did not seem to know how they should sufficiently express their joy at my arrival, which they assured me would make my husband very happy. Mrs. General Carleton, upon hearing of the fleet's arrival, and of my being with it, had been so thoughtful as to send off immediately a courier to her consort, to apprize him of my arrival, in order that he might rejoice my husband with the news. The ladies were astonished at seeing me dressed like an English woman; for having seen our soldiers' wives * arrive dressed in waist-coats, short cloaks, and round caps with flebbe; they supposed that this was the German custom. The Canadian fashion for a woman's dress is a very long cloak of scarlet cloth. The rich wear them of silk, and without this garment they never go out. The latter wear in addition, a kind of worsted cap with great colored loops of ribbon, which, by the way, distinguishes the nobility from the other classes. Indeed, the nobility pride themselves so much upon this headdress, that they could tear it from any native woman of plebeian rank, who should dare to adorn herself with it. The large cloaks often conceal very bad and dirty clothes. also, in addition, an under-petticoat, and jackets with long sleeves; and when they go out, they wear upon their heads large capes which cover the whole head and face, and in winter are wadded with feathers.

They wear,

At two o'clock in the afternoon, we sat down to table at Mrs. General Carleton's.

* The number of wives of Brunswick soldiers that accompanied their husbands. to America, was seventy-seven.

+ A kind of worsted or cloth ornament, coming down from each side of the cap over the ears, very similar to the dogs' ears of the school-boys' caps in winter at the present day.

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF GENERAL

RIEDESEL TO HIS WIFE.

ST. JOHN, June 13th, 1777.

You are welcome, my dear angel, to the Canadian continent! I had just seated myself at table with the other generals, at General Phillips's, when the courier arrived with the delightful intelligence, that the fleet from Portsmouth was already at the Isle de Bec, within sight of Quebec; and that they already had the news, that you with the three children, were on board, safe and well. You must, therefore, without doubt, have arrived in Quebec the same evening that the letter was written.

The whole company expressed a common joy at the intelligence, and drank deeply to your auspicious arrival. The share which they all took in my good fortune gave me additional pleasure. I only wished that you had arrived eight days sooner, as I then would have had the happiness of seeing you; for I had intended, in case I heard of your arrival before passing down the river St. Lawrence, to return, and see and embrace you. Now, however, it is too late, as I cannot go back. Meanwhile, dear wife, let us have patience; our separation shall not last long, only, indeed, until you can join me with somewhat of security, tranquility and comfort. As our correspondence can now be conducted with regularity, I beg you to keep for me a kind of diary of what you and the children do daily; and in order that we may each know what the other does, I herewith begin mine.

At eight o'clock in the morning of June 5th, I left Three

Rivers; took dinner at Riviere de Loup, at the parsonage; and slept at Massinonge, where I arrived very tired. On the 6th, I went to Berthieux, where I dined at noon. In the afternoon, I was ferried over the river St. Lawrence in a canot d'ecorce (a boat made after the fashion of this country, of the bark of a tree), and took up my quarters for the night at the parsonage in Sorel.

On the 7th, I set out about six o'clock in the morning, and at noon, dined at St. Denis with Lieutenant Colonel Specht, of our troops, and arrived in the evening at Chambly.

On the 8th, both the battalions, Berner and Breyman, marched to St. John, and two others came in their place. My equipage was not able to follow me so quickly, a circumstance that made me feel rather forlorn, as I had nothing to eat or drink. It finally arrived in the evening. The transportation of the troops over the river St. Lawrence gave me considerable annoyance; but, at length, it was all happily accomplished.

On the 10th, I entertained General Phillips at my quarters; and on the 11th, General Burgoyne breakfasted with me. At noon of the same day, I set out from Chambly for St. John, and on the way, dined at St. Therese with Colonel Mackenzie. On the 11th, I dined at noon, with General Phillips, in company with Generals Carleton and Burgoyne, and then it was that I was made so happy by learning of your arrival. I therefore hope now soon to learn, through a letter from you, of every thing that occurred to you and yours, during the journey. To-day, or early to-morrow morning, I set out for Crown Point. You shall hear from me as often as I can snatch a moment for writing.

*The amount of territory occupied as winter-quarters by the German troops, was, as is seen in a former note, much too large for the number of troops. Those of the Brunswickers-only 2,282 in all-occupied a front of no less than thirtythree German miles. Three Rivers, which was the head-quarters of the German troops during their winter cantonment, was the smallest of the three principal Canadian towns, and counted at this time about two hundred and fifty houses, with twelve hundred inhabitants. The chief buildings were, a convent of the Augustine friars, and an English barracks, capable of holding five hundred men.

Farewell! Hug our three dear children right heartily for me. I hope your money has not given out. At Quebec, you can obtain on my credit as much as you may wish; and at Three Rivers, you will find the paymaster of our army, Gödecke, who will give you as much money as you may need. Once more, my love, farewell! God escorts us as he has done hitherto. Write me soon, and rest assured that I shall remain wholly your own for all time.*

*This letter was not received by Mrs. Riedesel at the time, as she had again set out from Quebec, that she might overtake her husband as quickly as possible.

CONTINUATION OF MRS. GENERAL

RIEDESEL'S DIARY.

The same Captain Pownel, who, as I have already mentioned, brought my husband to Canada, tendered his services to bring me by water to Point de Tremble; and a Mrs. Johnson offered, also, to accompany me. About six o'clock in the evening of the 11th of June (the same day that I arrived in Quebec), we embarked on board one of the men-of-war's boats; and at midnight arrived at a place seven English miles from Quebec, having had with us all the way, the most beautiful moonlight, and a splendid band of music. I put my children to bed; and the rest of us sat up and drank tea together.

On the 12th, at half past two o'clock in the morning, we again set out in three calashes, which are a kind of light chaise or carryall, very small and uncomfortable, but very fast. I could not bring my heart to trust a single one of my children to my women servants; and as our calashes were open and very small, I bound my second daughter, Frederica, fast in one corner; took the youngest, little Caroline, on my lap; while my oldest, Gustava, as the most discreet, sat between my feet on my purse. I knew that if I would reach my husband I had no time to lose, as he was constantly on the march. I therefore promised a reward to the servants if they would drive me fast, and consequently we always went as quickly as the vehicles and horses would allow. The Canadians are everlastingly talking to their horses, and giving them all kinds of names. Thus, when they were not either lashing their horses or singing, they cried,