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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Thota too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est film* A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche i droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 N 0. V A SCOTIA IN 18 6 2 PAPERS IIKLATING TO THP] TWO GREAT EXHIBITIONS IN LONDON IN THAT YEAR 1. Rkpokt of Nova Sootian Commissioners von the- Intkrnational ExriiunioN. 2. Report of Rev. D. IToneyman. "t ■'1. Copies of Corregpoiiflcncc relative to the Nova Scotian Court. 4. Report of International Show Com- mittee. 5. "Tlie Past and ' The Future of Nova Seotia." I 6. " Nova Scotia and its Resources," a Prize Essay, by T. Fi Knioiit. HALIFAX, N. S : PRINTED BY T. CHAMBKHLAIN, 176 AlKiYLF ST. 18G4. REPORT oy NOVA SCOTIA COMMISSIONERS roR INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1863. HALIFAX, N. S. : PBIHTED BY T. CHAMBERLAIN. 17« AROYLB 8TRB1T. 1864. ^utA of ^t0vinM ^ammMonm. Thb How. JOSEPH HOWE, Chairman. A. MacKINLAY, Vice Chairman. The Hon. CHARLES TUPPER, M. D. The Hon. A. G. ARCHIBALD. The Hon. J. H. ANDERSON. The Hon. B. WIER. ROBERT MORROW, F. R. S. N. A. J. M. JONES, F. L. S. P. C. HILL, D. C. L., Mayor of Halifax. JOHN TOBIN, M. P. P. W. CUNARD. J. A. BELL. JAMES THOMPSON. S. CALDWELL. A. M. UNIACKE, D. C. L. ^cttng €x-^ffido Pembers. JOSEPH R. HEA, D. C. L. REV. ALEXANDER FORRESTER, D.D. PROFESSOR H. HOW, D. C. L. Ma. ALDERMAN JENNINGS. (IDommbsioner in (^itglanb. A. M. UNIACKE, D.C.L. ^ssidixnt €ammmtontt». HENRY BOGGS, THOMAS R. GRASSIE, A. M. WIER. ^gent anb S>uperin:t«nbant> REV. D. HONEYMAN. F.G.S. Secretary— R. G. HALIBURTON, F.S.A. Assistant Secretary — J. OUTRAM. PREFACE. Is consequence of the articles sent to the International Exhibition not haying arrived in Nova Scotia until May 1868, the final Heport of the Commissioners could not be presented to the Legiakture until the aession of 1864. It has been considered advisable to preserve in a permanent form the documents relative to the representation of our provincial resources in London in 1862, both on account of the satisfactory results of the efforts made by the Government, the Commissioners, and the contributors, to bring the capabilities of the province to the notice of the world, and as a record that may be of service on future occasions, when Nova Scotia will be called upon to take her place among her sister colonies at the Great Exhibitions of the mother country. It has also appeared desirable that some of the many flattering notices of our Court, which have appeared in the English press, should be preserved, as they are likely hereafter to be of value, or at least of interest, to Nova Scotians. A few copies of the catalogue prepared by the Board, and of Ms. Knight's excellent Prize Essay, the demand for which has far exceede ;■!. .'!!■? Ji-ifli** > •>;■! i, '!>; f-f'^ .fyvi>'^'i^ i-^ff "*:<;■•■ M'''U'''t,' 'jJi v.! ir^ :f 11, r..;-^"! i,'Y,t:-?. ;i':«if)* .'ai)(>W!iii:!'>i'V ^lf;.-u:;f Hv O'? -M*!! ?*; '^VJ^'C'Sv.:} f. I ^ f.„ ■yir.: -f'^y ;»'p;-. T'-C" ■ w.^ h/: t.lO ei 'i' .k.- -. >r ■'fv-i-rv o.i,'; V'-4'/; ;*y; p-; 'f :*■ 1.. ,M'. ■??-= T:; i;i; , r.' ■ -^-tc f. ;;''i' : .■l'!tv J V iv V ■r.« •Kl,: ,.V ••!■*'■.■,■■«,.-'«■<; ■ ill Oj; I ,f ,'iij ■>':t'i..i;i> :« JiH/ti Ui :'>-^-s.il;uit' :' W-iM''" j.f':J';'>¥;^«:», it 4, *'<►'!; , » *.',:.-» > .m ' ■J' .;■''' (J K'-l » *« ■ / **• ' t ' f ' ■«•, A'' ,., , . ,,,- REPORT. "^ ) Nova Scotia, previous to 1862, was comparatively but little known to the worlil, or even to tho educated classes in the Mother Coun. y. It had suffjred from tho proverbial misfortune of having had a bad name given to it, and all efforts made by those interested in having justice done to it, seem to have been' unavailing to efface the stereotyped descriptions of it whi«h were at least based on prescription, if not on truth. Pew of the British colonies have, however, been alternately such especial objects of temporary interest, and of permanent neglect. At one time it was regarded as essential to the naval supremacy of England, and the conquest of what is now ond of our fishing villages was made the occasion for a general illumination, and for rejoicings similar to those that greeted the fall of Sebastopol. But, with the extinction of French dominion in North America, the temporary value of Nova Scotio. declined. The growth of the United States, the unlimited areas of cultivable land in Canada, the rise of the Australian colonies, all tended still farther to dwarf the proportions and the importance of this province, until it came to be at last, though in position one of the nearest to the mother country, the far- thest removed from her sympathies and her pride. The old prejudices that were rife even under the French dominion, respecting Nova Scotia, revived after the lapse of more than a century, and were almost acquiesced in, at length, by many of its own inhabitants. More than a hundred years ago we are told that " some authors have represented it to be as indifferent a country as ever was inhabited by barbarians ;" and though the Governor, determined to do full justice to its resources, reported to the French king that " one single grain of wheat sown near La Hurve, produced 150 ears, very long, and so loaded that they were forced to sup- port them with iron hoops," it is to be feared that the world must have regarded the description as highly coloured, especially as it came from one who was " the Proprietary of the Province." His attempt, however, to make known its resources in other respects at least deserved, if it did not receive, the attention of Europeans. Though the lapis lazuli ♦• in Funda Bay," which " sold in France for ten crowns an ounce," was perhaps as fabulous as the price assigned to it ; and though some of the fish that were enumerated are scarce or extinct, our rivers and our seas still contain the elements of untold wealth, while the coal mines alluded to hj the " Pro- prietary" have recently fulfilled the golden visions in which their possessor appears to have vainly indulged. In 1860, however, an unexpected event once more attracted the atten- tion of the world to Nova Scotia and its resources. The startling announcement that gold mines had been discovered in a colony situated, not like Australia, at the antipodes, but within a few days' sail of Britain, led the scientific world, as well as the public generally, to make enquiries as to the climate and capabilities of this province. Unfortunately the latest information respecting it was the most unfavor- able and the least reliable of all the descriptions thrt have ever been given of Nova Scotia. The gratification felt by us at the visit of the Prince of Wales, was succeeded by a feeling of annoyance at the malicious misrepresen- tations and abuse of the province and its inhabitants, that appeared in the columns of the London Times. It was apparent that its description of Nova Scotia must have been prepared before the writer had arrived auiong us ; and we all felt that it embodied and exaggerated all the prejudices that had so long prevailed, and which were not the less injurious for being un- founded. To answer these attacks was of course a useless undertaking. The world was not likely to listen to any explanation or defence, and all that we could say would have been unavailing to remove the impression that loyalty was the only redeeming trait in a colony, the inhabitants of which were unaccustomed not only to the luxuries, but also to many of the comforts of civilization. Probably at no time in the history of the Province were its inhabi- tants more sensible of the injustice that was done to its climate and its resources, or more desirous of availing themselves of any oppor-' tunity of protesting against these misrepresentations. Fortunately an unexpected opportunity was afforded us of doing tardy justice to Nova Scotia, xhe Imperial Commissioners for the International Exhibition sent to the Colonial governments in March, 1861, an invitation to have their respective provinces represented, and with scarcely an exception it was gladly accepted, v d heartily responded to. It is to be regretted that the notice was issued almost a year too late, and that N'ova Scotia, like most of her sister colonies, was somewhat tardy in commencing to prepare for an undertaking for which ample time was peculiarly required. On August 6th, 1861, a I that were ontain the the " Pro- : possessor the atten- startling situated, f Britain, enquiries t unfavor- een given f Wales, irepresen- )eare(l in ascription ed auiong Jices that ►eing un- ertaking. , and all repression habitants manj of B inhabi- late and y oppor-- ately an to Nova tion sent ivo their as gladly otice was ler sister ertaking 1861, a number of gentlemen, embracing members of the Legislature and private persons acquainted with the resources of the province, met by invitation from the government, as a Provincial Board of Commissioners, of which the Provincial Secretary was the chairman, and A. MaoKinlay, Esq., was the vice-chairman, and having appointed a Treasurer and Secretary, instructed the latter to consult with the Commissioners, and to prepare a report on the most advisable mode of organizing the Board, and of ensuring an efficient representation of our various resources. In order to draw attention to the approaching Exhibition, a public meeting was held, at which the Lieutenant Governor presided, and which was largely attended ; and the speeches delivered on that occasion were circulated throughout the province. As it was apparent that it would be imprudent to leave the task of having the productions of Nova Scotia duly represented, solely to the entt^rpriso or patriotism of contributors, it was con- sidered advisable to organize committees for the various departments which deserved especial attention. Accordingly Committees were appointed on Minerals, Manufactures, Natural History, Agriculture and Fish, of which Andrew MaoKinlay, James Thompson, J. Matthew Jones, Esquires, the Rev. Dr. Forrester, and the Honbl*'. Benjamin Wier, were respectively chairmen. It was also considered advisable that committees in each county should be organized, the chairmen of which were to be ex-officio members of the Board. The government had previously sent to all the Sheriffs instructions to call meetings, and to invite the people of each county to appoint committees to co-operate with the Provincial Commissioners ; but the importance of the object in view not having been sufficiently made known to the public, the meetings called were in every case attended by but few persons, and in many instances no committees f old be ap- pointed. It was manifest that steps must at once be t&L^n to call attention to the subject, and to enlist the sympathies of the public in an undertaking which required the combined action of all parties, and of all classes of the community. It was therefore decided that the Secretary should visit and hold meetings in the principal towns of the province, as far as the limited time at the disposal of the Board would permit, and that prize lists containing liberal premiums should be widely circulated. As it was most important that the geology and minerals of Nova Scotia should be fully represented, the invaluable services of the Revd. Mr. Honeyman were at once secured. He was instructed by the Board to visit and examine the most interesting geological formations in Cape t Breton, and in «iie eastern portions of tbe province, to collect suitable specimens of our minerals, and especially to turn his attention to those dis- tricts which had been found to be aurifbious. While Mr. Honeyraan was thus engaged, Dr. How, the Professor of Chemistry at King's College, visited, with the Secretary, the principal towns, and the most interesting districts in Cumberland and Colchester. The governors of Acadia College, King's College, and of Dalhousie Col- lege, very kindly placed their very valuable mineral collections at the disposal of the Commissioners, and materially contributed to thf; marked suoftess that attended our efforts in having that department of our re- sources duly represented, while the extensive cabinet of the late Dr. Webster supplied many most interesting specimens to the Nova Scotiau Court. James Scott, Esqr., the Superintendent of the Albion Mines, and chairman of the committee for Pictou county, consented to pre- pare a specimen of the unequalled coal seam that bad attracted so much attention at the Exhibition at Montreal in 1860. Illustrations of our marbles, gypsum, building stone, clays, and mineral paints were col- 1' 'jd in different localities, either through the local committees and the ji-iudness of private contributors, or through the energetic co-operation of Dr. How and Mr. Honey man. > i.if,,.. Public meetings were held by the Board at Windsor, Pictou, Trurc, Tatamagouche, Wallace, Pugwasb, Amherst, Mills Village, Kentville, Bridgetown, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, Liverpool, Lunenburg, and Chester, and committees were appointed at each of thoso places ; in almost every instance a great deal of interest being evinced in the labours of the Board. I'rom this having been the first occasion in which the Commissioners and their officers had been engaged in such an undertaking, it was de- sirable to obtain as much information as possible, as to the most advisable mode of effecting the object in view ; and as the New Brunswick Com- missioners were about to hold a preliminary Exhibition at Sussex Vale, on Oct. 1st, it was thought advifedble that an officer of the Board should visit Sussex Vale, and report on the nature and description of the articles col- lected there for transmission to England. The report handed in' j the Board on the subject of that Exhibition, represented it as highly creditable to the mechanical skill of our neighbours, but suggested that it would not be advisable for ns to devote so much attention to the nft^hanical or man- ufacturing department, as was there apparent, except so far as might illus- trate the fact that we are able to produce most of those articles of luxury w or comfort which are in i^se in older countries. This view had throughout ^ been acted on by the Board, who regarded a systematic and scientific dis- ; play of our natural resources, as the great object before thein Tn Kings and Annapolis counties, active committees were appointed, r who made great exertions to have the natural resources of their re- ; spective counties duly represented. But throughout the province there r seemed to be a general impression that we ooald send nothing deserving • of notice, or of exhibition, and it was manifest that not the least important • result of the labors of the Board would be to show the people of the • province the great variety and excellence of those resources with which Providence has so blessed us. Hence the number of contributors • was comparatively small, but i;early all the articles sent for exhibition were superior to anything tbnt had ever been previously collected together in Nova Scotia. A remarkably fine display of horticultural and agricultural productions was made at the preliminary Show at Halifax, held in December, although through the detention of the vessel by which a most interesting collection . of specimens was sent by the committee of Annapolis county, the Com- missioners were deprived of the opportunity of representing the pro- ductions of that fertile portion of the province. A \ery great difficulty was experienced in exhibiting the specimens of fruits and roots, as it was not only necessary to preserve them from December until May, but also to prevent them from perishing by decay during the time when the exhi- bition would be held in England. As illustrative of the fertility of our soil, and the genial nature of our climate, they were of great importance in duly representing the province and its resource?], and correspondence was accordingly opened with scientific persons in the United States, in order to ascertain if any mode was known by which these specimens could be preserved until the close of the International Exhibition. No satisfactory mode was suggested, and the Board was advised to have casts prepared as substitutes for the specimens. It was, however, evident that the system recommended would be unsatisfactory, as there would be no guarantee in the eyes of strangers that the casts fairly represented the size and appearance of our horticultural productions ; at any rate the most conclusive evidence on the subject would be to send, if possible, the <:pecimens themselves. A variety ot experiments were tried, and at last it was found that by using diluted alcohol in ai^tight glass jars, the difficulty might be over- come, although the colour and beauty of our fruits would necessarily be •r II i! '!' greatly impaired by the process adopted^ It is believed that the Nova Seotia court was the only department in which such specimens were exhi' bited. The Hoyal Hortionltural Society requested the Commissioners to present to their museum the fine representations ci our horticulture which we displayed ; uid the Bevw Mr. Honey man was directed to place those articles at the disposal of the Society, in whose museum they are still to be seen in a good state of preservation. The propriety of not adopting oasts was made peculiarly apparent from the fact, that some of the apples sent, one of which was 17| inches in circumference, were con- sidered so remarkable, that it was difficult to persuade the public that they were really the productions of the province^ To make the display of our cereals as attractive as possible, glass cases were constructed, that exhibited the specimens to advantage, and also added to the appearance of our court; and the fact that these cases were adopted as models by several other colonies, showed that the Com* missioners had spared no puns to do justice to the articles entrusted by contributors to their charge. That the display of minerals was conspicuous, as well as instructive and useful, appears from the flattering notice in the official hand-book, of this important feature in ou; court. The display of our fish was a most difficult task to accomplish, and but fbr the residence among us of a gentleman who had particularly turned his attention to the subject, it would have been impossible to have attained the object in view in a manner satisfactory to the Board and to the public. It was the opinion of some eminent scientific authorities in England, that it would be useless to attempt to transport to England in glass jars of adequate size, the specimens we had collected ; but from the great care taken in packing and stowing the articles on board the vessel by which our contributions were sent, no damage or difficulty was experienced. Nova Scotia was the only colony by which specimens of fish thus pre- served were exhibited. ' « Mr. Downs' irteresting collection of the game birds of Nova Scotia was a great attraction, both from the specimens exhibited, and from the skill with which they were preserved and prep«»i«d. .\ii» In the mechanical department the Soard were able to show that com- mendable skill, as well as a great deal of artistic taste, is to be found in the province. The beautiful specimens of furniture contributed by Messrs. McEwan k Reid, and by Messrs. Gordon & Keith, and the pianos sent by Messrs. Fraser & Sons, and by Messrs. Brockley, Misener k Co., were great additions to the court, and proved that the people of the province could not only appreciate and enjoy, but could also produce those articles of luxury which are the evidence and the results of refinement and civiliza- tion.* Very great surprise was expressed by visitors at these articles coming from Nova Scotia, and a good deal of scepticism on the subject was often evinced by persons who had been accustomed to the stereotyped ideas that have hitherto existed in England as to Nova Scotia and its in- habitants. That the great object which the people of Nova Scotia had at heart in engaging in this undertaking was accomplished, and that the Board have not unsuccessfully fulfilled the duties which they assumed, will be apparent from the various notices of the Exhibition that have appeared in the British and American press. It was felt, however, by the Board, that in order to ensure attention to the specunens exhibited, and to draw attention to the resources whiih they represented, it was desirable that a descriptive catalogue should be ;)re- pared, affording in a small compass such information as the visitors to tne court or the jurors might require. No pains were spared to accomplish V this object, and the circumstance that most of the notices that have ap peared, have the descriptions thus supplied by the Board embodied in them, shows that one of the main objects in view was accomplished, and that the value and nature of the articles exhibited, were brought promi- nently to the notice of the British public. In the official Hand-Book to the Exhibition, the author, Robert Hunt, Esq., F.E.S., F.S.S., who appears to have especially turned his attention to the minerals in the International Exhibition, says that Nova Scotia ** makes a noble display of her products on this occasion," which he considers " reflects high credit on, the spirit and enterprise of the exhi- bitors.*^ It is believed that the following notice of our Court may be interesting, as having appeared in a work, which having been read by a large propor- tion of the visitors to the Exhibition, as being the official handbook, must have tended to remove many of those false impressions which had so long existed respecting the province :— [From " Handbook to the Industrial Department of the International Exhibition," IL MS—Sii.] " The mineral resources of this colony are satisfactorily shown. "The coal field? of Nova Scotia are well represented by seven largo specimens from different '.ocalities, the most remarkable being coal from the Albion Mines, Pictou, exhibited by J. Scott, Esq. This vein is one III; ill of the largest in the world ; its vertical section being from 33 to 36 feet, and its qualities excellent for the following purposes : generation of illuminating gas, and of steam, and for manufacturing and domestic pur- poses. It is the property of the General Mining Association, and is woi^ked by them to the extent of about 70,000 tons per annum. " There are also samples of coal from the Sydney Mines, the Lingan Mines, Glace Bay, and the Fraser Mine, with some oil coal from Fraser Mine, and from Patrick's Mine. " The amount of coal raised in 1860 at Pictou, was 165,055 ; Sydney, 100,098; Lingan, 35,300; Joggins, 5,295 tons. In 1861 at Glace Bay, 7,652 tons. " Large quantities are also raised at other localities, but the above are the chief works in the Province. .m s ji " The Fraser Oil Coal has been mined to some extent, 2000 tons having been raised in 1859. This substance gives an average yield of about 70 gallons crude oil to the ton, while picked samples give 199 gallons to the ton. " Gold. — In 1861 it was satisfactorily proved that gold exists in Nova Scotia in large quantities. The discovery of rich leads at Tangier and Lunenburg, induced persons throughout the province to " prospect" ; and the result has been that gold has been found from the Strait of Canso to Yarmouth, the eastern and western extremities of Nova Scotia proper — extending over a district of country equal in size to almost half of England. The search for gold, as well as the works commenced, has been con- ducted by persons unacquainted with the subject, and yet the returns have been most encouraging. " The gold of Nova Scotia is represented by specimens purchased and exhibited by the Provincial Government, including bars, gold-bearing quartz, and gold washings. There are specimens from Tangier, Sher- brooke. Wine Harbor, Laidlaw's, Allen's, and " The Ovens," near Lu- nenburg ; also washings from the latter place. The total value of the gold exhibited amounts to over $10,000. ^ " The gold is also exhibited in a manufactured state by the following pieces of jewelry, by J. Cornelius: a bracelet; a necklace (with figure of a gold miner at work, with a drop consisting of a Nova Scotian pearl) ; a massive brooch, with dolphin in centre ; a brooch, made of Nova Scotian gold quartz ; and also Nova Scotian amethyst and pearls ; a masonic mark jewel, and a neat small brooch of Nova Scotian gold, with Nova Scotian amethyst (Etruscan style). " In addition to these the mineral collection, made under the superintend- ence of Professor How, is most instructive. There are many fine exam- ples of native copper, copper pyrites, and carbonate of copper. Amongst the collection of iron ores we find micaceous, specular, fibrous hematite, and red hematite ores. " The iron made from the ores obtained at the Acadia Iron Works is illustrated by four specimens of pig iron, also by bars of iron. The amount of iron made b 1200 tons per annum, worth £10 sterling per ton. Gt 11 *• Arsenical pyrites, manganese, lead ores, molydenum, and plumbago, are also exhibited. Amongst the earthy minerals we have gypsum and anhydrite, limestone, with marbles of several kinds, and various building- stonps, including freestones and granites, mineral paints (ochres, which are found in great abundance), roofing slates, and clays. *' Woods. — The collection numbers seventy-two specimens, remarkable for their durability, beauty, or singular appearance, accompanied by the leaf and cone peculiar to each. "Fu.s. — There is a fine collection of one hundred and thirty-seven skins, and articles made from them. " This attractive department gained for Nova Scotia the first place for furs in 1851, and gave a gold medal to the exhibitor for that year. Though in its nature diminishing as the province becomes settled, still the export for J 860 gave £20,000 value, one half of which was furs produced in the province. The collection now shown at the International Exhibi- tion is a very fine one. The fur-bearing animals represented, with one exception (the ermine), in the collection of skins and manufactured articles of the exhibitor, Mr. W. J. Coleman, are in their natural order. The classification is that of the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. There are five lynx skins (Lynx canadensis), common, said by Temminck to be identical with the lynx of Northern Europe, and is not diminishing in the province — a beautiful, rusty brown, hoary fur ; and three wild cat skins {Lynx rufus). The wild cat, or Bay lynx, differs from the last in having shorter fur and longer pencils to the ears ; it is not so abundant as the last. Both are true lynxes. " Fishes, S^c. — The fisheries of Nova Scotia are an almost inexhaustible source of wealth. Though a large portion of the population is engaged in agricultural and other pursuits, the exports of fish in I860 amounted in value to $2,956,788. The Census tables give 396,427 quintals of dried fish, and 283,273 barrels of pickled fish. " The shipping owned in Nova Scotia and employed in the fisheries, &c., in 1800, amounted to 3,258 vessels, with a gross tonnage of 248,061 tons, l,eing almost a ton to every man, woman, and child in the province. This amount of tonnage p'ac j Nova Scotia in the rank of one of the principal maritime countries in the world, and the first as to the proportion of tonnage to population. " The fish of Nova Scotia are represented by specimens preserved by alcohol in clear glass jars, by J. M. Jones, Esq., and also by specimens of pickled, smoked, and dried fish, purchased in the market, being samples of those preserved for ordinary use or export. " The reason for the largest and best specimens not being exhibited arises from two causes : — Glasses could not be procured of such dimensions as to admit of the exhibition of halibut or of the larger specimens of some other fish, and the season, when the elBfort to procure specimens of fish was made, was so far advanced that the best samples of many species could not be obtained. " Manufactures of Wool, — There are eight or nine exhibitors of these. 12 In 1860 there were manufactured not less than 1,320,923 yards of cloth, or over 4 yards to every inhabitant. It is principally manufactured by band looms, and is worth about 2s. per yard. Nova Sootian homespun is in great demand in Canada, as well as in Great Britain. Military men who have worn it while hunting in " the bush," often send from England for a supply. It is said that there are imitations made by machinery in Canada and England, which are much inferior to the " home-made'' article. The grey homespun makes a very serviceable travelling dress. " Models, SfC. — In no country in the world can ships be built so cheaply as in Nova Scotia. There is every facility for this branch of industry, the coast being in every direction indented with bays and harbours, connected with the interior by numerous rivers and lakes. Ships of from 200 to 500 tons can be built for from £3 to £4 per ton, and including rigging for from £6 to £7. In many counties the farmers occupy the leisure of win- ter in building vessels. This is often done by a family— one of which is the blacksmith, others the shipwrighi's — some haul the timber, often cut from their own land ; and the vessel is frequently manned by members of the family, or at least commanded by one of tbem. Consequently a very serviceable species of vessel is produced at but little outlay of capital. Ves- sels required for the rivers or coast trade of Great Britain could be supplied by Nova Scotia at quite as low a rate as that at which old vessels are fre- quently purchased ; and, being new, would be much more profitable to the purchaser. Nova Scotia could also supply the fishermen of Great Britain with fishing yawls at from one-half to two-thirds of the price usually paid for them." The interesting Report of the Rev. Mr, Honbtmam, our indefatigable Agent in England, will more fully explain the nature of the articles con- tributed to the Nova Scotian Court, and the results of the efforts made by the Provincial Commissioners to bring the productions of the province the notice of the world. It was considered important that we should secure his services in England, in arranging and explaining the illustra- tions of our geology and mineral resources. That the selection waF judicious it is scarcely necessary to state, as this is universally conceded. Mr. Honeyman, who has been elected a Fellow of the Geological Societies of England and France, and has been referred to in the organ of the Royal Horticultural Society as "the distinguished Nova Scotian geologist," has shown to the world that we have among us persons of scientific attain- ments ; and the honors thus conferred upon him cannot fail to be gratifying to the inhabitants of a province, which has reaped the benefit of having bad 80 learned and zealous a representative. ■^"t^'tO yf ■ >-.i=i \i EEPOET OF REV. D. HONEYMAN. price 7b the Honorable the Chairman of the Provinciai Board of Commisaioners for the International Exhibition, 1862 :— Sir, — Having received a commission from your Board to prepare a representation of t' a Geology and Mineral resources of the province, for the Great Exhibition, about the end of August 1861, I immediately com- menced the proper preparations by addressing circulars to certain parties, whose co-operation it was advisable to secure, such as proprietors of mines, or their agents, and by entering upon field operations. In accordance with your instructions, I first of all visited the Gold Field of Tangier, to make observations that might be required for the right performance of the work in which I was engaged. Having made these observations it wss considered advisable, on account of the advanced stage of the season fitted for field work, to proceed to the extreme parts of the province. I acoor* dingly proceeded to the Island of Gape Breton, well known as an import- ant division of the province. On this Island I was engaged in active work, until about the middle of October, when I had visited almost every important locality known, and many unknown localities. What I had collected persontdly, I had packed up and forwarded ^ and 1 had had pro- mised to me six sections of coal, illustrative of the extent, character, and importance of the Coal Fields of Gape Breton, and also large specimens of marble. I beg to acknowledge my obligations tc T)r. Elliot, Richard Brown, Esq., and Marshal Bourinot, Esq., for the brutdsome manner in which they seconded my e£forts. Leaving the Island of Gape Breton, I proceeded to examine the counties east of Halifax. In the county of Sydney a considerable number of interesting specimens were secured, and valuable information acquired in reference to its minerals and metals ; also in that part of the county of Guysborough not included in the auriferous formation ; and also in the county of Pictou. Here we have to acknowledge our obligations to J. Scott, Esq., Agent of the Mining Association, for the handsome manner in which he had acceded to our request to furnish us with a section of the great Pictou coal-bed : a favor which has been duly appreciated by the province, of whose representation it formed a distinguishing feature at the International Exhibition, and also by Her Majesty's Commissioners by the award of a Prize Medal. We have also to acknowledge the kindness of J. D. B. Eraser, Esq., Pictou, in conferring similar favors. The counties of Cumberland and Colchester also fur- nished interesting specimens. We are here indebted to the favors of E. A. Jcnes, Esq., Manager of the Acadian Mines, for magnificent specimens of specular iron ore, and brown hematite, illustrating the character of the ores of Londonderry. While at the Acadian Mines, I received your in- structions to direct attention to an illustration of the Geology of the Gold Fields of Nova Scotia. I accordingly directed my attention to the 14 Laidlaw and Allen gold fields as typical of tlic whole. I there collected rocks and specimens, and studied the character of the fields, and deter- mined Viiat I suppose to be their relation to the adjacent rocks exposed in sections by the railways from Halifax to Truro and Windsor. My observations were communicated to the Geological Society of London, and illustrated by the specimens collected. These geological observations are to be found in an abstract of the paper, published in the transactions of the Society for 1862. H. Poole, Esq., Mining Engineer, kindly supple- mented my collection of rich specimens from the gold field by an interest- ing geological collection forwarded to the Great Exhibition, and furnished me with an authentic list of the places where gold had then been discovered, which is to be found in the abstract already referred to, and also in the last edition of MacKinlay's map of Nova Scotia. The snows of winter had now covered the ground, preventing the extension of my work into the Western counties. This, however, was in some measure compensated for by the work of Profes&or How, who was simultaneously engaged in your service, selecting specimens of minerals and ores from public and private coUection.s derived to a great extent from the counties which I had not an opportunity of exploring. The results of our united labours, with the exception of the specimens of cdal, wore duly exhibited in Halifax, and appeared to meet with the public approval. Being "^till retained in your service for the purpose of arranging the Geological and Mineralogical contributions to the Nova Scotia Depart- ment, I proceeded shortly after the Julia had sailed, with the view of having all the arrangements made that might be required at my hand, previous to the arrival of our contributions. Having arrived, I imme- diately conferred with A. M. Uniacke, Esq., your indefatigable acting member in London, and found that through his exertions, all necessary preliminary arrangements were made. As soon as the great building was m a condition for commencing the work of putting up, Messrs. Simpson & Son, the decorators employed, commenced to raise the walls of the court. It was, however, thought proper not to carry on the work to an advanced stage, until we were assured of the safe arrival of the ship and her cargo. The voyage being long and stormy, the vessel did not arrive so soon as was anticipated, and by the time it had arrived all was bustle and confusion within the building. On account of the multiplicity of our decorator's engagements, delay and confusion were anticipated. With this prospect, and in consequence of my intimate acquaintance with the contents, which were piled up in every part of our space, it was considered advisable by your Commissioner that I should not merely restrict my at- tention to the unpacking and arranging of my own special department, but should superintend all the internal arrangements, while the Commis- sioner should review them, and superintend the equally necessary external arrangements. In this way, by a proper division of labour and responsi- bility, and a harmonious co-operation, the work, at first apparently des- perate, advanced ; the arrangement of our court proceeded steadily and satisfiiictorily, and the opening day of the Exhibition saw the Nova Scotian 16 I Department, according to the tutimony of unprejudiced observers, as perfect aa its best friends and promoters could wish it to be. In reviewing the Department, I would observe that a much more com- plete and effective representation could have been made, had the unwearied exertions of the Commissioners and Secretary received proper support from the province at large ; and if all who promised had fulfilled their promiset^.. our representation, as a whole, would have been much more exhaustive. Although in one sense this is to be regretted, a complete representation would have led to serious inconvenience, as the space in the great building granted to our Province by Her .^'ajesty's Commissioners, was somewhat linited, and had to be strictly euoaomised. The fact is, that if the influence of Mr. Uniacke had not secured from the Colonial Superintendent a portion of space on the •vall; which was originally in- tended to remain unoccupied, our fish in carrels, agricultural implements, and ship's tacklings, could not have been accommodated within the building. After the Department was arranged, and the Exhibition opened, it was considered absolutely necessary that I should remain in charge until the close, to answer the questions of visitors, and of the jurors of the thirty- six classes, into which the contents of the Exhibition bad been divided. This required the constant attendance of one who could give the necessary information, and who would properly attend to the interests of the De- partment. According to the best of my ability, the necessary duties were dis- charged ; the interest of every exhibitor was attended to, and with the strictest impartiality. Our Department received a proper share of the attention of the multitudes of all classes who visited the Exhibition, and I believe that through the instrumentality of the articles exhibited, — the admirable catalogue of the Department, and the excellent prize essay- dis- tributed, the information imparted by the acting Commissioner, Mr. Uniacke, the answer to enquiries and the lectures of the Superintendent, the character and importance of our Colony are now duly appreciated ; and that an ample compensation for the exertions of the Commissioners has thereby been secured. The people of Great Britain were justly proud of the noble display of their colonies, and they universally regarded Nova Scotia and her sister colonies as important dependencies of the British Empire. We would refer to the opinion expressed by His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, after his official visit to the Colonial Courts, in his letter to Dr. Lindley the Superintendent of the Colonial Department ; and to the opinion of the British press, upon the Colonial display at the International Exhibition. Applications were also made on behalf of the Industrial Museum of South Kensington, of Eew Gardens and other important establishments of a similar nature in the British colonies, and Foreign countries, which our. resources were unable to meet. The case in which our large representa- tion of the gold fields was displayed, was presented to Prof. Tennent, Mineralogist to the Queen, in consideration of valuable services rendered, 16 h I I and the sum of £5 stg. was presented to our excellent attendant, Mrs. O'Reilly. All the above appropriations were made under the sanotion of your Commissioner in Lonaon. I would now add a few observations upon the results of those de- partments of the work entrusted to others. The liberality of our Legisla- ture in providing the means necessary for such a noble effort, has received the unqualified commendation of Her Majesty's Commissioners, and of all who were able to appreciate the effort ; and the whole representation appeared so judicious, systematic and thorough, that the opinion was universal that the Provincial Commissioners must have thoroughly under- stood the nature of their work, have had a thorough organization, and been in earnest ; and that considering the shortness of the time engaged, and the extent of the representation, their material must have been ample. As we have in the former part of this report specified individual efibrt, it may not be out of place, and only and act of justice, to refer to exhibitors and others who have rendered peculiar and efficient aid in the department under review. Our court was distinguished from all the Colonial courts, by bavins two elegant Pianos, the contributions of Fraser & Son, and Brockly & Co. I heard judges say of them both that they were excellent instruments, and that they must have been got up at considerable expense. It is to be regretted that while other articles which cost but little in their production, have been distinguished by the award of juries, these should have been passed over. In regard to them, I have to state that the position of our courts was not the most favorable for their proper exhibition ; and that in other respects they were exhibited at a disadvan- tage ; and the principle of award in this class was made more severe than in any others ; and the competitors were of a very distinguished order. The exhibition of these assuredly did our Province great ser- vice ; and I would respectfully suggest that the parties in question should receive the thanks of the Commissioners, and be compensated for any loss that they might otherwise sustain. The furniture exhibited by Messrs. McEwan & Keid, and Messrs. Gordon & Keith, was also much admired, and it is gratifying to find that the exhibitors, in both cases, received the distinguished approval of the jury. As these articles were made for the purpose of exhibition, the expense of their production appeared to be far more than they were likely to realize, as in their sale they had to com- pete with like articles produced in countries where the cost of production was less. It is well that both Pianos and Furniture were exhibited on this the first great appearance of the province ; but it would scarcely be ad- visable that such articles should be exhibited on any future occasion of a similar kind. In future exhibitions we may well imitate in this matter the example of Canada, which has learned from experience to omit such articles in their representations. It is not now necessary to show to the world that musical instruments and furniture can be produced in Nova Scotia which may be mistaken for English manufacture. These observations, however, need not prevent our manufiftcturers from forward- ing such articles at their own risk and expense, to compete for honor and lant, Mrs. nnotion of those de- ir Legisla* s received rs, and of esentation inion was bly under- , and been ;aged, and ample. lual efibrt, exhibitors lepartment ial courts, Son, and 9 excellent 9 expense. it little in ries, these state that eir proper disadvan- )re severe tinguished great ser- on should r any loss y Messrs. admired, ceived the de for the to be far to com- troduction ed on this ly be ad- asion of a lis matter ) to omit essary to produced . These forward- lonor and n distinction. The government's magnificent representation of our Gold Fields was effective, and distinguished by the Jurors' Medal. For a lone time we allowed it to speak without enforcing its story, as wo were afraid that it might excite expectations that would not be realized, and it was with great satisfaction that during the course of the Exhibition we could point to it as a representation truthful and unexaggerated. It showed that our gold fields are important, and in comparison with the representations of gold-producing countries, the quality of the ore was the best, or at least was equal to the best Our representation of the Minerals of Nova Scotia, cwlected and arranged by Professor How, was approved of by two juries, the Educational Jury and the Jury of Glass, Mining and Metallurgy; the latter jury awarded also a Medal for the Coal Column, and another for the large Geological collection, and an Honorable Mention for the Build- ing Stones. This representation of our Geology and Mineralogy was declared by the London Review to be more exhaustive than that of Ca- nada, while tha.t of the latter was more exhaustive than that of Great Britain. The Educational Jury also awarded a Medal and an Honorable Mention to the unique collection of Fish, Edible Mollusoa, Lobsters and Pearls, prepared and exhibited by Messrs. Jones, Willis and Townsend. The fish, contrary to the expectations of one of the first naturalists of England, arrived at the Exhibition in a perfect state of preservation, and during the period of the Exhibition appeared as fresh as when they were prepared. This was considered a very important experiment, and was universally admired. The edible shell-fish were interesting, especially to the naturalist, and the size of the lobsters was regarded as monstrous. The same jury awarded a Medal to Mr. Downs's case of Birds, which was ' regarded as very interesting, forming a very attractive object in front of our court ; also a Medal to Mrs. Black's beautiful models of the Flowers and Fruits of the Province, and Honorable Mentions to other elegant Models by the same exhibitor , and to the paintings of Flowers and Fruits, by Miss Bessonett. The same jury condemned our specimen of the Moose. We have this satisfaction, however, that the Moose commanded attention, and attracted visitors to our court, and that since it was not approved of, our province has yet the privilege of exhibiting another and nobler specimen, in the Exhibition of 1872. Our Agricultural and Hor- ticultural Departments were also considered as interesting, — the distin- guishing feature of the one was the quality of the Black and White Oats^ on account of which the Agricultural collection received a Medal. The jury that adjudged this award, also examined the Horticultural collec- tion ; they expressed astonishment at the appearance of the ■ Fruit in jars, but could not decide upon their merits, as their quality could not be tested. They expressed their decided approval of the Garden Seeds which were considered as entitled to two Medals. This happened to be overlooked in the award of prizes. This omission was, however, supplied at the Boyal Horticultural S-Hiiety's International Fruit, Root .. and Cereal Show, where a jury, composed to some extent of the same in- dividuals as the Exhibition jury, awarded Medals to the Beans and Peas IS I' I ll I i of our Exhibition collection. Tlic racdul for Bcana appears to belong to Mr. Thompson, whose Beans were the best in the collection. The medal for Peas belongs to the Commissioners. The specimen of prepared Flax was very highly approved of by the J'ury of that department, who awarded to it a Medal, and expressed a lope that it would bo more extensively cultivated in our colony, so as to form an article of export at no distant period. Mr. Pryor's application of the Bokhara Glover was considered as very interesting, especially at the present time, when there is a scarcity of cotton, and an earnest search after those vegetable fibres, which may in some respects prove a substitute for that article : to this the jury awarded a Medal, Mr. Coleman's col* Icotion of Furs was considered as complete, valuable and interesting as any collection of unmanufactured furs in the Exhibition, and without diffi- culty received the Jurors' award. The Article of Food Committee oommendod highly the Fish preserved in tins, and considered that they were equal to anything of the kind in England ; these received a Medal, and were recommended as an article of export. The Pickled Salmon received an Honorable Mention. The Digby Herrings were very much admired. The Fish preserved in tins, Pickled Salmon, and Smoked Her^ rings, were in good demand ; they were cooked for dinners of jurors, public and private, and the Digby Herrings were honorably mentioned in the Bill of Fare of the Acclimatisation Society's dinner. The other kinds of pickled fish — such as Shad, Mackarel, Herring, Trout and Gaspereaux, did not appear to bo appreciated ; and we were recommended to try other modes of curing than pickling, if we wished to introduce our noble fish into the English market. The Home-made Cloth excited a good deal of attention ; it is to be regretted that the supply was not greater, as well as the variety. I have no doubt that if there had been a greater supply and variety, our home-made cloth would have secured the jury's approbation. When the cloth came to be sold, the supply was found very deficient, and the wish was frequently expressed that Nova Scotia cloth could be had in Britain. Messrs. Campbell & MacLean's manufactured Tobacco was very much esteemed by the jury, who gave it their award : an accident occurred which injured the appearance of the upper layer of the box ; this was taken off, and given to parties in the building ; it became quite celebrated, and consequently was apt to be pilfered. A manufacturer from Glasgow came to the Exhibition for the purpose of securing it, and was ex- ceedingly disappointed when Mr. Campbell refused to sell it. Miss Beggs' Straw Hats and Bonnets had readily a Medal awarded to them, when it was discovered that they were manufactured of the raw material of the province : the jury considered that such laudable and successful efforts merited their unqualified approval. The Cone Baskets were regarded with interest, as well as Miss Lawson's collection of Autumn Leaves ; and both received the Jurors' award. Mr. O'Brien's Carriage and Mr. Currie's Sleigh, excited interest among the crowds of visitors, but did not receive the jury's distinction : it is probable that the principle which influenced the jury in this department, was of a similar 19 CO was ccident e box ; 1 a quite Dr from 1 was ex- Beggs' vben it of the efforts garded 1 eaves ; e and 1 isitors, at the similar 1 nature with that of the jury on musical instruments. It was oonsiderod a mistake to send an imitation of the English pony phaeton, instead of such carriages as are in uao in the colony. Among the artiolei honorably distinguished, are Currio's collection of Leather, Connely's Axes, and Scarfo^s Bricks. All the bricks wore considered as excellent and well made, and were highly approved of both bv Englishmen and Foroignors. The excellent sjpocimisns of Iron, sent by Mr. Jones, the manager of the Acadia Iron Works, did not receive at the hands of thq jurors the consideration which they appeared to deserve, if wo ajo to be guided by the opinion of those who professed to be judges of their quality. It was unfortunate that the agents in Sheffield did not, as was expected, send a neat case of cutlery, such as was exhibited in the Sheffield depart- ment. If the Pig Iron, Bars and Ores sent by Mr. Jones, had oeen accompanied by a representation showing the character, quality and appli- cation of the Londonderry Iron, I have not the least doubt that the united representation would have received the Jurors' award. I may state in this connection that the " Times' Correspondent" took occasion when writing on the subject of Londonderry Iron, to make a rude attack on the Board of Provincial Commissioners for having sent to our court the specimens of our Ores of Iron. To this I immediately replied, over my signature, but it did not condescend to insert my reply. The correspondent of the Morning Siar, in an excellent article on qui court, took up the question, and severely rebuked the ignorance of the " Times^ Correspondent." Crosskill's Cordials were admired, well-tried, and readily sold. Sarre's Perfumery attracted attention; visitors could easily believe that good Bear's Grease could be exhibited by Nova Scotia, but they were incredulous about the Eau-de-Cologne ; the Perfumery was readily sold. The Gasilier and other brass work were asserted by Englishmen to be Sheffield ware, and not colonial. The jury on Naval Architecture awarded a Medal to Mr. Mosber, for Blocks made on the Bothway principle. After the award was published in the pro- vince, Mr. Haliburton, in writing to me, suggestea that there must be some mistake regarding this award. Now this is not at all impossible, as the decorator on one occasion, in my absence, removed the blocks from their place ; they then got mixed up, and I was never able to separate them. The jurors, in determining the exhibitors of these blocks, which they considered most meritorious, were guided by the official catalogue, and in this way a mistake may have occurred. Mr. Moseley's Ship Models occupied a prominent position, but they did not secure the consider- ation that they appeared to merit. The attention of the ship-builders of the Clyde, and elsewhere, was invited to them in the Correspondent's arti- cle on the department, in the Morning Star newspaper. Simpson's Gold Washer and Amalgamator was admired on account of its ingenuity, and received the Jurors honorable mention. In addition to the awards referred to, Her Majesty's Commissionert have presented a Service Medal to your acting member of the Exhibition^ A- M Uniacke, Esq., a distinction to which he is in every respect eof titled. 