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Un des symboles sulvants apparaitra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signlfle "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signlfle "FIN". ire Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those 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, »s many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planchcts, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimfo d des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui clichA, 11 est fiimA A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessalre. Les diagrammes sulvants lllustrent la mAthode. by errata led to ant jne pelure. apon d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 mm xm ■%. i NOTA SCOTIA I AND HER RESOUKOES. By THOMAS F. KNIGHT, \ Vires ctcquirit eundo." --'^■•-- \,~. •-■--,■%. -.-»,-w-wv/^v PUJUJSHED «Y ORDER OF THE NOVA SCOTIA COMMISSIONERS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. ^„- .-.^^^^-"v • V-^>..-.-\,-N.-* HAL1I*A.X, N. S. A» & W. MACKINLAY, Granville Strbet. LONDON: SAMPSON LOW, SON and Co. Mk i W "^'a' ^t ,fiJu.^'Jk':^ V! '^ , ^'i n> -v ■# ft # ■^ I i ^|Bj| H u ■ ■ ■ ^H^^^H^^H 1 < ,; :iK,^.H- 'X. ^^v'^^-c^K 1 1 1 ^^^^^1 ,■' *■■- Mh l^^^n ^^1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Bl i » ' ^ ^ "^S 1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^B^ 1 ^w \ „.',i;-:'^ 9HI^Hb . •W 46 45 44 ^^k^' ..-.' 1'- '•■■■■^i J '-^..•.- I'll m o%l y / I , - \ — ■ _ f:MX <■ ,1 / CV,!/- r^^:^' A .\ I» J.., ^ pi^, ; 7# Z .. -' •• '"XA 0* 44 ^* * i:k? <" «^/7,V •f'6 I — /m/jr^/i , \l'il VI .\'f(iflJl 7. St'df // Jc //n Jf.j .Jt> 1 JW^ h^ T -! -v^ - Si'' 1 r/m)' :pfp (fiTr/u^ J -"-»-. nm ( 7 ■ — — ^? I ^- :/ - A, ic^m.^^%':.,^^. I \ir%*^? ■S.C I I 1 I I I r- -I --t -1- - ~.fc lu 20 10 40 .'0 ^L-..- ^y /n(/i(> /ni^i .v /o/ufd t/.^ u-li/i7i u /hmt •>>' U /!'/'. /(oa/tu IS lil,fjft(',iyMt?-t imla '.ra6i!U,' /'■'./'('{•(i'OaiJrs. y '//■'■ iidi.'i-i . M^i f\i //uyy/lcin niNini ii///u //■^/////I'^j- d-.c. /ruh f^/i /'•/VrY /}'r//-Lf .^Z'^yr //m/j f<'////i/v//'?{// rher''^/{:j-f in- r:'."i/inO(>// ,:/'!iMWi('i-i^/yf/ r\ II .' /// i'///ni- 1 /'.j^i/A'/in-niav ^f h"(f' (U ■ Hi:\\\r.r O'roiyf P/a'/ip c^ '"'''■nW. ^ :' I-l'/ 17 JtZ. on'^cnand- I 1,4 li > ■M |ri2£ (Bssag. NOVA SCOTIA AND IIER RESOURCES. By THOMAS F. KNIGHT. " Vires acquirit eundoJ'* ■-v PUBLrSHED 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 Babringtow Sirebt. PREFACE. 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 Nova Scotia, to acknowledge the assistance which he has derived from their labours, in the prcpaiation 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 Scotia as a Field for Emigration, by P. S. Hamilton, Esq. ; Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians, by the Be v. George Hill, A.M. ; besides other works having a remoter reference to the subject. The statistics 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 ta Nova Scotia and its Resources. Halifax, May, 1862. iv. PRIZE ESSAY. Halifax, 10th May, 186f . Sir,— Carefully to examine, and justly to estimate, the 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, anc' of our own responsi- 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 awarded 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 B. G. Haliburton, Esq., Secretary. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION, .... GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE— Chap. L, Granitic Metamorphic District, . Devonian and Upper Silurian, Carboniferons Districts, New Red Sandstone, . Drift, Diluvium, or Boulder, Modern Alluvial Deposits, . GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES— Chap. IL, Nova Scotia Proper, Cape Breton, .... Sable Island, CLIMATE— Chap. IIL, . 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, .... Page • J . 1 . 1 ^ 1 4 1 5 . 1 . 6 ' 7 . 7 9 .10 10 :i . 14 15 . 16 16 . 17 18 I . 20 i 20 ; . 22 1 23 . 27 34 . 34 36 . 40 40 . 43 44 . 46 46 t . 47 50 1 n VI. RAILWAYS, ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, &c.- -Chap. VTT., . , 54 Railways, .... Canals, .... 54 . 56 Roads, &c., . . 56 Electric Telegraphs, Steamers, .... . 57 58 Revenue, .... . 59 Public Debt, 60 The Currency, .... City of Halifax, SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS— Chap. VIIL, . . 60 61 . 63 Religious, . . . . Political, .... 63 . 65 Judicial, . . • • 67 Educational, . . - . . 68 The Press, .... 70 The Militia, .... . 70 GOLD DISCOVERIES AND MINES— Chap. Discoveries, .... IX., . 71 . 71 Mines, .... , 74 Productiveness, &c.. . 76 IMMIGRATION— CONCLUSION, . • 79 . 54 54 . 56 56 . 57 58 . 59 60 . 60 61 . 63 63 . 65 67 . 68 70 . 70 71 . 71 74 . 76 79 NOVA SCOTIA AND HER RESOURCES. It is the object of this Essay to describe the soil, climate, resources, and industry of Nova Scotia ; to pourtray its social state, and to com- mend it as a most desirable field for employment of the industrious emi- grant. The wi'iter, 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 exhibitir^ a desire for the sudden acquisition of wealth by uncertain means, rather than by the B KOVA SCOTIA. M 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 his three sons, Henry — prompted by the marvellous tales of gold and silver abounding in Americ; -granted a patent to fit out a small squadron " for the conquest, discovery and occui>!ition of the lands be- yond the Western Ocean, inhabited by heatliens and infidels, and, till those timer*, unknown to Christians." Tlie elder Cabot and his son, Se- bastian, sailed from Bristol in the beginning of May, 1497, in a ship of then- own, accompanied by three small ships of London merchants, laden with articles of traffic. On the 24th of June, they were surprised by the appearance of land, which tliey called Prima Vista, suppose, iin'l extendinj? towards tlie Slewiacke lliver, the loni?, narrow band of the Cohequid Mnmitains; and t\ belt of variable width :skirfiu'> thn northern side of the other metainorphic district in the western counties, Owini? to the alteration and disturbance to wliich its rocks have been subjected, the sti'iicturc of this district is complicated, and the interior position cau-^es it to present i'ew g )od sections to the geologist. For these reasons less attention has been devoted to it than to the carbonifer- ous distrii'ts which overlie it, and th(; details of its structure are compa- ratively unknown. There is, how(n'er, one interesting section at Arisaig, which has beim ind^isti'iously explored by Rev. Professor Honcyman, and where fossils arc very abundant. Associated with thes(; rocks m'e found immense masses and dikes, or thick veins composf/d of sj'enitc, por[)hyry^ greenstone, co!n[)act felspar, and other igneous rocks. Some portions are of slaty structure, and othtn* portions of it consist of shaly, sandy, and calcaieous deposits, considerably hardened and much disturbed, yet re- taining abundance oi" fossil shells, and other evidences of marine origin. In some places wliere it meets, and apparently imites, with the granitic group, igneous aclion appears to liave 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. CARBOXIFEROrS DISTRICTS. 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 met amorphic district first descrihcid. 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, Pietou, and Sydney, and a part of Gnysboro'. It occupies, in Cape Breton, much of the eastern part of Cape Breton county, and a great part of Richmond and Inverness. 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 res(nvrches in this abundant field, in which four- fifths of the fossils are identified with European species. Sir Charles liVell divides this svstcm into three formations ; * the middle one, com- « W 7 7 * Lyell's Travels, &c., Vol. 2, p. 176. GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE. i prisino; the protluctlvo ooal measures, agrcoing precisely with tlio-c of Europe in thtiir lithologlc character and organic remains ; an upper one, composed of sandstone; and slialc, with fossil plants, but witlmut coal ; and a lower carhon'fcrous group, chiefly made up of red sandston • and red marl, with subordinate bods 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, OOUO feet, or more. Several localities in the carboniferous districts, ollbr excellent opportunities to the geologist to examine the character and relative posi- tion oC 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 tlic Shu- benacadie, cutting through the gypsiferous strata for a distance of twenty miles. THE NEW BED BANDSTOXE. The now rod sandstone, which corresponds with the upper new red of Europe, occupies the isthmus coimecting Digby Neck with the mainland, and the long valley extending from Annapolis to Minas Basin ; skirts the shore of Cobequid Bay, from the mouth of the Shubenacadio to Truro; and extends along the north side of the bay, in a narrow, though conti- nuous belt from Truro to Moose River, and bevond 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. \\\ nidst of these localities, tho trap rests on the new red sandstone. Those trap rocks include basalt, greenstone, and amygdaUid. In appearance, they resemble the lava of modern volcanoes, and are similar in composition ; their principal constituent mineral being aurjite, a dark-gi'cen or blackish mineral, composed of silica, lime, and magnesia. It affords an abundance of agates, jaspers, and other forms of quartz, wliich might bo used for ornamental purposes. It also contains veins of magnetic iron ore, and copper ore. DKIFT, DILUVIUM, OR BOULDER FORMATIOX. Between the drift and the now 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. ''i produced, no rocks nppcar to have been formed within the area of our pro- vince ; or, if they were formed, they have been swept away. Thi^ re- mark likewise applies to an immense region, extending through New Brunswick, Ciinada, and the Northern States, and, in some directions, far beyond the limits of those countries. It will, therefore, be seen that those formations which inchidc the clay.s and sands of th*; Southern States, and also of England, ai-e entircAy wanting in Nova Scotiii. The drift is spread over a largo 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 w'aste of rocks whicli 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 liead of this section, which arc also applicable to the surface deposits of the greater part of the northern, temperate 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 di-ift are of dif- ferent kinds : some of them the same kind with the rocks in tlie 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 [U'ogi-ess on the surface of the land, and geologists unite in considering them as relics of the past. In Nova Scolia, lie boulder clay exists under the same conditions as in Canada, and so do the overlying stratified sands and gravels ; but the intermediate deposit, the " Leda 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 tho superficial gravel. A thigh-bone, now in the Museum of the Mechanics' Institute in Halifax, measures 3 feet 11 inches in length. * Supplement to Acatlian Geology. GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE. MOUEUX ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS. Of this nature arc the large and valuable tracts of dyked miU'sh, and the inteivals on the mar;^in 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-cast along the Atlantic coast of the United States, entering the funnel-like mouth of the Bay of