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years auld, and wee Girzy close upon seven They are staying wi me at present, puir things! THE MAJOR.-Will you be so good as to present the little ladies in my name with these two numbers of the "Snow Drop?"

THE LAIRD.-Mony thanks Crabtree! But what's the Snaw Drap, if a body may ask? THE MAJOR.-An exceedingly judicious magazine published in Montreal. I have met with few works of a similar description better calculated at once to amuse and instruct the rising generation.

THE LAIRD. Has it got ony pictures? Girzy is terrible keen for pictures!

THE MAJOR.-It is profusely adorned with well executed wood cuts, illustrative of the text, and designed with considerable artistic skill. Altogether the Snow Drop is a credit to our Province in general, and Montreal in particular.

COLONIAL CHIT-CHAT.

PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT.

Securities continue

abled again to congratulate Parliament on the
prosperity of the Province.
to rise steadily in value, and the returns of the
Census recently completed, furnish most satisfac-
tory evidence of the advancement of the Colony,
in wealth, and population. The estimated defici-
ency in the postal revenue has not been exceed-
ed, although greatly extended accommodation
has been offered to the public by the establish-
ment of additional Post Offices, and increased
Postal Service. There is reason to believe, that
before long, the receipts of the Department will
balance the expenditure.

Another heavy calamity has, however, I am greatly concerned to state, befallen the Province, in the destruction by fire of a large portion of the important city of Montreal. I am confident that you will bestow your best consideration on any measure that may be proposed to you, for the purpose of mitigating the effects.

The importance of placing the currency of British North America, on a uniform basis, and of introducing the decimal system, has been frequently recognized by Parliament. A measure will be submitted for your consideration, which will, I have reason to believe, promote the accomplishment of this object. I shall cause such documents to be placed before you as will put you fully in possession of the steps which I have taken during the recess, with the view of giving effect to the intentions of the Legislature, embodied in the Acts passed last session, for promoting the construction of Railways. I have endeavored in these proceedings to act, so far as circumstances have permitted, in concert with the Lieutenant Governors of the Lower Provinces, in connexion with these works, and with the subject of public sum-issued on the credit of the Municipalities of Upimprovements generally. The position of bonds per Canada, merits attention. The security afforded to holders under the Municipal Acts now in force in that part of the Province, is of a very ample and satisfactory description. It is not improbable, however, that your wisdom may devise measures which, without materially altering their character, may tend to enhance their value in the

On Thursday, the 19th ult., at two o'clock, His Excellency, the Governor General proceeded in state to the Council Chamber, in the Parliament Buildings. The members of the Legislative Council being assembled, His Excellency was pleased to command the attendance of the Legislative Assembly, and that House being present, the Hon. E Caron, Speaker of the Legislative Council stated, on behalf of His Excellency, that he did not think, fit to declare the cause for which he had moned the present Parliament, until a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly had been elected, according to law.

The gentlemen of the Assembly returned to their own house, when Mr. Hincks proposed that J. S. McDonald should be elected Speaker Mr. Morin seconded the motion, which was carried on a division by a vote of 55 to 23.

market.

The importance of establishing direct steam On the following day, at three o'clock, His Excelleney having taken his seat upon the communication between Great Britain, and the throne, commanded the attendance of the Le- Ports of Quebec and Montreal, has been repeatedly gislative Assembly. The Hon. J. S. McDon-pressed on the Government, by persons interested ald informed His Excellency that the choice of the assembly had fallen on him to be their Speaker, and he craved for the members the customary privileges. After which His Excellency was pleased to deliver the following Speech:

Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and

Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly, I have much pleasure in meeting you, in order that we may unite our endeavors to the promotion of the interests of the Province.

Notwithstanding the deep interest occasioned by the general election, the utmost tranquility has, I am happy to inform you, prevailed throughout the Province, during the period which has elapsed since the close of the last Parliament.