20 «' I Nova Scotia has thus received as great a proportion of awards, when W8 take into r count the extent of the representation, and the number of exhibitors, as any department in the International Exhibition. In the official Catalogue of the Nova Scotian Court there appear 65 Exhibitors. We have received 19 Medals, besides the Service Medal, and 11 Honor- able Mentions, or 80 awards in toto. Great credit is due to the Secretary, assistant Secretary, and others, for the admirable manner in which the articles forwarded were packed, and through which they almost all arrived in safety and in excellent condition. The cards prepared by the Secretary, and attached to the various articlea exhibited, furnished valuable information to visitors, and added much to the efficiency of our display. The Catalogue of the Department, also pre- rared by the Secretary, although not so large as those of the Indian Empire, and of the Colony of Victoria, contained more interesting infer* mation than either of these, and by the press generally was pronounced Superior to any of the Catalogues of Departments. The only 'polony beside our own, that had prepared and circulated Prize Essays, was the Australian colony just referred to. The plan of their essays was somewhat different from ours. While t^^ese essays were more bulky and expensive than Mr. Knight's Prize Essay, the latter was more practical and comprehensive, and better adapted for general circulation. The demand for the Catalogue and Prize Essay far exceeded the supply. The Exhibition being closed, and two weeks being allowed by Her Ma- jesty's Commissioners for the sale of articles, a great part of the articles exhibited in our Court were aold ; other articles for sale, and which we thought might be sold, such as the Pianos, and the remains of the Furni- ture, have been exposed for sale in a Furniture Warehou.se in London, by Mr. Grassie, acting Commissioner. The articles that were not saleable, or not for sale, have been carefully packed up and deposited in the warehouse of Messrs. Tanner, Ship Brokers, Lower Thames Street, to be shipped for Halifax in one of the earliest spring ships. The Government's col- lection of Gold Specimens was delivered up to Messrs Baring & Co. at the clt. se of the Exhibition. ■ The Moose, Fish in jars, and large specimens of Minerals and Ores, were presented to the Government (Industrial Museum, Edinburgh ; the small bottles of Fish, chiefly interesting to the Naturalist, to the British Museum ; the Fruits in jars, specimens of Native Woods, Pryor's case of Bokhara Clover and its application, the Garden Seeds, a bouruet of Autumn Leaves, and Mr. Haliburton's Vegetable Wax and Berries, to the Museum of the Royal Horticultural Society ; samples of Cereals, to the Royal Agricultural Society ; Rocks, Gypsum, and Ores, to the Museum of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich ; the Building Stones, to Chatham. Appli* cation was also made on behalf of the Iixiustrial Museum, South Ken- idngton, the Museum of the Royal Botanic Society, Kew, and other im' portant establishments of a similar nature in the British colonies and Foreign countries, which our resources were unable to meet. All thes« I 'a I 21 appropriations wern made under the sanetion of your Commissioner in London. All which is respectfully submitted, by Your obedient servant, D. HONEYMAN. The foregoing report will, it is believed, be most satisfactory to the public, who have felt great interest throughout in having the province fairly represented in England. It is worthy of notice that the articles supposed to have been manufactured in England were really the produc- tion of native industry, and the doubts which excluded them from favo^ able notice are the most significant marks of approval which could have been bestowed. The objection to the pony phaeton as not representing the style of carriage in use in Nova Scotia, is equally unfounded, as similar vehicles are imported into the province, as well as manufactured by our artizans. They of course are not in common use, except among the wealthy, nor are they in England, and the specimen sent was rather intended to illustrate the skill of the mechanic, and the fact that there arc to bo found among us the same luxuries and comforts which arc to be met with in the Mother mountry. It is to be regretted that one of the Directors of the Acadia Charcoal Iron Company was elected as a juror on iron, as the specimens of its cut- lery, as well as of the ores employed, were excluded from competition. It is satisfactory to know, however, that a medal would have been awarded but for the circumstance referred to. The articles of furniture were subject to a competition which naturally left but little hope of our mechanics being able to achieve any distinction in that department ; and it is most gratifying to find that the only medal in this class awarded to the contributions from North America, was carried off by Messrs. McEwan & Reid of Halifax. The acting Commissioner in England, A. M. Uniacke, Esq., on seeing the article in the Times respecting the iron exhibited by us, wrote to that paper to explain that none of the ore, to which it objected, was to bo seen m the Nova Scotian Court. The specimens that were decried in no very measured terms, were in reality the best in our department, and realize in the English market a price second only to the very best Swedish brands. Mr. Uniacke in an official letter, asked the Times to correct the mistake, but his communication was not honored with an insertion, nor was its receipt acknowledged. It might naturally have been expected that a request so reasonable would have been readily granted, not as a favor to a colony, but as a concession to truth. V 22 I Hi I I ,!' i If Bin; To avoid mnnccessary expense, though the Board spared no pains to have every department of our natural resource? and of provincial industry fairly represented, the articles exhibited were limited to such as might be necessary for this purpose. In most instances, however, the contribu- tions were only sufficient in number to represent the department to which they belonged, and in very many nothing was sent by privat; persons, and it became necessary -o supply the deficiency by purchasing the specimene that were wanting. Though this system rendered the Nova Scotian Court with the least possible expense, a faithful index to the productions of the province, it prevented our obtaining as large a number of medals as if the contributors had been more numerous, and the Nova Scotian depart- ment had been organized on a more expensive scale. It is satisfactory to know, however, that though Canada with its large number of oontributors, and its extensive representation of its resources, obtained many more medals than this province, Nova Scotia won medals or favorable notice in as many classes as Canada ; and had the medal for garden seeds, and for iron, been awarded to us, as was intended, we should have appeared as Buccessful competitors in two more classes than our sister colony. The circumstances under which some of these medals were obtained, give peculiar significance to the award, and deserve the marked attention of the people of the province. No specimen of flax having been offered for competition, the Board telegraphed to Mr. Moyle to forward some of the ordinary production of the county of Lunenburg, and that gentleman unable to purchase suitable specimens, sent some that he had himself raised for his own use. The medal obtained by it, and the importance at- tached to It by the jurors, should not be without their weight in turning the eyes of the people of Nova Scotia to an element of wealth which nature has so plainly placed within their reach. The specimens of fruit were precluded from obtaining a medal, as their flavor and appearance were unavoidably affected by the mode of preser- vation that was adopted. This deficiency was, however, amply supplied by specimens contributed in October following, to the Great International Show held by the Royal Horticultural Society, the organ of which has eince remarked : •* Our readers and the visitors to the recent fruit show of the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens, cannot have forgotten the surprising beauty and equal excellence of the apples communicated by the great colony of Nova Scotia. Certainly nothing like them had ever bee" Been at any public exhibition in this country " When it is remembered that Victoria voted a sum of £80,000 stg. in 23 stg. in order to have its resources fairly represented, it is*cvident that the lavish expenditure of our more wealthy sister Cxolonios, must have tended to dwarf our more limited display. Still it is believed that it was in the quantity, not 'n the quality of the articles exhibited, in which the disparity existed, and that the contributions sent by us have effectually dispelled those prejudices that have so long existed respecting the climate, the resources, and the people of Nova Scotia. Nor should the lesson which we have learned be lost upon ourselvesi. The difficulties which met the Board in commencing their labors, will, it is hoped, be unknown to those who will in 1872 assume the responsibilities that have devolved upon the Nova Scotian Commissioners. Th Board found no Provincial museum which could form a nucleus around which to collect a representation of our mines, minerals, and natural history ; no associa- tion of Natural Science on whom they could rely for assistance ; no organ- ization which had made tiie study of fruit and its culture its special ob_ jecfc ; and no geological survey to guide the Board in representiiig our vast mineral wealth ; and they were compelled to devote the valuable time of Mr. Honey man, which could ill be spared, to performing in a icw week?, and in a necessarily imperfect manner, a work that should occupy years, and the combined exertions of many scientific persons. Some of these difficulties have been so sensibly felt that steps have been tuken to supply the deficiency ; but much still remains to be done. Nature has blessed this province with a singular variety of resources, that have already attracted the attention of the world, and which demand and will richly repay the employment of all that science, capital and industry can lavish upon them. A good deal of delay, which was beyond the control of the Board, oc- curred in returning the articles that were not disposed of in England, and some slight damage was done to some of the specimens from their not having been packed with the very great care so essential in transporting bulky and fragile articles of manufacture. Wherever any loss was sus- tained by contributors it was felt incumbent on the Board to award reason- able compensation. Any other course would have bee.i unwic?, as well as unfair, and would paralyze the exertions of those, who in 187iJ wil! have to appeal to the public in having the province duly represented. The difficulties which the Board have had to encounter from the lethargy that was manifested by a large portion of our population on the subject, can scarcely be conceived. Many influential persons who had articles that were well worthy of being displayed in our court, could noi \ 24 be induced by repeated solicitations and by liberal premiums, to contri- bute ; others promised to send specimens, which were not forthcoming when they were required ; and a general feeling seemed to have grown up throughout the province of the inferiority of its climate and productions, and of its inability to occcupy even a respectable position among its sister colonies and the nations of tbe world. To have removed these prejudices, and to have awakened a just appre- ciation of our provincial resources among our own population will, it is hoped, be a sufficient return for the outlay which the generosity of the Legislature has sanctioned. To have done less would have been to mis- represent the province ; to have done more was scarcely possible during the limited time, which was at the disposal of the Board. In closing this report some allusion to those gentlemen to whom the public and the Provincial Commissioners are indebted is required. The gratuitous services of Andrew M. Uniacke, Esquire, our acting commis- sioner in England, were of a nature, that is well deserving of the thanks and remembrance of the people of Nova Scotia. But for his influence and unwearied exertions, the space allotted to the Nova Scotian Court, would have been altogether inadequate for the display of our contribu- tions ; and we are indebted in a great measure to his taste and judgment for the attractive appearance which the representation of our resources assumed at the International Exhibition. The labor that was thrown upon him was very great, and the sacrifice of his time, while on a visit to the Mother Country, is no slight evidence of the zeal he has exhibited in promoting the interests of his native province. In Nova Scotia, A. McKinlay, Esq., the vice-chairman, in consequence of the absence of the Hon. Joseph Howe in England, took charge of the general superintendence of the labors of the Board, and spared no time or pains to fulfil the onerous duties that devolved upon him, and to his judg- ment and energy throughout the Commissioners are greatly indebted for the successful result of their labours. The Treasurer, John A. Bell, Esq., has gratuitously attended to duties, which though not so conspicuous to the public, imposed a great deal of responsibility upon him, and entailed the expenditure of much time, and the necessity of devoting very close attention to the affairs of the Board. J. Matthew Jones, Esq., though not a native of the province, exhibited an amount of zeal and of scientific skill in promoting the representatirn of oar fish, which attracted the notice of the Jurors, and should not be for- gotten by ourselves. Capt. Hardy, Dr. Gilpin, and Messrs. W. T. Towns- 25 to contri- rtbconiing ive grown )ductions, its sister le during whom the ed. The ; commis- e thanks influence m Court, contribu- judgment resources thrown ile on a be has In Nova e of the general or pains is judg- bted for duties, deal of me, and Board, xhibited tatirn of t be for- Towns- end, and J. R. Willis, rendered valuable services ; while Professor How, Dr. Robertson, Dr. Hea, and Dr. Forrester, the chairmen of the Com- mittees for Hants, Annapolis, Kings, and Colchester, as well as those with whom they were associated, were indefatigable in their labors. All of the Commissioners had their respective departments, to which close at- tention was devoted, and it is hoped that the results will prove that nothing was left undone by them to fulfil the duties imposed upon them by the Legislature and the Province. The following is the list of medals, &o., awarded to our Exhibitors, and to those who sent contributions to the Supplementary Show of the Royal Horticultural Society :— No. 1. Rbv. Mb. Honetman, (Class I.) — For a largo collection of specimens illustrating the Geology of the colony. No. 2. Professor How, (Class I.) — For collection arranged by him illustra- tive of the Rocks and Minerals of the Province. No. 3. Provincia.l!, Government, (Class I.) — ^For the large and instructive collection illustrating the occurrence of Gold. No. 4. J. Scott, (Class I.) — For column of Coal, showing the entire height of the seam, 34 feet ; — one of the thickest known beds in the world. No. 5. Nova Scotia Commissoners, (Class III. sec A.)— For excellent grain, garden, and field Seed. No. 6. Provincial Commissioners, (Class III. sec. B.) — Salmon and Lob- sters — excellence of quality. No. 7. Messrs. Maclean, Campbell & Co., (Class III. sec. C.) — Cavendish Tobacco, — quality of the Tobacco used, and quality of the article produced. No. 8. Mrs. W. Black, (Class IV. sec. A.) — Excellent collection of Fruits and Flowers of the colony. No. 9. Miss E. Bego, (Class IV. sec. C) — For application of Native Grasses for platting and bonnet making. No. 10. H. M. MoYLE, (Class IV. sec. C.) — ^For very fine samples of Flax pre- pared by dew rotting. No. 11. Miss Hodges, (Class IV. sec. C.)— For Baskets decorated with pinecones and other hard fruits. No. 12. Miss Lawson, (Class IV. sec. C.) — For a collection of the Forest Leaves of the colony, so prepared as to preserve the autumn tints. No. 13. Mr. Pryor, (Class IV. sec. G.)— For preparation of the fibre of Melilotus leucantha major. No. 14. J. MosHER, (Class XII. sec. B. &C.) — For good manufacture of Blocks on the Bothway principle. No. 15. W. J. Coleman, (Class XXV. sec. A.) — For a very choice collection of Skins, fine specimens of silver, red and cross fox, otter and mink. No. 16. A. Downs, (Class XXIX.)— For his collection of Birds. No. 17. Professor How, — For the excellence of his mineraloglcal collection. No. 18. J. M. Jones, — For his collection of Fish. No. 19. McEwAN & Reid, (Class XXX. sec. A. &. B.)— Sofas, Chairs and Cabinet of native wood. For excellence of workmanship. HONORABLE MENTION. No. 1. Nova Scotia Gold Commissioners, (Class III., sec. B.) — Salted Salmon — goodness of quality. No. 2. W. G. Simpson, (Class VII.)— Model of Gold Washer. No. 3. Professor How, (Class X. sec. A.)— Goodness of quality of the speci- mens of building stones. 16 I ■ ! I W No. 4. F. ScARFB, (Class X. sec. A.) — Good quality of common and pressed bricks and drain tiles. , . , ., No. 5. CowiE & Sons, (Class XXVI., sec. A.)— Good tannage. '- ' ' •" No. 6. Mrs. W. Black, CClass XIX.)— For her model of Fruits. No. 7. GoBDON & Keith, (Class XXX., sec. A. & B.)— Furniture— for excel- lenco of workmanship. No. 8. G. CoNNEi^LY, (ClassXXX.)— Axes. ,„„ , ,. ,_ No. 9. J. R. Willis — For his collection of Pearls and Mollusca. No. 10. Miss Bbssonett — For water colour Paintings of native flowers as in- structive. No. 11. Dr. How — Medicinal and other Plants. :',;■ ; •>■■;! : :<. ■. ■ . ' . ^ ^.■■■■■■■- '■■■ ■' ■■ ' • ' - ■■ MEDALS ' " '■ ■ Awarded to Nova Scotian Contributors, at the Great Intcmationai Shoic, October, 1862. International Show Committee of N. S. — 63 dishes of Apples : silver medal. 11 dishes of Grapes : bronze medal. No. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Onions : bronze medal. Collection of Cereals : bronze medal. Agricultural Roots : bronze medal. 19 kinds of Potatoes : large bronze medal. Gourds : large bronze medal. Rev. D. Honeyman — Peas : bronze medal. Richard Starr,' Es(i. — 18 varieties of apples : bronze medal. 10. Dr. Hamilton — 13 heads of Indian Corn : bronze medal. - 11. Mr. B. Kaye — Preserved Fruits, in bottles : bronze medal. ; 12. Rev. D. Honeyman, ("for Mr. Jas. Thompson) — Collection of beans : bronze medal, , 13. Mr. James Thompson — Fruit in jars : bronze medal. » , As affording a test of the value and nature of our resources, the follow- ing analysis of our position in relation to our sister colonies at the exhibi- tions of 1862 may be of interest. The variety and general excellence of our productions are indicated by the fact that Nova Scotia, like Canada, obtained either medals or honorary mentions in 14 classes or sections at the International Exhibition, and was only surpassed in this respect by Victoria and New South Wales. The number of medals awarded to the maritime provinces of British America stands as follows : I ! International Exhibition — Medals. Now Brunswick, Newfound- ) land, and Prince Edward > IG Island, ) International Show, 3 Total. 19 ,Men. Medals. Hon. Men 10 Nova Scotia, . 19 11 13 10 ....32 11 At the Interna'ional Show, at which the system of " Honorable Men- tion was not adopted, there were three grades of medals — Silver, Large Bronze, and Bronze Medals. The three medals awarded to New Bruns- 27 id pressed -for excel- jrers as m- Iver medal . dal. ledal. lal. rize medal. ,ns : bronze he foUow- he exhibi- licated by honorary and was >f British Hon. Men. II 11 :%■ wick, Prince Edward Island and N'ewfoundland, belonged to the third class, while 1 silver, and 2 large bronze medals were carried off by the collection from Nova Scotia. At this supplementpry Show to the Inter- national Exhibition, to which there were collections sent by 10 colonies, and by 14 foreign countries, Nova Scotia having had 13 medals awarded to it, stood the third on the list of competitors, having been only surpassed by two foreign countries, one of which obtained 18, and the other 14 medals, each carrying off, like Nova Scotia, 1 silver and 2 large bronze medals. It must be remembered, however, that though the very fine col- lection from Belgium only obtained 9 awards, thiee of them were silver, and two of them were large bronze medals. Although the collection sent to the International Show from Nova Scotia was not made under the superintendence of the Provincial Commissioners, specimens were contributed to it from the Nova Scotian Court to which two bronze medals were awarded, and the display was superintended in England by the Agent of the Board, the Rev. Mr. Honeyman, while the Secretary of the Commissioners was also Secretary to the Nova Scotian Committee, and the contributors were principally those who had already sent specimens to the International Exhibition. When the accounts of the Board were laid before the House in 1863, the total expenditure could not be arrived at in consequence of s England, 4,117 97 Total, $20,366 96 This brief history of the efforts of the Board to vindicate the climate and productions of Nova Scotia from misrepresentations and prejudices so long in vogue in England and elsewhere, will, it is hoped, stimulate the people of the province to surpass in 1872, the display which was made by Nova Scotia in 1S62, and to sustain the reputation which the province has earned by the variety and excellence of its resources. R. G. HALIBURTON, Secretary. ible Men- er, Large iw Bruns- ■< i ! I ■K con OF COREESrONBENCE RELATIVE TO THE NOVA SCOTIAN COURT. " !On.iiibiti()N' Ul'ii.dixg, Soi tii Kkxsixgtox, "\V., } " Ji:>'K U, 18G2. i " H v ]Mnj'-'sty*s Commission Ts hiivc much siitisfaction in forwaivling, f r tli<' iurormatiijn of your ( "ommission. the enclosed CQi)y of a letter \vhi(.'h hiis lieen addressed to Dr. Lindicy. the Supcrintciulcnt of tho (';)L)uia! D'rpaviiuonl of the Exhibition, by His Graci' !i;e Duke of Ncw- cast'e. Her .Majesty's Secretary of State for the Ct^lonies. "The Comuiissioners belii'vc tliat this letter will, iov m-aiy reasons, be v.ry l^ratifying to yourself and i he other members of your Commission, and they desire me to re(}uest th'it you will be so kind as to take an early op-iortunity ol" communicating- its contents to the Government of your Colony. " I have the honour to be. Sir, " Your obedient servant, "T. R. SANDFORD, Srcmkiry. " The Chief Commissloiiei' for Xova Scotia." " ]\Iv Dkau Dii. Lix])Li;v. — "• Downing Street, 4th June, 1862. "Now iliat the Colonial Department of the International Exhibition is very nearly complel'% I must express to you, first, my thanks for the trouble you took in showing me the various productions, and, next, my extreme admiration of the :-pirited and succes.-ful manner in Avliich the Colonies, wiih s -areely au excepion, have responded to the invitation of the Cominissioncrs to send specimens of their natural products and their industry for the information and, I mav well add, the instruction of the Xatio is of I'^uropc. " It is impossible that such a display of what the Colonial portions of the liriti-:b l^npire can produce should be without a very material influ- ence up-t you will have it r('])ub- lished in the leading papers of our prov'nci'. It is with pride as well as | gratification tliat it is my pL'a~iug duty to state for the information of His Excellency the Earl of Mularave. that we have bcei awarded ninel eon Medals, and obtained Htmorablo Mention in eleven other deparlments, and I have requested Mr. Hon. y man to forwai'd to yon by this mail a specific list of those to whom they have been a^'ardcd, and the varied .| classes to which they have been assigned, I can assure you any trouble we have ex[)ericnced or any mortification or misrcpre.-enlation we have received, has been obliterated in the flatterin;!: tcstiinon'al- awarded to i:s. and I trust tliat it will be the ardent endeavor of those interested in the promotion of arts, science, literature and manufaetures, earnest'y to devote their talents to improve in those varied branches which tend In promote the advancemedt of our colony and illustrate its great natural resources. I have much ncc;led tlio aid of a secretary, :;s yon can scai ecly ; conceive the numerous letters I continually receive from Foreign as well as Biitish Associations in reference to ni uiy of the arti.lcs exhibited by us, and I shall feel obliged if th;' Government w >uld favor me with in- structions, Avhat disposition they propose to make at the close of tlic:| Exhibition of tho^e articles which they exchisively own, viz. : Fisli. Fruits, Co!d, Minerals, (exchudve of tiiose owned by Institutions or private individuals). I would suggest whatever the province owns, gold excepted, should be presented to Her Majesty's Commissioners with a desire thcyi should bestow them on such Public Iu>titutions as they deem mostj; suitable. They are the be>-t ju(1p;p.« where they would be most acceptablct Wo have hud many iipplicaiions fsr thcin, and as our kiiowlcdf^e of thoFO Svho merit them most is naturally very confined, vve have, on consultation with other Colonial Uepresentatives, oiTercd these snge distinctions should I»e the Incentives to increased vigor and energy. Posse-sing as we do the Ibuudatlon of wealth, ought wc nut to devote ourselves to develope and elevale the character of our country? Let our public men then be guided by the desire to iui[)rove our instiiutions, to promote and foster, lot bitter Vvcrimony or unkind feelings, but thos«3 works of industry and art to which you sec the nobles! mi:ids and the highest ranks of English society, consecrating their time, their talents and their wealth. Our North American colonies have been prominently brought forward. lb is for ourselves to improve the opportunity and profit by this great International Exhibition; and I could have wished that our industrial pojadfition might »;ave had an opportunity, or souie of our mechanics at least, of inspecting the wonderful display of every work and design that art Can produce and bom which so many lessons of utility are to be derived. " Believe me, yours truly, "A. M. UNiACKE." " K. G. Haliburtbn. Esq., Sec of Nova Scotia Commissioners." r Tlie following are extracts from the Times of July 12, 18G2 : — Yesterday the Exhibition bbre its first fruits to anxious exhibitors in the pulilic assignment of the jury medals and awards. Nothing was Fpared by the executive to make this State CM-emouial the pageant of the s ason. It was arranged aftd re-tlrraiiged, international co-operation was invited, rules were laid down, which, for once, were not departed fi-om, iuid. in fine, to make assurance doubly sure, eVen the chatices of miserable vs eather were guarded against by a double programme, for a fine or a wet day, being issued, either of which was to be adhered to as the occasion s lited. The result of all these deeply-laid ccnlbinations and arrange- ments was, fortunately, — success ; a succesis so complete that there was almost a monotony in the punctual and undeviating regularity in which every event in the programme succ(!(.'ded each other to the very second. When once the procession formed and started, people could tell by their watches where it was. and what it was doing in any part of the building ^hM' wjx's it only a success of mere routin*' programme— ^t vras equally Succcrtst'iil in ils ciitliusiam, its pu^jcuntry, in the satisfaction it ^'avc, u'nd, though last not least, in tlic weather wliich al tended it. The hitter has ircccutly formed a topic of such universal conversation and regret, that it would he unnecessary to refer to it here were it not a most noteworthy fact that it for once proved propitious to u disi)lay in which the Horticul- tural Gardens Wcn'c connected or concerned. The ceremonial of yesterday, we may state, Was merely to assign the awards, not to deliver them — in fact, the medals themselves Aviil not he ready till the Exhihition draws near to its closing days. It has been felt, however, that to defer the announcement of honours won to that compa* rativcly distant period woidd be to deprive the exiiibitors of more than half the advantages that ought to accrue I'rom their succ(,'ssful competition. Much of whatever value attaches to the medals consists in exhibitors being able to announce their triumph while the Exhibition is still a living fact, 'rhere is, Ave believe, to be yet another ceremonial, when the medals will be actually delivered in person to all tlie exhibitors tliat can attend on the occasion. But this^ as we have said, will not be till near the end, and it is to enabh' them in the meantime to derive so>i»e practical benefit from their successful competition that the announcement of those entitled to be thus honoured was made in State yesterday; In the conservatory the members of the Cabinet, the Royal Commis* aioners for 1851, the Lord Mayor and his suite, the Council of the Society of Arts, the douncil of the Horticultural Society, and tlio members of the Finance and Building Committees had been gradually af?sembling, the arrival of each notability being always announced by cheers more or less vehement from the crowds outside the northern entrance to the gardens. Earl Russell was among the first arrivals, and therefore to a great extent escaped recognition from the Crowd, as did also Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Disraeli. Lord Palmerston, however, ukin recognized, and the cheers with which he was greeted Coidd be heard plainly iv the gardens just as the cheers he afterwards received in the garder>;: could have been heard outside. His Royal Highness the Duke of OambriJge, attended by Colonels Tyrwhitt and Macdonald, came in shortly before one o'clock. Then fol- lowed in rapid succession Lord Taunton, Mr. Lowe, Sir Charles Eastlake, 8u* George Grey, the Duke of Argyll, the Duke of Newcastle, Sir Corn- wall Lewis, Sir Charles Wood, Lord Portman, Mr. W. Cowper, Sir A. Spearman, and Mr. C. W. Villiers* The Royal Commissioners for the present Exhibition — Lord Granvilh?, the Duke df Buckingham, Sir W. Dilke/ and Mr. Fairbairn — received all as they arrived. Aniong the first of the Special international representatives was hi^ Highness the Pasha of Egyi^t. He wore the plain blue frockeoat iind fez of a Turki!?h officer^ but his bredst was covered with stars and drders: His Royal Highness Prince Carignan was in full uniform, and when he issued forth in thd processidil wa,3 takeil by niany for Prince Louis of Ile'Sse; Athose name was in the dfficiai progranltrie, but who, of course, was not present. It was one cTcloek as the last of these representative guests arrived; Mnd at dnce the cortef/e quitted the conservatory and pas?ed down to thp' (litis and tlironc. Tlic N'icrroy iuid I'riiui- (.'iiri;.'niiU walked on fltliel' side A' llie Duke of Cambridge, jiiid all these were loudly cheered, Hiouf^h not more, if even as much, i;s the Premier. Lord Granville, too, tc- ciivi'd a special and most cordial welccmie. On the dais the whole '■;'ash (ioverinm'ut is iuj^'hly ajnreciated by the p<'0|.le of this cou.itry. I have now to reqii>-s: tiia tiie Special lle])ri'sentatl\cs will re- ceive tiie Ue,)Oi"t of th'.! Council of CMiairinen or Juries, 'i'lio awarls w.Jl then jj dohvei'ed to iii^' M;i,es y •; (lommissiouers. We invite ;he a sist- ance of the Special ll'ji)res(.iit uive- to make the awards k'lown in the buii.linj,', as it will be agreeable to the exhibitord of the several countries to li'iirn from a disiiuguished rep e.eutative of their own naiion the ap-* preci.ition by the juries of their suece.vsi'ul labours. h\ passini;' thronj^h the bu.ldinjf ;he Special licprescuta.ive; will not fail to obsci've that the (ndusiry of all nations has shesvn a remarkable develoi)meMt sine the last •Interna, ional Jvxhibi I ion — a djv^;lu;;nien; which, justifyin;^' flic anticipa- tion of an idu-trious Prince, now, alas! no inoie, owes much to the fac'il'.y ,n'ivcn by su eli exhihitio.is for eo;n|'a.-inj^ the state of industry In »a',;h country, aud atfords ii sUirthig ])oiut for i'urther proi>reHs." Lord Tauntou, as Presiilcnt of the Council of ihc Juries, tlien read the folU)win;>; very interest! n,:! report : — " Til.' work oi' the se'.cral jnrie« having been brought to a termination, it becQiiie; t'n? duty of the C.Mncil of Cnairmcn to cxpliiin iiie manner in wliich 'lie jivi'js wei'o co:st;t :ted. and tiie result of tlieii- laiiours. " The juri s Con st d o' Knglish and foreign numbers in varying pro- portions. Tlie J"",ngli7 were foreigners, and 328 Eni.dish. They are men of high social, scientific, and industrial position, drawn from nearly every ci\ ihzcd country in the world. Their labouis have occupied two months, and have been of the most arduous doscri^.tion, as they had to examine the objects displayed by at least 25,000 exhibitors. It can scarcely be expceted that noue of the articles exhibited have escaped their attention. In a few inr-tani'es the delay of arrival or of arrangement has rendered it impossible for the juries to ex- amine eveiy article now within the building ; while, in other case:;;, errors in classification have rendered it doubtfnl to wdiich df the juries the duty of examin'ng son e i)articular object ehould fall; Every eflort, however; has been inade to conquer these obstaclesj and tB.e omissions, if any, must be veiy few in number, and are not owing to th^ want of attention of the juries or of the oiliccrs engaged in facilitating their work. " The number of medals voted by the juries amount to nearly 7,000,, and the 'honorable mentions' to about 5,300. .The proportion of awards to exhibitors Is greater than in the International Exhibition of 1851, but less than in that of 1855. " Notwitii tanding the varied nationalities represented in the juries, it is gratifying to record that the utmost harmony has prevailed during the 1^■hole time that the iuroi's have been associated in their labours. The mutual dependence and intimate alliance between the industrier' of tlio world havj been illustrated by the zealous and imjiartial efforts of tlio jurors of different nations to recognize and reward the merit displayed \i\ the exhibitions of their industrial competitors. We are glad to observe that the state of industry, as shown in the In-^ temational Exhibition, gives evidence of a singularly active and hea'thy progress througbout the civilized world ; for, while we find every i ation searching for new raw materials or utilizinfj product-? hitherto considered as waste, we are struck especially with the vast impi-f»v in Hn.-, waited till those who were to tak" a cliief part iu the ceronvmy had gone to the fr>)nt. The procession then forni'd In the following order: — State Truiupt'tors. S|)ocial biU'iiiatiouil lloprescutatives. Her IMajc;ity'8 Conunissioncrs for Exhibition of 1802. Her ]\[a jetty's Ministers. Tier Majesty's Commissioners for Exhibition of 1851. The Biglit. Hon. the Lord !Mayor of London and Suite. Jurors. Special Comuiissioncr. Deputy Commissioners of Juries and SofM-etar}-. Alembers of Building Committee, Architect, and Contractors. Financial OHicers and Assistant Secretary. Council of the Society of Arts. — Council of Horticultm-al Society. : 1 m ■■.\4: 8 m p mu 1 4 m \m\' Passing round the nortli-eastcrn end of the Horticultural Gardens along V. ]ntln\'ay wliich was lined on both side^ hy m tldckly-packcd crowd, the ])roce>siou ent(;red the building at the north end of the Eastern Annexe, and the loud fanfare from the trunn)ct>rs a!nioni!C3d to those in the buikUng that the spectacle for which they had been patiently waiting for some hours was at last approachiixg. Tlie first award Avas delivered at the northern extreme of the East(}rn Annexe, where were assembled the Committee-* of Classes 3 (substances mscJ for food) : 4 (ai'.inial and v<'get- nble substances vised in manufactures) : and, 9, agricultural implements. Here a slight halt was made, and the Duke of Candiridge handed to Mr. WoUoton, the Mayor of Liverpool, and the Karl of Clancarty, the chair- men of these committees, the a'.vards 'n their "cs'icctive classes. At the south end of the Annexe the awards for mineral and ehymica! products Avere delivered to the Mayor of Swansea and Mr. StenhoMsc. F. U.S., and the procession then ent(.'red the main building, and passed along the jiorth-eastern transept to *he earitern dai~', M'h'.re, at tlic foot of the Victorian (iold Trophy, were assembled the representatives of the British colonies. Here a long halt was made whi'e the Duke of Candir"dgo dis- tributed the awards in this class. To many pei'sons this was one of the most interesting parts of the cerc nony. The m;gnificent dis;'lay wh'ch has been made by our colonies has created a deep impression on all who have visited the Exhibition to study it seriously. On foreigners particu- larly th(^se Courts, through wh'ch visitors seeking only tor something striking have passed heedlessly, ca-^tinn- only a pas>ing gls^ice at thi'ir manifold natural riches, have conveyed a more striking idea of the great- ness of England than oven the varied marvels of iudu tr'al skill and energy which are to be found in those parts of the building devoted to Great Britain propr'v. The extent of the British empir" was ■^^o\"^ com- plely typified by that small group congregated round the gold trophy than by any of the most eloquent metaphors Avhich have hitherto been in use among poets and orators. There were there repi'csentat^es not onty from every quarter of the globe, but fi'om every climate, almost trom every degree of hititiulc from the fririd to the t >rrid zone, not to go into the more complex divisions of ethnology. C/onsidering t^ie pains M'hiih each of our colonies ha^ taken, with havdiy a single exception, to give to the world an adequate idea of its peculiar resoiu'ces and capabilities, the immense difficulties of transport wliich some o*^' them have to contend with, and the general success wnich has attended their efibrts. it was no wonder that in advancing to receive the awarrls froin ihe Duke of Ca'nhridge their representatives were loudly cheered. Dr. Forbes Watson and Mr. Do'.vleans, to who c joint enei-gy and care is owi'ig that wonderful epitome of the vast re-:oiirces of our Indian em])'r(' which has a*^tra'tcl so luucli admiration, tirst ailvanced to receive the indian awards. The representa- tiv 's of the North Amer'can colonies followed : — For Canada, Sir W. Ijojjan : Vancouver Island, Mr. A. 'J\ Langley ; Captain Mayne for British Columbia ; New Brunswick, Mr. Daniel ; Nova Scotia, Mr. Uniacke ; Prince Edward Island, Mr. Haszard ; Newfoundland, Mr. Gisborne ; and B>jrmuda, Mr. Tucker. The awards for the West Indian colonies were I'cceivod by Mi*. Harriw for the Bahamas ; Barbadoes, Mr. Cave, M. P. ; Biitisli (iixiana, Sh* W. Hohnes ; Dommica, Mr. SImmoiids ; Jamaica, his Excellency C. If. Darling; St. Vincent, Mr. Stackpoole ; Trinidad, Mr. llcnnic. The African colonics came next, rc[)rcscnted by Mr. Sargciuint, for Xatal, and Mr. Solomon, for St. Helena, In this division Liberia, represented by Mr. Gerard Buxton, was classed. The next division included the great Australasian colonies, whi<'h fill so important {I space in the colonial display. !Mr. Hamilton received the awards for the parent colony of New South Wales ; Mr. I\Iarsh, M.P., for Queens- land; Sir E. Barry, for AHctoria ; Sir II. Maedonnell, for South Australia ; My. Andrews, for West Australia : Sir H. Fox Young, for Tasmania ; and Z\L\\ MorrLson, for Xew Zealand. Ceylon was represented by Mr. K. Power; the Mauritius by Mr. Morris; Hongkong by Mr. Campbell; Malta l)y Mr. Inglott ; and the Ionian Islands by Mr. Drunnnond Wolff. The Pr()cesr.ion, decked in every variety of quaint and brilliant uniform, contained in its ranks many of those foreign and domestic notabilities whom the .-spectators woidd most v.ish to sec. The ceremony of distri- buting Prizes and reading Addi'csses was not in itself veiy imposing, but it had the merit of brevity juid siinplieity, and there was a reality about it uliicli is often wanting in mere inaugural proecssious and ceremonials. It was interesting to see, after s<> much pains and trouble bestowed by so many distinguished men in estimating the merits of tlie productions whicli have been sent from all quarttecl and eullerv, at leasf one more medal would have been awarded to u,v . ♦, 10 JURY AWARi^OF 3IJ:DALS. ! il I; 111 r iilpi No. 1. Rov. Mr. Honeyman — For u largo coUectiuii of t*pecimcns il- lustrating the Geology of the colony. No. 2. Professor Hqw — For collection arranged by him illustrative of the Rocks and Minerals of the province, No. 3. Provincial Government — For the large anil instructive collection illustrating the occurrence of Gold, No. 4. J. Scott — For column of Coal, showing the entire heiuht of the seam, 34 feet ; — one of ^he thickest known beds in tlje Avorld. No, 5. Nova Scot'a Commissioners — For excellent grain, garden, and lield Seed, No. G. Provincial Co. ' ;sioners — Sahnon and Lobster — excellence of quality. No. 7, Messrs. Maclean, Campbell [ENXI0X. No. 1. Nova Scotia Commissioners — h^ahed Salmon — goodness of quality. No.' 2. W. G. Simpson — Model of Gold Washer. No. 3. Professor How — Goodness of quality of tlu; specimens of build- ing stones. • No. 4. F. Scarfe — Good quality of common and pressed biitks and drain lilcf;. 11 No. .). Cowie vV, Sons — Good taimngc No. 0. Mrs. W. JJlack— For her model of Fruits. No. 7. Gordon &. Keith — Furniture, for excelk-nce of workinanshin. No. 8. G. Conn(dly— Axes. No. 9. J. R. Willis— For Ids collection of JY>jirls and Mollusca. No. 10. Miss Bessonett — For water colour Painlinos of native (l as instructive. Nq. 11, Dr. Ilow — MetUcinal and otljcr Thuifs. m t#' , i , fl 'U IN 1 1 REPORT OF TBI INTERNATIONAL SHOW COMMITTEE «r NOVA-SCOTIA. HALIFAX, N. S. PRINTED PY RITCHIE & BULGER 1863. TilOHMa m ;|-!TTD^M,()U 'Hijm *)/_Kon:/FJi., f I i£ m. ■ f . ,• ■. ! , ^>.v i.-v.^»''iie'."- •# m ^nUtmikml SUhm €mmintt. DR. COGSWELL, Chairman, W. T. TOWNSEND. ALDERMAN JENNINGS. ALDERMAN KAYJ:. A. J. RITCHIE. D. HENRY STARR. R. G. HALIBURTON. 4 n ' MR. R. O. HALIBURTON. Crrasurer. MR. W. T. TOWNSEND. 1 fK , tUf-Uj i^ II' :» REPORT. The very satisfactory results that have attended the exhibition of the horticultural and agricultural productions of Nova Scotia at the Great International Show of Roots, Fruits and Cereals, held in London in October last, were quite unexpected by the public, and very far sur- passed the most sanguine hopes of the Committee by whom the contribu- tions from this Province were forwarded. The Committee feel that, under these circumstances, it is desirable that they should submit to the public and to contributors a ii^port of the steps that were taken to forward the contributions from thin Province, and of the reception that they met with in the mother country, as the course pur* sued in this instance, and the results of the experiments of the Committee, in packing and preserving vegetable productions for transmission to Europe, may hereafter be useful in those efforts which the Committee hope will hereafter bo made, to have the horticultural productions of this Province fully and fairly represented at all the great English and Continental Fruit Shows. If no other purpose will be attained, this report will prove that Nova Scotia may, as a fruit-growing country, without presumption, enter the lists in competition with the products of the most favored portions of the world. But even if this important fact had not been established by the efforts of the Committee and of the horticulturalists of Nova Scotia, the numerous and honorable prizes that have been awarded, the flattering notices of our fruits and vegetables, and the favorable comments of the horticultural publications of Great Britain upon the climate and resources of this Province, the Committee feel, will justify them in preserving, in a perma- nent form, the history of our first appearance as competitors at the horti- cultural exhibitions of the old world. As the samples sent were far inferior to what might have been con- tributed, had the effort to have the Province duly represented been made at ac earlier day, it is necessary that the various steps that were taken in the matter shodd be described, in order to account for the unfortunate delay that occurred io preparing for the Oreat International Show, a ly circumstance that will afford an explanation and excuse for any oversightR or omiflsions on the part of the Committee. Nor would it be fair to the Province to let it be supposed that its horticultural and agricultural capabilities were adequately represented by the specimens so hastily collected and forwarded to London, or that they afford any indication of what we may hope to accomplish at the next Great Tnternational Show, in 1866. Before the capabilities and resources of this Province were tested by the two Great Exhibitions of 1862, an opinion had existed among ourselves that Nova Scotia was by no means a favored country, in the production of roots, fruits and cereals. This belief was somewhat shaken by some fine specimens of apples sent to the International Exhibition. A circumstance occurred, however, in March, 1862, that went far to prove that we might venture to compete even with the United States in the growth of apples. In December, 1861, a barrel of very fine Gloria Mundi apples was purchased in the Halifax market, during the preliminary exhibition at Halifax, and a portion of the fruit was sent to England with the Nova Scotian contributions. J. R. Willis, Esq., of Halifax, suggested to tb Secretary to send some of them to Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute at Washington, to whom Mr. Willis was himself sending some contributions in natural history. Although only half a dozen remained, they were forwarded to Washington. The favorable impression made by them will appear from the following extract from Dr. Baird 's letter to Mr. Willis:— I Mil No. .124 Smithsonian Institution, Washington, March 22nd, 1862. " The Nova Scotiun apples exeitcd bursts of applause wherever »ecn One served well as dessert for na1f-a-dozen people." That the very last and the smallest specimens of a barrel of apples pur- chased in the Halifax market, and not intended or selected for exhibition, «hoald elicit such encomiums at Washington, was a sufiicient proof that a collection of our best fruit, specially raised for competition, would not suffer by being exhibited beside the horticultural productions of the most fevored portions of the world. As the fruit sent previously to the International Exhibition was hastily collected in November, and, having to be preserved until May before being exhibited, was greatly deteriorated in appearance by the process that was necessary, the representation of this, one of the most important branches of our resources, was unavoidably inferior to what, under more favorable circnmstaiti't^s, we ttiight have made. .V fortanato opportunity sood after occurred of supplying the defioienoj on this point. The Royal Horticultural Society had made anaogementi for holding n Great International Show of roots, fruits and cereals, in October, 1862, the advertisement of which, with the list of prizes, appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle, of which there are several 8ub8oribor8 in Nova Scotia. One of them, Mr. Herbert Harris, who was employed by the Exhibition Commissioners of Nova Scotia, supposing that the intended Show was connected with the International Exhibition, lont a copy to the Secretary. Although it was a matter not coming within the Hcope of the Provincial commission — which was restricted to the Internationa) Exhibition — it was evident that it would afibrd a most desirable opportunity of supplying the deficiencies in the horticultural department of the Nova Scotian court ; and, as immediate action in the raat(er was necessary, in order to enable fruit-growers and farmers to pre- pare in time, the following circular, with a copy of the Iioyal Horti- cultural Society's prize-list, was forwarded to the Secretaries of the Agricultural Societies throughout the Province, as well as to several fruit- growers : — Halifax, N. S., May 17th, 1862. SiK, — The Agricultural Premium Lists not havint; been issuud here for the Intoruationul E.\liil)ition until October last, and the difficulty of preserving; until the nrexenr month the specimens of roots or fruitH in a fit state for exhibition ia England, have rendered the a^jricultural and horticultural articles of the Nova Scotian I)opartment gi'catly inferior to what mij^ht have been sent, if six months' previous notice had been |j:iven contributors, and if the articles i-ould have been sent fresh to Enffland, and exhil)ited immediately on their arrival there. It is hclicVed that if some tjentlemen interested in the horticulture and agriculture of Nova Scotia will prepare in time for the approaching Horticultural Exhibition in October next, articles will be sent homo that may enter the lists with the produc- tions of the most favored portions of the globe, and do no discredit to this Province. If there should be anythitig iu the accompanying list that jfou can raise, of good tjitalki/, it wuuld be highly desirable that you sliould lose no time in trying to do full justice to the capabilities of the Province, by at once preparing for the approaching Horticultural Exhibition the best specimens that you can raise. Believing that a large number of the fai-mers and fruit-growers of Nova Scotia, who have eomplaincd, when desired to contribute to the International Exhibition, of the Hhortness of the notice, will be desirous of coming forward as competitors in the Exliibition of October next, I have lost no time in forwarding to you a copy of the advertisement of i)rciniHnis,' &c., that has appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle. An association will be formed to see that the articles contributed will be forwarded, and that full justice will be done to the agricultural and horticultural resources of Nova Scotia. It is needless to add that only article. 10 " The following resolution was then moved by Mr. Haliburton, and seconded by Dr. Cogswell : Whereas it is of the utmost importance that the ignorance so long existing in Eng- land respecting our soil and climate, as well as regarding our general resources, should be removed, and that justice should l)c done to this Province ; and as the approach- ing International Show of roots, fruits, &c., affords an excellent opportunity for con- trasting the agricultural and horticultural productions of Nova Scotia with those of tlie mother country — Resolved, That it is exceedingly dcsiraitle that there should be a Nova Scotian Department at the approaching exhibition. - ■ The resolution was put and passed. Dr. Cogswell made a few remarks, in which he pointed out the desirableness of giving publicity to one or two facts, one of which was, our largo export of superior ap])lcs to the United States. Anotlier was the good effect of exhibitions of fruit, as shewn by the fact that from the beautiful samples sent to our last Shows, several of our fruit-growers have obtained a large sale in this city and elscwlK^rc. The same good results might flow from the display of osr fruit in England, and eventually a good market be found for it tliere. The l>octor then moved the second reso- lution, viz. : Whereas it is understood tliat the Horticultural Society intend to hold an exhi- bition of vegetable productions some time in the course of the autumn — Resolved, That a Committee be ajipointcd ])y this meeting to communicate with the Horticultural Society, .and asccrtuin whether they will endeavor to arrange then- exhibition in tMich ii way as to allov,- o, ap]n'oved specimens being sent to the ap|>ro!U'hing exhibition of fruits, gourds, vegetuhles, and cereals in England ; and that tlic said Committee be empowercil to co-operate with the Hortieultural Society in carrying out tlie said object. The resolution jiassed. The followintr f^entlenien were then appointed members of the Committee : — His Worship the Miivor, Dr. Cogswell, Ahk-nnini Jennings, Messrs. 1^ G llaliburton, A. .1. Kirehio, D". Henry Starr, and W, T. Townsend. Mr. Haliburton moved rliat the IJev. Dr. Forrester l)c invited to boeonie a mem- ber of die Committee, whieb, being sceonddl by Alderman Jennings, passed. The ntectitig then .'nljonnK'l." In aecoiduuce with the proposal of Dr. Cogswell, who was V^ice Presi- dent of tlu' Nova Scotian riorticuhurnl Society, a conference took place between the metuhers of the Connnittee and tlie Hortieultural Society. It was desired by the former that the Society s^hould take sole charge of the matter. This they dt'clined doing, hut they very kindly consented to postpone their iMU;n(.l;d Show a fortnight, and to adapt their prize-lists to those of the lloyid ITorticultural Society, the Conimittee apj^ointed at the pnldic meeting undertaking to raise the necessary funds and to collect and forward specinu'tis, and having the privilege of selecting, after the Show was over, any .specimens that they might desire to forward to England. The amount of expense, it was evident from the lateness of the under- taking, and the limited character of the collection that would be made on such short notice, could not amount to more than .t'200, even assuming that an outlay in England would be retjuisite The task of collecting this was left to Mr. Townsend and the Secretary, who found a very liberal spirit to exist on the part of the public respecting the matter. The arrangement proposed by the Horticultural Society, it was hoped, would prove mutually advantageous. The interest in its intended Show would, it was plain, be much increased, and not only the number of visitors be greater, but also that of the exhibitors, whose contributions would be induced by the chance of competing in England, as well as in Nova Scotia. At the same time the Committee found it a very great assistance in collecting articles, to have the privilege of selecting, after the Show, such specimens as might be worthy of being sent to England. It is to be regretted that the Show did not prove as remunerative to the Horticultural Society as might naturally have been expected, as appears by the followiug outline of a report of the Directors of that Society, pub- lished in the Halifax Morning Sim of October 19th : — " The exhibition of the Show, including the payment of the prizes, considerably exceeded the amount received, the expense of packing and forwavding being defrayed by a Committee appointed at a public meeting held at the Tem- perance Hall, altogether apart from the Society." The Committee being desirous, if it could be shewn that this loss had been caused by the kind postponement of the Show of the Horticultural Society, to repay the Society whatever expense they may have been put tu in meeting the views of the Committee, offered to raise the amount, on a statement being furnished to theni reypecti?ig the matter. The proposed statement not having been sent, the Committ iiopv that the loss subse- (juently proved less than was anticipated. The best specimens at the Show, with tiiO!«o c<»ileett;il >h iV>re and after it by the Committee, were arranged and packed by them — a very laborioas undertaking, as they had only two days for the task. Cases were ordered for the apples, arranged in flat trays with par- titions, this system having been found very convenient in preparinir in December, 1801, for the International Exhibition. The arranging and packing the apples was mainly carried out by 3Ir. Townsond, who was assisted by Messrs. Starr, Ritehin, and Kicharilson Mr. Herbert Harris was employed by the Committee to aid them in pro- paring articles for transmission to England. The apples were packed in dry bran, and tlie trays were each covered, and in.sorted three or four in each ease. Dry moss was also used, — but although the apples packed in it reached their destination in safety, the pears and plums, already over-ripe, decayed on their way to England. Ground plaister of Paris was thought of instead of moss, but its great weight, as well as its adaptation to the purpose not having been prac- 1 1 \ > j I ' ■.;1 m * 1 II, 11 tically tested, deterred the Coiomittee from the responsibility of trjing dzperiments with the property of exhibitors. ' " The material used for packing the apples appears not to have been understood in England. The report published in the " Proceedings of the Royal Horticultural Society for November," says: — "The English fruit had a great advantage over the foreign, in being freshly gathered. Strange to say, however, the apples from Nova Scotia came in such excel- lent condition that they looked as fresh and bright as if they had been plucked that morning. They were packed in sawdust." There were, however, some very fine specimens of peaches, grapes, plums, &c., which, being already ripe, required a different mode of preservation. These were placed in air-tight jars (made by Hartell & Co., of Philadelphia, and specially imported for the purpose,) which were filled with a mixture of one-eighth of alcohol to seven-eighths of pure spring water. Some of the peaches were already over-ripe, and it was scarcely hoped that they would reach England in safety. Very great doubts being entertained whether the jars themselves would not be broken by the jarring which would attend their shipment to England, and their trans- mission to London from Liverpool. The result was much more favorable than was anticipated. The mode of preservation used is somewhat inac- curately described in the Gardeners^ Chronicle of October 25th, which says: — "Among other things the collection also contains bottled fruits, consisting of apricots. j>eachos, and plums, extremely well preserved, apparently in si/rup.^' These fruits in jars are now in the Museum of the Royal Horticultural Society, in a good state of preservation, together with fruit similarly pre- served in 18()l, for the International Exhibition. The preservation of the bottled fruits was taken charge of by the Secretary. There were also some fruits in jars sent by Mr. J. Thompson, of Windsor, which were preserved in the ordinary Hartell jars, in the usual manner, viz., by using only boiling water, to expel the air. The jars used, though valuable for the preservation of fruit, are not equally useful for the purpose of exhibiting their contents, from the opaque nature of the glass. The clear flint glass jars are therefore far preferable to them. Labels, as well as a catalogue, containing the names of contributors, were prepared and forwarded to the Rev. Mr. Honeyman. In the case of the apples, as there were sixty-three dishes of different varieties, each selected from the fruit of various contributors, it was useless to attempt t> furnish the names oS the contributors. 