A Tour through North America by Patrick Shirreff

_Journey on the Banks of the Grand River-Corduroy Roads-River-side Vegetation-Cradling-Settler from Edinburgh-Reserve of the Six Nations-Nellis Settlement-Indian Notices-Settler from Perthshire-First Settlers- Gentle Children-Agricultural Notices-Great Heat-Drinking Water-Raising Bee-Brantford-Oak Openings-Paris-Galt-Guelph-Waggoner at Table-Face of the Country-Dutch Hotel._

We rose very early next morning, and rode in a hired waggon to a friend's near Albion mills, where we breakfasted, and set out for the Grand River, accompanied by a third person, to whom I had written to hold himself in readiness for the excursion. The road was tolerably good, until within four or five miles of the river, which then consists of almost one unbroken line of corduroy, on reaching which we returned the waggon, and walked the remainder of the journey. A corduroy road, or, in the language of the country, crossway, is formed of the trunks of trees, laid close to each other, so that animals and carriages may pass without touching the ground. It is formed wherever the soil is wet, and may be considered log pavement. We came in contact with the river at Brant's tavern, where a wooden building was erecting of some pretensions, and continued our walk down the left bank, where Mr W -- resides, about two miles below the tavern.