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will do more to make bread cheap in England than any other single enterprise that exists。 I do not know that blame is to be attached to any one。 I at least attach no such blame。 Probably it might be easy now to show that the road might have been made with sufficient accommodation for ordinary purposes without some of the more costly details。 The great tubular bridge； on which was expended 1；300；000 pounds； might； I should think； have been dispensed with。 The Detroit end of the line might have been left for later time。 As it stands now； however； it is a wonderful operation carried to a successful issue as far as the public are concerned； and one can on＇y grieve that it should be so absolute a failure to those who have placed their money in it。 There are schemes which seem to be too big for men to work out with any ordinary regard to profit and loss。 The Great Eastern is one； and this is another。 The national advantage arising from such enterprises is immense； but the wonder is that men should be found willing to embark their money where the risk is so great and the return even hoped for is so small。 While I was in Canada some gentlemen were there from the Lower ProvincesNova Scotia； that is； and New Brunswickagitating the subject of another great line of railway； from Quebec to Halifax。 The project is one in favor of which very much may be said。 In a national point of view an Englishman or a Canadian cannot but regret that there should be no winter mode of exit from； or entrance to； Canada； except through the United States。 The St。 Lawrence is blocked up for four or five months in winter； and the steamers which run to Quebec in the summer run to Portland during the season of ice。 There is at present no mode of public conveyance between the Canadas and the Lower Provinces； and an immense district of country on the borders of Lower Canada； through New Brunswick； and into Nova Scotia； is now absolutely closed against civilization； which by such a railway would be opened up to the light of day。 We all know how much the want of such a road was felt when our troops were being forwarded to Canada during the last winter。 It was necessary they should reach their destination without delay； and as the river was closed； and the passing of troops through the States was of course out of the question； that long overland journey across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick became a necessity。 It would certainly be a very great thing for British interests if a direct line could be made from such a port as Halifax； a port which is open throughout the whole year； up into the Canadas。 If these colonies belonged to France or to any other despotic government； the thing would be done。 But the colonies do not belong to any despotic government。 Such a line would； in fact； be a continuance of the Grand Trunk； and who that looks at the present state of the finances of the Grand Trunk can think it to be on the cards that private enterprise should come forward with more moneywith more millions？ The idea is that England will advance the money； and that the English House of Commons will guarantee the interest； with some counter…guarantee from the colonies that this interest shall be duly paid。 But it would seem that； if such colonial guarantee is to go for anything； the colonies might raise the money in the money market without the intervention of the British House of Commons。 Montreal is an exceedingly good commercial town； and business there is brisk。 It has now 85；000 inhabitants。 Having said that of it； I do not know what more there is left to say。 Yes； one word there is to say of Sir William Logan； the creator of the Geological Museum there； and the head of all matters geological throughout the province。 While he was explaining to me with admirable perspicuity the result of investigations into which he had poured his whole heart； I stood by； understanding almost nothing； but envying everything。 That I understood almost nothing； I know he perceived。 That； ever and anon； with all his graciousness； became apparent。 But I wonder whether he perceived also that I did envy everything。 I have listened to geologists by the hour beforehave had to listen to them； desirous simply of escape。 I have listened； and understood absolutely nothing； and have only wished myself away。 But I could have listened to Sir William Logan for the whole day； if time allowed。 I found； even in that hour； that some ideas found their way through to me； and I began to fancy that even I could become a geologist at Montreal。 Over and beyond Sir William Logan； there is at Montreal for strangers the drive round the mountain； not very exciting； and there is the tubular bridge over the St。 Lawrence。 This； it must be understood； is not made in one tube； as is that over the Menai Straits； but is divided into； I think； thirteen tubes。 To the eye there appear to be twenty…five tubes； but each of the six side tubes is supported by a pier in the middle。 A great part of the expense of the bridge was incurred in sinking the shafts for these piers。
CHAPTER V。 UPPER CANADA。
Ottawa is in Upper Canada； but crossing the suspension bridge from Ottawa into Hull； the traveler is in Lower Canada。 It is therefore exactly in the confines； and has been chosen as the site of the new government capital very much for this reason。 Other reasons have no doubt had a share in the decision。 At the time when the choice was made Ottawa was not large enough to create the jealousy of the more populous towns。 Though not on the main line of railway； it was connected with it by a branch railway； and it is also connected with the St。 Lawrence by water communication。 And then it stands nobly on a magnificent river； with high； overhanging rock； and a natural grandeur of position which has perhaps gone far in recommending it to those whose voice in the matter has been potential。 Having the world of Canada from whence to choose the site of a new town； the choosers have certainly chosen well。 It is another question whether or no a new town should have been deemed necessary。 Perhaps it may be well to explain the circumstances under which it was thought expedient thus to establish a new Canadian capital。 In 1841； when Lord Sydenham was Governor…General of the provinces； the two Canadas； separate till then； were united under one government。 At that time the people of Lower or French Canada； and the people of Upper or English Canada； differed much more in their habits and language than they do now。 I do not know that the English have become in any way Gallicized； but the French have been very materially Anglicized。 But while this has been in progress national jealousy has been at work； and even yet that national jealousy is not at an end。 While the two provinces were divided there were； of course； two capitals； and two seats of government。 These were at Quebec for Lower Canada； and at Toronto for Upper Canada； both which towns are centrically situated as regards the respective provinces。 When the union was effected； it was deemed expedient that there should be but one capital； and the small town of Kingstown was selected； which is situated on the lower end of Lake Ontario； in the upper province。 But Kin