Fundy, becomes compressed and elevated, as the sides of the Buy gradually approach each other, until in the narrower parts the water rushes at the rate of j^ix or seven miles an hour, 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 siu-taco of the flats. The falling tide has little elfect on these deposits, and hence the flats gradually reach such a height that they can be overflowed only by the higli spring tides. So far the process is carried on by the hand of nature ; 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 can'ied further by the ingenuity of man. By diking and draining so 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. Bo(js and pcatu swamps form another chiss 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 tliorough geologi- cal survey, its structure has been somewhat minutely examined, and its 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 metamor[)hic 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 neighbouring Provinces. The results of the investigations of eminent geologists, who have at differerit times been interested in the 10 NOVA SCOTIA. litl\i)lo;?y of our Province, Hcatlcr 'tl tlirough the number of scientific journiils and other puhlit^ations l»oth of Britain and America, Trofcssor Dawson h is interwoven witii tho fruits of his own indu-*try, and has con- ccntrat 'd in his ''Acadian Crcolo;^y" nearly, if not all the ^eolo|j;ical knowledj^c relating to Novii-Scotia wliich wc possess. Professor J low of Windsor Coliej^e, and Rev. 1). Houeyman,* — both of whom have aided the Commissioners in tlie preparation of mineral specimens for the Exhibi- ti(m, — have contributed to tlie results of gcolojrical hivesti;;ntion; the latter by a variety of new fonsih obtained at Arisai;^, and tlie foi-mcr by tlie discovery of three new 7/iiiicnils in the trap of the Bay of Fundy. m ' CHAPTER II. GEOGRArillCAL FEATURES. The Provhicc 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, coimccted 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 ° 2.r and 47 ® , and between .59 ° 40' and G6 ° 25' west longitude. It is above 350 miles in length, and from 50 to 100 miles in breadth, and contains an area of nearly 18,6:10 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 PROrEl?. The peninsula of Nova Scolia, which contains a superficial area of about 15,600 srpiare miles, is somewhat triangular in form. Its length is 256 miles, 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 entritstcrl by tlie Provincial Commissioners with the ar- rangement of tlie Nova Scotia Department in the International Exhibition. Since his arrival in London he has been constituted a Follow of the Geological Society. :^ 1 1 GEOGRAPIUCAL FRATURKH. 11 (ion with Kuropo of any part of tlic liritirn of these branches^ called, at its mouth, Miuas Cliann(d, rapidly narrows to a width of six mile's, and then suddeidy 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 Cobecpud Bay. West- ward of Halifax the coast is indented by two deep bays, known, respec- tively, as Margaret's Bay iind Mahono Bay, which are studded with islands, and contain numerous coves, affording ample room and protect ion for ships. The other principal bays are St. JMary's and C'hedabucto, opening to the Atlantic; and St. George's, Tatamagouche, and Bay Verte, on the coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Perhaj)s no other country in the world is so favoretl as Nova Scotia In the number and excellence of its harhoiirs. The coast-line embraces a distance of not less than 1000 miles. On the coast of the Bay ot Fundy, owing to the tides, there me no harbours. To remedy this defii'iency, a number of artificial harbours have been formed by means of \n\cs, where the vessels ride in safety at high water ; but on the recess of the tide, they are high and dry upon the mud-flats. These tides, have becoine widely celebrated for their great rise and fall, and for the rapidity of their cuiTents. " 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 histantanoously, gains, rapidly on the higher swells of mud, which appear as if they wei-e 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 having in its front a white, breaking wave, or n NOVA SCOTIA. J* ! * bore, ' wliich runs steadily forward, meeting and swallowing up tlie re- mains of the ebb still trickling down the channels. The mud-flats are soon covered, and then, as the stranger sees the water gaining with noiseless and steady rapidity on the steep side^ of bmks and cliff-?, a sense of insecurity creeps over him, as if no liuiit 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 gi'eat bay tide : its retreat commences, and the wat(?rs rusb back as rapidly as they en- tered." The northern harljours 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 Avhicli a thriving lumber-trade is carried on. Merigomish is the only good natural harbour between Pictou and Cape St. George. At Arisaig, a pier has been erected, at considerable expense, for the protection of coasters. Between Cape St. George and the Strait of Cans;3 there are several small harbours, the best of which is Pomket. It is on the At- lantic coast that the most i uuierous and capacious harbours are to be found. First in importance is HuVifax harbour, which embraces the outer harbour, the North West Arm, and Bedford Basin. It is celebi-ated as one of the best in the world. Mr. Montgomery Martin, in his history of the British Colonies, says without any qualifieation : " 1 lie 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 protectio;i from every wind. Besides Halifax, situated between the mouth of tiie Bay of Fundy and the Strait of Canso, a distance of little more than 300 miles, there are a uuiltitude of harbours of greater or less capacity, and easy of access, the most of which are available to ships of 500 tons, from wliicli an increasing trade is carriinl on with the capital of the Province and the principal ports of the United States. At Yarmouth, on the west side of Cape Sable, there is carried on the largest shipping-trade in the province, nextto 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 Minus, 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 GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 13 I tlie re- -flats are ing with I cliffs, a o the ad- ' hitherto bay tide : they en- are but c at the coa-t are , at all of the only Arlsaig, oction of there are II the At- are to be the outer 3 rated as lisiory of arbour of It is easy )rotcL'tio;i th of tiie than 300 icity, and ons, from Province the west ide in the ; are nu- are ne- Basin of v^er in the de is car- s into the sheet of lis Basin wa? the principal French settlement of Port Royal (Annapolis), which figin-ed prominently in the early history of the province. The other rivers which are worthy of mention are Rivers Philip, Wallace, John, West Middle, East, Btu-ney'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 Sissiboo rivers, emi)ty- ing into the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly all of these are navigable for a short distance from their mor.tlis. The great inequality in the surface of Nova Scotiji is the cause of the existence of numerous lakes, which are scattcreJ over it in every direction. Some of them are oi very great extent, and in many places form almost a continued chain of water communication across the Province. The largest is Rossignol, situated to the westward of Liverpool, which is said to exceed thirty miles in length. There is a chain of lakes exten lino- 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 ei<'hty besides Lake George, which is nearly as large as Rossignol. There is another chain, from the head of the Sluibenacadie River, reaching nearly to the harbour of Halifax. There are similar connexions between Wind-^or and the Atlantic, and between the sources of the Gaspereau and Gold Rivers. Some of these lakes are extremely beautiful, often con'aininrr small wooded islands, of every imaginable shape ; while the hills which environ them are embellished with the greatest variety of scenery. Ihe most of these lakes abound with trout, perch, and other varieties of fresh water fish. The principal capes and headlands of Nova Scotia are, Cape St. Geor^o on the Gulf Shore, Cape Canso, Cape Sambro, and Cape Sable on the Atlantic Coast; and Digby Neck, Cai)c Split, Cape Blomldon, and Cape Chiegnccto in the Bay of Fundy. The most remarkable cliff on the whole coast is the summit of As[)otagoim, on the promontory that separates Mahone from INIargaret's Bay. This land, which is about oOO 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 liills are the Cobequid Mountains, a ridge extending from Cape St. George throngh Sydney and Pietou 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 AVindsor and Halifax, is said to be the highest land in the Province. I! ^;i I 't f i i. t? II r. 14 NOVA SCOTIA. CAPK BIIETON. * The Sti'uit of Canso, which separates Cape Breton from Nova Scotia Proper, is eighteen miles in lenjvth, and varying: from half a mile to a mile and a half in breadth. Its de))th is from fourt'^en to thirty fathoms. This strait is the highway of vessels running between the Gulf of St» Lawrence and the American coast, as well as between Europe and the eulf coa- ts of Nova Scotia and New lirunswick ; and it is often preferred by transatlantic ships, bound up the St. Lawrence, to the more dangerous route north of Cape Breton. The I.-land of Cape Breton is of a very irregular form, and in its general features closely resembles the I'eiiinsula of Nova Scotia Proper. Its greatest length is 100 miles and its greatest breadtli 72 miles, its area about 30(>0 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, which occuifies the central portion of the Island, and nearly divides it into two. It is entered from the east by two channels scp-irated by Boulardarie Island, and known as the Great and Little Bras d'Or, which, after cxtendiiig inland f')r a distance of about thirty miles, unite and expand into a ba>in called Le Petit Bras D'Or. From this the tireton, on the east ; and Capes St. Lawrence and Mabou on the west. The mountains and hills arc extensive, though not remarkable for their lieight. SABLE ISLAND. Sable Island is situated between North Latitude 44 ° and 43 o 54'^ and between West Longitude GO ° 12' and 59 ° 40'. Its breadth varies from one to two miUiS, 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. This Island has frequently been the scone of shipwrecks ; the hoals 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 Novu Scotia, being situated 87 geographical miles from Ca[)e Canseau. There are stationed on the Island a Su{)er!nteiulent 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 culti\ated portions of the Provinc e, with their variety of wool, 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 Mahonc Bay, which is studded with numberless islets ; and the rugged scenery of parts of the Basin of Minas present striking pictures of the grand in Nature. The more cultivated tracts of country, as the exten-^ive Annai)olis valley, the rich farms of Cornwallis, and the Grand Pre of Ilorton, 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 ajipearauce could not fail to fill the mind of the traveller with agreeable surprise. Besides the seventy post-towns, there are a considerable number of villages, in tlie inhabited parts of the Province, each distinguished by its particular kind of beauty. The houses are generally built of wood, but ^1 It !