self-assertion.” No doubt, in the course of time, the man of lofty patriotism and true intellectual power will obtain his proper position in the American republic. Civilization is ever progressive, and ignorance, even in country of pure democracy and universal suffrage, must recede before the irresistible forces of intellect and knowledge. In the Provinces constituting the Dominion of Canada, we have been all leading so active a life that few individuals have had time to devote to the pursuit of literature. The people of these new countries have had a great work to do, and the ability and energy they have brought to its accomplishment are attested by the present wealth and prosperity of this section of the British Empire. The development of their superabundant resources still demands their best energies; but it should not be forgotten that if they are ever to attain national greatness, it must be by improving their intellectual as well as material condition. When all classes have bad such active work to do, it is not strange that the number of public men who have been distinguished for their literary ability should be very few. It is true, journalists* have exercised, and are now exercising, a very considerable influence in the administration of public affairs; and they must continue to do so under our system of free government. The literary class in the Provinces, apart from journalism, has hitherto been extremely insignificant-indeed it can be hardly said to have had an existence. Judge Haliburton, "Sam Slick," was one of the few men who pursued purely literary studies in connection with politics and law. Mr. McGee was undoubtedly the most prominent example of the statesman and man of letters combined in one individual. His public addresses always exhibited that copious illustration and depth of thought which proved the high standard of his intellectual attainments, and the extremely wide range of his reading. During his career in Canada, this able writer and orator did a great deal, by means of lectures before literary societies, to encourage literature, and set an example to the other public men of the Dominion which they might well imitate. With the fine oratorical powers so many of them possess, all of us must feel that they could assist materially in developing intellectual tastes in these new countries. Our people naturally look to our public men as the leaders in all matters of public importance; and certainly they could not employ their talents more profitably than in stimulating a love for letters. Mr. Howe is another colonial statesman who possesses a well-cultivated intellect, and invests every subject that he handles with illustrations drawn from a persevering course of study. Like Mr. McGee, Mr. Howe has written several poems which, although few in number, and only found floating through the columns of the colonial press, possess a rhythmical flow and purity of style that cannot fail to please. * Among the prominent public men of the Dominion who have been, or are still associated with the public press, may be mentioned: Hon. George Brown, of the Toronto Globe; Hon. W. McDougall, C. B., Minister of Public Works; Hon. J. Cauchon, President of the Senate; Hon. J. Howe, President of the Privy Council; Hon. C. Tupper, C. B., M. P.; Hon. J. McCully, Senator; Hon. W. Annand, M. L. C., Premier of Nova Scotia; B. Chamberlin, M. P., of the Montreal Gazette; E. M. Macdonald, M. P., of the Halifax Citizen, &c. The present premier of Quebec, M. Chauveau, is the author of several literary productions, which are favourably known among his countrymen, and give promise of much excellence in the future, if he can find time to devote to the promotion of letters. We might refer to many other men who now occupy prominent positions in the provinces, and constantly give us eloquent evidences of the high cultivation of their minds; but as we have only to deal here with those who are known in the field of authorship, we must pass them by with the expression of the regret that they have not connected their names, in some enduring form, with the literature of the New Dominion just springing into vigorous life. When we look at the number of our colleges and schools-at the condition of our free and enlightened press-at the increasing interest in all matters of social, moral and intellectual improvement, we have conclusive evidence that the development of a colonial literature is only the work of time. It would indeed be a sad mistake if our people were taught to consider the mere acquisition of wealth the most laudable object of their ambition. In communities like our own, there is sometimes a disposition to over-rate the practical and under-estimate the intellectual. In the opinion of some persons, such a superior education as is afforded by our universities is unnecessary except for the professional man. According to them, anyone in business should not have an idea beyond the counting-room or the ledger. Fortunately, such fallacious opinions are fast disapperring with the intellectual development of the country, and it would be superfluous to attempt to show their absurdity at the present time. It must be admitted on all sides—indeed it is a truism-that the politician, whether drawn from the learned professions or from the counting-room, is useful to his country in proportion to his literary attainments. The men who are most thoroughly versed in historical learning and political economywho have gathered inspiration from the masterpieces of classical literature, and drank deeply "from the well of English undefiled,"-must certainly do much to raise the standard of oratory, and give that intellectual elevation and dignity to the profession of politics in which it is too often found wanting throughout America. *If the reader wishes to obtain some information as to the state of colonial literature, he should go through Morgan's Bibliotheca Canadensis. A PARTING. Few, simple, farewell words!-no tear, no sigh,- No passionate vows of truth, dofying fate, Expressed the love our hearts had learned too late : Hands quivering in quick clasp,-low, tremulous: "Good-bye.' C. SPORTING SKETCHES IN MAINE AND NEW BRUNSWICK. BY AN OLD ANGLER. LAND-LOCKED SALMON FISHING ON THE ST. CROIX. (Concluded.) CHAPTER III. MUCH to our chagrin, the morning broke gloomy and lowering, and gave every symptom of ushering in a rainy day. No situation in life is without its disagrémens, and a rainy day is the angler's penance, which puts his philosophy to the test. If he has a taste for reading, he is a happy man, for his book friends furnish as interesting occupa tion as he can desire. If he has not the taste, he must kill the day as he best can, according to his humour. Your "old hand" is generally skilful in all things pertaining to the gentle art, and he takes advantage of a rainy day to make a thorough inspection of his implements. He cleans his gun, adjusts his fly-book, repairs worn leaders, discards chafed gut-lengths, puts aside all untrustworthy and suspicious hooks, and occupies himself in dressing such flies as his observation and judgment lead him to think will be successful. To the real sportsman these indispensable duties are a pleasure instead of a task, and having completed them, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has reliable tackle to meet the improved sport which generally follows a rainy day. What with