Under these favorable circumstances, I am en

in the commerce of the Province. The subject
which has a material bearing on the prosperity of
emigration, and the reduction of freights on
the St. Lawrence has engaged my anxious atten-
tion during the recess, a plan for the attainment
of the object in view, which will, I trust meet
your approbation, will be submitted for your con-
sideration. I shall lay before you a despatch
which I have received from the Principal Secre-
tary of State for the Colonies, communicating the
views of the Imperial Government in reference
to the Clergy reserves, and stating the grounds
on which Her Majesty's Ministers refrained from
introducing a measure into the Imperial Parlia
ment, during the last session, for the repeal of the
Imperial statute on this subject."
Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly,

The condition of the revenue is satisfactory,

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Various subjects, of much importance to the 1825 interests of the Province, will no doubt, engage your attention, during the session which is now commenced. An addition to the representation 1834 seems to be called for by the increasing popula- 1836 tion of the Province, and the rapid developement 1839 of some of its more recently settled districts. It 1841 is probable, that through the instrumentality of 1842 the municipal system, now in full operation in 1848 Upper Canada, and of the assessment law you may be enabled to establish an efficient and inexpensive mode of registering parliamentary electors PROVINCIAL EXHIBITION.-The Annual Exin that part of the Province. In connection with hibition of the Provincial Agricultural Associthis subject, I reccommend for your consideration ation, will be held in Toronto, on the 21st, the claims of certain classes of occupiers now ex- 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of September. Extencluded from the franchise, on whom there is rea- sive arrangements have been made to ensure a son to believe it may be conferred with advantage to the public interests. The interests of Agricul- display of the produce and industry of the ture are entitled to the special care and attention the country, commensurate with the increase of Government, in a country where so large a in its population and wealth, since the last Exportion of the community is employed in Agricul- hibition held in this city four years ago. tural pursuits. The absence of any sufficient provision for obtaining correct statistical information respecting the productions of the country and for diffusing knowledge, which may be serviceable both to those engaged in Agriculture and to persons proposing to become settlers, have been long a subject of complaint. I do not doubt that you will bestow your best consideration on any unobjectionable measure that may be submitted for remedying this defect, and perfecting a more speedy settlement of unoccupied land in

both sections of the Province.

It is probable that grievances, which are alleg

ed to exist under the feudal tenure, which obtains in certain parts of Lower Canada, may engage your attention. I am confident that in dealing with this subject, which is one of great delicacy, you will manifest a scrupulous regard for the rights of property, which have been acquired and excrcised in good faith, and with the sanction, tacit or declared, from the legal tribunals of the Province.

Arrangements are now in force in both sections of the Province, for the maintenance of indigent patients consigned to the Lunatic Asylum, which appearsto be, I regret to observe, in some respects defective, the case of the unfortunate persons involves considerations of humanity of the highest order, and I confide in your readiness to bestow your best attention on any measure that may be submitted to you for the remedy of this evil. In all the measures which you may adopt for the promotion of the Province, and the happiness and contentment of the people, you may rely on my zealous co-operation, and I shall not now further detain you from the important duties in which you are about to engage, only to express my humble hope that the Almighty may render our efforts efficacious for the public good.

The Local Committee in their address to the Citizens of Toronto express their confident expectatien that the Ontario, Simcoe and Lake Huron Railroad will be opened, and the Locomotive in operation as far as Bradford, by the time fixed for the fair. A very large number of visitors from all parts of Canada and the United States is looked for, and (for the purpose of affording every facility to strangers to procure suitable accommodation) the local committee have announced their intention to keep a record of all houses of entertainment in the

city and environs, as also the extent of accom-
the same.
modation each possesses and the charges for

SUSPENSION BRIDGE OVER THE FALLS OF THE MONTMORENCY.-According to the Journal de Québec, the Turnpike Trust have by virtue of a law passed last Session of Parliament acquired the Montmorency Bridge, and this bridge being old and rickety, the road commissioners have determined to replace it by a new one. It is intended, says our contemporary, not only to make the bridge useful but attractive. Strangers are to be attracted by two wonders at the same time and place-the one a natural, and the other an artificial wonder. The Road Commissioners have determined to make a Suspension Bridge. And what is still more marvellous, says the Journal de Québec speaking of the bridge "il faut qu'il soit le plus près possible de l'âbime et que dela première l'on puisse contempler avec ettonnamment, la seconde merveille de Dieu." Mr. Keefer, Chief Engineer of the Board of Works, and Mr. Rubidge of the same Department have been called upon

