OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. 13 years after the early settlements of our colonies ; and it certainly required in them more than ordinary resolution and fortitude to establish themselves, in defiance of not only real but imaginary difficulties. Natural obstructions have in all countries been only removed by the industry and fearless intrepidity of man. Such formidable obstacles to settlement and cultivation as the World at first presented, and which still characterise the remote districts, existed at one period in Britain, and in all the kingdoms of ; and in the same progressive ratio as the settlement and cultivation of any wilderness country proceeds, do natural obstacles disappear : those, there¬ fore, of the most disheartening character to men accustomed to plough the long cultivated lands of Britain and Ireland, are vanishing gradually in . Leading roads are opened through the different provinces ; by-roads lead to the settlements ; the communication between different places, by means of craft of various descriptions, is attended with but little inconvenience ; the necessaries, and even the luxuries of life, are to be obtained in abundance at moderate prices, and at no great distance from the most remote settlement. Although the British possessions in were, in some respects, naturally inferior to those of the other Europeans, yet the security of property, and liberal treatment on the part of government, advan¬ ced their prosperity on a more solid foundation. The majority of the first settlers consisted of hardy yeomen, and men of education, rank, and enterprise,