I could get such articles, replied,-" Well, I guess you won't get any," and turned away, as I said before, leaving me to go out when I thought proper, which, in my humble opinion, would rather lose than gain them custom, but as they boast that they are an "enlightened, sympathizing, and independent people," so let them remain ; though for my own part, I cannot understand what their independency is,-indeed, I asked all whom I could take that liberty with, what their independency really did consist of. Some said,-" Well, I guess I don't know, but I don't care for no man; I'm an independent man, and this is an independent country." Others replied," Well, I guess I don't know; but I think it is a shadow without a substance." So much for

Yankee independence.

Having rested ourselves from the fatigues of the voyage for a few days at New York, and wishing to lose as little time as possible, we started on the morning of the 9th on our journey to Upper Canada. Following our baggage to the Hudson river, we went on board the Union steam boat, and proceeded up the river with little difficulty, through the broken ice, as far as Sing-Sing, a small village, about thirty-four miles from New York; the river being so frozen it was impossible to proceed any farther, so that we were obliged to land, and make a longer route: by the foresight of our friends at New York, conveyances had been ordered to be ready, it being expected that we should not be able to get any further than Sing-Sing by water. We landed about twelve o'clock, and after loading two four-horse vans with the most part of our luggage, we packed ourselves about a coach, or what is called there, an "Extra Exclusive," which is a vehicle much like our own stages, but not built quite so high, and rather larger in the body; they carry nine persons inside, and only one out, who sits with the driver: the party inside sit three back, three front, with their backs to the horses, and three across, from door to door, where there is a broad strap fixed, which forms a back to the middle seat. Most of the luggage they carry is packed in a kind of boot behind, and a few things on the top, but they cannot carry so much as the English stages do; indeed, the bad state of the roads would not admit of it: the body of the coach being fixed on springs of hide, it rolls about almost as bad as a vessel at The reason why it is called an " Extra Exclusive" is, there being no post-chaises or post-horses; all who have occasion to travel at that season of the year are obligated to travel by the stage; and if any person or party wish to travel more privately, they can engage one of these stages, in which case it is "extra," the regular coaches having to proceed whether they have passengers or not, and which is exclusively for the party who may engage it. The greatest benefit which is derived from engaging an "extra" is, that the party can start on their journey as early as they like, can travel as late as they please, and are not obliged to stop, but where they choose, except to change horses. All the coaches are drawn by four horses, which are generally small, and when the roads and season permit, they travel very fast; the drivers are generally dressed very well, and at this season almost smother themselves in three or four plaid cloaks, with the arms of all of them, except the top one, cut off. The drivers seldom whip their horses, but swear at them, using all the most horrid expressions, not making the least difference of what sex or rank the passengers may be.

sea.

From Sing-Sing we started about one o'clock, every one wondering who and what we were, it being so unusual for families to travel at such an inclement season, and much more so, with the quantity of luggage we possessed. Our first stage was to Peckskill, which was eighteen miles, on a road amongst rocks and ravines. At our first starting we had to mount a very steep hill, about one mile in length, and help up the horses' legs in heavy mud, clay, great holes, and stones, and so steep, that being outside, I was fairly laid back on the coach: sometimes the roads were so narrow, that there was barely room to pass. On one side projected the rocks, and on the other a precipice, 120 feet deep, and almost perpendicular, with pieces of rock, stone, and stumps of trees projecting down the side,-the edges of the stone appearing like so many knives; and at the bottom was a river, running at a tremendous force, so that had any accident happened, and we had got down the precipice safe, we certainly must have been washed away. At another part of the road, which was very steep and down hill, were a quantity of large stones sticking, from a foot to a foot and a half high, at all parts of the road, which the horses stepped over, and in and out as fast as they could; whilst I expected to be thrown off the box at every stone the wheels came in contact with. My inside fellow-travellers being packed so close, could not see so much of the danger as myself, though every time we jolted over a stone, I heard a

shriek, and then a laugh, one or the other having their head jolted against the roof, caused them to scream, and the remainder to laugh, which the late sufferer joined in against the next sufferer. We had proceeded but a few miles when we came to a very steep hill, which was one complete sheet of ice, and where it was requisite for us to alight and walk, or rather "slip down," having to escort the party down one by one, it took nearly half an hour; when without any material accident, we managed to get all to the bottom,-the coach came down nearly the whole of the way sideways. We resumed our places and proceeded on our way, the roads still exceedingly rough; at one part where a brook crossed the road, it had frozen, but not sufficiently to bear the weight of the horses, so that at every step they took, it broke and cut their legs, the blood gushing out at two or three places.