NEW BRUNSWICK.

with the consent of Government to measure seen by reference to the Cape Breton News,' the ground necessary and to make an estimate of August 3rd, 1850. of the cost of the work.-The Journal has seen Mr. Rubidge's plan of a bridge, which will be 380 feet in length and is intended to be placed almost perpendicularly over the edge of the Falls, and about six feet from the surface of the river. The spectacle, says our contemporary, will be sublime. It is said further that Mr. Hall the proprietor of the land on both sides of the Falls has promised to give, without any consideration whatever, the land necessary for the bridge and for a road leading from the present highway to it. The cost of the bridge is estimated at £5,500.

We are informed that our Government have concluded to appropriate One Thousand Pounds towards the relief of the sufferers by the late great fire at Montreal. We have no doubt that the Legislature will cheerfully confirm this grant.

We learn, says the Montreal Herald, that Dr. Mauritz Maquer, a very distinguished German naturalist, is now making a tour in Canada.

THE FIRE IN MONTREAL.-The Montreal Gazette gives the following returns of the number of houses, &c. burnt in that city on the 8th and 9th of July; Houses, 1,108; number of families made houseless, 2,886; estimated value of property destroyed, £340,816, or $1,363,264.

CAPE BRETON.

The C. B. News of the 28th ult. says:"We understand that a gentleman from Toronto, Upper Canada, has recently visited Sydney. It appears that one of the purposes for which he came among us, was to examine the capabilities of the country, and the nature and character of our productions. The chief object of his visit, however, was,-and it is a matter of great interest to us all,-to examine into the possibility of a Rail-road from Pettitcodiac, New Brunswick, to Louisburg, as the great Rail-road Terminus of this Continent. Of this possibility we have never entertained a doubt, and we entered upon the consideration of the question at much length, about the time of the meeting of the Railway Delegates at Portland, in the United States, as will be

Three years ago a man purchased a Farm in the lower part of Woodstock for £700,shortly after he sold off one lot for £200, and last week he disposed of the remainder for £1050-clearing by the transaction, besides his living for the three years, £550.

BERMUDA AND THE WEST INDIES.

The Bermuda Legislature was prorogued on the 26th July. The business transacted during the 24 days the House actually met, is said to be unprecedented in the annals of the Island. Governor Elliot congratulates the Colony on its growing prosperity thus:

The continued increase of the produce of of the soil, the remunerative prices abroad, and the striking improvement in the industry and skill of the people are gratifying subjects of reflection. And when we consider that the attention of so many highly intelligent and practical persons is devoted to the close observation and better development of the natural resources of the islands, we may, I think, look forward to the future most encouragingly. If it should please GOD to prosper the colony for the next few years with a suc cession of favourable crops, such as that which has just been gathered, it is manifest that all branches of business throughout the Islands must be steadily stimulated, to the great advantage of the body of the people, and with the happiest effects upon that continued course of improvement in the towns and over the whole face of the country which already meets our notice in every direction.

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THE English news is singularly unimportant, for | firm that uncertainty to its fullest extent. We we already knew the uncertain results of the General Election, and late arrivals but con

shall not weary our readers by second-hand spe culations as to what the Ministry will or will not

do, or as to what coalition or what course the Opposition may make or take. Recording only two or three items, we are content to leave the subject for the present; there will be no lack of opportunity for returning to it :

THE NEWLY ELECTED COMMONERS.

