a dead letter.  Two-thirds of the granted land is held by men who have favor with the government and who are holding to sell.  Did you ever hear of Peter Russel?  When a surveying party came in, he found out from their reports where the lots of best land were, and made out deeds to himself.  ’I, Peter Russel, lieutenant-governor, etc., do grant to you, Peter Russel,’ such and such lots.  If you sued the gentleman you visited this forenoon you would lose.  The court officials all have lots they expect to turn into money and would throw every obstacle in the way.  Should your case come to trial, it would be before a judge who is a relative, and who holds patents for thousands of acres of wild land.  The condition in their titles about cutting out roads, is like those that require a house to be built and so many acres of land in crop before a patent is issued.  There are thousands of settlers worse off than you are, for you say you have a sled-path to your house.  The lawyer spoke candidly and showed his sincerity and goodwill by refusing to take the fee I offered.

Oct. 20—­A real cold day; fine for chopping and the sound of trees falling was heard every hour.  Wheat is growing finely.  Had a talk with Auld and Brodie at night and agreed we would improve the sled-track to Yonge-street, seeing there was no prospect of the owner doing anything.

Oct. 22—­Surprised by a message that there was a bull-plow waiting for me at the corner-house on Yonge-street.  Jabez had told Mr Bambray about the swamp, and he sent the plow to help to bring it into cultivation.

Oct. 24—­Took the plow out to the swamp, which I found pretty dry at one side.  Yoked the oxen to it and I plowed all afternoon.  Felt good to grip the stilts once more.

Oct. 29—­Spent three days on the sledroad and the three families joined in the work.  Cut a great many roots, filled hollows, and felled trees whose branches obstructed.  It is now fairly smooth but far too narrow for a wagon.

Oct. 30—­Surprised by a visit from Jabez, who came on horseback.  Said he had a chance to give Gordon a few weeks’ training with a carpenter.  He was not now busy himself, as the shipping season was over.  Brought Ailie a basket of fresh water herring.  Left after dinner.

Oct. 31—­Gordon started early for Toronto, with his bundle over his shoulder.  We shall miss him sadly.  In the evening our neighbors came and we held Halloween as heartily as if we had been in Ayrshire.

Nov. 1—­Bright and frosty.  Took the oxen back to the swamp; found there was not frost enough to interfere and turned over a few ridges, and cast waterfurs leading to the ditch.

Nov. 2—­White frosts fetch rain in this country and a cold rain fell all day.  Sawing and splitting the logs we had set aside for firewood.

Nov. 3—­The rain turned to snow during the night and there are fully four inches.  The youngsters hitched an ox to the sled and started off, shouting and laughing, for Yonge-street to have their first sleigh drive.  Came home in great glee in time for supper.  Robbie says he wants a sleigh bell.