13 A difficultj arose in naming the different sorts of apples, three of them having been sent without any names attached, and appearing to be new varieties. Under these circumstances the Committee took the liberty of giving them names, under the impression that they would never hear again of the specimens in question, for the utmost that was expected, was that the collection, as a whole, might be approved of, as the product of a Colony hitherto supposed, abroad, to be unsuited for the growth of fruit. Mr. Townsend suggested the name of the " Chebucto Beauty " for a very pretty apple, of a very clear, transparent white ground, marked with red. Another was designated the " Nova Scotian Seedling," since changed by the Royal Horticultural Society into " York and Lancaster;" and a third was designated the " Morning Star." It has, strangely enough, happened, that these three varieties have attracted especial attention and admiration, and full descriptions have been published respecting them. The Royal Horticultural Society has given one of them the honor of a colored engraving in their Proceedings for January ; and the Secretary has intimated to the Committee that it is possible that a representation of a second may hereafter appear. Little expecting such a result, the Committee, in the great hurry of preparation, kept no memorandum of the contributors of these three varieties, nor any descriptions of them. Had they anticipated the result, they might have thought it advisable to have had photographs taken of them, though this was scarcely practicable, from there being scarcely sufficient time to have the articles packed in readiness for the steamer for England. The descriptions to be found in the extracts froni horticultural journals, appended to this report, will supply the desideratum so little anticipated. We quote here, however, the very gratifying encomium paid to the " Chebucto Beauty," which, coming from a paper edited by Dr. Lindley, one of the very highest authorities on horticulture, is an honor that will doubtless be productive of profit as well as pleasure to the fortunate person who contributed the apple in question : — " Beautiful, however, as these varieties undotibtedly must be admitted to be, that which seemed to possess tlie greatest interest in the eyes of visitors who inspected them, was a sort called ' Chebucto,' — the Indian name for Hali- fax Harbor — a round apple above the medium size, possessing a skin as white, and even more transparent than that of the Pommc de Neige of the French, charmingly flaked and mottled with white. Than this, nothing in its way could possibly he handsomer. Associated with it was another carnation- striped variety, of smaller size, called ' Nova Scotia Seedling :' but though more strikingly flaked thaa that just namcfd, it ia by no means so brilliant or attractive." The specimens paoked in fourteen cases were shipped by the steamship 14 \t^\-m I V: ■ :i^ f I Arabia for England, October 2Dd, and addressed to the Bev. D. Honey- man, who had been urged by the Committee to be at Liverpool at the time of their arrival there, and to see personally to their immediate trans- mission to London. The purser of the Arabia promised to see to their speedy delivery at Liverpool ; and the Custom House authorities at Liverpool were requested, if possible, to expedite their transmission to London, as there would be only a few days left before the Show would close. Mr. Honeyman, however, was advised in England that this step was unnecessary, the Koyal Horticultural Society's ofl&cers having kindly offered to see to the transmission of our contributions to London. Through some mistake, the fruit was kept five or six days in Liverpool, and when it arrived in London, the Show was about to close. The following paragraph in the London Times (written, it is said, by an oflBcer of the Society,) will best explain the effect produced by our fruit, and the kind arrangements made by the Royal Horticultural Society for their being exhibited : — \ " The Great International Fruit, Root, and Gourd Show, which has been attracting crowds to the Gardens during the past week, was to have been brought to a close on Saturday last, but, at the last moment, a collection of fruits and roots from Nova Scotia arrived, too interesting to allow of their being shelved, from the aeciuch a very flattering estimate of them ; but the same 16 opinion is repeated in tbe same number of the Proceedings of the Roja 1 Horticultural Society, already quoted from : — " A most attractive collection of fruit from Turin, showed that ' fruitful Lombardy ' is still * the pleasant garden of great Italy.' A greater evidence of fruitfulness could scarcely be given than the display made by Messrs. Burdin & Co., of three hundred and twenty-two difierent kinds of grapes, grown in the open air, in the neighborhood of Turin. The only other countrv that exhibited grapes grown m the open air was Nova Scotia, and several of these were of the same kinds as those from Lombardy, but ihey seenned to have agreed better with their neio habitat on the other side of the Atlantic, and to have beaten their old country cousins both in size and Jlavor." The public in this Province, and even our best horticulturalists, were quite unprepared for this favorable notice of our capabilities as a grape- growing country. It had never been publicly asserted that this Province was in any way adapted foi- the growth of the grape, except in that portion of the Nova Scotian Catalogue of the International Exhibition quoted in the annexed notice of our (jontributions of fruit by the Gar- deners' Chronicle, and even the fact referred to in that publication, was considered almost incredible by many persons who had turned their attention to horticultural pursuits in this Province. liut when we remember that these grapes were grown in a country as fur south as Nice, and that, though our winters are cold, our autumns are peculiarly fine, we need not be surprised, if with a favorable climate and fertile soil, we should be able to enter the lists with European countries not much further South than ourselves, in the pioduction even of the most delicate fruits. When it is known that tlie sugar-cane can be success- fully, and (as has been asserted ) very profitably grown in this country, our skepticism as to the horticultural ca}»abilities of Nova Scotia will appear to have been most unfounded. A perusal of the notices of the English press, appended to this report, will best illustrate the gratifying reception which our fruit met with. In the International Exhibition we had our sister Colonies to compete with, some of wliom are far larger and wealthier than ourselves. Victoria voted ^£80,000 sterling towards having that magnificent Colony duly repre- sented , and offered three times as much for the best specimens of wheat as we did for [treniiunis for all our horticultural and agricultural products, the total amount of our expenditure being only one-twentieth part of that which was lavished on the Court of that Colony. In the departments of manufactures, science, and of fine arts, we had not only to compete with the wealth of Victoria and of Canada, but also of the greatest countries in the world. Not to be lost sight of in the •■). I* ! il crowd of ooQipoUtora was almost all that wo could bopo for under huoIi clroumstanoes, although tho roRultH woru fur more fuvorublo lliuii evon the most sanguine oould have anticipated. But in tho ooho of tho contributionn Hont by thiH Committou, tho Pro- vinco, by a fortunate combination of oircumHtancoit, Ntood out alone. Tho artioloH sent arriving at the 0I080 of tho Intornatioiml Show, the Horticul- tural Society announced, as we have seen, tiiut our contributions wore of such a nature m to justify tho Society in prolonging the Show, and thu8 peculiar attention was at once attracted by this circumi^itancc alone to the productions of tliis Vrovincc. The iui{)ortanue of this, Jo a Colony hitherto unknown to liortioulturalists of tho old world, can easily ho usti- niatod, when we reniciubor tho thousands of persons congregated in London from all parts of the world to see the two Groat Exhibitions of 18()'2, and when we know that tite special conipliiuonts to our products, announced in tlio 7VW.v in such flattering terms, wore read in every part of the civil i/.ed world. Canada, less fortunate or loss prompt than ourselves, did not send her contributions until after the Show was over, and they wove accordingly not exhibited at the (irent Tnternational Show, btit at a difForent place. Although they doscivtMl and received the ('ncomiums of all who saw them, and had a silver medal awarded to them, they failed to attract tho same attention, which a fortimato combination of ciroumstanccs ensured to our products. \t tho rnternational Show wo were the only Colony that was specially ropresoiitod ; all the other Colonies sending only those spociujens which had already been disphiyod at tho International Exhi- bition. After tiie Show hud cl<^st!d, the apples, potatoes, &c., were sold for the benefit of tlio di.-^tre.s.sed o|ioratives. Many of the former realized fid. sterling each, one of the liighost sales of apples (as has been .stated) which ever took place in London. It is diftieult to critiniatt' tlie benetits that have resulted from the recep- tion whii'h our iiortioultural and agricultural specimens met with in l<]ng- lund Nothing «'ould have more effectually dispelled the profound igno- rance that had .•>(> long existed respecting our soil and climate. That it has produced a permanent impression is apparent from a recent notice that appeared in tlie Gnnfenerg' Chronicle : — " Our readers and thi' visitors to the recent Fruit Shows of the Koyal Ilortii'ultural Sooioty cannot have forgotten the .surpassing beautv and ecjual I'xeellenee ot the apples eomniuuicateil by the great Colony of J^ova Scotia. Ctrtainly uof/iiny likt^ t/i^ni fiati been prevtomfti/ seen at any public exhibition in this coniitry." J X 1)». Do. 4. F)o. I)u. 5. Do. Do. rt. Do. Do. 7. Do. n«). n Tho following Ih a list of tho Modals awarded to ocntributorfl from Novtt Siiotia : — No. I. liirorimtionnl Hliow . Hirlmrd Stiirr, Kwq. — 18 vnrit'tioH of up|»l»H : hroiiztwnodiil. 10. Dr. Iliiniiltoii — I'i lietidH of Iiitliiui (7orri : In-on/.o medal. 11. Mr. H. Kayo — I'lcHcrvwl Kruitn, in hottles : lironzti inedal. 12. llov. D, iroiioyiimii, (for Mr. Juh. TliompHon) — ('olleciion of heaiiH; hrorixu iiumIuI. 13. Mr. .Jaiiiti.H 'i'liDiiipKon — Fruit in jarn : hroiizu invdai. Whcro iiuvIuIh wcrn c^lvcn to collections contributed by several pcrHons, tlioy wcro awunlcd, in tho Ur.st iiistunco, to tho Socrutary of tho Com- uiittoo, at tho MU<;;'j;(!.stion of Mr. Honoynian ; but tho former having dosired Mr. Murray to .substitute tho name of the Committee, he very kindly (umsonted to do so. • Tho Modals awarded to Mr. llonoyman, for poas, was for u colloctlon ori«j;inally sent to the International h^xhibition. That for beans was also for .>)|)0(!imens tliat had been contributed to tho Nova Scotian Court by Mr. James Thompson. The former, Mr Iloneyman haa desired tho ConnuiLtoe to take ehar;j;o of, and to dispo.so of as they may think best. 'Ihe ('ommittee feel convin(!ed that all these medals not awarded to (!ontributors should bo offered for future competition, as an cocourago- uiont to our fruit->j;rower,s and gardeners to excel. Tho Committee, however, feel that tho object for which they were ap[)()inted has been now accomplished. Though many persons have desired that tho Committee .should be permanently established, the mem- bers of it feel that this is not desirable, at least with their present limited number. But this result may bo attained by instituting a Horticultural Association, embracing all who are interested in tho horticulture of tho I'rovince. Sul^Ii an Association would be the proper cu.stodians of the prizes awarded to the Committee, and the most suitable channel through which they could be offered to the horticulturalists of Nova Scotia. At first Mr. Murray, when tho subject was brought to his notice by Mr. Honeyman, objected to the medals of the Society being again com- peted for, as contrary to their usual practice in such cases ; but the mat- ter having been since pressed upon him by the Secretary of the Com- |( /Kit I a I! in I i ■. 8 •fr,i;|)»','i- ;.'! .;,^f<-Vi ly. 18 m Ijii, iiii i ■ mittee, the Royal Horticultural Society lias conpentcd to leave tbe matter to the discretion of the Committee. The decision at which they have arrived will be, it is hoped, satisfac- tory to the public, and will tend to awaken a further interest among hor- ticulturalifftsHn the object for which the Oonnnitlee was appointed. Tbe award of medals has Veen followed already by signifieant prncticai indications of tlio liunefits resulting fr':>ni the h(»rticultural cajKibilities of thi," IVovince being at last nnnle known to the world. Frequent applications have been niadi- for some of the trees that produced what iiavc been designated by one J^ondon fruit-grower a.« " the magnificent apples e.'sliibited by Nova Scotia." We may hereafter expect that the .suggestion of l!ie horticultural publications of Great Britain, as to our .supplying the Engli.sh market, will not bo unavailing. The Garde neis' Chronick says : — - " Wlial gives tills collection especial interest is the example il atlords of the excellence otthe char.i"ter of a Colony which half the world believes to bo dismally dreary, .'^nch apples as these arc, and such ])ears, [)lnms, and apricots as these were, can only come from a country at least as goiial as our own. We cannot l»ut wonder indeed that the English niai-kets are not supjdiefl with Nova Srotiaii tViiits, for il is f;ir (iiier than most of that imported from the United States. Such (Jravensteins, such Blue Pearmains, such Cheluictos, are rarel} if ever seen in Cuvent Garilen, where tliey maihl make a /ntilerer's fortune " The same paper, in January last, says, respecting a box of apples .sent to T)r, Lindley in Januaiy : — " Cou'd not our fruiterers take advantage of this experiment V We should think that such admirable fruit arriviiijr bttbre Christmas would fetch a high ])rici; in the market. At all events, private individuals could ojn'u a com- munication with the fruiterers of Halifax. N. S., tor their own supply, as our London can produce nothinir like it. * * ♦ When there shall have been arranged a ref/ular 'fi/ of tfie choico't Nat'd Scot ian fruit, it will be inter- estinjr to call to mind the names of those gentlemen to whom so gratifying a result will have been owing." Even our own skepticism on the subject must yield to what is unques- tionably the highest authority in the world on the subject of horticulture. Few will be bold enough to deny that an unlimited market exists for our fruit, and that our productions will enter the London market with the most flattering introduction, from being recommendedl by such eminent authorities to the favorable notice of the British public. But in order to render these advantages of any practical value, it is absolutely necessary that there should be a properly organized system adopted for sending only our very best fruit to a market in which excel- lence is rewarded by a liberal return. • 19 TB The Coininittec fool that what has boon done, is unly tho commence* nient of what can be effected ; and that tho efforts made to have tho capa- bilities of tho Provinco made known, will bo entirely frustrated, unless our fruit-growers combine to keep up and justify the high character which our fruit has now aci|uired in England. A few cargoes of inferior apples, sent by reckless or unprincipled specu- lators, would bt' -.ufiicieiit to undo all that has been done, and to create a t in having the resources of the Province known, and desire no return except the approval of the public. Tlicy cannot, however, close this repurt without ac-knowlodging the valuable aid rendered by the Rev. D. Honeynian in England, and the very great courtesy and kindness of the lloyal Horticultural Society, and its Secretary, and Assistant Secretary, to whom the Province at large is deeply indebted for the prominence which has been as.signed to our productions in the publications of the Royal Horticultural Society. Nor would it be proper to omit to refer to the debt of gratitude which the Province owes to the lute llun. C. R. Prescott, a gentleman who, for the last twenty years of his life, devoted his means to the encouragement of horticulture in this Province. Most of the varieties exhibited by the Committee were originally introduced and acclimatized by him ; while with a liberality that is deserving of remembrance, he enabled our fruit- growers to reap the benefit of experiments which required much time, labor and expense, and which have at last been productive of such very great benefit to his native Province. Though he was not spared to see the ultimate results of his patriotic exertions, it will be gratifying to his family and his numerous friends to recall his memory at a time like this, and to associate his name with a success to which he has so largely contributed. In concluding this Report, the Committee invite attention to the annexed extracts from English horticultural publications, which prove that a Drovince, of whose capabilities even its own inhabitants a year ago 21 formed but • low eBtimato, now ranks lun one of the fint fruitgrowing countries in the world. R. G. HALIBURTON, Seeretarjf. ' ll»> I ( • v\.«V%/V^'^V^A^^AAiA^^AAA^ LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. R. W. Allison, Newport — wheat and oats. J. Aikuns, Falinouth — (]uin(>es, plums and apples. John Brown, Falmouth — appleii. J. G. Burns, Cornwallis — plums, potatoes, fzrapes, grown in open air. lion. W. A. Black, Halifax — beets, mangel-wurczel. P. G. Burnhani, Windsor — tomatoes. 11. Chipnian, Cornwallis — carrots and potatoes. George Cricbton, Halifax — plums, apples and pears. Ur. 0oni was a sort called Chebucto, the Indian name for Halifax Harbour, a roiuid Apple above the medium size, possessing a skin as white and even more transparent than that of the Pomme de Neige of the French, charmingly linked and mottled with red. Than this, nothing in its way could possibly be handsomer: associated with it was ano*her carnation-striped variety of smaller sizo called Nova S(;otia Seedling; but, though more strikingly flaked than that just named, it is by no means so brilliant or attractive. Taking into account the badness of Nova Scotian springs, this must be regarded as a marvellous collection, and notwhithstanding the distance it has travelled, part of its contents are as fresh, and in as good condition as if they had just been brought from the nearest fruit-room ; the Apples came in boxes consisting of little compartments for each variety, whicli was packed in bran. Of Pears, there are several dishes, but they are much decayed ; they are stati^d to have been packed in moss, the worst possible material. Grapes are confined to a few bunches of Sweetv^ater, marked " from the open air ;" Conconi and Isabella, two inditterently-ttavoured American kinds, White Nice, Black Hamburgh, and one or two other sorts — fair specimens if cut I'rom Vines out of doors. Of Gourds, there are some good examples ; also several dishes of large but coarse Potatoes; very fine specimens of Tomatoes and Onions; good Beet, Mangel Wurt?. j'l, Carrots, Turnips, Kohl Rabbi, Oats, Wheat, and Lidian Corn. Among other things the collection also cental r bottled fruits, consisting of Apricots, 'Peaches, and Plums, extremely well preserved, apparently in syrup. What gives this collection especial interest is the example it affords of the sxcellence of the climate of a Colony which half the world believes to be dismally dreary. Such Apples as these are, and such Pears, Plums, and Apricots as these wore, can only come from a country at least as genial as :)ar own. We cannot but wonder indeed that the English markets are not supplied with Nova Scotian fruit ; for it is far finer than most of that impoited from the United States. Sucb Gravensteins, such Blue Pearmains, such ■iuoh Chebuctos, are rarely, if ever, seen in Covent Gai-den, where they would make a fruiterer's fortune. Now that such results of climate are before us, it is as well to state what that climate really is. For that purpose we borrow a few passages from Mr. Knight's Prize Essay on the Colony and Its resources, printed in Mr. Haliburton's remarkably good Catalogue of the N'ova Scotian department in the International Exhibition. " The climate of Nova Scotia, though at certain seasons extremely cold as compared with that of England and Ireland, or the south of Scotland, is nevertheless remarkably salubrious. The winter, in its greatest severity, is fess uncomfortable than the humid atmosphere of this season in Britain. This ?s found to be the experience of colonists who have passed the winter months ta the mother country. " While Nova Scotia may boast c*" its comparative drj-ncss, and the more constant serenity of its sky, it must be acknowledged that it lacks tho early ];enial spring and protracted summer which characterise the climate of Great Britsun. The most important points in which the climate of Nova Scotia differs from that of Great Britain are, its higher summer temperature, and the shortness of this season (which, however, is compensated to some extent by a remarkable rapidity in the process of vegetation^, and the lower tem- perature of its winter. The severity and the length of its winter are also compensated by the une.xampled mildness and beauty of its autumn, which is frequently protracted to the early part of December. " The following table will show the annual mean temperature of various localities in Europe as compared with Halifax : — LaTITUDB. FAnBKNHEXT. 44° 40' 'Halifax, Nova Scotia 43.8 53 23 Dublin 49.1 62 31 Berlin 47.5 49 30 Cherbourg 52. 1 Mean Siimhek Tkmpekatdre. Halifax, Nova Scotia 62.0 Greenwicli 60.9 Berlin 63.2 Cherbourg 61.9 " The annual quantity of rain which falls is about 41 inches, of which about 6i inches fall in the form of snow, making the annual depth of snow ibout 8| feet There are about 114 days of rain, and 60 days of snow, on the a/erage, in each year. _ " Spring in Nova Scotia commences in the latter part of March or the beginning of April. This season, it has been already remarked, is neither 3o pleasant nor so protracted as that of Britain ; being characteiised by fre- iKuent and sudden transitions of temperature. A prominent cause of thes cbianges is the proximity of the masses of ice floating southward from th^^ 4 i autumnal, sometimes a winter month. Januarj- is remarkable for a thaAV ; February, for the lowest depression of the atmosphere and the heaviest falls of snow ; March, though cold, variable and blustering, frequently affords more days by clear sunshine than April. The w^inters, however, are variable ; some- times moderate and open ; and again cold with less frequent changes. The mean temperature of the spriug is 49° ; of the summer, 62° ; of the autumn, :i5°; and of the winter, 22°. •' The Secretary of the Nova Scotia Comnrission informs us in his Cata- logue, sent to the Exhibition, that * the climate of Nova Scotia is particularly suitable to the growth of the Apple-tree. Crop is generally sure and large. Sorts which in England require a wall or espaliers will here grow and thnve in the open orchards as standards. Fruit attains an enormous size ; a speci- men of ' (iloria Mundi,' sent to England, measured from 15 to 17 inches in (!ircumference.' He states that • hardy sorts of Grapes will, in the Western Counties, do well in the open air, and even Black Hamburgh and White Cluster have, during the past year, ripened their fruit in the onen air. All the best sorts will (unrJer glass, without artificial heat) grow most luxuriantly, and bear better than in England under the same treatment. Mr. Justice Wilkins for several years most successfully ripened Black Hamburgh at Windsor on a stone wall, and in the last year raised on two Vines not more than seven years old. .'J3 pounds of Grapes, of quite equal flavour to those ripened in a hot-house. The Vines, of course, required careful covering in winter. Mr. Downing, the eminent American auUiority on horticulture, in a communication addressed to Judge Wilkins, expressed his great surprise at the adaptation of Nova Scotia for the growth of the Grape, and stated that the Black Hamburgh, with similar ti-eatment, would only ripen one year in six at his gardens at Newburg, on the Hudson. The Pear grows vigorously, is very productive, and sorts such as Ma''?'" Louise, William's Bon Chretien, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Knight's Monarch, Flemish Beauty, Passe Colmar, Vicar of Winkfield, and other hardy sorts, will, as standards, do exceedingly well — crop constant." We think this evidence conelu.sive as to the excellence, instead of badness, of the little known Nova Scotian climate. (From the Journnl of Horticulture and Cottage. Gardener.) Although both tlio English and foreign collection of fruits which were exhibited *f Keneiiigton have becTi long since cleared away, a very interesting collection \\at roccnt'.y arrived from Nova Scotia, whicli is well deserving of notice. Before pro- wtxiing to do so, howevBr, a few remarks on the geographical position and climivtd' ,«f that colony may not be auiwceptabfe. . . 27 Nova Sootia, which forms a portion of tlic main continent of America, lies between lat. N. 43° 25' and 40°, extcndinjj ahout ;}50 miles in length, and from HO to 100 miles in breadth, and ineluding with its dependency, Cape Breton, an area of about 21,500 square miles. The climate is considerably colder than that of England, the mean temperature of the year at Halifax being 43° .8, whilst at London it is 49° .3, or 5^ higher. Though the winters arc long and severe, and the springs cold and changeable, yet the summers are warmer than here ; the mean temperature of that season being V)l°, while for about a hundred days the thermo- meter is about 70°. Thus vtjgctation, although retarded about a month as compan n, Huetche and some others, one of which, through the glass, looked like Coe's Golden Drop. Among the vegetables were some very fine Onions ; clean, well-grown roots of Carrots, both of the Early Horn and Long Orange kinds; Parsnips of good sizo, considering the season at which they had been taken up ; and the Potatoes, of which about a dozen sorts were shown, were all remarkably good, both as regards sizo and freedom from disease, and it appears that they form a very important article of produce, no less than 3,824,864 bushels having been grown from last year. Red Beet was very good ; both Mangold and Swedes were of good size ; and the Khol Rabbi, though small, was well grown and very solid. Tomatoes were excellent. Cucumbers, we presume from out of doors, were about a foot long; and of Gourds, the Large Yellow was probably about 100 fes weight; and the Vegetable Marrows were also of very large size. It appears that Gourds of all kinds are much cultivated in Nova Scotia, where some of them attain the weight of 170 3>s, both for domestic use and as food for cattle. Some excellent samples of Oats, Barley, and Maize were also exhibited, as well as Rye, Wheat, and Flax, to the cultivation of the last of which attention has been recently directed as likely to prove a remunerative product. We observed on the same table as the Nova Scotia collection, several specimens of the "Fine Apple of Amassia," from E. B. Baker, Esq., Her Majesty's Consul of Samsoun. It is a showy, middle-sized Apple of handsome form, pale yellow, witii a crimson cheek, covered with white sjiecks. It is fair to look upon, but what its merits may be we cannot say. Several samples of Wheat came from the same gentleman, and among them were some remarkable for their long and very orna- mental beard. The following remarks, in the proceedings of the Royal Horticultural So- ciety for January, were accompanied by a coloured plate of the apple described : — "YORK AND LANCASTER APPLE. (Seedliwo from Nota Scotia.) (Plate.) "Among the new varieties of fruit sent from Nova Scotia for exhibition at this Society's great International Show of Fruit in October last, there were two Apples which attracted especial admiration, — one was called the Chebucto Beauty ; the other was merely styled a Nova Scotian Seedling, but as it seems worthy of more 29 definite recofrnition, we have named it the York and Lancaster Apple, on account of it resemblance in coloring to the old York and Lancaster Rose, — blotches and streaks of crimson on a nearly white ground. The apple is fine, large and well formed, and not only pleasant to the eye, but also good to eat. In these days, when the one quality is almost as much sought after as the other, a new fruit combining lx)th, is worthy of every encouragement, especially when its- beauty is of a striking and unusual character. It came in perfect condition from Halifax, and may bo expected to take a good place in the English marker. Above tiudium size, roundish ej'c closed by the segments of the chalyx, and placed in a slight deprossion. Stalk of medium thickness, rather short, inserted in a cavity, sk n glossy, ground color white, distinctly striped with crimson, and the surface is here and there marked with minute scattered specks of crimson, not larger than a pin's point, and consequently too small to be noticed in the figure. Very lieautifnl. Flesh white, with occasionally a crimson stJiin, more especially round the core. The texture is granular, moderately juicy and rich. The season appears to be from the end of September until November ; towards the end of the latter month it be- comes mealy.'' ;. '.i^ U; this pples the more Halifax, N. S., November 28th, 18C2. Dear Sir, — The Nova Scotian Committee, as well as the people of the Pro* vince generally, have been exceedingly gratified and somewhat surprised at the very favorable notice which has been taken of our fruit exhibited at your Show. "We have also to thank the Society for its kind extension of the Fruit Exhibition for ttie benefit of our products. In awarding medals to Nova Scotian fruits, &c., there is, in some cases, a diffi- culty as to who should be the recipients. I find my name connected vfith the Nova Scotian display somewhat prominently. Would you be so good as to inform the officers of the Society, that except in being interested with others in having the Province represented, and being Secretaiy, I am in no way connected with the Show, and am not a fruit-grower. The Chairman of our Committee is Dr. Cogs- well, of Halifax. In some cases several persons have contributed specimens of the sorts, or varieties of the same things, in which case it will be difficult to know to whom to assign t".3 medal awarded by your Society. Thus there is a medal awarded for potatoes, Imt there are several contributors of different varieties — to whom should the medul go? Would you be so good as to inform me what course the Society would wish us to pursue in awarding the medals to our fruit-growers who contributed. I was very sorry that I could not send a representation of our wild fruits and berries, as I promised, but it was too late to have justice done to them. I hope, should you have another Exhibition next year, that we shall make a much better and more extensive show of our products. It is to be regretted that there is no Society here that is adapted for taking such matters in hand, as this should not depend upon mere chance organizations. The Committee who forwarded tlie articles to you consisted c f a few amateur horticul- turists, and persons interested in having the Province known. Has your Society ever established any branch Societies in the Colonies? It would be a very useful step to take as regards the Colonies themselves, and might contribute greatly to the variety, if not to the excellence of your Shows. A Society here, in any way connected with your own, would be of great service to horticulture among us. Would you be so good as to let me know how soon you are likely to have another Show, so that we may prepare in due time, which we neglected to do in this instance. I am, dear sir, Yovas truly, Andrew Murray, Esq. R. G. Halibcrton I! V: ■11 «■ ii \m'' 1; jfi: 30 ,v^ Royal HORTICULTHRAL SOCIBTT, ,'1 „: South Kensington, W., Deer. 24th, 1862. Mt Dkar Sir, — 1 have received your letters of 24th NoTr., and llth Deer., and am much pleased to see that our appreciation of your fruits has gratified you. With regard to the medals, where we have had a specific Exhibitor we liavc inscribed his name, and in the others we have stated that they were awarded to the Committee. This will allow you to deal with them as the Committee pleases ; and as the originator and Secretary of the Committee, it appears to me that you are especially entitled to a share of'thom, even altho' you be not a fruit-grower. Tiie Society has not yet established any Branch Societies. We shall give the subject careful consideration, but at the first blush I rather think the reorganization of an existing Society would qiiiswer equally well. If the place cannot support a Society itself, our making it a Branch Society will scarcely enable it to do so. I do not know the merits of your Society ; but if you and Mr. Honeyman recom- mend it for a Corresponding"^ Society, I am sure' tliis Society will be happy t4) receive it as such. . The time when our next International Show will take place has not yet been definitely fixed. It will probably be in 1865. Dr. Lindley and I are much obliged to you and Mr. Starr for your kind inten- tions towards us. I should think that in another year, a consignment of fruit would be a good mercantile speculation. I have figured one of your apples, an gestion. Mr. Honeyman, who had previously discossed the matter with mo, was not in Halifax when the last steamer left for England. But I have since read to him a copy of it, and he desires ine to express his entire concurrence in its contents. The Council of the " Horticultural Association " comprises among its members almost all the best horticulturalists in the Province, and all those who contributed largely to tlie horticultural and agricultural department of our Court in the International l']xliibition, and to your Show. The report of the meeting held here will show that the Association meets with very general approval ; and the interest that has been evinced in its formation will be the more apparent when I mention that several gentlemen present came from a distance of between seventy or eijfhty miles, over our winter roads, to be pi-esent. As you have left the matter to Mr. Honcyman's discretion and my own, it is l)Ut right to say, that as I know all our fruit-growers, and he has studied fossil plantt>, more than living vegetables and fraits, he has been guided a good deal by my judgment. I feel, however, but little hesitation ia assuming the responsibility. I am, yours truly, R. G.* HaLI BURTON Andrew MuiTay, Esq., Sec'y. Royal Horticulturul Society. From the British Colonist. Fkbruart 23, 1863. Dear Sir, — Mr. Honeyman having informed me that Dr. Lindley wished to taste our apples, but could not get any, I was anxious to send him a present of some of our finest. Mr. Henry Starr undertook to send Mr. Murray some, and wiien the accompanying letter was written, I supposed they had been sent. He, however, found the specimens collected by him not to be such as ho would wish to forward to the Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society. That those sent by me were not the best samples, will be evident from the tjiologetic tone of the letter accompanying the fruit. The very favorable reception met with bjr them has greatly surprised me, and will be gratifjring to your readers as an indication of the high opinion entertained of our frait by the most eminent authority on horticultural subjects in England. I need hardly say that Professor Lindley had charge of the Colonial Department of the International Exhibition, and ia the principal Secretary of the Royal Horti- cultural Society, and editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle. I am, your obedient servant, R. G. Halibcrtok. I may mention in connection with the subject, that a letter has been placed in my hands from a gentleman in Berkshire, who wishes some of our oats sent to him for seed — as he understood some of the sorts seat by us were pronounced to be the best in the Exhibition. Hamfax, January 9th, 1663. Mt Dear Sir, — Mr. Honeyman mentioned to me, on his arriraf here, that you wished to taste some of the Nova Scotian fruit sent to your Show, but that it was all ifold before you could get any. As a friend is going home to England by the 'It- 11 \\ 82 ■n piK'ket this evening, I liavc put up Roino apples, and Rond tliom to you an a vorr ;-»iigiit acknowledgcinont of the very gratifying iiiccption which jou gave to our rtpooimena exhibited at your Show. The t)ox of fruit, I fear, will Boinewhnt disappoint you, as it certainly does not •ontain the best specimens of the apples that are produced in the orchard of Mr. losoph Kayo, who kindly gave them to me, on understanding from me that I wished to send you some specimens of our apjiles. The season is now too far advamwd for some of the finest sorts of apples which hu raises, and those sent are hardly fair samples of what his orchard produces, still ItiSH of what can be raised hero; as, however, the |>iickage is ready, and I have a jTood chance of sending it, I shall avail myself of it. I need hardly say that the Ust of names given is somewhat incon'cct. Mr. William Cunard, .son of Sir Sumiiol Cunard, has taken charge of the box ot fruit, which I trust will arrive in good condition. Hoping that you will not bo put ii) any trouble or expense by it, I am. Dear Sir, , Yours faithfully, R. (jr. UaLI BURTON. Professor Lindley, F. R. £. , . ¥'i From the Gardeners' Chronicle, Feby, 4th, 1863. Our readers, and the visitors to the recent fruit shows of the Royal Ilorticultural Soi'iety, cannot have forgotten the surpassing beauty and equal exi^ellence of the .-ipples' communicated by the great colony of Nova Sen* Certainly nothing like them had been previously seen at any public exhibition this countiy. The other day we received a box of similar friiit, packed in a maimer that deserves to be made known. A wooden box was filled with trays, each two feet long, eighteen inches wide, a.nj five inches deep, divided bv partitions into spaces four inches wide. These trays had a layer of dry ground plaster of Paris strewed over the bottom ; on this hiyer the apples were placed in a single row, more plaster was carefully filled in between the apples, and the whole was covered with about an inch of plaster well shaken down, so that the fruit became immovable. Packed in Halifax on the 9th of January, the box arrived on the 25th. Upon being opened the fruit was found to be in the most beautiful preservation, both as to appearance and qua- lity. The plaster having been perfectly dry, no decay from moisture or fermen- tation was ] ossible, and a soft brush removed it easily. Could not our fruiterers take advantage of this experiment ? Wo should think that such admirable fruit as that from Nova Scotia arriving before Christmas would fetch a high price in the market. At all events private individuals could open a communication with the fruiterers of Halifax, N. S., for their own supply ; as our London can produce nothing like it. For this highly interesting communication we have to express our thanks to R. (Jr. Haliburtoh, Fsq., of Halifax, who, upon the representation of the Rev. D. HoNETMAN, the distinguished Greologist to the Government of Nova Scotia, took upon himself the trouble of having the fruit despatched. We are also indebted to the kindness of Mr. Joskph Kayb for the specimens which had been produced in his orchard. Wlien there shall have been arranged a regular supply of the choicest Nova Scotia fruit to the English markets, it will be interesting to call to mind the names of those gcatlemcn to whom so gratifying a result will have been owing. From the Cfardenera' ChronicU, A^tril 4th, 1863. " This is by far the best Apple I ever tasted." Such was the opinion expressed by no mean Pomologist, on the 16th of March, 1363. It was sent, with others, packed in fresh burnt plaster of Paris, by R. G. Haliburton, IDsq., at the suggestion ot the Rey. G- Uoneyman. 33 Frnit rather ahovo the middle nha, heavy, roundish; uyo slightly open in a Hattonod duprcsrtion, siirroundud with small ohtus« oininomu':! ; stalk '^ inch long, niodorutcly thick, in un (tvcnly rounded cavity; skin •mootli, glossy, lemon vollow een the means of obtaining those medals. A Society established on a broad basis, so as to embrace the fruit-growers and horticulturists of all parts of the Province, would no doubt be the means of advancing the interests of horticul- ture among us, — and for that reason he was glad t« .>\., M. P. P., Richard Starr, Esq., and others expressed their conviction of the great necessity for tlie establishment of a Society representing the horticulturists of the Province, and promised their hearty cooperption in the proposed undertaking. The following resolution was moved by Richard Starr, Esq., of Cornwallis, and seconded by Moses Shaw, Eiq., M. P. P., of Aimapolis : — "Resolved, That whereas the exhibition of our horticultural and agricultural pro- ducts at the Great International Show of the Royal Horticultural Society having been the means, nf»t only of attracting great attention to this I'rovince, but also of opening u|> a market for our fruits, it is of great importance that we should leave nothing untried in order to avail ourselves of the o}iening thus made for the devel- opement of the horticultural resources of this Province ; and whereas, at present, there is no Assoc^iation throughout the Province, by means of which fruit-growers and horticulturists can combine for the jiurpose of obtaining the advantage of tho.se improvements in horticulture which are acces.sible in England, through the medium of the Roral Horticultural Sooietv : _ • • " Therefore Resolved, That a Society be established to be called ' The Horticultu- ral Association and International Show Society,' for the purpose of taking charge hereafter of contributions to European Shows, and of being a vehicle for conveying U) its members the best information on the subject of horticulture." The next resolution was moved by the Rfiv. John Storrs, of Cornwallis, and seconded by C. (/. Hamilton, Esq., IVI. I)., of Cornwallis : — " Resolred, That it is desirable that the Association should have local boards in all the fruit-growing counties ; and that persons belonging to the country should personally take part in the management of the said Association." The following resolutions were also unanimously adopted : — "Resolved, That the Society consist of a President. Vice-Presidents, Recording Secretary, (corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer, and a Council of six ; also, 36 and and that in addition to the said number, the counties of King's, Hants, and Annapolis, bo ench roproHcntod by four members at the said Council, and that any county havinj; not less than twelve mombci-s belonging to the As.socintion shall be entitled to have a lil(e number of members to represent them at the Council of th« Society. "Resolved, That after this Society shall have been duly organixod, the Committee in each county ihiiU bo annually elected by members of the Association resident therein, and the Cliairman of every such Cfommittco shall be ex officio a Vice-Presi- dent of the Society." It was then moved bv G. A. S. Crichton, Esq., and seconded by the Rov. John Storrs, that Mr. R. 0. lEIaliburton Im) President, which passed unanimously. G. A. S. Crichton, Esq., havinj? been propo.sed by Mr. Townsond, and seconded by Mr. Herbert Harris, was ununiniouHly elected Vice-President. The following Vice-Presidents for the counties were elected : — Rev. Dr. Forrester, Colchehier County. Rev. Dr. Robertson, Annapolis County. Richard Starr, Esq., King's County. : ' Mr. James Thompson, Hants County. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. D. Henry Starr. , , The following gentlemen were then elected members of the Council for their respective counties : — HALIFAX OOUNTT. James forman. Esq. A. J. Ritchie, Esq. Herbert Harris, Esq. W. T. Townsend, Esq. Joseph Kayo, Esq. John McDonald, Esq. ' HANTS OOUXTT, Hon. R. A. McHeffev, M. L. C, Windsor. Rov. F. Smallwood, Windsor. G. P. Burnham, Esq., Windsor. John Brown, Esq., Falmouth. KIKO'» COUNTT. C. C. Hamilton, Esq., M. D., Comwallis. Leander Rand, Esq., Comwallis. Edward Bishop, Esq., Horton. Abraham VanBuskirk^ Esq., Aylesford. ANNAPOLIS COUNTT. Moses Shaw, Esq., M. P. P., Clementsport. T. W. Chesley, Esq., Bridgetown. Edward CuUer, Esq , Annapolis Royal. Avard Longley, Esq., M. P. P., Paradise. (A. C. McDonald, Esq., Speaker of the House of Assembly, has since consented to act as a member of the Council of the Society for Pictou counhr, and W. A. Henry, Esq., M. P. P. for Sydney County, also the Honble. W. McKeen, M. L. C, for Inverness ) The following resolutions also passed unanimously : — " Resolved, That the Council be empowered to draw up a code of rules and a constitution for the Society, adopting those of the Royal Horticultural Society as a precedent, as far as practicable, and the same be submitted to a general meeting, to be called at Halifax on the first Wednesday of April next. " Resolved, That at present the annual subsciiption be $2 per annum." Mr. James Thompson, before the meeting adjourned, exhibited a sample sf wheat raised by him, remarkable for its weight, and for the short period betweeu its being sown and reaped. The Rev. John Storrs gave the meeting some very interesting information as to theintrodactioninto this Province, by the late Hon. C R. Prescott, of the fruit '^S' ._ , iii 1 ■: ■■•; ;i ,jM m u, y'l trees, the production of which had recently attracted bo much attention. It appeared that most of the apple troas had been acclimatized in Canada West, or in the United States. Excepting the Ribs ion Pippin, no Enghsh apple trees imported direct had succeeded. The GravenstciiJ was first brought from Canada West. The late Mr. Prescott, to whom the Province is so largely indebted, imported grafts froi : France, Italy, and also some suppliei by Mr. Knight, of the lloyal Horticul- tural Society, but they had almost all failed and degenc" ated. The chairman mentioned that as tbe Province had n.et with such a favorable reception from tlic Royal Horticultural Society at their Show, it had appeared important, to cuable our fruit-growers to obtain the perusal of its publications, and, if possible, some of those benefits which 'ts members derive from being able to pro- cure the best sort of seeds, &c., from its gardens. Negotiations had accordingly beei; entered into with the Secretary in November last on the subject, with a viow to the lorr'.ation of this Association, and from what has since transpired, there i« every reason to believe that iho " Horticultanil Association " will bo recognized as a corresponding Society by the Royal Horticultural Society. Should this be the case, it is be lieved that we shall not only bo the first Colony that has specially con- tributed to the Royal Horticultural Society's Shows, but also the first that has established a corresponding Society. The proposition seemed to give very general satisfaction. The chairman stated that he would be willing to act as President while the Society was beng organized, but he would prefer leaving the post to a more prac- tical horticultuvalist. The Preside It was requested to act as Corresponding Secretary. His Excellency the Earl of Mu.' grave has kindly consented to become Patron of the Society. D. Hbnrt Stahb, Secretary of " Horticultural Aesociation.'* I ' • 1 J: m . \ \\ IP II, 1 1' ' 1 ' 1 t I 1 w V 1 \ 1 IK THE PAST AND THE FDTURE OF NOVA. SCOTIA: AN ADDRESS ON OUaiJltal tat ttoe fvovinre. DELIVERED BY E. G, HALIBTRTON, M.A., F.S.A., Secretary of Nova Scotian Commissioners tu Isternational Exhibition. (By request of tlio Anniversary (Jommittci.', ) HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA m 1 ^ t • f OBJE Col and s Britisi Count the na arity x • public the mi but fn perty to rem of tha descen of gloi Bui when There niyers grant, home, called and in deeplj An in this " •«. ration to our by its by fan those 1 precia It! divest* joicing us, M unseer parati F|f! !( ■ OBJECT AND NATURE OF THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, Held at Halifax, June 21st, 1862. Colonists have for many years occupied, in some respects, an equivocal and somewhat unenviable position. Though sincerely attached to the British Crown, and feeling, in common with the inhabitants of the Mother Country, a laudable pride and interest in the greatness and happiness of the nation, we are so far removed from the Parent State, that our famili* arity with the incidents of its past existence, is derived, not from those public trophies and memorials which present and recall to the eye and to the mind of an Englishman those great events which they commemorate, but from a study of the history of the world, which is as much the pro- perty of foreigners as of ourselves. In our daily life, we have but little to remind us that we have a personal interest in the trials and triumphs of that great country to which we belong, though we are conscious that aa descendents of Britons we can justly claim an equal share of that heritage of glory which is the common property of the nation. But how striking is the contrast that presents itself to the colonist, when he crosses the line that divides us from the neighbouring Republic ! There all the inhabitants, young and old, combine to celebrate the an- niversary of the establishment of the Union. Even the European emi- grant, who has but a few months before sought that land as an adopted home, feels that he has a personal interest in the incidents that are re- called, but, above all, in those institutions which are annually extolled, and in the permanence of which his future happiness and destiny are so deeply involved. An impression has of late existed, that wo might learn a useful lesson, in this respect, from our republican neighbors ; that an annual commemo- ration of the settlement of this province, might be of permanent benefit to ourselves, by promoting a feeling of loyalty to the Parent State, which by its arms and its treasures protected and fostered our early existence, by farailarizing us with our past history, and by promoting an interest in those natural resources, the value of which we have hitherto scarcely ap- preciated as they deserved. It has been considered, that an annual commemoration like this, if divested of that spirit of self-laudation so conspicuous in the national re- joicings on the fourth of July, might be permanently established among us, .ithout rendering us liable to the imputation of a vanity which, while unseemly even in a great republic, would be doubly ridiculous in a com- paratively unknown colony. m :im iliL: I pill ll'l Ill > \ vjv^ ., (■ THE PAST AND THE FUTURE OF NOVA SCOTIA. The Executive Committee in their Programme of to-day's proceedings, have announced that an Oration will be delivered in commemoration of the one hundred and thirteenth anniversary of the settlement of Halifax. None of us, who have not been in the neighbouring republic, have ever beard any address bearing so formidable and imposing a name. You must all be aware that orations are not in vogue among Englishmen, and are cluefly confined to the literature and history of classical antiquity, or to the productions of our neighbours the Americans. Among the Greeks and Romans, rhetoric exercised a power and assumed a position denied to it by us in this matter-of-fact age. It was a different atmosphere that men then breathed. When we read their his- tory, we fancy that we are almost studying the acts and thoughts of a different and distinct species of our race. Thu haze of poetry that seemed to envelope even the actions of every-day lifo,|gives them a peculiar charm to the student, who turns now from the prosaic world around him to tho glories and the struggles of those distant ages, which have been per- petuated and will ever survive in the memory of men. :■ Among the Americans, though their orations often excite our admira- tion by their eloquence, they seem exotics. But among the (irreeks nnd Romans, however elevated their tone, they appear to be perfectly in keep- ing with the genius of those nations, and to be the natural productions of tho spirit of those ages. Though delivered thousands of years ago, they still appeal to the hearts of readers even in this common-place, utilitarian nine- teenth century. Who is there that does not, oven yiw, feel his blood course more warmly through his veins, as he reads the magnificent funeral oration delivered by Pericles — the language of which, if applied to even the greatest struggles of modern times, would se^ra utterly extravagant, but which appears peculiarly suitable to the great event, respecting which it was delivered. The same rhetorical turn is even more observable in the history of the military achievements of ancient nations, and constitut«j» a striking con- trast with the spirit of the present age. The orations delivered by Greek and Roman generals, if attempted by a modern soldi(;r, would consign him to half pay. Genends no longer make orations to their armies. " Up Guards and at them '' is almost the only piece of rhetoric history has recorded, in deschbiug om of the greatest battles of one of the most y] 6 I '';ii'i H' successful generals of ancient or modern times. " England expects every man to do his duty," is the terse stern watchword with which Nel&on com- menced the glorious battle of Trafalgar. Nor is the change in the taste of the present age from that of classical antiquity less evident in poetical and dramatic literature. Imagine the ancient Greek chorus, with its magnificent appeals, invocations or laments, transferred to the modern stage ! The Germans have tried to introduce it, but have failed. The splendid chorus of the Persse, or the finest pas- aage from the grand old tragedy of Prometheus Desniotes, would either be coughed off the stage at the Adelphi, or ^70uld set all the audience asleep in a short time. The world has grown too matter-of-fact for such flights of eloquence and imagination. Even in our own times there has been a singular change — a tendency to decry rhetorical displays. There can be no question that this feeling, so peculiar to the British people, is equally manifest here. I have often neard barristers from other colonies remark on the plain, simple, colloquial addresses which are generally to be heard in the courts of law in this province. And the same remarks may, with some few exceptions, be ap- plied to the speeches delivered iu our legislature. But across the border the rule is reversed. There seems to be an extravagance in the mode of thought and expression among our neighbors that is in striking contrast to the cautious, cool reserve of the British people. Though the committee have designated this address as an oration, I assume they have merely used the phrase usually applicable to anniversary speeches on this side of the Atlantic, but have no wish that it should be of the same character as those well-known effusions. They desire that instead of its being limited to the settlement of Halifax, it should rather embrace the history and destiny of the whole province ; and a very general opinion has been expressed that it should be of a practical character. This being the case, I need not apologize for adopting a plain, familiar style, or for principally touching upon those topics which have a practical Talue, or which are deserving of inquiry by Nova Scotians, instead of re- calling minutely to you the dry details of the foundation of the city, which only possess an interest in the eyes of antiquarians. To give you even an outline of our history, would take up too much time for the narrow limits of an address, and would weary the audience as much as the speaker. I shall, therefore, only allude to a few of the prominent features of our past history. The only points on which we can briefly touch, are the character of those who best deserve the name of Nova Sootians — the unfortunate Aborigines ; next, the history of the French colonists, and their fate ; the settlement of Halifax, and of the province ; the advent of the Loyalists, and the subsequent social and commercial development of the people of Nova Scotia, — each of which can only re- ceive tne most cursory and passing notice. I shall then turn to the future of the province, and to those steps which aro necessary to enable us to avail ourselves of those blessings which Providence has showered around .