A Tour of the West

LETTERS BY VIATOR FOR THE BRITISH WHIG - 1847

LETTER NO. IV

This large, flourishing and pretty village is pleasantly situated on the left bank of the River Credit, eight miles from its mouth, and about thirty from Toronto. It has all the appearance necessary to make it in a few years a place of some importance. It is built in the centre of a rich, beautiful, and well cleared country, remarkable for the extensive growth of wheat, to the cultivation of which the farmers devote more than three-fourths of their farms. It was here I had the first occasion to remark the great change of a couple of hundred of miles make in the climate of this country. When I left Kingston, grain of every description was green; no sigh of wheat ripening; yet, what was my surprise when here, only three days after, I found grain of all kinds nearly ripe, and thewheat crop nearly all harvested. I remarked this great disparity to an intelligent farmer, but he surprised me more by his reply, that this was a later harvest than usual. I enquired particularly concerning the wheat crop, both here, and as I travelled up, and found that invariably it was most abundant; and, indeed, as far as my own knowledge went, from ocular demonstration, I can safely aver that the number of reports, concerning the ravages of weevil &c., which were industriously circulated through the public prints, in many instances to subserve private interests were grossly exaggerated statements, discreditable to the originators, and if fully believed in, would be ruinous to the interests of the country. Will any of the journals assert, that in the Home, Gore or Wellington Districts, the wheat crop of this harvest will be under an average crop. None of them can, with truth, do so. The truth is, as I have been informed, the reports were chiefly got up by the speculators to answer their own ends. The potato crop needs give no apprehension, as far as Canada is concerned; for not one-sixth the breadth of ground has been planted this year, that was last; nor do I believe that even this small quantity will be generally affected with disease. It is very strange what an epidemic bad news is, the slightest report of a untoward aspect is circulated with astonishing rapidity; it flies from one mouth to another, losing nothing by the flight; the "respectable journals" get hold of it, it is copied and re-copied; it extends to the body politic, you can scarcely meet a passer-by in the street, but "bad news" is legibly written on his lowering brow. Well, let a contradictory statement appear; mark how cautiously 'tis told; and without some violent effort of nature, scarcely believed. It really seems that evil tidings are more congenial to our pliant nature than good; and that all report of a unchecking nature are taken immediately under our especial protection. But I fear I am getting prosy.

Streetsville numbers about 1,200 inhabitants, and contains a Post Office, twelve Stores, three Taverns and a Hotel, conducted very respectably, with the numerous other "shops" &c., necessary to make up a thriving locality. There are three excellent Grist Mills, with eight run of stones, owned by Street, Baty & Rowe; an extensive Wollen Factory, by Barber; three Saw Mills,and a large Tannery. There are four Churches, viz: one English, one Presbyterian, and two Methodist, four resident Clergymen, no lawyers but a brace of sons of Esculapius; and last thoughby no means least, a newspaper, the "Weekly Review," a number of which is lying before me, and from which I copy the follow chaste and delicious morceau. - Speaking of news by a late steamer from Europe, he says, "poor Ireland continues to be the same boiling kettle of dirty water which she has ever been." How to pass over the miserable irony conveyed in the former part of the extract, and the excellent adaption of language to bear out the idea intended, I would ask the "we" of the "Review" does not he know full well that "poor Ireland" has not always been the "boiling kettle" &c. which he falsely says "she has ever been?" It is strange how far a cowardly animosity will lead individuals to forget truth, their own character and interests; and it is more strange that a paper lately started into existence, of mediocre respectability and limited circulation, will indulge in a dastardly mode of expression, at variance with the commonest rules of proper decorum, or the established character of respectable journals. Let the paltry attempt at irony go for what it is worth, it is only in perfect keeping with puerile attempts at wit, which adorn the "Review's" pages, and which seem to be the favorite hobby of the precocious editor. These may appear all very fine in the eyes of ruling "we," but certainly contribute very little to the entertainment of knowledge of the readers of the journal. I would strongly advise the "Review" to alter its tone, if it desire to ensure success.

From this village about four miles in a north-easterly direction is the village of Churchville.

This village is beautifully situated on the Credit. It contains a Post Office, two Grist Mills, owned by Duggan & Ingram; three Stores, two Taverns, one Tannery, and about 250 inhabitants. It is a very large manufacturing place, and turns out some of the best work of any place in the Province. I was told of an occurrence in connection with the Mill now in Mr. Duggan's possession, which I have not seen in the public prints. It was formerly owned by a man named Adams, of very industrious and sober character. Last winter he went to Toronto to draw money, I believe, from one of the Banks: was seen in the City by several about the time, but strange to say, no trace of him from the time to this, can be discovered. It was known that he had a large amount of money with him, which must have afforded a temptation to some wretch to, no doubt, murder and rob him.

Leaving this place I travelling to Norval about twelve miles from Streetsville, along a beautiful road, and through some excellent country. This for the next.

VIATOR

Township of Kingston, Sept 6 1847

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