Twenty Years on the Saskatchewan. By the Rev. W. Newton.
(Elliot Stock.)—Mr. Cooper does well to add " N.W. Canada" to the name of the river which distinguishes the region of his labours. It may be further identified as the north-east portion of Alberta, Edmonton being the chief centre, and must be distinguished from Saskatchewan proper, which gets its name from the main river so called, and stretches eastward as far as Lake Winnipeg. Mr. Cooper, who made the journey to Fort Edmonton before the Canadian-Pacific Railway was made, gives a lively picture of the hardships and dangers which he endured. It was not by any means easy work that he found to do when he reached his journey's end. The Roman Catholics and Methodists were in possession. The latter especially resented what they considered his intrusion. They are not the only community which regards priority as a quasi-establishment, and denounces a. new-comer quite as fiercely as any Anglican could denounce dissent. Mr. Cooper does not content himself with details of missionary work and experience. He has much to say—much of it is by no means favourable —of the Hudson Bay Company, and of other authorities, local and general, and he gives us his views of the causes of the Riel Rebellion. If what he says is correct—and he must have had good opportunities of judging—we have not quite as much reason as most of us think in boasting of our superiority to the United States in our dealings with the Indians. As to emigration, Mr. Cooper speaks doubtfully, but the substance of his remarks is this : A man must not expect to grow rich, but he can live a healthy, reasonable life, and he is more likely to prosper if he is of the farming class with some money. The young gentleman who goes out to Canada because there is no place for him at home is commonly a failure.
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