The Doctor himself has given a very accurate account of the valuable resources of the Huron tract.  He says in his journal—­“I have already adverted to its nature and fertility, and think I may be justified in adding, such is the general excellence of the land, that if ordinary care can be taken to give each lot no more than its own share of any small swamp in its vicinity, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find two hundred acres together in the whole territory, that would make a bad farm.  Although the land may be capable of raising any kind of produce usual in that country, yet some spots are more particularly advantageous for particular crops.  The black ash-swales (a kind of swamp) make the best ground for hemp; as by the scourging effect of two or three crops, the ground will be made more fit for the raising of wheat, for which, in the original state, it is too strong.  The rich meadows by the side of the rivers, (more especially such as are annually overflowed,) are ready without farther preparation, for tobacco, hemp, and flax.  The lower meadows, and meadows adjoining Beaver dams, which are abundant, produce at this moment enormous quantities of natural hay and pasture; and the rest of the land, for the production of potatoes, Indian corn, wheat, and other grain, is at least equal, if not superior, to any other land in the Canadas.  Independent of the swamps, the timber on the land is very soon described.

“The sugar-maple is the principal growth, and the size and height which it, as well as other trees, attains, sufficiently evince the strength and power of the soil.  Next to this come the beech, elm, and bass-wood, in various proportions.  In some instances, the beech and elm predominate over the maple, but this is rare.  Near the streams the hemlock is found; and interspersed through the whole is the cherry, butter-nut, the different species of oak, and the birch."* [* Mac Taggart’s “Journal of Dr. Dunlop.”]

In exploring this, then unknown, wilderness, Dr. Dunlop encountered many difficulties, and was more than once in danger of starvation—­ though an Indian Mohawk Chief shared his risks and perils.* [* Mac Taggart’s “Journal of Dr. Dunlop.”] As he told a story admirably well, I was delighted to hear him discuss his peregrinations over a glass of brandy-punch, of which he was very fond.  Whatever might have been his feelings at the time, he only made a joke of his trials at the period in which he related them to me.

I should have experienced some regret in quitting Guelph, if the society had been more to my taste.  The only persons of education in that town were, in fact, the Company’s officers, many of whom I might reasonably expect to meet again at Goderich.  Of course, I found some exceptions, but the average was not in favour of Guelph.  Besides, the water was an attraction to me, as my Suffolk home was within a short distance of the German Ocean.  Brought up so near a sea-port, my natural inclinations made me dislike an inland situation; and if I were not going to have a sea-side residence, at least the shores of the mighty Huron Lake came the nearest to it in my estimation.