The
Grand Trunk Arrangements Bill was passed, as herein stated, in May,
1862; but, alas, the question of postal payments by Canada stood over
till the end of 1864.
In reference to my visit, of 1861, so far as my personal journeyings
were concerned, I will merely transcribe a few letters sent home.
"STEAMSHIP 'PERSIA'
"(in the Gulf of St. Lawrence),
"Sunday noon.
"I have not had a pen in hand for a week - not since I wrote just as we
were coming to Cork.
"Just now the weather is as like that of last Sunday as one pea is to
another - rain and mist - mist and rain! Yet we have, on the whole, had
wonderful weather - little sea - little wind - little of anything very
unpleasant - nothing unbearable.
"Our church-service is just over: the Captain reads prayers and a
sermon, and does it very well: the sailors are dressed in their best,
and behave with great decorum, but show some sleepiness: the day is
wet, and that, and the general devoutness, draws a large congregation,
- indeed, the cabin is full.
"And now for a long letter: -
"When I left off, before, we were coming to Cork. It was blowing and
raining, and the atmosphere was thick with mist. We went on till six.
Captain looked anxious - the Cork pilot bothered, the passengers ill-
tempered, and everything had a dismal dampness about it.
