The Express.
London, England, 1853-11-22 00:00:00

CANADIAN PROGRESS.

TORONTO, Nuv. 7.
The most important event of this week for Canada
is the opening of a portion of the Great Western Rail-
road, between Niagara river and Hamilton. This
section is forty-two miles long. The remainder of
the road is far advanced towards completion, and
it is positively promised on the part of the con-
tractors that the whole, as far as Detroit, will be
completed by the let of January next.
The whole length of the line from Niagara River
to Detroit is 222 miles; and it is one of the most
important railroads in America. It will connect
with the railways of New York, by the suspension
bridge at the Niagara river, at one of its termini, and at
the othor, with the railways of the State of Michigan.
If you glance at the map, you will see that it
forms almost a direct line of communication between
the eastern and western states of the American
Union, and I need not tell you of the immense traffic
and travel there are between these points. For this
reason American capital has been freely expended in
the construction of the road. Apart from the Ameri-
can interest, it runs through the richest portion of
Upper Canada, and so doubts can be entertained of
its being a profitable speculation.
Aptly with the opening of a section of the Great
Western Railroad, the first report of the secretary of
the Board of Registration and Statistics, on the
census of the Canadas for 1831 and 1832, has made
its appearance. This document possesses singular
interest, not merely to Canadians as showing the
rapid increase of population in their country, but to
those in the Old NV orld who wish to speculate on
the marvellous increase of population in the New. I
have before given you the figures of the last census
of Canada, and showed you how they compared with
those of the United States, but that does not take
away from the interest of the comparisons of the
census secretary. Before making any further com-
ments, however, let us first have a few figures.
According to the census report of the United
States, deducting the population acquired by terri-
torial additions since the preceding census, the
population at the date of the last in 1830 was
23,091,488; 1840, 17,067,03: increase in 10 years,

isjgaftl3, 35.27 per cent. Great Britain, census
!KA, 24121:A7; 11411, 18,6.18,372; increase in
to years, 2,463,505, or 13.20 per cent. Upper
Cass'ls, census of 1651. 952,001; 1841, 465,357 ;
increase in 10 years. 456.617, or 10458 per cent.
These rates of increase cannot be matched by
iif any Gths r states or countries in the world,
with the exception of California and Australia. Not-
witleoanding all the putting that we have heard of
the western states of the neighbouring union, with
the exception I have jait named, they cannot show
such an increase. Ohio Michigan, and Illinois, next
to cjitfeenia, show their most rapid increase. These
these states in In3o contained 1,126,831; in 1850,
3,5,0,000 ; showing an increase of a little over 320
per cent. in 2.) years. flot let us compare Upper
Panaill with 'lien.. In 1830 it contained 210,137 ;
i.. t., :,•1,1 ; showing an increase of 375 per
ant. in the same period, or a gain of 33 per cent.
over the three states.
Now this is a very stri!,iex fact, which is neither
kaoan our uppr, elated in England or the United
:gates. And how has Upper Canada gained this
peputation so rapidly? In tie face of difficulties and
aievuraerments, and ignorance in England of her
extraordinary resources, as d:nse as the darkness
that in former ti .lea plagued the Egyptians. The
usual ac otin; a oc Canadian news in the English news-
pie Is, are also inten.ely ludicrous, and indeed worse
than positive silence. Upper Canada may not have
01, but her agricultural capabilities can hardly be
exceeded.
Suing correspondence of Mr. Jackson and the
secretary of State for the Colonies, has appeared in
the papers durirg the last week relative to Nova
origin railways. The Colonial Secretary explains
that the reason why the royal assent was not given
to the railway bills of that province, was in conse-
quence of correspondence between his department
and the geutieracii engaged in making the railways.
Mr. Jackson, in Lis letters, one of which is addressed
to the Lieuter.ant-Governor of Nova Scotia, and the
other to Mr. Mocks, the Inspector-General et
Cancils, an::eunces that he abandons the whole plan,
but that ho will make the railway from Halifax to
Quebec on the condition of Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick voting sums of' 20,00 W. sterling a year
each, and Canada and the Imperial government
30,0001. sterling a year each, to enable him to pur-
chase Three-end-alialf Terminable Annuities; and
the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada to
assume any farther stock that may be necessary for
the undertaking.
Prices of pluluee are still high, in consequence of
news from Ealope. Flour is quoted as high as
325. 6d. to 3s. per barrel; wheat, 7s. 3d. per 601bs.
Pot ashes have been sold for 295.; pearls, 275. 6d.,
bat little doing. These prices arc currency, which is
one-ninth less than sterling, with a rate of exchange
of 10 per mut. agaiust it ; making a difference of not
far from 20 per cent. lower than sterling.
The weather is very pm and fine.

Or Court.

WINDSOR, Noy, 21.

The Queen, cr.th the 1/ache's of Brababt, rode in
the Riding-house tbi. morning.
Ilse Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred visited the
cavalry barracks this afternoon, when their Royal High-
nesses, after inspecting the riding-school, went round the
troop stables end men's room..
}ter Majesty r.feived the melancholy beelligence yester-
day afternoon of thu death of the Queen of Portugal. ant-
cousin, by motive, both to her Majesty and I'rince
Albert. The party invited to assemble at Windsor Castle
to-day, en the occasion of the birthday of the Princess
Royal. has beets countermanded in cmseinence, and the
military and private bands era dispensed with at the Castle
until further wan.

Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office
from the Governors of the North American Provinces and
the Governor of Now Zealand.

WINDSOR TIIEVERICALS.—Those royal dramatic
instrrtainatents are not to he ronissad until after Christ-
mas, when Bhalopeam's play of TM Tempest is to be
presented.
SIR ROBERT PEEL has consented to deliver a
lecture in fire or ti: towns of the Midland district, in aid
of the fund living raised to employ a paid lecturer in con-
sesion with the Midland Voiotia Mechanics' Institutes.—
/hewing/tem Ussette.