THE

FORT WILUR

PUBLIC LIBRA

ANGLO-AMERICAN MAGAZINE.

Vol. I. TORONTO: JULY,
JULY, 1852.-No. 1.

THE CITIES OF CANADA.

TORONTO.

evidences of this startling change; in none
should we trace so strongly marked the im-
print of national migration; in few discover
such ripened fruits of successful colonization.
The genius of Britain presides over the des-
tiny of her Offspring-the glory of the Empire
enshrouds the prosperity of its Colony-the
noble courage and strength of the Lion in-
spires and protects the industry of the Beaver
-the Oak and the Maple unite their shadows
over breasts which beat in unison for the
common weal.

We boast not superior intelligence, we claim
not greater, nor even an equal share of, local
advantages over the sister cities of our coun-
try, but we assert, in sincerity of belief and
in justice to ourselves, a rapidity of growth
and a stability produced by wholesome enter-
prize, as encouraging as it is remarkable.

Ir may be regarded as a high degree of local vanity-a species of Metropolitanism, closely allied to the pride of Cockaigne-which induces us to commence our series of illustrations of the cities of this portion of Our Most Gracious Majesty's Dominions, with a description of the place of our habitation. But, Reader, whatever the feeling which prompts this preference may be, you will, perhaps, readily concede that it is a most natural one. Dwelling in a city, whose every stone and brick has been placed in its present position, under the eye of many who remember the locality as the site of primeval woo the region of swamp-of some who hav en the lonely wigwam of the Missasauga give place to the log-house of the earlier settler, and this in its The fine Bay in front of the city is formed turn disappear, to be replaced by the substan- by the remarkable peninsula, which, commenctial and elegant structures of modern art-we ing at the River Don, stretches away westward, feel that we are justified in yielding to the with a singular bend or curve at its western expardonable, if vain desire, of telling the tremity, until it approaches the mainland opwondrous metamorphosis of forty years. It posite the Garrison. Here, a very narrow is meet that we should rejoice over the triumph channel marked by buoys, admits vessels of of civilization, the onward progress of our almost any tonnage to shelter and safe anrace, the extension of our language, institu-chorage. Over this expanded sheet of water tions, tastes, manners, customs and feelings. may be seen, at this season of the year, many In no spot within British territory could we a graceful and tidy little craft gliding along find aggregated in so striking a manner, the under the skilful management of its ama eur

4241

crew-yatching being a favourite amusement notice. And it is well that it should be so. and source of recreation to the inhabitants, The absence of such evidences, to the curious after the toils of the day and the confinement investigator of a future age, will establish more of their occupations. A considerable number fully the wonderful brevity of our transition of steamers, both British and American-ar-state. But we may permit ourselves the inriving and departing almost hourly--and nu- dulgence of some reminiscences of the days merous sailing vessels, laden with the produce that are past. Few who now stroll along the of the "back country," or freighted with well boarded sidewalks of King Street, reflect valuable imports from other lands, impart ani- upon the inconvenience attending this recreamation and bustle to the scene, which truly tion to their grand-sires and grand-dames, who indicate the commercial activity of a thriving were compelled to tuck up their garments and population; while the wharves which skirt pick their way from tuft to tuft, from stone to the Bay, with their large warehouses and busy stone, and even to content themselves with an throng of stevedores, porters, carts, and cabs, occasional dip in the puddle; but, confirm this impression.

"Nothing is a misery

Unless our weakness apprehend it so," and spite of these little contrepieds, they would briskly do their shopping or call to enquire for Mrs. So-and-so and the darling little infant. It was no unusual sight to behold the heavy