*■/> '\ I .H 16 NOVA SCOTIA arc frequently designed with taste, and are surrounded in many places with gardens and cultivated trees. Hi CHAPTER III. CLIMATE. 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 all the British North American Colonies* is supiiosed to be of uncommon severity, so as almost to deter the European emio-rant from choosing it as a place of permanent settlement. There is much misconception, however, upon this subject. The climate of Nova Scotia, though at certain seasons extremely cold as compared with that of Eno'land and Ireland or the South of Scotland, is nevertheless remarkably salubrious. The winter, in its greatest severity, is less uncomfortable than the humid atmosphere of this season in Britain. This is found to be the exi)ericnce of colonists who have passed the winter months in the Mother Country. TEMPERATURE. While Nova Scotia may boast of its comparative dryness, and the more constant serenity of its sky, it must be acknowledged that it lacks the early genial spring and protracted 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 different 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 these extremes. The mean tem- perature of the year is 43. ; and there are about one hundred days in which the temperature is above 70. in summer, and about twenty nights f i''i CLIMATE. 17 in wliicli 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 biing frequent. The mean temperature of different localities in Nova Scotia varies but little. Professor Everett of King's College, from a comparison of meteor- 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 sliow the annual mean temperature of various localities in Europe us compared with Halifax and Toronto, Upper Canada : — Lati hide. 440 40' 43 39 53 23 50 7 52 31 49 39 Farenhcit. 43.8 44.4 49.1 49.5 47.5 52.1 Halifax, - . . Toronto, - . . Dublin, . - - Frankfort, - . . Berlin, - - - - Cherbourg, - - . 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 whicli about 61 inches falls in the form of snotv^ making the annual depth of snow about 8i feet. There are 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 und 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. Spring in Nova Scotia commences in the latter part of March or the 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 Bouthward from the Arctic, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, often attended. © 18 NOVA SCOTIA. 4< M * 7t a ■ by squalls of snow. The fogs, too, uiough scarcely extending any dis- tance inland, sensibly influence the atmosphere. Agricultural operations commence in April, mid the " seed time " continues througliout 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 " Ind;an Summer," which partakes more of the mildness and serenity ci 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 Mis of snow ; March, though cold, variable and blustering, fre- quently affords more days of clear sunshine than April. The winters, however, arc 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 LONGEVITT. 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 diseases; as well as the proportion of deaths to population compared with Rhode Island* and with Great Britain. Diseases. Nova Scotia. Rhode Island. 1. Epidemic, Endemic and Contagious . . . 34.025 31.543 2. Dis. of Nervous System 6.070 13.543 8. " Respiratorv and Circulating Organs 29.044 28.571 4. " Digestive Organs 7.930 4.971 5. " Urinary 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 Rhode Island from among the other American States. He has been unable to obtain statistics of any others. , 4 i W ■ \ k any des- perations May and odcrately )ps being thful, ex- continu- vn as the srenity d xr months niddle of ometimes ble for a and the ring, fre- : winters, cold with 2. ; of the ongevity. jdily and ed years. a bears to th, in the )ortion of t Britain. de Island. 1.543 3.543 8.571 4.971 2.571 9.486 4.000 the other CLIMATE. Proportion of Deaths to Popnlation. 1801, Nova Scotia — 1 in 70.71, or less than . . U per cent. l8r>G. Rhode Island — one in 40.1 1, or more tlian . 2 1859. Great Britain — one in 44.75, or more than . 2 19 « The first tabl'j shows that Rhode Ishind has double the proportion of that of Nova Si'otia in diseases of the nervous system, while Nova Scotia shows a large exce-s in diseases of the digestive organs. The other causes specified do not exhibit any difference worthy of note. The deaths from epidomic, endemic and contagious diseases appear more numerous in Nova Scotia. It is but just to state, however, that the past year has been one of unusual mortality from this class of diseases, as the deaths from Dijptheria alone were 1()0;3 out of lo92 deaths from those causes. The climate of Nova Scotia is not remarkable for the generation of any disease pccidiar to itself; and the diseasi^ just referred to has appeared with equal virulence in other parts of the Continent. If a similarity in agricultural pi'oductions 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 Europe. Wheat, rye, 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 Catalo<;ue, sent to the Exhibition, that " the climate of Nova Scotia is particularly saital)le to the »?rowth of the Apple Tree. Crop is t^onerally siiiO and lari;o. Sorts which in En};laii(l re- cjnirc a wall or espaliers will here jrrow and thrive in the open orchards, as standards. Fruit attains an enormous size ; specinien of ' Gloria Mundi, ' sent to England, mca- gured from 15 to 17 inches in circumfercnco."' lie states that " hardy sorts of Grapes will, in the Western Counties, do well in the o])en air, and even Black Hamhurg and White Cluster have, durinjr the past year, ripened their fruit in open .air. All the best sorts will (under glass, without artificial heat) grow mo'^t Inxuriantly, 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-house. 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 great surprise at the adaptation of Nova Scotia for the growth of the grape, and stated that the Black Hamburg, with similar treatment, would only ripen one year in six, at his gar- dens, at Newburg, on the Hudson. The Pear grows vigorouslv, is very productive, and sorts such as Marie Louise. William Bon Chretien, Louis Bon of Jersey, Knight Monjvreh, Flemish Beauty, Passe Colman, Vicar of Wakefield, and other hardy sorts will, as standards, do exceedingly well — crop constant." C % I k ■f !■ ■^^ 11 ' ■ i m 20 NOVA SCOTIA. It may therefore be confidently asserted that the climate of Nova Scotia is such sis to conduce to the health of its inhabitants, being free from those disca-x\s which pi-cvail in many more fertile tracts of the Continent ; and to produce all that is necessary for animal subsistence and enjoyment. CHAPTER IV. NATUUAL RESOURCES. To describe the Natural History of t^ Province, it will not be ncces- S!ir}', nor is it practicable in the limited space of an Essay, to include minutely all the varieties or even species ; but simply to refer to th(^ more prominent individuals of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms. ZOOLOGICAL. When Nova Scotia was first discovered, it abounded with a groat 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 exthict. Among the vertebraicd animah which are still found in the province, are the moose, carriboo, bear, fox, 1} nx, weasel, martin, otter, minx, fisher, woodchuck, hare, raccoon, porcupine, squirrel, bat, mole, beaver, musquash. The Moose is the largest animal of our forest, and is generaily about, sixteen hands high. He is of the deer kind, M'ith palmated horns weighing from thirty to forty pounds. The Carihoo 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 arc rare. Of Bears, the Black Bear only is found in Nova Scotia. He sometimes uttams 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 hirds of preij, 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 rlhnhors, we have the woodpocker ; of the grouse kind, th(; spotted grouse, and the spruce partridge ; of plfjeons, the pas- senger pigeon. Tlie, nqnadc birds are the heron, the snipe, and the plover : the Avikl duck, the wood duck, the eider duck, th(J wikl goose, the teal, the loon, the gull, and some others. The TiqdUos of Nova Scotia are few in number, and neither of great size, nor injurious to man. The principal are, the fresh-Avater tortoise some li/.ard:<, and a few si>ecies of smikcs. In Fish, the resources of Nova Scotia are most abundant ; they throng her coasts, and swarm in every river and stream. Cod, haddock, halibut, mackerel, herring, shad, alewives, and salmon, are found in her seas in quantity inexhaustible, and of quality unsurpassed; while trout, salmon, i)erch, and other varieties of fresh-water fi-^h 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, tircqucnt the coast in immense masses. These masses are called " schulcs " by the fishermen, who watch for their ap[)carance with intense interest. These schidcs 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 ban'els 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 canght in abun- dance. They arci 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 Jialihut (Hypoglossus vul- garis), which attains to a ]n-odigious size, sometimes weighing 500 poxuids. 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 them. 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 aJeivife,* or (/aspereau (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 Indian name of a fisli. — Webstee. Ifl M M 'I -I 22 NOVA SCOTIA. is then easily Ciuif^lit in f^toat qiiautitit'S. It is not so much esteemed as the common hcirinj^, which it much resembles ; it forms, liowever, an im- portant article of export. The salmon is found in most of the lar^^o rivers of Nova Scotia, and is also tukcn on the coast 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 troiU — the salmon trout, and the conunon trout — are found in all the rivci's, brooks and lakes. The pvrchy the iiinvU and the cvl are abundant in tlie liarbours and streams. There are also species of bann and slun/con, but they are rai-ely found. Of the cctacia, or whale tribe, the species are tlic common whale, the grampus, the finner, and the porpoise. Several species of the s/iarl- are occasionally seen on the oast of Nova Scotia, though none are abundant. The iloijjhh, a small species of shark, aboimd on the shores, — large numbers of wliich are taken for their oil. Tlie most useful of the mollusra are the oyster, tlie muschj, and the clam ; and of the crm^laccn, the lobster. There arc innumerable varieties of worms and inscds, but none of any economic importance. nOTAMCAL. The Mild plants of Nova Scotia arc too numerous to admit of even a list of them in this essay. It must suffice specially to refer to those only A^hich pertain to the connnerce of the countr}-. The most important of these are of the order Con'ifcrce, as the white pine and red pine [Pinus strobidi and P. rcsiiiosa) ; the hemlock {^ibies Canadensis) ; the black, red, and white spruce (^1. nujra, A. rubra, and A. alia) ; the fir {A. lahamea) ; andthehacmatac (/^ar/a' ^/>H'r/ca»o). Other spccies.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 esj)ecially valuable as ship timber. Among the most useful trees called hard-wood trees, but which comprise many orders, are the white sugiir maple (Aver saccharinum), the black sugar maple {A. nigrum), the white or soft maple {A. dasicarpum), the red maple {A. rnbriim), the stri[)ed maple {A. sfriatiini), the mountain maple {A. inoidanum), the white aish {Fraxinns acuminata), the black or swamp ash (F. sambuclj'olia), the elm {Uhnus Americana), the white and red beech {Fagits sylvatica and F. fe)ru(/inea), the white and black oak {Quercus), the hazel {Cort/his Americana), theVellow, black, white, canoe, and poplar-leaved bii'ch [Betida). Of the hard- wood trees» the rock maple NATURAL RESOURCES. 