consisted of having accepted a file of the "Colonial Advocate," and
shaken hands with the editor, the notorious William Lyon Mackenzie. In
those days of ultra-toryism, such an instance of liberality and freedom
from party-prejudice was sufficient to excite the displeasure of the
Governor and his council. There is no doubt that Galt acted imprudently
in this matter, though I fully believe without any intention of
opposing the Government.

In regard to the Company's affairs, more might be said to his
prejudice--not in respect of his integrity, for, I believe him to have
been a most honourable man, and incapable of any meanness--but in
regard to his management. Although, as the original projector of the
Canada Company, he evinced much cleverness, and afterwards displayed
considerable judgment in the choice of the best situations for building
towns and villages, yet he committed some grievous mistakes. His ideas
were generally good; but often not well carried out in detail.

His first error was in the selection of persons to fill the various
offices belonging to the Company. For, instead of appointing men who
had long experience in the country, and who were, therefore,
practically qualified to superintend the workmen by their experience of
all the requirements of a new settlement, he filled these situations,
for the most part, with inexperienced young men, recently arrived from
the old country, who, of course, could know nothing of road-making and
bridge-building, and were, therefore, incapable of directing a number
of workmen. Then, again, most of the hands employed on the Company's
works were new settlers, and, of course, knew nothing of chopping,
house-building, or clearing land; and yet these men were paid just as
much as if they had served a long apprenticeship in the country. If Mr.
Galt's appointments had been judicious, there is no doubt, in my mind,
that half the outlay would have produced greater results.

It was arranged that I should meet Mr. Galt at Toronto, in April, at
the commencement of the spring operations. At the appointed time, I
again waited upon him, when he ordered me to Guelph, to take charge of
the department, as formerly agreed upon between us. He then introduced
me to Dr. Dunlop and Mr. Prior, who kindly invited me to take a seat in
their waggon, which would leave for Guelph in a few hours. The former
gentleman is well known in the literary world, as the author of the
"Backwoodsman."

Durin