that long overland journey across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick became a necessity.  It would certainly be a very great thing for British interests if a direct line could be made from such a port as Halifax, a port which is open throughout the whole year, up into the Canadas.  If these colonies belonged to France or to any other despotic government, the thing would be done.  But the colonies do not belong to any despotic government.

Such a line would, in fact, be a continuance of the Grand Trunk; and who that looks at the present state of the finances of the Grand Trunk can think it to be on the cards that private enterprise should come forward with more money—­with more millions?  The idea is that England will advance the money, and that the English House of Commons will guarantee the interest, with some counter-guarantee from the colonies that this interest shall be duly paid.  But it would seem that, if such colonial guarantee is to go for anything, the colonies might raise the money in the money market without the intervention of the British House of Commons.

Montreal is an exceedingly good commercial town, and business there is brisk.  It has now 85,000 inhabitants.  Having said that of it, I do not know what more there is left to say.  Yes; one word there is to say of Sir William Logan, the creator of the Geological Museum there, and the head of all matters geological throughout the province.  While he was explaining to me with admirable perspicuity the result of investigations into which he had poured his whole heart, I stood by, understanding almost nothing, but envying everything.  That I understood almost nothing, I know he perceived.  That, ever and anon, with all his graciousness, became apparent.  But I wonder whether he perceived also that I did envy everything.  I have listened to geologists by the hour before—­have had to listen to them, desirous simply of escape.  I have listened, and understood absolutely nothing, and have only wished myself away.  But I could have listened to Sir William Logan for the whole day, if time allowed.  I found, even in that hour, that some ideas found their way through to me, and I began to fancy that even I could become a geologist at Montreal.

Over and beyond Sir William Logan, there is at Montreal for strangers the drive round the mountain, not very exciting, and there is the tubular bridge over the St. Lawrence.  This, it must be understood, is not made in one tube, as is that over the Menai Straits, but is divided into, I think, thirteen tubes.  To the eye there appear to be twenty-five tubes; but each of the six side tubes is supported by a pier in the middle.  A great part of the expense of the bridge was incurred in sinking the shafts for these piers.

CHAPTER V.

UPPER CANADA.