23 is entitled to the first rank, from the superior quality of its timbr-r. Th* re is a beautiful variety known as binVs-cye maple, wliich is much sod in the manufacture of furniture. The ash is a valuable wood ; durable, flexible, and free from knots. The bircJK's are used in ."hip-building, and for many othor purposes. The black birch, when polished, much resemMca 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 fijphina), the wild pear {Aronia hotn/a/nion), the rowan, or mountain ash {l*i/ras microcarpa), the wild hawthorn {(Jrafaetjuft)^ the wild red cherry [Ccrasus Pcnnsijhmnlca), willow (Salix), and the aspen, the tree-poplar, and th(; white-leaved poplar {Popiihfs). The blaek chiMTy tree {Ceraaus nif/ra), and the sarsapaiilla {Aralla), are valuable on aocount of their mcd'.cinal virtues. Among the wiM plants of Nova Scotia distinguished for the beauty of ihc'irjloicers are those of the orders Nijmphceacefe and Liliacecc, of which the white pond lily is remarkable for its powerful fragrance. Iklonging to the order Erlcacece we have the fragrant mayflower {Ephjea ropens), which lias been ado[)ted 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, staiflower, violet. The \)xh\c\[)di\ fniit-hear'nuj plants are the strawberry, the raspberry, the blackberry, the blueberry, the whortleberry, and the cranberry, all of which exist in the greatest abundance. I AGRICULTURAL. Although, if compared with some tracts of the neighboring States, and with Western Canada, the lands of Nova Scotia do not offl'r 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 I'roper, 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 refeiTcd to according to the 24 NOVA SCOTIA. J' it geological divisions of the province, which mode of description possesses tiome advantii}^c jibovc thsit of con.-'idcrinij; them according to the scvcrid counties ; many of the counties containing within them more or less of every dc-icription of soil. First ill order is the soil of the Mlamorphic Dhtr'id^ of the Atlantl(; coast. TiJiy the edge of a ruler ah»ng the map of the province, from the northern part of Clare to the head of Clic(K'xhu(to liay, and nearly all the country to the south of this line will belong to the district now to be con- sidered. Tiie surface in this extended tract is uneven, but not very ele- vated; composed of slate granite and ([luirt/ile rocks, full of hdvcs, streams and rocky ridges, and contains the greater i)art of the barren lauds of the province. Of the cultivable soil, there are two kinds ; first, the f/ranlllr, wliieh is generally coarse and sandy, often covered with a hlack vegetable mould, which is ea])ab!e of produeiiig good crops. Such soil is nbuudaut in the county of Shelburne ; between Chester and Hali- fax ; at Mus(piodoboit harbour ; a:;d between Indian harbour and Cape Canseau ; also in the southern part of Annapolis and King's counties, ■which are upon the northern margin of tliis 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 comjiost of fish-ottid (which con- tain lime and phosphate), mixed with swamp mud. The second class of soils in this district is the slahj 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 Guysborough ; many large tracts of whidi are of excellent quality, and may be classed witli the second-rate uplands of the province. These tracts of land, if properly treated, might be made to support valuable herds and flocks. The quantity of cidtivable ungranted land in this district is about 140,000 acres. The soils of the uiJand Jiilh (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 tluough Pictou, Sydney, and northern Guysborough, and the * The description of the soils of Nova Scotia is compiled from Dawson's Agrieultare. NATURAL IlKSOUnCKS. 25 jrroatcr pnrt of the liilU of Capo IJrcton. The soil-* of tliis district rnny bo f^cncriilly (•haract(ri7/cd as good. Some of ihcm nrc f'oirnnl from the waste of syenite and ^aecnstonc — rocks allied to f,'rani;e, but differing' in composition and pi oducinf,' more fertile soils. Tlie greater part of tlio soils of these hills aro nhili/ in their cliaraetrr, and consist of a brownish loam. They arc off en deep, and easily worked and always fertile. They produce in their natural state n fine growth of hardwood limber; and when cultivated, are i ivorabh* 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 i'ertile parts of these hills, there are fine, nourishing agricultural settlements, which are advancing rapidly in wealth. Much of the soil im-luded in the (franilir Melamorphic District, where the limits of the two districts approach each other, — as in Clare, norlhcrn Yarmouth, northern Queen's, and in Kawdou and Douglas townships in the county of Hants, — ap- proaches in . t i-'^. ■ t 1 \ V'l ^ ; it borderinjT tlic Bay of Fundy. They occur near Truro, and in a band skirling Cobequid Bay ; in some few places on the Northern shore of Hants ; and more extensively in the valley of Cornwallis, and thence toward Annapolis. They are inferior as gi-ain soils to the best soils of the carboniferous and sibirian ; while they are admirably adapted to the culture of the apple, potatoe, turnip and Indian corn. The trap district is confined to the north mountains of Kings and An- napolis, and its prohjngation in Digby ; and a few isolated patches on the opposite side of the Bay. It contains all the chemical elements of fertility; b.-.-ars a fine natural growth of timber; and yields good crops to the settler. The character of the ungranted land in Cape Breton is principally that of the Devonian and Upper Silurian, and the Carboniferous districts, of wliich that island is largely composed. The best soil in Nova Scotia is the allavlal , which will bear continual crop})ing without manure for a very long period. The remarkable ferti- lity of this soil has occasioned cidpable neglect in its management. Much of it is rapidly falling off in its productiveness for v:ant of draining and ploughing. There are various kinds of marshes, distinguished by the aj>pellations of red marsh, Uae marsh, low marsh, &c. ; but the red marsh is considered the best. There is also skirting most of the rivers, rhe fresh Avater alluvium,* wliich is, generally, a fine and productive soil. Nearly the M-holo of the alluvial tracts arc 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 Seotia 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 thoge 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 I \ I ^ NATURAL RESOURCES. 27 convince every unprejudiced minil of the superiority of Nova Scotia as an agricultural country : — Comparative Table of Prodnce per Acre.* State of State Canada West. New New York. of Ohio. Biuuswiek. Xova Scotia.t 1845. 1848. 1848. 1849. Whoat, liiLslils. 14 151 li'-i 111 20 25 to 3S Barloy 16 24 29 .39 to 40 Oats 26 2 1 24^ 34 ••$5 to 45 Eve 9^ i4 20j .35 to 45 Buckwheat . . 14 163 24| 41 } 40 to 45 Indian Com . 2.5 41- Potatoes . . . . 90 69 84 226 200 to 300 Turnips . . . . 88 — — 460 400 to 600 Hay, ti>;is . . . — n — \% n to 2 gra>-tj:d and uxgraxted lands. The area of Nova Scotia, including 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 ungi-anted lands, is furnished by the Deputy Commissioner of Crown Lands, W. A. Hendry, Esq. : — Amount alien- ated. Jv^tiniated a- niount remain- in;,' for aliena- tion. Ksiimated a- mount avail- able f(n- set- tlement. Land-! open for settlement. I^i)va Seutia .... Cape Breton .... 4,'.t.35,.'U9.^ 81.3,543-f 4,:12,384i- 1.2()7,438| 55n,664i 356,676- 3,412,384.) 777,438| 5,748,893 5.319,8223 91.3,.340^ 4,189,8223- 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 farms range from £100 to £.51)0 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 X-andi'^i in 1851 amounted to 839,322 acres. Tlie 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 Agrieulturo in Xova Scotia (from Professor Jolmston's Report on New Brunswick). t From statistics fiunishcd by James Irons, Esq., the Secretary of the Central Board of Agriculture. \i ?li >■ H \- Zb NOVA SCOTIA. benefit of a tliorouf^h geological survey, so that her mineral resources arc but imperfec'lly known. Tlie motamorpliic district is an almost unex- plored field. Since ffold 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 I)osscss.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 iroii. The principal deposit of iron ore is situa- ted along the southern slope of the Cobe(piid liill, in Londonderry, where the " Acadian Mining Company" have erected Avorks, and lune begun mining operations. We.-tward of tlie " Acadian" mine, the course of tlie vein is mnrked by the color of the soil to about a mile distant ; and fur- ther eastward, on the high ground between the Great Village and Folly Ilivers, indications of tlie existence of iron have been discovered. Pro- fessor Dawson, who reported on this deposit in 184G, and again in 1849 in company Avith J. L. Hayes, Esq., of Portsmouth, U. S., furnishes the following description as the result of analysis. The deposit contains — 1. SpecuUw Iron Ore, or nearly pure peroxide of iron. 2. M927 nc<(roe.s, or colored [)eoplo as they prefer to be called, whose ancestors came to tha country in four distinct bodies. The first were orifrinally slaves, who ac- companied their masters from the older colonies. There were secondly a number of free nej^roes, who came at the close of the revolutionary war, tlie most of whom were removed at their own request to Sierra Leone. Next came the insurgent ncg^roes of Jamaica, known by the name of Maroons. Their idleness and licentious habits determined the CJovcrn- nicnt to send them likewise to Sierra Leone. The hist arrival of Africans was at tlie conclusi;j l.").'?818f liMMtOfi 27(1117 3;!08u7 34 10 9 14 10 15(j.41 087.49 0-2ft.!t.'{ 0.{8.r2 01!).82 * Exclusive of Cape Jlrctoii. t Inclusive of Cape Breton. The progiTss in the population of Nova Scotia, or of any of tho Lower Provinces, cannot rea-*onal)ly be compared with that of either 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, have arisen from immij^ration durinjij the last one hundred years ; while Nova Scotia, since tho arrival of the lovalists after the Revolution, has received no ini- portant addition to her population from that source. The tido 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 Mi.-souri. Passing by Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the course has been (via Boston and New York) westward to Canada and the new territories. It is generally computed that by births, or natural increase, population increases 1 00 per cent in thirty jears. 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, from 1828 to 1861, it proves to have been 11;5.05 per cent. Compared with Great Britain, it shews a remarkable contrast. The rate or increase in the population of G. B. in the fifty years from 1801 to 18.')1, 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 accounted for chiefly from the accelerated emigration from Great Britain during tiie ten years 1841—1851. To furnish 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 ill n I'. I ) V\ « l| ,! 