eight leagues above its confluence with the St. Lawrence; enclosing between it and the two rivers a level, well-watered, and beautiful country. On the north side of the ridge just described lies the remaining part of Lower Canada, which has been so little explored that it is only known to be covered with immense forests. The principal productions are wheat and lumber.

356. The population of Lower Canada has rapidly increased within a few years. In 1759, when it was conquered from the French, it was estimated at 70,000; in 1775 it had only increased to 90,000; but in 1814 a capitation showed no less than 335,000, of whom 275,000 were descendants from the original French settlers, and the remainder English, Scotch, Irish, Americans, &c. The greater part of the inhabitants therefore are French, who are generally industrious. Their manners and customs are considerably tinctured with the French gaiety and urbanity. The French women of the lower classes in Canada can generally read and write, and are thus superior to the men; but both are very ignorant and superstitious, and blindly devoted to their priests. They universally use the French language.

357. The rivers of Lower Canada embrace several valuable islands. Montreal island is thirty miles long, and its greatest breadth between seven and eight, its circumference being about seventy miles. The land rises gradually from the river, and, at the distance of two miles and a half from the city, forms a mountain about 700 feet high, from the top of which there is a fine view. The island is divided into nine parishes, and is the seat of a very extensive population. The principal settlements, besides Montreal are-La Chine, so called from a project formed to penetrate across the continent to China from this place; St. Joseph, Le Saut, St. Laurent, St. Genevieve, and St. Ann.

358. The Isle of Jesus lies to the north-west of Montreal, from which it is divided by the River des Prairies: so called from being bordered on each side by meadows. This island is about fifteen miles long, and five broad, and contains several settlements. To the north of the Isle of Jesus is the river St. John, a branch of the Uttawas, or Grand River, a considerable stream, which towards the west is interspersed with such a vast variety of islands, that there appears as much land as water. West of this river are the Two Mountains, and south of them the Utawas river extends itself into a large basin, called the Lake of the Two Mountains, about eight or nine miles long and four or five broad, which unites with the St. Lawrence in the Lake St. Louis.

359. Lake St. Louis is only an expansion of the river St. Lawrence, about four miles broad, and stretches to La Chine, where it contracts to the breadth of little more than half a mile. Opposite to La Prairie there are considerable rapids. Below these it spreads out into a stream from one to two miles wide, interspersed with a number of islands, among which the river runs with a deep strong current. It is navigable with merchant vessels to Montreal; but from the rapidity

of the current, a strong east wind is necessary to bring them up, and the passage is very tedious. 360. The mode of navigating the St. Lawrence and Utawas upwards is interesting. The St. Lawrence is navigated by flat-bottomed boats about forty-nine feet long, and six across at the broadest part. They generally carry about 9000lbs. and are conducted by four men and a guide. Each boat is supplied with a mast and sail, a grappling iron, with ropes, and setting poles. When loaded they take their departure from La Chine, generally eight or ten together that the crews may aid each other. The time of performing the voyage to Kingston and back is about ten or twelve days, the distance being about 200 miles. From twenty to thirty of these boats are kept in the service of the government, for transporting necessaries and stores for the troops, and presents of European manufacture to the Indian tribes.

361. The navigation of the Utawas, or Grand River, is performed in bark canoes in a direct course to St. Joseph on Lake Huron, and thence to the new establishment called Kamanastigua, on Lake Superior.

FOREIGN TRADE.-The principal exports consist of lumber, pot and pearl ashes, peltry, wheat, flour, Indian corn, pulse, salt provisions, fish, and other articles, which employ generally about 150,000 tons of shipping. In return are imported wines, rum, sugar, molasses, coffee, tobacco, salt, coals, and British manufactures.— In 1821 the amount of the imports of Lower Canada was 2,185,196 dollars.

362. The prevailing religion is the Roman Catholic, under the direction of two bishops, nine vicars-general, and about 200 curates and missionaries.

363. The government is under the direction of a governor, lieutenant-governor, executive council, and legislative council, who are appointed by the king; and a house of assembly, who are elected by the people. For the defence of both the Canadas a regular military establishment is maintained by the British government, which was estimated in 1815 at from 27,000 to 30,000 men.

