erous
creeks and streamlets, many of which are large enough, and have fall
sufficient to drive mills or machinery of any description.--Mac
Taggart's "Three Years in Canada."]

My first interview with Mr. Galt, the celebrated author of "Laurie
Todd," took place at the Old Steam-boat Hotel, in February, 1828. He
received me with great kindness, and asked me many particulars of Bush-
life, connected with a first settlement.

I suppose my answers were satisfactory, for he turned towards me
abruptly, and asked me, "If I would like to enter the Canada Company's
Service; for," said he, "I want a practical person to take charge of
the out-door department in the absence of Mr. Prior, whom I am about to
send to the Huron tract with a party of men to clear up and lay off the
New-town plot of Goderich. You will have charge of the Company's
stores, keep the labour-rolls, and superintend the road-making and
bridge-building, and indeed everything connected with the practical
part of the settlement."

This was just the sort of life I wished; so I closed at once with his
offer. No salary was to be named, till I had been three months in the
Company's employ. Indeed, I left everything to Mr. Galt, who, I felt
certain, would remunerate me according to my deserts.

In person, Mr. Galt was, I should think, considerably above six feet in
height, and rather of a heavy build; his aspect grave and dignified,
and his appearance prepossessing. His disposition was kind and
considerate; but at the same time he commanded respect; and I can say
with sincerity, I always found him an upright and honourable gentleman.

Of Mr. Galt's fitness for the office of superintendent of the Canada
Company, it would, perhaps, be considered presumptuous in me to give an
opinion. His position was an unfortunate one, and from his first
residence in the country till his resignation, there appears to have
been a serious misunderstanding between him, the Governor, and the
Executive-council, in consequence of which, Galt's character was
misrepresented at home as that of a meddling politician and troublesome
person. Other charges regarding the wasteful expenditure of money in
forming the new settlements were laid before the Directors, and these
repeated complaints against him left him no other alternative than to
resign his situation.

My own opinion is, that Galt was ill-used by the Canadian Government.
He says in his "Autobiography," that his whole and sole offence