We arrived at Peckskill a little before six o'clock, and stopped there for the night. The first thing we did was to order dinner, which we did ample justice to, for to speak the truth, it was the best dinner we had sat down to since leaving England; after which we sought our beds, and rose at five o'clock the next morning, when we got some breakfast, and proceeded on our journey. Our first stage this morning was to Fishkill, which is nineteen miles, where we procured fresh horses, and proceeded to Poughkeepsic, which is fourteen miles; and from thence to Rhinebeck, which is seventeen miles; making in this day's journey, fifty miles, which at this season of the year, it being the breaking up of the frost, is very good travelling. We stopped here for the night, during which some snow fell, and in the morning it was necessary to procure a sleigh, as it was impossible to travel with wheels as before. A sleigh is like the body of an omnibus, or railroad car, placed upon a pair of shafts, or skates of iron, and travel much lighter, easier, and quicker on snow or ice, than wheels. Our first stage from Rhinebeck was to Clermont, sixteen miles; at some places the snow was above the horses backs on each side of us; indeed, there was little else to be seen, but the snow covered rocks on each side of us, which I must say (despite the dangerous situations in which we were at times placed) looked beautiful,-the bright icicles hanging from different parts of rocks, and the lowlands with the fine tall pines, hickory, and firs, had the appearance of a forest of silver: the pinewood is chiefly used for fuel, but a great deal is used for roofing houses; and I believe the hickory is generally thought the best for making handles for working utensils, such as the axe, shovels, whips, &c.

In travelling over the high rocky part of the States at this season, (March) the severity of both the wind and sun are felt at one time, having the bleak North wind on one side, and the scorching sun on the other, I could scarcely bear to touch my face with my own hands. From Clermont we proceeded to Hudson, twelve miles, the roads getting harder; from Hudson we went forward to Albany which is thirty four miles, with only one set of horses for the whole of the last named distance. On a frozen river varying from one to two miles across, on one part of this river was erected what is called a tavern for travellers; which was a few boards knocked up into the form of a tap-room, and a covering for a horse or two to stand under; at this place we stopped to give the horses water and proceeded. Owing to a heavy shower which had fallen and thawed the top of the ice, we could not get on so well as we expected, three hours and a half being about the time allowed for the distance; they generally travel on the ice at the rate of ten miles per hour, without any sort of hinderance, but instead of which we had to stop every now and then to knock out the snow which had formed a complete båll in the horses' feet. While on the ice we met several smaller sleighs and cutters, which were drawn by one horse and being much lighter than ours could travel quicker, and could venture with safety on parts where we could not; the people who were driving them looked very happy, notwithstanding the cold, they being well wrapped up in buffalo's hides or bear skins, which are generally ornamented, and one part thrown over the seat and back of the sleigh, and another brought over the knees and feet; the horses have each of them a string of bells, (some more or less) which all persons using a sleigh or cutter, are obliged to use, under a penalty or fine; some of them fix their bells on their horses' backs, some on their girths, and some round their collars. The reason why a fine is levied I believe is, to prevent accidents, as they slide along the ice or snow with so little noise, that at certain parts of roads or other places where the turnings are sharp, accidents might happen, before they could be avoided were there no bells; which act as messengers on the wind, and which persons may hear at a sufficient distance to prevent accidents. We met many persons skating from one village to another, some for pleasure, and others with loads on their back, which they

carried seemingly with great ease; at other places men were catching fish, which they did in the following manner,—first making a hole in the ice about one yard wide, they lay down beside the hole, with a spear in their hand, and strike it into the water every two or three minutes: the light through the hole attracting the fish to that part, and finally to their death; though I believe there are many different modes of fishing through the ice.

