BOOKS.

THE EMIGRANT CHURCHMAN IN CANADA,* THE author of these volumes appears to be a man of family and good education, who so far partook of the character of an adventurer as to look to luck and the influence of his friends for some public appointment, instead of betaking himself to a regular profession. Having been diap. pointed in his hopes oftener than once, he at length adopted the wise reso- lution of relying upon his own exertions. Accordingly, he realized what he could of his patrimony, and departed for Canada, with letters of intro- duction. One of his objects, as incidentally appears, was to speculate in land with the view of forming a landed property. In furtherance of his purpose, he at one time or another traversed the entire length of Canada, at least from Montreal to Lake Huron, with frequent deviations from the main line. The narrative portion of his book consists of a general description of his route, with a full account or particular towns or districts where a new comer could advantageously settle. And we think he treats this important matter as well as any writer yfe have met with; as he allows for difference of habits, objects, and capital among emigrants, and for the necessary changes their change of country will induce. Various other matters of a pious or practical kind occupy his attention. He is minute on the subject of churches, the clergy, Church. men, and means of education ; "frequent and full" on hotels, boarding- houses, and their charges; he indicates the state of manners of par- ticular districts, Canada being very various in these respects. A place, for example, settled by half-pay officers and gentlemen of moderate means, forms a very different neighbourhood from that where English labourers or Irish peasants are the majority of settlers. With these useful and interesting matters of fact the author mixes a variety of re- marks on Canadian polities and religion, in the spirit of the Toryism which used to obtain in the palmy days of Theodore Hook, and which seems nearly as rampant and violent in Canada now, if it is less witty.

The occasional allusions and reminiscences of the author appear to point to Scotland as his birth-place ; the essential oil is more Mesita], especially in religious matters. From his antecedents, and the nature of his speculations in Canada, he does not seem to be a clergyman ; yet much of his language is of the clerical tone. He is opposed to Rome ; he is opposed to Oxford ; but he is as "high" in his opinions, if not in his theology, as any Romanist or Tractarian. He may not hold the doctrines of Dissent "damnable," but he evidently thinks the mass of individual Dissenters in a bad way. The Church with him is- the ark of safety for the State, society, and the individual. But his notions seem rather to belong to conventional partisanship than to emanate from a deep- seated sense of religion. Certainly the main announcement of universal "good-will" is wanting to him in the case of "Liberals" and Dissenters.

These traits detract somewhat from the practical value of the hook, because they argue onesidedness with a tendency to exaggeration ; but they are so obvious that the reader can easily allow for them. In a literary sense, they give character to the writing, except when the dis- quisition is pushed into tediousness. The style of the writer is that of the gentleman, albeit of a vehement gentleman; his matter is real, his manner plain, frank, and unaffected, always excepting his diatribes.

It has often been observed that a pursuit in a traveller is a great thing to give interest to his travels. The Churchman in Canada has three sub- jects. 1. The condition and prospects of the Church, of the churches, of the clergy, and of particular congregations. 2. The capabilities of various districts, the opportunities they offer, the cost at which they may be settled, and the best mode of proceeding for settlers of different classes. 3. The habits and customs of the people, from the style of society in a particular place, to sleighing and wild sports ; about which last our author has picked up some strange stories. The following is a sample.

"There are certain drugs, well known to trappers, the smell of which is sure bait for wolf, bear, and other animals, just as that of valerian is said to be for cats. Asafretida is the attractive substance for the wolves; and it is said that if a piece of meat be baited with it, and trailed behind a sleigh, if there be any wolves within miles they will come after you- when, if you are clever enough, and they not too numerous, you may get some oetbeir scalps."

Of the strange variety, from the class of settlers, that different districts must offer in regard to manners, ideas, and almost everything in which

