Star.
London, England, 1831-02-28 00:00:00

Larriut FROM CANADA.
My dear brother—l have been eng.ged since my arrival la Upper
Canada, in a thorough examination of the country, with a view tower.
tan whether it affords such prospects of future comfort and Indepen.
u to induce me to remain and establish myselrand family in it.
Having by this time gained a general knowledge of the soil and cll.
mate—of the system of the government—of the state of society and re.
ligion throughout the province, and made wyself more particularly ac-
quainted with this neighbourhood. by excursions into the different
townships, I am now enabled to give you my opinions on these points
with some confidence.

After a passage of parly eight weeks, which, patting from friends
and relations, and !caving the land of our birth, must always render
gloomy and dispiritifig, I landed at Quebec, and made a stay there up-
wards of a month ; but, not liking the appaaeance of the country, which
is very mountainous and sterile, I rdltsed several offers of land in the
townships of Inverness and Leeds, and came to Montreal, 180 miles
higher up the River S'. Loreto*, by steam-packet. At Montreal I
remained another month, determined to give every part a fair trial, and
to form no opinion without good grounds for It. The lead here, al.
thooskbomoo-dort tiot at Quollocoroo still not Mist Dud beatiott to
expect. I, therefore, again set out, end finally reached York, the or
pital of Upper Canada, situated on Lake Ontario, about 900 mlles
from Montreal. 1. is from this place lam now writing, and you will
understand that the following remarks have reference to this neigh-
bourhood.

The climate appears to tue very similar to that of England, but drier,
and without those violent storms of wind and rain so often experienced
there. The summer is warmer, and the winter, perhaps, colder ; but
the air is always clear and bracing, and there is scarcely a day's work in
the year lost from bad weather. For my own part, although I have
beetaa good deal exposed on my frequent journeys, I have never en-
joyed better health, nor felt myself in better spirits
The land is generany level, watered by fine streams, and covered
with timber—oak, beech, birch, elm, ash, maple—from which excel-
lent sugar is made—bass, pine, hemlock, spruce, and several kinds of
nut, grow to a vast size, and form the principal cause of the difference
of appearance between this country and England. Every description of
soil can be found, so that a man, If he Understands the cultivation of
one kind better than another, may salt himself here, without difficulty.
On the surface is always a coat of vegetable mould, which has been
formed by the leaves of the trees, and the decayed wood, and which causes
all sorts of grain and grass to grow with the most astonishing luxuriance.
In the township of Toronto, I saw a crop of oats, estimated to produce
five quarters to the acre, and was assured by the proprietor that it was
the ninth crop of grain which had been grown on the same ground with-
out any kind of manure. The price of land varies from five shil.
lings to 25 shillings per ac e ; but the medium price in the town-
ships in this neighbourhood, is 15 shillings, equal to 13s. 6d. sterling
money—part is payable in cash at the time of purchase, and the re.
mainder generally in four or five yearly Instalments, with interest at six
per cent. The expense of bringing an acre into cultivation—that is,
cutting down and burning the timber, is from 21 10s. to 31. 10s. where
the wood is of the hard kinds, and not unusually thick. After this
process, the only thing that remains to do, is, to sow and harrow in the
seed, which is generally wheat—one bushel to the acre. The surface Is
naturally loose, and is rendered more so by the trampling of the men and
cattle, so that there is no occasion for ploughing. The crop is gene-
rally from twenty-five to thirty—five bushels per acre, and is worth, at
the present price in York, sre a bushel, equal to 365. sterling; per qr.
from 51. to 81. 15s. A second crop, equally good, may often be taken ;
and the land, then sown with grass.seed, will produce excellent hay and
pasture. Barley is not much cultivated ; the produce is equal to that
of wheat, but it is not worth more than 2s. 6d. per bushel. Oats are
also a good crop, and sell for Is. 6d. a bushel. And the white pease
equal any thing that I have seen, both in quantity and quality. Ve-
getables of all kinds are abundanr, and bear good prices: potatoes, tur-
nips, carrots, and cabbage, in particular, grow to perfection. Hones
cost from 201. to 401. a pair. Some of them are very good, but they
might be much improved; and it would be well worth a man's while to
bting out a stout compact English stud with him. Oxen, from their
being better adapted for the work of a new country, are more used than
horses, and of course better attended to. They are well-formed. thrifty
beasts but not equal in size or appearance to the short horns in Yorkshire.
From 101. to 151. a pair is the price for working oxen, wording to size
and age. Cows ate sold at from 41. to 61. each, and young beasts in
proportion. Very little trouble or labour is required in the raising of
cattle in this country, as they are left to browse in the woods, where
they find plenty of food, and thrive remarkably welL Sheep are not
yet numerous, the wooded lands not being adapted for them; but as
the country becomes more cleared, they will increase. Some manufac-
tories of cloth are already established, and wool is in good demand at
Is. Bd. a pound. The new Leicester breed, and its crosses, will be
dee kind required, and, if imported, would soon repay their cost and
expenses.
Religion in this country, is ertirely freed from restraint. Every
man is allowed, in t is respect, to think as be pleases, and to attend
what minister and what place of worship he may choose to prefer. So
long as he conducts himself in obedience to the laws, which are
precisely the same as those of England, he is at liberty to act as his
conscience may direct. Our persuasion is very numerous, and I have
been happy to learn that some of the most industrious and respectable
settlers belong to it.
Wherever my burial= has led me, I have found friends and ac-
quaintances; and it has been a great satisfaction to meet many of my
old neighbours, whom I had known long and intimately, before either
they or I had thought of crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Old country
people form a great proportion of the inhabitants, and their numbers
are daily increasing. It is with gratitude A mention the kindness shown
me in every part of the country through which I have travelled. 1
have been made welcome in all places, and have never wanted a meal
or a lodging.
On the contrary, I feel confident that every Ito* and industrious
man, however poor he may be, on arriving here, will, in the course of
aft* years, find himself in coriifort and independence, if not in affiu-
ence. I have met with persons who came from England ten fears igos
without a shilling, and who now pones, Farms with seventy or eighty
acres cleared, eight or ten stacks of corn, besides well-filled barns,
horses, horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry ; every thing that is
wanted to make them contented and happy. 1 have, on the contrary„