We arrived safe at Albany between five and six in the evening, by which time my eyes were so affected, that I could scarcely see, there appearing before them quite a mist, which was owing to the attraction of the sun and snow, which I am told is generally the case with all new comers at this season: I am informed that most travellers use green spectacles as a preventative. It being Saturday when we arrived at Albany, we remained there until Monday morning. Albany is a pretty town, situated on the side of the Hudson, or North River, and is, next to New York, the largest in that State. There are a few very fine public buildings, but not very large; the houses in the main streets are generally red brick, and resemble the buildings in London, more than any I have yet seen; the rest of the houses are wood. Some of the buildings are roofed with tin, but most of them are (as Paddy would say) slated with wood, which are called shingles; it is the pinewood cut into the size and form of slates, and laid in the same manner, and nailed to the laths, without paint or any other kind of preservative; and a stranger to look at them would not know but that they were slates, unless he was informed to the contrary. The tin roofs are never painted, and yet it does not rust, as it does in England. The generality of the inhabitants keep one or two horses, with a waggon, or sleigh; at the time we were there, there was scarcely any one to be seen who had half a mile to go without a sleigh: many persons who have a long journey to go, generally defer it until the winter, it being better travelling, especially if their road lie nigh a river, as with a cutter they can travel ten or twelve miles an hour with ease; and I have been told of persons who have driven one horse near 150 miles in two days, or between seventy and eighty miles one day, and back the next, but the greater part of the distance was on a frozen river. The inhabitants consist chiefly of Dutch, Germans, Americans, and a few English. We started from Albany on Monday morning, at nine o'clock, for Utica, on a railroad of 100 miles, with a train of fourteen or fifteen carriages, each one having three bodies, and each body holding six persons; at the end of the carriages were two baggage waggons, with the whole of the luggage belonging to the passengers. The first station we stopped at was only twelve miles from Albany, at a village called Scnectady, where we had to change the train; after which we proceeded on to Utica, which place we reached at half-past four o'clock. It being almost too late to go another stage, we staid there for the night, and started again the next morning, when we took two extras and one waggon; we started at six o'clock, and made all speed for Syracuse, which was fifty miles, but the roads being bad, we did not arrive there until six in the evening, which made twelve hours, being little more than four miles an hour; however, it was of no use grumbling, we were there safe, and after paying our compliments to a good meal, we took to our rest, and started again the next morning for Geneva, which was forty miles, where we arrived at five o'clock, and so bad was the accommodation, that we were glad to get away as early as possible the next morning. I must here state that at every place we stopped at for the night, I had to repair one or more of the packages or boxes; but at this place, I was more annoyed than I had ever been before; one of the cases having been broken, or rather crushed to pieces, I had to procure some iron-band, and bind it round the ends to keep it together; whilst in the act of mending it, an Englishman, a resident of that place, came in and finding us to be an English family, very kindly assisted me, by doing which he offended a drunken Yankee, who came up to us, and pretended to be very officious and kind, but abusing us the whole of the time with his tongue, and in the worst language he could think of; and as I found by his discourse that he was a low, ignorant man, I merely answered him by saying," So you think us a bad lot, do you?" however, I managed my job, and of course, lost no time in quitting his company. The next morning, before any of the overnight's debauchees were about, we were on our way for Rochester, distant fifty-four miles, and the roads getting better, we arrived there at five o'clock; but the man who assisted in unloading the waggon, knocked the things about in such a manner, that, if possible, I had a worse job to repair than I ever had before; and when I began to expostulate with him, and ask him if he would have the kindness to let them down as easy as he could,

he walked into the house saying,-"I guess I'll have some dinner," and leaving me to get in all my luggage, which now lay about the street, and every man, woman and child that could read, stopping to look at the directions of each parcel, and asking all sorts of impertinent questions; however, in the course of a little time, I managed to get the whole of it under cover, and then began repairing some trunks which were new on leaving England, but had been used so ill on the journey, that the bottoms of one or two were tumbling out, and many of the smaller articles which they contained rolling on to the pavement. After a little trouble I accomplished my job, and after getting some refreshments went to bed. As the next day's journey was to take us on to British land again, I arose with a lighter heart, and started early for Lewistown, which borders on Lake Ontario, and which parts the United States of America, and Canada. From Lewistown we immediately crossed the Niagara with the ferry, about seven miles below the falls; having landed at Queenstown, we halted there for the night, and for the first time since leaving New York, felt ourselves safe and free from insults. Queenstown is a small village, though of very great note, it being the spot where the most bloody part of the American war was fought, and where the gallant and noble General Brock fell; there is a monument erected on a high hill in commemoration of that gallant officer and his heroic deeds. At this place the Governor (of Upper Canada) met us, and, together with the ladies, proceeded on to visit the falls of Niagara, leaving myself and servants to procced as fast as we could on our way to Toronto, the place of our destination, which distance was now reduced to within one hundred miles. Accordingly the next morning places were taken in the stage for us; and as a small vessel was to be ready to sail for Toronto in a few days, most of our luggage was left to be forwarded by it. At eight o'clock the next morning the stage was announced, but when we went to the door we found nothing but an old light canvass-cover ed waggon; on asking if that was the stage we had booked our places for, was answered in the affirmative, that the regular stage had not come in, and that we should meet it at forty mile-creek, and that it would take us on the remainder of the distance; nothing was now left but to take our places, myself, as usual, with the driver. About eight o'clock in the evening we arrived at forty mile-creek, which is merely a clearing in the forest, through which we were travelling, with one or two houses, one of which serves for an inn, and is, I believe, so called by its being the fortieth time the creek crosses the road between Queenstown and that place. We found the coach had not arrived, and there being no horses to take us on, we gave ours a bait, and ordered some supper, though we might have called it dinner, tea, and supper, for throughout our whole journey, we always breakfasted before starting, and did not stop to any other meal until we arrived at our place of destination for the night. After waiting near an hour, our meal was at length announced to be ready, and we, being moreover ready for it, we lost no time; about ten the expected stage arrived, full of Yankee passengers. As soon as they had alighted, I acquainted the driver that we were passengers from Queenstown, and had been told that when we met the coach, it was to convey us on to Toronto; on hearing which, he said,—“Very well, pack your luggage, and as soon as I have had my supper, and the horses are ready, we will go." At this civil answer I was quite pleased, and accordingly set to work to unload the waggon, and load the coach; after which I went into the house, expecting to get on more comfortably, for the whole of the passengers being females, with the exception of one gentleman and myself, and the snow which had been falling for some hours before our arrival at forty-mile creek, began to run through the canvass covering of the waggon, made that conveyance rather uncomfortable, though for myself, I should not have cared, as I had travelled outside the whole of the journey. After waiting some time, the moon began to rise, and I strolled round the house, I had gone almost out of sight of the house, when turning to come back I saw some person pulling about the coach; thinking that they were about getting ready to start, I hastened my step, and on coming closer, I found the driver pulling the whole of our luggage off on to the ground, on seeing which, I called out "Holloa there, what are you doing with my luggage?" he replied,-"They say," (meaning the Yankee passengers which he had brought) "you can't have it, but must go on with the waggon. I accordingly went into the house, and explained to them that it was po more than right for us to proceed with the coach; they said-"We don't care, and I guess you'll get on as well as you have done." I then told them as they were gentlemen, they surely would have a little feeling for female passengers, as the night was so bad; but it was of no use talking with them, as they were fully bent to have their own

