towns are growing up pretty rapidly and the railroad is lending a
great encouragement to the farmers near the line.

Half a century ago the country was unheard of, save through the Hudson
Bay Company's agents and factors: quarter of a century ago it was
considered a _probably_ future portion of our Dominion. Behold it
to-day! Its cities, its roads, its villages, its farms, its
inhabitants! What then may the immense territory not become before
fifty years more shall have rolled into eternity? I do not feel myself
competent to judge-but I have no doubt but it will become the grainery
of the continent and the supplier of half Europe.

The farmer in the Provinces who has a good farm and who can make a
fair living would be foolish to leave it for the hazard of an attempt
in the new country. But should a person be commencing life and have
the intention of depending upon themselves, their own exertion and
energy, then the sun shines not on a finer land, holding out a broader
prospect than in that great country that lies towards the Pacific.

I have only spoken hurriedly and from a general standpoint of the
farmers, and when I say farmers, I mean white people. The Indian
fanning is of a different nature altogether. That will demand my
attention before I close this chapter.


FROG LAKE AND SURROUNDINGS.


Although the name of the place would indicate that the lake abounded
in frogs, still I have no recollection of seeing any extra number of