Notwithstanding the disadvantage of its low situation, the effect produced on the mind when entering the Bay, and viewing the city from the deck of the steamer, is very pleasing and striking. Its spires and domes lighted up with the parting rays of lumber waggon (Broughams were not then the evening sun, the dark woods at the back, known,) sticking fast, up to the axle in the and the numerous handsome villas which very middle of the Street, opposite to what is flank the Bay, especially at its entrance, com- now McConkey's refectory, the gallant beaux bine in creating an effective coup d'œil. A constrained to soil their high-lows (Wellingtons most prominent object, at the eastern end, enjoyed but a mythical existence in those is the Gaol, by no means a picturesque or primitive days) in the work of extrication. prepossessing one, but still it may be taken The party-going portion of the citizens were as an indication of the general substantial content either to "trudge it" or to be shaken and appropriate character of the buildings, down among the straw in a cart drawn by two being a solid symmetrical mass of grey lime- sturdy oxen. The fashionable cry then was stone sufficiently significant of its purposes; "Mrs. McTavish's cart is here," and the "gee up not, however, in the same sense as the travel- Buck, ha! way Bright" resounded as clearly ler, who said he knew that he was in a civilized among the pines and elms asthe glib "all right" country whenever he saw a gibbet. The Light of your modern footman along the gaslit street. House on the point of the Peninsula, the We have been assured by those who particiLunatic Asylum, Government Wharf, the Par-pated in the enjoyment of the festivities of the liament Buildings, the spires of St. George's, times, that the social pleasures were much Knox's, and St. Andrew's Churches; St. Law- enhanced by these, to one and to all, trifling rence Buildings, the City Hall and Trinity désagrémens; that while the amenities of Church, all attract the eye. The sites of life and conventional rules of society were the Anglican and Roman Cathedrals and the strictly observed and respected, the simplicity direction of the main streets, may also be of mode and frank hospitality rendered the made out. It is not our purpose to enter gaieties of Little York as agreeably desirable as into a topographical description, and we there- the more polished and fashionable reunions of fore pass to other topics. the City of Toronto in 1852. Not that the latter virtue is less characteristic of modern society, but perhaps it was then better appreciated. The " even tenor of their way received on one occasion a severe and alarming check.

The "Queen City of the West" holds out no charms for the disciple of Monkbarns, and yet she has seen changes and vicissitudes in her time. All traces of these events it is true, are rapidly becoming extinct, recent as they have been; the few which still remain are not of The morning of the 27th of April, 1812, sufficient interest to require any very extended dawned with all the genial brightness of

was instantly at work to prepare a repast for
the famishing soldier. While thus honourably
employed, a terrific sound appals the heart with
terror and dismay—the magazine has exploded!
They feel that the fate of the brave is seal-

now apprehension as to what would be the
conduct of the victors absorbs for a time every
other feeling. This being found to be a ground-
less source of anxiety, and the enemy shortly
afterwards abandoning their vantage ground,
matters soon resumed their wonted aspect.

Since the peace of 1814, Toronto has steadily
encreased in wealth and population. A just
idea of this progress may be formed by the
following facts.

At the period just alluded to there were
about 900 souls living in Little York, to
which some writers are wondrously fond of
prefixing "muddy." In twenty years the
population had reached 4,000.
Ten years
more swelled this number to 15,336. The
census of the present year gives 30,763 !

an early spring on the inhabitants of the
Town and revealed to their wondering gaze, the
unwelcome sight of a hostile fleet ranged in
battle order at the entrance of the Bay. War
having been declared by America against Eng-
land, such a casuality was not altogether ed-the issue of the contest decided. And
unexpected by the authorities. But sanguine
ever, all hearts were filled with hope that their
quiet nook would escape the disturbance con-
sequent upon aggression, and the ordinary
pursuits of life were until that morning uninter-
ruptedly maintained. On the previous day
a brilliant entertainment had been given at
the Garrison, and arrangements were made to
continue the festivities at the house of one the
principal of Matrons that night. The hour of
assembling was much earlier than that now sanc-
tioned by the arbitrary rules of fashion. The
ladies had all arrived and the gentlemen were
momently expected, among the latter there
were of course included several gallant sons
of Mars. Hour after hour passed away and the
favored guests came not. At length one, more
thoughtfully considerate than the others, rode The first house on King Street was erected
in haste to the door and left a polite message on a lot given to an enterprising settler, on
excusing his absence. This was shortly follow- the condition that he would build a house upoa
ed by a missive from the Lady's "remaining it. Not many days ago, a lot of land, about
portion" stating that the alarm of attack would
possibly prevent his return that night. The
panic created by this intelligence may readily
be conceived-cach fair and trembling belle
hastened back to the protection of the parental
roof. The amiable Hostess taking what pre-
cautions she could devise for the security of
her house, patiently but anxiously awaited the
return of her husband, who, at a late hour, came
for a brief space to provide himself with the-inches have since become the subject of
necessary munitions of war and counselled her
to seek refuge from the danger she would en-
counter in his house, which was in a position
much exposed to the enemy's fire. Hastily
collecting those valuables which could be easily
removed, she then repaired to the house of the
Honble. J. McGill, at present inhabited by Mr.
McCutcheon, which was considered to be a
place of security, and had already become the
hospitium of others similarly circumstanced.
News of the progress of the battle was conveyed
to them from time to time-at length an appeal
was made for them to take a more active part in
the business of the day. The men who had been It is certainly a source of regret that with
engaged from an early hour were greatly ex-all this magic advancement in the substantial-
hausted from want of food, Every fair hand ities of condition and importance, so very little,

one-fourth of an acre in extent, and situated
beyond the toll-gate on Yonge Street, two
miles and a half from the city, was sold at
auction for £900! The annual rental of a house
in the business part of King Street is £300!

Where Bay Street now is, was part of an
orchard or small "clearing." When the pro-
position to purchase this, by the foot, was first
made, the idea was scouted as most ridiculous

litigation! The assessed value of the property
within the liberties of the Corporation, is esti-
mated at £3,116,400!

The earliest settlers were content to receive
their flour from the Commissariat stores, as
the only source of supply. To-day the value
of the dutiable and free goods imported is
£694,597! The exports to the United States,
and the various ports of our inland scas and
rivers, amount to £409,206.

Such, reader, is the history which figures tell,-who, then, shall gainsay the reasonableness of our pride?

h

comparatively, has been done to mark an equal among other less pretending structures, in an progress in the higher qualities which adorn out-of-the-way place. Witness the result in and accompany civilization. When one walks the St. Lawrence Buildings-in the new Post along King and Yonge Streets, and views with Office, a truly chaste and well-designed piece mingled feelings of surprise and admiration, of architecture, poked away behind an uninthe splendid Cathedral, the handsome St. Law-teresting row of fire-proof windows, in Messrs. rence Buildings, and the princely stores already Whittemore's four-storied warehouses. The built or in the course of erection, the mind same remark will apply to many others, but will naturally revert to the intelligence which these examples will suffice. designed, and the skill which is completing The absence of large spaces, in the form them; and a desire will as naturally arise to of public squares, gardens and arrangements ascertain the character and extent of the insti- of a similar kind, is also most remarkable, and tutions appropriated to the furtherance of very much to be regretted. In a city whose intellectual pursuits. Alas! shall we confess local disadvantages, as far as public health is it, in this we are miserably deficient. Not a concerned, have been made the subject of fresolitary building is to be seen answering this quent comment, we opine that the wisest podescription. There is not even a public library!licy would be to make a sacrifice of present In the St. Lawrence Buildings there is a very wealth, for the purpose of future good. large and convenient room, appropriated as a reading-room, and kept well supplied with the current periodical literature of the day-but that is all. Nor is there a room even devoted to the collection of specimens of art, or the fruits of genius. It may be said that we are unreasonable in this accusation, that the place is too young for such matters. But when we call to remembrance the work of this nature which has been done in smaller, less wealthy, and less important communities, we cannot refrain from expressing our conviction that much more ought to have been accomplished in Toronto.

Much to the credit of its promoters, there is a flourishing Mechanics' Institute, possessing a library worthy of better accommodation.

The railroads to the north and west, and eventually to the east-the increasing means of water communication-the vast extent of cleared and highly cultivated farms around it, and the extending settlement of large tracts of land, point to a prosperous future for this city. We might expatiate on this and kindred topics to greater length, but we should only tire the patience of the reader, and exceed the proper bounds allotted to our subject.

[A View of the City had been completed for publication, but being disappointed with it, we have refrained from inserting it in the present issue. There are very great difficulties to be encountered in attempting a faithful picWithin the past two years, also, a Society ture of the place. We have seen several prohas been organized, under the appellation of ductions of various professional artists and "The Canadian Institute," which has for its amateurs, and in all, the failure has been nearly object the promotion of literature, science, and alike, and has arisen from the same causes. Under the auspices of this Association, In one, we remember, to have discovered the (which has been chartered,) a monthly publi- nearest approach to accuracy of detail comcation is shortly to make its appearance, de- bined with decided pictorial effect, but its voted to the cultivation of these pursuits. We minuteness and panoramic character rendered hail this as a good omen of what we may shortly expect on a more extended and comprehensive scale.

art.

We must also enter our protest against the injudicious manner in which most of the public buildings are "located," (to borrow a Columbian idiomatic term). The general effect of a fine proportionate building, however classical its style and elaborate its ornamentation, is completely destroyed by being crowded in

it unsuitable for the purposes of this publication. The difficulties which preclude the possibility of taking a good general view, partake of the same nature which obtains with respect to all cities which are situated on low and flat surfaces, where the principal buildings are not isolated or separated to any extent from the surrounding houses, and where there are no contiguous heights from which an extended prospect is afforded to the eye.]

For the Anglo-American Magazine.

THE ADVANTAGES OFFERED BY THE COLONIES
EQUAL, IF NOT SUPERIOR, TO THOSE OFFERED

BY THE UNITED STATES.

IN presenting "Amicus" to our readers, we take the first step towards the fulfilment of the pledge, that original subjects, connected with British North American interests, should, as occasion demands, appear in our pages, and it will be apparent to our readers that it is but the first of a series of articles on similar subjects. We may add, that besides "Amicus," the MS. of a work on Emigration, for the particular use of the French, Germans, and Belgians, is now before us. The author has passed several years in the United States, and appears, after patient and laborious investigation of his subject, during which time he has collected a great mass of materials, to have arrived at the same conclusion as "Amicus," viz., that the British North American Provinces offer a more desirable home to the emigrant than the United States.

The author dwells particularly on the evils that have resulted to the States from the modus operandi of speculating emigration companies, in the introduction of a vast number of most undesirable citizens to the Union, and he contends farther that a very large body, of a superior class, really desirous of emigration for legitimate purposes, have been deterred, from leaving their fatherland, and seeking our shores, through fear of again coming in contact with the restless and dangerous spirits who have preceded them. He says:

of their error in diverting the stream of emigration from its natural and universal course, and directing it solely to their own channel. For Germany itself the loss has been a gain— as it has been an especial boon that so many impure elements have been swept away from her shores-so many dangers removed, that threatened her prosperity in a political, religious, and social point of view."

Our author maintains "that if emigration to these Provinces be desirable, a more sympathetic relation with the wealthier and better educated classes in Germany, Belgium, and France, should be entered into," and recommends that some exertions should be made to disabuse these classes of the opinion they generally entertain that the British Provinces are, as are the United States, the point to which the disaffected and disappointed, the Illuminati of Germany, the Carbonari of Italy, direct their course, as affording a new and wider field for the ramifications of their respective secret associations. He seems to be quite au divisions in the United States, and asserts that fait on the subject of the various political the very number of these various parties afford a wider field of operation for the political intriguant, and winds up by very distinctly assuring his countrymen "that in this good, generous, and noble country, the land of free soilers and free institutions, men are less free than under stronger Governments."

Our author is perhaps too sharp in his remarks, and their causticity and satire prevent our making more copious extracts; but be it remembered that a perfect deluge of similar writings, on the opposite side of the question, has been poured forth, and that strong lan"About twelve years ago there appeared in Germany several works on the United States, guage respecting Monarchies, and the degraded guides for emigrants. These books were ob- condition of the unfortunates living under them viously written by parties (German) employed has not been wanting, and that it behoves us, by speculators, whether land or ship-owners if we really desire to see the tide of immigraperhaps by the American Government itself. tion set in on our shores, to afford those richer These works were widely circulated in pamphlet form, by agents specially selected for their and better educated classes, whom he repreaptness in making ad captandum appeals to sents as desirous of emigration, practical inthe masses of the people, and in spreading far formation as to our really free government, and wide the most fabulous versions of Repub-climate, soil, and other advantages.

lican institutions and Republican prosperity and wealth. The happiness of each man dwelling under his own fig tree, and governed by laws of his own making, was dwelt on with due emphasis.

"By employing these deceptive means, the Americans induced large bodies to leave, but now bitterly suffer from the evil consequences

I am aware that in treating of the subject indicated by the above title, I shall have to encounter much of misconception and misapprehension, that prevails very generally, as to the superior advan tages which the United States are supposed to