' met with men who, whatever they may have had originally, are beggars
now and ever will be beggars. Bet these are characters whose disgust.
ing intemperance. makes them a disgrace to themselves as well as to
their country, and who must be despised and shunned by all sober men.
Many incoevtniences must be suffered, many difficulties overcome,
both in the voyage from England and in the first se. aktnent on hinds
here. But these once over, an establishment once effected, and I have
little dnutat that, with prudence and ecotto•ny. the emigrant will re-
ceive a fair return for his toil and privation. I remain. dear brother,
yours, affectionately, RICHARD BEILBY,
York, Upper Canada, 9th Nov. 111'30,
To Mr. J. Beilby. Benton, near Burlington, Yorkshire.
P. 8. 11th November, 11130. Since writing the foregoing letter, try
time has been occupied in examining a tract of land belonging to the
Canada Company, and which I find to be one in every way likely to
answer nay views. It contains twelve hundred acres, being conning. ti
of six ordinary sized lots, and is situated in the jconing townships of
Vaughan, within tweet, oils San *WOKE: ii 46 et litirober, a
fine clear stream, passes through the centre, and °Bees the advantage of
water-power for mills or machinery of any kind. On its banks are ex-
tensive flats, of the richest alluvial soil, and, beyond these, the land
rises to an elevation of sixty or eighty feet, in part covered with hard
wood, and part with very fine pine. The soil of this elevation being
dry, it affords excellent building sites, and the situation appears to be
very healthy. Tile settlements are within a short distance on all sides,
and very little rued-setting will be required. After so favourable a
description of this spot, you will be anxious to know the terms on
which it may be secured. The price is what I stated as the average price
of land in this neighbourhood, 15s or 13a 6d sterling per acre. One.
fifth of the money only is required to be paid down ; the remainder
Is divided into five parts, and one of these parts made payable yearly.
These terms tee sufficiently reasonable; and I should have concluded
a bargain immediately, because it would be a great advantage to
begin upon land at this season, and base houses built, and a part ready
for crop, by the spring, but, as you know, Ism yet uncertain whether
you, and my other relations are to join me, and my property is still
In F.ngland, and will require son* time before it can be couverted into
money,.
I will now give you some directiwps for your guidance in coming out.
Hull is the best pert to embark at ; and if the ship Westmoreland
should mil for Quebec, I would advise you to take passage in her ; she
is a fine staunch vessel, and Captain Neil Is an excellent obliging man,
willing to do every thing in his power for the comfort and convenience
of his passengers. On reaching Quebec, you shall
_proceed immedi-
ately, by steatn.packet. to Mornteal ; from thecato Prescott, you will
travel partly by land, and 'Partly hi boats on the river St. Law.
rence ; but, in all cases, prefer the fastest mode of' conveyance not.
withstanding the increased expense. From Prescott, a steam-
locket will bring you direct to York, where you will hear
of me. My expenses from Montreal to this place, with my daughter,
amounted to 41. 10e. bu• I have since learned that I could some up for
half that sum. The Canada Company have contracted with the pro-
prietors of the packets and river boats, to have their settlers forwarded
at very low rates.; and any person is allowed the advantage of this ar.
rangement on depositing with the agent, at Quebec, a sum sufficient to
cover the expenses incurred by the Company. Besides the saving of
expense, the passengers, by this means, are secured from all risk of being
imposed upon along the route.
1 annex a more particular statement of the present prices of farm
produce in this town, and also, of the common rate of wages tor jour-
neymen of different trades. You will see by these that very great en.
couragement is offered to industrious men generally, and to mechanics
in particular. As the expenses of living are not much greater here
than in England, and as there are no taxes whatever, I feel confi.
dent of the correctness of my former statement, that ho man, if
honestly inclined, can fall in securing a comfortable livelihood and in.
dependence fcr himself and his family. RICHARD HEMET.
MARKET PRICts.--Wheat 4s Od to be per bushel. Barley Si 2d
per bushel. Rye 3s 9d bushel. Oats Is Gd per bushel. Indian
Corn 33 9d per bushel. )ease& 2d per bushel. Fkur 253 per bar-
mier Me posted& Salad per pound. Mutton 31d per pound. Pork
3d per pound. Tallow 44d per pound. Lard bd per pound. Buttes
9d per pound Fresh, 71d Salt. Cheese lid per pound. Eggs 9d per
dozen. Geese 3s 9d per couple. Ducks Is 10d per couple. Fowls
is 3d per couple. Turkeys 3s 2d per couple. Hay £2 10s per ton.
WAGES—Board not found.—Stone masons earn from 8s 3d to 7s6d
a day. Bricklayers, 7s Gd to 84 9d a day. Brickmakers, 5s to 7s Ild
per day. Plasterers, 7s Gd a day. Carpenters and joiners, fis 3d a day.
Cabinet-makers, 7s 6d a day. Sawyers, 7s Gd a day. Painters and
Glaziers, 5s a day. Coopers, Gs 3d to 7s Gd a day. Shipwrights, 7s
6d to 10e a day. Waggon-makers, he a day. Saddlers, bs a day.
Curriers, 5s a day. Tailors, 11 for making a coat, frs trainers, and Ss
waistcoat. Shoemakers, 224 6d for making a pair of top boots, 13s &I
for a pair of Hessian boots, and 12s 6d Wellington boots. Labourers
and farm servants, 3s 9d a day. In harvest time, 6s 3J aday. Reap-
ing an acre of wheat 12s 6d. Cradling an ace of Wheat, 6s 3d. Mow.
ing an ace of Hay, ss. Ploughing an acre of land, Os 3d. Harrowing
an acre of Land, 2s &I.