■V f The large assemblage which I find around me is an evidence that, in this commemoration, we are supported by the cordial sympathy and good will of the public. The object is an honorable, and, I believe, a most useful one, vise, to inculcate in the breast of Nova Scotians, a feeling of patriotism, to promote an acquaintance with the history of the past, and an intimacy with those natural resources, upon which, as well as upon our own energies, depends the future which Providence has in store for us. I may, perhaps, be pardoned for asking, has a colony a right to remem- ber its natal day ? Must it wait until it arrives at full maturity before it can publicly assemble its sons to recall the trials of the past, and to pre- pare for the struggles and the triumphs of the future ? • If I were to ask those who are assembled here, who most religiously observes the returning day of his nativity, it would be not among the aged, who can look back upon a successful life, in which there is a long succession of grateful honors to meec their glance ; but it would be among the band of young people that 1 see assembled to lend us the aid of their tuneful voice, that we should find the fullest and readiest response. Yet, oh blooming Miss, just promoted to your teens ! oh holiday school-boy, surely you have no very great reason to be proud of the part which you hav« played in the theatre of life ? What have you done to entitle you to an annual allowance of sweetmeats on that important day, which ushered you into the world ? Many children that commenced with you the arduous study of A B C, have left you far behind in the race for knowledge. Whj do you rejoice over a day that recalls how little you have yet achieved t Tou cannot answer the question, yet you are fully conscious that, what- ever physical effect the unusual amount of luxuries you enjoy may pro- duce, you are mentally happier and better from the influence of that day, which is, and will be for many years, the happiest in your calendar. If you cannot answer the question, I shall do it for you. You do not recall your birthday so much on account of the past, as with reference to th« future. Each day you celebrate, shows that you are one year nearer to that longed-for time, when you will be called upon to take your place in the world, and assume the position which will be allotted to you by your Creator. It is an agreeable festival, that unites you more closely to your friends and kindred. Perhaps there is one chair vacant, that rec ills the absent one who has commenced life's pilgrimage before you, and has left for ever the paternal roof, for the purpose of fighting the hard battle of life. The empty seat reminds you of him ; the returning day recalls to his mind the celebrations that he knows are not forgotten at home. In the d tj t and bustle of busy life, he steals aside for a moment's thought, and in imagination is again among the youthful throng, rejoicing with a hearty mirth, which is denied to the more exciting pleasures of the world. Anniversaries of natal days are the property of youth and age ; they are respectively the festivals of hope and memory. In the calm mom of youth, the mind, radiant with hope, like the morning sun, casts its long shadows far ahead, over the path of the journey of life, in happy contem- plation of the future. At noontide, the mind is engrossed with the present ; Mit i !» ll I i I'M 8 all its energies are concentrated and absorbed in the struggle for power, or in the wild pursuit of pleasure ; but at evening the shadows of memory begin to creep backward again — back to the spot whence the long and weary journey of life commenced. The anniversaries of the past return again, and memory holds its festival, — but, ah how changed ! The lolitary observer finds that he is alone ; th^t the friends of his childhood have passed away ; and his recollection of the past seems like a pilgrimage to the tombs of a departed generation. Hope has no shadow to cast for- ward, except that which leads beyond the horizon that surrounds his gaze, to the dim and unseen world that awaits him. Let us then take a lesson from the young. We are comparatively but a young colony. We do not pretend to boast of the achievements of the past ; but we celebrate this natal festival, because it tends to bind us more closely to each other in the bonds of mutua^ sympathy. It will re- call to our minds the fostering care of the parent state, that preserved us in the dangers that threatened our early existence. It will remind us of those who have past away, whose vacant places but few can fill, and who ara endeared to the memory and the hearts of the people. Each anniver- sary will constitute one of the milestones of our existence as a province, by which we can trace the progress we are making. Every year we can pause awhile, to muse on those influences that have advanced, and those causes which have tended to retard our progress, and to lower us in our own eyes and in the estimation of our neighbors. Let us avoid any undue self adulation that will render ns ridiculous ; and let us not shrink from boldly avowing the truth, whatever it may be, freed from the influences of party or creed, on an occasion that unites men of all parties, and of all opinions. For my own part I can sincerely avow, tli;it, whatever statements may be made by me, they are the result of my honest convictions, and are perfectly unbiased by party prejudices, for, having early in life resolved to avoid the thorny path of politics, which has but little to attract a young man in this province, presenting as it does before him an ordeal of recri- mination and criticism unknown in Great Britain, I have steadily pursued the path I havo chosen. But it may be said as to some portion of my address, these anticipations of the future are the enthusiastic views of a young man, who knows but little of the province. If this is the case, I nan only say that it is my own fault. Since June last I have been in almost every town and village in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia ; and twice almost every year I pass through the greater portion of Cape Breton and the eastern section of Nova Scotia. The business of the International Exhibition has necessarily thrown one in with those, who are most interested in our public welfare. But, to obtain reliable data on which to base my conclusions as to the capabilities of this province, I addressed a series of circulars to some of the most practical and intelligent men in every county, to the best farmers, practical land-surveyors, and ship-builders, as well as to some members of the Legislature, and to those most capable of giving reliable informatioD. "P m Tho returns furnished by them are most encouraging as regards the future of the province, and show that the opinions advanced to-day, are those en- tertained by shrewd, practical business men, and are not, as may bo alleged, the result of inexperience or enthusiasm. In turning to the past, the first thought that suggests itself, is relative to the condition of those who once were the lords of the soil, in a land where their descendants only exist, for the most part, as helpless paupers and vagrants. In the United States the government as well as private societies have, on a mOst liberal scale, had investigations made respecting the Indian races, and the reports of the Smithsonian Institute bear evidence to tho scale on which these inquiries have been conflucted. The Micmacs bo- long, with many of the tribes to the north of Lake Superior, to a simpla race, whose primitive faith was the nearest approach yet found among heathen nations, to the worship of the true God. The Great Father was their deity, one who dwells, according to their ideas, in " a temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The land of spirits was the scene of a bright future, where each warrior was destined to rejoice in tho " happy hunting grounds of the Far West." They had none of the va- rious subordinate deities which degraded the literature and mythology of ancient Greece and Rome; none of tho corrupting tenets of Brahmanisra or Buddhism, which bid you spare all animal life, and yet sanction the most revolting cruelty to your fellow man. These northern tribes revered their ancestors; but they did not degrade the objects of their reverence, by converting them into malevolent deities, or by offering up, like the Polynesians, at their maraes, a sacrifice of the living to appease the cruel spirits of the dead. A large number of nations called the Moundbuilders, from the vast tumuli which they have left behind, must have spread up to the southern shores of Lake Superior. How far east they wandered is not known ; but there is nothing to lead us to suppose that there are any traces of them in Nova Scotia. I have heard a report of something like the structures of the Moundbuilders bavin* been found in Cumberland, but am inclined to attribute anything of the sort to the work of Europeans. The Indian remains found here are in many respects very fine, and would interest greatly the ethnologists of the United States ; and it is to be regretted that some relics of a very singular character, found in Cumber- land, have been taken by some person from the Mechanics' Institute, where they were deposited. Thf... has been an utter neglect in the British American Colonies of the history of the native 'tribes, and the impression exists that the only races deserving of study are the semi-civilized nations of the South. This opinion I believe is quite unfounded, and I am sure the day will come when ethnologists will turn with a great deal of interest to the primitive race of which the Micmac is a representative. Unfortunately for the enquirer, the Micmac exists only in history. Hii descendants are assimilated to the whites in manners and opinions, and li!^ I m\^ ■IT iiiiii i i 1' 111 I III (ft 10 ■till more so in those vices and excesses that too often characterize the prO' gross of civilization in every age. But there is one literary relio of the Micmacs that ia peculiarly deserv- ing of study, viz., their native mode of writing. It is, I believe, one of the greatest curiosities of literature on this continent. It is not of a pic- torial, but of an arbitrary character, each of the letters representing a word. They are most unmistakeably Indian in their character, with some slight admixture of European letters, such as would be recjuisite in order to adapt so rude a svstem of writing to express the prayers of the mis- sionaries. Among the Indians, who attribute every thing they know to the French, it is supposed to have been taught them by the missionaries. Understanding that a learned German Priest at Tracadie has devoted his time to mastering the language of the Micmacs, I obtained last summer a letter of introduction to him for the purpose of inducing him to turn hit* attention to this subject. Not, however, returning by way of Tracadie. I was prevented from seeing him, but I have recently learned that he has considered the subject so interesting, that he has had types cast for the alphabet, and has brought out in Austria a work in Miemac characters. I confess, I wish that, instead of the subject having been investigated by a foreigner, some young Novascotian had turned the attention of the learned to these curiosities of literature. Where the great Humbolt* considered similar investigations worthy of the exercise of his great mind, they can- not be regarded by us as too unimportant topics for our interest and re- searches, especially where they relate to the aborigines of our native province. t Wasted away, as they now are, by vice, disease, and by that inexor- able law by which the red man seems destined to melt away before the advance of pale-faces, they present a striking contrast to the warlike nation that extended to De Monts and Pontricourt their friendship and protection, — and wept with grief when their welcome guests for a time abandoned Port Royal and returned to France. The first permanent settlement effected by the French was in 1606 ; the record of which event was engraved on a rough piece of sandstone, which bears the date of that year, and is marked with masonic signs. It is a singular thing that for years past no Nova Scotians have ever desired to see it, while an American Society, taking a much deeper interest in our historical monuments, has had a cast of it sent to the United States. There is much in the early history of the French scsttlement of Nova Scotia that is interesting to the reader. Amid the perpetual struggles with the English, and their rivalries among themselves, the history of * Humbolt refers to a report of a similar system of writing having prevailed in a portion of South America, and greatly laments the loss of a document written, not m pictorial, like the Mexican, but in arbitrary haracters — the latter being much more advanced, and indicating a higher state of civilization than we have any re- cord of in the history of America. t I should not oniit a reference to the philological labors of the Rev. Mr. Rand, who deserves infinite credit for being one of the pioneers in this interesting field of Fcaearcb. 11 Madame LaTour's gallant defence, with a srr.all garrison, against her hus- band's rival in the government of Acadie, stands out as peculiarly attract- ive Nor is there less romance respecting the singular influence exercised by Baron Castine over the Abenakis ; his life would make an admirable subject for a romance. The historian of Nova Scotia, in referring to De Oastine, extracts the following ([uaint description from Lallontan : — " The Baron do Castine, a gentleman of Oberon, in Bcarn, having lived among the Abenakis, after the savage way, for above *20 years, is so much respected by the savages, that they look upon him as their tutelar god. Ho was formerly an officer of the Carignan Regiment, and threw himself among the savages, whoso language he had learned. He married among them after their fashion, and preferred the forests of Acadia to the Pyrenean Mountains that encompass the place of his nativity. For the first year of his abode with the savages, he behaved himself so as to draw an inexpressible esteem from them. They made him their great chief or leader, which is in a manner the sovereign of the nation, and by degrees he has worked himself into such a fortune, which any man but he would have made such use of as to draw out of the country above two or three hundred thousand crowns, which he has now in his ocket in good dry gold. But all the use he makes of it is to buy up gouJs for presents to his fellow savages, who upon their return from hunting, present him with beaver skins to treble the value. The Governor-General of Canada keeps in with him, and the Governor of New England is afraid of him. He has several daughters, who are I of them, married very handsomely to He has never changed his wife, by the savages to understand that God does Frenchmen, and had good d which means he intendi'l to not love inconstan' folks. Can we be surprised that the Fronch, who thus mingled with the natives, acquired an iufluonce over them that wah most enduring in its efTects and most formidable to the Engl'sh in America. It was the Jesuit mission- aries, however, that most efi'eitually secured the affections of the Indians. They were the pioneers of civilization in the new world, and spread the religion of Christ at a time, wh* a there were no other missionaries, except those stern soldiers who hoped by the sword to convince the heathen of their errors. One of them discovered Niagara; another found hU way from Canada to the Mississippi. Some were tortured by the savages, and underwent the pains of martyrdom. They were the early historians of the new world ; and, though their desire to acquire temporal power led to their expulsion from Italy, Spain, and France, and though they have al- ways had most bitter enemies even in their own church, their missionary geal, in the age of which I am now speaking, is deserving of all praise ; and in their delations des Jesuites, recently published, they have left an enduring monument of their energy and devotion. Time would fail me to describe the constant nmtual reprisals and attacks that chequer the early history of this province. Repeatedly conquered by the English, as often ceded to France by the British Government, who generally lose by diplomacy what they gam by arms, unfortunate Acadia m ^' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 Ui»23 |2.5 1^ fM 12.2 ^ m ^ ^ 1^ II 2.0 u ;| ^s lllll 1 fi I.I -( \M 1 1.4 16 i^^^S 6" J ' ■c^ ^. *3k.'^% V O^/ Hiotographic Sciences Corporation A \ u!d aU leave those settlements, and repair to the town for safety." Nor did this apply only to the settlement of Lunenburg. On the 1.3th September, 1756, so great was the drcad of the invasion of the province by the victorious French, who had already reduced the fort at Oswego, and were triumphant from the borders of Acadia to the Ohio, that the Council decided that all our forces on the Isthmus should be concentrated at Fort Cumberland, to resist the expected attack. And the Governor, by the advice of the Council, entreated Admiral Holmes not tc leave the province unprotected by his fleet at so critical a juncture. ■> 15 which, for half a century, the Indians had waged against the English settlers. Referring to their desire to make peace with the savages, he says : — " The more I know of that project the more decided is my conviction, that we should never suffer the Abenakis, Mclecites and Mikmnks to' make peace with the English. I regard these savages aa the mainstay of the colony ; and to perpetuate in them that feeling of hate and hostility, we must remove from them every chance of their allowing themselves to bo corrupted ; and the actual position of matters in Canada demands that these natives, who are fast allies, should strike without delay, provided that it may not appear that it was I who ordered it, as I have positive in- structions to remain on the defensive. Thus I leave to your own discretion all the matters respecting the peace, which I regard as a snare for the savages. I further recommend you not to expose yourself, and to be well on your guard, for I am per- suaded tliat, if the Englisli could lay hands on you, they would put an end to your existence, or make it a very bad one." What a light this letter throws on the following incidents mentioned by Governor Cornwallis. He alludes to the Governor-General of Canada being annoyed at tho seizure of some French vessels which had been trespassing, and revenging it by sending, in a time of profound peace, " a body of Canada Indians to join the St. John's and Mickmacks, to do what mischief they could in this province." He then describes the attack "on a little village opposite Halifax," now called Dartmouth, and the murder of several persons. '• These proceedings," he says, " are so violent and public that I won- der what the French can say. Their old plea was, it is the Indians ; but if it can be proved that the Governor of Canada gives them a reward for every prisoner and scalp they bring of the English, that ceases. This is so unnatural and inhuman, that one could not conceive a civilized nation to be guilty of it. The consequence of this was, they sent an order to the inhabitants (neutrals) of the piovince in general, not to go as couriers or assist the English in any way, upon pain of death. They applied to me. I told them I was surprised which they should hesitate to obey, the King of England's Governor, or the Indians ; and ordered them to do their duty on paia of military execution." He speaks of the violent outrages of the French, of their openly sup- plying the Indians with arms and ammunition, and adds very naturally, *' What more, my Lords, could they do in open war ?" Nothing can be clearer than the fact that there was not the most remote idea of interfering, in any way, with the religion of the Acadians, and that their expulsion was not caused by any feeling of bigotry, as has been alleged. Although M. Daudin had afforded the government at least a plausi- ble excuse, if not the most conclusive reasons, for sending him out of the province, yet we find that the Council (Octr. 21st, 1754) resolved that, as he had promised " to comport himself dutifully to the government," they were of opinion, " that as the inhabitants could not get another priest this winter, Mens. Daudin be permitted to return." Nor is there a shadow of excuse for the stigma that has been cast upon the Provincial Govsrnment, on the ground, that the expulsion was caused i'ir.;^ 16 by a desire to deprive the Acadians of their lands, and to give thorn to English settlers. On the contrary, it is plainly to be seen that there was every desire to conciliate the neutrals by kindness and liberality, end to leave them in the quiet possession of their property, if it could be done with safety to the government. When Halifax was first settled, as well as frequently afterwards, a large number of Acadians, who had taken the oath of allegiance, abandoned the province, and went to Cape Breton or Canada, in order to become sub- jects of the King of France. Six families, numbering twenty-six persons, who had left Piziquid (Windsor) for Louisburg, found the soil so barren, that they obtained leave from the French Governor to return to their former homes. On arriving at Halifax, they prayed that their lands might be restored, and stated that they were ready to become British subjects, and to take the oath of alle- giance without any reservation. They appeared before the Council on the 9th October, 1754, and alleged that the reason for their leaving their lands was " because they were so terrified by M. LeLoutre's threats, and his declaring the distresses they would be reduced to if they re- mained under the dominion of the English." When we remember that this application was made in the year pre- ceding the expulsion, we can scarcely believe it possible that, if the English were meditating a cruel spoliation of the lands of the Acadians, they would have been generous to those who had violated their oaths, and had forfeited all claim to the generosity of a cruel task master. But let any dispassionate reader reflect on the munificent generosity of the English government towards those unhappy refugees, whose only fault was that they, in common with their countrymen, were the dupes of intriguing emissaries from France, and he will be willing, even at this late hour, to do justice to a government that returned injustice by generosity, and insults by forbearance, until self- preservation left it no alternative but to cut the Gordian knot by force, which for half a century it had been unable to solve. We find that that harsh and cruel government, as it has been known throughout the whole civilized world by the writings of Bancroft, Minot, and other American historians, but still more by the beautiful poem of " Evangeline," not only did not hesitate to restore them their lands, but, to quote the words of the original Minutes of Council of October 9th, 1754, " it appearing that they were in great distress, being entirely destitute of all necessaries, it was resolved that they should be permitted to return to their former possessions, and that twenty-four of them, being the most necessitous, should be allowed provision during the winter ; and the other four should have a week's provision given to subsist them until they return to their former habitations at Piziqiiid, where they would be assisted by their friends and relations."* If, before another year had passed, the Provincial Government, despair- * Yet Mr. Banci-oft, with this before his eyes, concludes his chapter on the Acadiims with the following words — " The hand of the English official seemed nndcr a spell with regard to them ; and was never uplifted but to curse them." on the seemed If ing of any other remedy, was forced to expel those, who, though living under our flag for almost half a century, could neither be conciliated by the lapse of time, nor by the effect of kindness and forbearance, let the blame fall upon those, who for political purposes, sowed the seeds of dis- affection among an innocent and harmless people, and finally drove an unwilling government to such sad extremities. In confirmation of this view, I may mention that an aged relative of mine, a daughter of Governor Franklin, who died some years ago, but who could recall the early events of the American Revolution, having seen Governor Hutchinson's carriage burned by the Boston mob wh€n she was a little girl, and who was well acquainted with the history of a transaction like this, which was necessarily the subject of discussion in her early life among the people of the province, entertained a different opinion on this point from the historian of Nova Scotia. I can distinctly remember her showing me a long letter, which she had received from Mrs. Tonge, the wife of an office; who was at Annapolis during the expulsion, which shewed that the step was regarded by those who were personally acquainted with it, as absolutely a matter of life and death for the English inhabitants. We may attribute even more weight to her testimony than to the opinion of Gover- nor Lawrence, who was of course more or less responsible for the act, and may have been biased. He was a soldier ; perhaps his heart had become hardened by war to the spectacle of human suffering ; — but here is a woman speaking of this painful transaction, more than half a century after it occurred, yet strongly urging its necessity. Can she have been influ- enced by a contemptible hatred of an inoffensive and harmless people ? Surely tbeir sufferings would have been an atonement for their offences, and a voice from those graves which they found in a distant land, would have pleaded with her to do justice to those, who could no longer suffer from an enmity which they had never provoked. Time would have softened her heart, and enabled her to judge more impartially of the justice or iniquity of the act. But she must have remembered the terrors that for many years surrounded the daily existence of our early settlers ; how hundreds of emigrants, not daring to venture beyond the guns of the cita- del, were crowded for years in the limits of the town ; how many died from suffering and sickness ; how famished crowds beset the Governor's door, praying him to save them from starvation ; how in a time of profound peace, a price was set upon overy Englishman's head by the French authorities in Canada, who paid a horrible bounty on the scalps of English •ettlers. Every tree had its dangers ; the forest was a source of terror to the settlers, who, even on the borders of Bedford Basin, ventured trembling into the. woods to obtain the fuel which their families required. When night came, well might they exclaim, " would that it were day !" The darkness was the shield of unseen foes, and each night as the emigrants laid down to sleep, they dreaded lest their slumbers should be broken by the terrific war cry of painted savages. These are evils which may be endured for months ; but when they are r ;l li tm II ■ 1 ; i U^L^h : m 18 . continued for years, men are apt to uecomo desperate, and to adopt ^any remedy, however harsh, that may preserve them from the misery and ter- rors of their unhappy existence. There might have been more merciful arrangements as to the mode of effecting the expulsion, but we must remember that if the act was necessary, it must necessarily be sudden in order to be effectual ; and in the hurry of the embarkation, it is not impossible that heart-rending sepa- rations were unconsciously caused by those who could not understand the language in which their unhappy prisoners bewailed their misfortunes and the relative* from whom they were severed. More than a century has since elapsed, and still some eloquent membrials of that sad event often unex- pectedly meet our gaze, and recall to our mind the memory of the past. Often, as you roam in the depths of the forest, where the lofty trees would seem to indicate that the hand of man has never been, amid the dark green foliage you are startled at seeing the familiar apple-blossom growing with a sickly bloom on a stunted tree, that vainly struggles for light and existence in the dense canopy that has enveloped it. You find that you are standing on the site of a home of a habitant. There is the huge fire- place, still blackened by the flames that have long been extinguished, and hurled down by the trees which have grown up through it, and which, concealing it by their foliag<;, seem as if striving to hide from the light of day, the desecrated hearthstones of the unhappy Acadians. •fi ?-i)V'!S I'.i' -; " Still Stands the forest prirooTal ; but under the shade of its branches Dwells another race, with other customs and language. Only along the shore of the mournful and misty Atlantic ,^ , . Linger a few Acadian peasants, whose fathers from exile " '.,' Wandered back to their native land to die in its bosom. ■■'- ^'^^ > ':.' " i In the fisherman's cot the wheel and the loom are still busy ; k- ■ Maidens still wear their Norman caps and their kirtlee of homespun, And by the evening five repeat Evangeline's story ; While from the rocky caverns the deep-voiced neighbouring ocean ' r Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest."* '■'' Having dismissed the subject of the two races that preceded ou? own as rulers of this province, I turn now to the settlement of Halifax, which was an event of the utmost importance to English rule in this province. Though we had previously held Port Royal, or Annapolis, our tenure was insecure, and could scarcely be considered as extending much farther than the range of our guns ; but the settlement of Chebucto was an offset to the rising town of Louisburg, on which France had lavished its thousands without hesitation, knowing that, while it possessed Cape Breton, it held the keys of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and of the highway from Europe to America. Lord Cornwallis, with a fleet of thirteen transports, which contained 2.376 passengers, arrived at Chebucto Harbor, the shores of which were an unbroken wilderness, except where the Duke d' Anville's men had been uoUecting fuel ; and there were no signs of civilization to be seen, except- ing that sad spectacle of the ravages of war, where a few topmasts of the -^"H^• f . »f,#tilS ^ EvaDgeline. aiued were dbeen xcept- of the 19 magnificent fleet which was sunk in the inner harbor, or Bedford Basin, were still visible above the water. On the 21st June, 1749 he landed on uur shores, an occurrence, which, as a provincial event, we are assembled to commemorate. Tbere is one thing that, I think, we may naturally conclude, that but for the settlement of Halifax, not only Nova Scotia, but Canada and Cape Breton, would have long been the property of the French, and might have continued so until the present day, a circumstance that gives a peculiar historical importance to the occurrence we are now recalling. The New Englanders well knew the benefits that would accrue from the establishment of a town at Chebucto, and suggested and aided in its formation. The first clearing was made at Point Pleasant, but subsequently, in consequence of the shoals, the town was moved up to its present position. The first settlers were apparently not the most serviceable, but were succeeded by others more adapted to struggle with the hardships of a new colony. But the details of the settlement are hardly of a nature to interet t a general audience. They resembled much the ordinary incidents of colo- nization ; but there is one thing that is remarkable. We were not left like the Pilgrims to struggle alone with starvation, and to fight unaided with the savages. The settlers were put on government allowance. Every inducement was held out by the British nation to lead people to seek a home in Nova Scotia. How quaintly the details of the early settlement now read ! Again and again we are reminded of the singular change in colonial thought and opinions that has since taken place. It is well worth while for the antiquarian to wander through the cor- respondence of Governor Cornwallis. At one time he alludes to Old St. Paul's, which, he says, will, according to estimates sent from Boston, cost £1,000. Then he refers to St. Matthew's Church, which was subsequently constructed for the use of " Protestant Dissenters." The whole town was surrounded by stockades to keep off the Indians, Fortifications of a very simple character were erected on George's Island :ind around the town, and a government mill was built, which seemed to give more trouble to his Excellency than any other of the weighty matters on his mind. Then there was a host of officials unknown to their descendants. There was a commissariat officer to look after the rations allowed the settlers ; and, " credat Judaeus !" so anxious was the British Government to increase the population, that it appointed, among other Colonial dignitaries, a government midwife ! The Lords of Trade and Plantations unfortunately abolished this useful office ; but as there are some of " the powers that be" upon the platform, I would respectfully suggest to our politicians, whether the creation of a new head of a department would not, in this age of " women's rights," be a boon to the fair sex, by opening to them the door " "b, which has hitherto been so inexorablv elosed apain.^i: thftm* public rably igamst * Among the papers of the Record Commission is a touching petition praying for tha appointment oi a government Lucina at Lunenburg. -< ; ■^. ■ *.. i* i J &' :-\- -*»■■' ' ¥ ! (■I 4i 20 Can we be surprised that, when the older colonics revolted, and endeav- oured to seduce the Nova Scotians from their allegiance, the latter remained firm and unshaken in their loyalty, remembering, as they did, that, not only for years had they been protected by the arms of Britain from the ravages of the French and their savage allies, but had, even from the very hour of their birth, been blessed by the fostering care of the mother country I There was a Council of six persons appointed. The Governor had under him the Lieutenant-Governor at Annapolis, which had been the capital of and almost the only British settlement in Nova Scotia before Halifax was built. Even now we find traces of this circumstance, as General Doyle receives a salary as Governor of Annapolis. !3efore the winter set in there were accommodations built for 3760 settlers; but the settlement was a work of no slight expense, up to 1755 the annual votes amounting to not less than £415,584. There is an in* teresting little pamphlet, published by Mr. Aikins, respecting the early settlement of Halifax, that is well worthy the perusal of those who feel interested in the early history of the town. The progress of Halifax was naturally retarded by the incessant hostili- ties of the Indians, and the unfriendliness of the French Neutrals, as I have already mentioned. Soon, however, after the Acadians were ex- pelled, a new era seemed to dawn upon the province. The Indians be- came peaceable, and settlers could venture without danger beyond the stockades behind which they had so long remained. A large body of excellent emigrants from New England settled at Windsor, Horton and Cumberland, and an impulse was given to the province that entirely changed the face of affairs. Excellent German settlers also arrived — though, in one case, a number of persons were sent, as the Governor says, more suitable for the almshouse than a new colony, two actually dying of old age the moment they landed here. We cannot be surprised that the authorities at home were deceived, in respect to emigrants, who were sent out under the auspices of a gentleman bearing the ominous name of " Baron Munchausen !" The most valuable emigrants, however, were the Loyalists, a largo pro- portion of whom were gentlemen of the first position in the old Colonies, who preferred sacrificing their property, and vandering away to Nova Scotia, in order to seek amid an unbroken forest, a home and a grave under the British flag. Justice has never been done to these gallant men ; it rests with us, their descendants, to see that they receive the meed of praise which their valor and their devotion merited. Unfortunately, the memory of their suffering in the cause of loyalty is almost forgotten. They needed a historian ; but the time has glided on, and their history now con- sists of only a few traditions preserved by their descendants. There, however, is Shelbumo, a vast monument to their misfortunes. It was exclusively settled by Loyalists, and at one time bad a population of 30,000 ; now we have to wander through the forest to find the streets of the deserted town. I have seen some of the invitations to their winter as- 21 semblies. In tbe midst of their miseries they tried to be gay, and earned for themselves among their republican relatives the cognomen of " the dancing beggars" But the evil day carofl at last. The town was de- serted. But whither went the unhappy settlers ? We may be sure that the almshouse was the resting place of many ; yet some took to the sword for a livelihood, and the names of Barclay and Delancey are to be found in the list of those who led our gallant troops to victory on the glorious battlefields of Spain. When Mr. Goldwin Smith talks oooly of " emancipating the Colonists,'' which means in plain English, getting rid of uS; we naturally feel indignant at the proposal, remembering that had such principles only been avowed a century ago, they would have saved our ancestors the loss of their lives and their estates, and would have left the descendants of the Loyalists something more than the empty title-deeds of the lands which were forfeited as the price of loyalty. I had in my possession, a few years ago, the original grant to an ancestor of mine, wno fell in the American war, of the tract of land on which, I am informed, the town of Catskillon che Hudson is now built. I believe there are hundreds of such relics throughout the province of the sacrifices of the Loyalists, which have been forgotten by Englishmen, and almost by ourselves. Time would M\ me to describe the various immigrations that helped to swell our population, the principal of which were the settlement of disband- ed regiments in Guysborough, Hants and Annapolis, and of Scotch Island- ers from Skye and the Isles, who sought a home in the island of Cape BiCtop, as well as in Pictou and Sydney counties. Nor can I allude to the adventures of many Novascotians in the wars with the Udted States, though one of our privateers, extorted by its gallantry, the following eulogium from James in his Naval Annals, who mentioned the engagement of the " Rover" with the " Santa Bitta" and three gunboats, as one that did honor to the colonies: — "This was an engagement that did great honor to Capt. Godfrey, his officers and crew, and proved how well the hardy sons of British America could emulate their brother tars of the parent country." ^ ,.,, i,v,„ ,,,„;,;,, Nor can I refer as fiilly as I could wish to those whose names are well worthy of remembrance. The gallant Hero of Kars should not be for- gotten by his countrymen ; nor should we fail to recall with pride the equally world-wide fame of the defender of Lucknow. Strange indeed is it that in the two most exciting sieges of our times two Novascotians were to the fore, and have attracted to themselves the notice of the whole civilized world by their bravery and skill. There are oi;hers, too, who, having adopted a more peaceful path, are hardly less deserving of our grat^ul remembrance ; — the late Mr. Archi- bald, whose bon mots are stul retained and appreciated ; the author of Agricola ;,* and the NoTascotiant who has organized the finest commoroial * The late Hon. Sclfra. Yoang, father of the Chief Jostice. t Sir Baiiuel Canard, Bart. 2* li: '>¥ s 22 II If- : ■•Si V 1'U stcain fleet in the world. Nor among those who have earned a place in our memory, should we forget the venerable old man who for more than half a century presided over our courts of law, and by his decease left a painful blank in society which but few can fill.* Perhaps I should allude to the development of our political institutions, but seeing near me, as I do, the representatives of difibrent opinions, I shall consider discretion the better part of valour, and maintain a prudent silence. The question now arises, has the progress of the province been such as to be a subject of congratulation. While wo have much to be proud of, thure are certain plain palpable truths which we should not shrmk from avowing, on a day like this, when we pause to look back upon the past, tx) find in it an omen of the future. What has been the progress of the province as regards population ? What is the state of our agriculture — of our fisheries, and of education in the province ? As regards our population, the following interesting statistics are given by Mr. Knight in his very able essay on Nova Scotia and its Resources, of which I trust every one who is here will obtain a copy. The rate of increase in the following years was — r, - ., ^ < In 84 years, up to 1818 156.41 s' ■i ■ In 10 years, up to 1828 087.49 - ' In 9 years, up to 1837 029.93 ' - ' • In 14 years, up to 1851 038.12 ' - In 10 years, up to 1861 019.82 Showing a very remarkable and gradual diminution in the rate of increase in the population of the province. Thus in 1828, the previous increase for 10 years was 87.49 ; while in 1861, for the same number of years, it only amounted to 19.85. It therefore appears that the increase of our population during the last ten years has been less than it has ever been before in the history of the province. Few will question that Nova Scotia, from the superiority of its mineral, maritime, and agricultural resources, as well as from its geographical position, is destined by nature to sustain a far larger population than either Massachusetts or Rhode Island. If its population ' 'ere in the same ratio to tlie number of square miles, as that of Massachusetts, it would amount to 2,551,362 inhabitants ; and if in the Rame ratio as that of Rhode Island, to 2,286,870. At present it only numbers 330,000. Let us then turn to the state of our agriculture ; and here, I fear, we have but little to ongratulate ourselves upon. The agricultural societies have everywhere fallen through ; and no one can pass, even through the best districts of Nova Scotia, without feeling bow little justice has been done to the fine natural capabilities of our soil. ."'17 In Cape Breton, where the population consists of emigrants from the Scotch Isles, who are utterly ignorant of agriculture, the state of farming ^ The late Sir Brenton Halliburton. >.>„ , ,, . is absolutely deplorable. There are largo districty of the finest upland reduced to a desert, producing nothing but weeds and thistles. Let any one pass through Judique and Middle River, and ho will bear mo out in my assertion. In some instances, nine crops of oats have been .succes- sively raised without manure, from the same knd. An intelligent person resident there has declared, that unless a change in the system is adopted, a largo portion of the population will in a few years bo starving in what is one of the finest portions of British America. Numbers have al- ready disgraced us by emigrating to New Zealand, while strangers are making their fortunes on land which they had abandoned. Place these men on the finest farms in the Lowlands of Scotland, and they would starve themselves in ton years. Tho same remarks may in a loss degree apply to the finest agricultural districts of Nova Scotia. I was last week rambling through the Gaspereaux Valley, one of tho most lovely spots in the province, and was astonished to find that not a quarter of many of tho farns was under profitable cultivation — many of tho fields producing nothing but weeds and wild strawberries. I asked a very intelligent and industrious farmer, whose fields presented a striking contrast to those of his neighbours, the cause of so singular a state of affairs, and was told that they had not sufficient capital to cultivate their farms. Would it not pay them well then, I asked, if they conld sell a large portion of their farms for a reasonable price? "It would undoubtedly do so," he an- swered. " Every man owns here five times as much land as he can cul- tivate with any profit to himself." I am sure I am within the mark, when I say, that taking the average number of farms, our farmers do not cul- tivate more than one-sixth of the land which they possess. It may be said they are keeping the land for thoir sons. In a vast number of instances, the sons will not accept the present of a new farm as a gift, preferring 'keeping a store," or trying their fortunes abroad. Can wo be surprised that, in the present degraded state of agriculture in this pro- vince, young men should despise an occupation which in Great Britain is elevated, by science and industry, into one of the noblest occuf ions in which we can engage ? In one county a most respectable person has written to mo, that tho mode of agriculture pursued is so unskilful, that a few good English far- mers, if sent there, would make an entire change in the appearance of the country, by the effect of their example and their experience. " They would be worth," he says, " their weight in gold to the farmers of this county." What is the state of our fisheries ? We should be mocking ourselves if wo should shut our eyes to the plain and palpable truth. In tho midst of tho very finest fisheries in the world, our fishermen are the most ignorant and neglected part of our population. They are always needy — always in debt : « ruinous system, destructive alike to the mer- chant and the debtor, swallows up their profits before they are realized. The honest man is compelled to pay for the bad debts of his dishonest neighbour, the merchant being forced to extort large profits in order to m-'J 24 '9v 1 meet the large losses which he is certain to incur. Whether an act such as that adopted by the Legislature of Newfoundland will relieve the fish- ermen from ihel. difficultied and the merchants from their risks, is a ques- tion well worthy the attention of the public. In some cases, as in Lunenburg, the shore fisheries have been abandoned for the deep sea fish- eries ; and those who have engaged in the latter have been most success- ful. But my remarks as regards this portion of our population are foun- ded not only on my own observation, but on the experience of those who have lived in their midst, and have felt and deplored the «vils that I have described. I now turn to the subject of Education, which has lately attracted the attention of the public. The remedy is a vexata questi, but the evil is beyond despute. A third of our population cannot write ! With univer- sal suffrage, which should be based on intelligence, if not on property, this is a startling state of affairs, that demands our most anxious attention. In all that depends upon ourselves, gentlemen, we have in many res- pects but little upon which to congratulate ourselves, and it would be an act of blindness in us to shut our eyes to stem realities, which it will bo the duty of all right-thinking men to meet and overcome. But ar regards the blessings which Providence has showered upon us, we car j be too grateful. The agricultural capabilities of the province are, I believe, unsurpassed. The alluvial lands of the Bay of Fundy are without a parallel in the history of agriculture. Tell the scientific farmers of England of lands that have been cultivated for a century and a half, and are still as productive as ever, though they have never received a particle of manure, and they will scarcely believe you. Nowhere can a farmer, with so small an amount of skill and industry, make so comfort- able a living as in Nova Scotia. Even with the defective system that prevails here, some of the average specimens of our cereal ai.d root crops have attracted the attention of the British public ; and Nova Scotia, hitherto supposed to be only capable of rearing fir trees, has sent some of the best oats in the Exhibition -, and it has been actually proposed that that land of perpetual fogs should send home a cargo of oats, to be used as seed by the British farmers. Then, our apples and potatoes sent there, are almost unrivalled. What could we not do if we c mM only import a few Mechis and model farms to the shores of Minas Basin, and give our province the same advantages which those have enjoyed that have compet- ed with us at the World's Fau- ? Not one of the contributors from this province prepared beforehand for the Exibition ; but, as in October next there is to be a grand intercolonial show of roots, cereals and fruits, organized by the Royal Horticultural Society, I sent, in May last, circulars, with the list of premiums, to our contributors, so as to give them timely warning, and to enable them to do full justice to the fino capabilities of our favored land. Though the ap- proaching Exhibition is not under government management, it is of suffi- cient importance to attract the immediate attention of colonial authorities ; and I trust we shall be able to put forth our whole strength, in order to 25 of bat ised rt a our for Inial irai our do ap- kuffi- jics ; Ir to vjoable us, with justice to ourselves, to place our agricultural productions beside the specimens that will there be collected from every (quarter of tlu; globe. /! As respects our mineral capabilities, I need merely refer you to tho opinions expressed in England respecting this branch of our department. When Governer Cornwallis stated to the British Government that this province if owned by France would be worth more to her than all the mines of Peru, he was nearer the literal truth perhaps than he imagmed. Who can venture to say what is the extent of our gold fields, or the wealth and population they may attract to our shores ! The Government I think have been prudent in not advertising too extensively the nature of our auriferous deposits. A year will settle the question as to their induce- ments for the invastment of capital and labor ; but it is a serious thing to bring persons hither, who may be unable to find employment, and may be compelled to depend upon the charitv of the public for subsistence. Then, there is our iron, inferior to none j and, what is more important, our coal fields, unequalled in value and extent, we having sent home a specimen far larger than any that have been exhibited, though many have come from all the quarters of the globe. What says " the English Mining Journal " on this point? The Mining Journal of May 11th, 1861, says : " It is of the highest importance to Great Britain that she possesses coal on both sides of the Atlantic ocean, whereby she will be able to support independently her steam navigation to the Western world This advantage will give the nation the highest ascendancy in peace and in war. •' The coal of Nova Scotia is sufficient to supply the whole steam navy of Britain for many centuries to come, and also to meet amply the demands of the British North American colonies. " It is probable that Nova Scotia, in proportion to its extent, stands unrivalled in ihe productive capabilities of its coal fields ; indeed, the coal fields of Cape Breton would appear to be almost inexhaustible, and Nature aflTords every facility for working them to advantage. The extensive cual deposits of Nova Scotia can scarcely be too highly estimated when con- sidered in connection with increasing steam traffic — trans- Atlantic and Colonial — and the fact that no coal fields of any considerable value exist either in Canada, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland." When we reflect on the immeasurable advantages of our possessing (?oal fields on our coasts, and remember the maritime progress that our province has already made, we may well vxpect that Nova Scotia is des- tined to be in America what England is in the Old World — " the Mistress of the Seas." With a population not larger than that of a second-rate English town, the province already ranks as one of the principal c -^ritime powers of the world. Her registered tonnage in 1856 was one-sixth more than the aggregate registered tonnage of all the Australian colonies, Tasmania, New Zealand, the British West Indies, the African colonies, and Mauritius. While the amount of tonnage built in Nova Scotia, in 1851, was equal to between one-half and one-third of the whole of the P f !!•' II I.-, :W' hol.lf. 11 11'; ' 1 lli>! "1 i i' III'' uHH HI PK III'' ' 19li ' : III; ' 1 1 ;i 1 ' 'f L li 26 tonnage built and registered in the United Kingdom in the same year. "We now possess as largo an amount of tonnage as that of Great Britain at the beginning of the last century ; and should any of us live to see the year 1900, we shall find, I am convinced, our native province owning aa amount of shipping equal to the vast mercantile marine which the Mistress of the Seas possessed at the commencement of the present century. Her geographical position indicates to every man who looks at the map of the New World that Nova Scotia is destined to be the great emporium of the trade of North America. There is something most striking and singular in her position and resources. Turn to the map of British America, which contains a territory larger than the whole of Europe, and far exceeding it in mineral and agricultural resources, and you see on the Pacific coast Vancouver's Island standing out, like a huge breakwater, as if to shelter the fleets of the Pacific. Nature has evidently pointed to her as the western outlet of the vast Colonial Empire of Britain. Then behold the sudden discovery of gold, attracting thousands thither, — and to the no less valuable mines of coal, discovered at the water's edge. Then turn to the eastern coast of British America, and you see Nova Scotia juttiig far out in the very highway of nations, and looking as if Nature had raised her up in the ocean as a vast pier for the fleets of the Atlantic. Gold, that magic power in suddenly creating new empires, is found at the same time in British Columbia, the western portal, and in Nova Scotia, the eastern outlet, of British America. But far more important to the future destiny of our province, are the vast areas of coal on our southern and northern coasts, near harbours that could shelter the navies of the of the world. Who can doubt that Nova Scotia and British Columbia have a bright destiny before them, and that we may yet live to see them bound together in a chain of communication; along which the luxuries of Asia, passing on from ocean to ocean, will be borne upon their journey to the distant mar- kets of the old world. [Here a memorandum was handed to Mr. Haliburton, which, as read by him, was as follows : " It might be as well to mention, that the Chebucto Company, took yesterday, from one claim, $4000 worth of gold." A very rich specimen was laid on the table at the same time.] This announcement constitutes a new era in our gold mining, and a most happy omen for the future, which I am now attempting to foreshadow. Can it be chance, or was it not rather a piece of patriotism on the part of the Chebucto Company, who have left the nugget undisturbed until it should be announced as an auspicious part of the day's proceedings ? I must now conclude this necessarilv imperfect address. It is but fair to myself, as well as to the subject which I fear I have but inadequately discussed, to state, that I have only had since Tuesday to prepare for this occasion— having learned definitely only on the Friday morning previous, on my return to Halifiax, that the honor had been assigned to me, and the interim until Tuesday having been occupied in the somewhat difficult comr of m histoi mg* mock loneb tale ; depar and V nivers that li depth) Th Provi awaits by cu by sh\ of the virtue servin *T} These tPed 27 undertaking of procuring an inspection of the official documents I have referred to. I feel that it would have been far better if some older person had assumed this task — some laudator temporis acti, who might have looked with greater pleasure on the past, and with less hope upon the future. Yet 1 believe that you will agree with me that, as we are a young colony, and can scarcely vie with the nations of the old world in our history, we can at least turn with pride to the destiny that awaits us. Thank Heaven, it is the case. Sad indeed is the natal anniversary which old age commemorates in solitude and silence ; but sadder dtill the anniversary of nations who have nothing left but the glories of the past, and the historic memory of the dead, whose very fame seems a silent reproach upon the living. Dark must have been the day when the last Doge of Venice went for the last time through the time-honoured custom of chain- ing* the sea by casting a ring into the waves. He must have felt the mockery of t j*e act. The deserted warehouses, the empty palaces, the lonely port, once crowded by argosies from every shore, told a mournful tale ; and he must have returned to his palace to weep in silence over the departed glories of his nation. The festival now is, I believe, neglected : and well it may be ! Never should captive "Venice hold her ancient an- niversary, unless, in some happier hour, she shall have burst the chains that long have bound her, and shall have buried them forever in the depths of the Adriatic. " Domira sempre, e non sia che U. svegli ?" t The present and the past are our own — the future is in the hands of Providence. Let us render ourselves worthy of the destiny that, we trust, awaits us, by burying those bitter animosities that have long divided us, by cultivating a feeling of patriotism, and a healthy tone of public opinion, by shunning the evils of democracy that have led to the disastrous fate of the neighbouring republic, and by cultivating those social and political virtues that make us upright men and good citizens, and render us de- serving of the bounty and the blessings of Heaven. * This ceremony is by some writers " chaining," and by others " wedding the sea." These two terms can scarcely be considered synonomous. t Petrarch, Canz. VI. I, * J ; ! 