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judgment, to suffer any man to rise up from the perusal of this publication, without obtaining from it accurate intelligence concerning the state of society in Upper Canada: And, though a decided friend to the speedy colonization of that fertile and extensive tract of the New World, I raise my warning voice against the undue expectations which an emigrant may cherish respecting "the artless simplicity, the innocent lives, and the unsophisticated manners" of American settlers, among whom he intends to take up his future abode. To tell such an individual," that he is about to be introduced "to an earthly Paradise, in which persons of "both sexes are celebrated for their chaste con

verse and exemplary virtues,"—would be most egregiously to mislead. But when I offer him a few practical illustrations of Canadian morality, and shew him the proximate causes of the grossness of manners and of the semi-barbarism, which are much too prevalent, I guard the proposed settler against all misapprehensions on this subject, in a more effectual manner than by general remarks and distant cautions.

In communicating to the world the result of my observations on the Canadas, I have, according to modern usage, adopted the epistolary form, on account of the facilities which it affords

to such a writer as myself in the free expression

of his opinions; and chiefly because, under the familiar designation of A CORRESPONDENT, I am enabled to introduce numerous remarks that might appear too trivial, when delivered in the imposing formality of didactic composition. The extracts from the Journal, which I wrote during my excursion through the United States, I have presented to my readers in a consecutive and abridged narrative, that it might be complete by itself.

I lie under no necessity to assure those who know my connections in life, as well as my principles, that my sentiments on several of the subjects discussed in these volumes, have been as maturely formed, as they are honestly and fearlessly declared; and that many of them are at variance with those of some persons whom I highly respect. But how erroneous soever these friends may deem certain views and conceptions which I entertain and have here published, it is a duty I owe to all other persons to affirm, that in no single instance have I enlisted wilful misrepresentation or personal obloquy in support of my positions; but have stated facts and reasoned upon them in a manner, which, I hope, the most scrupulous of my readers will consider to be at once fair and conscientious.

E. A. T.

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