habit and education cause men to difer, the following account of A church at Galt, in the further West, will furnish a better notion than any general remarks. "On leaving Hamilton for the Sound, you may take the coach, which will soon bring you along an admirable macadamized road lately constructed through Dundas, to the thriving town of Galt on the Grand River. There are some very large mills here, and altogether the place exhibits an air of business and sub- stantiality which is truly refreshing. In the main streets about mid-day you will see so many waggons, buggies, &c., driving about or waiting at stores, as quite to give the place an air of life far before that of many country towns in England of similar population, which is about 2,000. There is a neat substantial stone church here, of which the Reverend M. Boomer is the amiable and popular in- cumbent: it cost about 1,3004 is seated for some 350 people and has lately been fitted up with the most elegant draperies for the pulpit, reading-desk, &c., that I have seen in Canada. They are of roan-coloured velvet, trimmed with gold brocade, and adorned with rich bullion tassels at the corners. These were the gllt to the church of the ladies of the congregation, and must have cost at least 201. There is also a sweet-toned organ, in a handsome ease, with four semi-stops and dulciana, which is lent by a gentleman of the congregation, whose property it and who himself, being an enthusiast in sacred choral music, kindly volunteers his own efficient services to the well-organized choir. A young lady, a teacher of music in the town, acts as organist; toe which she receives 201. a year. The organ itself is the highly-creditable work of a firm whose place of business is only three miles from Galt, in the almost entirely German town and settlement of Preston, where the services are those of the Lutheran communion. It cost about 1001 sterling. Perhaps a person would hardly expect organ-building establishments in country towns in Canada: there are two, however, here,—that of Hager and Vogt, who constructed the above instrument, and Limbrecht's. They were formerly one 'The Emigrant Churchman in Canada. By a Pioneer of the Wilderness. Edited, by the Rev, IleorT Christmas, M.A., 1,R,S.,,P.S.A., Member or of outpa Ac±,cletuY °'- Archteology 'of Aradrid, &c. In twa-vidansea, "Paldished tly Bentley. firm ; and it seems a pity that leY,,t114r siiipfret4, owing, we believe, to some dis- pute, their combined good qnalkies 4e lehe tb the public. Limbrecht is considered the superior workman.' - - - The prosperity of Galt midi easily be rivalled in a few years at an ad- vantageous " location"; but the style of Galt could only emanate from minds trained at home, or at some of the older American cities on the

Atlantic. At almost every place he comes to, our Churchman very properly gives practical information as to prices, means of accommodation for travellers, and so forth. The following account of the cost of living at Toronto may be taken as an elaborate example, indicative indeed of the general charges in Upper Canada.

"There are some very comfortable hotels and boarding-houses in Toronto, the charges at which are extrema/ reasonable. At the Wellington Hotel, which is close to the shore, the forwarding establishments, post-office, &c., the charges for an ordinary stay are about 1 dollar (5s. currency, or 4s. sterling) a day. This includes bedroom, table, and in fact everything but wine and washing ! If a person makes it his regular residence, 601. a year will be charged. This is con- sidered chiefly a commercial hotel. The North American on the shore, and Mac- donald's in King Street, have also very respectable claims on public consideration at much the same charges. In hotels in country towns you may live for 3i dollars a week, and keep a horse for lfr dollars more, you finding oats. The Black Swan in King Street, nearly opposite the Church Society's office, is, either from its locality or the character of the landlord, a place for the clergy to put up their conveyances. It is much more unpretending in outward appearance than some of the others ; but a clergyman may always reckon on careful attention to his horses, vehicle, &c. "The charges at the boarding-houses vary from 3 to 5 dollars a week. For the latter charge one may get first-rate accommodation. But even as low as 3' one may obtain a place perfectly respectable and not at all unsuited as the tem- porary abode of any quiet individual, lay or clerical. Moreover, as the general run of boarders are persons professionally engaged, college students, &c., a stranger would have pretty nearly the exclusive use of the public sitting-room from breakfast till tea-time, with the exception of the dinner-hour. Breakfast is at eight, dinner at one, and tea at six; besides which any light refreshment may be had later in the evening without farther charge, if one happens to be out or accidentally disposed to eat then. There are, however, we believe, boarding- houses whose charges are as Iowan 2 dollars a week: a person, of course, of any means, would not be likely to try there; they are, however, some of them suf- ficiently respectable in character. It is probable that where there was a family a deduction would be made from the individual charge of 3 dollars, or in the event of a long stay. But surely it is encouraging to the emigrant of small means to think how cheaply he may live respectably and well in such a city as Toronto, where there is every advantage of society, shops, libraries, gas, cold sad warm baths, &c. Since that most important item of expenditure his board and residence may be comfortably disposed of for say 30/. a year sterling, or 401. currency. Thus a person who is wise enough to eschew intoxicating liquors may evidently live comfortably on 40/. to 50L per annum sterling, as he will have no expenses save those of clothes, shoes, washing, &c. In fact, 3 dollars a week is a very common charge in many parts of Canada, even in highly respectable private families, some of whom do not adect to add to their income in this way, and in some cases washing may be included. If otherwise, your things will be washed for half a dollar a dozen, one piece with another, without reference to size or make.

"Arrangements may readily be made moreover, if necessary, for the keep of a horse on very moderate terms; for the animal may be pastured in an enclosed clearing for 1 dollar a month during summer, should it not be deemed expedient, as is often done, to turn it loose to pick up its living at the road-side and in the bush.' Then oats are from 10d. to 15d. currency a bushel, and hay (Timothy hay) from 8 to 10 dollars a ton at an average; so that it is easy to calculate for how little a horse may be kept.'.

At Niagara this traveller does not succeed better than any who have gone before him in conveying an idea of the Falls; but he is more thorough in his explanation and his account of all that is to be seen. American enterprise has now started a steamer that takes you to the bot- tom of the cataract itself.

