suited so well, that I offered to teach it to one or two. So many pressed forward to try their skill at learning it, that we frightened the birds out of their home; and after practising some time, we parted, with the promise to meet again. From that time Saturday has been the day, and I have been regularly installed as leader, with the understanding that my efforts shall be mainly directed for the benefiting of the Sabbath-school.

We had no hymn-books, and it was rather dull at first to learn verses; but they have persevered; and now that their memories are stored with enough hymns and tunes to make a variety for the school, I have begun to try and drill them in "the rudiments." My success is not remarkable, but it is enough to keep off discouragement.

For several weeks after we came we had no public worship on the Sabbath. Father proposed to Mr. Johnson to have our Sabbath-school earlier, and thus leave time for a sermon to be read afterwards. Together they asked Mr. Blagden to be the reader; he consented, and our congregation has every week been becoming larger ; and, if we can only have a missionary sent, we shall try hard to find a better place than the school-house for him to preach in. Beside this service, we have occasional preaching from clergymen from the neighbouring settle

ments.

Did you know that Richard Gray was coming out to us in the spring? This arrangement has made us very happy, as it makes Susan's stay with us, or near us, almost certain. A shop is to be rented in the village, and over its door is to be a sign, bearing upon it the names of "Gray & Moreton," and in it there is to be all kinds of furniture for which there may be any market.

Frank has decided to accept father's offer of a college education, but will not leave home for a year. He studies with Mr. Blagden, and has found a Mr. Van Weichten who is willing to assist him in his German. These

lessons he repeats to me, so that I am able to make some progress.

You ask how we amuse ourselves these long winter evenings. Our newspapers and books are invaluable; but just now we have had the holidays, and have kept them too as holidays. Christmas evening, the Van Weichtens invited us there; for, like all Germans, it was to be their great family festival. The old gentleman, at whose house the gathering was to be held, is the father of Frank's teacher, and lives some miles from us. We went as it began to be evening, all packed in the great waggon, and covered with buffalo robes-for the air was cold and sharp. The moonlight struggled with scattered clouds, and revealed, indistinctly at times, the great bare trunks and branches of the old forest-trees, glittering with their covering of frost; and the snow upon the ground creaked beneath our vehicle. My letter is too long for me to describe it all: from the huge bonfire outside the door, to the hearty welcome and boisterous greetings within; from the social conversation, to the merry games; from the bountiful feast, to the Christmas-tree, laden with the simple offerings of love for each and all. Nor can I tell you of the warm affection that prevailed amongst them, and made them all so charming. Grandfather and grandmother, parents, children, and all, seemed actually to live for each other, and, as father said, were truly an exemplification of the beauty of dwelling together in unity. The getting away from such hospitality was not easily accomplished; and then the ride home, the moon hidden behind dark masses of clouds, and the snow-flakes falling thick and fast, covering us with a fleecy mantle !

But I must tell you of our own New-Year, which was so quietly pleasant. Frank's picture of the old homestead for mother was the gift which appeared to give most pleasure. The little secrets and surprises of us children were well managed; and Annie's pin-cushions and watch

cases, and Charles's tame pigeon for Annie, and his little gray owl for Alice, were as wonderful as ever gifts were. Willie had made us some thread-winders; Frank had gathered a huge basket of cranberries for family use; Robert had a picture-frame, which fitted Frank's offering to mother so exactly, that it excited a suspicion of confederation; and Henry, who had nothing to give, got up, shook hands with each one, and offered his services for the next year to whoever should want them. Alice, when it came to her turn, jumped upon his neck, and would not release him until she had received a good hearty kiss. Mother's large New-Year's cake was not wanting, nor were the apples and nuts; and then, when all our merriment was hushed, father reminded us of our obligations to Him who had taken care of us, and read that beautiful Psalm,* beginning-"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name: who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies ;" and the evening was closed with prayer.

Thus we live, dear Lucy. I have not told you all that I would like, but enough to have you know that life in the woods is far from uninteresting or uninviting to us. We miss our old friends; and it is their absence alone that makes us ever look with longing desires toward our former home. I shall have to write to you again; for I can say no more now than that I am

Your affectionate friend,

MARY MORETON.

Psalm cili.

CHAPTER XVII.

FARMING.

"THERE is scarcely any well-informed person who, if he has the will, has not the power to add something essential to the general stock of knowledge, if he will only observe, regularly and methodically, some particular class of facts which may most excite his attention, or which his situation may best enable him to study with effect."

This observation of Sir John Herschel* still holds true; and of no class of persons is it more true than of farmers, whose hourly and daily business brings before their minds facts in the natural world which must awaken curiosity, and results which baffle their powers of investigation. The geographical distribution of plants, the characteristics of soils, the growth of trees, the eradication of weeds, the perfecting of various kinds of grain, the improvement of vegetables, the knowledge of the structure and habits of animals that are useful or troublesome, and of insects and diseases that hinder or destroy their crops, and the improvement and good-keeping of domestic stock, are among the most obvious of a farmer's

cares.

In a new country, we must add to these the clearing and subduing of wild lands, the wood-chopping, the logging, the burning of brush-heaps, the making of potash from the ashes, the laying out and fencing of lands, the rotation of wheat and grass crops, giving time for the decay of roots and stumps, and the draining of marshes; and we can readily see that to be "a tiller of the soil" brings with it many and arduous labours, which call for strength of body, and no less for ingenuity of plans and

*Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy.

wise calculations. The introduction of scientific agriculture has already benefited the farmer, and we may look for still greater results in his behalf from the careful and close investigations of chemists and men of observation. Only with the illiterate is the term of a "book-farmer" one of reproach; for experience has proved the value of many a suggestion, and the utility of many a scheme, which has originated in the mind of some secluded student, working away in silence upon the basis of facts brought to his knowledge by the practical labouring

man.

The partial clearing and cultivation of Mr. Moreton's farm, while it increased the present comfort of its occupants, did not preclude the necessity of attending to all these earlier duties of an emigrant. Many a winter's day did the young men take an early start for the woods, with dinner-basket in hand, and Carlo frisking by their side. With axes over their shoulders, would they briskly go to their day's labour; and the merry ringing echo of stroke after stroke resounded through the still woods, while, with mighty crash, one old monarch-tree after another was laid low. Then the loud "Gee! whoa! Gee up!" might be heard day after day, as, with heavy chains, and the help of the oxen, they drew the huge logs together, and heaped on the brush, ready for the first still, dry weather, in order to burn them. Nor were their woods less picturesque and beautiful than others, as, with great delight, the younger boys kindled fires beneath these heaps, and watched them lighting up so brilliantly by night the forests around, and sending forth by day their columns of blue smoke, that rose gracefully, and diffused a mild, soft haziness throughout the atmosphere.

It had been of great benefit to Mr. Moreton to retain the services of Mr. Hinckley through his first summer. A new and large farm, with imperfect means of culture, and but little hired aid, was very different from his small