The job of manufacturing a new House of Commons is finished. The workmen have put their article out of hands. They cannot now alter the nature of the thing they have made; but must make the best of it till it will be broken

In all its essentials, the House of Commons seems little changed by the recent elections, except in a slightly increased torpidity and feebleness, the inevitable work of time on men and their works. A general election is supposed to

be for the House of Commons what Medea's kettle was for old Æson; but in the present instance the venerable gentleman appears to have passed through the process not merely without having his youth restored, but positively without having the insidious progress of old age arrested.

the existence of potato blight in Ireland. One Evidences unfortunately are multiplied as to feels reluctant to confess this appalling fact to oneself; but its truth can scarcely be doubted. to emigration. The influx of gold from Australia, This additional grievance must give fresh impulse

and the exodus of adventurers to the various

Colonies comprised under that general heading,
continue to be enormous.
for Edinburgh, is said to be convalescent. So
Mr. Macauly, M. P.
much the better for our chance of more English
history from his pen. His parliamentary tongue
may remain silent, without any grave loss to
the nation.

No news from India or from the Cape, of a very important nature, success, so far, seems to attend the British movements.

GOLD IN THE WEST INDIES.

up again. The kind of stuff it is made of-how it will wear and work-can only be learned by the test of experiment. Qualities and capabilities -good, bad, or indifferent-it has inherent in its nature, which washing or tinkering cannot alter; but what they are must be left to time to show. The aptitude of this new machine to subserve the purpose of any party or party leaders is very uncertain. If any reliance can be placed on professions, or trustworthy inferences drawn from antecedents, there will be about 310 Ministerialists and 344 Non-Ministerialists in the House of Commons. But many Non-Ministerialists are suspiciously ostentatious in professions of anxiety to eschew factious opposition; and some Ministerialists, hampered by previous declarations, may not always be able to offer Lord Derby a thoroughgoing support. Ministers, however, it appears on the surface, have failed to obtain an absolute majority. But their supporters maintain that the incompatible views of the different sections of Opposition render it impossible to combine them The following is an extract of a letter from Trifor any effective assault upon Ministers or their nidad, Port Spain, August 1st:-The gold digpolicy. Is the Ministerial phalanx less obnoxious gings of Demerara are causing as great a revoluto internal dissensions than the Opposition? Mr. tion in this island as the Australian and California Disraeli, since the Buckinghamshire nomination, diggings have both in Europe and America. Our has disappeared from public view. He is under-planters, with several agricultural labourers, have stood to be, like the adepts or thaumaturgi of old, labouring in mystic seclusion at the concoction of his grand panacea-or like Mahomet in his cave, devising a new chapter of the Koran to meet some unforeseen exigency-or like Friar Bacon, elaborating by word and spell his brazen head. But when the great work is completed, what chance has it of the unanimous approval of Mr. Disraeli's party? Will that which meets the wishes of converts bent on crossing the Free-trade prairies into which they have been led, satisfy those who still banker after the flesh pots of protection? Mr. Disraeli is prepared to conform to "the spirit of the age," but will he be able to persuade, not merely his bucolical supporters, but even some of his fellow-placemen, to follow his example?

The showy or substantially useful qualities likely to be brought into play by the new House of Commons are not less problematical. The number of unknown, or at least untried Members, is very great nearly one-third of the whole House. In a good many instances it will be found that one cipher has taken the place of another; and the only use of ciphers is to make up sums in notation. But there have been also changes among the more restless and pushing gririts whose doings and sayings determine the action of the Legisiature, or at least impart a characteristic tone to its proceedings.

already started, some of whom are realizing their most sanguine expectations. Lord Harris, (the Governor,) his family and suite will shortly visit the West India Eldoraldo.

We cannot congratulate the good people of the West Indies on the discovery of that which no doubt they consider to be a source of immense wealth. At the present moment some of the smaller Islands, as Barbadoes, St. Vincent, and Antigua, are nobly rising from out of the depression under which they laboured. They have by a wise and judicions policy, settled their emancipated population comfortably under equitable laws, and have been working harmoniously and in a Christian temper for some time past. If Gold be so close within their reach, may we not fear an abandonment of their legitimate pursuits, and, as a consequence, a sacrifice of the cultivation of their great staple-the sugar-cane?

Wise people say that every man has his hobby; and thoughtful readers very soon discover what are the hobbies editorial. We acknowledge then frankly that one of ours is an unconquerable antipathy to the present occupant of supreme power in France. With every desire to record honestly the prominent events that occur in that country, on whose condition the welfare of Europe so greatly depends, and with a wish to be guarded against individual prejudice, we find ourselves

deriving a malicious pleasure from reading or aiding to circulate the harsh truths that are told regarding him.

