STEAM NAVIGATION. 425

possessions in America and the West Indies within half the distance, morally speaking, that they now are to Europe. It is this giant that may enable Eng— land to grasp more effectually the vast resources of her maritime colonies,—and those of the Canadas,—-— and, west of the great lakes, those of the regions of Athabasca and Assinboins.‘*

Since the establishment of steam navigation along the coasts of Great Britain, and between England and the continent, and particularly between England, Scot- land and Ireland, the consequent advantages are too well known, and too justly appreciated, to be questioned.

If we visit the United States, We find all their coasts and rivers navigated by innumerable steam- vessels. There are more than 300 navigating the Mississippi and the Ohio. The magnificence of the steam-vessels on the Hudson is not surpassed, if equalled, in Europe ; they are, in fact, splendid floating movable hotels. A few years ago, small leOpS, batcaux, and canoes, were the only vessels that navigated the St Lawrence between Quebec and Montreal, and B11t1sh manufactm es were usually sold from twenty to forty per cent higher at the lat- terithan at the f01 me1 place. At present there are eight or ten powerful steam-vessels, equal in beauty, swiftness, and magnitude, and superior, in accommo- dations for passengers, to our steam-ships in these kingdoms, plying between Quebec and Montreal, and commodities are, in consequence, now pu1chased at equal prices at both places. It 1s not long since the

* Note AA.