1^^ -*.' f , >,4 r "?:! ., . -vM f w . »' r"/' 'I.J - ] I I Ai i in' ^1 Se ■%. THE PAST AND THE FUTURE Of NOVA. SCOTIA: AN ADDEESS OK ^\it mm ^mivmm «f ntt 3mmtni of tltr DELIVERED BY R. G. HALIBURTON, M. A., F. S. A., Secretabt of Nova Scotian ^commissioners to International Exhibition. (By reqacst of the Anniversary Comnuttee.) Ill HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA ' ?»~ l. Illfel' OBJECT AND NATURE OF THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIOK, Held at Halifax, June 2Ist, 1862. Colonists have for many years occupied, in some respects, an equivocal and somewhat unenviable position. Though sincerely attached to the British Crown, and feeling, in common with the inhabitants of the Mother Country, a laudable pride and ' terest in the greatness and happiness of the nation, we are so far removed from the Parent State, that our familio arity with the incidents of its past existence, is derived, not from those public trophies and memorials whiuh present and recall to the eye and to the mind of an Englishman those great events which they commemorate, but from a study of the history of the world, which is as much the pro- perty of foreigners as of ourselves. In our daily life, we have but little to remind us that we have a personal interest m the trials and triumphs of that great country to which we belong, though we are conscious that as descendents of Britons we can justly claim an erual share of that heritage of glory which is the common property of the nation. But how striking is the contrast that presents itself to the colonist, when he crosses the line that divides us from the neighbouring Republic ! There all be inhabitants, young and old, combine to celebrate the an- niversary of the establishment of the Union. Even the European emi- grant, who has but a few months before sought that knd as an ad'^pted home, teels that he has a personal interest in the incidents that are re- called, but, above all, in those institutions which are annually extolled, and in the permanence of which his future happinass and destiny are so deeply involved. An impression has of late existed, that we might learn a useful lesson, in this respect, from our republican neighbors ; that an annual commemo- ration of the settlement of this province, might be of permanent benefit to ourselves, by promoting a feeling of loyalty to the Parent State, which by its arms and its treasures protected and fostered our early existence, by familarizing us with our past history, and by promoting an interest in those natural resources, the value of which we have hitherto scarcely ap- preciated as they deserved. It has been considered, that an annual commemoration like this, if divested of that spirit of self-laudation so conspicuous in the national re- joicings on the fourth of July, might be permanently established among us, without rendering us liable to the imputation of a vanity which, while unseemly even in a great republic, would be doubly ridiculous in a com- paratively unknown colony. M ii {(■■ -?1 '!■• -1. 1 • i t •['.so 'I < • ' .ll THE PAST AND THE FUTURE UM ^ ■ •■' ;■> U Mj: i-V„J,.f,l.!vtV> OF MOVA SCOTIA. 'I 1 ,.7 1 !• 'I .' I The Executive Committee in their Programme of to-day's proceedings, have announced that an Oration will be delivered in commemoration of the one hundred and thirteenth anniversary of the settlement of Halifax. None of us, who have not been in the neighbouring republic, have ever heard any address bearing so formidable and imposing a name. You must all be aware that orations are not in vogue among Englishmen, and are chiefly confined to the literature and history of classical antiquity, or to the productions of our neighbours the Americans. Among the Greeks and Romans, rhetoric exercised a power and assumed a position denied to it by us in this matter-of-fact age. It was a different atmosphere that men then breathed. When we read their his- tory, we fancy that we are almost studying the acts and thoughts of a different and distinct species of our race. The haze of poetry that seemed to envelope even the actions of every-day life,|give8 them a peculiar charm to the student, who turns now from the prosaic world around him to the glories and the struggles of those distant ages, which have been per- petuated and will ever survive in the memory of men. i i ;? >> Among the Americans, though their orations often excite our admira- tion by their eloquence, they seem exotics. But among the Greeks and Romans, however elevated their tone, they appear to be perfectly in keep- ing with the genius of those nations, and to be the natural productions of tho spirit of those ages. Though delivered thousands of years ago, they still appeal to the hearts of readers even in this common-place, utilitarian nine- teenth century. Who is there that does not, even now, feel his blood course more warmly through hie veins, as he I'eads the magnificent funeral oration delivered by Pericles — the language of which, if applied to even the greatest struggles of modern times, would seem utterly extravagant, but which appears peculiarly suitable to the great event, respecting which it was delivered. , .^jt i *; •: The same rhetorical turn is even more observable in the history of the military achievements of ancient nations, and constitutes a striking con- trast with the spirit of the present age. The orations delivered by Greek and Roman generals, if attempted by a modern soldier, would consign him to half pay. Generals no longer make orations to their armies. " tip Guards and at them " is almost the only piece of rhetoric history .. has recorded, in describing one of the greatest battles of one of the most ? 1 P 1 i I ! 1 ii 6 iucccseful generals of ancient or mo'lcrn times. " England expects every man to do his duty," is the terse stern watchword with which Nelson coni- mencod the glorious battle of Trafalgar. Nor is the change in the taste of the present age from that of oUssical tntiquity less evident in poetical and dramatic literature. Imagine tho ancient Greek chorus, with its magniOccnt appeals, invocations or laments, transferred to the modern stage ! The Germans have tried to introduce it, but have failed. Tho splendid chorus of the Persao, or the finest pas- sage from the grand old tragedy of Prometheus Desmotes, would either be coughed off the stage at the Adelphi, or would set all the audience •Bleep in a short time. The world has grown too mattei-of-fact for such flights of eloquence and imagination. Even in our own times there has been a singular change — a tendency to decry rhetorical displays. There can be no question that this feeling, so peculiar to the British people, is equally manifest here. I have often heard barristers from other colonies remark on the plain, simple, colloquial addresses which are generally to be heard in the courts of law in this province. And the same remarks may, with some few exceptions, be ap- plied to the speeches delivered in our legislature. But across the border the rule is reversed. There seems to be an extravagance in the mode of thought and expression among our neighbors that is in striking contrast to the cautious, cool reserve of the British people. Though the committee have designated this address as an oration, I assume they have merely used the phrase usually applicable to anniversary speeches on this side of the Atlantic, but have no wish that it should be of the same character as those well-known effusions. They desire that instead of its being limited to the settlement of Halifax, it should rather embrace the history and destiny of the whole province ; and a very §eneral opinion has been expressed that it should be of a practical character, ^his being the case, I need not apologize 'for adopting a plain, familiar style, or for principally touching upon those topics which have a practical yalue, or which are deserving of inquiry by Nova Scotians, instead of re- calling minutely to you the dry details of the foundation of the city, which only possess an interest in the eyes of antiquarians. To give you even an outline of our history, would take up to© much time for the Harrow limits of an address, and would weary the audience as much as the speaker. I shall, therefore, only allude to a few of the prominent features of our past history. The only points on which we can briefly touch, are the character of those who best deserve the name of Nova Sootians — the unfortunate Aborigines ; next, the history of the French colonists, and their fate ; the settlement of Halifax, and of the province ; the advent of the Loyalists, and tho subsequent social and commercial development of the people of Nova Scotia, — each of which can only re- ceive the most cursory and passing notice. I shall then turn to the future of the province, and to those steps which are necessary to enable us to avail ourselves of those blessings which Providence has showered around vs. T" V I Tho largo assemblage which I iind around mo is an cvidonco that, in this commomoration, wo arc supported by the cordial sympathy and good will of the public. Tho object is an honorable, and, I believo, a most useful one, viz., to inculcate in tho breast of Nova Scotians, a feeling of patriotism, to promote an acquaintance with the history of the past, and an intimacy with those natural resources, upon which, as well an upon our own energies, depends the future which Providence has in store for us. I may, perhaps, bo pardoned for asking, has a colony a right to remem- ber its natal day ? Must it wait until it arrives at full maturity before \i can publicly assemble its sons to recall the trials of tho past, and to pre- pare for tho struggles and the triumphs of the future ? If I were to ask those who are assembled here, who most religiously observes the returning day of his nativity, it would be not among the aged, who can look back upon a successful life, in which there i& a long succession of grateful honors to meet their glance ; but it would be among the band of young people that 1 see assembled to lend us the aid of their tuneful voice, that we should find tho fullest and readiest response. Yet, oh blooming Miss, just promoted to your teens ! oh holiday school-boy, surelj you have no very great reason to be proud of the part which you havs played in the theatre of life ? What have you done to entitle you to aa annual allowance of sweetmeats on that important day, which ushered you into the world ? Many children that commenced with you the arduoui study of A B C, have left you far behind in the race for knowledge. Whj do you rejoice over a day that recalls how little you have yet achieved t You cannot answer the question, yet you are fully conscious that, what- ever physical effect the unusual amount of luxuries you enjoy may pro- duce, you are mentally happier and better from the influence of that day, which is, and will be for many years, the happiest in your calendar. If you cannot answer the question, I shall do it for you. You do not recall your birthday so much on account of the past, as with reference to th« future. Each day you celebrate, shows that you are one year nearer to that longed-for time, when you will be called upon to take your place in the world, and assume the position which will be allotted to you by your Creator. It is an agreeable festival, that unites you more closely to your friends and kindred. Perhaps there is one chair vacant, that recills the absent one who has commenced life's pilgrimage before you, and bafi left for ever the paternal roof, for the purpose of fighting the hard battle of life. The empty seat reminds you of him ; the returning day recalls to his mind the celebrations that he knows are not forgotten at home. In the dust and bustle of busy life, he steals aside for a moment's thought, and in imagination is again among the youthful throng, rejoicing with a hearty mirth, which is denied to the more exciting pleasures of the world. Anniversaries of natal days are the property of youth and age ; thej are respectively the festivals of hope and memory. In the calm morn of youth, the mind, radiant with hope, like the morning sun, casts its long shadows far ahead, over the path of the journey of life, in happy contem- plation of the future. At noontide, the mind is engrossed with the present ; iV- I' ■■ I. 8 all its energies nro ooncontratod and absorbed in the struggle for power, or in the wild pursuit of pleasure ; but at evening the shadows of memory begin to creep backward again — back to the spot whence the long and weary journey of life commenced. The anniversaries of the past return again, and memory holds its festival, — but, ah how changed ! The solitary observer finds that he is alone ; that the friends of his childhood have passed away ; and his recollection of the past seems like a pilgrimage to the tombs of a departed generation. Hope has no shadow to cast for- ward, tixcept that which loads beyond the horizon that surrounds his gaze, to the dim and unseen world that awaits him. Lot us then take a lesson from the young. Wo are comparatively but a young colony. We do not pretend to boast of the achievements of the past ; but we celebrate this natal festival, because it tends to bind us more closely to each other in the bonds of mutual sympathy. It will re- call to our minds the fostering care of the parent state, that preserved us in the dangers that threatened our early existence. It will remind us of those who have past away, whose vacant places but ft^w can fill, and who are endeared to the memory and the hearts of the people. Each anniver- sary will constitute one of the milestones of our existence as a province, by which we can trace the progress we are making. Every year we can pause awhile, to muse on those influences that have advanced, and those eauses which have tended to retard our progress, and to lower us in our own eyes, and in the estimation of our neighbors. Let us avpid any undue self adulation that will render us ridiculous ; and let us not shrink from boldly avowing the truth, whatever it may be, freed from the influences of party or creed, on an occasion that unites men of all parties, and of all opinions. For my own part I can sincerely avow, that, whatever statements may be made by me, they are the result of my honest convictions, and are perfectly unbiased by party prejudices, for, having early in life resolved to avoid the thorny path of politics, which has but little to attract a young man in this province, presenting as it does before him an ordeal of recri- mination and criticism unknown in Great Britain, I have steadily pursued the path I havo chosen. But it may be said as to some portion of my address, these anticipations of the future are the enthusiastic views of a young man, who knows but little of the province. If this is the ease, I can only say that it is my own fault. Since June last I have been in almost every town and village in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia ; and twice almost every year I pass through the greater portion of Cape Breto.i and the eastern section of Nova Scotia. The business of the International Exhibition has necessarily thrown one in with those, who are most interested in our public welfare. But, to obtain reliable data on which to base my conclusions as co the capabilities of this province, I addressed a series of circulars to some of the most practical and intelligent men in every county, to the beat farmers, practical land-surveyors, and ship-builders, as well as to some members of the Legislature, and to those most capable of giving reliable information. 1^ Tho return? furniHliod by them are most encouraging as regards the future of tho province, and show that the opinions advanced to-day, are tho!)o en- tertained by shrewd, practical buauicss men, and are not, as may bo alleged, tho result of inexperience or enthusiasm. In turning to the past, tho tir.st thought that suggests itself, is rclativo to tho condition of those who once were tho lords of the soil, in a land where their descendants only ex'st, for tho most part, as helpless puuperfi und vagrants. In the United States the government as well as private societies have, on a most liberal scale, had investigations made respecting the Indian races, and the reports of the Smithsonian Institute bear evidence to the scale on wliich these inquiries have been con lucted. The Micmacs be- long, with many of the tribes to the north of Lake Superior, to a simple raoe, whose primitive faith was the nearest approach yet found among heathen nations, to the worship of the true God. The Great Father was their deity, one who dwells, according to their ideas, in " a temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The land of spirits was the scene of a bright future, where each warrior was destined to rejoice in the " happy hunting grounds of the Far West." They had none of the va- rious subordinate deities which degraded tho literature and mythology of ancient Greece and Rome; none of the corrupting tenets of }3rahmanism or Buddhism, which bid you spare all animal life, and yet sanction the most revolting cruelty to your fellow man. Thef»e northern tribes revered their ancestors; but they did not degrade the objects of their reverence, by converting them into malevolent deities, or by offering up, like the Polynesians, at their maraes, a sacrifice of the living to appease the cruel spirits of tho dead. A largo number of nations called the Moundbuilders, from the vast tumuli which they have left behind, must have spread up to the southera .shores of Lake Superior. How far east they wandered is not known ; but there is nothing to lead us to suppose that there are any traces of them in Nova Scotia. I have heard a report of something like the structure^ , be regretted that some relics of a very singular eharaotc,i\ found in Cumb^r^ land, have been taken by some person from the. i^eohanics' Institu|;o, where they were deposited. There has been an utter neglect in the British An^orican Colonies of • the history of the native 'tribes, and the impression exists that the only, races deserving of study are the semi-civilized nations of the South. T;hia. opinion I believe is quite unfounded, and I am sure the day will come when ethnologists will turn with, a great deal of interest to the primitive race of which the Micmac is a representative. Unfortunately for the enquirer, the Micmac exists only in, history. Hi| descendants are assimilated to the whites in manners and opinions, an4 Ni )i ! '!■ fl 111 1 1:; m 1 1 1 i Ml 1 i 10 itill more so in those ices and excesses that too often characterize the prO' gress of civilization in every age. But thare is one literary relic of the Micmacs that is peculiarly deserv- ing of study, viz., their native mode of writing. It is, I believe, one of the greatest curiosities of literature on this continent. It is not of a pic- torial, but of an arbitrary character, each of the letters representing a word. They are most unmistakeably Indian in their character, vyith some slight admixture of European letters, such as would be requisite in order to adapt so rude a system of writing to express the prayers of the mis- lionaries. Among the Indians, who attribute every thing they know to the French, it is supposed to have been taught them by the missionaries. Understanding that a learned German Priest at Tracadie has devoted his time ti> mastering the language of the Micmacs, I obtained last summer a letter of introduction to him for the purpose of inducing him to turn his attention to this subject. Not, however, returning by way of Tracadie, I was prevented from seeing him, but I have recently learned that he has considered the subject so interesting, that he has had types cast for the alphabet, and has brought out in Austria a work in Micmi ; characters. I confess, I wish that, instead of the subject having been investigated by a foreigner, some young Novascotian had turned the attention of the learned to these curiosities of literature. Where the great Humbolt* considered similar investigations worthy of the exercise of his great mind, they can- not be regarded by us as too unimportant topics for our interest and re- gearches, especially where they relate to the aborigines of our native province, t Wasted away, as they now are, by vice, disease, and by that inexor- able law by which the red man seems destined to melt away before the advance of pale-faces, they present a striking contrast to the warlike nation that extended tc De Monts and Pontricourt their friendship and protection,— and wept with grief when their welcome guests for a time abandoned Port Royal and returned to France. The first permanent settlement effected by the French was in 1606 ; the record of which event was engraved on a rough piece of sandstone, which bears the date of that year, and is marked with masonic signs. It is a singular thing that for years past no Nova Scotians have ever desired to see it, while en American Society, taking a much deeper interest in our historical monuments, has had a cast of it sent to the United States. There is much in the early history of the French settlement of Nova Scotia that is interesting to the reader. Amid the perpetual struggles with the English, and their rivalries among themselves, the history of * Humbolt refers to a report of a similar s/stem of writing having prevailed in « portion of South America, and greatly lamejits the loss r^f a document written, not m pictorial, like the Mexican, but in arbitrarj- characters — the hitter being much more advanced, and indicating a higher state of civilization than we have any re- «ord of in the history of America. t I should not oniit a reference to the philological labors of the Rev. Mr. Rand, who deserves infinite credit for being one of the pioneers in this interesting field of rtsoarch. If! H Madame LaTour's gallant defence, with a small garrison, ?igainst ber bus- band's rival in the government of Acadie, stands out as peculiarly attract- ive Nor is there less romance respecting the singular influence exercised by Baron Castine over the Abenakis ; his life would make an admirable subject for a romance. The historian of Nova Scotia, in rcferriii^ to De Castine, extracts the following quaint description from LaHontan :— •" Tie Baron de Castine, a gentleman of Oberon, in Beam, having lived among the Abenakis, after the savage way, for above 20 years, is so much respected by the savages, that they look upon him as their tutelar god. He was formerly an officer of the Carignan Regiment, and threw himself among the savages, whose language he had learned. He married among them after their fashion, and preferred the forests of Acadia to the Pyrenean Mountains that encompass the place of his nativity. For the first year of his abode with the savages, he behaved himself so as to draw an inexpressible esteem from them. Thoy made him their great chief or leader, which is in a manner the sovereign of the nation, and by degrees be has worked himself into such a fortune, which any man but he would have made such use of as to draw out of the country above two or three hundred thousand crowns, which he has now in his pocket in good dry gold. But all the use he makes of it is to buy up goods for presents to his fellow savages, who upon their return from hunting, present him with beaver skins to treble the value. The Governor-General of Canada keeps in with him, and the Governor of New England is afraid of him. He has several daughters, who are, all of them, married very handsomely to Frenchmen, and had good dowries. He has never changed his wife, by which means he intended to give the savages to understand that God does not love inconstant folks." Can we be surprised that the French, who thus mingled with the natives, acquired an influence over them that was most enduring in its effects and most formidable to the English in America. It was the Jesuit mission- aries, however, that most effectually secured the affections of the Indians. They were the pioneers of civilization in the new world, and spread the religion of Christ at a time, when there wore no other missionaries, except those stern soldiers who hoped by the sword to convince the heathen of their errors. One of them discovered Niagara ; another found his way from Canada to the Mississippi. Some were tortured by the savages, and underwent the pains of martyrdom. They were the early historians of tb new world : and, though their desire to acquire temporal power led to their expulsion from Italy, Spain, and France, and tliou^^h tliey have al- ways had most bitter enemies even in their own church, their missionary zeal, in the age of which I am now speaking, is deserving of all praise; and in their llelations des Jesuites, recently published, they have left an enduring monument of their energy and devotion. Time would fail me to describe the constant mutual reprisals and attacks that chequer the early history of this province. Repeatedly conquered by the English, as often ceded to France by the British Government, who generally lose by diplomacy what they gam by arms, unfortunate Acadia ' If 12 I ■.: I was perpetually changing owners, and when it was finary ceded to Britain in 1713 there must have been many persons residinpj m it, who had not less than five times involuntarily changed their rulers. ]lut the very circumstance of the province ao often reverting to France, was fatal to the French Neutrals, as they were called. When the oath of allegiance was first administered to them, it was with a reservation that they should not be compelled to bear arms against France. There can be : no doubt, however, that the Acadians looked forward to the day when France would again assume her sway over the province. The Indians, stimulated by the authorities in Canada, and aided and abetted by the neutrals, committed a series of bloody outrages upon the English. The Acadians hoped, probably, that the British settlements would in time be abandoned, and the settlers discouraged by the unseen dangers that every- where beset them. Much romance has been thrown around that sad finale of this portion of our provincial history ; and the historian of Nova Scotia has allowed his eympathies for the suffering Acadians to blind him, I think, a little, to the stern necessity that was imposed upon the provincial government, of taking some decided steps to terminate a state of affairs that must have retarded, if not absolutely thwarted, the attempts of the English to settle and culti- vate the province,* The Americans have made much of the sufferings of the Acadians, and have attempted to fasten a stigma upon the British nation respecting it. They forget that the influences that led to thij sad ■ occurrence came from the people of New England, whose fear of French domination led at first to the settlement of Halifax as a check on the growing power of France, and finally to the expulsion of the neutrals ; nor do they remember that those by whom the order was executed at Minas, and several other places, were New England troops, commanded by a native of Massachusetts Bay. We must not judge the actors in this scene by the state of feeling of the present day. There was a deadly struggle for existence constantly going 'On between the French and English colonists. The latter found that the best parts of the province were in possession of subjects alien in feeling to the ^iritish Crown, affording, in time of profound peace, arms and infor- mation to the Indians, and ever, wheii there was a rumor of French fleets on the coast, most contumacious and insulting in their conduct. It was evident that, so long as Franco had any foothold in Canada and Cape Breton, they could never be good friends, but might soon be converted into most dangerous enemies. There can be no question that a number having, in a qualified manner, sworn allegiance to the Crown, plainly and openly violated their oaths, by publicly appearing in arms against the Government, while others more secretly undermined the power of the 'English, by exciting the enmity of the Indians against us. They claimed to hold the singular position, that they should have all the rights without any of the duties or obligations of British subjects, and *I understand that information subsequently obtained by hini.Ims induced him, iiiico the publication of his history, to take a different view of this transaction. ba or h£ trd it I ar ml be was 13 based their claim upon the somewhat peculiar ground, that having so long enjoyed the toleration and forbearance of the British Government, they had a prescriptive right to its merciful consideration. By the terms of the treaty under which the province had been ceded, they were either to Isave it within a year or to take the oath of allegiance. They chose to remain, and yet refui?ed the alternative. Their qualified oath, which undoubtedly made them British subjects, but placed them in the enviable position of being relieved from the burthen and horrors of border warfare, had been a luockery ; the long forbearance and good faith of the English, who had in no case violated their agreements with the Acadians, or had disturbed tiiem in the quiet enjoyment of their property and religion, were with but little reason invoked as the prescriptive right of those by whom they had been so long forgotten and abused. No one can read the minutes < ' the Council at which their deputies were examined, and where the decision was arrived at as to their expulsion, without feeling that the step was only adopted as a matter of life and death by the English, and that so far from sentiments of cruelty and hostility having influenced the actors in this un- fortunate scene, they afforded every opportunity to the Acadians to reflect upon the consequences of their refusing to take the usual oath of allegiance. With the power of France established at Louisburg and at Quebec, and with large tribes of Indians hostile to Britain, the Colonial Government well knew that to send abroad the Acadians, who were actually British subjects, would be to convert them (as it is stated in the contemporary documents relative to the act) into most active and deadly foes, who would swell the ranks of the enemy, would act as their guides as well as their soldiers, and would ensure the destruction of the colony. To allow them to remain, would prove fatal to the province ; to expel them, but permit them to join the French, would still more surely seal its fate. It was a stern alternative, and a no less stern decision ; but I must say a hasty inspection of documents, not seen by the historian of Nova Scotia, has led me to the conclusion, that the emissaries of France were alone to blame, and that the harshness of the act was the necessary result of the sad necessity imposed upon the English, the continued hostility of the neutrals, leaving the British Government no alternative but to expel them.* We shrink back with horror at the details of the act. We recall the ' 1 1 11 'S'-; i "'■ ■ ■ i lr',\ '4 * Mr. Bancroft, in order to prevent the English from excusing the expulsion as rtn act of self-defence, says : — " No further resistance was to be feared. The English were masters of tlie sea ; were undisputed lords of the country, and cf)u) l exr-rcise cle- mcni'.ji without apprehension." Notliing could he farther from the truth. Tiie sulyects of Britain were actually besieged within a British province, and, in a time of pro- fouad peace, were hemmed in within the limits of their fortifications by the savage allies of France ; and this unparalleled state of affairs even continued for some time after most of the Acadians were expelled. On the 15th June, 1756, the Minutes of Council state :— " Colonel Sutherland represented to His Excellency that, since the late attack of the Indian enemy upon the frontiers of the German .settlement at Lunenburg, the inhabitants are much intimidated, and especially the women and children, whoso assistance 'is of very great use upon their lands; and Uiat ho apprehends, unless somo farther measures are taken for their protoctiou, i M 14 domestic virtues of the happy Acadians and the desolated homes of families BCvered perhaps forever ; but in our sympathy for their sufferings, we must not do injustice to ourselves, as we hitherto have ; wo must not for- get the long fitrbearaneo of the English, — how they quietly endured the Fccret connivance of tiioso who had sworn allegiance to the British Crown, nnd their sympathy with the savage enemies that desolated many a happy homo, and rendered the existence of the settlers most insecure. Wo have all read the horrors of an Indian war, but what must those horrors be when tlicy are increased by the secret assistance and connivance of faith- less subjects in our midst. Tiiero is among the papers of the Record Commission a document in French purporting to be a copy of a letter from the Bishop of Quebec, dated Oct., 1754, the year before the expul- sion of the Acadians, and addressed to Mons. Lo lioutre, who was a missionary among the Acadians, and a most active enemy of the English. In it the Bishop says : — " Beliold yourself, sir, in tlic iliflicultios T forcsnw, and long ngo predicted to you ! The refugocs could not fiiil, sooner or later, in being unfortunate, and in reproach- ing you with their nuKcries. The same thing will happen to them as took place in the Island of St. John in the Hrst war; they will he a mark for the English, inces- santly liarnissod by them. A long time since 1 remarked to you that a missionary tihould not meddle at till with temporal mutters, making himself an object of emnity and hostility." Unfortunately for the Acadians, the judicious advice of the Bishop was neglected by LeLoutre, who endeavored to excite the neutrals to take up arms against the English, an incendiary document to that effect, signed by him, being now among our public records. That LeLoutre was the main cause of their expulsion is manifest on reference to the documents relating to this event, but especially to one purporting to be a copy of a letter from the Governor-General of Canada to him, dated the 18th October of the same year (1754) : — " Your policy is an excellent one, to cause them to bo menaced by yonr 8avages> whom they will fear still moiv, when they see the blow struck. " The actual position of the colony renders it imperative that I should cause the negociatious of tiie English witli the savages to be broken off, as it tends to corrupt them to turn against us, if tlioy (the English) succeed by presents, money, and de- ceit, as t'loy have plaimed. Tliis is why I rely on you and Mons. Vigor to try to find a plausible pretext to induce them to strike a vigorous blow. I entirely rely on your resources, for in whatever concerns the honor of the King's arms, and tli'e safety of the colony, your zeal and tidents are known to me." The whole of the letter is in the same style. In another paragraph ho clearly explains the secret of the unmitigated and destructive hostilities more than is at present in liis power to afford tliem from the troops with liini, tliejf ivould all leave those settlcmojits, and repair to the town for safety." Nor did this apply only to the settlement of Lunenburg. On the 1.3th September, 1 756, so great was the di-ead of the invasion of the i>rovince by the victorious French, who had already reduced the fort at Oswego, and were triumphant from the borders of Acadia to the Ohio, that the Council decided that all our forces on the Isthmus should be concentrated at Fort Cumberland, to resist the expected attu"!-:. And the Governor, by the advice of the Council, entivated Admiral Holmes not to leave the province unprotected by his Heet at so critical a juncture. 15 "ffi which, for half a century, the Indians had waged against the Engli}
  • t a general audience. They resembled much the ordinary incidents of colo- nization ; but there is one thing that is remarkable. We were not left like the Pilgrims to struggle alone with starvation, and to fight unaided with the savages. The settlers were put on government allowance Every inducement was held out by the British nation t<) lead people to seek a home in Nova Scotia. How quaintly the details of the early settlement now read ! Again and again we are reminded of the singular change in colonial thought and opinions that has since taken place. It is well worth while for the antiquarian to wander through the cor- respondence of Governor Cornwallis. At one time he alludes to Old St. Paul's, which, he says, will, according to estimates sent from Boston, cost £1,000. Then he refers to St. Matthew's Church, which was subsequently constructed for the use of " Protestant Dissenters." The whole town was surrounded by stockades to keep off the Indians. Fortifications of a very simple character were erected on George's Island and around the town, and a government mill was built, vhich seemed to give more trouble to his Excellency than any other of the weighty matters on his mind. Then there yras a host of officials unknown to their descendants. There was a commissariat officer to look after the rations allowed the settlers ; and, " credat Judaeus !" so anxious was the British Government to increase the population, that it appointed, among other Colonial dignitaries, a government midwife ! The Lords of Trade and Plantations unfortunately abolished this useful office ; but as there are some of " the powers that be" upon the platform, I would respectfully suggest to our politicians, whether the creation of a new head of a department would not, in this age of " women's rights," be a boon to the fau: sex, by opening to them the door to public life, which has hitherto been so inexorably closed against them.* ♦ Among the papers of the Record Commission is a touching petition praying for ' " ■overnment Lucina at Lunenburcr. ♦ Among the papers of the Record Commission is a to the appointment of a government Lucina at Lunenburg. %' Can wo be surprised that, when the older colonies revolted, and endeav- oured to seduce the Nova Scotians from their allegiance, the latter remained firm and uniHiaken in their loyalty, remembering, as they did, that, not only for years had they been protected by the arms of Britain from the ravages of the French and their savage allies, but had, even from the very hour of their birth, been blessed by the fostering care of the mother country I There was a Council of six persons appointed. The Governor had under him the Lieutenant-Governor at Annapolis, which had been the capital of and almost the only British settlement in Nova Scotia before Halifax was built. Even now we find traces of this circumstance, as General Doyle receives a salary as Gover^ior of Annapolis. Before the winter set in there were accommodations built for 3760 settlers ; but the settlement was a work of no slight expense, up to 1755 thd annual votes amounting to not less than £415,584. There is an in- teresting little pamphlet, published by Mr. Aikins, respecting the early settlement of Halifax, that is well worthy the perusal of those who feel interested in the early history of the town. The progress of Halifax was naturally retarded by the incessant hostili- ties of the Indians, and the unfriendliness of the French Neutrals, as I have already mentioned. Soon, however, after the Acadians were ex- pelled, a new era seemed to dawn upon the province. The Indians be- came peaceable, and settlers could venture without danger beyond the stockades behind which they had so long remained. A large body of excellent emigrants from New England settled at Windsor, Horton and Cumberland, and an impulse was given to the province that entirely changed the face of afiairs. Excellent German settlers also arrived — though, in one case, a number of persons were sent, as the Governor says, more suitable for the almshouse than a new colony, two actually dying of old age the moment they landed here. We cannot be surprised that the authorities at home were deceived, in respect to emigrants, who were sent out under the auspices of a gentleman bearing the ominous name of " Baron Munchausen !" The most valuable emigrants, however, were the Loyalists, a large pro- portion of whom were gentlemen of the first position in the old Colonies, who preferred sacrificing their property, and wandering away to Nova Scotia, in order to seek amid an unbroken forest, a home and a grave under the British flag. Justice has never been done to these gallant men ; it rests with us, their descendants, to see that they receive the meed of praise which their valor and their devotion merited. Unfortunately, the memory of their suffering in the cause of loyalty is almost forgotten. They needed a historian ; but the time has glided on, and their history now con- sists of only a few traditions preserved by their descendants. There, however, is Shelbume, a vast monument to their misfortunes. It was exclusively settled by Loyalists, and at one time had a population of 30,000 ; now we have to wander through the forest to find the streets of the deserted town. I have seen some of the invitations to their winter as- 21 semblios. In the midst of tboir miseries tbey tried to be gay, and earned for themselves among their republican relatives the cognomen of " the dancing beggars." But the evil day came at last. The town was de- serted. But whither went the unhappy settlers ? We may be sure that the almshouse was the resting place of many ; yet some took to the sword for a livelihood, and the names of Barclay and Delancey are to be found in the list of those who led our gallant troops to victory on the glorious battlefields of Spain. When Mr. Goldwin Smith talks cooly of " emancipating the Colonists," which means in plain English, getting rid of us, we naturally feel indignant at the proposal, remembering that had such principles only been avowed a century ago, they would have saved oar ancestors the loss of their lives and their estates, and would have left th^ descendants of the Loyalists something more than the empty title-deeds of the lands which were forfeited as the price of loyalty. I had in my possession, a few years ago, the original grant to an ancestor of mine, wno fell in the American war, of the tract of land on which, I am informed, the town of Catskill on the Hudson is now built. I believe there are hundreds of such relics throughout the province of the sacrifices of the Loyalists, which have been forgotten by Englishmen, and aJmost by ourselves. Time would fail me to describe the various immigrations that helped to swell our population, the principal of which were the settlement of disband- ed regiments in Guysborough, Hants and Annapolis, and of Scotch Island- ers from Skye and the Isles, who sought a home in the island of Cape Breton, as well as in Pictou and Sydney counties. Nor can I allude to the adventures of many Novascotians in the wars with the Uaited States, though one of our privateers, extorted by its gallantry, the following eulogium from James in his Naval Annals, who mentioned the engagement of the " Hover" with the " Santa Bitta" and three gunboats, as one that did honor to the colonies: — "This was an engagement that did great honor to Capt. Godfirey, his ofl&cers and crew, and proved how well the : * hardy sons of British America could emulate their brother tars of the parent country." Nor can I refi^ as fully as I could wish to those whose names are well worthy of remembrance. The gallant Hero of Kars should not be for- gotten by his countrymen ; nor should we fail to recall with pride the equally world-wide fame of the defender of Luoknow. Strange indeed is it that in the two most exciting sieges of our times two Novascotians were to the fore, and have attracted to themselves the notice of the whole civilized world by their bravery and skill. There are others, too, who, having adopted a more peaceful path, are hardly less deserving of our grateful remembrance ; — the late Mr. Archi- bald, whose hon mots are stUl retdned and appreciated ; the author of.; Agricola i* and the Norasootiant who has organized the finest commercial .^1 i ri ! ;: r ; i'l . m^:s * The late Hon. John Yonng, father of the Chief Justice, t Sir Samuel Canard, Bart. 2* 22 Hfii'iJ '■'. Rtoam fleet in tlio world. Nor among those who have earned a place in our raomory, should we forget the venerable old man who for more than half a century presided over our courts of law, and by his decease left a painful blank in society which but few can fill.* Perhaps I should allude to the development of our political institutions, but seeing near me, as I do, the representatives of difibront opinions, I shall consider discretion the better part of valour, and maintiia a prudent silence. The question now arises, has the progress of the province been such as to be a subject of congratulation. VVhilo we have much to be proud of, there are certain plain palpable truths which wo should not shrmk from avowing, on a day like this, when we pause to look back upon the past, to find in it an omen of the futupe. What has been the progress oi the province as regards population ? What is the state of our agriculture — of our fisheries, and of education in the province ? As regards our population, the following interesting statistics are given by Mr. ^night in his very able essay on Nova Scotia and its Resources, of which I trust every one who is hero will obtain a copy. The rate of increase in the following years was — In 34 years, up to 1818 156.41 In 10 years, up to 1828 087.49 In 9 years, up to 1837 029.98 In 14 years, up to 1851 038.12 In 10 years, up to 1861 019.82 Showing a very remarkable and gradual diminution in the rate of increase in the population of the province. Thus in 1828, the previous increase for 10 years was 87.49 ; while in 1861, for the same number of years, it only amounted to 19.85. It therefore appears that the increase of our population during the last ten years has been less than it has ever bee i before in the history of the province. Few will question that Nova Scotia, fron the superiority of its mineral, maritime, and agricultural resources, as well as from its geographical position, is destined by nature to sustain a far larger population than either Massachusetts or Bhode Island. If its population were in the same ratio to the number of square miles, as that of Massachusetts, it would amount to 2,551,362 inhabitants ; and if in the same ratio as that of Rhode Island, to 2,286,870. At present it only numbers 330,000. Let us then turn to the state of our agriculture ; and here, I fear, we have but little to congratulate ourselves upon. The agricultural societies have everywhere fallen through ; and no one can pass, even through the best districts of Nova Scotia, without feeling how little justice has been done to the fine natural capabilities of our soil. In Cape Breton, where the population consists of emigrants from the Scotch Isles, who are utterly ignorant of agriculture, the state of farming * The late Sir Brenton Halliburton. 23 is absolutely deplorable. Thoro arc large districts of the finest upland reduced to a desert, producing nothing but weeds and thistles. Let any one pass through Judiquo and Middle River, and he will bear mo out in my assertion. In some instances, nine crops of oats have been succe.s- sively raised without manure, from the same land. An intelligent person resident there has declared, that unless a change in the system is adopted, a large portion of the population will in a few years be starving in what is one of the finest portions of British America. Numbers have al- ready disgraced us by emigrating to New Zealand, while strangers are making their fortunes on land which they had abandoned. Place these men on the finest farms in the Lowlands of Scotland, and they would starve themselves in ten years. The same remarks may in a less degree apply to the finest agricultural districts of Novu Scotia. I wns last week rambling through the Gaspereaux Valley, one of the most lovely spots in the province, and was astonished to find that not a quarter of many of the farms was under profitable cultivation — many of the fields producing nothing but weeds and wild strawberries. I asked a very intelligent and industrious farmer, whose fields presented a striking contrast to those of his neighbours, the cause of so singular a state of affairs, and was told that they had not suflBcient capital to cultivate their farms. Would it not pay them well then, I asked, if they could sell a largo portion of their farms for a reasonable price? "It would undoubtedly do so," he an- swered. " Every man owns here five times as much land as he can cul- tivate with any profit to himself." I am sure I am within thoi mark, when I say, that taking the average number of farms, our farmers do not cul- tivate more than one-sixth of the land which they possess. It may be said they are keeping the land for their eons. In a vast number of instances, the sons will not accept the present of a new farm as a gift, preferring "keeping a store," or trying their fortunes abroad. Can we be surprised that, in the present degraded state of agriculture in this pro- vince, young men should despise an occupation which in Great Britain is elevated, by science and industry, into one of the noblest occupations in which we can engage ? In one county a most respectable person has written to me, that the mode of agriculture pursued is so unskilful, that a few good English far- mers, if sent there, would make an entire change in the appearance of the country, by the effect of their example and their experience. " They would be worth," he says, " their weight in gold to tiie farmers of this county." What is the state of our fisheries ? We should be mocking ourselves if we should shut our eyes to the plain and palpable truth. In tho midst of the very finest fisheries in the world, our fishermen are tho most ignorant and neglected part of our population. They are always needy — always in debt : a ruinous system, destructive alike to the mer- chant and the debtor, swallows up their profits before they are realized. The honest man is compelled to pay for the bad debts of his dishonest neighbour, the merchant being forced to extort large profits in order to l- 24 ':?. !' i' \ I meet tho large losses which ho is certain to incur. Whether an act sueli as that adopted by tho Legislature ot Newfoundland will relieve the fish- ermen from their difficulties and the merchants from their risks, is a (|ues- tion well worthy tho attention of the public. In some cases, as in Lunenburg, the shore fishewes have been abandoned for the deep sea fish- eries ; and those who have engaged in the latter have been most success- ful. But my remarks as regards this portion of our population are foun- ded not only on my own observation, but on the experience of th<»so who have lived in their midst, and have felt and deplored the evils that I have described. I now turn to tho subject of Education, which has lately attracted tho attention of the public. The remedy is a vexata quesli, but tho evil is beyond despute. A third of our population cannot write I With univer- sal suffrage, which should be based on intelligence, if not on property^ this is a startling state of affairs, that demands our most anxious attention. In all that depends upon ourselves, gentlemen, wo have 'v\ many res- pects but little upon which to congratulate ourselves, and it would be an act of blindness in us to shut our oyes to stem realities, which it will be the duty of all right-thinking men to meet and overcome. But as regards the blessings which Providence has showered upon us, we cannot bo too grateful. The agricultural capabilities of the province are, I believe, unsurpassed. The alluvial lands of the Bay of Fundy are without a parallel in the history of agriculture. Tell the scientific farmers of England of lands that have been cultivated for a century and a half, and are still as productive as ever, though they have never received a particle of manure, and they will scarcely believe you. Nowhere can a farmer, with so small an amount of skill and industry, make so comfort- able a living as in Nova Scotia. Even with the defective system that prevails here, some of the average specimens of our cereal and root crops have attracted the attention of tho British public ; and Nova Scotia, hitherto supposed to bo only capable of rearing fir trees, has sent some of the best oats in the Exhibition ; and it has been actually proposed that that land of perpetual fogs should send home a cargo of oats, to be used as seed by the British farmers. Then, our apples and potatoes sent there, are almost unrivalled. What could we not do if we could only import a few Mechis and model farms to the shores of Minas Basin, and give our province the same advantages which those have enjoyed that have compet- ed with us at the World's Fair ? Not Oiie of the contributors from this province prepared beforehand for the Exibition ; but, as in October next there is to be a grand intercolonial show of roots, cereals and fruits, organized by the lloyal Horticultural Society, I sent, in May last, circulars, with the list of premiums, to our contributors, so as to give them timely warning, and to enable them to do full justice to the fine capabilities of our favored land. Though the ap- proaching Exhibition is not under government management, it is of suffi- cient importance to attract the immediate attention of colonial authorities ; and I trust we shall be able to put forth our whole strength, in order to 25 onablo us, with justice to ourselves, to place our agricultural pvctluotions beside the specimens that will there be collected from every ([uarter «>t' tlu' globe. As respects our mineral capabilities, I need merely refer you to the opinions expressed in England respecting this branch of our depiirtmcnt. When Governor Cornwallis stated to the British Government that this province if ownott by Franco would bo worth more to her than nil the mines of Peru, be was nearer the literal truth perhaps than he iniagmod. Who can venture to say what is the extent of our gold fields, or the wealth and population they may attract to our shores 1 The Government I think have been prudont in not advertising too extensively the nature of our auriferous deposits. A year will settle the question as to their induce- ments for t!