364. UPPER CANADA is situated between 24° and 25° N. lat. and between 73° 30′ W. long. and extends indefinitely to the westward. It is bounded north by the territory of the Hudson's Bay company; north-east and east by the Utawas, or Grand River, dividing it from Lower Canada; south-east and south by the United States: on the west and north-west no limits have been assigned to it.

365. It is divided into eight districts, viz. the Eastern, Johnstown, Midland, Newcastle, Home, Niagara, London, and Western. These are again subdivided into twenty-three counties and 159 townships. The townships contain, in all, 9,694,400 acres, of which 3,000,000 are granted in free and common soccage, 2,769,828 are reserved for the crown and clergy, and 3,924,572 still remain to be granted. These townships are laid out along the banks of the St. Lawrence, lake Ontario, lake Erie, and lake St. Clair; and extend back for a distance varying from forty to fifty miles. This province comprehends a vast

extent of territory; its length from east to west is about 600 miles, and its breadth about 360 from north to south. The area is about 290,000 square miles.

366. The settlements are chiefly confined to the banks of the rivers and lakes, and present a most extensive and in some places a thickly settled frontier to the United States. About 300 miles of this province border on the rivers and lakes opposite the Michigan territory; 150 on Lake Erie opposite the state of Ohio; fortyfive opposite the state of Pennsylvania; and 300 on the state of New York. That part of the province which lies south of 45° latitude, between Lakes Erie and Ontario, is by far the most valuable, and the only portion which is likely to be speedily settled.

367. The soil of Upper Canada, it is stated by Bouchette, is generally a fine dark loam mixed with a rich vegetable mould, not exceeded in any portion of North America. From the eastern frontier of the province to Lake Ontario, a distance of about 170 miles, the land presents an almost uniform level of exquisite beauty, rising only a few feet above the banks of the St. Lawrence, and finely intersected in every direction by numerous streams. Several of these are navigable, with occasional obstructions from falls, for boats and canoes, while they offer many choice situations for the erection of mills. On the northern shores of Lake Ontario is a ridge of heights of no great elevation, and of inconsiderable breadth, from which the land soon descends again, and forms a level fertile tract extending to Lake Huron.

368. The climate of Upper Canada is particularly salubrious; and epidemic diseases, either among men or cattle, are almost unknown. The winters are shorter and not so rigorous as in Lower Canada, and the spring opens, and agricultural labours commence, from six weeks to two months earlier than in the neighbourhood of Quebec. The summer heats are also more moderate; and the autumns are in general favourable for securing the produce of all the late crops.

369. The inhabitants are generally of British origin, and superior to those of the lower province. Many are emigrants from the United States. Agriculture is pretty well understood, and the produce is abundant; but the distance to a market, and the number of competitors from the United States, diminish its value. The grand canal of New York will doubtless have a favourable effect upon this province. Domestic

manufactures are carried on to a considerable extent, and a few coarse woollens are made; but it is of course the policy of government rather to encourage the production of the raw materials which are of value to Great Britain, than of manufactures which can be served more cheaply and with greater advantage to the empire from home. 370. The government of Upper Canada is administered by a lieutenant-governor, who is almost always a military officer, a legislative council, an executive council, and a house of assembly. The legislative council consists of not less than seven members, who are appointed by mandamus from the king, and hold their seats, under certain restrictions, for life. The VOL. JI.

executive council is composed of six members. The house of assembly consists of twenty-five members, who are returned from the respective counties, and the duration of the assembly is limited to four years.

371. NEW BRUNSWICK extends from Nova Scotia to Lower Canada, and from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the state of Maine, being about 180 miles long and 120 broad. This province being united with Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, and St. John's, in one military command subject to the governor of Lower Canada, it excites no great attention either in a civil or military point of view. The soil and climate are somewhat assimilated to those of the state of Maine contiguous to it. There are a number of very extensive rivers in the interior, of which St. John's is the chief; and the soil is represented as being fertile, producing grain and grass in plenty. There are considerable fisheries on the coast and in the rivers, principally of cod-fish, salmon, and herring. The inhabitants amount to about 60,000. Frederick-town is the capital. The principal commercial towns are St. Andrew's, St. John's, and Miramachi.

