Godin was soon afterwards removed to Fort Coulonge, and was allowed a high salary by the North-West Company.  Here he learned to read and write, and married a fair countrywoman of his own, who resided the greater part of the time in Montreal, where, to make the gentleman’s establishment complete, he had the good taste to introduce his mistress.  A circumstance that presents his character in its true colours made his wife acquainted with his infidelity.  Writing to both his ladies at the same time, he unwittingly addressed his mistress’s letter to his wife, by which she learnt, with other matters, that a present of ten prime otters had been sent to her rival.  The enraged wife carried the letter to Mr. Thane, from whom, however, she met with a very different reception to what she had anticipated.  After perusing the letter, he ordered her immediately out of his presence.  “Begone, vile woman!” he exclaimed:  “What! would you really wish to see your husband hanged?”

The Company were well aware of Godin’s tricks, but winked at them on account of his valuable services.  He was removed from Fort Coulonge in consequence of mismanagement, (occasioned by aberration of his mental faculties,) and was allowed by the Company to retire with a pension of 100l. per annum.  The transcript of a public letter, addressed to Mr. Thane, will show his attainments in literature; and, with this I shall close my sketch of Mr. Godin:—­

  “Mon’r Tane,

    “Cher Mon’r,

  “Vot letre ma te livie par Guiaume dean aisi qui

le butin tout a bon ord le Shauvages on ben travaie
set anne et bon aparans de bon retour st. anne Dieu
merci je ne jami vu tant de moustique et de maragoen
com il en a st anne je pens desend st anne ver le meme
tan com l’anne pase.

“Je sui,

“Cher Mon’r, &c.

“JOSEPH GODIN.”

The Indians attached to this post speak the Sauteux language, and are denominated “Tetes des Boules” by the French, and “Men of the Woods” by the other Indians.  Although so near to priests and ministers, they are still Pagans, but are nevertheless a quiet harmless race, and excellent hunters.  The greater part of them originally belonged to Temiscamingue, and were drawn to this quarter by Mr. Godin.  A considerable number of Algonquins also trade here, where they pass the greater part of their lives without visiting the Lake.  The people appear to me to differ in no respect from their heathen brethren, save in the very negligent observance of certain external forms of worship, and in being more enlightened in the arts of deceiving and lying.

About the middle of August, I was gratified by the arrival of Mr. Godin’s interpreter, and three men, by whom I received letters from head-quarters, informing me that my neighbours of last winter intended to establish posts in this quarter also, and that I should soon be joined by a strong reinforcement of men, to enable me to cope successfully with them.  We complain of solitude in the Indian forests, yet the vicinity of such a neighbour is considered the greatest evil; and instead of cherishing the feelings enjoined in the Decalogue, one hates his neighbour as the d——­l, and employs every means to get rid of him.