the molasses and flour it will take to supply the numerous guests they expect on the occasion—­open tables being kept at taverns, and private houses are so no longer, but hospitably receive all who come.  No harvest is reaped by exorbitant charges for lodging, and all that is expected in return, is the same clever treatment when their turn comes.  This convocation, occurring in the leisure spell between the end of planting and the commencement of haying, is consequently no hindrance to the agricultural part of the community; and old and young “off they come” from Miramichi, from Acadia, and the Oromocto, in shay and waggon, steam-boat and catamaran, on horseback or on foot, as best they can.  This day, one towards the conclusion, the large frame building was crowded to excess, and outside were gathered groups, as may be seen in some countries around the catholic chapels.  Within, the long tiers of benches display as fair an array of fashion and flowers as would be seen in any similar congregation in any country.  The days of going to meeting in home-spun and raw hide moccasins are vanishing fast all through the province.  These are the solid constituents of every-day apparel, but for holidays, even the bush maiden from the far-off settlements of the gulph shore has a lace veil and silken shawl, and these she arranges with infinitely more taste and grace than many a damsel whose eye has never lost sight of the clearings.  By far the greater portion of the assembly have the dark eyes and intellectual expression of face which declares them of American origin; and, sprinkled among them, are the features which tell of England’s born.  The son of Scotland, too, is here, although unwont to grace such gatherings with his presence; yet this is an event of rare importance, and from its occurrence in his immediate neighbourhood, he has come, we dare not say to scoff, and yet about his expressive mouth their lingers a slight curl of something like it.  And here, too, the Hibernian forgets his prejudices in the delight of being in a crowd.  I do not class my friend Grace along with this common herd, but even she became as deeply interested as others in the discussion which was now going forward—­this was the time of transacting business, and the present subject one which had occupied much attention.  It was the appropriation of certain funds—­whether they should be applied towards increasing their seminary, so as to fit it for the proper education of ministers for their church, or whether they should not be applied to some other purpose, and their priesthood be still allowed to spring uncultured from the mass.  The different opinions expressed regarding this, finely developed the progress of mind throughout the land.  Some white-headed fathers of the sect, old refugees, who had left the bounds of civilization before they had received any education, yet who had been gifted in the primitive days of the colony to lead souls from sin, sternly declaimed against the education