38 NOVA SCOTIA. this comi)ari,son is ,stnrtliIlJ,^ tiiul proves that the taunts of our !)OM,sfing- ncij,'lilioiirs, tiic Yankees, tiiv unjust. It will be seen that Nova Scotia far exceeds them in the increase of her p()i)ulati(>n. It will ap|)ear tii»m ihc following; table, that while from 17H;5 (tlie ycwv ol" I he I'cnice), to 1H.")0, Conncctieut increased less tlum two fold, Rhode Island and Mass;ic!iu- .«jetl.s nearly three fold. New Hampshire nearly four fold, Nova Seoti;i proper increased from 178 1 to 1K.>1 mure than six J'oltJ, and to 18U1 more than eiijfit foll.> .".17.070 «7O,702 901,,j(t'l o2,000 (18;jl) L>L>1,L'mO I Not inchidins (18(;i) 207,774 i Cape JJreton. In comparlnf^ our prorrrcss with that of Canada East, it is found that Nova Scotia falls but little behind, (and from 1S34 to 1H44, was p;reatly in advance of) Lower Canada. " The increase in Lower Canada in the l.'> years between 18ol to 1844, was 13.94 i)cr ccnt."§ The increase in Nova Scotia during that period was more than 38 per cent. In the 24 yeais from 1827 to 1851, Lower Canada doubled her po|)ulati()n, during- which period her emigration had placed her a little in advance of Nova ■Scotia, who increased but ninety per cent. The (.Quebec (^lironide, in a late article, gives the following : " Comparing our popxdation (the whole of Canada) in 18G1 with that in which we were in 1852, we note that the total popidation has increased 30 per cent." The increase of the whole l.'nited States in the same period is 3oi per cent. No considei-able portion of the po])ulatinn of Nova Scotia is collected together into towns. It has seventy post-towns and villages, and three huncked and thirty six smaller settlenumts. Some of the towns and vil- lages are, however, becoming more populous ; and the growing commerce of the shipping-ports is tending to centralization. The population of the city of Halifax is 25,026. The princi[)al places which might properly bo designated towns, are Pictou, Yarmouth, Windsor, Truro, Liverpool, Wolfvi'!le, Kentville, Bridgetown, Annapolis, Amherst, Digby, Lunen- burg, Sydney, Guysborough. * Mun-ay's Hist, of North America, t Ilnnt's Mcroliant's Magazine, 1854. Halibm-tou's Hist, aud Census. ■§ Canada and licr Resources. — A. Morri.i, A.M. POPULATION. 39 rorui.ATioN OF nova sroTiA «y countiks. Count IKS. IMl IKfJl Increase in 10 yt'urs. 1. H.ilifax W\\'> 4!)02l {)!)()•) 2. Lniifiiliiirg mum 1 !)(5.'{2 .'52;{7 a. (^K^Ml's 72.")(l !);j(5.') 210') 4. Sliclhiinio 10(522 10(1(58 ook; .'■>. Y.innnutli VU\2 1.511(5 2;50t «. I)i;rl»v 122."i2 117.5! 21!>{» 7. AiiiKipolIs M2H(; i(;7.>:} 21(57 8. Kiii;j;'s HI.'IM I87;ji 4r,. (!uiiil)i'rlan(l 1J:5;J!) 1 !)■>;;;{ 511)1 11. C'.<)I('lii',sti;r I.VIC!* 200 J. '» 4."»7fi 12. Pictou 2:>r>80 J)(5l;{ 208(i(5 I 2!)29 18. llicliuioiul 10:581 12(507 222(5 27(5117 ;}:508.57 .54710 NoTi;. — There are 54,4(59 fiimilii's iu tlu; province nvcni;j;irifr 6.07 iiidividuulrf rOl'ULATIOX 0T-' NOVA-SCOTIA IJY OlliaiX. Nova Scotians, 291,70fi ' Other British colonics, Scothuul, ir),.'{!>5 ' United States, Ireland, 9,.313 j From other countries, England and Wales, 3,0'.)0 I PKOFESSIONS, TRADES, AND OCCUPATIONS. 4,029 1,95(1 774 330,857 Public, Judicial, and Muni- cipal, Clerical, liCgal, Medical and other professions, Mercantile, Agriculture, Fisheries, Church of Rome, United Presbyterians, Baptists, Church of England, Weslcyan IMethodists, Church of Scotland, Lutherans, 1,623 1,«00 2.986 Mechanical Trades and oc- cupations, Lxniiberiuir, Ship Building, Mining, 47,'2()3 Maritime, 14,322 Domestic, (not servants), I Labourers, RELIGIOUS CENSUS. 86,281 01 1,4 5 G 02,040 47,744 34,055 19,003 4,382 Congregal ionalists, Christian ^>i^ciples and Re- formed Haptists, Universalists, Reformfd Presbyterians, (Quakers, Olhci creeds. 13,51 a 3.101) 1,510 715 5,325 1,509 3,U08 2,183 901 846 236 158 3,51S f • 10 1 f, 41 i NOVA SCOTIA. CHAPTER VI. INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES. The productions of Nova Scotian industry, from the singular diversity ef her natural resources, constitute as great a variety as may be found in any of the British Colonies. They comprise the products of the forest, the mine, the ocean, the rivei", and the soil. Iler geographical position, it has been already stated, renders her eminently fitted for the pursuits •f commerce. Her harbors afford every facility to the building of ships, and her iisheries are a nursery for the siii)ply of able and hardy mariners. As well from their relative importance, as for convenience of detail, lAie industrial resources of Nova Scotia may be distinguished as cif/ricultii- ral, fisheries, manufactures, himhenag, ship-huilding, mines, commerce. AGKICULTUKAL. 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- •ulture ; the usual products of temperate climates, attaining to as gre.vt perfection as in any country similarly situated. (See chapters III. and IV.) As a grazing country, Nova Scotia, considering her extent, ranks first vnong the British North American Colonies. All the interior counties, together with many |)arts of those on the Atlantic coast, are admuably suited to this purpose. King's, Hants, Colchester, and Cumberland, are pre-eminently so, owing to the extent of their marshes and inter- Tales. Nova Scotia is not extensively a wheat-producing country. She can- mot compare with 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 lee 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 cultun; is the want of capital to bring the land to a high state of fertility. The great evil however is, that in nearly all eases too much land is brought under tillage. Were the labour which is spread over so wide a surfacy in domestic manufactures, claim particular notice. These are jlax and hemp ; whieh, if cultivated, (and they have been successfully tried,) might also be made a profitable article of export. The male population returned as engaged in agriculture, number 47,203.t The (juantity of land imder cuhivalion is 1,027,792 acres, val- ued at $18,791,325. The value of live stock the writer estimates to be $0,802,399. The value of agricuUural products $8,021,800. t Census, 1861. ii 42 NOVA SCOTIA. 'vs of AgricuUural and Dairy Produce- -1851 and ] 1851. 1861. ITay, tons 287,837 334,287 Wheat, bus. 297,157 312,081 Barley, «( 196,097 269,578 llye, (( 61,438 59,706 Oats, (( 1,384,437 1,978,137 IJiiekwlicat, t( 170,301 195,340 Indian Corn, « 37,475 15,529 I'eas and Beans, (( 21,333 Potatoes, (( 1,986,789 3,824,864 Turnii)!', (( 467,12/ 554,318 Other Hoots, t( 87,727 Apples, (( 186,4H4 Phims, (( 4,335 Timothy Seed, « 9,882 Maple Sugar, lbs. 249,549 Butter, « 3,613,890 4,532,711 Cheese, (( 652,069 901,296 lieturn of Lire Stock of Nova Scotia — 1851 and 1861, IV 1 ^"l■;!t Cattle • ■ Counties. fxilu-ivc of Cows. INIilfli Cows. Horses. Sheep. Swine. 18;-) I 1 1801 ! 1851 1801 1851' 1702 1801 ~23'.t2 1851 12845 1801 15720 1851 30O5 1801 1. llalitiix 04 .)0 7741 5185 0045 3022 5. LuiKnI)m"g' 9142 10491 3744 54S5 009 021 119.34 10780 2989 3190 3. Qiuvu s .'5231 3490 1553 2080 295 40O ' 5540 4591 933 890 4. iSlioihiiriic 3:^'.),-) 3019 2230 2417 311 282 9241 8503 1450 123.5 5. Yiuiiioiith 8022 0152 3304 3980 002 801 12449 10330 1094 1016 0. Di-hy 0003 5420 2508 .3041 490 037 1 1 709 10381 1222 1424 7. Annapolis 12r)40 10857 515S OHIO 1514 2452 17520 19353 2852 2540 8. Kin16 1424 2540 33(i9 2309 42r)5 3757 5(»7y 4531 2270 ()483 1849 4075 1307 This important branch of industry next claims our notice. Nova Sco- tia liPS l.)cen long celebrated for the extent and value of its fisheries. Along a. coast line of more than nine hundred miles, and in her numerous bays and harbours, next to those of Newfoundland she possesses the finest fi-hcrics in the M'orld. (See chapter on Natural Kesources — Zoo- logical section.) Prior tx) the " lleciprocity Treaty" with the United States in 1854, it was found necessary to employ British armed cruizers to protect the Colonial Fisheries from indawful encroachment. Since the treaty re- ferred to, this protection has not been required, as the American fisher- men are now e'-^'^itled to ecpial privileges with our own. Tlic eftect of that Treaty, tii"i h supposed to be productive of benefit to the inter- ests of the wlo w /ince, has not been of advantage to the fishing inter- est as a section. Foreign fishermen prosecute to an increasing extent what is i-allcd the " trawl" or set-line fishing, not only iii the banks, but in the bays and along the shores of the province. It is said by those who are well informed upon the subject of our fisheries, that if this mode of taking fish is persisted in, in a few years the banks will be i-endercd altogether unproductive. It appears that these lines, having hooks sus- pendi'd from tliem about three feet apart, arc made to reach nenrly to the bottom of the sea, whei-e the mother fish repose before depositing their spawn. These baited hooks arc seized by these fisli, which are generally of the largest size, and they are thus destroyed in the very act of repro- duction. United ellbrts have been made by the Colonial liCgislatures to call the attention of the (Governments of France and the United States to this mode of fishing, so destructive to the interests of all. The number of our male population prosecuting this arduous em])loy- mcnt, is stated in the late census to be 11, 322. It is impossible, how- ever, from thosfj returns, to ascertain the precise number, as a large pro- portion of the farming population are also engaged in the fisheries. The returns shew that 900 vessels and 8,8 IG boats are employed, which may i !' i u NOVA SCOTIA. be valued, together with 43,965 nets and seines, at $1,780,450. The value offish caught and cured, and fish oil, amounts to $2,876,721. The following are the returns of fish caught and cured — 1860-61 : — Dry Fisb. Mackerel. B Sbad. < a o 11 1- O ■n Quintals .396425 Barrtils 66108 192932 8233 12565 2481 Boxes 36278 Gallons 230979 Number 2738 The relative position of each county in tliis department of industry is as follows: — 1. Halifax; 2. Guysboro' ; 3. Richmond; 4. Lunenburg; 5. Shelburne ; 6. Yarmouth ; 7. Digby ; 8. Cape Breton ; 9. Inverness ; 10. Queen's; 11. Victoria; 12. Aiuiapolis; 13. Sydney; 14. King's; 15. Pictou; 16. Colchester; 17. Cumberland; 18. Hants. MANUFACTURES. The manufactures of the Province are only in their infancy. In this department, as to their extent, avc expect to occupy a lower place than Canada, or even New Brunswick, in the cohmial contributions to the Great Exhibition. They are annually increasing, however, and have been much stimulated within a few years. They do not much exceed what are termed domestic manufactures ; and indeed possessing 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 eonie, secure to her the whole of her American colonies as a market for her manufac- tures. Many of the useful articles which we have heretofore imported from the I'nitcd States we are beginning to manufacture ourselves, and gradually will become indcpendnnt of that i-epublic, except as consumers of our native exports. In nearly all textilo manufactures, cutlery, hardware, pottery, ship- chandlcry, chemicals, &c., we arc the customers of Great Britain. As, however, capital becomes more abundant, and science reveals the inexhaustible treasures which aboimd 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 450. The ,721. 0-61 :— Fish Oil. 36278 230979 hulustry is jiinenburg ; Invcrnc.'