Letters from Canada, Written During a Residence There in the Years 1806, 1807, and 1808

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The Canadian winter - commences in November,
when snow begins to fall-a, snow storm-the
country deserted by the winged creation-quadru-
peds disappear-winter dress-the cariole, the
winter carriage used by all descriptions of people
-the navigation of the St. Lawrence closes-win-

ter customs and amusements-people not so liable

to suffer from cold in Canada as in England-ac-

counted for-winter air extremely dry-its effects

resemble those of the Siroc wind-greatest degree

of cold, and medium temperature, of December

and January-winter roads-how formed-a pont

-the St. Lawrence freezing over, opposite to

Quebec-the winter method of passing the St.

Lawrence in canoes

LETTER XVIII.

Winter travelling-in carioles-on snow shoes-the

military taught to walk on snow shoes-winter

travelling very expeditious-the Canadian horse-

a winter tour through Canada-summer and win-

ter scenery contrasted-river du Loup-Maski-

nongé-Berthier-occupations of the natives dur-

ing winter-winter fishing-petite morue-horses

eat fish-re-animation of the fish after being out

of the water for several days-arrive at Montreal—

pic nic parties-hospitable reception of strangers

in Canada-journey from Montreal into the

United States, by way of Lake Champlain, over

the ice-American sleighs-Laprairie-thence to

Lake Champlain through the woods—a military

pass an American pitch-their method of clear-

ing a piece of ground-extent of Lake Cham-

plain-travelling on the lake very dangerous→→

horses and sleigh often fall through the ice-horses

saved-curious method of doing so-weak places

in the ice-cause thereof-cracks and openings in

the ice-danger in passing them

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Range of the thermometer in Canada-advantages

derived from the frost-meat, fowls, and fish, pre-

served by being frozen-manner of doing so―price

of provisions in winter-fire wood-coals-extra-

ordinary effects of cold-burning by a cold iron-

exemplified and explained-frost-bitten frequent

in Canada—the remedy-the difference in the

manner in which a cold iron, and a cold atmosphere

affect the body

282

LETTER XX.

A sudden change from extreme cold to warm wea-

ther frequent in the middle of winter-its effects

-the VER GLAS-facts to shew the intensity of the

cold-stoves generally used in Canada in winter

-their advantages-experiments on the expan-

sive force of freezing water in bomb-shells-the

effects of frost on water confined in the fissures

of rocks, in the walls of houses, &c,-Canadians

use dogs in drawing light weights

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LETTER XXI.

Conclusion of the Canadian winter-breaking up of
the ice-account of a vessel arriving while the ri-
ver was full of ice-state of the ice in the spring
-vegetation under the snow-return of the fea-
thered tribes-the land not so deeply penetrated
by the frost as might be imagined—the causes

thereof the long continuance of winter may re-

tard the improvement of Canada, but not pre-

vent it-comparison between Russia and Canada

-and between the Neva and the St. Lawrence-

effect of winter on the habits of the people

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312

LETTER XXII.

The constitution of Canada-the legislative council

-the house of assembly-observations on the pro-

priety of having given to Canada a representative

form of government-complaints of the Canadians