ty of natural and artificial scenery united. But I must again bid you adieu, and defer, for my next, a continuation of our passage toward Quebec. I remain, dear sir, Yours, &c. &c. Το LETTER VII. ASHGROVE, near Oatlands, V. D. L. My Dear Sir: Our next landing was at Lachine, a small village, nine miles from Montreal; between which places the navigation of the river is impeded, by a succession of small falls or rapids; around which there is a canal cut, only navigated by small batteaux, drawn by horses. We disembarked about sunset, amid a large concourse of people, who supposed us to be of the prisoners taken at Beauharnois, and consequently loaded us with insult and scoffs. We paid but little attention to these noisy burlesques of the human race; and I felt, as I remarked to the civil officers who walked by us, that such gratulations were the most honorable we could receive from men who were evidently a part of the sackers of Beauharnois, and the murderers of men, women, and children. With the setting of the sun, the clouds arose, and a terrible storm of rain and wind commenced, that continued to rage for some hours, then settled down into a cold snow storm. The batteau into which we got was open, and towed by one horse, and managed by two Frenchmen and a boy. The men were driven about like dogs; and dare not murmur, for there was no redress. Several clumsy, inefficient looking locks intervene on this short canal; at each of which, stoppages and delays were inevitable. At about nine P. M. we arrived at Montreal, and run into one of the basins, where we lay exposed to the snow and cold for some hours, awaiting the reappearance of one of the civil officers, who had gone on from Lachine, to procure lodging for us. But he did not make his appearance, having found some friend, whose cup proved too potent for his weak head to admit of his moving abroad that night, much to our discomfort. After waiting for some hours, the remaining civil officer determined on moving around to the garrison, and landing on the beach; which was not effected without much difficulty and danger. He then left us standing there, in the storm, and went away to find a lodging. He did not return for more than an hour, when he took us into a small guard room, in the middle of, the city, leaving the baggage upon the shore, subject to the storm, and to plunder; the latter of which was only prevented by the darkness. When we were introduced to our room, the great town clock was striking twelve; and in about two hours, our baggage followed. The space allotted to us, was what had formerly been the inner room of a lawyer's office, eight by sixteen feet, with a "military deal bed," calculated for eight persons to sleep on. In this small hole, it was impossible to sit down, as it was scarce practicable to stand. We were all horror-stricken at the prospect of spending the night in such an unhappy situation-some sunk to the floor, wearied under a load of frozen clothes, and care. I have often wondered how it could possibly happen, that we did not all dispair at once, and settle down in a fatal despondency; but even in that suffocating situation, the jest went round, and the affected laugh sounded with a vain effort "to drive dull care away." I thought of Virgil's picture of a cell in the infernal region, and laughed at the idea fancy had conjured up, while I longed for a light to realize it. A light at last came, and showed imagination's sketch no exaggeration. The light was in the hand of the Town Major, who was forcibly struck with the scene; for an exclamation of extreme surprise broke from him the moment the door opened, and he beheld twenty-three men, chained and hand cuffed, pent up in a room where twelve would find it difficult to lie down. Some were lying stretched upon the cold floor, sinking through sheer exhaustion, and the closeness of the place we were in. Others were standing over them, leaning against the wall, happy in such support. Some were loudly calling for water, which could not be supplied, as the guard had but little in, and could not leave the station to go for more. The sight of the Town Major's sympathising face, and the civilities offered by the few gentlemen who accompanied, relieved us of much of the despondency that was clouding our hearts. He left us with an assurance, that water should be immediately supplied, and other lodgings provided, for at least a part of the number. A pail of water came, and was handed in; but, alas, no cup! no, not a tin canteen could be found to drink out of. I will leave you to imagine what course we pursued in regard to what every man among us was almost dying for, and which was actually larger than we could find space for. The pail, nevertheless, was soon emptied, and afforded a seat or footstool for some one. After remaining in this crowded and fainting state for two hours or more, we were partially relieved, by the removal of eight to other quarters. Nothing was supplied for food, and all we could raise, was a small quantity of bread and meat, I had providently saved from our meal, on the steamboat. We partook of that morsel with a devotional gratitude to God, who giveth all things; then commending ourselves to His care, sought sleep upon the bare floor. For my part, I fell at once into a deep slumber, and dreamed of home's happy fireside; heard the guileless laugh, and felt the playful, stolen kiss of affection. Often, since my feet have been debarred "tracing the woods, the lawns, the flowery meads;" and my eyes from viewing aught but misery, and wo, and wretchedness; and my heart from feeling any thing but a loneliness, hopelessness, anguish, and deep insult, I have felt happy, ayc, vividly happy, in a review of the bright and joyous visions of midnight. Yes! though my head lay upon the hard floor, and all my bones were aching with the pains of wearied out nature, and all comfort forbidden, yet a kind, overruling Providence has so ordered it, that no despot, however powerful, can chain the independent mind. In the forget fulness of sleep, it will revert to the joyous scenes of former days, that leave upon its tablets, blissful sensations to engage the waking hours, and draw it forcibly from corroding thoughts. I must not omit to mention a circumstance that occurred here, though trifling, as it had a great weight in bringing about a subsequent occurrence, that operated much to my discomfort. During the night, before any had been removed, Vernon and Gemmel, who were coupled together, determined on procuring more ease and liberty, broke the lock that fastened their cuffs, and began to saw the chain, when they were interrupted by the Town Major's entrance. They were, after going on board the steamer for Quebec, punished for it, by being forced to wear another pair, for some hours, after the remainder had been relieved. The next morning brought the civil officers, whose flinty natures, all our sufferings from wet clothing, and swollen arms, could not move to a single act of pity. We vainly entreated a removal of the "wrist bands," only long enough to admit of our throwing off our upper garments. They departed without even administering one comfortable word, or one morsel of bread to the calls of hunger. At noon, came a few of the officers of the twenty-fourth regiment, who, after remarking that we were "fine looking fellows, and would well befit the British uniform," enquired whether we had any "complaints to make." We exhibited our wrists, but with that they could not interfere: we then told of our long fast and thirst, which could not be remedied, unless they thought proper to order other |