*s ; iCing's; 15. y. In this place than ions to the have been cdwhat arc est tariff of icctctl that the supcr- 3me, secure r mjiniifac- ■0 imported •selves, and consumers ptery, ship- lin. reveals the in the sur- itinont as a 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 tlie two countries in this respect : their gcogia[)hic'al position and conformation ; the abundance of water so gene- rally distributed; the inexhaustible deposits of coal; the variety and value of their minerals ; and chiefly the energy and int(>lligencc 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 \vi-itten 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 arc connected with the productions of the forest, as pertaining to manufactures ; but we have clioscn to treat of those employments sepa- ratelv, 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- facturing labour. It informs us that there are 13,230 hand loom-:, which produced 1,320,923 yards of h(m\cspun cloth, 281,709 yards of which were fulled. The number of bricks manufactured was 7,6">9 IM. ; the number of grindstones made, 46,496 ; bushels of lime burnt, l.'16,84S; carriages made, 2,131; gallons malt liquor made, 109.867 ; value of lea- ther manufactured, 8240,386. Total, 81,146,900. If ^^c include under this head the returns of lumbering and ship-building, the whole may be estimated as 83,098,619, exclusive of mills, factories, &c., 81,741,584 more. But if we coidd include the returns of labour from the following 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. Fartones — 3 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 fixctories, 3 cabinet factories, 1 brush factc-y, 1 trvmk factory, 2 biscuit factories, 8 shoe factories, 1 wood ware factory, 1 engine factory, 1 }>ottery, 1 pail factory, 414 grist mills. The whole value of the mills and factories \inder this head, including breweries, grindstone factories, brick factories, tanneries, carriage factories, and cloth factory's, (from all of which th(i returns are given) is 81,011,480. Population engaged in manu.actures, 13,516. I*, I" 46 NOVA SCOTIA. I-UMlJEniNO. The products of tlio forest in Nova Scotia are siinilur wllh but tew cX» ccptious, to those of the province of New Brunswick and of Canada, lliough in this department cf industry she is greatly surpassed by those |)r(jvinces from their posscssitm of a greater extent of forest land. The jmiducts of the forest form a most important item in Nova Scoiian exports. They comprise deals, boards, scantliug ; spars, knees, and oilier 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 proiluccd in that county: 039 M. deals, 2.5,361 M. |)ine 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 tlie 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 poimlation engaged in lumbering cannot be estimated, as it is combined with other employ- ments ; so that the accuracy of the number specified under the head popu« lation cannot bo relied upon. There are in the Province 1401 saw mills, 130 shingle mills, 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 spruce 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 !ir730,101. The relative position of each county in this de|)artment of industry is as follows: — 1. Queen's; 2. Lunenburg; 3. Digby ; 4. Ficlou ; 5. Colchester; O.Cumberland; 7. Halifax; 8. Hants; 9. Shelburne ; 10. King's; 11. Yarmouth; 12. Guysboro' ; 13. Annapolis; 14. Sydney; 15. Inverness; 16. Cape Breton ; 17. Victoria ; 18. Richmond. SIIIE'-nUILDING. 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 peculiarly 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. 4f it tew es» a, tliough |)rovinc(!S lets of the comprise ■ : hoops, akcs the I ill that and hcm- love tlian. province ; the other le of the estiniiitos I engaged ' employ - )ad popu* ils, G lath 'ct deals, k boards. ; timber, diistry is clou ; 5. irne ; 10. Sydney ; '■ coast, as rs, render j'ment on >tia are of the sister Colonies, and tlie neighbouring States. In addition to these, ships of a larger class and of superior dcs-ription, rani^ing 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. l.So3 1854 18,56 18.57 18;5S 18.59 isr.o 18G1 No. of vessels. 203 24 i 236 208 151 233 216 Tonnapio. 31,370 52.814 •10.460 39,-582 1(),366 Value. $,1,5-57,090 2,546,595 2.240,710 1,852,510 20,684 23,034 757,900 852,831 972,148 As the greater number of the vessels built in Nova Scotia arc ownc^d in the Province, and intended for dome-tic trade, this branch of industry is not so Table to reverses, cau-ed by fretpient fluctuations in the foreign demand, as is the case in the sister colonies, where they are built princi- pally for ex|)ortation. For this reason the table shew i 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 sufficntly shown in the place in this essay de- voted to the consideration of o ir 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 dcvclopc those resources, and make ihcm of practical value. The principal ob- stacle con-ists 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 coal 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 heirs 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 m f T 48 NOVA SCOTIA. i monopoly was long a cause of much (lissatisfaction to the colonists, and strenuous ctVorts were made by the Legislature to induce the Imperial Government to annul the grant or to limit the term of its ccmtinuance. It was impossible but that the discussion of f=uch a measure, in which rival interests and existing rights were involved, must have been pro- longed and sometimes discordant. It was at lengtli, however, satisfac- torily compromised, and now — reserving to the Association their former privileges within a circumscribed distance from the centres of their opera- tions — the minerals of Xova Scotia have been resigned to the ctmtiol 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 the General Mining Association are at Albion Mines, Pictou. The cjuantity of coal raised from these pits in 18(j0 was 107,004 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 arc carried to the loading ground at South Pictou, six miles distant, by a railway worktHl by locomotives. A community of 2,000 souls is suppor- ted by the labour arising from these mines. The Association has also mines at the Joggins, in Cumberland. They raised from these mines in 1860, 8,319 tons, of wliich 1,000 tons were shippe/1 to the United States, and the remainder supplied the settlements skirting the IJasin of Minas — with a i)orti(m of New Brunswick. The mines of tlie Association at Sydney supply the province with fuel for domestic \ise, 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 Lingnn arc incrca^'ing; r. <7.,—18r»9— 9240 tons ; 1860— 16,298 tons. Since the beginniilg of 18')8, 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-producuig mines. In 18f'0 11,709 tons of common coal were sold from these new mines; and od-eoal, 1643 tons. Nineteen additional licenses were granted in 1860 — 9 for Pictou, TNnUSTRTAL llKSOURCES. 49 ists, and Imperial tinuance. in which ecn pro- satisfac- ir former ir opcra- mtiol of orations, ning the ition are lese pits quantity d in iron oals arc nt, by a i suppor- They )ns were tlements nth fuel 15 tons re con- and are e miles •casing ; opened ind 2 in 11,709 il, 1643 Pictou, 4 for Capo Breton, 2 iur Cumberland, and I in each of the counties of Colchester, Sydney, Kichmond and Inverness. The coal raised in llic whole province in 18fi0 amounted to 28r).700 tons iaij^c, and 22,540 tons small ; of whirh .')0,121 tons were for home, consumption, 72,881 tons were exported to the N. A. Colonies, and 187,.'»0(') tons to tlic United Stales* Th(! lnsi>ector''s Uoport for 18(30 informs u's that the sales had largely increased beyond previous years, both at the Association's mines and at other mines. The report diiects attention to the circumsl-mce of 4.")9 tons having been shipped to Brest by onler of the French Government, and quotes from the Keport t»f the Directors of Naval Constiuction to the ^linister of Marine concerning the quality «>f the coal; which states that *' its steam power is little inferior to Cardiff coal and equal to that of Newea-tle.' Sydney is likely to become an important coal de}ot for steamers, sixty-six steamers having coaled there in I860. Iron-miuxiui iu Nova Scotia seems to make but slow progress. Works have been ci'ccted at the t\iUs of the Nietaux river, and at Clements, in the county of Annapolis; but tiiough the situations possess* great natural Advantages, and the ore is abundant and of good qiudity, the operations have not been very successful ; — though wc learn from the " Ihiihfclown lle(}b-i('rr that the works at Clcmentsport, aftvr a fitoppoffc of fhlrtij-fhrec ^can, are again in full blast, ami are turning out five tons per day. / 1 Great Village river, in the township of Lontlondeny, are situated the works of the '* Acadian Iron and Steel Con^pany," (incorporated by Act of the Legislature in 1855.) The iron made from the ore of this famed deposit, is equal to the licst quality produced in any other part of the world. The operations of this company are widening every year ; and as the quality of th(^ iron becon)cs better known, and the appliances for extracting it peri'ected, it must become a source of immense wealth to the projectors, and conduce to the prosperity of the province. The sujiply of the ore may be said to be inexhaustible. In one place where the veins are exposed, its breadth was found to le 120 feet. (Sec chap. IV., sec. "Mineral.") Mineral ralnta are manufactured from the ochrey ores of thes iron de- posits, and jure likely to constitute an important article of commerce. Gramte is quarried extensively in the counties of Halifax and Shel- burnc. Gypsum is largely quarried at Windsor, Newport, Walton, Shubcnacadie * Journals of House of Assembly 1860-1. Appendix 12. 50 NOVA SCOTIA. :1 (f anil numerous other places, of which 105,131 tons were cx|iortc(l in ISOO. Gmuhtone is quarried at the Jojifi^ins, Scamon's Cove, and J{a^';:^('d R(«ef in the county of Cumberland. Tliiire were 10,-190 grindstones madu in 1800. Eeddish hrowti and ffraif Frcvdoiic for buiUIing puq)()ses are quarried in many parts of the carboniferous district, both for domestic use and for exportation to tlu; United Slates and the otlicr cohmics. The principal quarries are at Wallace, and at the head of Pictou harbour, at wliich lat- ter place slonc of excellent quality and color, both in bloiks and flags, is prepared. Altliougli date and marbles abound in various places, they have not yet been (piarrii'd to an (extent worthy of notice. Some poli>he(l specimens of our inarhlf's will be seen at the Exhibition. The principal attra('tiims, however, in the Nova Scotia department of the Great Exhibition will be r.Aiis of Gor,i> fkom Tangier; noxTLEs of CllAIX COT.ll KUOM WlNK IlAHnOTTn, SlIKRBKOOKK A>'1) LaIDLAW's ; WASHINMiS FROM TilK OvKKS, AXR OTHER Sl'ECIMKXS CimOUndtKJ in all to MOUK THAN TKX TIIOL'SAND DOLLARS, For a full dvscripfion of the Gold Mines, sec chapter IX. tOMMKRCE. Although Halifax is the i>rhicipal scat of provincial commerce, other places, as Pictou, Yannouth, Liverjtool, \\'iudsor, Pu_ifwasii, Sydney, C.l}., with '17 mon? shipping ports, contribute to swell the agjircgate amount. The geographical position of Nova Scotia is eminently favoui-able to com- mercial pursuits ; and as the resources of the Province become developed, the gf.'neral conuniTcc nuist increase to an almost illiinitablo extent. The largest portion of the exports of Nova Scotia are drawn from its fisheiies and agri(!ultural resources. The total value of lish exported in I8(i0 was $.'5,0')4,4:>9 : of live stock and agricultural products, 8780,526 ; of lumber, ^707,1150 ; products of mines and (puirries, 8058.257; furs, $72,218; manufactures, $<;9,!)78 ; vessels, 8108,270; miscellaneous, $15l,l.'J2; imported from other coimlries and re-exported, $1,019,788 — making the total exports for 1800, !;>0,787,.S04. Of the amount imported and at\orwards exported, :if(5.'],;J20 was shipped to Great Britain, $47,877 to foreign countries, and $918,5')! to the other K. N. A. colonics. The principal exports to Great Britain consisted of timber, (squared and INDUHTllIAL RESOURCKS. 