REMARKS ON EMIGRATION. 4(57 depended on their industry, to carry them through their difficulties. Among other advantages connected with emigra¬ tion to , the constitution of our colonies being a transcript of that of England , will be agreeable to most settlers. By the laws of Eng¬ land all criminal matters are judged ; and, with the exception of Lower Canada , where civil causes are tried according to the coutume de Paris, or old French laws, all matters that involve property are decided agreeably to the English laws, and those passed by the provincial legislatures. There are scarcely any taxes, and very few public burdens. Duties on articles of luxury are trifling, and on necessary articles there are rarely any ; conse¬ quently, all that is required for supporting a family may be purchased at low rates, fine clothing ex¬ cepted.* I have particularly to advise new settlers against ' running in debt to the shopkeepers ; doing so has -•:- prevented many hard labouring men from prospering. The low price of spirituous liquors is also a great bane to the success of emigrants; and the facility with which rum can be procured, is the most prolific source of domestic misery and personal depravity that exists in . Wherever a settlement is formed, and some pro¬ gress is made in the clearing and cultivation of the soil, it begins gradually to develope the usual features * Note G. -