way, and I could not hinder them, there being no coach office to apply to. After reloading our waggon, we started again on our journey, and travelled until five the next morning, when we stopped at an inn, from where a coach was going to start at eight o'clock. The females all went to their beds, and I rolled myself up in my buffalo's skin, and slept on a bench in the tap-room until breakfast was ready; after which we proceeded on our way with the regular stage, with which we travelled more comfortably, and arrived at Toronto that evening, Monday, the 20th of March, and glad enough we were, to have what we could call our home again, after so much fatigue and anxiety.

WILLIAM RAPER.

Philanthropic Nelson Lodge, Atherstone, April 25th, 1839.

THE ROBIN.

WHEN at Mitcham, on a visit, to a cot I was led,
There a sweet little red breast came in to be fed,
So tame that he join'd us close by the hearth side,
For he knew in our friendship that he could confide.
No Puss to spring at him, no Rover to bark,—
From all dangers as free as the bird in the Ark ;
Though his visits were frequent yet pleasing to all,

For they cheerfully gave him, though means were but small,
Of whate'er they possess'd, though the songster was dumb,
Whensoever he came little Bob had his crumb.

One day he grew bolder and perch'd on the loaf,
There staid and well feasted before he flew off;
Always kind to the minstrel, he ne'er sought in vain,
Access to the table he always could gain.
Compassion secur'd a retreat from the snow,

While others where starving, he knew were to go;
This sweet little songster resign'd to his lot,
Thus welcom'd was happy, and grief was forgot;
Still cheerful in winter his music he'd bring,

If the door he found shut, at the window would sing.
Then from little robin may I learn to raise
My voice in affliction, God's goodness to praise;
And find in each tempest a screen from the blast,
And trust in that friendship which ever will last.
An Odd Fellows' Lodge is an emblem I find,

Of the cot where the robin was treated so kind;
If affliction o'ertake me, where else can I go,

Or distress bring upon me grief, sorrow and woe;

I am sure an Odd Fellow need never be lost,

While Truth, Love and Friendship is the motto we boast.
Then may every brother keep this in his mind,

If he meets a poor brother prove generous and kind;
So that when we are call'd to that Grand Lodge above,
Sit down with the Saviour enjoying his love.

JOHN BRADLEY, P, Prov. C. S. St. Olave Lodge, South London District, Feb. 14th, 1830.

EARLY RISING.-FRANKLIN says "that he who rises late, may trot all day, and not have overtaken his business at night." Dean Swift avers, "that he never knew any man come to greatness and eminence who lay in bed of a morning." Buffon, who was extremely addicted to sleep, required his servant to resort to violence, in order to get him out of bed at six in the morning; "yes," says he, "I am indebted to poor Joseph for ten or a dozen of the volumes of my works." One of the most celebrated writers of England was lately asked how it was that he wrote so much, and yet from ten in the forenoon was at leisure through the day," because I begin to write at three o'clock in the morning," was the reply.