ship. Considering that we are all hemmed in within the space of a few
feet, and that it is the amusement of the great restless ocean to
pitch us constantly into each other's arms, it is hard indeed if we do
not pick up something new in the scramble.

[Sidenote: First impressions.]

On the 25th of January he landed at Boston, and proceeding next day by
railway and sleigh, reached Montreal on the 29th. On the 31st he wrote
from Monklands, the suburban residence of the governor, to Lady Elgin:--

Yesterday was my great day. I agreed to make my entrance to Montreal,
for the purpose of being inaugurated. The morning was unpropitious.
There had been a tremendous storm during the night, and the snow had
drifted so much that it seemed doubtful whether a sleigh could go from
hence to town (about four miles). I said that I had no notion of being
deterred by weather. Accordingly, I got into a one-horse sleigh, with
very small runners, which conveyed me to the entrance of the town,
where I was met by the Mayor and Corporation with an address. I then
got into Lord Cathcart's carriage, accompanied by the Mayor, and a
long procession of carriages was formed. We drove slowly to the
Government House (in the town), through a dense mass of people--all
the societies, trades, &c., with their banners. Nothing could be more
gratifying. After the swearing in, at which the public were present,
the Mayor read another address from the inhabitants. To this I
delivered a reply, which produced, I think, a considerable effect, and
no little astonishment on some gentlemen who intended that I should
say nothing. I have adopted frankly and unequivocally Lord Durham's
view of government, and I think that I have done all that could be
done to prevent its being perverted to vile purposes of faction.