-.j investment of capital and labor ; but it is a serious thing to bring persons hither, who may be unable to find employment, and may be compelled to depend upon the charity of the public for subsistence. Then, there is our iron, inferior to none ; and, what is more important, our coal fields, unequalled in value and extent, wo having sent home a spocimun far larger than any that have been exhibited, though many have come from all the quarters of the globe, V/hat says " the English Mining Journal " on this point ? The Mi7iinff Journal of May 11th, 1861, says : " It is of the highest importance to Groat Britain that she possesses coal on both si(le:s of the Atlantic ocean, whereby she will be able to support indcpovulently her steam navigation to the Western world. This advantage will give the nation the highest ascendancy in peace and in war. " The coal of Nova Scotia is sufficient to supply the whole steam navy of Britain for many centuries to come, and also to meet amply the demands of the British North American colonies. " It is probable that Nova Scotia, in proportion to its extent, stands unrivalled in the productive capabilities of its coal fields ; indeed, the coal fields of Cape Breton would appear to bo almost inexl'austible, and Nature affords every facility for working them to advantage. The extensive cM.al deposits of Nova Scotia can scarcely be too highly estimated when con- sidered in connection with increasing steam traffic — trans-Atlantic and Colonial— and the fact that no coal fields of any considerable value exist either in Canada, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland." When we reflect on the immeasurable advantages of our possessing coal fields on our coasts, and remember the maritime progress that (»ur province has already made, we may well expect that Nova Scotia is des- tined to be in America what England is in the Old World — " the Mistress of the Seas." With a population not larger than that of a second-rate English town, the province already ranks as one of the principal maritime powers of the world. Her regist red tonnage in 1850 was one-sixth more than the aggregate registered tonnage of all the Australian colonies. Tasmania, New Zealand, the British West Indies, the African colonies, and Mauritius. While the amount of tonnage built in Nova Scotia, in 18&1, was equal to between one-half and one-third of the whole of the '4 5i 1 1 : i - I . 1* '.i ■■ . ». i- . i- -k I' V! tonnage built and registered in the United Kingdom in the same year. Wc now possess as large an amount of tonnage as that of Great Britain at the beginning of the last century ; and should any of us live to see the year 1900, we shall find, I am convinced, our native province owning an amount of shipping equal to the vast mercantile marine which the Mistress of the Seas possessed at the commencement of the present century. Her geographical position indicates to every man who looks at the map of the New World that Nova Scotia is destined to be the great emporium of the trade of North America. There Is something most striking and singular in her position and resources. Turn to the map of British America, which contains a territory larger than the whole of Europe, and far exceeding it in mineral and agricultural resources, and you see on the Pacific coast Vancouver's Island standing out, like a huge breakwater, as if to shelter the fleets of the Pacific. Nature has evidently pointed to her as the western outlet of the vast Colonial Empire of Britain. Then behold the sudden discovery of gold, attracting thousands thither, —and to the no less valuable mines of coal, discovered at the water's edge. Then turn to the eastern coast of British America, and you see Nova Scotia jutting far out in the very highway of nations, and looking as if Nature had raised her up in the ocean as a vast pier tor the fleets of the Atlantic. Gold, that magic power in suddenly creating new empires, is found at the same time in British Columbia, the western portal, and in Nova Scotia, the eastern outlet, of British America. But far more important to the future destiny of our province, are the vast areas of coal on our southern and northern coasts, near harbours that could shelter the navies of the of the world. Who can doubt that Nova Scotia and British Columbia have a bright destiny before them, and that we may yet live to see them bound together in a chain of communication, along which the luxuries of Asia, passing on from ocean to ocean, will be borne upon their journey to the distant mar- kets of the old world. [Here a memorandum was handed to Mr. Haliburton, which, as read by him, was as follows : " It might be as well to mention, that the Chebucto Company, took yesterday, from one claim, $4000 worth of gold." A very rich specimen was laid on the table at the same time.] "•' ''r. This announcement constitutes a new era in our gold mining, and a most happy omen for the future, which I am now attempting to foreshadow. Can it be chance, or was it not rather a piece of patriotism on the part of the Chebucto Company, who have left the nugget undisturbed until it should be announced as an auspicious part of the day's proceedings V I must now conclude this necessarily imperfect address. It is but fair to myself, as well as to the subject which I fear I have but inadequately discussed, to state, that I have only had since Tuesday to prepare for this occasion — having learned definitely only on the Friday morning previous, on my return to Halifax, that the honor had been assigned to me, and the interim until Tuesday having been occupied in the somewhat difficult 1 i.fil 27 undertaking of procuring an inspection of the official documents I have referred to. I feel that it would have been far better if some older person had assumed this task — some laudator temporis acti, who might have looked with greater pleasure on the past, and with less hope upon the future. Yet I believe that you will agree with me that, as we are a young colony, and can scarcely vie with the nations of the old world in our history, we can at least turn with pride to the destiny that awaits us. Thank Heaven, it is the case. Sad indeed is the natal anniversary which old age commemorates in solitud'^ and silence ; but sadder still the anniversary of nations who have nothing left but the glories of the past, and the historic memory of the dead, whose very fame seems a silent reproach upon the living. Dark must have been the day when the last Doge of Venice went for the last time through the time-honoured custom of chain- ing* the sea by casting a ring into the waves. He must have felt the mockery of the act. The deserted warehouses, the empty palaces, the lonely port, once crowded by argosies from every shore, told a mournful tale ; and he must have returned to his palace to weep in silence over the departed glories of his nation. The festival now is, I believe, neglected : and well it may be ! Never should captive Venice hold her ancient an- niversary, unless, in some happier hour, she shall have burst the chains that long have bound her, and shall have buried them forever in the depths of the Adriatic. " Domira sempre, e non sia che la svegli ?" t The present and the past are our own — the future is in the hands of Providence. Let us render ourselves worthy of the destiny that, we trust, awaits us, by burying those bitter animosities that have long divided us, by c'lHivating a feeling of patriotism, and a healthy tone of public opinion, by Lnming the evils of democracy that have led to the disastrous fate o^^t • T ighbouring republic, and by cultivating those social and political virtuj,-; tf .; make us upright men and good citizens, and render us de- serving uk tb') bounty and the blessings of Heaven. * This ceremony is by some writers " cJiaining," and by others " wedding the sea." These two terms can scarcely be considered st/nononious. t Petrarch, Canz. VI. i'^ / I % I , f •CM I ») $rm §un^. NOYA SCOTIA AND HER RESOURCES. By THOMAS F. KNIGHT. {{ Vires acqidrit eundo" M PUBLTSHED BY ORDER OF THE NOVA SCOTIA COMMISSIONERS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. HALIFAX. N. S. A. & W. MACKINLAY, Granville Street. LONDON: SAMPSON LOW, SON and Co. 1862. HALIFAX, N. S.: PRINTED BY JOHN B. STRONG, 203 Bakringtok Street. V ', i: -■■: PREFACE. 1 1 The writer conceives it to be due to those who have in the past contributed to the general stock of information relating to the Colony of Kova Scotia, to acknowledge the assistance which he has derived from their labours, in the preparation of the following pages. He has consulted Haliburton's History of Nova Scotia, Murray's North America, Martin's British Colonies, Dawson's Geography and Na- tural History of Nova Scotia, Acadian Geology, Agriculture ; Nova S-otia as a Field for Emigration, by P. S. Hamilton, Esq. ; Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians, by the Rev. George Hill, A.M.; besides other works having a remoter reference to the subject. The statistic* have been obtained from official documents, and from undoubted authorities; and the author has assiduously endeavoured to make the Essay a reliable repertory of useful information pertaining to Nova Scotia and its Resources. '■•■• I' Halifax, May, 1862. IV. i I ! PRIZE ESSAY. Halifax, 10th May, 186«. Sir, — Carefully to examine, and justly to estimate, tlie comparative merits of thirteen Essays that have been submitted to us by the Com- missioners, we have found to be an office of considerable difficulty. Under a deep sense of its delicacy, and of our own rssponsi- bilities, we have devoted to it as much of our time and attention as our respective engagements left at our disposal. The difficulty that we have experienced has been much enhanced by the circumstance, that we have found the merits of several of the subjects of competition that we have postponed, so nicely balanced, in comparison with those of the Essay to which we have assigned a preference, that we are by no means certain that other minds would not have a warded the palm to some one of the for- mer. , - On the whole, however, we are of opinion, that the Essay marked with the letter C, though more voluminous than it ought to be, is better adapted than any of the others, to convey to intelli- gent strangers, unacquainted with our Province, useful information respecting its past and present history, its condition, resources and capabilities. Under that impression, we have the honor to report to the Board of Provincial Commissioners for the International Exhibi- tion, that the Essay above indicated is, in our judgment, the best that has been under consideration. We have the honor to be. Sir, ' ■ '■■'":"■ Your most obedient servants, W. YOUNG, L. M. WILKINS, J. W. JOHNSTON To E. G. Haliburtok, Esq., Secretary. ■^im CONTENTS. ft M '■i INTRODUCTION GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE— Chap. I., Granitic Metamorphic District, . Devonian and Upper Silurian, Carboniferons Districts, New Red Sandstone, ... Drift, Diluvium, or Boulder, . » Modern Alluvial Deposits, . GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURE S-Chap. IL, Nova Scotia Proper, Cape Breton, .... Sable Island, . . . . CLIMATE— Chap, in., . Temperature, • . . . The Seasons, . . Health and Longevity, . , , NATURAL RESOURCES— Chap. IV., . Zoological, . . . . . Botanical, • • . . Agricultural, • • . . Mineral, .... POPULATION— Chap, v., . . * . Origin, Statistics, .... INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES— Chap. VI., Agricultural, • • . . Fisheries, .... Manufactures, • . , , Lumbering, .... Ship-building, .... Mines, ..... Commerce, . , . , Pagb . 1 4 . 4 i . 6 7 . r 9 . 10 10 . 14 15 . 16 16 . 17 18 . 20 20 . 22 23 . 27 34 . 34 36 . 40 40 . 43 44 . 46 46 . 47 50 • VI. RAILWAYS, ELECTRIC TELEGRAril, &e.— Chap. VU., . . 54 Railways, . . . . 54 Canals, . . . . • • • . 56 Roads, &c., ...... 56 Electric Telegraphs, ...••• . 57 Steamers, ....••• 58 Revenue, ....••• . 59 Public Debt, *..... 60 The Currency, ....... . 60 City of Halifax, ....•• 61 SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS— Chap. VIII., .... . 63 Religious, ....... 63 Political, ....... . 65 Judicial, ...«.•• 67 Educational, . . - .... . 68 The Press, ....... 70 The Militia, ....... . 70 GOLD DISCOVERIES AND MINES-Chap. IX., . 71 Discoveries, ....... . 71 Mines, ....... 74 Productiveness, &c., ...... . 76 IMMIGRATION— CONCLUSION, .... 79 NOVA SCOTIA AND HER EESOURCES. It is the object of this Essay to describe the soil, climate, resources, and industry of Nova Scotia ; to pourtray its sociai state, and to com- mend it as a most desirable field for employment of the industrious emi- grant. The writer, in submitting this essay to the Commissioners for compe- tition, instead of the present brief introduction, included a detailed historical sketch of the Province. He now coincides in opinion with the judges, expressed by a note appended to the manuscript, that the imme- diate object of the treatise required no more than " a succinct account of the early discovery of Nova Scotia, and of the struggles for its posses- sion." Even this, in the judgment of the Commissioners, would render the pamphlet too lengthy ; he, therefore, has substituted a few general ob- servations only, upon its early settlement and subjugation. Every Colony of our extended empire has a history of its own, more or less replete with incident. Nova Scotia possesses one of even romantic interest. It is, however, so interwoven with the history of the British^ North American provinces generally, that our Colonial individuality has been almost unrecognized in the fatherland, although since 1713 it has • permanently existed as a British colony, wholly distinct from Canada. Unlike the more recently acquired colonies of other continents. Nova Scotia, in common with the sister provinces, claims a niche amongst the •memorials of those States which were created by the intellectual impulse of the fifteenth century. It was then that the mind of Europe was awakened to the glowing subject of maritime discovery. The authenti- cated as well as the fabulous accounts of the riches of the Indies, stimu- lated this spirit of enterprise, which, though exhibiting a desire for the sudden acquisition of wealth by uncertain meaiis,. rathei than by the B I' m in pu- I a KOVA SCOTIA. , plodding pursuits of patient industry, was ultimately overruled by a be- nignant Providence, to the increased happiness of the human race. Among the Venetians resident in England during the peaceful reign of Henry VII. was John Cabot, a scientific and experienced mariner, to whom, with liis three sons, Henry — prompted by the marvellous tales of gold and silver abounding in America — granted a patent to fit out a s(nall squadron " for the conquest, discovery and occupation of the lands be- yond the Western Ocean, inhabited by heathens and infidels, and, till those timcfl, unknown to Christians." The elder Cabot and his son, Se- bastian, sailed from Bristol in the beginning of May, 1497, in a ship of their own, accompanied b> three small ships of London merchants, ladea with articles of traffic. On the 24th of June, thoy were surprised by the appearance of land, which they called Prima Vista, supposed by some writers to have been the coast of Labrador ; by others, the north part of Trinity Bay, in Newfoundland; but there is sufficient authority to warrant the presumption that it wad, in reality, the coast of Nova Scotia. The voyages of the Cabots were but the prelude to the enterprise of succeed- ing adventurers. Seventy-two years elapsed, during which the English bestowed little attention upon their newly-discovered territory. Nevvfouiuiland, because of its valuable fisheries, was yearly visited by the shii)s of English mer- chants, of wliich island formal possession was taken by the Crown ; but no attempt was made to colonize the continent. The apathy of England aflforded a favorable opportunity to France to extend her power on the new Continent. The Marquis de la Roche, in 1598, wjts sent from France to explore the country, with the object of •Dttlement. No important step towards colonization was made, however, until Mon. De Monts, in 1603, was appointed by Henry IV. of France, Governor General of the country, extending from the 40 "-' to the 54 ° of north latitude ; who founded the first permanent European settlement in the north of the American continent,* on the fertile shores of the Anna- polis river, which flows into the Bay of Fundy — the western boundary of Nova Scotia. ' - About nine years afterwards, this infant settlement was broken up by . * There is an interestinj? historical memorial of this event, probably executed by I)o Monts in commemoration of his taking possession of La Nouvclle France, in possession ot R. G. Haliburton, F.S.A., of Halifax. Tt was found by Ju(lf!:e Ha\burton at Annapolis. It bears the inscription, IGOG, with rude Masonic charac- ^.fs engraved on it. It may be considered one of the most ancient historical rcli( s flfxtant, of the early idiscoverica of those adventurous pioneers of civilization, by vhooi tbia Contiueat was eKplored. but p^^y. INTRODUCTION. 8 an English Captain, sent by the colonists of Virginia, who considered the French as intruders upon IMtish territory. Eight years subsc^qucnt to this event, Sir Wm. Alexander, a Scottish nobleman, obtained a royal grant of the whole country denominated Acadia by the French, under the title of Nova Scotia. Sir William pro- fited little by this splendid acquisition. His attempts at colonizing were unsuccessful, o.nd were cut short by the treaty of St. Germains, by wiiich all the settlements were restored to France. Nova Scotia reverted to the English in 1654, during the administration of Cromwell, who dispatched an expedition under the command of Major Scdgewick, to retake the country, and restore it to the dominion of Great Britain. Efforts to people the country, and to revive the settlements which had been commenced by the French, were only begun, when the colony was again made over to France by Charles II., in exchange for the islands of St. Christopher's, Antigua, and Montscrrat, in the West Indies. The French enjoyed undisturbed possession for twenty years, when an expedition sent from Massachusetts, under Sir William Phipps, again wrested it from them. But its vicissitudes were not yet ended. Six years afterwards, it wa.s once mote restored to France by the treaty of Ryswick. War with France was shortly after declared, when the country was again conquered by the English, and finally, peace having been concluded be- tween England and France on the 11th April, 1713, " all Nova Scotia, with its ancient boundaries, as also the city of Port Royal, were, by the treaty of Utrecht, ceded to Great Britain. The name of Port Royal was changed to Annapolis Royal, in honor of Queen Anne. From this period we date the beginning of permanent British rule in Nova Scotia. The city of Halifax was settled, in 1749, by the emigrants sent out with Lord Cornwallis, which then became the seat of government. Cape Breton still remained in possession of the French, where they founded the strongly-fortified town of Louisburg. Allied with the In- dians, they made frequent forays from this island upon the English settle- ments, local traditions of which exist in many of the older towns of the Province, where the startling and romantic adventures of their forefathers are related with glowing interest. Louisburg was twice conquered by the English. Cape Breton was finally ceded to England by the treaty of Paris, 1763, when France relinquished all claims forever to Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Canada, and the island:) in the river and Gulf of St. Law- rence. Cape, Breton was now annexed to Nova Scotia. In 1784, when the B S 11 I I I NOVA SCOTIA, \' ll territory was divided and another province created (New Brunswick), it was established under a separate government. In 1819 it was again annexed, and has continued to the present, a component part of the pro- vince of Nova Scotia. * Nova Scotia, thus pursuing so chequered a career, and suffering so many vicissitudes, was hindered from making any progress in popiJation, or in the development of her resources j while the other British American Colonies were, before they had procured their independence, in a steady course of improvement. Their peculation increasing from a continual influx of immigrants, they had begun to assume the aspect of prosperous and well-regulated communities. With all these disadvantages, it will, however, be seen, from the following pages, that Nova Scotia has in- creased in an equal ratio, in every respect, with the older American States. To her natural resources, taken as a whole, the Continent affords no parallel ; and she needs only energy, population, and accumulaled capital, to develope her resources, and to fulfil her destiny. , ,. ■t- ?■ ''■■^*l!""i'':- ■-• '. ^ CHAPTER I. ;, :. GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE.* Although, in describing the geological structure of the Province, it would be more strictly philosophical to begin with the surface formation and descend to the lowest, or earliest in the order of time, the writer has adopted the inverse order, conceiving it to be more intelligible ; that is, to begin with the earliest substratum, as far as discoveries have yet been made, and to ascend through the successive formations which overlie each other up to the surface. GRANITIC-METAMORPHIC DISTRICT. ■f ,.■'!■ . ■ .:■'■* ■ ■ -^ ■' ^ ■'-•■;> ■ The whole line of the Atlantic coast of Nova-Scotia, which is termed by Dr. Dawson "the Granitic Metamorphic District," consists of altered rocks, such as clay and mica slates, quartz rock, and gneiss, associated with dikes and masses of granite. These rocks are supposed to belong at least to the Silurian period, or possibly the older Azoic series, which has been recognised in Canada. It is in this portion of the Province that the recent discoveries of gold have been made ; either contained in the quartz veins imbedded in the slate, or in small particles in the sands which have * Thii Chapter ia principally compiled from Dr. Dawsou's Acadian Geology, GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE. I • '. accumulated from the abrasion of the rocks by the action of the sea. The rocks of this class, with the exception of the Carboniferous, occupy the largrtit part of the geological area of Nova Scotia. The Granite^ as it occurs in this district, is a crystalline mixture of white, or more rarely flesh-colored felspar, with smoky or white quartz, and gray or black mica. The Gneiss is a fine-grained granite, arranged in laminae or layers, as if it had been a bedded roclt, fused into a granitic state by heat. The Mica-slate consists of quartz and plates of mica, forming a highly fissile rock, with sliining surfaces, and usually of gray or silveiy color. When chlorite, talc, or hornblende take the place of mica, rocks of some- what similar character result ; as talcose, chloritic, or hornblendic slates. The Quartzite consists of grains of flinty sand fused together, with occasionally a little mica. The Glay-skUe, in this district, is common slate, usually of bluish and black colors, and varying in texture and hardness. Between these rocks there are many intermediate fiirrns. Granite often passes into gneiss; this into mica-slate; this into quaitzite; and this into coarse or flinty slates. The southern, or coast-side of the granitic-uietamorphic group, has a general direction of S. 68 ® W. ; its inland side about S- 80 '^ W. Its extreme breadth at Cape Canseau — its north-eastern extremity — is about eight miles. In its extension westward, it gradually increases in width, until, at the head of the west branch of St. Mary's River, eighty miles distant from Cape Canseau, it is about thirty miles in breadth. Iv the western counties, it again increases in width. Its total length is twu hun- dred and fifty miles. The general contour of this district may be de- scribed as consisting of thick bands of slate and quartzite, having a gen«* ral N. E. and S. W. strike, and highly inclined. In several pla. . s, large masses of granite project through these rocks ; and in their vicinity the quartz rock and clay slate are usually replaced by gneiss and mica- slate, or other rocks more highly metamorphosed than usual. It is difficult to ascertain with accuracy the geological age of this for- mation — no fossils having been found in it. Dr. Dawson considers it to be undoubtedly older than the Carboniferous, and that there is every rea- son to suppose it to be older than the Devonian. M i THE DEVONIAN AKD UPPER SILUKIAN is the next formation, which, like the preceding group, has been only par- tially explored. 6 NOVA WCOTIA. ^v. This district occupies some irregular patches in Cape Breton ; a very irregular, hilly tract in eastern Nova Scotia, commencing at Cape Porcu- pine and Cape St. George, and extending towards the Stewiacko River, the long, narrow band of the Cobequid Mountains ; and a belt of variable width skirting the northern side of the other metamorphic district in the western counties. Owing to the alteration and disturbance to which its rocks have been subjected, the structure of this district is complicated, and the interior position causes it to present few good sections to the geologist. For these reasons, less attention has been devoted to it than to the carbonifer- ous districts which overlie it, and the details of its structure are compa- ratively unknown. There is, however, one interesting section at Arisaig, which has been iadustnously explored by Rev. Professor Honeyman, and where fossils are very abundant. Associated with these rocks are found immense masses and dikes, or thick veins composed of syenite, porphyry^ greenstone, compact felspar, and other igneous rocks. Some portions are of slaty structure, and other portions of it consist of shaly, sandy, and calcareous deposits, considerably hardened and much disturbed, yet re- taining abundance of fossil shells, and other evidences of marine origin. In some places where it meets, and apparently unites, with the granitic group, igneous action appears to have continued, or to have recurred as late as the coal-formation period. The fossils found in these beds be- long to groups of the same age with the Devonian rocks of England, and the old red sandstone of Scotland. ^ CAHBONIFEBOUS DISTEICTS. The Carboniferous system, the rocks of which are found to rest imme- diately upon those of the Devonian and Silurian formations, lies north of the metamorphic district first described. It occupies a small part of the east of King's county ; the north and middle of Hants ; the greater part of the lowlands of Colchester ; the lowlands of Cumberland, Pictou, and Sydney, and a part of Guysboro'. It occupies, in Cape Breton, much of the eastern part of Cape Breton county, and a great part of Richmond and Inverness. > n^.< These districts have been well explored by eminent geologists ; among others, by Sir C. Lyell, who, in his " Travels in North America," gives a detailed account of his researches in this abundant field, in which four- fifths of the fossils are identified with European species. Sir Charles liyell divides this system into three fonnations ; * the middle one, com- * Lyell's Travels, &c., Vol. 2, p. 176. w GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE. ?i^ prising the productive coal measures, agreeing precisely with those of Europe in their lithologic character and organic remains ; an upper one, composed of sandstone and shale, with fossil plants, but without coal ; and a lower carboniferous group, chiefly made up of red sandstone and red marl, with subordinate beds of gypsum and marine limestone. Dr. Dawson gives the thickness of the upper formation as being 3000 feet ; of the middle, 4000 feet, or more ; and the lower or gypsiferous, 6000 feet, or more. Several localities in the carboniferous districts, offer excellent opportunities to the geologist to exam'^ie the character and i-elative posi- tion of the rocks, where transverse sections of them are exposed on the sea coast and river banks. The South Joggins section is well known to geologists. There is also a fine section laid open in the cliffs of the Shu- benacadie, cutting through the gypsiferous strata for a distance of twenty miles. ■ ■ ' , — ^ -. "" - ■- . ...;: ,'rr^ •» THE NEV,' KED SANDSTONE. The new red sandstone, which correnponds with the upper new red of Europe, occupies the isthmus connecting Digby Neck with the mainland, and the long valley extending from Annapolis to Minas Basin ; skirts the shore of CobeqniJ Bay, from the mouth of the Shubenacadie to Truro ; and extends along the north side of the bay, in a narrow, though conti- nuous belt, from Truro to Moose River, and beyond that river in isolated patches as far as Cape D'Or. It consists entirely of red sandstone and red conglomerate. The trap associated with the new red sandstone, forms the range of hills extending from Cape Blomidon to Brier Island ; and on the opposite side of Minas Channel and Basin, several isolated patches between the Five Islands, Partridge Island, Spencer's Island and Isle Haut. In most of these localities, the trap rests on the new red sandstone. These trap rocks include basalt, greenstone, and amygdaloid. In appearance, they resemble the lava of modern volcanoes, and are similar in composition ; their principal constituent mineral being augite, a dark-green or blackish mineral, composed of silica, lime, and magnesia. It affords an abundance of agates, jaspers, and other forms of quartz, which might be used for ornamental purposes. It also contains veins of magnetic iron ore, and copper ore. DKIFT, DILUVIUM, OR BOULDER FORMATION. Between the drift and the new red sandstone, there is a hiatus in the ■geology of Nova Scotia. During all those periods in which the middle and older Tertiaries, the Cretaceous, and the Oolite systems were 8 NOVA SCOTIA. produced, no rocks appear to have been formed within the area of our pro- vince ; or, if they were formed, they have been swept away. This re- mark likewise applies to an immense region, extending through New Brunswick, Canada, and the Northern States, and, in some directions, far beyond the limits of those countries. It will, therefore, be seen that those formations which include the clays and sands of the Southern States, and also of England, are entirely wanting in Nova Scotia. The drift is spread over a large part of the surface of the province. It consists of clay, with stones and boulders, or of beds and mounds of gravel. This deposit marks the last change which the surface has under- gone by the agency of water. The soils and subsoils of any country, as far as they consist of mineral matter, are derived from the waste of rocks which lie beneath, by the action of the air, the water, and the frost. Hence we find the soil overlying sandstone rocks to be sandy ; that over shales and slates to consist, in great part, of clay ; or that overlying lime- stone to be calcareous. In our province, however, the larger portion of surface deposit cannot be better described than by the terms employed at the head of this section, which are also applicable to the surface deposits of the greater part of the northern, icmperate and arctic latitudes. On examining the materials exposed in ordinary excavations, or on the coasts and river banks, and which extend from the surface down to the solid rocks, we find them to consist of clay or sand, intermixed with large stones, with their interstices filled with soil ; or in some localities, beds of rolled gravel. We find, too, that the large stones in the drift are of dif- f 3rent kinds : some of them the same kind w ith the rocks in the vicinity ; others of them found at great distances, and all the materials confusedly intermixed. Occasionally it contains large boulders, derived from distant localities. On the hills are found fragments of the sandstone from the plains, and on the plains fragments from the hills. It is apparent that no such operations as those which formed these deposits are now in progress on the surface of the land, and geologists -unite in considering them as relics of the past. In Nova Scotia the boulder clay exists under the same conditions as in Canada, and so do the overlying stratified sands and gravels ; but the intermediate deposit, the " Leila clay " of Montreal, does not appear ; nor are there marine shells.* In the island of Cape Breton, the bones of a large elephantine quadruped, supposed to be a species of mastodon, have been found in connection with the superficial gravel. A thigh-bone, now in the Museum of the Mechanics' Institute in Halifax, measures 3 feet 11 inches in length. * Supplement to Acadian Greology. GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE. MODERN ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS. 9 Of this nature are the large and valuable tracts of dyked marsh, and the intervals on the margin of most of the rivers of the Province. The western part of Nova-Scotia presents some fine ranges of marine alluvial soils. The tide wave that sweeps to the north-east along the Atlantic coast of the United States, entering the funnel-like mouth of the Bav of Fundy, becomes compressed and elevated, as the sides of the Bay gradually approach each other, until in the narrower parts the water rushes at the rate of six or seven miles an hoxu:, and the vertical rise of the tide amounts to sixty feet or more. The rising tide sweeps away the fine material from every exposed bank and cliff, and becomes loaded with mud and extremely fine sand, which, at high water, it deposits in a thin layer on the surface of the flats. The falling tide has little effect on these deposits, and hence the flats gradually reach such a height that they can be overflowed only by the high spring tides. So far the process is carried on by the hand of natiu-e ; and before the colonization of Nova-Scotia, there were large tracts of this grassy alluvium to excite the wonder and delight of the first settlers on the shores of the Bay of Fundy. The process of land-making, however, has been carried further by the ingenuity of man. By diking and draining 80 as to exclude the sea water, a soil is produced capable of yielding for an indefinite period, without manure, the most valuable cultivated grains and grasses. In addition to the deposits already described, there are fresh water alluvia, or river intervales. Bogs and peaiy swamps form another class which are numerous in the districts of the Atlantic coast. Portions of bog have been reclaimed, and have proved that they require only the ap- plication of skill and industry to render them valuable. Small quantities of bog iron ore, and bog manganese ore are found in the vicinity of many of these swamps. Though Nova-Scotia has not enjoyed the benefit of a thorough geologi- cal survey, its structure has been somewhat minutely examined, and it3 mineral resources considerably developed by mining enterprise. It is the intention of the Provincial Government to provide at once for a geological survey of the Province. This measure possesses additional importance from the recent and continued gold discoveries in the metamorphic districts. Much praise is due to the eminent Nova-Scotian already referred to, J. W. Dawson, F.G.S., for his valuable work on the geology of Nova-Scotia and portions of the neighbouiing Provinces. The results of the investigations of eminent geologists, Avho have at different times been interested in the w« ■ \m . 1 1 m i at 1 ■' r -. '»■■ i" 10 NOVA SCOTIA. lithology of our Province, scattered through the numbers of scientific journals and other publications both of Britain and America, professor Dawson has interwoven with the fruits of his own industry, and has con- centrated in his "Acadian Geology" nearly, if not all the geological knowledge relating to Nova-Scotia v/hich we possess. Professor How of Windsor College, and Rev. D. Honeyman,* — both of whom have aided the Commissioners in the preparation of mineral specimens for the Exliibi- tion, — have contributed to the results of geological investigation; the latter by a variety of new fossils obtained at Arisaig, and the former by the discovery of three new minerals in the trap of the Bay of Fundy. ' CHAPTER 11. GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. The Province of Nova Scotia, as will be seen by the Map, is situated on the eastern side of the continent of North America. It consists of a peninsula, called Nova Scotia Proper, connected with the main continent by an isthmus of about sixteen miles in width ; and of the island of Cape Breton, separated from the peninsula by the Strait of Canseau (or Canso) — an outlet of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It lies between north latitude 43 ° 25' and 47 ® , and between 59 ° 40' and 66 ® 25' west longitude. It is above 350 miles in length, and from 50 to 100 miles in breadth, and contains an area of nearly 18,600 square miles. It is bounded on the north-east by Northumberland Strait, St. George's Bay, and the Strait of Canseau ; on the south and south-east by the Atlantic Ocean; and on the north-west by the Bay of Fundy, Chiegnecto Bay, and the Province of New Brunswick. ■ -. •> . , .;. , NOVA SCOTIA PROPEB. • ' '-> - • The peninsula of Nova Scotia, which contains a superficial area of about 15,600 square miles, is somewhat triangular in form. Its length is 256 miies, and its greatest breadth 100 miles. Its surface, generally, is undulating, but not mountainous- It has numerous lakes and rivers ; the former numbering not less than 400 in the latest Maps of the Province. The coast abounds in bays and commodious harbours, which greatly con- duce to its maritime prosperity. It is the nearest point of communica- ■•■' Mr. Honeyman has been entrusted by the Provincial Commissioners with the ar- rangement of the Nova Scotia Department in the International Exhibition. Since hi» arrival in London he has been constituted a Fellow uf tlie Geological Society. GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 11 tion with Europe of any part of the British possesaions on the continent of America. It lies in the direct course of vessels sailing between the north of Europe and America ; it is obvious, therefore, that it possesses, from its geographical position, peculiar commercial advantages. It is not too much to assert that Nova Scotia must ultimately become the great highway for traffic between Europe and the North American continent ; and when the projected railways shall have been completed — wliich pas- sing circumstances seem to indicate, will be at no distant time, — Halifax will be, from the possession of its peerless harbour, the entrepot of the British Provinces, and, perhaps, of the far- western States. The bays of Nova Scotia are numerous and spacious. The largest of these is the Bay of Fundy, which is about 50 miles in width, and after extending a hundred miles inland, is divided into two branches. The northern branch, called Chiegnecto Bay, continues to be the boundary between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The southern of these branches, called, at its mouth, Minas Channel, rapidly narrows to a width of six miles, and then suddenly expands into the Minas Basin — an ex- panse of water about 40 miles in length, and nearly twenty in width ; its eastern and narrowed prolongation being called Cobequid Bay. West- ward of Halifax the coast is indented by two deep bays, known, respec- tively, as Margaret's Bay and Mahone Bay, which are studded with islands, and contain numerous coves, affording ample room and protection for ships. The other principal bays are St. Mary's and Chedabucto, opening to the Atlantic ; and St. George's, Tatamagouche, and Bay Verte, on the coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Perhaps no other country in the world is so favored as Nova Scotia in the number and excellence of its harbours. The coast-liiie embraces a distance of not less than 1000 miles. On the coast of the Bay of Fundy, owing to the tides, there are no harbours. To remedy this deficiency, a number of artificial harbours have been formed by means of piles, where the vessels ride in safety at high water ; but on the recess of the tide, they are high and dry upon the mud-fiats. These tides have become widely celebrated for then- great rise and fall, and for the rapidity of their currents. " At the commencement of a flood," writes Dr. Dawson, " a slight ripple is seen to break over the edge of the flats. It rushes swiftly forward, and, covering the lower flats almost instantaneously, gaina rapidly on the higher swells of mud, which appear as if they were being dissolved in the turbid waters. At the same time, the torrent of red water enters all the channels, creeks, and estuaries ; surging, whirling, and foaming, and often halving in its front a white, breaking wave, or 12 NOVA flCOTlA. * bore, ' which runs steadily forward, meeting and swallowing up the re. mains of the ebb still trickling down the channels. The mud-flats are aoon covered, and then, as the stranger sees the water gaining with noiseless and steady rapidity on the steep sides of bnnks and clitFd, a sense of insecurity creeps over him, as if no limit could be set to the ad- vancing deluge. In a little time, however, he sees that the fiat ' hitherto shalt thou come, and no further,' has been issued to the great bay tide : its retreat commences, and the waters rush back as rapidly as they en- tered." The northern harbours in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are but little affected by the tides, and here merchant-ships may lie at the wharves undisturbed, within a few yards of the shore. On this coast are the harbours of Pugwash, Wallace, Tatamagouche, and Pictou, at all of which a thriving lumber-trade is carried on. Merigomish is the only good natural harbour between Pictou and Cape St. George. At Arlsaig, a pier has been erected, at considerable expense, for the protection of coasters. Between Cape St. George and the Strait of Canso there are several small harbours, the best of which is Pomket. It is on the At- lantic coast that the most numerous and capacious harbours are to be found. First in importance is Halifax harbour, which embraces the outer harbour, the North West Arm, and Bedford Basin. It is celebrated as one of the best in the world. Mr. Montgomery Martin, in his history of the British Colonies, says without any qualification : " The harbour of Halifax has not, perhaps, a superior in any part of the world." It is easy of access for ships of every class, very capacious, and affording protectitm from every wind. Besides Halifax, situated between the mouth of t^e Bay of Fundy and the Strait of Canso, a distance of little more than 300 miles, there are a multitude of harbours of greater or less capacity, and easy of access, the most of which are available to ships of 500 tons, from which an increasing trade is carried on with the capital of the Province and the principal porf;8 of the United States. At Yarmouth, on the west eide of Cape Sable, there is carried on the largest shipping-trade in the province, next to that of Halifax. Nova Scotia is eminently a well-watered country. Its rivers are nu- merous; but, owing to the peninsular form of the country, are ne- cessarily small. Twenty rivers empty their waters into the Basin of Minas, the largest of which are the Shubenacadie (the largest river in the province), and the Avon ; from both of which an extensive trade is car- ried on. The Annapolis, another of the largest rivers, empties into the Bay of Fundy. Near its mouth, it expands into a beautiful sheet of water, affording anchorage for ships of the largest size. In this Basin Ti GEOGRAPHICAL PEAnTRES. H was the principal French settlement of Port Royal (Annapolis), which figured prominently in the early history of the province. The other rivers which are worthy of mention are Rivera Phil'p, Wallace, John, West Middle, East, Barney's, and Antigonish, emptying into the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; the St. Mary's, Musquodoboit, Gold, La Have, Port Medway, Liverpool, Jordan, Roseway, Clyde, Tusket, and Siasiboo rivers, empty- ing into the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly all of these are navigable for a short distance from their mouths. ^ The great inequality in the surface of Nova Scotia u the cause of the existence of numerous lakes j which are scattered over it in every direction. Some of them are ot very great extent, and in many places fonn almost a continued chain of water communication across the Province, llie largest is Rossignol, situated to the westward of Liverpool, which is said to exceed thirty miles in length. There is a chain of lakes extendino- from the head of Allan's River, near Annapolis, to within a short distance of the Liverpool River. In the township of Yarmouth alone there are eighty, besides Lake George, Avhich is nearly as large as Rossignol. There is another chain, from the head of the Shubenacadie River, reaching nearly to the harbour of Halifax. There are similar connexions between Windsor and the Atlantic, and between the sources of the Gaspereau and Gold Rivers. Some of these lakes are extremely beautiful, often containing small wooded islands, of every imaginable shape ; while the hills which environ them are embellished with the greatest variety of scenery. I'he most of these lakes abound with trout, perch, and other varieties of fresh water fish. Tlie principal capes and headlands of Nova Scotia are, Cape St. George on the Gulf Shore, Cape Canso, Cape Sambro, and Cape Sable on the Atlantic Coast ; and Digby Neck, Cape Split, Cape Blomidon, and Cape Chiegnecto in the Bay of Fuudy. The most remarkable cliff on the whole coast is the summit of Aspotagoen, on the promontory that separates. Mahone from Margaret's Bay. This land, which is about 500 feet in height, may be discerned at a great distance, and is a known landmark to ships approaching the coast. * ' The principal ranges of mountains and hills are the Cobequid Mountains, a ridge extending from Cape St. George through Sydney and Pictou Counties, and the South and North Mountains of King's and Annapolis Counties. The highest of these is the Cobequid Chain, which attains an elevation of 1200 feet. Ardoise Hill, situated between Windsor and Halifax, is said to be the highest land in the Province. Ili I I. r 14 NOVA SCOTIA. CAPE BRETON. 1-- w f (.. < Hf' The Stniit of Canso, which separates Cape Breton from Nova Scotia Proper, is eighteen miles in length, and varying from half a mile to a mile and a half in breadth. Its depth is from fourteen to thirty fathoms. This strait is the highway of vessels running betAveen the Gulf of St» Lawrence and the American coast, as well as between Europe and the gulf coasts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick ; and it is often preferred by transatlantic ships, bound up the St. Lawrence, to the more dangerous route north of Cape Breton. The Island of Cape Breton is of a very irregular form, and in its general features j^losely resembles the Peninsula of Nova Scotia Proper. Its greatest length is 100 miles and its greatest breadth 72 miles, its area about 3000 square miles. In the northern part of the Island the surface is elevated and uneven ; in the southern and eastern parts it is undulating, with some ranges of low hills. The eastern coast is very much indented by arms of the sea, while on the western coast the harbours and inlets are few. The most striking geographical peculiarity of this Island is the existence of a salt-water lake, or small inland sea, called the Bras D'Or Lake, M'hich occupies the central portion of the Island, and nearly divides it into two. It is entered from the east by two channels separated by Boulardarie Island, and known as the Great and Little Bras d'Or, which, after extending inland for a distance of about thirty miles, unitv. and expand into a basin called Le Petit Bras D'Or. From this the tide flows southwardly through the Straits of Barra hito the main body of water called the Big Bras D'Or, or the Bras D'Or. Its greatest length is 40 miles, and its greatest breadth 20 miles ; its area about 500 square miles. It is navigable throughout for vessels of the largest class. The most important hays are, Aspy Bay (which receives the west end of the submarine telegraph cable, communicating with Newfoundland), St. Ann's Bay, Mirfe Bay, Gabarus Bay, and St. Peter's Bay, all opening to the Atlantic. The eastern cdast of Cape Breton is advantageously formed for the pos- session of excellent harbours, of which the harbour of Sydney is the most important. ^Besides Sydney there are the harbours of Fourchu, Louis- burg, Bridgporc, St. Ann's, and Ingonish ; Port Hood and Ship Harbour on the west coait ; and Arichat in the Isle Madame. The most important rivers are the Margaree, Inhabitants, and Mir^. The principal lakes, besides the Bras D'Or, are Lake Margaree in the GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 15 County of Inverness, and the Grand River Lake, intersected by the boundary line betwcien the Counties of Cape Breton and Richmond. The principal capes are Capes Noi-th, Ej^mont, Enfume, and Breton, on the east ; and Capes St. Lawrence and Mabou on the west. The mountains and hills are extensive, though not remarkable for their height. * , SABLE ISLAND. Sable Island is situated between North Latitude 44 ® and 43 ® 54'^ and between West Longitude 60 ® 12' and 59 ° 40'. Its breadth varies from one to two miles, and its length is 25 miles. It consists of sand thrown up by the sea and wind and forming hillocks, some of which are 100 feet in height. The greater part of its surface is covered with coarse grass, and cranberry and whortle bushes. It possesses some local celebrity from the existence of herds of wild horses, of which the best are occasion- ally brought to Halifax for sale. Thii^ Island has frequently been the scene of shipwrecks ; the shoals by which it is surrounded causing it to be extremely dangerous to navigators. Of late years, however, shipwrecks have been infrequent. It is easily avoided by ships sailing between the North of Europe and Nova Scotia, being situated 87 geographical miles from Cape Canseau. There are stationed on the Island a Superintendent and several men, for the purpose of rescuing and aiding shipwrecked mariners. The scenery of Nova Scotia is diversified and picturesque, the surface presenting the alternate features of hill and vale. The less cultivated portions of the Province, with their variety of wood, and stream, and lake, possess attractive pictures of natural beauty. The scenery of some of the spacious bays is beautiful beyond description, especially that of Mahone Bay, which is studded with numberless islets ; and the inigged scenery of parts of the Basin of Minas present striking pictures of the grand in NatJire. The more cultivated tracts of country, as the extensive Annapolis valley, the rich farms of Comwallis, and the Grand Pr6 of Horton, may vie with either England or Scotland in their appearance of fruitfulness and fertility. Wealth has not imparted to them that degree of neatness and perfection which charm the beholder in older countries ; yet, notwithstanding the absence of those features, their appearance could not fail to fill the mind of the travelled with agreeable surprise. Besides the seventy post-towns, there are a considerable number of villages, in the inhabited parts of the Province, each distinguished by its particular kind of beauty. The houses are generally built of wood, but 16 NOVA SCOTIA are frequently designed with taete, and are surrounded in many places with gardenfc. and cultivated tr^^^s. . _^ , , -, ,.; . CHAPTER HI. CLIMATE. i:^t Before treating upon the resources of Nova Scotia, some observations upon the character of its climate are important. The climate of Nova Scotia, in common with that of ail the British North American Colonies* is supposed to be of uncommon severity, so as almost to deter the European emigi*ant from choosing it as a place of permanent settlement. There is much misconception, however, up ju this subject. The climate of Nova Scotia, though at certain seasons extremely cold as compared with that of England and Ireland or the South of Scotland, is nevertheless remarkably salubriouE. The winter, in its greatest severity, is less uncomfortable than the humid atmosphere of this season in Britain. This is found to, be the experience of colonists who have passed the winter months in the Mother Country. - TEMPERA1TTRE. While Nova Scotia may boast of its comparative dryness, and the more constant serenHy of its sky, it must be acknowledged that it lacks the early genial spring and protra^'ted summer which characterise the climate of Great Britain. The most important points in which the climate of Nova Scotia differs from that of Great Britain are, its higher summer temperature, and the shortness of this season (which, however, is compensated to some extent by a remarkable rapidity in the process of vegetation), and the lower temperature of its winter. The severity and the length of its winter are also compensated by the unexampled mildness and beauty of its autumn, which is frequently protracted to the early part of December. There is an absence of statistical information concerning the climate of Nova Scotia, although the labours of a few individuals who have noted the degrees of temperature at diflferent seasons, and over a period of years, furnish an approximation to the true mean. The extreme of cold in late years is 15. Fah. ; the extreme of heat, 95. in the shade. • It is seldom, however, that the temperature attains to ttese extremes. The mean tem- perature of the year is 43. ; and there are about one hundi-ed days in which the temperature is above 70. in summer, and about twenty nights Latitude, 440 40' Halifax, 43 39 Toronto, 53 23 Dublin, 50 7 i:"'iankfbrt, 52 31 Berlin, - 49 39 Cherbourg, CLIMATE. in which it is below zero. The coldest season is comprised in the first three months of the year, during which the cold weather is not continuous, sudden changes of temperature being frequent. The mean temperature of diflferent localities in Nova Scotia varies but little. Professor Everett of King's College, from a comparison of metcOT- ological observations made by Mr. Murison at Halifax, Mr. Poole at Pictou, and at King's College, Windsor, makes the annual mean of Halifax to be 43.8 ; Pictou, 42. ; and Windsor, 43.6. The following table will show the annual mean temperature of v£u:iou8 localities in Europe as compared with Halifax and Toronto, Upper Canada: — Farenheit, , ^ 43.8 44.4 49.1 49.5 47.5 52.1 Mean Summer Temperature. _!' Halifax, ------ 62. Toronto, 64.5 Greenwich, ----- 60.9 Berlin, ------ 63.2 Cherbourg, - - - - - 61.9 The annual quantity of rain which falls is about 41 inches, of which about 6} inches falls in the form of snow, making the annual depth of snow about 8^ feet. There arc about 114 days of rain, and 60 days of snow, on the average, in each year. The prevailing ivinds are the south-west and north-west. The north, north-west, and west, are, in summer, cool and dry, and in winter cold. The south-west wind is mild and agreeable, though, in spring and autumn, sometimes stormy. The south and south-west winds, on the Atlantic coast, are frequently accompanied by fog, but it does not extend inland. """'"'■ .' ' ■ ,_ , THE _ SEASONS. V :.; \ ^ - ",.