A Tour of the West

LETTERS BY VIATOR FOR THE BRITISH WHIG - 1847

LETTER NO. VI

A rough drive, over a "corduroy" road, through a densely thick pine bush, brought us suddenly upon the banks of the Credit, and in full view of a rich and verdant plant and to the sweet village of Stewart-Town.

Its neatly built houses and beautiful location were quite a relief to the slight, after being for some hours previous, circumscribed in our views to the length and breadth of a few perches. The band who so ardently sighed "Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness" -- could here have his desiregratified to its fullest extent, without fear of having his solitude disturbed except by the growl of a grisly bear, the howl of a prowling pack of wolves, or the bark of a sagacious Reynard.

The village is located in the centre of a well-cultivated and thickly settled country, and is furnished with every requisite for its wants. It contains a population of 400 inhabitants, a Post Office and two Stores, by far the best I saw in the route. A very extensive Furniture and Fanning Mill Manufactory, by Jones; a Grist Mill and Saw Mill: one Congregational and one Methodist Church. The Credit at this village is narrow and deep, abounding with beautiful trout, which are hooked here in large quantities.-- The river preserves nearly a straight course for a couple of miles in a westerly direction along which we agreeably lost ourselves in Waltonian pleasure, until, when about returning we looked around and perceived with wonder the quiet and retired village of Williamsburgh.

Beautiful spot! A perfect oasis in the leafy desert. Here are some of the finest water privileges in the Province. The village itself is built on a "flat," but above and below it there are numerous millseats. It is only a short time since it was located, yet there are already erected and in operation an extensive Woollen Factory, by Williams; a Grist Mill with three run of stones, and a Saw Mill.--There is no doubt that in a few years this place will be the nucleus of an extensive trade with the adjoining country.

From Norval, in a north-westerly direction, the road runs through a picturesque country, beautifully diversified with hill and dale.-- The pine grows to an enormous height and girth -- I measured some full six feet through. Excellent wheat is raised, among the pines -- I have seenfields of forty and fifty acres under beautiful crops, the primeval forest still standing, but shorn of its verdant sheen. All that is necessary to do before putting in a crop is, to select a piece of land wooded with pine exclusively; take your axe and girdle the trees, the green branches which shelter the ground from the sun soon dies, a little hand picking is next resorted to after this. You can drag in your seed. It was truly beautiful to see the golden grain rustling in heaving folds under the protection of those giant trees, and blending in happy unison the rustic simplicity of art with the somber grandeur of nature.

I was shown here the residence of Stephens, the Poet, who gave such a glowing description of Hamilton some years back. He, like the author of "Claud Halero," published a volume of his effusions, but also for the poetic taste of Canada, it turned out a failure.-- One principal reason for this was the titles to his pieces were not unique or classical.-- The public, now-a-day, want something very attractive, something of a tinselled glare before they can be caught. Modesty won't do, that is long since discarded as altogether unsuited to this enlightened age. "Claud," gifted youth, saw this, and admirably did he suit the titles to the taste of the public and in the merits of the outpourings of his talented mind; for you must know "Claud" has talent.

There is no doubt that Stephen's had talents of a high order, but they require cultivation, and even if they were cultivated I doubt it he ever would attain any celebrity. There are numerous and great obstacles attending the success of genius when knowing no influence or wealth. How many a noble intellect and talented mind have been doomed to pine in dreary despondency and hopeless griefs for the want of some powerful hand to lead them forth and support their tottering hopes. Year after year sees minds endowed with sterling abilities sink into oblivion because of no influence or name. Minds which if placed in positions that would give scope to their impassioned yearnings, would shed a luster upon mankind. What trials, what tortures must not the true man of genius endure in his endeavor after fame, when surmounted by difficulties which unfeeling society compel him to suffer. The ignoble and the illiterate he sees elevated over him. He meets the cold gaze and the cruel scoff of the cynic, and illiberal, withering satire of the critic. He could, under other circumstances, treat these with lofty disdain, but he must, as he is, bend beneath them. The mind which contains within itself the germs of greatness, seems to you but of ordinary mould. The chrysalis which hangs from yonder wall is to you unsightly and unworthy of notice, yet a few genial suns will bring forth from its uncouth enclosure a thing of life and beauty. Despise not, then, genius though it be poor, or talent because you find it in rags; rather give it your support and the sunshine of your favor. By so doing, you ennoble yourself, benefit the world, and earn the gratitude of your fellow men.

VIATOR

Township of Kingston, Sept. 30, 1847