51 ortcd in i?< (1 llccf m:uUi in larrii'd in c ami for principal rhich lat- l ilag&, ia c not yet pccimeiift rtinent of TTLE8 OF [DLAW'S ; ng in all !o, other icy, C.B., amount, to com- ^velopcd, extent. I'rom its lorted in 8G,526 ; 7 ; fuM, lamous, 0,788— imported $47,877 arcd and sawod,) and of sliips built in tlu' Province, in return for wliicli there were imporlcd from the United Kin27 tons." " Of all tiie repiildican slates and territories included in the cotdc'ilcratiou, the tonuaw of oulv six exceeded tliat of Xova Scotia: Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, ^Iarylan2,8;>2 tons, while ihat of Xova Si-ot'a alone was 1 ll.OO.'l tons. In l!-i.').'l, the tonniifi;'' of Xova Scf»tia had increasi'd (o IH'.I.OS.') ton-i. In 1S()1, not\vithslMndiii<^ the depression which Jius prevailed duriiij^ recent years, it had increased to "J IS, 001 tonst^'comprisin;^ .'52.J8 vessels, valued at sBO.lST, I'.M), — only 1. '},!(; I tons less than the wholo mercantile mariue of England at the end of the reign of the third '>Villu.in. T'cssrAs ciifcn^l iitwiii(ln \t titv iiitiiH of Norn f^'cDl'n, 18'^!. Great Ib-iiain, No. i;i4 Tons, i)7:..'m ;>[. n. :■ i r Jbitish West Indies, 'j.yj ;;M;ir, ii'H'. Ib-itish Xorlh America, •iC.Bl 227.V,!G 1 1 i.".l liiiited States, •2S.')1 IJO.'JC.'IS \H2:.:, Other Countries, ;};!8 .':().')•)•) :^ 1,(1 1 • 'iv^^i G1H)70~. •lim Vessels charcil outwards nl the ports of Nova [•coin, ISOl. Great Britain, No. 1 •)2 Tons, (;S2SI) Men, ! J(v2 Br tlsh West Indies, liriti-h X'^orth America, lluitcd States, Other countries, 47(1 2(;.).5 2.")(M) 21)7 6089 ,')28!)n 2;'.<)(»-U) .';()(»;;'>:$ 2:)o;; i li'.>.j.">82 1 !:m.)') 1 HSC. SUMMARY OF TUB FOKECOINO KSTIMATK OK INOCSTIM AI, UESOITUCKS. J^:m(l Stoi'k, Vcs I'ls, A;iiicii!niriil )>nn]iicts, Fish, Alills, Kiictorics, &.•., i8(;o-i. .1^20,01);}, 724 8.SO,4,5()* 1,011,180 7r.0.104 Included in " Commerce." Sections. Agricultural, Fislieries, MaiHilacturcs, Lnmb.'fing, Sh'j)-]iuililing, Mines, Connncrce, Total, 0,090,780 #b4,.'U 2,538 LuiuIkt, jMincrnIs, Ikv., 88,02 1, 8»iu 2,n7 ;,72i ! I'.,9(»0f 108,27(* 81:3,31)2^ $13;620,()31 Hal NoTK. — This Estimsifo m q\<\\iA\q i.f Uoiil Estate, Stocks, Shares, &c., in the city ot alitiix. and the towns of the Trovince. * Boats, nets niitl seines only; vessels included in " Coirtincrce " estimate. t Ileturn incomplete. ^ Coal, grindstones, and yypsum ; no ix'tarn of iron. 54 NOVA SCOTIA. The Census return of real and personal pro))erty in: Pergonal — $17,- 224,084; Real— !ii$43,041,.'i;iO; Total— 8(5(),2().5,4 14. This Kstimate must be cunsidcrcd to be mucli below the tnu; anioiint. The returiis were very impcvfcct. i: i 'I i \\ I CIIArTKU VII. IJAILWAVS, KLECnjlC TKLKCJHAIMI, STKAMKIJS, &c., &c. Kaihvavs are of but liniiJed extent in Xova Scotia, iu)twit]i^tandini' the natural position of Halifax, from being the nearest to Kurope of the Atlantic ports opni to uai'i'ijalion at nil fons, has always maikcd it as the destined terminus of Uritish railway communicaiion on this continent. Several projects of inter-eolonial railways had been mooted, but had not succeeded; when the publ'C of Nova Scotia AVtue convinced that, to wait till such a period as woidd connect them at once with the rest of the continent, was now futile; and they conscay of I'undy. Should the pending negotiations with the Imperial Government, inidertaken by Canaika, Nova Scotia, aiul New 15runswick, terminate favorably, the main trunk line will be immediately continued to the New Brunswick frontier, ■whidi will be an extension of 75 miles. Tiie cost to the province of the 92 miles already eomjdeted has been #4,2.'J(),1()9, which amount, for the most part, is represented by deben- tures bearing interest at six per cent payalde, half-yearly. 01' these de- bentures !$.'},500,000 are held in Great lirilain, and .$.>00,000 in Nova RAILWAYS, ELECTllIC TELECiRAPil, STEAMKRvS, ETC. 55 I— «!17,- Kstimatc ; re! urns i>t!\iicHnff [)C of the k«'(l it as oiitincnt. t lijul not t, to wait 3t ol' the (1 to c'on- tls of the of I8:)4, iscd liave in trunk, is on the peraticni, stance of rty-thrce I' to Pic- la, it will tnvrcncc, ould the alvcn by the main froiilicr, las been r (k'ben- -hcsc dc- in Nova Scotia. The stock has reached as high as 108 and 100 in the English market. The character of the road is nnich superior to that of the I'nitcd States railways : and wilh the except io!i perhaps of two — the dreat Western ami Great Ninthern, uill compare favourtibly with Kiidish railroads. There is sa obvious inferiority in the station houses, but those of Nova Scoliu arc (pjit(! suited to the circumstances of a younj^ country. The railway is niana:;!tl by a conimi-siouer who is a member of the Executive Couucil, and who is wholly r-spoiisible for its successfvd man- agen\eut. I'uder this coinm'ssioncr are empLiycd a superiutendeiit *.f the locomotive deparlment, a superiutendeiit of the trafhc depsu-tment, ftud a general inspector of upliol lenec and construction; ail of whom are responsible to the Railway Commissioner lor its sub-management. The iipholdence of the road is by tender lor one year; the de[uirtnient fiudin;; rails, chairs, spikes and key-:, and allowing t.veiUy cents to the coutraclor for every sleeper removed and renewed. Two trains leave Halifax each day for both Wind-or and Truro, stop- ping at intermediate station- ; from which places two trains arrive each day. The rate of passenger IratUc is iliree cents per mile 1-t class, and two cents per mile i2ud class — speed, about 20 miles per hour, including stoppaires. The following table sluws the iratiic, receij)ts, «5cc., for 18»)<» : I'.is^i'iiirt'rs. Horses & \Viij:voiis. Frci'.'lit. X... Aiiioiiiit. Aiiioiiiit. Ainuunt. Miiiu Line. nor.Ti) :)7i:)-4 .•'..•{itt'.t r>-2 •21 >■'>:> St) f)(tH'. <.y.\ "iS'.KH 7;j 2±22^ la If,:. 11 r>9 Total, 8S(I21* CITS.-) ;{S «ii;i.:> fifi VJHTiJ!) 88 * l>t ila.>s — Ufi:\:. 2iul cIiks— 4:»,3S7. Total rece'pts fnmi all sources, i$n2.t70 O'Jc. Working ex])en«PH, 804.H'.)0 90/.: leaving a balance of 6il7,;')70 0,k. towards the interest on provincial loan. The freiLiht hitherto has princ'i)ally ceusisted of the industrial i)roducts of the pro\ ince. The largest ])roportion of tlu- amount of interest to be paid on our debentures must, for many years to come, fall u])on the gene- ral revenue. Tiic indirect advantages, however, which have accrued to s i i h t V ii ii! 1 » 66 NOVA SCOTIA, the ])roviiice from tlie introduction of railways, cnnnot bi^ duly rsfimated. A stimulus has Iiocn im|>arte(l to MMr}{irATIO?f. Tl ""roads of the pi-ovincc an* very numeious, and arc generally in good condition. The cost of ojiening new roads is defrayed in part by legi-la« * Nova Scotirt us u field tor Kmiyration, — 1'. S. lluuiiltuii, Esi>, was ^>10;i,8oo. The post office department in Nova Scotia is subject to ihe control of the Lef>i-laturc, who are always ready to extend postal comuumication, as the wants of the country require. IJesidcs the -.na'ls conveyed over the net-work of post roads covering every county of ♦'le pro\incc, overland mails are conveyed between Nova Scotia and the neighbouring piovinces of New Brunswick and Canada, as well as to the United States. There is a direct connnunication with the latter country every fcn-tul^ht, by means of the Cimard steamers ; and a more IVcquent eommunic.ttion Ls mainlalned between various ports of Xova Scotia and the I'nited States by steamers and sailing packets. Tiie mail eommunication witli Great IJritain is carried on througli the Ciinavd steamers, which make fortniglitly trips each way between IJoston and Liverpool, touching at Halifax. IJy branch steam-packets belonging to die same eom|»any, a tbrtnightly mail communication is kept up between Halifax and Ncwfouiidland, and between Halifax and Bernuida. From the report of the P^^stmaster General, for th(! year ending 30th Df.'cember, ISOO. are gleaned the following items: — There are 72 central offices, and 314 branch offices, or '• way offices" in the ja-ovince. There were delivered and posted at Halifax during the year: 2,()8t)..j2() news- papers, and 1,420,878 letters, being an increase over the preceding year of 251,212 newspapers, ami 128,102 lettci-s. There is now an uniform establislied rate of postage throughont the North American Continental provinces — five cents (or 2 4-1 Od, sterling,) for letters weigliing half an ounce. TIic post-office department is not yet self-sustaining: the receipts du- ring the year 1800 falling .-hort of the expenditure $27,748.20. The retnrns, however, show an increase in the receipts, over 18;jO, or80,03.).36, an ndication ihtit the depai'tment is gi-adiially becoming independent of aid ti'om the g(.'neral revenue. rood ELKCTKIC TELIUJRAI'IIS. Nova Scotia is quite \ip to the age, in the use of this modern auxiliary to commerce ; every county being connected with the metropolis, and "witii tiie interior of the continent. TIic lines in the province are owned by the " Nova Scotia Klectric Telegraph Company." The wive extends Iff OS NOVA SCOTIA. over a distance of ll')! luilcs, ami ihc company liavo 40 t<.lt'f^raph offices. They have .'J submarine cahlos-^mc across Puf^wash harbour, half a mile wide; one across the Strait of C'anso, 1' miles wide; and one at liennox Passnge (scpai'aling Isle ^radame from Cape Breton) one mile wide. The chargfj for messages is 12 cents for 10 words, over a distance not exceed- ing 80 miles — beyond that distance, and und( r IGO miles, 24 cents. The Ncwftaindland Telegi'aph Company enjoy the ]>rivilege of extend- ing thc'r line from Aspy liay (the terminus of the Cape IJreton end of the submarine tch'graph connecting it with Newfoundland) through Cape Prcton to Port Hood, a distance of 140 niih's, wlicre it connects with the Nova Scotia lines. Tliis company lune besides Port Hood, offices at Baddeck, Ingoni.-h, and As])y liay. The Newfoundland terminus of the ocean telegraph is at Port au Pasipie. The Telegraph Companies of Newfoundland, Nova Sco.ia, and New Brunswick have, under certain conditions, leased their lines lo the " American Telegraph Comi)any," which is composed of shareholders in the Colonies, and in the Northern and Confederate States. This Company have imdcr their exclusive control a continuous line of comaiunication throughout the whole length of the Continent, from Cape Breton to New Orleans. 8TEA.MERS. Halifax, notwithstanding its acknowledged superiority as a safe and commodious harbour, and its commercial relations with ( Jreat Ih-itain. has no line of steamers projected and sustained by local enterprise. This may arise from the fact that all the advantag-es ti) the jiub'.ie from such a com- mercial undertaking are enjoyed from the sli amers of the P>. N. A. 11. M. S. Co., (better known as the Canard comjiany), which call at Haliliix to land and receive passengers and freight, both from Liverpool lo Button and on tile return voyage to Liverpool. This celebrat( d lir.e ha-, beyond (pies- lion, been the most successl'ul of any line of oc( an steamers, IJriiish or American. Its success, as far as human causes are to be eon.