POPULATION.

CHAP. XII.

RELIGION. EDUCATION. - COLLEGE OF NEW BRUNSWICK. - MADRAS SCHOOLS.

THE population of New Brunswick, according to the census taken in 1824, was 74,176. This was considered much below the actual number, from the well-known suspicion which prevails among the labouring classes all over America, that the object of numbering the inhabitants has in view a poll-tax, or some species of taxation, to be borne by them, in consequence of which it is pretty well understood that the names of all the individuals of a family are not given.

The present population, according to the best information, and the opinion of intelligent men residing in the province, may be considered somewhat over 110,000. The augmentation has arisen from natural increase, and the arrival of emigrant settlers.

This population, like that of all the other colonies, consists of a mixed people from various parts; but differing, in their relative proportion to each other, from those of the adjacent colony of Nova Scotia, in which Scotchmen and their descendants predominate.

The oldest families are those, or the descendants of those, who settled in the colony previous to the American Revolution. They are scattered over most

parts of the province; but chiefly on the banks of the River St. John and its tributaries. A still more numerous body than these, consists of the loyalists, or their families, who removed to the colony from sincere attachment to the government and laws of England, for which they submitted to the sacrifice of much valuable property, which they possessed in the United States, and exposed themselves to all the sufferings that I have already adverted to in the first chapter of this Book. These are also to be found principally in the parishes fronting on the River St. John, and partially among the other settlements.

The French Acadians who are settled in the province I have also alluded to in a former chapter.

Emigrants from Europe, consisting principally of English, Scotch, Irish, and Welsh, among whom those from Ireland greatly predominate, are found either intermixed among the early inhabitants, or, in some parts, forming distinct settlements.

In a few places, we find a number of negro families huddled together as cottagers; but I have discovered them to be, like those of Nova Scotia, all in a state of miserable poverty. Whenever I asked a thrifty old farmer, what was the cause that prevented the negroes from thriving, the reply invariably amounted to their being restless and dissipated in their habits, improvident, and destitute of the steady energy of mind so essential in the labours of husbandry. The grown-up male and female negroes are, however, chiefly employed as domestic servants. I find, that a settlement of these wretched beings, at Lochlomond, near St. John, were, in February (1833), actually, from improvidence, only prevented from famishing by benevolent contributions.

The Indians are fast declining in number, and all the attempts to civilise them, or to improve their condition, have hitherto failed. A school was established for them some time ago, in which some of their children were taught to read; but a gentleman, settled many years at Fredericton, told me that they turned out idle, and worse than the rest of the tribe. He considered them now so long neglected, so degenerated, and dwindled into such insignificant num. bers, as to be incapable of civilisation. They have a small village ten miles above Fredericton, one at Meductic Point, on the River St. John, another at the River Tobique, and one at Richibuctu. They are all Catholics.

The manners and customs of the inhabitants of New Brunswick resemble generally those of the other colonies already treated of differing only, in there being much less of the Scottish traits of character, amusements, and customs, prevailing among the inhabitants of New Brunswick, than among those of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. In their pursuits, also, the greater proportion of the people of New Brunswick are engaged in the timber business; those of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton chiefly in cultivating the soil, and in the fisheries; those of Prince Edward Island chiefly in agriculture.

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As to the natives of New Brunswick, the women are handsome; the men generally tall, well-made, muscular, rather lank than otherwise, and scarcely ever corpulent. They are remarkably loyal, adventurous, spirited, and, if properly disciplined, would undoubtedly form excellent soldiers.

From the circumstance of its being a frontier

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colony, a great many adventurers, of doubtful and worthless characters, have found their way into the province; few of whom become farmers; but belong to that order who continue to live by "head-work," or scheming. Many of the transient lumberers are of this description. They must not by any means be confounded with the established settlers, whose cha racters are generally correct.

There are four or five military settlements in the province; and if such settlements were placed under the superintendence of proper officers, the number might be advantageously increased. Government should lend every possible encouragement to retired officers, who may be disposed to settle in this colony. Such men would diffuse and maintain a spirit of loyalty, and high ideas of honourable character among the inhabitants, which, particularly in a frontier colony, is a consideration of very great importance.

The religious denominations are the same as in Nova Scotia.

There are about twenty clergymen of the Church of England in the province, which is comprehended as within the diocese of the Bishop of Nova Scotia. They are supported by the Society for propagating Christian Knowledge in Foreign Parts, with the exception of the archdeacon, who receives 300l. out of the casual revenue. The Catholics are principally Irish, French, and Indians, who have seven or eight clergymen, whom they support, in different parts of the province.

There are but two or three ministers in immediate connection with the Kirk of Scotland in the colony. One of these, Dr. Burns of St. John's, is a preacher of superior talents and respectability. With the exceрtion only of a solitary allowance of about 50l., these ministers are supported by their hearers.

There are several ministers of the Secession Church in the province, who have respectable congregations, and commodious places of worship. They are connected with the Synod of Pictou, and supported also by their own congregations.

The Methodists are numerous; many of them respectable, and many of them visionary fanatics. They have several missionaries and preachers, who attend the annual conference, held either in the province, or in Nova Scotia. They are chiefly supported by their hearers.

The Baptists are numerous, and most of them are respectable. About thirty years ago, their leaders departed from the "New Light" path of Whitfield, by baptizing only adults, and establishing a standard of faith, embodied in seventeen articles. They have several chapels, and support their own ministers. There are still some New Lights, and Quakers, a few Jews, and a number who attach themselves to no particular creed, to be met with in the province.

There is no want of religious instruction; but New Brunswick has by no means escaped the contagious frenzy of fanaticism. Low uneducated preachers, who are either hypocritical canters, designing villains, or visionary enthusiasts, and who unfortunately have been too readily and too often admitted or acknowledged by sectarians, have frequently disturbed the settlements of the province.

Some years ago, a most indecent rogue, of the