372. NOVA SCOTIA is situated between 43° 30′ and 46° N. lat. and 61° and 66° W. long. It is a narrow peninsula projecting from New Brunswick, more than 300 miles long, stretching from south-west to north-east. It is bounded north by the gulf of St. Lawrence; north-east by the island of Cape Breton, from which it is separated by the gut of Canso; west by the bay of Fundy; north-west by the province of New Brunswick; and on all other sides by the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided into nine counties, viz. Halifax, Hants, King's, Annapolis, Shelburne, Queen's, Lunenburg, Sydney, and Cumberland.

373. The north-east part of the province presents a gloomy and barren aspect; but the counties to the south-west of Halifax, and along the bay of Fundy, have a rich soil, and produce good crops of grain. The climate is milder than that of Canada, but subject to frequent fogs. The population is estimated at above 100,000; the great body of the people are principally emigrants from New England. After these the Scotch and Irish settlers are most numerous. There are valuable mines of gypsum, coal, and iron, which furnish articles of export. Roads are generally good, and communication easy; there are good harbours on the coast; and the commerce and wealth are increasing. Gypsum, lumber, and fish, are the principal exports.

374. ST. JOHN's, or PRINCE EDWARD'S ISLAND, is situated in the gulf of St. Lawrence, about thirty miles to the westward of Cape Breton, and on the north of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, from which it is divided by a narrow strait. It is about 110 miles long and 30 broad. It is rich and fertile, containing about 5000 inhabitants, and is therefore of more inportance than Cape Breton; but the climate is cold, damp, and foggy.

375. To the north and east of these islands there is a group called the Magdalen Islands, which, being entirely unsettled, merit no particular notice.

376. The large island of Anticosti also

E

situated at the outlet of the river St. Lawrence, is entirely barren and uninhabited.

377. The island of CAPE BRETON is situated between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and extends from north latitude 45° 32′ to 47° 05', and from between 59° 42′ and 61° 30′ west longitude from London. It is about 100 miles long by 80 broad; but the soil and climate are so disadvantageous, that the inhabitants are very few, probably not above 3000; chiefly attached to the fisheries. The face of the country is covered with numerous lakes and forests. The soil has, after various experiments, been found totally unfit for agriculture. The climate is exceedingly cold, foggy, and unwholesome. There are some veins of coal in the island; but, with the exception of timber, it can scarcely boast a single vegetable production of value.

378. The island of NEWFOUNDLAND is on the east side of the gulf of St. Lawrence, separated from the coast of Labrador on the north by the straits of Bellisle. It lies between latitude 46° 45' and 52° north, and between 53° 10′ and 59° west long.; being 381 miles long, and about 900 in circumference. The interior of the island has never been explored. The country near the shore is hilly, and the soil barren; the coasts are high and bold, and abound with large and commodious harbours. The climate is exceedingly disagreeable; the cold is severe, and of long duration; and in summer the heat, though it continues but for a short time, is violent. The coasts are extremely subject to fogs, attended with almost continual storms of sleet and snow; and, excepting a short time in summer, the sky is generally overcast with clouds. The only vegetable production of value is timber, which is abundant, and is a considerable article of com

merce.

379. Newfoundland owes all its importance to the fisheries which are carried on upon its shores and upon the banks which lie to the south-east of the island. The Grand Bank, which lies 100 miles from the south-east extremity of the island, is 300 miles long and 75 broad; and the depth of water upon it varies from fifteen to sixty fathoms. No less than 3000 sail of small craft, belonging principally to Great Britain and the United States, were recently employed in these fisheries. In 1813 the export in fish and oil amounted to £1,000,000. sterling. The population of the island is very fluctuating, depending entirely on the state of the fisheries. In 1813, when they were most prosperous, it amounted to nearly 70,000. St. John's, the capital, is on the south-east coast of the island, and contained in 1815 about 12,000 inhabitants; but in 1816 and 1817 three dreadful fires laid nearly the whole town in ashes.