"The pretty Maid of the Mist' steamer takes the adventurous passengers along the said gorge from about a mile or more down to as near the foot of the falls as may safely consist with not being sucked within the perilous influence of the cataract, and drawn underneath it to overwhelming destruction. "It was a bold and unique idea the starting this vessel, and certainly one of the greatest triumphs ever achieved by steam: Since besides the danger of suction above, there is the continually recurring peril of being drawn beyond the point of safety into the tremendous rapids below; when, should she even live through them, she must be almost inevitably carried into the Maelstrom-like whirlpool four miles down, and drawn into its hideous and unexplored abysses with all her luck- less freight. It is scarcely necessary to say that the utmost precautions are taken to prevent the possibility of such a catastrophe; the principal security con- sisting in two separate engines, an that if any accident happened to one, she would still have power with the remaining one to stem the current. She is also pro- vided with Javan' anchors and cables, though I very much doubt their power of holding her, should accident disable her machinery near the lower end of her voy- age. As it is, however, everything looks so well and is £0 well managed, that I cannot say that when, on an after occasion, I took a trip in her, I felt the least uneasiness. Indeed, a young couple were married on board of her not long since. She certainly affords the opportunity of exhibiting the scenery of a passage that no mortal a few years ago could have ever dreamed of making, unless endued with the wings of the eagle; and as she is partly covered in on deck, and sheltered with high side screens, one may ensconce one's self under the lee of these, when close to the foot of the falls and in the thial of the spray, without any but a very- trivial aspersion. Here then is a situation as unique as any that could be pre- sented on the habitable globe; floating upon the hissing, babbling, eddying current, amidst the loud thunders of this liquid amphitheatre, where the least over nigh ap- proach to its ever-shifting and yet still stationary watery walls would insure a sudden and terrible dismissal to the eternal world; yet here man rides triumph- antly and rests calmly. Were the strong leviathan, made without fear,' to dare to play in that spot, his mighty ribs would be crushed to atoms in a moment, were be once overpowered and sucked beneath the cataract. Yet here the frail atom man, by means of a little watery vapour confined and directed at his pleasure, moves with secure composure amidst It scene where the thunder of the very element which he controls pours magnificent terror all around, and jars the firm foundation of the rock-bound abysses where it roars."

The Churchman visited Nova Scotia, and probably New Brunswick; of both which colonies he gives an account, but much leas attractive than his picture of Canada West, late Upper Canada. He has also made a journey through the United States, from Boston to the Lakes, which is not the least interesting part of his book. His religious views and his introductions gave him fresher objects than tourists in general have, and brought him in connexion with a better class of soeiety. These particu- lars of the Naval Chaplains and the domestics Willi* found new.

4"Orie oftoftourltladoV-retibliatiriiikliny`iololiiri in the nelghboniiitirid 'of Restore, was to the dockykid. at Charlestown' ematiethei spiritual superinteull- ence of my. very good and moat lind friend the Reverend Addison Seatie,liehier Chaplain of the United States Navy. Here he bas a plain building fitted up as a chapel, where he regularly officiates, His official residence is one of a neat row of two-storied pottage-looking buildings within the walls a the establishment, where he keeps about as snug a bachelor's hall—which he is truly delighted to see enlivened with the society of his friencle—as any lover of single blessedness need aspire to. His clerical duties here are necessarily light, as there is a separate chaplain for the guard-ship, the worthy Mr. Chasei who resides at Cambridge, about four miles off, with his interesting young family, and walks iu every day to his duties.

"The pay of Chaplains in the American Navy is established on a very respeet- able scale of liberality. It consists of 800 dollars a year for Junior, and 1,200 for Senior Chaplains, besides one ration at sea. They have, however, no retiring al- lowance, but are always on duty or on furlough. Owing to the absence of an as- tablished clergy, they are not all of the Church; but, I believe, she possesses by far the great majority; and even some of thosewithout her pale have the good sense, I understand, to use her liturgy. At the time of my visit, the dockyard was happily, entirely under her wing, as not only both the Chaplains, but the Commodore and Colonel of Marines, (since deceased, I regret to say,) to whose gentlemanlike 150- liteness I felt highly indebted, besides many of the junior officers, were decided

and zealous Churchmen. • • •

" I noticed in the chapel a number of seats with the words ' officers' domestics' painted upon them; which confirmed me in an idea which I bad previously en- tertained, that many of the narratives as to servants only enduring to be called 'helps ' in America, is after all only travellers' talk, and appertain properly rather to the newer districts, where no aristocracy of wealth has been created, than to the whole country. "It was said to be the case that none but people of colour would accept service in a family as footman, &c. - but, however that may have been in times past, I can only say that in Boston I have just been as quietly and properly waited Ivrea by a respectable White man-servant when at dinner in a private family as I could have been in London. Some people in the great cities are even taking to live-

ries. • •

" The Chaplains in the United States Navy wear a uniform (only of black oletir instead of blue) like other officers. They i seem to like it, as giving them an im- mediately cognizable status as officers, n foreign parts. My friend Mr. Searle,. however, dressed the same as any other clergyman in Boston. Mr. Chase, whose duties were on board the guard-ship, usually wore the uniform vest with the navy button, (the anchor and eagle,) but with black coat and pantaloons."

The general pictures of American society in the older parts confirm the opinion we have sometimes hinted at, that an aristocracy of taste, feelin. g,. and probably of fashion, is forming in America ; though as yet it has not much prospect of acquiring power, save by the direct and not very ele- vated influence of money. The Anti-Rent crusade, however, appears to have had more effects upon the fortunes of the Rensellaer family than we inferred lately from Mr. Downing's description of their mansions and grounds. Perhaps he had not corrected his last edition with the last news.

"Near Albany is the manor-house of one branch of the great Van Rensellaer family, who enjoy or ought to enjoy the possession of a block of ten miles square, as a grant from the Crown when the Union was a British colony, (just as Mr. Kip's ancestors once owned great part of the site of New York.) Their property ought of course to be of immense value at present, and would be but for the con- summate rascality of the tenantry. Though they and their forefathers have thriven, and thriven well, under the present lord of the manor and his ancestor's,. those now occupying the estate have come to the honest and honourable conclu- sion that they will pay no more rent to the proprietor. This is Owing not to- poverty, but the vilest of pride. They say that other farmers in the States ha* their own land and pay no rent, and that neither will they. Thus they are to proud to be honest men. Something like our conscientious Dissenters at home, who pretend to too much principle to pay anything, if they could help themselvea, to the support of the Church; but have not too much principle to wish to put into their own pockets an amount the deduction due to which has already been made- matter of equitable valuation and adjustment in their rentals or purchases. "As regards the Van Rensellaer tenantry, I am sorry to say that they have too much of public feeling with them in the States for any court of law to be able to compel them to pay their just debts to the proprietors of the estate. At pne time, indeed, it turned a little against them when they followed up their refusal to pay by the murder of two of his collectors ; but that feeling has died away, and they remain now, I believe, in almost undisturbed poseeesion, having inade Some dishonestly cheap compromise; the present representative of the family being quite in reduced circumstances in consequence. When I was told of this, I asked, with a feeling akin to indignation, why, for the sake of the honour of public jus- tice, the Government did not interfere to enforce the authority of the law against these murderous defaulters? I was answered, with an expression of regret; by the really honourable gentleman to whom I addressed my inquiry, that it Wale- impossible for the Executive to act even if willing; for as the refractory tenantry numbered some 3,000 votes among them, they had it in their power to overturn any Government that set itself in opposition to their wholesale system of robbery. Of course, the remedy would be, in a State determined to maintain the public honour inviolate, to pass a law by which all wilful and therefore dishonest default- ers should ipso facto be disfranchised ; but I fear that it would be found impas- sible thus to vindicate the right in a condition of society where almost universal suffrage prevails. Meantime, what an appalling picture of public morals does a state of things present, in which, not on the verge of civilization, in those regions of the West where it shades off into worse than barbarism, but in the very metre of a :great amount of civilization, in the heart of the principal State, and at the very head-quarters of its Government, 3,000 individuals having a voice in the franchise of the country—men who many of them, perhaps, attend public worship. on a Sunday, and call themselves respectable members of society—should thus he beaded together in thievish and dastardly combination to rob an individual on whoa° lands they and their fathers have fattened." , These extracts might be -extended to a variety of subjects quite distinct- from such as we have already taken ; and two great questions we must leave altogether untouched,—the pse.sent government of Canada, and the political feelings of the Canadians. The prospects the country offers tø emigrants, the various classes at home who may be benefited by emigrIty tion, and the best modes of proceeding, (all which topics are discussed, separately and at length,) must also be passed by. Some results, however, we may shortly note. No one who can make both ends fairly meet home should emigrate merely with the view of bettering his condition: if he has a vocation to enterprise and adventure, that is another affair. The persons who seem most likely to succeed, and to raise themselves- greatly above their present condition, are artisans and men accustomed to labour. Capitalists of all kinds will do well ; not only living in com- fort, but finding opportunities of making money and providing for their families. At the same time, success seems to require more wariness,.

pushing, and bargaining, than are the custom in this country, or per- haps would be considered altogether respectable in a person making claims to the character of a gentleman here. The first thing such a person should consider when thinking of emigration is, whether be can bring his mind to discard all retarding delicacy and sensitiveness.