f population westward, in which he
described the Great Valley of the Saskatchewan in colours so
glowing, that I wondered why we did not all go there, but on
further enquiry I found that a small body of London Fur-traders
claimed the whole country as a preserve for musk-rats and foxes,
under an old charter from a King who, at the time, did not own a
foot of it; that I thought the fur-traders ought to be compelled to
give up the good land, _vi et armis_, if need be. He said, "My
young friend, your ambition is great; I am afraid you have not
considered the difficulties to be overcome." I felt slightly sat
upon; but I warmed with my subject, and as I had already made
temperance speeches to admiring audiences in the "back
concessions," I was not easily disconcerted. He then made the
remark which forty years afterwards I recalled to his recollection.
"Before you undertake such enterprises you must study law; it is a
noble profession, and in this country is the only sure road to
success in politics. If I had not felt it my duty to preach the
Gospel, I would have studied law myself." I remarked that I had
read articles in the _Christian Guardian_, attributed to him, which
I had heard people say exhibited a great deal of legal knowledge.
He seemed pleased by the compliment, but did not acknowledge the
paternity of the articles. After some further conversation as to my
studies, etc., he recommended me to begin at once to read Latin,
and promised to speak to my father and advise him to let me study
law. He kept his promise; my father rather reluctantly consented,
telling me that if I left home I would lose the farm. You know the
rest.

May I not venture the remark, that if a promising agriculturist was
spoiled by that interview, Dr. Ryerson was the spoiler? and, if
Canada has derived any benefit from my humble labours as
journalist, legislator, executive councillor, etc., he is entitled
to a share of the credit, for, as I loved--and still recall with
envious regret--the unsophisticated pleasures and contentment of a
farmer's life, I would, probably, have pursued the even tenor of my
bucolic way but for his advice and kind-hearted mediation.

In the political controversies that agitated the country from 1850
to 1862, we sometimes crossed swords. In 1865,