here.  We then passed Crown Point, where the British Government expended two millions sterling.  We met the Burlington steamer, the most neat and beautiful boat in the United States:  were introduced to Captain R.W.  Sharman, the beloved commander.  This is halfway—­an important town of 3000 people.  It is the seat of the University of Vermont, as we are now in that state.  We then passed Port Kent, Valcour Island, and Plattsburgh, which is situated at both sides of the Saranac River.  It is a military post.  Here there was a great battle both by land and water:  the British land-force was commanded by Sir George Prevost, and the naval by Commodore Downie; the Americans by land General Macomb, and water Commodore M’Donough.  They fought two hours and twenty minutes, and the British surrendered.  We passed Cumberland-house to the United States line, which has recently been settled by treaty by Lord Ashburton and Mr. Webster.

We here entered Canada, and laid quiet till morning, it being foggy.  The Isle Aux Noix is the first military post of the English.  We arrived at St. John’s at seven.  This is the extremity of Lake Champlain, which is here checked by the commencement of the Chambly Rapids to the St. Lawrence.  We visited the British barracks.  The 81st Regiment was stationed here.  This fort sustained a siege of six weeks before it surrendered to General Montgomery in November, 1775.  We breakfasted, and proceeded to Montreal by railway, or rather to Laprairie, a dirty town, and crossed the St. Lawrence in a steam-boat.  Montreal has 40,000 inhabitants, and is the seat of the Provincial Government.  It looks like an old English town.

I may observe that the thermometer stands here to-day at 50 deg., and was a week ago at 94 deg..  The sudden change has nearly knocked me up.  Starved to death, and no fires, except on the floor.  Not much comfort in the Exchange Hotel; dirty bedrooms and small.  Admired the Roman cathedral:  the bell is seven tons weight:  it is one of the finest in the world.  And the docks are first-rate, with lots of shipping.  All bustle and business.  Walked about the town.  Saw the Courthouse, the Parade-ground, and all the principal buildings.  To bed—­tired, cold, and weary.

Friday morning, September 27th.—­This being mail-day, wrote several letters to England, and forwarded some newspapers.  In the afternoon called upon several customers, and found out the stores of all.  Rickards and Leeming dined with me.  To bed early.  Still a bad cold.

Saturday morning.—­A regular day of business.  Called upon every customer, and found them most civil and polite.  I may mention Mr. Cuvillier, sen.; Mr. Masson, of Robertson and Co.’s; Mr. Colquhoun, of Scott, Tyer, and Co.’s; and Mr. Paterson, of Gillespie, Moffat, and Co.’s—­four of the largest houses;—­indeed, I cannot speak too highly of all.  Dined, and took steam-vessel, The Queen, to Quebec.  A cold, foggy night.  Turned in at seven.