness to the greatest number" of our countrymen. May 7, 1832. W. G. O. N. B. The works and authorities that have furnished data for these remarks, besides those quoted, are the Laws of the United States, American Almanac (Boston), Register of Department of State, Sword's Almanac and Ecclesiastical Register, Quarterly Register of American Education Society, Statistical Views by Watterston and Van Zandt, and American Congressional and State Papers, in addition to private notes, &c. The Tables in the Appendix do not pretend to perfect correctness: whoever may make an experiment in obtaining precise and accurate returns upon the subjects here treated will find that it is neither an easy, nor very seductive task. |