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF BOLIVAR.
Don Simon Bolivar was burn in the city of Caraccas, io
the year 1785, of Don Juan Vincente Bolivar, and Donna
Conception Palacio. The noble origin of the family of Bo-
livar is authenticated in the history of Oviedo, and Banos, as
one of the most illustrious in Venezuela, and by the circum-
stance of one of the ancestors of Bolivar being chosen, in the
year 1589, to represent that province as Procurador-General
at the court of Madrid. Bolivar was very young when death
deprived him of his father and mother. Don Feliciano Pa-
lacio, his maternal uncle, was intrusted with the guardian-
ship of the orphan, and with the administration of an immense
fortune which his parents bad bequeathed to him. Tenderly
beloved by his uncle, youngßolivar received from his paternal
care the best education America could then afford to a child
of his rank. The first years of his life were devoted to the
elements of the mathematical sciences, to history, geography,
' and the humanities. His early studies were not Marked by,
any striking progress, except in history, which appeared to
absorb all his attention. It was, however, neither from want
of energy, nor from a love of the amusements of his age, that
young Bolivar neglected the study of literature and the fine
arts. On the contrary, he was indifferent to all the sports
and pleasures of childhood, and constantly absorbed in re-
flection ; he exhibited a maturity, the grave and melancholy
cast of which was singularly contrasted with his youthful
appearance. " I know not what is the reason," said his
uncle, one day, " but that child is not happy, it seems as if
the air of his native country was too heavy for him, and
oppressed his soul :"—prophetic words, which revealed that
loftiness of spirit, and that innate love of liberty, which
already agitated the childhood of Bolivar, and promised
the world one of the most illustrious defenders of the in-
dependence of nations !
Bolivar soon obtained from the Spanish government the
permission so rarely granted, to proceed to Europe for the
completion of his studies. A young Spanish lady, of noble
birth and extraordinary beauty, made a deep itupression upon
that heart which had hitherto beat for glory and liberty ;
she was the daughter of the Marquis (VI/titans, a country-
man of Bolivar, and a broCier of the Marquis del Toro.—'
Bolivar loved her to idolsttry : he obtained her hand, and
hastened to enjoy his happiness in his native land. But,
alas ! a blow as sudden as terrible awaited him—a fever of a
few days swept off the friend and companion to whom he
hoped to consecrate his whole life. To a young man of
twenty-two, under the influence of the most pure and ar-
dent passion, such a loss is overwhelming. Bolivar was
stunned, heart-broken, but his courage did not forsake him.
No new ties could replace those which fate had broken.; the
love of his country took entire possession of a heart closed
against all other attachments ; and that passion for,
berty which he seemed to, inherit from nature, qc-
quired_ new force and activity 'from his priVate calamity.
He set out a second time for Europe, and visited successively
Spain,-France, Italy, England, and a great part of Germany.