■-' | Spring in Nova Scotia commences in the latter part of March- or th« beginning of April. This season, it has been already remarked, is nei- ther so pleasant nor so protracted as that of Britain ; being characterised by frequent and sudden transitions of temperature. A prominent cause of these changes is the the proximity of the masses of ice floating southward from the Arctic, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, often attended t 18 NOVA SCOTIA. by squalls of snow. The fogs, too, though scarcely extending any dis- tance inland, sensibly influence the atmosphere. Agricultural operations commence in April, and the " seed time " continues throughout May and part of June. . »> '* . The Summer, which comprises the next three months, is moderately warm. Vegetation is rapid, — so much so, as to admit of the crops being harvested in August. The Autumn season, throughout, is unsurpassed for its healthful, ex- hilarating atmosphere. There invariably occurs in the autumn, a continu- ance of from one to two weeks of peculiarly mild weather, known as the *' Indian Summer," which partakes more of the mildness and serenity cl the Summer season. The Winter in Nova Scotia may be said to comprise nearly four months of the year. It usually commences in the beginning or the middle of December, and continues till the end of March. December is sometimes an autumnal, sometimes a winter month. January is remarkable for a thaw ; February, for the lowest depression of the atmosphere and the heaviest falls of snow ; March, though cold, variable and blustering, fre- quently affords more days of clear sunshine than April. The winters, however, are variable ; sometimes moderate and open ; and again cold with less frequent changes. The mean temperature of the Spring is 49. ; of the Summer, 62. ; of the Autumn, 35. ; and of the Winter, 22. HEALTH AND LONGEVITY. The climate of Nova Scotia is highly favourable to health and longevity. Eighty years is a frequent age, with the full possession of the bodily and mental faculties, and many exceed ninety and even one hundred years. The following tables will show the comparison which Nova Scotia bears to the State of Rhode Island, situated nearly 500 miles further south, in the proportion of the different classes of diseasc^s ; as well as the proportion of deaths to population compared with Rhode Island* and with Great Britain. Diseases. Nova Scotia. Bhode Island. I. Epidemic, Endemic and Contagious . . . 34.025 31.543 a. Dw. of Nervous System 6.070 13.543 a. •♦ Respiratory and Circulating Organs 29.044 28.571 4. " Digestive Organs 7.930 4.971 5. " Urmary and Generative Organs . . 1.239 2.571 6. " Uncertain Seat 8.207 - 9.486 7. Violent and Accidental 8.740 4.000 ♦ The writer has not selected the State of Rhoc'e Island from among the other American States. He bus been unable to obtain statistics oi any others. CLIMATE. 19 Proportion of Deaths to Population. 18G1. Nova Scotia — 1 in 70.71, or less than . . 1 J per cent. 1856. Rhode Island — one in 4G. 11, or more than . 2 " 1859. Great Britain — one in 44.75, or more than .2 •* The first table shows that Rhode Island has double the proportion of that of Nova Scotia in diseases of the nervous system, while Nova Scotia shows a large excess in diseases of the digestive organs. The other causes specified do not exhibit any difference worthy of note. The deaths from epidemic, endemic and contagious diseases appear more numerous in Nova Scotia. It is but just to state, however, tiiat the past year has been one of unusual mortality from this class of diseases, as the deaths from Dyptheria alone were 1003 out of 1592 deaths from those causes. The climate of Nova Scotia is not remarkable for the generation of any disease peculiar to itself; and the disease just referred to has appeared with equal virulence in other parts of the Continent. It' If a similarity in agricultural productions can be understood as furnish- ing a criterion for the comparison of the climates of different countries, the climate of Nova Scotia cannot differ very essentially from that of the northern States of America, and the middle and northern parts of Eiurope, Wheat, ryo, oats, buckwheat, barley, maize, turnips, mangel-wurtzel, potatoes and other roots grow in abundance. Apples, pears, plums, cherries, and the smaller garden fruits attain the utmost perfection. Peaches and grapes ripen^with the protection of glass, without requiring the aid of artificial heat.* * The Secretary of the Nova Scotia Commission informs ns in his Catalogue, sent to the Exhibition, that " the climate of Nova Scotia is particularly suitable to tlie growth of tlic Apple Tree. Crop is generally sure and large. Sorts wliicli in England re- quire a wall or espaliers will here grow and thrive in the open orchards, as standards. Fruit attains an enormous size ; specimen of ' Gloria Mundi, ' sent to England, mea- sured from 15 to 17 '.iches in circumference." He iitatesthat " hardy sorts of Grapes will, in the Western Counties, do well in the open air, and even Black Hamburg and White Cluster have, during the past year, ripened their fruit in open air. All the best sorts v/ill (under glass, without artificial heat) grow most luxuriantly, and bear better than in England under the same treatment. Mr. Justice Wilkins, for several years, most successfully ripened Blaek Hamburg at Windsor, on a stone wall, and in the last year raised, on two vines not more than seven years old, thirty-three pounds of Grapes, of quite equal flavor to those ripened in a hot-liouse. The vines, of course, required careful covering in winter. Mr. Downing, the eminent American authority on horti- culture, in a communication addressed to Judge Wilkins, expressed his gre4it surprise at the adaptation of Nova Scotia for the growth of the grape, and stated that the Black Hamburg, with simiU-r treatment, would only ripen one year in six, at his gar- dens, at Newburg, on the Hudson. The Pear grows vigorously, is very productive, and sorts such us Marie Louise. William Bon Chretien, Louis Bon of Jersey, Knight Monarch, Flemish Beauty, Passe Colman, Vicar of Wakefield, and other Uai-dy sortf will, as standards, do exceedingly well— crop constant." 8 20 NOVA SCOTIA. It may therefore be confidently asserted that the climate of Nova Scotia is such .'is to conduce to the health of its inhabitants, being free from those diseases which prevail in many more fertile tracts of the Continent ; and to proiluce all that is necessary for animal subsistence and enjoyment. CHAPTER IV. NATURAL RESOURCES. To describe the Natural History of the Province, it will not be neces- sjiry, nor is it practicable in the limited space of an Essay, to include minutely all the varieties or ever >*pccies ; but simply to refer to the more prominent individuals of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms. ZOOLOGICAL. When Nova Scotia was first discovered, it abounded with a great variety of native animals. The chase and the fishery were the chief objects of attraction to the early emigrants ; and such was the eagerness with which the chase was prosecuted, that in less than a century, many species became extinct. Among the vertehrated animals which are still found in the province, are the moose, carriboo, bear, fox, lynx, weasel, martin, otter, minx, fisher, woodchuck, hare, racdoon, porcupine, squirrel, bat, mole, beaver, musquash. The Moose is the largest animal of our forest, and is generally about sixteen hands high. He is of the deer kind, with palmated horns weighing from thirty to forty pounds. The Cariboo is not so tall as the moose, but of amazing swiftness, and its hoofs being very large in proportion to its legs, it is not so easily over- taken. Both the moose and carriboo are fast disappearing. The latter are rare. Of Bears, the Black Bear only is found in Nova Scotia. He sometimes attams the weight of 600 pounds. There are four varieties of the Fox — the silver, the red, the grey, and the black. Their fur is valuable, which, with that of the otter, mink, beaver, and musquash, is much sought after, and forms a valuable export. The Birds of Nova Scotia are numerous, and represent every order. Of the birds of prey, we have the bald eagle, hawk, and owl ; of perching birds — the thrush or robin, the yellow bird, the sparrow, the snow-bird, the blue jay, the crow, the raven, the kingfisher, the hawk, the swallow, NATURAL RESOURCES. 21 the humming-bird ; of climbers, we have the woodpecker ; of the grouse kind, the spotted grouse, and the spruce partridge ; of pitjeom, the pas senger pigeon. The aquatic birds are the heron, the snipe, and the plover ; the wild duck, the wood duck, the eider duck, the wild goose, the teal, the loon, the gull, and some others. The Beptiles of Nova Scotia are few in number, and neither of gi-eat size, nor injurious to man. The principal are, the fresh-water tortoise some lizards, and a few species of snakes. In Fish, the resources of Nova Scotia are most abundant ; they tlu-ong lier coasts, and swarm in every river and stream. Cod, haddock, halibut, mackerel, herring, sl)ad, alewives, and salmon, are found in her seas in quantity inexhaustible, and of quality unsurpassed ; while trout, salmon, perch, and other varieties of fresh-water fish are drawn in large supplies from her rivers and lakes. The cod and haddock frequent the shores and banks which lie off the coast, throughout nearly its whole extent, and in quantity almost unlimited. The mackerel, next in import- ance, frequent the coast in immense masses. These masses are called " schules " by the fishermen, who watch for their appearance with intense interest. These schules are sometimes seen of several miles in breadth, forming a mass so dense as even to impede the progress of the smaller vessels. Immense captures are sometimes made by means of seines, not unfrequently securing 1000 barrels at a single haul. Next to the mackerel, the most deserving of notice is the herring. There is no part of the Atlantic coast in which herring may not be caught in abun- dance. They are said to differ from the European varieties, and, in quality, are not quite equal to the herring of the Labrador coast. When properly cured, however, they command a ready market in the United states. West Indies, and the adjoining Colonies. Among the species of salt- water fish most peculiar to Nova Scotia is the halibut (Hypoglossus vul- garis), which attains to a prodigious size, sometimes weighing 500 pounds. It resembles in appearance the common flounder, but is often seen from four feet to six feet in length. The Shad (Alosa vulgaris) is taken in great numbers in Cumberland Basin, Minas Basin, and the estuaries of the rivers which empty into tliem. The shad is a delicious fish of deli- cate flavor, and always commands a high price. Its resort is almost ex- clusively confined to the places just mentioned, being seldom found on the Atlantic coast. The aleioife,* or (jaspereau (Alosa vernalis), is found in the rivers and streams, where it resorts in spring to deposit its spawn, and * The word is properly aloof, the LuUan name of a fish. — Websteb. '~l 'iil 99 NOVA SCOTIA. is then easily caught in great quantities. It is not so much esteemed as the common heixing, which it much resembles ; it forms, however, an im- portant article of export. The salmon is found in most of the large rivers of Nova Scotia, and is also taken on the cojwt in spring, before it has entered the rivers. It is usually taken in nets, or speared, but in some instances it is angled. Two species of troid — the salmon trout, and the common trout — are found in all the rivers, brooks and lakes. The perch, the smelt and the eel are abundant in the harbours and streams. There are also species of hass and sturgeon, but they are rarely found. Of the cetacia, or whale tribe, the species are the common whale, the grampus, the finner, and th:; porpoise. Several species of the sharh are occasionally seen on the coast of Nova Scotia, though none are abundant. The dogfish, a small species of shark, abound on the shores, — large numbers of which are taken for their oil. The most useful of the mollusca are the oyster, the muscle, and the clam ; and of the Crustacea, the lobster. There are innumerable varieties of worms and insects, but none of any economic importance. . , BOTANICAL. The wild plants of Nova Scotia are too numerous to admit of even a list of them in this essay. It must suffice specially to refer to those only Afhich pertain to the commerce cf the country. The most important of these are of the order Goniferee, as the white pine and red pine (Pinus strohus and P. resinosa) ; the hemlock {Abies Canadensis) ; the black, red, and white spruce {A. nigra, A. rubra, and A. alba) ; the fir {A. balsamea) ; and the hacmatac {Larix Ameincana) . Other species, as the ground hemlock? scrub pine, and the ground juniper, are of small size, and of little value. The trees of this order, commonly called soft-wood trees, are brought into market, sawed into boards, plank, shingles, and scantling. They are also made into spars, and sometimes exported in the shape of square timber The hacmatac, or juniper, is especially valuable as ship timber. Among the most useful trees called hard-wood trees, but which comprise many orders, are the white sugar maple (Acer saccharinum), the black sugar maple {A. nigrum), the white or soft maple {A. dasicarpum), the red maple {A. rubrum), the sti'iped maple {A. striatum), the mountain maple {A. montanum), the white ash {Fraxinus acuminata), the black or swamp ash {F. sambucifoUa), the elm ( Ubnus Americana), the white and red beech {Fagus sylvatica and F. fei-ruginea) , the white and black oak (Quercus), the hazel {Corylus Americana), the^yellow, black, white, canoe, and poplar-leaved bu-ch (Betula). Of the hard- wood trees, the rock maple Tl NATURAL RESOURCES. 23 is entitled to tha first rank, from the superior quality of its timber. Ther« is a bcaiitit'ul variety known as bird's-eye maple, which is much used in the manufacture of furniture. The ash is a valuable wood ; durable, flexible, and free from knots. The birches are used in ship-building, and for many other purposes. The black birch, when polished, much resembles mahogany, and is likewise employed in the manufacture of furniture. The beeches are mostly used for fuel. There are several varieties of ornamental trees found in Nova Scotia, viz., the sumach {Rhus typhina), the wild pear {Aronia hotryapium), the rowan, or mountain ash {Pyrus microcarpa), the wild hawthorn {Crataegus)^ the wild red cherry (Cerasus Pennsylvanica), willow {SaUx)^ and tha aspen, the tree-poplar, and the white-leaved poplar {Populus). The black cheiTy tree ( CemsMs nigra), and the sarsaparilla {Aralia)y are valuable on account of their medicinal virtues. Among the wild plants of Nova Scotia distinguished for the beauty of their powers are those of the orders NymphceacecB and Liliacecs, of which the white pond lily is remarkable for its powerful fragrance. Belonging to the order Ericacece we have the fragrant may flower {Epigea repen'^)^ which has been adopted as the floral emblem of Nova Scotia. Without inserting their respective botanical names, may be added the singular and beautiful Indian cup, the wild rose, Solomon's seal, the pigeon berry, the tree cranberry, Indian hemp, medlar or wild pear, starflower, violet. The ]^Yinci\)al fruit-hearing plants are the strawberry, the raspberry, the blackberry, the blueberry, the whortleberry, and the cranberry, all of which exist in the greatest abundance. m 1: III M ;i,''- 't AGRICULTURAL. Although, if compared with some tracts of the neighboring States, and with Western Canada, the lands of Nova Scotia do not offer such tempt- ing facilities for agricultural operations, it is still eminently entitled to be considered an agricultural country. On the Atlantic coast, where much of the soil is rocky and sterile, the pursuit of agriculture is but little prosecuted. But nearly all the soil of the interior is capable of profit- able cultivation, and in many parts is unsurpassed for its fertility. The character of the soil of Cape Breton is very similar to that of Nova Sco- tia Proper, so that the following observations will apply to the whole province. The character of the soils of Nova Scotia will now be briefly described. For the sake of perspicuity, they will be referred to according to the m •If. 24 NOVA SCOTIA. geological divisions of the province, which mode of description possesses some advantage above that of considering them according to the several counties ; many of the counties containing within them more or less of every description of soil. First in order is the soil of the Metamorphic District''' of the Atlantic coast. Lay the edge of a ruler along the map of the province, from the northern part of Clare to the head of Chedabucto Bay, and nearly all the country to the south of this line will belong to the district now to be con- sidered. The surface in this extended tract is uneven, but not very ele- vated; composed of slate granite and quartzite rocks, full of lakes, streams and rocky ridges, and contains the greater part of the barren lands of the province. Of the cultivable soil, there are two kinds ; first, the granitic, which is generally coarse and sandy, often covered with a black vegetable mould, which is capable of producing good crops. Such soil is abundant in the county of Shelburne ; between Chester and Hali- fax ; at Musquodoboit harbour ; and between Indian harbour and Cape Canseau ; also in the southern part of Annapolis and King's counties, which are upon the northern margin of this district. These soils are generally deficient in lime, gypsum, and phosphates, though they often have a good supply of alkaline matter. It has been found that this soil is rendered fertile by the addition of compost of fish-ofFal (which con- tain lime and phosphate), mixed with swamp mud. The second class of soils in this district is the slaty variety. These are usually clays, more or less stiff, or light or shingly. When not encumbered with fragments of rock, or too shallow, they are generally cultivable, and often of fair quality. Soils of this class occur abundantly in Yarmouth, the northern district of Queen's, Lunenburg, Halifax, and southern Guyssborough ; many large tracts of which are of excellent quality, and may be classed with the second-rate uplands of the province. These tracts of land, if properly treated, might be made to su[)port valuable herds and flocks. The quantity of cultivable ungranted land in this district is about 140,000 acres. The soils of the inland hills (Silurian and Devonian) come next. This district includes the Cobequid range of hills extending from Cape Chieg- necto to Earlton ; the hills on the south side of the valley of Cornwallis and Annapolis ; all the hilly country extending from the sources of the Stewiacke through Pictou, Sydney, and northern Guysborough, and the * The description of tlie soils of Nova Scotia is compiled from Dawson's Agriculture. NATURAL RESOURCES. 25 greater part of the hills of Cape Breton. The soils of this district may be generally characterized as good. Some of them are formed from the waste of syenite and greenstone — crocks allied to granite, but differing in composition and producing more fertile soils. The greater part of the soils of these hills are slaty in their character, and consist of a brownish loam. They are often deep, and easily worked and always fertile. They produce in their natural state a fine gx-owth of hardwood timber; and when cultivated, are favorable to the growth of hay and grain crops. They are well supplied with lime and phosphates ; and are less easily ex- hausted than most other kinds of upland. Hence, in the more fertile parts of these hills, there are fine, flourishing agricultural settlements, which are advancing rapidly in wealth. Much of the soil included in the granitic Metamorphic District, where the limits of the two districts approach each other, — as in Clare, northern Yarmouth, northein Queen's, and in Rawdon and Douglas townships in tlie county of Hants, — ap- proaches in quality to the good soils of this district. The qiiantity of ungranted cultivable land in this district may be estimated, as a mere ap- proximation,* to be 400,000 acres. The next in order are the soils of the Carboniferous and Kew Bed Sandsto7ie. These occupy the low country of Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Hants, Kings, Annapolis, Guysborough, Sydney, and the counties of Cape Breton ; and, in some places, rise on the flanks of the hills. The loamy and marly soils of the carboniferous system usually occur in the vicinity of large deposits of limestone and gypsum which are found in so many parts of the province. In all these localities, the prevailing soil is a sandy or clay loam, of reddish color, well supplied with lime, gypsum and phosphates ; and deserving the character of first-class upland. Pro- fessor Johnston characterises tlie lands of this descriptipn in New Bruns- wick as equal to the best upland of any country. This description of soil is often covered with fine hardwood forests. The clays, sands, and strong grounds of the carboniferous system, which are scattered over it very irregularly, are much inferior, though strong and productive whcm drained. The quantity of ungranted land of the superior class just described, as situated in the carboniferous district, may be estimated to be about 200,000 acres. This estimate includes the counties of Cape Breton. The soils of the New Red Sandstone, though favourable to the culture of potatoes, turnips, and Indian corn, are inferior as grain soils to those of the carboniferous district. These soils are limited to the country III r Ir ' |i In '-'1 * These estimates are deduced from the gross returns of Official documents. 26 NOVA SCOTIA. .• if-.- ■ m f-'i bordering the Bay of Fundy. They occur near Tniro, and in a band skirting Cobequid Bay ; in some few places on the Northern shore of Hants ; and more extensively in the valley of Cijrnwallis, and tlience toward Annapolis. They are inferior as gi'ain soils to the best soils of the carboniferous and silurian ; while they are a«hnirably adapted to the culture of the apple, potatoc, turnip and Indian corn. The trap district is confined to the north mountains of Kings and An- napolis, and its prolongation in Digby ; and a few isolated patches on the opposite side of the Bay. It contains all the chemical elements of fertility ; bears a fine natural growth of timber ; and yields good crops to the settler. The character of the ungranted land in Cape Breton "^ principally that of the Devonian and Upper Silurian, and the Carbo. rous districts, of which that island is largely composed. The best soil in Nova Scotia is the diluvial ; which will bear continual cropping without manure for a very long period. The remarkable ferti- lity of this soil has occasioned culpable neglect in its management. Much of it is rapidly falling off in its productiveness for want of draining and ploughing. There are various kinds of marshes, distinguished by the appellations of red marsh, Hue marsh, loxo marsh, &c. ; but the red marsh is considered the lest. There is also skirting most of the rivers, the fresh water alluvium, which is, generally, a fine and productive soil. Nearly the whole of the alluvial tracts are settled, and with the contigu- ous uplands, include the wealthiest and most thriving agricultural settle- ments in the province. It is doubtful if there is more than 40,000 acres of alluvial soil ungranted ; and this must be of the inferior sort. The agriculture of Nova Scotia is in a transition state. It is to be found in all stages of advancement, from the rude attempts of the half lumberer — ^half farmer, to the productive results of formal and scientific hus- bandry. The succeeding chapter, in which the " industrial resources" of Nova Scotia are considered, will furnish some idea of the results of its agriculture. It may be confidently stated, however, that should thoie re- sults not compare as favourably as they might with the returns of other countries, it must be ascribed to the want of a more advanced and intel- ligent system of culture, or to the injudicious impoverishment of the soil, and not to its natural sterility. , The reader will find an enumeration of the principal agricultural products which attain maturity at the end of the chapter on " climate," page 19. The following table of comparative average produce will NATURAL RESOURCES. 27 convince every unprejudiced mind of the superiority of Nova Scotia as an agricultiu-al country : — ; -- " Comparative Table of Produce per Acre.* State of New York. State of Ohio. Canada West. New Brunswick. Nova Scotia.t 184.'). 1848. 1848. 1849. Wliciit, buHlilrt. 14 15^ 12j 20 2.') to 33 Hurley 16 24 17* 24* 29 39 to 40 Oats 26 33; igI 34 3u to 45 Rye 9^ Ui r 20! 33} 3.5 to 45 Buckwheat . . 14 2 10| 41) to 45 Indian Corn . 2.5 41-1 ' 24| 41; Potiitocs .... 90 69 84 226 200 to 300 Turnips .... 88 — — 4G0 400 to 600 Iliiy, tons . . . — u — 11 1| to 2 GBANTED AND UNGRANTED LANDS. The area of Nova Scotia, inchiding Cape Breton, is computed to con- tain 11,767,173 acres, of which 5,748,893 acres, or about one half, has been granted. The following tabular statement shewing the quantity and character of ungranted lands, is furnished by the Deputy Commissioner of Crown Lands, W. A. Hendry, Esq. : — Nova Scotia , Cape Breton Amount alien- ated. 4,935,349.4 8I3.543I 5,748,893 Estimated a- mount remain- ing for aliena- tion. 4,112,384^ 1,207,438J 5,319,822^ Estimate*! a- mouut avail- able for set- tlement. 5.56,664.4 3.56,676| 913,340f Lands open for Bettlement. },4I2,.384.i 777,438| 4,K<9,822| The price charged for crown lands in Nova Scotia is Is. 9d. sterling per acre. The prices of cultivated lands vary from their degree of im- provement, as well as from their situation. Upland fanns range from £100 to £500 the one hundred acres, partially under the plough, and con- taining house and barn. The average price of marsh is from £16 to £20 sterling, while the best quality will greatly exceed the highest of those prices. The improved lands in 1851 amounted to 839,322 acres. The returns of 1861 make them to be 1,027,792. MINERALS. It has been already intimated that Nova Scotia has not enjoyed the * Dawson's Agriculture in Nova Scotia (from Professor Jolmston's Report on New Brunswick). t From statistics furnished by James L-ons, Esq., the Secretary of the Central Board of Agriculture. it f ! : i I 28 NOVA SCOTIA. benefit of a thoroujrh geological survey, so that her mineral rosonrces are but imperfectly known. Tlie metamorphic district is an almost unex- plored field. Since gold was found to exist in this district, two gentlemen of some scientific celebrity* have been employed by the Government to examine its formation, with especial reference however to the deposits of gold. The report of this survey has not yet been made public, but, from the lateness of the season at which it was commenced, it cannot have re- sulted in furnishing much additional information to that which we already possess. t It is indisputable that Nova Scotia is endowed by nature with mineral wealth in a very extraordinary degree. Gold must now occupy the first place amongst our ores and metallic, substances. But, as the discoveries of gold in Nova Scotia have assumed an aspect of especial importance, the subject is deemed worthy of having a separate chapter devoted to it. (See chapter IX.) Next in importance is iron. The principal deposit of iron ore is situa- ted along the southern slope of the Cobecpiid hill, in Londonderry, where the " Acadian Mining Company" have erected works, and have begun mining operations. Westward of the " Acadian" mine, the course of the vein is marked by the color of the soil to about a mile distant ; and fur- ther eastward, on the high ground between the Great V^illage and Folly Rivers, indications of the existence of iron have been discovered. Pro- fessor Dawson, who reported on this deposit in 1846, and again in 1849 in company with J. L. Hayes, Esq., of Portsmouth, U. S.. furnishes the following description as the result of analysis. The deposit contains — 1. Specular Iron Ore, or nearly pure peroxide of iron. 2. Magnetic Iron Ore, a compound of the peroxide and protoxide, capable of affording from 60 to 70 per cent, of pure iron. 3. Ochery Bed Iron Ore, which is the most abundant in the vein, and is the material of which the mineral faint is manufactured. 4. Ankerite, or cai'bonate of iron, lime and magnesia, containing 33 per cent, of peroxide of iron. 5. Yellow Ochery Iron Ore, or peroxide of iron combined with water, containing 74.52 of peroxide. 6. Broion Hematite. 7. Stdphate of Barytes. Dr. Hayes says, in his report : " I have no doubt that iron, of the first quality for purity and * Messrs. Henry Poole and J. Campbell. t The reports are since publislicd by authority of the Provincial Govornmcnt. Mr. Poole has gathered an interesting collection of geological specimens, and his report is confirmatory of Dr. Dawson's description of tlie Granitic Metamorphic District. Mr. Campbell's report has particular reference to the Auriferous Deposits, their cha- racter and extent — which he intelligently describes. NATURAL RESOURCES. 29 strength, and which will demand the higliest prices in the market, can be made from these ores.'* v? It has been proved by experiments that these ores will furnish steel-iron equal to tho best Swedish. Their proximity to the phvces of export, com- pared with those of other countriei?, must consequently, ere long, be the means of opening up an extensive market for their consumption. Veins of iron ore, similar in character, occur in nearly every part of the inner metamorphic district, though of less magnitude. In addition to the veins of iron ore, conformable beds exist in the Devonian slates, and have been opened at Moose River, Nictaux, and at tho East River of Pictou. They consist of scales of specular iron firmly cemented together, and in- termixed with silicious and calcareous matter. At Nictaux the bed is stated to be six feet in thicktiess, and the ore is of excellent quality. At the East River of Pictou the bed appears to be of great magnitude, but the ore is more silicious than at Nictaux, and contains only about 40 per cent of metal. Iron ores also occur in veins traversing the lower car- boniferous limestone and sandstone, near the mouth of the Shubenacadie. The ores are, red ochre, red hematite, and brown hematite. The trap district also contains small veins of magnetic and specular iron ore, but not of mining importtmce. Iron ochres and also hog ores of iron are found in the low ground of the granitic-metamorphic district, though not in large deposits. Copper ore occurs at several places in Nova Scotia. In the country eastward of the Lochaber Lake, in the county of Sydney, large fragments of copper pyrites are found in the surface gravel, and have no doubt been derived from a vein containing this ore. The pyrites contains from four to seventeen per cent of copper. Copper ore of very rich quality has been found on the south branch of the Salmon River. It has also been found in small quantities near the Acadian iron mine, and in the barytes veins of the Five Islands. This ore lias likewise been found at Carriboo River, at West River, and East River in the county of Pictou, where the deposits are rich and valuable, though limited. The following is the composition of a sample from Carriboo, analyzed by Dr. Dawson : — Copper, Iron, . Cobalt, Manganese, Sulphur, Carbonate of lime, 40.00 11.06 2.10 50 25.42 92 80.00 1) M 5t '! ;!» It:' 30 NOVA SCOTIA. In tls trap are found in small quandties, native copper in irregular masses ; and gray sulphurite, green carbonate and uxide, associated with the magnetic iron. Galena, or sulphuret of lead, is fovnd in crystals and small veins in liraestoxie a* Gay's River, at Guysboro', and other places. Some speci- mens cout'Ain silver. '* Manganese ores occur in the iron veins of the Shubenacadie, and in the limestone of "Vs^alton and Cheverie. Sulphate of Barytes, which is manufactured into a pigment employed aa a substitute for white lead, ha« been vquarried on the banks of the Stewiaeke. It aho «ccurs in the Acadian iron veins, and traversing the slates in the bants of the East river of the Five Islands. Ochres, from which good paints may be manufactured, occur on the banks of the Shubenacadie, East River. Chester, and at other places ; and clays, suitaule for bricks and common pottery, can be procured in large quantities. Coal is the most valuable mineral deposit in Nova Scotia, as may be seen from the map accompanying this essay,* shewing the very extensive area of the carboniferous rocks. The most important coal measures yet explored are those of the Albion mines. They are principally composed of grey sandstone, with occasional beds of bituminous carbonaceous shale, the underclay shewing rjots of stigmaria and other fossils. They differ from the Joggins measures in the arrangement of ;heir materials and fos- sils ; instead of *■ ' eat number of thin beds of coal ard bituminous shale, they consist of a few beds of enormous thickness. In one section at this locality, the vertical thickness of the two large seams of coal, th*^. main and deep seams (the largest yet known in Nova Scotia,) is 372 feet and 22 2 feet respectively. A block from the largest of these seams will be seen at the London Exhibition.! The Pictou coal holds a high place among bituminous coals as a steam producer. It contains a considerable * The writer prepared with considerablt < «"?, Maps, intended to illustrate tiic gcogi-nphy and resources of the Province, but it has been found impracticable to in- clude them, oi causing too much delay iu the publication. t A similar section was exhibited in lf»55 nt Mcatrsal, with tne following lanel at- tached : — " Section of the Main Coal Scim, Albion Mines, Pictou, N. S. This vein is one of the largest in the world ; its vertical section being from 33 to 36 feet, and its qualiticj excellent for the following purposes : generation of illuminating gas, and of steam, for manufacturing and domestic purposes. It u the pioporty of the General Mi ig Association, and is worked by them to the extent of about 70,000 tons per anii This specimen was extracted by James Scott, Esq., Superintendent of the Mine, the exhibition at Montreal." — Catalogup. fnternational Exhibition. 31 KATiniAL RESOURCES. quantity of light bulky ashes, for which reason it is less esteemed for domestic use. Assay of Pidou Coal from Dalhousie Pit. Moisture, 1.550. v • » • Volatile Combustible, - -27.988. Fixed Carbon, 60.837. , Ashes, 9.625. The yield of Pictou coal for gas purposes ^^rofessor Dawson estimates to be 3902 to 3504 cubic feet per ton. The important and productive coal fields of Sydney, which is second only to Pictou in its export of coal, covers an area of 250 square miles,* and probably exceeds 10,000 feet in thickness. One section on the north-west side of Sydney harbour, exhibits a vertical thickness of 1860 feet. The dip is N. 60 ° , E. 7 ° . Mr. Brown (the manager of the mines) hr^s publis'' ^d an elaborate section and description of the Sydney coal-measures, from which we learn that the beds composing the section are as follows : — Arenaceous and argillaceous shales, - - 1127 feet 3 inches. Underclays, 99 " 6 " Sandstom.s, 562 " " Coal, - - - 37 •' " Bituminous shnles, 26 " 5 " Carbonaceous shales, 3 "3" Limestones, 3 " 11 " Conglomerate, 0"8»« 1860 ft. inches!. The shal^^s at Sydiie\ are much more ricli than those at the Joggms oi* at Pictou in the leaves and other more delicate parts of plants, " Single fronds of ferns are somotimej found as sharp and distinct in their outline as if they had been gathered only yesterday from a recent fern, and spread out with ihe greatest possible care, not a single leaflet being wanting or even doubled up." The coal from the Sydney mines is used principally for domestic fires, for which it Is admirably suited. Assay of Coal from Sydney Mines. Volatile matter, 26.93 Fixed carbon, -------- 67.57 Ashes, ---------- 5.50 *-% 100.00 _ f A square mile of 24 vertical feet of coal will yield 23,000,000 ton«. 32 • NOVA SCOTIA. Valuable coal fields also occur at Lingan, east of Sydney, One of these, about nine feet in thickness, affords a fine caking coal, having a very small percentage of ash, and yielding 35.16 of volatile combustible miittcr, which makes it superior as a gas coal. The next important coal field is at the Joggins, in Cumberland. This section is 14,570 feet 11 inches in thickness. Like the Albion Mines section, it is composed of gray sandstone and shale, with occasional beds of bituminous limestone. Tliis section is known as the South Joggins .• and being much exposed in the cliff and on the beach, is a favorite field for paliEontologicul research. It abounds in roots of stigmariu and erect catamites, and several varieties of animal fossils. The Joggins section is remarkable for the great number and small thickness of its coal-seams. The main seam, worked by the General Mining Association,* consists of two beds, 3 feet 6 inches, and 1 foot 6 inches in thickness. Assaif of Joggins Coal from the Mam Seam. Moisiure, 2.5 Volatile combustible matter, - - 36.3 Fixed carbon, --->-- 56.0 Ashes, 5.2 100.0 There are mines in the Pictou coal-measures, on? in particular called the " Fraser Mine," where " oil coal" is found — a bituminous un- derclay. These deposits are likely to prove a profitable source of wealth, as the material is valuable, affording 63 gallons of crude oil per ton. We will next consider Nova Scotia in her resources of building materials and mineral manures. Among the foimer may be mentioned granite, which is found in great abundance in many parts of the Atlantic coast. Tlie principal quarries are at Shelburne and Halifax. tSandstonc, for building purposes, is found at Horton, Halfway River, Windsor, and the Shubena<'adie. The red sandstone is too soft and perishable for building, be.i is useful for intrrior pui-poses. The gray freestone is found in a great number of places in the Pictou coal-formation, and is quarried both for d •• xtic use and for exportation. It is also obtained at Port Hood Island and Margarie in Cape Breton. There are some beautiful descrip- tions of marble at Five Islands, and syenite and porphyry in various part^ of the Cobe^uid mountains and in Cape Breton. Slate of excellent * This Association also work the scams just described at Pictou, at Sydney, and at Lingun. NATURAL RESOURCES. 33 quality is found at New Canaan, and at different places in the counties of Colchester and Pictou. An artificial slate, which is much approved, is manufactiired from the iron ochres of the Folly mountain. It is said to render wood impei-vious to damj), and proof against fire. Grindstones are manufactured extensively from the gray freestone of Cumberland, which is particularly adapted to such use. The principal mineral manures are ffypsum and Ivinestone. The former is most abundant in the counties of Hants and Colchester. It is largely quarried at Windsor, Newport, Walton and Sliubenacadie. The quantity in these counties may be considered to be inexhaustible. We find it associated with marls and limestone at Windsor, Pugwash, Shubcnacadie, and at Mabou, in Cape Breton. Bituminous limestone occurs in th« carboniferous districts of Guysboro', and 0:1 the Joggins shore in the county of Cumberland, the latter of which is highly valuable as a manure, from the presence of phosphate of lime in large proportion. There have been recently discovered in the trap of the Bay of Fundy, by Dr. Webster and Professor How, three new mineral substances,* which, from their constituents, ought to be included in our mineral ma- nures. They have been named respectively cyonolite, centralassite, and cerinite. The first of these contains 27.09 of lime, and 61.10 of silica, both of which are important ingredients in the composition of soils. Th« analysis of the second exhibits 27.09 lime, and Gl.lO of silica. Tlic third contains a smaller proportion of lime, for the absence of which is substituted 12.21 of alumina. It contains aS.lS of silica. Professor How looks upon the last as an ei^tircly new mineral combination. The three substances were found united in a solid mass. The specimens ex- perimented upon were of small size, and it is not known that they occur in any great (quantity. We have lastly to glance at tho.^e mineral substances which may be distinguish(Hl as precious stones ; and in this connection to refer to the pearls of Nova Scotia. Many of these minerals are very beautiful, and include the topaz, cornelian, agate, jasper, garnet, amethyst, zeolite, chal- cedony, opal, onyx, heulandite, stilhite, laumonitc, Acadiolito, apophylito, ealoareous spar, and many more. These gems are found throughout the whole Trap district. > "c pearls are found in the shell of the fresh water mussel, (Alasmod Margaritifern.) They occur in the Annapolis lakes and in tho Sackville i * Transactions of N. S. Lit. and Scion. Society, 1859. 34 NOV^ SCOTIA. liver. Many of the specimens are very line, and have already been made to adorn the work of the jeweller. . ■ ■ Some of the clioicest Nova Scotian jewels sot in Nova Scotian gold arc being sent to the Industrial Exhibition. Among others U a beautiful laraceiet, ornamented with pearls, having a wreath of Mayflowers, and the motto " Wc bloom amid the snow ;" and a necklace ornament of gold, with a large pearl as a pendant — the upper part shewing tlie figure of a gold digger, with a pickaxe uplifted, and a pieie of quartz at his feet. There is a complete collection of the minerals of Nova Scotia prepared for the Exhibition properly classified, which it is believed will be creditable to the Local Commissioners, and tend to promote the interests of the Province. CHAPTER V. POPULATION. The first important accession to the population of Nova Scotia was at the time of its first occupation by the English as an organized colony in 1749. Prior to this, the population consisted almost wholly of the French Acadians. The emigrants who arrived in Halifax with Lord Cornwallis, being sufficiently settled, were desirous of obtaining some addition to their numbers. A proclamation was accordingly sent over to Germany inviting people, with fair promises, to remove to Nova Scotia ; the result of which was, that before the lapse of three years, more than a thousand had ar- rived at intervals in Halifax. The soil around Halifax not appearing favourable to the operations of farming, they took up their si'ttlement in Merleguish Bay, which name they changed for the German I/anenhurg. They landed at Merleguish on the 7th June, 1753. But fifteen families remained in Halifax. The descendants of the German emigrants retain the distinguishing marks of their origin, by the use of the German language, though somewhat degenerated, as well as their miirriage amongst themselves. The expulsion of the disloyal Acadians took place in 1755, at which time it is supposed they numbered 18,000, about half of whom were actually exiled. We learn from the London Magazine of May, 17.) 5, that the British population numbered 5000. When peace was concluded between England and France, in 1763, a considerable number of the Wt rorULATlON. 35 liage rssilccl AcatViaus were permitted to return, and were allotted certain lands as a recompense for their former loss. Profiting by the severe; lesson which they had learned in their misfortunes, tiiey afterwards proved a loyal, incffensivc and industrious people, which traits of character have been continued in tlieir dcscendfints. Their lar;^est and most prosperous s(;ttlements are in Clare, bordering on St. Mary's* Bay ; in the county of Digby ; Pubnico, in Yarmouth; Minudie, in Cumberland; and some smaller communities in Halifax county, and in the counties of Cape Breton. They numbered, in 1861, 20,8;j9, Just before the return of the exiled Acadians (1758-9) Governor Lawrence issued a proclamation, inviting the people of New England to settle in the land of the banished Acadians. These liberal proposals in- duced many hundreds of substantial farmers from those colonies to remove to Nova Scotia, who founded many flourishing settlements. The inhab- itants of Horton, and of many parts of Hants, are the descendants of emigrants from Coimecticut and Massachusetts, with some from Ireland. Some portions of the Province arc settled ahnost exclusively by Scotch- men. In Pictou, and in the Island of Cape Bniton, the majority of the inhabitants are from either the Highlands or Lowlands of Scotland, wliosc immigration dates as early as 1770-75. Neio Scotland is deeply indebted for her settlement and progress to the ancient country whose name she bears. A great number of Loyalists, who were unwilling to remain in the revolted States, removed to Nova Scotia. Not less than 20,000 arrived prior to the close of the year in which the independance of the Uri'tcd States ,vas acknowledged. Their descendants are to be found in the courties of Digby, Annapolis, Guysbor<»i-/h, Shelburne, and Hants. To the spirit which actuated those self-denying men, it is believed, may in a great measure be attributed the marked loyalty of this Pro- vince. When peace was restored between England and the United States, the employment of those who had served in the sxvmy became a serious ques- tion. As an inducement to settle down to habits of industry, they were assigned hind-s in difTerent sections of the country Some were taken to Anna{)olis ; others occsf^itid the counties of Sydney and Guysboro ; and many of them were taken to Hants. W-.Ile many, unfitted from their previous life, were unsuccessful in improving the oppo'^unities thus afforded them, some laboured diligently and prospered. ' i? ; '■' f '■■'H t f 30 NOVA SCOTIA. The north of Irehiiid has at different times subsequently sent us a goodly number, who have settled in Colchester, Cumberland, and other counties. There arc in the colony, we learn from the last censiis, 5927 negroes, or colored people aa they prefer to be called, whose ancestors came to the country in four distinct bodies. The first were originally slaves, who ac- companied their masters from the older colonies. 'Ihere were secondly a number of lr<^e negroes, Avho came at the close of the revolutionary war, the most of whom were removed at their own request to Sierra Leone. Next came the insurgent negroes of Jamaica, known, by the name of Maroons. Their idleness and licentious habits determined the Govern- ment to send tliem likewise to Sierra Leone. The last arrival of Africans was at the conclusion of the second American Atar in 1815, from whom, with those who were first received, have sprung those of the race who are now resident in the Province. A remnant yet remains of the once noble race who were the original occupants of the soil. But how degenerated ! They exist as a distinct class, retaimng the roving and indolent habits of their ancestors, but de- graded and miserable to the last degree. They are sadly enslaved by luibits of intemperance ; reduced through disease ; and are fast disappear- ing. Humane efforts have for years been made to bring them under the influence of the gospel, but with little success. In some cases, hopeful signs of reformation have been witnessed, but they have soon relapsed into their former indolence and indifference. Unlike other Indian tribes of North America, they do not jeem to possess the physical and mental stamina which is needful to bear the transforming impress of religion and civilization. They have dwindled down to the insignificant number of 1407. They are not, however, wholly neglected by the " white man." A commissioner is employed to distribute the annual grant tisually appro- priated to the purchase of coats and blankets, and generally to represent their interests. The grant hi 1860 was $1359. They are largely depen- dant upon charity, and though enjoying reserved lands, cannot be induced to labour. STATISTICS. The total population of Nova Scotia as represented by the census re- turns of 18G1 is 330,857. POPULATION. 37 Table sheioing the rate of increase during successive intervals. A.D. Population. Inturviil of years. Rate of increase. 1784 32000* 82053 ir»38t8t 1 f)!)0O0 27«117 330857 34 10 9 14 10 1818 1828 1837 1851 1861 irxui OS 7.49 02!).!)3 03H.12 ' 019.82 * Exclusive of Capo Breton, t Inclusive of Capo Breton. The progress in ihe popnlatiou of Nova Scotia, or of any of the Lower Provinces, cannot rea'^onably be compared with that of cither the whole United States or of Canada. Nearly three fourths of the present popula- tion of Canada, and one half of that of the United States, liave arisen fi'om immigration during tlic last one hundred years ; while Nova Scotia, since the arrival of tlie loyalists after the Revolution, has received no im- portant addition to her population from that source. The tide of emigration has generally flowed due west from 36 ® — 37 ' N. to 43 ° — 44 ° N., taking in the central and southern parts of New England, the Middle and North-western States, Maryland and Delaware ; and the central and northern parts of Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri. Passing by Nova Scolia and New Brunswick, the course has been (via Boston and New York) westward to Canada and the new territories. It is generally comi)uted that by births, or natural increase, population increases 1 00 per cent in thh'ty years. The foregoing table shews that in the thirty-four years from 1784 to 1818, the rate of increase in Nova Scotia was 156.41 per cent. Computing the increase the last 33 years, irom 1828 to 1861, it proves to have been llo.O.') per cent. Compared with Great Britain, it sheAVS a remarkable contrast. The rate oi increase ir. the population of G. B. in the fifty years from 1801 to 18r)l, was 93.47 per cent., at which rate it will require fifty-two and one half years to double itself. The disparity, however, is to be accoimted for chiefly from the accelerated emigration from Great Britain during the ten years 1841—1851. To furni'sh a correct view of the progress of Nova Scotia according to population, it is necessary to compare it with a few of the New England States, which were settled a considerable time earlier ; and the result of 111 38 NOVA SCOTIA. this comparison is startling, and proves that the taunts of onr boasting neighbours, the Yankees, are unjust. It will be seen that Nova Scotia far exceeds them in the increase of her population. It will appear from the following table, that while from 1783 (the year of the Peace), to 1850, Connecticut increased less tlian two fold, Rhode Island and Massachu- setts nearly three fold. New Hampshire nearly four fold. Nova Scotia proper increased from 1784 to 1851 more than six fold, and to 1861 more than eifjldfold — including Cape Breton more than tenfold. Rhode Island, Now Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, tNova Scotia (1784) 1783.* IHSO.t 50,400 147,545 82,500 317,976 206,000 370,792 350,000 994,504 32,000 (1851) 221,2:59 ) Not including (18G1) 267,774 ) Cape Breton. In comparing our progress Avith that cf Canada East, it is found that Nova Scotia falls but little behind, (and from 1834 to 1844, was greatly in advance of) Lower Canada. " The increase in Lower Canada in the 13 years between 1831 to 1844, was 13.94 per cent."§ The increase in Nova Scotia during that pc-iod was more than 38 per cent. In the 24 years from 1827 to 1851, Lower Canada doubled her population, during wliich period her emigration had placed her a little in advance of Nova Scotia, who increased but ninety per cent. The Quebec Chronicle, in a late article, gives the following : " Comparing our population (the whole of Canada) in 1861 with that in which we were in 1852, we note that the total population has increased 36 per cent." The increase of the whole United States in the same period is 352 per cent. No considerable portion of the population of Nova Scotia is collected together into towns. It has seventy post-towns and villages, and three hundi'cd and thirty six smaller settlements. Some of the towns and vil- lages are, however, becoming more popvdous ; and the growing commerce of the shipping-ports is tending to centralization. The population of the city of Halifax is 25,026. The principal places which might properly be designated towns, are Pictou, Yarmouth, Windsor, Truro, Liverpool, Wolfville, Kentville, Bridgetown, Annapolis, Amherst, Digby, Lunen- burg, Sydney, Guysborough. * Mun-ay's Hist, of Nortli America, t Hunt's Merchant's Magazine, 1854. Haliburtou's Hist, and Census. § Canada and her Kcsoiu-ces. — A. Morris, A.M. POPULATION. 39 POPTTLATION OF NOVA SCOTIA BY COUNTIES. Counties. 1851 1861 Increase iu 10 years. 1. Halifax 2. Lunenburg 8. Queen's 4. Shelburnc 5. Yarmouth 6. Digby 7. Annapolis 8. King's 9. Hants 10. Cumberland 11. Colchester 12. Pictou 13. Sydney 14. (iuysborough 15. Inverness 16. Victoria 1 7. Cape Breton 18. lliehmond 39112 16395 7256 10622 13142 12252 14286 14138 14330 14339 15469 25593 13467 10838 16917 I 27580 10381 49021 19632 9365 10668 15446 14751 16753 18731 17460 19533 20045 28785 14871 12713 19967 9643 20866 12607 9909 3237 2109 0046 2304 24!»9 2467 459^1 3130 5194 4576 3192 1404 1875 3050 I 2929 2226 276117 330857 54740 Note. — There arc 54,469 families in the province averaging 6.07 individuals. POrULATION OF NOVA-SCOTIA BY ORIGIN. Nova Scotians, 294,706 Other British colonics, 4,629 Scotland, 16,395 United States, 1,950 Ireland, 9,313 From other countries. 774 England and Wales, 3,090 330,857 PROFESSIONS , TKADEf !, AND OCCUPATIONS. Public, Judicial, and Muni- Mechanical Trades and oc- cipal, 1,623 cupations, 13,516 Clerical, Legal, Medical and Lumbering, 3,109 other professions, 1,800 Ship Building, 1,510 Mercantile, 2,986 Mining, 715 Agriculture, 47,203 Maritime, 5,32$ Fisherie'^, ]< 4,322 Domestic, (not servants). 1,509 Labourers, 3,908 EELIGIOU S CENSUS. Church of Rome, 86,281 Congregationalists, 2,18S United Presbyterians, 60,456 Christian Disciples and Re- Baptists, 62,040 formed Baptists, 901 Church of England, 47,744 Universalists, 846 Wesleyan Methodists, 34,055 Reformed Presbyterians, 236 Church of Scotland, 19,063 Quakers, 158 Lutherans, 4,382 Other creeds. 3,512 !>■■ 40 NOVA SCOTIA. CHAPTER VI. INDUSTIUAL RESOURCES. The productions of Nova Scotian industry, from tlic singular diversity of her natural resources, constitute as great a variety as may be found in any of the British Colonies. They comprise tlie products of the forest, the mine, the ocean, the river, and the soil. Her geographical position, it has been already stated, renders her eminently fitted for the pursuits of com.-nerce. Her harbors atford every facility to the building of ships, and her fisheries are a nursery for the sui)ply of able and hardy mariners. As well from their relative importance, as for convenience of detail, •lie industrial resources of Nova Scotia may be distinguislied as agricultu- ral, fisheries, manufactures, lumbering, shii)-huilding, mines, commerce. AGHICULTUKAIi. In its present relative state of progress this is by far the most import- ant of the industrial pursuits of Nova Scotia. The soil and climate, it has been already proved, are admirably adapted to the pursuits of agri- culture ; the usual products of temperate climates, attaining to as great T)erfection as in any country similarly situated. (See chapters III. and iv.) As a grazing country, Nova Scotia, considering her extent, ranks first junong the British North American Colonies. All the interior counties, together with many parts of those on the Atlantic coast, are admirably suited to this purpose. King's, Hants, Colchester, and Cumberland, are pre-eminently so, owing to the extent of their marshes and inter- vales. Nova Scotia is not extensively a wheat-producing country. Slie can- not compare Avitli those wheat-growing countries which surround the great lakes. Perhaps the obvious reason is, that the cultivation of other grains, as well as of fruits and vegetables, has been found to be less pre- carious and far more profitable. But although she does not raise her own tread, in the article of wheat she exceeds five of the New England States, and twelve of the more recently settled states and territories.* •* In the growth of rye. Nova Scotia goes far ahea»l of sixteen of the meighbouring states and territories. In the production of Indian corn, (though the quality raised in this Province is excellent,) most of the Uni- ted States surpass Nova Scotia ; but yet, in the growth of oats, she beats * Official Report to the Secretary for the Colouics, 1853. INDUSTRIAL RKSOUfcCES. 