States as have interest for us, it may be noticed that on a late occasion, in the Senate Chamber at Washington, Mr. Seward of New York made a full and satisfactory statement of the difficulties regarding the Fisheries. We do not propose to follow him through his long and able speech;content that he exposed the absurdity of all the hubbub that has been raised about it, and showed that there was no novelty in the claim now enforced by Great Britain, and no necessity for the indignation hitherto expressed.

The President of the U. S. has declined answer

The news of the month is the retirement of M. Casabianca from the office of Minister of State, or Premier, in which he is succeeded by M. Achille Fould, the well known financial operator. Other changes in the Council of State have taken place, caused by the removal of those members who dared to vote against the seizure of the Orleans property, and the substitution of the merest tools. One of these last alone has a name which may be recognised; it is that of M. de Cormenin, the ing an enquiry from the Senate, as to proposals author of some clever pamphlets, an Orleanist, made to the American Government for the annexRepublican, or Bonapartist, as suits him best.-ation of the Sandwich Islands. From this fact it The festival announced for the 15th, at Paris, may be inferred that the matter has actually been was, we read, to be shorn of its expected military under consideration by the Cabinet at Washington. attractiveness. The National Guard is not thought to be ripe for the distribution of the Eagles. The Moniteur assigns as a reason for the change that the President might be embarrassed by the cries of the citizen soldiary-meaning its presumed clamour for the Empire. The truth appears to be that "His Highness" is fearful of their silence.

The Prussian Government has semi-officially denied the existence of the treaty antagonistic to a French hereditary Empire, which the London Morning Chronicle lately dug up from some unknown source. We still suspect that the Elysée has been at the bottom of it.-Victor Hugo, expelled from France, has now been driven out of Belgium, and has taken refuge in the island of Jersey. His forthcoming "Napoleon the Little," if written up to his standard of ability, will produce a strong sensation in France, whence it will scarcely be possible to exclude it.

The Arts in France have sustained a severe loss in the person of Tony Johannot, whose clever pictorial illustrations of books must be remembered by many of our readers.

The invasion of Guayaquil by the redoubtable General Flores has resulted in a miserable failure. His forces have been dispersed, and his vessels have been given up to Gen. Urbina, the President of Ecuador. Flores himself contrived to escape.

Late accounts from Havannah mention that many political arrests have been made, and that an uneasy feeling prevails:-At present we hear of no further infamous and insane projects for invasion. Unwonted secrecy has been preserved, if there be any in contemplation; but we doubt the fact.

THE MILITIA. The uniform for the Militia is in active preparation, Government having contracted for several thousand suits, of which the greater part are already completed. The dress is of the ordinary military appearance-the coat buttons close up to the neck, and the tail is the narrow peak, or "bobtail." The colour is scarlet, with yellow collar and cuffs, one row of buttons, of a dark leaden hue, surmounted by a crown

Concerning such public affairs of the United only, by Firmin, decorates the front.-B. A. Des.

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FACTS FOR THE FARMER.

belonging to Mr. Neame, of Selling, who, we are informed, has purchased the mill. At a private trial at Mr. Neame's farm, at Selling, it crushed oats at the rate of 30 bushels per hour, and split beans at the rate of 60 bushels per hour, and ground barley to fine meal at the rate of 8 bushels per hour, besides grinding bones, and crushing flint stones, bricks, &c.-Canadian Journal.

FARM MACHINERY.-The portable farming produce mill, from Mr. Crosskill, of Beverly, has been tried at Canterbury, in the presence of many of the leading agriculturists in the neighbourhood. The experiment was very satisfactory; it ground oats and beans, and, to show what it was capable of doing, hint stones were ground to fine powder, by putting different kinds of grinding plate in, an operation which was attested in 15 minutes; and from which, it appears, any substance can be RANSOME AND MAY'S ONE-HORSE HARVEST CART. ground, from flint-stones to barley meal. The-This cart is very useful and well adapted for mill was driven by the portable steam-engine carrying large loads from the harvest fields. It

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