nt soil, and abounds in
valuable timber, and as the whole of the trade to and from the upper
country must pass Fredericton, a great part of it must of course centre
there, and consequently, as the country becomes fully settled,
Fredericton must improve and from its situation remain the great
central emporium of the Province.

Fredericton contains a Printing Office and a Public Library, with the
following public Institutions.

1. A Branch of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

2. The Bible Association of Fredericton and its vicinity.

3. A Branch of the Methodist Missionary Society.

4. The Fredericton Emigrant Society. This Society was formed at
Fredericton in 1819, for the relief of destitute strangers, being the
first Institution of that kind formed in the Province. It expended
large sums in that and the following year, and besides relieving the
temporary necessities of great numbers of destitute Emigrants, enabled
many of them to settle on new land, who are now in comfortable
independent circumstances. It is not at present in active operation,
but has funds to a considerable amount.

5. The New-Brunswick Agricultural and Emigrant Society. This is a
Provincial Institution having branches in the different Counties. The
General Society being established at Fredericton.

6. A Branch of the Society for improving the breed of Horses and
Cattle, and a Savings' Bank.

Fredericton was formed by Governor CARLETON in 1785, shortly after the
division of the Province from Nova-Scotia, and being considered the
most eligible and central situation, was made the permanent Seat of
Government. The policy of this measure has been questioned by many who
overlook the general good of the country for partial advantages. Much
jealousy has always existed among the Citizens of St. John in
particular, in regard to this selection. Prejudices in favor of our own
land, religion, institutions, &c. must always be expected, and to a
certain degree it would show a want of attachment not to feel their
influence; but then it must be remembered that when we allow our own
interest to blind our reason, we are prone to view what concerns us
with a partial eye. It is so with a person who being settled at the
seaboard goes but seldom out of sight of the harbor, but from what is
passing before his eyes, concludes his town is the only place of
consequence in the country; and as nature has made it the great mart
for the imports and exports