the British Commissioners, who are employed in tracing the boundary line between Canada and the United States; those of the American party who co-operated with them, reposed upon the right hand shore, and the snow-white drapery of the two peaceful encampments added much to the picturesque effect of the scenery.

Soon after passing this island we were delayed for some time at the river side, while the owner of the flour made an ineffectual effort to negotiate a sale; and evening began to droop down as we approached the commencement of the Long Sault. This rapid is said to be about eight miles in length, from the first visible acceleration of the stream to the bottom of the Big Pitch. For a considerable proportion of this distance however the water is perfectly smooth, and at intervals the descent of the channel, and of course the rapidity of the stream, are not much greater than above its commencement. It is indeed, correctly speaking, a succession of rapids, and I believe there are different names for the several portions of it; but it is not unusual to comprehend the whole under the general name of the Long Sault.

I observed that during the second passage we took exactly forty minutes, to traverse the whole extent; during the first descent we must have taken less.

The sun was in the act of setting when we entered the Long Sault, but the sky was cloudless

and serene. The wind, which had previously favoured us, died gradually away, and the sail hung loosely from the gaff. Our steersman turned his head wistfully towards the fading beams-" Pull away, my lads, pull away; we are late enough.” The rowers with the composure and silence of machinery, lengthened the stroke, and bent themselves to their oars with all the energy of which their well-strung muscles were capable. The Durham boat was so deeply laden, that there was room only for two oars, and these at the very bow; we had four hands however, so that each was doubly manned.

In a short time we reached an island which divides the current of the river, and we steered for the right hand channel. The tall pines which covered the island to the water's edge threw a gloom across the confined pass, if I may so call it, and the burden of Moore's song was forcibly suggested.

"Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast,

The rapids are near and the day light's past!"

Though the afternoon had been very hot, and the sun's rays, reflected from the water, so powerful that I felt my face quite scorched, yet evening brought a chill along with it which strongly inclined me to have recourse to my great coats. When I looked however to the frightful rapidity with which the stream now hurried us along, Icould not resist a feeling that I should be safer

without their encumbrance. Little indeed could the most expert swimmer hope to effect in such a torrent—and feeble my hope of safety where skill in swimming is necessary to secure it-yet who is it that would not struggle for his life, even in the rapids of the St. Lawrence?

The velocity of the stream was now equal probably to about ten knots an hour, yet its surface was as smooth as glass. To look into the water we might easily have persuaded ourselves that we were quietly slumbering at anchor; but when we glanced at either bank, the pine trees seemed to whirl past with the rapidity of thought. Might not a moralist trace in the rapid of the Long Sault, an apt emblem of worldly pleasures ?-Smooth and seductive in their early aspect, they lure the bark of inexperienced youth; and alternating for a time between excitement and repose, deceive him with the hope that retreat will be at all times easy;-by imperceptible degrees their power increases, the surface may be still unbroken, but the current hastens its career-one landmark after another vanishes from his sight-the season of deliberation goes past-he casts a wistful look at the shore, but no human power can enable him to reach it-he is hurried on, and on, and on-the waves heave in frightful commotion around him-his trembling vessel rocks and pitches in the stream-till at last it is overwhelmed, if a power above his own prevent not, in the roaring and tumultuous breakers.

The two currents after embracing the island, revert below it into a single stream. The extreme commotion with which this re-union is accomplished is the occasion of the Big Pitch. The furious torrents rush against each other like two charging squadrons, heaving up their roaring billows, and tossing high their crests of broken foam; retiring at last with apparent reluctance from the conflict, and whirling into numerous eddies by the margin of the stream.

Ere the tops of the white breakers became visible, preparations were made for encountering the commotion. The sail was lowered down and the gaff secured, the steersman called one of the hands to his assistance, the rest hung upon their oars, waiting the word of command to strike in. The boat began now to rock from side to side, and the terrible cauldron was boiling before us. All that could be done, was to direct our course to that part of the channel where experience told them that the passage was least hazardous, and then, with all their strength, to pull the vessel through. I felt an involuntary shrinking as the captain aimed for what seemed to me the most frightful spot of all;-we were swept into the midst of the furious commotion, and the order was just given Pull away!' when a heavy wave burst in over our feeble bulwarks. Our quivering bark however struggled manfully through; our danger was but momentary, and we soon reached the sub

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siding billows which skirt the extremities of the heavy swell.

Another peril however succeeded. The thril ling emotion excited by the passage of the Big Pitch had not subsided, when our vessel was caught in the vortex of a powerful eddy, and whirled round almost broadside to the stream. " Pull away with the starboard oar!" roared the steersman, with a voice like thunder, and a tremendous oath; the order was promptly obeyed, the command of the vessel recovered, and we once more found ourselves in smooth water. We had shipped more than a hogshead of water in this dangerous rapid.

It was now about nine o'clock, and hauling in along shore for the night, we got lodgings at a settler's house near the river.

Next morning at four we reimbarked; the wind was now quite fair and blowing fresh, and we got along with ease and rapidity. Soon after starting we passed the village of Cornwall on the left bank, and entered a wider part of the river called lake St. Francis.

In this lake, which is nearly thirty miles long, we passed some rafts of timber on their way to Montreal. These rafts are of a prodigious size, and the people who navigate them live during the passage in a small hut, which is erected on the top. A stout railing goes round the edge of the raft, from which long oars hang down at short distances into the water; the men go from one oar to another as necessity requires, and by