380. LABRADOR.-This large country was so named by a Portuguese navigator who first discovered it. In the inland parts there were American Indians, and on the coasts Esquimaux; but the former have mostly retired to the south, and even the latter seem gradually to withdraw. There were only a few factories here till the Moravian clergy formed little settlements at Nain, Okkak, and Hopedale, composed of Christianized natives. So far as it has been

examined Labrador is generally hilly, and even mountainous. The eastern coast exhibits a most barren and iron-bound appearance, the rocky mountains rising suddenly from the sea; and is lined with thousands of islands abounding with the eider-duck and other sea-fowl. Rivers, brooks, lakes, pools, and ponds, are abundant, rich in fish, and frequented by innumerable birds. In the interior the air is milder; there are many trees, and some symptoms of fertility. The mountaineers of the interior resemble gypsies, with somewhat of French features, from a mixture of Canadian blood. They live in a kind of tcnt covered with deer skin and birch bark. They profess to be Roman Catholics, and occasionally visit the priests at Quebec.

381. HUDSON'S BAY.-The Hudson's Bay Company claim the extensive territories on the west, south, and east, of that inland sea, supposed to extend from 70° to 115° of west longitude; and, allowing the degree only thirty miles, the length will be 1350 geographical miles, and the medial breadth about 350. This vast extent of ice and snow is, however, of little consequence considered in itself; and it is not understood that the company gain great wealth. There are some fertile tracts on the southern border.

382. The regions on the west of Hudson's Bay have been called New North and New South Wales; while that on the east is styled East Maine. The most valuable settlements are in the vicinity of James's Bay, at Albany-fort, Moose-fort, and East Maine factory. To the west the Hudson's Bay Company have extended little farther than Hudson House. The Sea of Hudson commonly presents bold, rocky, shores; but at intervals there are marshes and large beaches. Even in latitude 57° the winters have the severity of the Frozen Regions already described. The fish in Hudson's Sea are far from numerous; and the whale fishery has been attempted without success. The quadrupeds and birds correspond with those of Labrador and Canada. The northern natives are Esquimaux, but there are other savages in the south: and the factories are visited by several tribes. All subsist on the products of hunting and fishing.

383. The BERMUDAS ISLANDS are situated about 800 miles from the American continent, and nearly at equal distances from Nova Scotia and the West Indies. There are a considerable number of islands in the group, but the greater part are mere rocks, and only four are of considerable importance. The largest island is named Bermudas. St. George, the capital of all the islands, is situated in the island of St. George, and contains about 500 houses. The other islands are St. David's and Somerset. The whole contain about 12000 or 13,000 acres of very poor land, of which a small part only is in cultivation. The chief produce is maize, culinary vegetables, and cotton. The inhabitants amount to about 10,000, of whom nearly one half are negroes. The principal employment is ship-building, navigation, and fishing. The climate is very fine, resembling a perpetual spring; and nothing can exceed the beauty of the scenery in these sequestered islands. The inhabitants are said to

be kind and affable to strangers, and a residence among them is very pleasant.

384. HISTORY.-The first effective settlement of this part of America was made by an armament equipped in France, by which Quebec was founded in 1608. The colonists were for many years in a feeble condition; and often in danger of extermination by the Indians. The French ultimately concluded a treaty with them, and gained the entire control over them to the great inconvenience of the neighbouring English settlements. In 1628 a company of French merchants obtained a patent for the exclusive trade with Canada. The next year an English expedition, under Sir David Keith, took possession of Quebec; but it was surrendered again to the French by the treaty of St. Germain's. In 1663 the charter of the company of merchants was taken away, and new privileges were granted for forty years to the West India Company. From this period Canada appears to have remained in a state of tranquillity until 1690, when a bold attempt was made by the people of New England to reduce it to subjection to the crown of England. An armament was equipped for this service, and the command given to Sir William Phipps. The effective men, to the number of between 1200 and 1300, landed a little below the town of Quebec, and were fired on from the woods by the French and Indians. Having found the place too strong for them they re-embarked with precipitation, and returned to Boston. The attempt was renewed in 1711 by a powerful force of British veteran troops, assisted by about 4000 provincials and Indians. Such were the difficulties and losses, however, experienced in passing up the river, that the design was abandoned by the British officers to the great mortification of the provincial troops. Canada continued in the occupation of the French, without any further molestation, until the breaking out of the war between France and England in 1756. Great preparations were then made on both sides for attack and defence. In 1759 the British government formed the project of attempting the conquest of Canada by three different but simultaneous attacks. One division of the army was to ascend the St. Lawrence and lay siege to Quebec; the central and main body was to be conducted against Ticonderoga and Crown Point; the third was to proceed against Niagara, and, after the reduction of that place, to descend the St. Lawrence to Montreal. The division which ascended the St. Lawrence was commanded by General Wolfe, and was completely defeated in its first operations by the French. Their great superiority of force, however, enabled the English to obtain possession of Quebec, after a gallant resistance on the part of the French, whose

brave commander, Montcalm, had been killed in the action. The English general, Wolfe, was also killed. Soon afterwards the whole province of Canada was subdued by the English forces, and was confirmed to Great Britain by the treaty of 1763.

