The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-02-20
.5ursion Correspondence.
TORONTO, CANADA WEST,
January so, 1868.

| me of witnessing the character OF a Canadian
I Provincial Fair, and thinking that, notwith-
standing one great topic seems to engross the
minds of Americans, a brief description might
not lee uninteresting, have attempted TO give
my impressions in IN Ineligible manner.
/ A. majority of the people Of Pennsylvania
are 4Sboriug to a considerable degree under er
ror, with regard to the nature Of the soil of
! Canada, and the customs and character Of the
inhabitants. The opinion prevails, that the
Canadians are hardy people, composed of
| French, Euglish, Irish and Scotch, and are mel
| prise. That they inhabit an extsrsive belt of
land ly;ng north of the great lakes, almost un-
der the North Pole, and not very far from the
Iicy regions Of oi;a king Thor. And that, there
fore, as consequence, the land is sterile, poor
ly cultivated, and sparsely settled and that the
towns present dull and inactive appearance.
These ideas are certainly erroneous. 1t is true,
that the towns and cities in the United States,
bordering on the lakes, have progressed to d
much greater extent, in improvements and pop
ulation. But this is not an evidence of Cana
dian deficiency in the noble qualities OF energy
and industry America, having once been un-
der bcnefcent government, towns sprung into
existence, as if the soil upon which they have
been erected, had been merely struck by q ma
gic wand.
Travel along the northern coast OF the famed
lakes, and you will discover towns and cities,
strongly built and commodiously situated, with
quays crowded with shipping, perambalate their
streets, and you will hear distinctly the din OF
business, and will behold many magnificent ed
.iices and institutions of learning The roll OF
street cars rcsound throughout their more pop
ulous cities. Energy and enterprise is very per
ceptibly stamped upon the countenances OF the
merchants and professional men, as in the Uni
ted States. The same spirit appears to impel
the farmers, and in concurrence with 1t, they
hold township, county, city and provincial eA-
hibitions, in order to promote competition tor
excellence. ,u+
The great provincial exhibition upon which
ii AM ;soott 70 d@eff, WIS hefd kst astiihn al
Toronto, the capital of Canada West. This
was the occasion Of an extraordinary assembling
Of the people, in Toronto. On the day previ-
GUS to the opening OF the exhibition, it was dis
tincty visible that something unusual was go
! ing to transpire. All the means Of passage to
the city, were taken advantage OF; the boats
were thronged the cars were filled almost TO
sulfocation and the vehicles Of the neighboring
farmers were not destituteof parentswithboom-
ing daughters and hardy sons, Fastening to the
city. As Il result every nook and corner wore
crowded, hotels and boarding houses were en-
tirely occupied; SO tina many poor fellows wan
dered about the streets, seeking lodging, but
were doomed to realize, TO its fGu extent, the
detection and misery OF night without ''wiere
to lay his head.' But, the spirits of the un-
fortunate were much revived by the glorious ap-
pearance of the glowing chariot of Apollo, in
all its splendor, dissipating the gloom of the
night, and imparting cheeriulncss and warmth
to the land.
This large concoursc was convincing evidence
to an observer, that certain districts Of Canada
were thickly populated, and that the people
were characterized for activity and enterprise
of ten acres The ground is beautifully situa-
ted in the suburbs of the city. From the en-
trance into the enclosure runs q wide avenue to
the other extremity. Immediately upon passing
into this central avenue, the eye is greeted by
large and superb crystal palace, erected in the
centre of the ground. The palace from this
point presents an imposing and brilliant front,
being Of vast size and beautifully constructed.
Upon both sides Of this grand central avenue
are conveniently arranged the stables for do
mestic animals, and the houses for agricultural
implements and manufactures.
The display of domestic animals at the afore-
said exhibition, was excellent and truly credit
able to Canada, and would have been to Penn
sylvania. The number and quality of superior
breeds represented were matter OF surprise to
strangers. The show Of cattle and horses was
especially worthy of commendation; the former
were neat, fat, and large; the latter were hand
somey formed, brisk in their movements, and
some were of huge size.
Canada is an excellent grazing country, and
whoever has had the pleasure of partaking of
some of the Canadian roasted-beei, will testify
to the superior quality Of the stock. The trot-
ting horses were graceful and very fleet. The
Canadians pride themselves upon their horses,
and think that ''Tar Boy" one of their pets,
will soon be able to bear off the palm on this
continent. There are a great many Jockeys
here and much racing in the proper season.--
Canadian farmers have, without doubt, sue
ceeded in introducing good breeds, and: there
fore, have much improved their stock. And
as the spirit of variety Of the mother country
exists among them, they do not hesitate TO give
vent to their boastful teelings-which, of course,
is repugnant to the feelings of a stranger. Hut,
taking everything into consideration, person
is almost disposed to justify their conceit. AS
the stock department of the fair was really wor-
| thy of admiration. If some Of the Bedford
county farmers had been present. | am sat
islied they would have returned to their
homes with the praiseworthy ambition of OBJ
tanning the best breeds, in order to the improve
mcnt of their stock. In their exhibition OF me-
chanical productions and manufactures, they