Some engagement of business, the particular nature of which it is not necessary to describe, induced me to fix with Dungowan that we should set off by break of day for the tavern where Jocelyn was to wait for me. From the time of my arrival in the province, I had only once been so early a-foot, and that was in coming with my family from Cornwall to Prescot.

The aspect of the morning was at once delightful, and fresh, and new, for during the former journey, my mind was so occupied with various matters, that the landscape attracted only cursory glances as we passed; on this occasion, being on horseback and more at leisure, I loosened the reins of my imagination, and allowed it to range at freedom; my companion, probably in some similar mood, was also disposed to ride without much talk.

To the general reader, it may now and then appear that I am too prone to describe the sympathy which the scenes of Nature awaken in my feelings; perhaps it is an innate predilection; but in doing so, especially since I came to Canada, I have certainly been actuated more by a desire to convey correct ideas of the country and climate, than by the pleasure derived from recalling the forms and colours of the images that ministered to the first enjoyment.