385. In 1775 Canada was invaded by a body of provincial troops under General Montgomery; Montreal was taken, and a gallant but unsuccessful attempt was made on Quebec, in which General Montgomery was killed. No other attempt was made on this province during the revolutionary war. We have few records of Canadian history from this period until the late war between the United States and England. Upper Canada then became the theatre of a sanguinary contest. The American troops were unable, however, to make any permanent conquests; and the province has since remained subject to Great Britain.

386. NOVA SCOTIA AND NEW BRUNSWICK.The origin of the French settlement on the isle of Sables is mentioned in the preceding sketch. Few or no English settlements of importance existed in Nova Scotia in 1749, when a large expedition sailed from England. In 1755 an English armament sailed against the French possessions; and, having taken the principal post, resorted to the cruel measure of expelling all the French inhabitants to the number of 7000, who were landed in different parts of the American colonies; many of them arrived in Philadelphia, where they were received with kindness and liberality. In 1763 Nova Scotia was formally ceded to England by the treaty of Paris, and has since remained a British colony.

387. NEWFOUNDLAND was discovered by Cabot in 1497. In 1610 John Guy, with thirtynine other persons, began a settlement on this island. By the treaty of Utrecht in 1713 Newfoundland was acknowledged to belong to England.

388. CAPE BRETON.-The French made the first actual settlement on this island in the year 1712. They gave it the name of Isle Royale. The fortification of Louisbourg was begun in 1720; and about that period population increased with rapidity. Cape Breton remained in possession of the French until 1745, when it was captured by a body of troops from New England under General Pepperell. Since that year it has been under the dominion of the British crown.

389. PRINCE EDWARD'S, like Cape Breton, was settled by the French, and has experienced the same fortunes. In 1745, on the capture of Cape Breton, the inhabitants, who then amounted to about 4000, submitted to the British, under whose government it has since remained.

389.* The Russians may be regarded as the first discoverers of the north-western shores of America. They lay claim to the territory as far

south as latitude 52°. About 50,000 Indians acknowledge their authority. The islands between America and Asia have the general

appellation of the Aleutian Isles, and form a chain from the American Promontory of Alaska. They are also called the Fox Isles; while the Aleutian Isles of the Russians are those which we term Behring's and Copper Isles, connecting the two continents.

390. This coast seems to be chiefly alpine; in some parts rising into snow-capped summits, with immense glaciers winding through its cavities. In this respect, and in its numerous creeks and isles, it bears no small resemblance to Norway. The most remarkable mountain seems to be that called St. Elias by the Russian

navigators; and which, it is affirmed, has been visible at sea at the distance of sixty leagues.

391. The inhabitants of the more northern regions of this coast appear to be Esquimaux. The savages of Nootka are said to be very cruel to the captives taken in war, and have frequently proved treacherous in their attacks on trading vessels. Whales form a favourite article of their food. This coast abounds in seals and other furred animals, which supply the natives with a very important article of trade. A number of ships visit this coast to procure furs for the Chinese market.

392. MEXICO. This country, in its widest extent, embraces the whole region lying between latitude 42°. and 18°. extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Carribean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Sabine river. It is situated between 42°. and 113°. of W. long. Its extreme length from Yucatan to the north-western extremity is 2400 miles; and its breadth from the Sabine to the Pacific is 1000. The whole area comprises about 1,700,000 square miles. More than 700,000 are entirely unsettled, and occupied exclusively by the wandering tribes of Indians.

The remainder does not contain more than 7,000,000 of inhabitants, or seven to the square mile, and probably a less number. Under the Spanish government it was divided into three distinct portions, which it will be convenient to observe in description:-1. California. 2. The internal provinces. 3. The vice-royalty of Mexico.

393. The following table exhibits the civil division and population of these provinces in 1803, according to Baron Humboldt: