join in the game,
which here becomes an agreeable and not too fatiguing [an] exercise. I
was very fond of frequenting their alleys, not only for the exercise,
but because, among the various ways of estimating character, I had made
up my mind that there was none more likely to be correct, than the
estimate formed by the manner in which people roll the balls, especially
the ladies. There were some very delightful specimens of American
females when I was this time at Niagara. We sauntered about the falls
and wood in the day time, or else played at nine-pins; in the evening we
looked at the moon, spouted verses, and drank mint juleps. But all that
was too pleasant to last long: I felt that I had not come to America to
play at nine-pins; so I tore myself away, and within the next
twenty-four hours found myself at Toronto, in Upper Canada.

Toronto, which is the present capital and seat of government of Upper
Canada, is, from its want of spires and steeples, by no means an
imposing town, as you view it on entering the harbour. The harbour
itself is landlocked, and when deepened will be very good. A great deal
of money has been expended by the English government upon the Canadian
provinces, but not very wisely. The Rideau and Willend canals are
splendid works; they have nothing to compare with them in the United
States; but they are too much in advance of the country, and will be of
but little use for a long period, if the provinces do not go a-head
faster than they do now. One half the money spent in making good roads
through the provinces would have done more good, and would have much
increased the value of property. The proposed rail-road from Hamilton
to Detroit would be of greater importance; and if more money is to be
expended on Upper Canada, it cannot be better disposed of than in this
undertaking.

The minute you put your foot on shore, you feel that you are no longer
in the United States; you are at once struck with the difference between
the English and the American population, systems, and ideas. On the
other side of the Lake you have much more apparent property, but much
less real solidity and security. The houses and stores at Toronto are
not to be compared with those of the American towns opposite. But the
Englishman has built according to his means--the American, according to
his expectations. The hotels and inns at Toronto are very bad; at
Buffalo they are splendid: for the Englishman travels lit