books, fly-dressing, and the necessary repairs of his tackle, he can generally spend a day or two in camp without weariness, and if he is fortunate enough to have congenial company, a rainy day in the woods is not without pleasures peculiar to itself. After a late breakfast, Harry and Jim were busily engaged in inspecting their rods and tackle, caring little for the heavy showers which, at intervals, passed over. As there was no prospect of the rain passing off for at least twenty-four hours, we had relinquished all idea of fishing, had made up our minds to spend the day in quarters, and were intent on our several employments-Jim in arranging his flybook, Harry in replacing the loop on the tip of his rod, which long use had worn nearly through by the friction of the line. We were inter rupted in these pastimes by a visit from Charles and Fred, who came with a message from Papa and Mr. R. to join them, and take part in the conversation which was the staple pastime in camp Saptogus. Both Fred and Charles added their persuasions, and the invitation was accepted in the same spirit in which it was proffered. On arriving at the camp, we found Papa and Mr. R. discussing the relative merits of English and American rods, Mr. R. contending that American makers surpassed English ones in neatness, lightness and strength. "What is your opinion," asked Mr. R. of Harry, "do you not think we have taken one step beyond our English cousins in the manufacture of rods? I have never seen an English rod equal in appearance to this." "I suspect that is because you have never had an opportunity of seeing the best English rods, while this one is the finest specimen of American work I have yet seen." "Have you ever seen an English rod as light, as strong, and as well finished?" 66 Yes, sir, many; and I think, that in every respect, except, perhaps, in lightness, (which, past a certain point, is a fault, because it interferes with the requisite strength,) the best English rods surpass American ones, in the philosophy of their construction, while in the neatness and accuracy of their finish, they are quite equal to them." "I have never seen such work as you describe," said Mr. R. "That is quite possible, and easily accounted for. The best English rods are seldom imported into the States, perhaps never, for sale. But if you will order from Chevalier of London, one of his best rods, you may rely on having as nearly perfect a tool as can be produced in four pieces, and one much superior to any American rod I have ever "In what do you consider its superiority to consist ?" "In the first place in the wood of which it is composed, which seems, as yet, to be quite unknown among American rod-makers. A West India wood, called "green heart," which possesses the qualities of strength and elasticity in a remarkable degree, is now used almost exclusively by the best English makers. In the next place in the proportions of the English rod, which are so adjusted that the most perfect arch is formed, and in the last place in the better balance of the rod. In aiming at excessive lightness, your American makers have destroyed the balance of their rods. I have seen the tip and the butt of a rod made by Chevalier, brought together, and the rod resume its perfect straightness. I have never seen an American rod stand this test, nor do I think the materials they employ will admit of it." Why is it this work never finds its way among our anglers." 66 "I cannot tell, except it arises from the erroneous impression that you yourself share, and which is supported by Frank Forrester' in Fish and Fishing,' that American work is superior. You have formed your opinion from the trash made for exportation, which an English angler would not look at, much less use. Since Frank Forrester wrote, English makers have not been idle, and of course have improved on the rods which were considered the best at that time." "Are the rods you describe exclusively in use among Provincial anglers?" "By no means. They are, however, very common among good anglers. Our enthusiasts, those who have made the art a study, think they have approached nearer to the perfection of a rod than even their English and Irish teachers." "What improvements do they claim to have made?" "I will try to explain. Believing that the formation of a good arch on the rod is the true philosophy of angling, they have turned their at tention to this desideratum, and while they have adopted the most approved material of the English maker, they have essentially altered. its construction. Having found that the brass ferrules interfered with the proper formation and play of the arch, they first reduced the joints of the rod to three, connecting the middle piece and tip by a splice, thus dispensing with two ferrules and removing the remaining one a little further from the butt. This was considered a great improvement, for it gave the tip more freedom of action, and lessened its tendency, under a heavy strain, to break at the ferrule. This change was followed by another, making the rod in two pieces, with a ferrule in the middle, bringing it in the longest part of the arch, where it interferes but little with the uniform bend of the rod. The pieces are connected by a screw joint, and the rod is put up or taken down in a minute. Some very particular anglers discard even this ferrule, and use a splice, by which, no doubt, they get the best play of the rod, but as it involves considerably more trouble, it is not generally adopted." "Have you such a rod as you describe with you at present? I should like to see one." "Yes, sir, several. My friend and I use no other for trout fishing; satisfied they are much superior to any four or three jointed rods that can be made." "Do you not find them inconvenient in travelling, on account of the length of the joints?" "No, sir. When we go far from home, as at present, a long, light box holds all our rods, and is no more trouble than a shorter one, for either must be looked after." "Have you adopted this mode with your salmon rods also?" "As far as practicable we have. The great length of our salmon rods obliges us to use three pieces, but we have discarded all but one ferrule, and use the splice joint for the tip. These rods, when well made, are much better than any English or American rod, in four pieces, with three ferrules, that I have yet seen." "Your ideas and your practice are both at variance with those of our best anglers." "I am aware of that, sir, but we consider your practice faulty in many respects, However, we have no wish to obtrude either our ideas or our practice on brother anglers. Every enthusiast has his own pet notions, and the indulgence of these is one great element in the pleasure of the pursuit." 66 May I ask in what other respects you consider our practice faulty ? "Were I not fearful of offending the amour propre of our American neighbours in a matter in which they are beginning to pride themselves, I could enumerate quite a list of particulars in which we consider them in error. First in regard to choice of hooks, as I have already explained to Fred; next in the mode of arming them, which, in common with some of their English teachers, they continue to do on the under side of the shank, instead of on the upper side. Third, in the use of coloured leaders and gut-lengths in fly-fishing, as already explained. Then in dressing their salmon flies on lengths instead of |