41 thirteen, in buckwheat twenty-throe, and in hailry every state and terri- tory in the union, exce[it Ohio and New York." " In the growth of hay, and in the production of the dairy, only the okler, hirger, uiid more popu- lous of the states, ju'e in advance of ihis Province ; while in the yield of potatoes, of wliich there is a large (piantity ex|)orted from Nova Scotia to the republic, she leaves twenty-three of the states behind her." The farm-* of Nova Scotia might bo made doubly jiroductivc if a better system of tillage were generally adopted. The cheapness of the land is a great obstacle to improvement. New land is found to yield an abundant crop, and sowing and i)lantiiig are continued year after year in succession ; in consequence of which treatment the laud begins to lose its fertility, when the farmer is induced to prepare; new land on which to repeat the process. One important cause of this improvident mode of culture is the want of cai)ital to bring the land to a high state of 'brlility. The great evil however is, that in nearly all cases too much laud is brought under tillage. Were the labour which is spread over so wide a surface directed to fewer acres, with more systematic and more thorough cultivation, the operations of farming would h carried on with incalculably greater profit. Of late years the farmers ha come more sensible of the need of im- provement. Judging, howev' "'•om the Agricultural lvC[iort to the IIo\isc of Assembly hi 1 ' dO, thei. is much still to be learned before we attain to the standard of the best agricultural ""lutries. The " Report," among other evils to be remedied, refers to the w^ant of system ; ignorance of the laws of rotation; want of economy in the preservation of manures ; and want of management with respcf t to live stock. As a remedy, it suggests the duty of increasing the efficiency of the Agricultural Societies in the several counties, and the re-organizatiou of the Central Board ou an im- proved basis. There are two valuable products which hitherto have been but little cultivated in Nova Scotia, and which, from the place which they occupy in domestic manufactures, claim particular notice. These are flax and hemp ; which, if cultivated, (and they have oeen successfully tried,) might also be made a profitable article of export. The male population returned as engaged in agriculture, number 47,203,t The quantity of land under cultivation is 1,027,792 acres, val- ued at $18,791,325. The value of live stock the writer estimates to be $6,802,399. The value of agricultural products $8,02 1,8 GO. . , I. I \\ ■3i; Si. t Census, 1861. ,."8^.. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) l*W |2£ ™" Hwi II 1.25 ,25 ■10 H 2.0 11116 ' ^ ^// ^ w " Photogr^hic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. M5S0 ( 71 «) 873-4503 •^ m / tA 42 NOVA SCOTIA. 'i •ns of Agricultural and Dairy Produce- -1851 and '. 1851. 1861. Hay, tons 287,837 334,287 Wheat, bus. 297,157 312,081 Barley, (( 196,097 269,578 Rye, (k 61,438 59,706 Oats, (( 1,384,437 1,978,137 Buckwlieat, (( 170,301 195,340 Indian Corn, <<; 37.475 15,529 Peas and Beans, ii '21,333 Potatoes, a 1,986,789 3,824,864 Turnips, (< 467,127 554,318 Other Roots, (( 87,727 Applet, (( 186,484 Plums, « 4,335 Timothy Seed, (( 9,882 Maple Sugar, lbs. 249,549 Butter, <( 3,613,890 4,532,711 Cheese, tt 652,069 901,296 Return of Live Stock of Nova Scotia — 1851 and. 1861. Neat Cattle 1 1 Counties. exclusive of t'ows. Milch Cows. Horses. Sheep. Swine. 1851 1 1861 1851 1801 1851 1762 1861 '27m)2 1851 12845 18G1 1.57'20 1851 1861 1, Halifax 645G 7741 5185 0645 30O5 3022 5. Lunenburg 9142 10491 3744 5485 669 621 11934 16786 2989 3190 3. Queen s 3231 3496 1553 2 "5 < 1 Salmon. Digbv or smoked Herring. O Quintals 396425 Barrels 66108 192932 8233 12565 2481 Boxes 36278 Gallons 23097!) Number 2738 The relative position of each county in this department of industry is as follows: — 1. Halifax; 2. Guysboro' ; 3. Richmond; 4. Lunenburg; 5. Shelburnc; 6. Yarmouth; 7. Digby; 8. Cape Breton ; 9. Inverness; 10. Queen's; 11. Victoria; 12. Annapolis; 13. Sydney; 14. King's; 15. Pictou; 16. Colchester; 17. Cumberland; 18. Hants. MANUFACTURES. The manufact ires of the Province are only in theh* infancy. In this department, as to then* extent, we expect to occupy a lower place than Canada, or even New Brunswick, in the colonial contributions to the Great Exhibition. They are annually increasing, however, and have been much stimulated within a few years. They do not much exceed Avhat are termed domestic manufactures ; and indeed posi^essing the lowest tariff of any of the British North American colonies, it cannot be expected that we can advance very rapidly. The cheapness of labour and the super- abundance of capital in Great Britain, must, for some time to come, secure to her the whole of her American colonies as a market for her manufac- tures. Many of the usctul articles which we have heretofore imported from the L^nited States we are beginnhig to manufacture ourselves, and gradually will become independent of that republic, except as consumers of our native exports. In nearly all textile manufactures, cutlery, hardware, pottery, ship- chandlery, chemicals, &c., we are the customers of Great Britain. As, however, capitil becomes more abundant, and science reveals tlie inexhaustible treasures which abound beneath her soil and upon the sur- face. Nova Scotia must occupy the highest position on this continent as a manufacturing country. The facilities which she possesses are 'to be INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES. 45 ' ' found no where in an equal degree but in Great Britain ; and it is inter- esting to observe the similarity of the two countries in this respect : their geogra})hical |)Osition and conformation ; the abundance of water so gene- rally distributed ; the inexhaustible deposits of coal ; the variety and value of their minerah ; and chietly the energy and intelligence of their people — for Nova Scotians are proud to feel that their fathers belonged to the noble races that people the British Isles. But though we have ^vritten thus much (in rather a depreciatory tone, it will be said,) this department is by no means insignificant, or we should not have placed it in this middle position, in treating of the industrial re- sources of Nova Scotia. It is usual to consider the several employments which are connected with the productions of the forest, as pertaining to manufactures ; but we have chosen to treat of those employments sepa- rately, in the two following sections, under the distinctive titles of lum- bering and shipbuilding. The census shows but an imperfect return of the fruits of our manu- ficturing labour. It informs us chat there are 13,230 hand loom^?, which produced 1,320,923 yards of homespun cloth, 281,709 yards of which were fulled. The number of bricks manufactured was 7,659 M. ; the number of grindstones made, 40,496 ; bushels of lime burnt, 130,848 ; carriages made, 2,131 ; gallons maL liquor made, 109,867 ; value of hea- ther manufactured, ^240,386. Total, .^1,146,900. If we include under this head the returns of lumbering and ship-building, the whole may be estimated as $3,098,619, exclusive of mills, factories, &c., $1,741,584 more. But if we could include the returns of labour from the foUowins: list of trades and factories, the amount would be very much larger : — 7 brush makers, 47 block and pump makers, 12 brass founders, 4 boiler makers, 147 cabinet makers, 1,147 coopers, 15 chair-makers, 22 confec- tioners, 2 chocolate makers, 6 gunsmiths, 14 gas fitters. Factories— 'iS soap and candle factories, 3 axe factories, 2 rake factories, 3 chair facto- ries, 1 paper mill, 1 tobacco mill, 11 iron foundries, 2 nail factories, 3 cabinet factories, 1 brush factory, 1 trunk factory, 2 biscuit factories, 8 shoe factories, 1 woodware factory, 1 engine factory, 1 pottery, 1 pail factory, 414 grist mills. The whole value of the r.iills and factories under this head, including breweries, grindstone factories, brick factories, tanneries, carriage factories, and cloth factories, (from all of which the returns are given) is $1,011,480. Population engaged in manuJactures, 13,516. !! If iiii: 46 NOVA SCOTIA. tUMBERlNO. The products of the forest in Nova Scotia are similar with but few ex- ceptions, to those of the province of New Brunswick and of Canada, though in this department cf industry she is greatly surpassed by those provinces from their possession of a greater extent of forest land. The products of the forest form a most important item in Nova Scotian exports. They comprise deals, boards, scantling ; spars, knees, and other ship timber ; hoops, staves, laths, shingles and firewood. The county of Queen's takes the lead in this branch of industry. In 1860 there were produced in that county: 639 M. deals, 25,361 M. pine boards, 1,318 M. spruce and hem- lock boards, 139 tons timber, 214 M. staves. Queen's saws more than half the whole quantity of pine boards that are sawed in the province ; Cumberland the greatest quantity of deals ; Pictou exceeds all the other counties in hewed timber ; Halifax in staves. The whole value of the returns of timber, deals, boards and staves in 1861 the writer estimates at the average market value to be $1,098,888. The population engaged in lumbering cannot be estimated, as it is combined with other employ- ments ; so tliat the accuracy of the number specified under the head popu- lation 'cannot be relied upon. There are in the Province 1401 saw mills, 130 shingle mills, 6 lath mills; the saw mills turning out in 1860-61, 25,072 M. feet deals, 46,607 M. feet pine boards, 36,422 M. feet ^pruce and hemlock boards. There are no returns of shingles and laths. Staves, 7659 M. ; timber, 22,592 tons. The value of saw, shingle, and lath mills, is $730,104. The relative position of each county in this department of industry is as fallows:-—!. Queen's; 2. Lunenburg; 3. Digby ; 4. Pictou; 5. Colchester; 6. Cumberland ; 7. Halifax; 8. Hants; 9. Shelbuvne ; 10. King's; 11. "Yarmouth; 12. Guysboro' ; 13. Annapolis; 14. Sydney; 15. Inverness; 16. Cape Breton; 17. Victoria; 18. Richmond. SHIP-BUILDING. The great abundance of valuable timber in proximity to the coast, as well as the number of convenient harbours and navigable rivers, render Nova Scotia peculirrly suited for carrying on this noble employment on an extensive scale. The greater proportion of the vessels constructed in Nova Scotia are of the smaller class, adapted to the coasting trade of the Province, the sister INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES. 47 lath als, lards. Colonies, and the neighbouring States. In addition to these, shipa of a larger class and of superior description, ranging from 300 tons to 1200 tons, are built for exportation, which usually command a remunerative price. • The following table will shew to what extent ship-building has been prosecuted during the last nine years : — Year. 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 No. of vessels. 203 244 236 208 151 233 216 Tonnage. 31,376 52.814 40,409 39,582 10,366 20,684 23,634 Value. $,1,557,090 2,546,595 2,240,710 1,852,540 757,900 852,831 972,448 As the greater number of the vessels built in Nova Scotia are owned in the Province, and intended for domestic trade, this branch of industry is not so liable to. reverses, caused by frequent fluctuations in the foreign demand, as is the case in the sister colonies, where they are built princi- pally for exportation. For this reason the table shews but little variation in the number built from year to year. The section on " commerce" will give the number exported. MINES. Although, as has been sufficently shown in the place in this essay de- voted to the consideration of our mineral resources, that Nova Scotia is endowed by nature with mineral wealth in a very extraordinary degree ; if we except the article of coal, comparatively little has been done to developc those resources, and make them of practical value. The principal ob- stacle consists in the scarcity of capital in a new country, where all, or nearly all the capital is fully employed in the ordinary pursuits of com- merce. It is not improbable, that even the coed might have remained in its native beds until now, had not British capital been employed in our coal fields. It is known to all who are conversant with Nova Scotian affairs that the " Mining Association" held their privileges under a lease to the heirg of the Duke of York at an early date in the history of the province. It was usual in passing grants of Crown Land, to reserve to the Crown all mines, and deposits of gold, silver, coal, iron, and copper ore. This \v.%i 48 NOVA 3C0TIA. 1^' '■■ nionoijoly was long a causo of much dissatisfaction to the colonists, and strenuous efforts were made by the Legislature to induce the Imperial Government to annul the grant or to limit the term of its continuance. It was impossible but that the discussion of euch a measure, in which rival interests and existing rights were involved, muist have been pro- longed and sometimes discordant. It was at length, however, satisfac- torily compromised, and now — reserving to the Association their former l)rivileges within a circumscribed distance from the centres of their opera- tions — the minerals of Nova Scotia have been resigned to the control of the Colonial authorities. This has given a stimulus to mining operations. Many new coal mines have been opened, some of them containing the oil-coal, and bituminous shales. . The principal mining operations of thj General Mining Association are nt Albion Mines, Pictou. The quantity of coal raised from these pits in 18150 was 167,004 tons. The greater proportion of this quantity (141,744 tons) was shipped to the United States, where it is used in iron foundries and gas works, for the production of steam. The coals are canied to the loading ground at South Pictou, six miles distant, by a railway worked by locomotives. A community of 2,000 souls is suppor- ted by the labour arishig from these mines. The Association has also mines at the Joggins, in Cumberland. They raised from these mines in 1860, 8,319 tons, of which 1,000 tons were shipped to the United States, and the remainder supplied the settlements skirting the Basin of Muias — with a portion of New Brunswick. The mines of the Association at Sydney supply the province with fuel for domestic use, being admirably suited to that purpose. 117,615 tons were raised from these pits in 1860, 100,000 tons of which were con- sumed in Nova Scotia and the sister colonies. The Association intend opening a new colliery at Little Pond, and are building a branch railway to be continued to Point Anconi, five miles distant. The sales from the more recent mines at Lingan arc increasing; r. (/.,— ISnO— 9240 tons ; 1860—16,298 tons. Since the beginning of 1858, fifteen new coal mines have been opened by private individuals, 7 of which are in Cape Breton, 6 in Pictou and 2 in Cumberland. Two of these are oil-producing mines. In I860 11,709 tons of common coal were sold from these new mines; and oil-coal, 1643 tons. Nineteen additional licenses were granted in 1860 — 9 for Pictou, INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES. # 4 for Cap« Breton, 2 for Cumberland, and 1 in each of the counties of Colchester, Sydney, Richmond and Inverness. The coal raised in the whole province in 1860 amounted to 286,700 tons larg;e, and 22, .'540 tons small ; of whirh 59,121 tons wore for home consumption, 72,881 tons were exported to the N. A. Colonies, and 187,500 tons to the United States * The Inspector's Report for 1860 informs us that the sales liad lur;»ely increased beyond previous years, both at the Association's mines and at otlier mines. The report directs attention to the circumstance of 459 tons having been shipped to Brest by order of the French Government, and quotes from the Report of the Directors of Naval Construction to tlie Jlinister of Marine concerning the quality of the coal ; which states that *' its steam power is little inferior to Cardiff coal and equal to that of Newcastle.' Sydney is likely to become an important coal dej ot for steamers, sixty-six steamers havi^ig coaled there in 1860. Iron-mining in Nova Scotia seems to make but slow progress. Works have been erected at the falls of the Nictaux river, and at Clements, in the county of Annapolis; but though the situations possess great natural advantages, and the ore is abundant and of good quality, the operations have not been very successful ; — though we learn from the " Bridgetown Reguler" that the works at Clementsport, ajler a stoppage of thitiy-ihree years, are again in full blast, and are turning out five tons per day. At Great Village river, in the township of Londonderry, are situated the works of the " Acadian Ii '>n and Steel Company," (incorporated by Act of the Legislature in 1855.) The iron made from the ore of this famed deposit, is equal to the best quality produced in any other part of the world. The operations of this company are widening every year ; and as the quality of the iron becomes better known, and the appliances for extracting it perfected, it must become a source of immense wealth to the projectors, and conduce to the prosperity of the province. The supply of the ore may be said to be inexhaustible. In one place w^here the veins are exposed, its breadth was found to be 120 feet, (See chap. IV., sec. ''Mineral.") Mineral Paints are manufactured from the 'ochrey ores of the iron de- posits, and are likely to constitute an important ai'ticle of commerce. Granite is quarried extensively in the counties of Halifax and Shel- bume. Gypsum is largely quarried at Windsor, Newport, Walton, Shubenacadie ♦Jovraalfl of House of Assembly 1860-1, Appendix 12. 50 NOVA SCOTIA. f-.V ' and numerous other places, of which 105,431 tons were exported in 18G0. Grindstone is quarried at the Joggins, Seamen'^ Cove, and Raggod Reef in the county of Cumberland. There were 40,496 grindstones made iu 1860. Beddlsh brown and (jray Freestone for building purposes are quamed in many parts of the carboniferous district, both for domestic use and for exportation to the United States and the other colonies. The principal quarries are at Wallace, and at the head of Pictou harbour, at which lat- ter place stone of excellent quality and color, both in blocks and flags, is prepared. Although ulaie and marbles abound in various places, they have not yet been quarried to an extent worthy of notice. Some polished specimens of our marhles will be seen at the Exhibition. The principal attractions, however, in Ithe Nova Scotia department of the Great Exhibition will be bars of gold rnoM Tangier; bottles op GKAiN gold from Wtne IIakbour, Sherbrooke and Laidlaw's ; WASHINGS FROM THE OvENS, AND OTHER SPECIMENS — amounting in all to MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. For a /till description of the Gold Mines, see chapter IX. !l!r' COMMERCE. Although Halifax is the principal seat of provincial commerce, other places, as Pictou, Yarmouth, Liverpool, Windsor, Pugwash, Sydney, C.B., with 47 more shipping ports, contribute to swell the aggregate amount. The geographical position of Nova Scotia is eminently favourable to com- mercial pursuits ; and as the resources of the Province become developed, the general commerce must increase to an almost illimitable extent. The largest portion of the exports of Nova Scotia are drawn from its fi.-shcries and agricultural resources. The total value of iish exported in 1860 was $3,094,499 ; of live stock and agricultural products, $786,526 ; of lumber, $767,136 ; products of mines and quarries, $658,257 ; furs, $72,218; manufactures, $69,978; vessels, $168,270; miscellaneous, $151,132; imported from other countries and re-exported, $1,019,788 — making the total exports for 1860, $6,787,804. Of the amount imported and afterwards exported, $53,320 was shipped to Great Britain, $47,877 to foreign countries, and $918,591 to the other B. N. A. colonies. The principal exports to Great Britain consisted of timber, (squared and INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES. 51 ill «aw('d,) and of ships built in tlio Provinoe, in return for whicli thore were imported from tlie United Kingdom manufactures of every description, suited to the wants of the country. The imports from Great Britain far exceed the exports thither. The West Indies is the principal market for our fislj, in return for which tlie produce of these Islands is imported. To the Ignited States, besides fish, arc exported coal, gypsum, wood, and agricultural produce ; imported, breadstuffs and manufactures. The trade with the United States has grown more rapidly since the " Reciprocity Treaty" came into operation, by which all unmanufactured articles, the growth and produce of Nova Scotia, may be imported into the United States free of duty. Any advantages which may accrue to our commerce from that treaty, arc likely to be of short continuance, as the influence of the agricultural interest in the United States is likely to pre- vent its renewal after the termination of the stipulated period. Nora iScotia need not, however, contemplate such a change with any appndien- sion. The superior advantages arising from cheapness in the construction of vessels, must secure to her a large proportion of the carrying trade ; and the superiority of her soil for the growth of many agricultural pro- ductions which the United States consume, her fisheries, as well as the important articles, coal and gypsum, must always secure to her an in- creasing trade with that country. The trade of Nova Scotia with tjie neighboring British Provinces is steadily increasing. There is already a growing trade with Canada in West India produce, which is reciprocated by Canada in the article of breadstuffs. Previously to 1850 but little commercial intercourse existed between the B. N. A. Colonies. The inter-colonial treaty which has since been established providing for the interchange of native commodi- ties, has afforded a stimulus to commercial intercourse generally ; the trade with Canada, however, must consist more in articles of commerce in transitu than in the respective products of the two colonies.* The increased intercourse amongst the colonies of B. N, America must inevi- tably tend to bind their interests more closely together ; and it is hoped will create on this continent a cordial national policy, uniting in a com- mon bond of self-preservation and progress the loyal millions of the Anglo-Saxon race, who claim descent from the same ancestry, and unitcdljr boast of their allegiance to the constitution and crown of Great Britain. The American people justly apprehend the rivalry which must reasonably * Canada, however, wliicli is now supplied by Pennsylvania, ought to be able to •btaiu her coal from Nova Scotia. E 3 52 NOVA SCOTIA. m m w. exist between themselves and these Cohinies, if the latter maintain their present state of pro;;ress, more especially if a great highway is constructed wholly within the British territories. An intelligent American writer* upon this topic, urges upon the United States to cultivate the most liberal commercial intercourse with Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, offering us they do an extensive market for the manufactures of the United States. He writes — " We cast our eyes upon their trade, our mer- chants goto their cities in search of customers, our manufaeturcrs study their tastes, and we already rival England in their murkets to so great an extent, that we carry fully one-half of their whole foreign trade, and are ready to compete with our English friends for the other half." Imports and Expoi'ts from 1852 to iS61. Imports. Exports. 1852 $5,970,877 1852 $4,853,903 1853 7,085,431 1853 5,393,538 1854 8,955,410 1854 3,(;9(;,525 1855 9,413,515 1855 4,820,645 1856 9,349,160 1856 6,864,790 1857 9,680,880 1857 6,967,830 1858 8,075,590 1858 6,321,490 1859 8,100,955 1859 6,889,130 1860 8,511,549 1860 6,619,534 1861 7,613,227 1861 5,774,334 The table of exports and imports'does not include the value of ships exported, which item in 1860 amounted to 8,842 tons — value 295,054. Of these, 6755 tons were sold in Great Britain, and 2087 tons in the B. N. A. colonies. In addition to the statistics already furnished, a reference to the amount of shipping owned in the Province, and a comparison of it with that of other countries, will probably enable the reader to form a better idea of the extent of ofur commerce. The following is extracted from Sir Gaspard LeMarchant's official report to the Right Hon. the Secretary for the Colo- nies — 1853 : *' This Province, being nearly surrounded by the sea, is des- tined, at no distant day, to be one of the largest ship-owning countries in the world. She owns now nearly one-third as much tonnage as France. She beats the Austrian empire by 2,400 vessels, and by 69,000 tons ; and owns 116,000 tons of shipping more than Belgium. She baats the two Sicilies by 38,449 tons ; Prussia by 90,783. Holland, which once contested the supremacy of the seas with England, now owns but 72,040 * Hunt's Merchant's Magazine, 1854. INDUSTRIAL RESOURCRS. 63 tons of sliippinj» more thon tins, one of her smallest colonies ; and Sweden, with a population of three millions, only beats Nova Scotia in shippini? by 3(5,927 tons." " Of all the republican states and territories included in the confederation, the tonnan;e of only six exceeded that of Nova Scotia : Maine, IMassachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Louisiana." In 1846 the tonnage of Nova Scotia was more than half of all tho British North American colonies collectively, the tonna^^e of ail these colonies bein;^ 252,832 tons, while that of Nova Scotia alone was 141,093 tons. In 1853, the tonnage of Nova Scotia had increased to 189,083 tons. In 1861, notwithstanding the de|)re sion which\has prevailed during recent years, it had increased to 248,061 tons,^comprising 3258 vessels, valued at 86,487,490, — only 13,161 tons less than the whole mercantile marine of Enghmd at tne end of the reign of the third William. Vesneh entered inwards at the ports of Nova Scotia, 1801. Great Britain, No. 194 Tons, 97538 Men, 5111 Britivsh West Indies, 259 31430 1916 British North America, 2681 227596 14451 United States, 2851 303638 18225 Other Countries, 338 36555 2101 6323 696763 41804 Vessels cleared outwards at the ports of Nova Scotia, 1861. Great Britain, No. 152 Tons, 68289 Men, 4262 British West Indie 5, 476 52890 4541 British North Ame rica, 2655 239036 14995 United States, 2509 306333 15836 Other countries, 297 29034 1886 6089 695582 415-^0 SUMMARY OP THE FOREGOING ESTIMATE OF INDUSTRIAL RESOURC. •*. Lniul Sto(-k, Vessels, Afjrieiilturnl products, i<'ish, Mills, Factories, &c., Lumber, Minerals, &c.. Sections. 1800-1. 1860-1. Agricultural, $25,593,724 $8,021,860 Fisheries, 880,450* 2,37H,721 Manufactures, 1,011,480 146,900t Lumbering, 730,104 1,098,888 Ship-Building, Included in " Commerce." 168,270 Mines, 813,392§ Commerce, 6,096,780 Total, $34,312,538 $13,626,031 Note. — This Estimate is exclusive of Real Estate, Stocks, Shares, &c.,in the city ot Halifax and the towns of the Province. ; ' • Boats, nets anfl seines only; vessels included in " Commerce" estimate, t Return incomplete. § Coal, grindstones, and gypsum ; no return of iron. 64 NO'^A SCOTIA. The Census return of real and personal property is: Personal — $17,- 224,084; Heal— $43,0 "1,330; Total— $60,205,414. This Estimate must be consi lered to be much belov/ the true amount. The returns were very imperfect. CHAPTER VII. EAILWAYS, ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, STEAMERS, «ic., &c. Railways are of but limited extent in Nova Scotia, notwithstanding the natural position of Halifi'.x, from being the nearest to Europe of the Atlantic ports open to navigation at all seasons, has always marked it as the destined terminus of British railway communical ion on this continent. Several projects - \ inter- colonial railways had been mooted, but had not succeeded ; wh^ i the public of Nova Scotia "were convinced that to wait till such a period as would connect them at once with the rest of the continent, was now futile ; and they consequently commenced to con- struct railways upon their own resources, and within the bounds of the province. This course was determined upon during the session of 1 8.')4, in which year the works were commenced. The lines then proposed have been only partly completed. It was intended to construct a main trunk, with branches to Pictou on the St. Lawrence, and to Anna}iolis on the Bay of Fundy. The railways now constructed, and in full operation, consist of a trunk line, extending from Halifax to Truro — a distance of about sixty miles, — and a branch to Windsor, of about thirty-three miles. The whole length in miles is 92,75. The eastern I: ^nch to Pic- tou is being located, and it is expected that, in two or three years, it Mdll be completed ; and thus connect Halifax with the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as the Windsor branch connects it with the Bay of Fundy. Should the pending negotiations with the Imperial Government, undertaken by Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, terminate favorably, the main trunk line will be immediately continued to the New Brunswick frontier, which will be an extension of 75 miles. The cost to the province of the 92 miles already eom})leted has been $4,236,109, which amount, for ♦^^he most part, is represented by deben- tures bearing interest at six per cent payable half-yearly. Of these de- bentures $3,500,000 are held in Great Britain, and $500,000 in Nova RAILWAYS, ELECTRIC TELEO.RAPir, STEAMERS, ETC. 55 Scotia, The stock has reached as high as 108 and 109 in the English market. The character of tlic road is nsuch superior to that of the United States railways ; and with the exception perhaps of two — the Great Western and Great Northern, will compare favourably with English railroads. There is an obvious inferiority in tlie station houses, but those of Nova Scotia are quite suited to the circumstances of a young country. The railway is managed by a comraisinoncr who is a member of the Executive Council, and who is wholly responsible for its successful man- agement. Under this commissioner are emj)loyed a superintendent of the locomotive dei)artment, a superintendent of the traffic department, and a general inspector of upholdenee and construction; all of wliom are responsible to the llaihvay Commissioner for its sub-management. The iipholdence of the road is by tender for one year ; the de{)artinent finding rails, chairs, spikes and keys, and allowing twenty cents to the contractor for every sleeper removed and renewed. Two trains leave Halifax each day for both Windsor and Truro, stop- ping at intermediate stations ; from which places two trains arrive each day. The rate of passenger traffic is three cents per mile 1st class, and two cents per mile 2nd class — speed, about 20 mib's per hour, including stoppages. The following table shews the traffic, receipts, &c., for 1860 : Passeiiiicrs. Horses & Wa<;,a;ons. Fn'i,u;lit. No. Amount. Amount. Amount. Main Lino, Wimlsor Hianch, 5057') 37454 33949 52 27835 8G fiOlfi 93 5898 73 22228 i9 10541 61) Total, 88024* C1785 38 $119-5 66 $38769 88 * 1st class — 14,637. 2n(l class— 43,387. Total receipts from all sources, $112,470 92c. Working expenses, $94,890 99e. ; leaving a balance of $17,579 93c. towards the interest on ])rovinLlnl loan. The freight hitherto has principally consisted of the industrial products of the province. The largest proportion of the amount of interest to be paid on our debentures must, for many years to come, fall upon the gene- ral revenue. The indirect advantages, however, which have accrued to ii ■■"f, 56 NOVA SCOTIA. ,'-> P the province from the introduction of railways, cannot be duly estimated. A stimulus has been in^jiaited to general trade, and the sphere of industry has been commen?urately enlarged. They must be considered as the great highways of the province ; which have always been maintained at the public expense. Indeed it has become u matter of gi'ave (luestion, whether railways in any country have succeeded as a mere pecuniary specula- tion. But among the indirect benefits derived from them are the cheap- ness and increased comfort of travelling and the economy of time; the value of which no railway statistics can possibly exhibit : it must be sought for in our bills of health, and in the augmented returns of our in- dustrial income. CANALS. As early as 1825 operations were commenced for connectir.g the har- bour of Halifax with Cobequid Bay, by means of a canal, combined with the Shubenaeadie river and the Dartmouth lakes. These works were continued for some time, involving a largo expenditure of money, but were at length abandoned whilst still incom[)lete. A new company was incor- porated in 1853, to resume and complete the works thus commenced, and the works began early in the following year.* This canal, after a series of financial difficulties, is nearly completed. It consists of a series of locks and two inclined planes, worked by means of machinery. It will afford very great facilities for the transportation of lumber, coal, building stone and gypsum, and all the more bulky articles of freight. The " St. Peters canal," to connect the waters of St. Peter's Bay on the Atlantic coast of the island of Cape Breton with tliose of the Bras d'Or lake, v.as commenced in the autumn of 1854, as a provincial work. When completed, it will divide Cape Breton into two islands. It will open to the Bras d'Or lake a safe and easy entrance, and one by which access will be had to it more conveniently than through its natural outlet. The length will be 2,300 feet. It is intended to have one lock at the St. Peter's Bay termination, and a guard-gate at the Bras d'Or. As the det)th of water in the Bras d'Or lakes is sufficient for ships of the largest burthen, such an undertaking must be important to the conimercial inter- ests of the island. ROADS AND POSTAL COMMIINICATION. The roads of the province are very "numerous, and are generally in good condition. The cost of oi)ening new roads i:^ defrayed in part by legisla- * Nova Scotia as a field for Emigriition. — ^I*. S. Hami' on, Esq. KAILWAYS, ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, STEAMERS, ETC. 57 tive grants, applied directly to that purpose, und in part by sums granted out of the treasury of the county in or tliroiigh which the road is made. To the>c sources may be added the labour conti-ibuted by tlic jjeople in eacli county. The legislative grant to this object, in 1860, was $103,855. The post office department in Nova Scotia is subject to the eoiitrol of the Legislature, who are always ready to extend postal communication, as the wants of the country require. Besides the mails conveyed over the net-work of post roads covering every county of the province, overland mails are conveyed between Nova Scotia and the neighbouring provinces of New Brunswick and Canada, as Avell as to the United States. There is a direct communication with the latter country every fortnight, by means of the Cunard steamers ; and a more frequent communication is maintained between various ports of Nova Scotia and the United States by steamers and sailing packets. The mail communication ^^ ith Grca'. Britain is carried on through the Canard steamer:?, which make fortnightly trips each way between Boston and Liverpool, touching at Halifax. By branch steam-packets belonging to the same company, a fortnightly mail communication is kept up between Halifax and Newfoundland, and between Halifax and Bermuda. From the report of the Posfmaster General, for the year ending 30th December, 1860, are gleaned the following items : — There are 72 central offices, and 344 branch offices, or " way offices" in the proviiice. There were delivered and posted at Halifax during the year : 2,080,520 news- papers, and 1,426,878 letters, being an increase over the preceding year of 251,212 nert-spapers, and 128,102 letters. There is now an uniform established rate of postage throughout the Nortli American Continental provinces — five cents (or 2 4-1 Od. sterling,) for letters weighing half an ounce. The post-office department is not yet self-sustaining ; the receipts du- ring the year 1860 falling short of the expenditure $27,748.20. The returns, however, show an increase in the receipts, over 1859, of $6,035.36, an indication that the department is gradually becoming independent of aid from the general revenue. iw y I' ELECTRIC TELEGEArnS. Nova Scotia is quite up to the age, in the use of this modern auxiliary to commerce ; every county being connected with the metropolis, and Avith the interior of the continent. The lines in the province arc owned by the " Nova Scotia Electric Telegraph Company." The wire extends 58 NOVA SCOTIA. over a distance of 1151 miles, and the company liave 40 ti'lcgrapli ofRccB. They have -3 submarine cables — (me across Puj^wash harbour, liolf a mile wide ; one across the^^Stralt of Canso, 1] miles wide ; and one at L<'nnox Passage (separating Isle Madame from Cape Breton) one mile wide. The charge for messages is 12 cents for 10 words, over a distance no! exceed- ing 80 miles — beyond that distance, and under 160 miles, 24 cents. The Newfoundland Telegraph C(nnpany enjoy the privilege of extend- ing their line from Asi)y Bay (the terminus of the Cape lireton end of the submarine telegraph connecting it with Newfoinidland) through Cape Breton to Port Hood, ^i distance of 140 miles, where it connects with the Nova Scotia lines. This company have besides Port Hood, offices at Baddcck, Ingonish, and Aspy Bay. The Newfoundland terminus of tlie ocean telegrai)h is at Port au Bas func- tions to th<' House of Lord-t, consists of twenty-one members, one of whom is Prrsiifent. They are appointed by the Crown, upon tlie recommenda- tion of the Executive, and hold their seats for life. Tlie House of llcprcscntativ.^s, or more frequently called the IIousR of Assi:.Miu-Y, consist-* of fifty-five members, representing counties and town- ships, who are elected eveiy four years. The elective franchise i» j^rantod to every male of twenty-one years of a^e, who is a natural-born or natiu-alized subject of the (^uecn of Great IJritain, and who has been for onii year a resident of the county or township in which he votes. In its mode of procedur(S the House of Assembly, us far as possible, conforms to the usages of the lower house of the British Parliament. JUDICIAL. The Law of Nova Scotia and the mode of administering justice, are in all essential and substantial points the same as in Great Britain. The common Law of England is the common law of Nova Scotia ; and the statutory enactments of the British Parliament up to the time of the colonization of this country have force hero so far as they arc ap- plicable to our circumstances, whilst a body of Local Statute Law judi- diciously framed and adapted to the simpler forms of colonial life, but based upon British principles, has grown up and has lately been care- fully revised and consolidated. To one fact in this connection it may be permitted to refer with some degree of pride as an evidence of the spirit at once humane and intelligent which has characterized our legal reforms. To Nova Scotia belongs the honour of having first set the example of limiting the punishment of death to crimes of Treason and Murder ; an example which if not implicitly followed, has yet been pretty closely imitated in the meliorations of sanguinary laws as well in the Mother Country as in the adjoining Colonies. It is ])leasing to add that the mildness of her criminal code has not been to Nova Scotia the source of any mischief, and that crimes of a heinous character arc of very rare occurrence. The principal Tribunal in Nova Scotia is the Supreme Court ; hav- ing within the province the same powers as are exercised in England by the Courts of Queen's Bench, Common Pleas, Exchequer, and Chan- cery. It has original jurisdiction in all causes over five pounds, and is the Court of Appeal from the decisions of Justices of the Peace in civil actions. This Court is presided over by a Chief Justice and four puisne F 2 m » t 68 NOVA SCOTLA. ■9 judgL's, who sit in lanco v the city of Halifax twice in the year ; the terms being respectively of two weeks and four weeks duration. The remainder of the time of the judges is chiefly occupied on circuit, there being spring and fall terms or sittings of this Court for the trial of civil and criminal causes in every county of the province. The Chief Justice receives a salary of £640 sterling, and each of the Puisne Judges £560 sterling. From this Court there is an appeal to the judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Justices of the Peace, of whom there are 1412 in the province, being one to every 2C4 of the population, have civil jurisdiction to the amount of ten pound., currency, and exercise in criminal matters the same ;)0wers as are held by the same class in England. General Sessions are held in every county once or oftener every year, and special sessions may be summoned at Avhich larcenies of £10 or under can be heard and de- termined. There is a Court of Marriage and Divorce consisting of the Governor, as President, and one of the Judges of the Supreme Court appointed by him as Vice-President, and the members of the Executive Council, which has full jurisdiction over all matters relating to prohibited mar- riages and divorce : but it says something for the morality of the country that this Court seems to exist only in the statute book. A Court of Vice- Admiralty is established at Halifax. A Court of Prolate in every county has control of the administration of estates of deceased persons. EDUCATIONAL. The public Educational institutions of Nova Scotia afford to the com- fiaunity a fair opportunity of acquiring a sound ordinary education, or a more enlarged classical and scientific training ; though the system is far behind that of Canada in its efficiency. The higher institutions of learning, viz : the academies and colleges, are fully adequate to the wants of the province. The department most inefficient is that of the common schools, which though yearly attaining a higher standard through the Ibeneficial advantages of the Normal School — a training school for teachers, are not of that character which is earnestly depiderated by those who are interested in the work of education. The common schools are supported by legislative grants of money, together with the voluntary payments of the people. In each county there is a board of School Commissioners, whose duty it is to regulate the division of the county into school districts, apportion the legislative w SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 69 grant, examine and licence school teachers, furnish statistics, and super- intend the interests of education generally within the county. There exist likewise, a superior class of common schools, designated grammar schools, where higher qualifications are required in tlie teachei;s and where the classics are taught. The Normal and Training School situated in the village of Truro, is supported by a provincial grant, and has been in operation since 1855. The Principal of the institution is also the provincial Superintendent of Education. The system of supporting schools free to all classes by direct taxation, as adopted in the United States, has been agitated for several years, on which subject the Committee of Education in 1860 reported to the Legislature : " Your committee believe that the people of this country are from year to year, becoming more alive to this mode of supporting schools." The oldest established of the Colleges is Klnrfs College, founded in 1789 — Patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is under the manage- ment of Governors, being members of the Church of England ; but is open to all classes, receiving from the Treasury an equal grant with other denominational institutions. Dalhousie College, at Halifax, was incorporated in 1820, at the suggestion of the nobleman whose name it bears, and its Trustees are incorporated by law. It has never answered the objects of its foundation, mainly because of the existence of several denominational colleges and academies ; and the building, which is a handsome freestone structure, is now used for a Post-office and other public purposes. There is an efficient grammar school taught in a part of the building. There is also Acadia College, at Wolfville, connected with the Baptist denomination ; St. Mary's College, at Halifax — Roman Catholic ; and the College of the Presbyterian Church of the Lower Colonies — Truro and Halifax. Of the Academies the principal one is at Sackville, New Brunswick, (about equi-distant from Halifax and St. John.) I. .it being under the control of the E;istern British North American Wesleyan Conference, its sphere embraces both provinces. It com- prises two branches, male and female ; to each of which a capacious building is appropriated ; and a lecture hall for the use of both. There are likewise academies or preparatory schools attached to the several cclleges. The curriculum of study maintained in these Institutions includes the several branches of Mental and Natural Philosophy, with the ancient and mt dern Languages. The departments are filled by gen- tlemen, who are college graduates thoroughly qualified for those positions. 'I n 70 NOVA SCOTIA. There are in the province 52 grammar schools, containing '.GOO pupils, and 1000 common schools — pupils 35,000. The legislative grant for educational purposes was in 1860 $G5,8'J3 25. THE PRESS. The •' fourth estate" is tolerably well represented in Nova Scotia. In the city of Halifax there are published six tri-wcekly and one weekly general newspapers^ four weeklies — organs of religious denominations, and one total-abstinence journal. There are also one or more news- papers in the towns of Yarmouth, Pictou, Liverpool, BridgetoAvn, Anti- gonish, and Sydney, C. B. The city papers contain a large amount of general reading and editorial matter, reports of debates in provincial parliament, commercial and general intelligence, and are conducted with considerable ability and energy. Their editorial colunnis arc chiefly devoted to the discussion of local topics ; though the occasional con- sideration of subjects bearing upon the interests of the nation and the world, exhibit a vigour and intelligence not behind the ordinary press of Great Britain. The stirring events which have recently transpired in our relations with the republic of America have presented a fertile topic for Colonial pens, and have tended to impart an unwonted stimulus to the intellectual gyrations of Colonial brains. The circulation of the city papers is from 1200 to 2500 copies at each publication. MILITIA. The latest reliable census of the Militia force of Nova Scotia, dates as far back as 1846, when it was returned as comprising 47 regiments, 1145 commissioned officers, 2,494 non-commissioned officers, 53,920 rank and file Of the rank and file 4878 were from 15 to 18 years of age, 41,650 from 18 to 45, and 7,392 from 45 to 60. This body of Militia though constituting numerically so imposing a band of soldiery, are virtually disbanded, no systematic drill having bticn enforced for several years. The Volunteer movement has, however, aroused the dormant warlike spirit of Nova Scotians, which has manifested itself in the organization of an eff'eetive Volunteer force, numbering throughout the province not less than 2500 men, comjirising 44 companies, of which are Artillei-y corps. His Excellency the Earl of Mulgrave, who, in his capacity as Civil OOLD DISCOVERIES AND MINES. 71 Governor, lias the eommantl of all the Militia, has taken a laudable inte- rest in this movement ever since its inception, frequently attending the drill-room to inspect their exercises, and expr(?ssing his gratification with their progress in the difficult art. The law enacts that '• every man of the age of sixteen, and not over sixt}' years of age, except Clergymen, members of the Executive Council, Judges of the Supreme Court, the Receiver General, the Financial Secretary, and the Provincial Secretary, shall be enrolled in the Militia." The census of last year returns 67,307 males between the ages of twenty and sixty ; if, then, what is contem- plated by the authorities be done — to resuscitate the Militia under an improved organization, — should any imperious necessity call forth her aid in the mutual df.'fence of the British posbcssions in North America, Nova Scotia would proudly take her position alongside the other colonies, with a contingent of at least 60,000 men. CHAPTER IX, GOLD DISCOVEKIES AND MINES. Dr. Dawson in his Acadian Geology, enumerating the minerals of the Atlantic metamorphic district of Nova Scotia, mentions the ])robability of the existence of gold being discovered in the quartz veins of the metamor- phic rocks, li'om the rocks bearing so close a resemblance to those of the auriferous districts in other parts of America. Nothwithstanding this statement of the geologist, perhaps not one inhabitant of Nova Scotia ever seriously thought of searching for the precious deposit. Nothing therefore could liave excited greater wonder in the minds of the people than the stai'tling announcement that gold had been discovered at 2'angur, sixty miles from Halifax. Indeed, had it not been for this ch'cumstance, Tan- gier miglit have enjoyed undisturbed its imposing name and forest seclu- sion for half a century to come. Like most of the modern discoveries of gold, its discovery in this province was ])urcly accidental. The Hon. Mr. Howe, Provincial Secretary, who early visited the place accompanied by Professor How, of King's College, in his report to His Excellency Lord Mulgrave, gives a brief and graphic account of the particulars of the dis- covery at Tangier. He states that in March, 1861, " a man stooping to drink at a brdok, found a piece of gold shining among the pebbles over which the sti-eam flowed, and upon further search he found more. This 72 NOVA SCOTIA. was abaut half a mile from the east of Tangier rivor, a small stream taking- its rise not far trom the source of the Musquocloboit, and ilow ing through a chain of Likes which drain for many lailos on either side a wilderness counlrj, and flowing into tiie Atlantic about forty miles to the eastward of Halifax." As Mr. Howe found about one hundred men collected at the place who were impatient to try their fortune at this novel employ- ment, he instructed a surveyor to lay olf a square mile in lots of 20 feet by 30. Lots were soon taken up, some of them by miners who had worked in California and Australia. Though no very valuable nuggets Avere as yet found, coufidence in the extent of the deposits steadily increased, and the pioneers worked on cheerfully and industriously. The Government, while giving every facility to those who were disposed to '' pro-spect," acted with cautiim, lest too great inducement miglit be held out to persons who had employment, hastily to rush to the diggings. A few months after the discovery at Tangier, intelligence was brought to the city that gold was also found in Lunenburg, at a place called the Ovens, about sixty miles west from Halifax. Tlie Ovens is a peninsula which forms the western side of Lunenburg harbour, and which, extend- ing from the town of Lunenburg a distance of five miles into the Atlantic, terminates in a bluff promontory, about forty feet high, with steep cliffs on the eastern side, but on the western side sloping down to a stretch of level land with another bay beyond. The average breadth of this penin- sula is about half a mile. The bluff promentary called the " Ovens," occupies about half of this distance, presenting a frontage to the sea, where deep caverns have been worn into the bluff by the action of the Avaves. Mr. Howe states that the quartz veins are in all directions through the promontory, and are visible to the naked eye, without labour. "Whilst attention was generally directed to the quartz veins in the upland rocks, it was conjectured by one or two individuals that the sands below the cliffs would be impregnated with particles of gold. Experiments proved successful, and those shore claims have proved to be the most remunera- tive of any, whether at tl'e Ovens or at Tangier. The astoimding revela- tions of the existence of gold lying at their feet, startled the imagination of the stolid Germans ; and so great was the excitement for some weeks before the claims were adjusted, that buxom matrons and maidens might be seen in diligent search for some shining nugget, or gathering sand with the hope of extracting the precious dust. What tale of 09 5 ' \ Harbours, Slierbrooke, Waverley, (Laidlaw's,) i 23 31 2 19 6 There arc no available sta'istics later than the above date. A large munber of claims have, however, been taken up since Doc, '01, at Shcrbrooke and at the new diggings of Oldham (Elmsdale,) and Ren- frew. It is supposed that more than eighty places throughout the pro- vince have been found to be auriferous. Extracts from the Act relating to the Oolil Fields of Nova Scotia. '* The Governor in Council is hereby authorized to select and np])oint a snital)le per- son to act as ])e[)uty Gold Commissioner for the rroviiicc, and suitable persons lo act as Dv'puty Gold Commissioners, as occasion may require, in the several districts, and to define the limits of their jurisdiction respectively; and by virtue of and durintc the continuance of such appointment, such Gold Commissioner within all the ^-^old disiricts, and such Deputy withm the districts to which he is a))i)ointed, shall exercise the power of a Justice of the Peace : provided always that no such Commissioner shall act as a Justice of the Peace at any Court of General or Special Sessions, or in any matter out of session, except for the administerinf; of affidavits, the preservation of tiie peace, the prevention of crimes, tiic detection ancl commitment of ottenders, and in carrying out the jn-o visions of this Act. " No Gold Commissioner or Deputy Gold Commissioner shall be directly or indi- rectly interested in any }i,'old mine, or in the proceeds or profits thereof, iu)r shall he act as tlic agent or .attorney of any interested therein, under a penalty of one thousand dol- lars for every oifcnce, to be recovered by proceedin}>s in the Supreme Court." "The Cliief Gold Commissioner and each i)eputy shall be provided with a Book of llecord, uniformly ruled, wherein shall be entered all applications for areas, with the precise time of their being made, showing the description of area applied for, the amount paid, the name or names of the ajiplicants in full, witli the name of the party paying, which shall be open, at all reasonable times, to the inspection of all persons desiring to see the same ; aiul as each applicant shall pay for and file his written api)lication for a mine, the name of the appliciint shall be written on the area or areas ap])lied for ; and each deputy shall make a return weekly, or oftener, if re- quired, to tlie Chief Gold Commissioner, of all apj)lications so made, and of the names written on the plan required by the 13tli section, and remit the amounts ])aid." " It shall be the duty of eacli Deputy Gold Commissioner to prepare and keep a plan of the gold field or fields withhi his jurisdiction, with the areas that shall have been laid off, all distinctly marked out thereon ; and with his weekly or other return to the Chief Gold C/omniissioner he shall forward a duplicate plan of all surveys made during the v/ce;-, and the Chief Gold Commissioner shall cause such i)lan to be forthwith copied upon a general plan to bep 'pared and kept by him, of the gold fields in ques- tion. " The form of an application for a mining area shall bo as in Schednl(> 13., or to that effect, and the Deputy Commissioner shall endorse thereon the precise time when re- ceived ; hut no api)lication shall be valid unless made in writing, defining the area ajiplicd for, ami accompanied (except in case of free claims by discovery or otherwise, 1 IMMIGRATION. 79 niidci- (lie provisions of this Act,) by payincnt of a first instiiliriciit ns IiCTcinnftor pro- vidtjil fin- sucii mo.v; or, in ni^o of a lot of one thousaml H(in!ire ffct in allnvial or nlacor