of the back townships of Ontario on easy conditions of settlement; but as a rule emigrants are wisely advised to buy a partly-cleared farm rather than proceed to select and clear a "free grant" for themselves. "Land hunting "—that is, the searching for and taking up of a free farin-is an arduous and tedious operation, which many attempt and give up in despair. Only the pioneer who has been brought up in the backwoods, and who is consequently accustomed to such undertakings, can properly cope with the difficulties attending them. It is therefore far better for an oldcountry settler to purchase an "improved farm" in the older-settled districts than to face the risks and hardships of the bush. This course is especially recommended to those who have considerable capital. Such persons can generally purchase for cash, or partly on credit, a good farm agreeably situated, with house and outbuildings upon it, and within easy reach of churches, schools, and market towns, at from £8 to £15 per acre. For those possessed of but a small amount of capital, a good plan is to take a rented farm. These can be generally had on moderate terms. To persons of independent means, and with young families to educate and settle in life, Ontario offers the advantages of cheap living and cheap education. The expense of a complete collegiate or university course in Ontario is a mere fraction of what a similar training costs in England.

Lovers of hunting and fishing can find plenty of sport in Ontario. Excellent fish abound in all the rivers and lakes, and there are no restrictions. Those fond of the gun, by going far enough afield can find plenty of big game, such as the moose, the caribou, and the deer; also wolves and bears are often to be met with in the northern parts of the country.

Next to agriculture, the timber trade is the most important interest in Ontario. Many thousands of

square miles of forest still exist, from which a considerable portion of the revenue of the Province is derived, and many thousands of the population obtain their livelihood. The Crown lands are leased to "lumber men," who take out the more valuable timber for exportation and home consumption. Licences to cut and remove the timber over given areas are sold by public auction to the highest bidder. In the year 1893, 21,545 square miles of forest were under lease for lumbering purposes. During the last few years the demand for wood-pulp for paper-making has made the Ontario forests more valuable than ever, and added one more to the many important manufacturing industries carried on in the Province. The trees used for this purpose are mainly spruce and poplar.

There are few countries richer in minerals than Ontario. Besides the precious metals, there are enormous deposits of copper, iron, nickel, lead, petroleum, salt, gypsum, &c. The nickel mines of Sudbury, in the northern part of the Province, are among the largest in the world, the supply of ore being enormous. This metal has acquired a fresh importance and an enhanced value from its property, only recently discovered, of adding greatly to the strength of steel used for the making of big guns, armour plates, steam boilers, &c. This important discovery has largely increased the demand for nickel during the past few years. Goldmining is also fast becoming a leading industry. The gold discoveries lately made in the Rainy River and other districts to the west of Lake Superior, have produced the liveliest interest not only throughout Canada, but also in mining circles in this country. Already several mines have been opened, and are now producing gold in paying quantities. The districts over which the auriferous rocks extend cover an area of many thousands of square miles. The ore is known as "free-milling "-that is, the gold can be extracted

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from it comparatively easily and cheaply. This is an immense advantage, as it renders even low-grade ore, containing but a few pennyweights of gold to the ton, capable of being worked at a profit. Among the other advantages in the Ontario gold-fields are a healthy climate, an abundance of water, unlimited supplies of timber for mining and building purposes and for fuel, and cheap supplies of food. The district is also easily accessible. The vast extent of territory over which the gold-bearing rock formations extend leads to the inevitable conclusion that the ore they contain is practically inexhaustible, and thus gold-mining gives promise of becoming a permanent as well as a most valuable industry. The most recent discoveries have naturally given a great impulse to the work of exploration, testing of reefs, and the staking out of claims. There are therefore plenty of opportunities in these Ontario gold-fields for young, energetic, enterprising men, especially those with capital, and who are not afraid of the rough life of the mining camp.

Manufacturing industries of nearly every kind are ! carried on successfully in Ontario, and some of their products are extensively exported to this and other countries. One of the principal of these is that of musical instruments, especially organs and pianos. Several large firms are engaged in this branch of manufacture, and a considerable proportion of their output finds a market in the United Kingdom.

The Provincial Government of Ontario has exclusive jurisdiction in questions relating to property and civil rights, education, and all other matters of local concern. Matters of a general character, affecting all parts of Canada, are under the control of the Dominion or Federal Government, which has its seat at Ottawa, the capital of Canada. The Government of Ontario comprises an Executive of seven members and a Legislative Assembly for the making of laws, and having similar

power over matters assigned to it as the Imperial Parliament. There is a Lieutenant-Governor, who represents the Queen, in whose name he sanctions the bills passed by the Assembly. The Parliamentary forms and procedure are modelled on those of the Parliament of England. The Ministry hold office only so long as they enjoy the confidence of the people's representatives. The Ontario Assembly is unfettered by a Second Chamber. Members receive an allowance to cover expenses while attending to their Parliamentary duties. Manhood suffrage prevails in the Province.

The fiscal position of Ontario is perhaps unique among self-governing commonwealths. Notwithstanding the expenditure of enormous sums on the subsidising of new railways and the making of hundreds of miles of "colonisation" roads, undertaken with a view to the opening up of the country and the development of its resources, it has no public debt, but, on the contrary, possesses a considerable balance to its credit which varies but little from year to year. This has accrued from a careful and skilful management of the provincial resources during the thirty odd years which have elapsed since the "British North America Act" established Confederation and conferred self-government on the several provinces.

The provincial revenue is derived from a variety of sources, the chief of which are (1) the fixed annual subsidy payable by the general Government to each province; (2) Crown lands; (3) succession duties; and (4) liquor and mining licences. The "death duties," which are very moderate, are levied only on rich estates, and the proceeds are applied exclusively to the maintenance of hospitals, asylums, and other institutions of a charitable or benevolent character.

The people of Ontario have long enjoyed the advantage of an efficient and well-organised system of public education, which is constantly undergoing

improvement and expansion, and upon which about one-fifth part of the provincial revenue is expended. The schools are of two grades, primary and secondary. The former correspond to the Board Schools in this country, and are called public schools; the latter are called high schools, and give an advanced English education, with science and modern languages, or prepare their pupils, if desired, for a collegiate or university course. Practically both classes of schools are free. They are regularly inspected and examined by Government Inspectors. Besides the above there are Normal Schools, Collegiate Institutes, and Model Schools for the education and training of teachers, who must undergo examinations and receive a Government certificate of fitness before being authorised to teach. The schools are governed by local boards of trustees elected by the ratepayers, and the cost of their maintenance is defrayed partly by Government grants and partly out of the rates. The general system is administered as a department of the Governinent, with a member of the Executive Council at its head, who has the title of Minister of Education.

The municipal system of Ontario, like that of education, is very thoroughly organised. Equally with the Parliamentary system, it is based on the principle a "Governof responsible government. It is literally a ment of the people, by the people, and for the people."

The laws of Canada generally are much like those of the mother country. There are, however, differences of more or less importance in relation to some subjects. For example, marriage with a deceased wife's sister has long been legalised in the Dominion.

From this slight and very imperfect sketch of Ontario it will be apparent that with her superabundance of fertile soil, healthy and invigorating climate, boundless natural wealth, and free institutions, she offers great and solid advantages to enterprising and