through which the torrent rushes with fearful rapidity; at one moment the passage, or channel, appeared shut up against further progress,— when, on a sudden, an expanded sheet of water opens upon you: on either bank of gentle elevation, cottages, and log huts are scattered, the residences of the emigrant or wood-cutter, clearing away the forest around him; and, so extensive is the whole scene, that, although man and his axe have been at work for upwards of two centuries, it would appear as if little impression, as yet, had been made. These beautiful islands extend twenty-five miles in length and six miles in width; and, in the vicinity of "Brockville," the effect is particularly striking. For hours together, the little steamer appeared contending against what, to an unpractised eye, would appear insurmountable difficulties, and which, indeed, was quite a new feature in my travelling experience; but use and practice, combined with skill and local knowledge, give navigators in these waters such perfect confidence in the various turnings, and, as it were, paths through the eddies and whirlpools, that seldom any serious disaster is heard of. I could not, however, but refleet, that, had the boats' machinery got out of order, or the boat itself refused the helm, we must have been dashed against some of the adjacent rocks, and destruction was inevitable. I was quite astonished that such headway could be made against the rapids; but our vessel was first-rate, very buoyant, and had little, if any, merchandize on board. The intricacy and difficulty of this navigation, doubtless, is the cause that the surrounding country is but thinly inhabited, presenting a very different aspect to the animated scene on the Hudson, or on Lake Champlain. This After clearing this formidable cluster of islands, which your fancy might lead you to conclude was the abode of some beautiful nymphs or fairies, we, once more, got into the broad expanse of waters, and greeted, for the first time, the magnificent lake Ontario," a sheet of water one hundred and seventy miles long and sixty wide: and, on the northwest shore, Kingston appeared on the margin of the lake with its fortifications in bold relief. town, although of more ancient date than many of the neighbouring places, does not, in point of artistical beauty, present anything remarkable. It has, however, always been an important military and naval station. Exactly facing you, on the east side of the lake, is the large and increasing town of "Ogdensburgh," belonging to the United States. There is a railway from this place to Burlington, which extends to Boston and New York, affording to emigrants an easy mode of transit. The entire length of rail to the latter place is five hundred and six miles. Having approached so near to the great object of attraction, there was no inducement to remain longer than till the following morning at Kingston, where one of the large lake steamers, beautifully fitted up, equal, in every respect, to the Hudson boats, and, under English colours, took us on board, late in the day, for "Toronto,” where I arrived early the following morning. town is already a large place; it stands in latitude 40° and longitude 80°, and contains a population of about thirty-five thousand persons. This The "Huron" tract of land runs west :-those well acquainted with the subject say it is the garden of Canada, most eligible as regards the quality of soil, and having superior water conveyance for the produce. The climate, also, is very healthy, and the prevailing westerly winds blowing over the lake, which never freezes, temper the rigour of the frosts and summer heats. A farmer with a capital of from £300 to £500, could not fail to do well in this locality. I noticed along the banks of the river, beyond the town to the left, numerous snug villas, cottages, &c. backed by an open country and woods in the distance, principally, I was told, inhabited by officers in the army and navy, many having received a grant of land as an equivalent for their commissions. I make no doubt they lead a happy and contented life in the enjoyment of a more generous mode of |