INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

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SOME years ago, I made a tour in Canada, and was introduced to a gentleman whose extensive knowledge of the local scenery of that Province, and of the most influential persons in society, greatly facilitated my pursuits, and enlarged my information. He accompanied me to Montmorenci, Lorette, and Lake Charles. On our return, as we sauntered around the mill at the Indian village, admiring the picturesque beauties of the rapids in the stream,-"This place," said Diganu, "is associated with very affecting occurrences." "What were they?" was my inquiry. He paused, as if perplexed at the consciousness of an imprudent disclosure; and upon my repeating the question, he merely added, "The tale is too long for our present hearing, and must not now be told."

On a subsequent visit to Quebec, a large party proposed the same excursion, again to enjoy a sail upon the Lake. Diganu took his seat in my ca

leche. We halted at the Indian village on our return; and having crossed the bridge, we arrived at the spot where the dell is viewed in all its striking varieties. After surveying the river and its banks with much emotion; my aged companion remarked, "I intimated to you two years ago, the intense interest which I feel in beholding this scene." "Yes," I replied, "and my curiosity was awakened by your intimation. ften at a long distance have I remembered Lorette, and have been sadly tantalized with your reserve." He answered, "The expression of my feelings then, in a measure, was involuntary; but the causes of my silence will soon cease to exist, so that before you leave Montreal, you shall possess the whole story. It is not probable, after our separation for this season, that we shall ever meet again on earth. My age precludes the possibility of my long continuance in this world; and as you do not expect to be in Canada until a distant period shall have arrived, I will confide to you the circumstances to which I alluded; with other details of human life, which I have met with during my terrestrial pilgrimage."

Prior to my departure, Diganu presented me a large sealed packet. "This parcel," said he, " contains the record of some past events and characters. It is not to be opened until you have been apprized of my decease. After that event, the narratives are subject to your disposal." My friend's painful anticipation was realized. We

met no more. During the last spring, when I was looking forward to the pleasure that I should experience in a renewal of social intercourse with the veteran; after the lapse of a longer time than usual, from the reception of his final epistolary remembrancer; I was informed of his peaceful departure from earth, and of the testamentary bequest by which he had manifested his regard for his distant acquaintance. The packet was immediately unfolded, and the contents appeared so interesting and instructive, that it was decided, others should peruse the delineations it comprised. A note was enclosed which thus explained the writer's views and designs.

"You will perceive that these sheets have been written at very distant intervals. They contain notices of persons and things characteristic of Canadian society. The names of all the parties are changed. Although the actors have disappeared and the curtain has dropped upon their part of the tragic drama, yet as the narrator would surely be known, I have imposed the seal of secrecy, until it will be of no importance to me what use is made of these documents. I consign the manuscripts to you now, in preference to leaving them among my papers; for it is most probable, that those persons who must necessarily act under my last will, would destroy memorials which record facts, that no man in Canada would dare to publish. When you peruse these biographical

narratives, you will be reminded of Lorette, and

of your

Faithful and affectionate

Cape Diamond, 20th September, 1826.

DIGANU."

The manuscripts thus confided to my perusal were manifestly written when the occurrences were vividly impressed upon the memory. Many remarks and circumstances have been omitted. They betrayed a little of the old gentleman's garrulity, and were sometimes irrelevant, or too caustic and severe. With the exception of the commencement, the documents have been transposed, so as to adapt them for a continuous history.

No stranger can visit Canada without an awakened and deep interest; and an acute American observer of life and manners naturally inquires into the causes of those varied novelties which attract his notice. The peculiar characteristics of society there elude a slight regard; and to comprehend the state of religious principles, the tone of domestic morals, the mental vassalage, and the profound debasement of the habitans of that province, numerous difficulties and obstructions must be surmounted. Patience, with perseverance, is necessary to delve into the secrets of their social and political condition.

A solicitude to understand and analyze the el

ements of Canadian character and habits, influenced me to use all the means to obtain accurate and diversified information upon these melancholy topics. My acquaintance with Diganu aided my design. The circumstances of his life had increased his tact for surveying those around him; and his whole course had rendered it necessary for him to watch with all keenness, the wayward doings of his associates and fellow-citizens. His natural aptitude of discrimination had received an additional impulse by the intelligence which he had ibmibed, and as he expressed it, "After my eyes were once opened, I maintained a sleepless watch upon the proceedings of every person with whom I was obliged to become acquainted. To that most uncomfortable suspiciousness of all mankind, in which for some years I lived, I am indebted for the temporal comfort which I enjoy; and I passed through one half of my earthly course, before I fully comprehended the meaning of a solitary exercise combined with the charities of domestie life, except in connexion with the affair of Lorette and Chretien! When eating my solitary meal, or roaming alone around the city; often have I vented my dreary feelings and morbid disquietude in this homely couplet

Father, mother, sister, brother, friend

Wife!-Ah! what do those dear names intend?"

Diganu, however, had survived all his forced and unnatural misanthropy. He displayed tenderness and affection of the highest order, commingled