It was during this winter that our friend Brian was left a fortune of three hundred pounds per annum; but it was necessary for him to return to his native country, in order to take possession of the property.  This he positively refused to do; and when we remonstrated with him on the apparent imbecility of this resolution, he declared that he would not risk his life, in crossing the Atlantic twice for twenty times that sum.  What strange inconsistency was this, in a being who had three times attempted to take away that which he dreaded so much to lose accidentally!

I was much amused with an account which he gave me, in his quaint way, of an excursion he went upon with a botanist, to collect specimens of the plants and flowers of Upper Canada.

“It was a fine spring day, some ten years ago, and I was yoking my oxen to drag in some oats I had just sown, when a little, fat, punchy man, with a broad, red, good-natured face, and carrying a small black leathern wallet across his shoulder, called to me over the fence, and asked me if my name was Brian B—–?  I said, ’Yes; what of that?’

“’Only you are the man I want to see.  They tell me that you are better acquainted with the woods than any person in these parts; and I will pay you anything in reason if you will be my guide for a few days.’

“‘Where do you want to go?’ said I.

“‘Nowhere in particular,’ says he.  ’I want to go here and there, in all directions, to collect plants and flowers.’

“That is still-hunting with a vengeance, thought I.  ’To-day I must drag in my oats.  If to-morrow will suit, we will be off.’

“‘And your charge?’ said he.  ‘I like to be certain of that.’

“’A dollar a day.  My time and labour upon my farm, at this busy season, is worth more than that.’

“‘True,’ said he.  ’Well, I’ll give you what you ask.  At what time will you be ready to start?’

“‘By daybreak, if you wish it.’

“Away he went; and by daylight next morning he was at my door, mounted upon a stout French pony.  ’What are you going to do with that beast?’ said I.  ’Horses are of no use on the road that you and I are to travel.  You had better leave him in my stable.’

“‘I want him to carry my traps,’ said he; ’it may be some days that we shall be absent.’

“I assured him that he must be his own beast of burthen, and carry his axe, and blanket, and wallet of food upon his own back.  The little body did not much relish this arrangement; but as there was no help for it, he very good-naturedly complied.  Off we set, and soon climbed the steep ridge at the back of your farm, and got upon —–­ lake plains.  The woods were flush with flowers; and the little man grew into such an ecstacy, that at every fresh specimen he uttered a yell of joy, cut a caper in the air, and flung himself down upon them, as if he was drunk with delight.  ’Oh, what treasures! what treasures!’ he cried.  ‘I shall make my fortune!’