Thornhill, near York, Nov. 4, 1832.
TO-DAY, dearest Mary, when I arose, I found the first snow lying on the
ground, and, as the thermometer now indicates, that we are fast
approaching our Canadian winter. I have staid at home to-day to get
matters more fully in order, that I may meet it as pleasantly as I can.
A few days previously I quitted my cold, smoky sitting room, and took up
my quarters in my favourite bed room, removing into it my books, boxes,
and in fact everything, except the chairs and one table, which I have
left below to receive company when they shall honour me with their
visits; which, in spite of my bachelorship, and the non-attractions of my
place, they feel themselves bound in courtesy to do. Think not, however,
that I freeze my visitors, for I too well remember the cold rooms into
which I have been ushered myself, while in England. Mrs. Crosby,
therefore, has received a strict charge to keep up a fire from ten to
five, and when visitors are expected a semi-mountain of logs is added to
the pile. My bed room has been greatly improved by nailing up three of
the bedding wrappers (and which, for the purpose, I found a most
invaluable treasure), against three of the windows, so as to exclude all
the searching, piercing, cold winds and air, which, I hear, penetrates so
bleakly when the winter fully sets in; for this aforesaid bed room of
mine has no fewer than four windows; for the Canadians, not being taxed
for their lights, think they can never have enough, and hence we are
broiled in summer and frozen in winter, as the concomitants of our
delectable liberty. I have now, therefore, as you will perceive, only
one window remaining; but this is quite enough, and you would join me in
my conclusion had you to-day seen the snow forcing its way by some
unaccountable means through some imperceptible apertures, so as quite to
wet some clothes which for a few minutes I had incautiously placed under
the window. My removal to the bed room was the day before yesterday, and
the two last nights were the only two in which I slept comfortably. I
got an extra blanket that was of no perceptible benefit; a second
counterpane was added to the weight of the superincumbent clothes, but
not apparently to the warmth: I then slept in a pair of silk stockings;
but these also, though the best of all my auxiliaries, were not adequate,
and I was therefore obliged to put over these a pair of my worsted warm
socks; but even then I had a chilly feeling towards morning. Since,
however, I have been sitting constantly in my room, and have had a fire
there, and a good one too, all the day long, lighted before I rise, and
left burning with renewed logs when I go to rest: with all these helps
and adjuncts I do now exceedingly well, but what I shall do in the real
winter I know not. Now the thermometer is not lower than 20° or 25°
below freezing point in the night, but then it is frequently 10° or 12°
below zero, and once last year it was 29° below it. Perhaps I shall have
recourse to the Russian fashion, and sleep with the feather bed over me,
or between the blankets, but even then, poor nosey and its neighbours
will receive no benefit, and the gentlemen, I suppose, will complain of
the injustice done to them, while all the other parts are so cozy, and
they are left to bounce against the icy formations produced by the
moisture from the breath; but, as little Herbert would say, we must
breathe, and so poor nosey and company must take their chance. I think I
have not, as yet, alluded to one of the chief Canadian annoyances, the
amazing prevalence of the house fly. All places swarm with them, and the
most respectable persons, who feel the annoyance greatly, quite despair
of getting rid of them. In a few days, however, I effected a clearance,
and afterwards only a comparatively few stragglers made their appearance,
which were daily removed; and this must be done, if you would have any
comfort. I took up a volume in boards at a lady’s here, which had been
lying on its side on the shelves, and when I touched it it was so rough
with the abundance of their excrement, that I wondered what kind of
excrement it was covered with, till I examined and discovered the cause
of the evil. Gauze or muslin covers most of their things, but as to the
mass of them, they are filthy beyond endurance; and then the creatures
keep buzzing about you incessantly, and keep you in a continual fidget
with their intolerable tickling. Then, again, they almost cover your
plate while you are eating, and as to indulging in a siesta, that is
impossible. If a loaf of bread is left uncovered a short space, its
surface is so eaten as to appear quite grated; and all other articles are
laid by them under similar contribution, though it may not be quite so
discernible. I guess that my Mary will be equally zealous with myself in
attempting this clearance.
Mr. — has just been here; he is one of the trustees of Thornhill Church.
To him and his associates the Governor has this day made over 600 acres
for the use and benefit of the minister out of the clergy reserves.
These they will perhaps exchange for half the number of acres near the
church, situated on the George Street Road, and when the exchange shall
be effected, they will proceed with the house. You have heard about the
long and still unsettled disputes about the Clergy Reserves. In Mr.
Pitt’s administration, a certain portion of the land was reserved for the
clergy in each township; but the Presbyterians of the Scotch Church and
the other denominations have lately put in their claim, and since the
litigation commenced, nothing has been done, no lands, in any case here,
I believe, have been assigned. His Excellency wrote to Lord Goderich,
and has just obtained from him permission to assign lands to such clergy
as at present are just being fixed in their respective districts. Sir
John is now acting upon this permission; some lands belonging to the
clergy reserves have been sold to form a fund, in hand, and out of this
he builds the parsonage house. We are much indebted to the Governor, Sir
John Colborne, for his perseverance, without which no adequate provision
for ministers of our church could have been made, for none of our
congregations would hear a word about contributions as long as there was
a chance of the clergy reserves being obtained.
Oh, how glad I am, my Mary, we came here, instead of going to the United
States, and that the good providence of God directed us to this country.
Depend upon it, we shall never regret the step we have taken, every day
convinces me of its expediency, in every point of view. May the same God
of love who brought us safe and directed us, as the pioneers of our
little party, bless, preserve, and keep those that remain, and bring you
through every perplexity and trial to this land of his peculiar smile.