Among Susanna Moodie's Letters, this one to Richard Bentley, Belleville, April 24, 1865, reflecting the hardship of life in the colonies.

"...The Canadian Government, does not encourage literary talent.  I never heard of it granting a pension to any author, and I did not make any application to it -- for assistance.  One of their public men, Dr. Rolph -- long since dead -- used to say, that Mrs. Moodie, deserved a pension from the British Government for the good that her patriotic songs, did, during the rebellion of - /37.  I hold perhaps, the first place among the female authors residing within the Colony; and my contributions to their periodical literature has always enjoyed great popularity.  But this has not made them, more ready to give my dear husband a small place under the government, to keep us from the Author's fate -- A dry crust and the garret.  My husband is now in Toronto, whither he has gone, to mortgage the few acres we possess..."

p. 214, Susanna Moodie, Letters of a Lifetime, University of Toronto Press, 1985.