-idered, may be attributed principally to the superiority of the fhips, both as to their construction and machinery : and in the second place to the judicious managenuMit of the Company. The maint<'nance of the strictest disciidinc on boai-d these ships, is a sufficient explanation* for the occurrence of so few disasters, over so h)ng a period. The importations of the liner descriptions of menhandi/e, Briiish and foreign, which a few years ago were conveyed in sailing ships, are now, In RAILWAYS, ELECTRIC TELI-r.RAPlI, STK \M]:r.!>5, y.TC. 59 with few exceptions, liroiii^ht to tlio port of Halifax in ilic-e stcaniorH. The quantity of frelj;lit for Halifax is stoailily increasing e\cry year: atid the lime, |)erhaps, is not very d'stant, \\]vu — railway connniureafion being completed witli New Brun-^wick and Canada — the inip(n",s of these provinces, together witii those of IlaliliiN, may he of such impurtance as to pi'echide the necessity of the extcn.-ion of the voyage tn IJostoii, Tlio Cunard Company have, stationed at Halifax, a line of screw- steamers regularly plying hetween Halifax and Newfoundland, and Hali- fax and IJeimuda. conveying H. ^I. mails. The steanvrs lo Xewlbund- lund I'ece've a subsidy from the jtrovincial treasury. Tlicre are also ^teamers oecup\ing several routes fioni different parts of the province to the a";dies from the province. One of tliese plies hclween W'iiuhor and St. .John, and between Annapolis and St. Jolni, X. B. ; one between Pii ton, Georgetown, P. l\. I., and I'ort Hood; one l)e(ween Piclou and Prince Edward Island ; and one in the Bias d'Or. The amount granted by the Legislat'.n-e, in l-SOO, in aid of steamers, packet-, &.C., wa- 87,700. There is also a line of steamers projected, to ply in the sunnner months between (Quebec, Pictou, and Charlottelown, in the (iulf of St. Tiaw- rencc. Tiiis Ihic will be in [)art sustained by the JiCgislatures of the other provinces. kevkxvf;. The Revenue of Xova Scotia, extending over a period of ten years, shews a healthy increa. e in all the departments of trade. Tiie past year, instead of an increase, shews a diminution in the revenue ; as the trade of Xova Scotia has probably sulfered a-; nuich, or more than that of any of the B. X". A. Colonies, from the unha;'py and protra.ted war in tin' ncighb(n-ing republic. The following table will sh-w, at a g'ance, the growth 01 the public income during tlie ten years ending in I'^OO : Rcvcniio. 18.H— ^l;];5,120 00 1S.>2 — 48r),.382 00 18:^']— :)io,io-J 00 18,)4— 7")2,(n2 00 !«.*)') — a;};{,0(;9 oo 18.50— 001,01.) '00 18'; 7 — 72(),0r)(; 0i» ls-,8_ 710,02') 00 18.')!)— r)!)8,0;58 00 isiio— .s7o,o:.5 00 Kxpe!iiliiiiro. 1 8.') 1— .SI 2.;. 7 12 0) l8.-i2— 182.8'.).') 00 18.-,;i— I.)8,7I2 00 18.') I— 77(;.S()2 00 18,').')— 7.s;5.o"»2 00 18.')0— ()00,;;i)7 00 18.) 7— 7t>;],soo 00 18,38— 7;; 7, 108 00 18.')'.)— o;)(t. ,■.;»') 00 1800— 8.)2.1;KJ 00 60 NOVA SCOTlvV. \\ * runLIC DKHT. The direct liability of the province of Nova Scotia on 31st Dec, 18G0, was )$ 1,110 l,;i().j 42, viz. : ]*rovincial Bonds, $4,000,000 00 Provincial Notes, 447,4rjS 00 Savinge, which now obtains, is one of denomination only, the rela- tive curreuey value of tiie ]'inglish coins remaining luialtered. The province of Nova Scotia, and the provinces of Canadti and New Brunswick, have very recently adopted the decimal mode of computation, which has involved the adoption of tlic cent (the hundredth part of a dollar,) as the co]»per currency, to replace the jience and half-pence for- merly in u-e. Under the decimal system, as concerns Nova Scotia, the English florin is ecpiivalent to fifty cents, or half u dollar ; and the Eng- lish sovereign is ecpiivalent to five dollars, Nova Scotia currency. The smaller coins then will be, one shilling equal to twenty-five cents, and sixpence ecpud to twelve and a half cents. In calculating large sums, a somewhat dilil-rent rule applies than before the change to the decimal system, viz. : to reduce ciirrenn/ into slerllny, dunde hy five ; to reduce storlinij info ridrrnn/, tnnlttpJij hiffive. Ex, i.— 8o 00 cy. f- 5 = t*l stg., or $-300 cy. f- 5 == £100 stg. Ex. 2. — £1 stg. >i 5 = $0 cy., or £100 stg. x 5 = $o00 cy. ]3esidcs the one pound or four dollar Treasury note, and the five dollar 11AILWAY3, ELECTRIC TELKGRAPIT, STEAMERS, ETC. 61 Treasury note, the Banks isauc, under their cliartcr?!, five pound, oi' twenty doll a* notes, which arc redeemaljle in specie. The Banks are ntjt permitted to issue notes of a less sum than the amount named. The ])ar of Exchange; on l-higland is 12.' p.'r cent. Correctly speaking, the par is 25 per cent added to the sterlinLj; but the lianks have always adop'ed the old rule of adding the ninth, viz: as €100 is to €90, so is £12.) to €112 10s. ; hence a ninth added to €112 10s., is £125. In de- cimals, it would he — £100 or $400, at 12! per cent., $\')0 Add one-ninth. 50 £100 sterling, at 25 per cent., is $500 N. S. c'y. Tlie Banks of Halifax arc — the Bank of NovaScolia, Bank Ji. North Ameriea (Branch), Union liank, Halifax Banking Company, (t\w oldest estahVshed bank in the Province.) It is worthy of remark, as affording a proof of the judicious character of banking operations in Halifax, that iliere has iiever occurred an instance of a Halifax bank having sus- pended payment, even for a tempoi-ary period. CITV OK IIALIIAX. Halifax was so'tb'd under Lord Cornwallis, in the latter part of June, 1749. The harbour is situated abfuit midway betwc<;n the eastern and western extremes of tlic Atlantic seaboard of Xovii S otia Proper. It is ent red from the scnilh ; ami from Sambro Island, upon which stands a liglithouse, extends northward nearly sixteen miles, terminating in a magnificent sheet of water — Brdforil Basin, — which is s"paiated from the outer waters by a deep chamiel called the Narrows. It is said that on the bosom of the Bcdtbrd Basin, which is completely sheltered, and navi- gable throughout, the whole British navy might ride in safety. The har- bour has two entrances, formed by McXab's Island, and iaiown as the eastern and western passage. The eastern passage is narrow, and is ob- structed by a sand-bar, and is open to small vessels only. The western or main entrance is broad, with water sufficiently deep to float vessels of the largest size. Opposite to the southern extremity of the city, is George's Island, which, being well fortified, forms one of the chief de- fences of the city. On the summit of the hill, which rises behind the city two hundred and fifty feet above the level of the sea, stands the Citadel — a fortress of great strength, overlooking the harbour and city, and commanding the country for miles around. This fortress, next to 02 NOVA SCOTIA. I Quebec, is the stron.iijpst and bp-«t co'istructed Rritnli fortification i-n Ame- rica. Its cicviitiun is so great, t'.iuf, if assnilcd from the harbour, no impression could Iic made upon its massive walls. The c'ty and it-? suburbs, north and south, extends over two miles ; but in widtl\, Ixxvely reaches at nny point a half mile. It is built upon the slope of tlic hill, and is laid out in slrcets at right angles. The growth of H;di!ax has been slow. In 1 70i), eleven years after it was founded, " the three towns, Halifax, Irisli-town (south suburbs.), and Dutch-town (north subm-bs), contained abiait one tliousand houses, great and small." In IT'.M), the population did not exceed 1000. An old geography (»f 1807 iiifonns u-s that " the capital of Nova Scufia is Halifax, whicli contains ahout l')000 inhabitants, and is the mo>t ])oj)ulous town of J5ritisii Ame- rica." Tlic jiresent popuhition is 25,0l'6. Inhahiled houses, 2181. Tuxable property, !?14,.10(),0()(). The pi'incijvd public buildiu'f-' in Halifax are Government Ilou-e, the Province Huilding, (rmc t»f the fiuesi edifices in 1>. N. A.,) Dalhousie Col- lege, Lunatic Asylum, Provincial Penitent ipry. County Court House, City Hospital, and Wellln;:ton Ihirracks. In the commercial part of the city, the unsiglitly woodixte;M places of religious worship, four of which belong to the Church of England, three to the Wesleyan Methodists, two to the united Pn^sbyterians, two to the Baptists, two to the Established Church of S/otland, two to the Church of Komc, and one to the Univer- sal ists. There are in the c'ly of Halifax, two I>ib]e Associations, nine Christian and Benevolent Societies, five National Soeicties, two Total-Alistitience Associations, three C'lubs, six Masonic Lodges, one I.iterary Society, ono Museum, one Debating Clid», four public Libraries, one (Jus Company, five other Joint Stock Companies, five Gold-mining Companies, one News-room, fair Commercial Hanks, one Savings' Bank, agencies of thir- teen British and lour American Life Insurance Companies, and of sixteen Amcricuu and four British Fire Insurance Companies, Halilux Fire J SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 63 -three rnsurancc Company; New York, I'rDvIncial, Nova Scotia and Union M:xrii>c lusiiraiH'c Coniimnics ; Fire Ci>ini)anics ; Consuls iiml Vice Con- Huls: Prussia, Portu1 to the West Indies, $'.)08,0;U) to th<' United States, :;-;l7r),8;)2 to (Jreat JJritain, and sr.,3;{,127 to other countries. The imports in the same period, weve $0, lol,.'>Sl, of wliieh $2,7'1.'3,290 were from Great Hritain, •'ij52,()()0,71o from Fnlted States, !|!»H1(),;5()1 from North American colonies, i^'.)(),7()7 from West Indies, $771,607 from other countrii's. Total number of vessels entered inwards ; 1291 with car^iocs, 118 in ballast. Total lunnber of vessels cleared out- wards ; 1330 with cargoes, 8-5 in ballast. Vessels rc;jfi.-tcred in th(! port ofllalifix: 1j81— tons, 78,(590— value, }!i5l,0'.l2,.54O. Halifax is an important military jiost — the head (piarlcrs of the Lower Provinces. There arc usually stationed here two battalions or regiments of Infantry, and companies of Artillery and Knglnecrs. It is also the chief naval station for the Provinces and tiie West Indies. The Admiral resides here in the summer months, but in the winter removes his flag to Hermuda. On the cast side of tiie harbour is situated the town of Dartmouth, set- tled in 17.">(). The town is well situated, and is admirably adapted to the employment of ship-building. It is connected with the city by steam- boats. ■ if CHAPTIvli VIIl. St)CIAL INSTITUTIONS. In treating upon the social in>titutions of the province. th<>y will very briefly be con-idered in the following order: Religious, Political, Judicial, i'Mucutional, The Press, The J^lilitia. Ri'Moiors. Hy a law of the province, passed as early as the year 1758, it was en- acted '' That the sacred rites and ceremonies uf Divine Worship according . ■!>■ ■■■■^..i.f ..i. v^-, ::.,.iJ..'-..»«^^,W,^ ;■«>-> -.■»-■>-■„■ 64 NOVA SCOTIA. to the Liliirfjy of the Clnirch cstMblislicd hy the laws of Kiipilnnil Ak>\\ bp drcuK'd llie HxJtl form of wdr-hip." " I'rovidcd, novcrlhcli'ss, that I'ro- tcitaiit- (lisHi'utinj; (Voiii the f Miurch of l''ii<;l!ind, under what 1 Hai 'nods, nod of )yti ry POLITICAL. Prior to 17U> (at which time Annapolis w;»s the scat of governmcnl) the manaj^'m-nt of the civil affiirs of the province was ve- ted solely in the Governor : and, in his absence, in the Licntenanl-( Jovcrnor or the Commander-in-Chief. Tn 1 71'.), Oovei'nor IMiiUips, who succeeded Mr. Nicholson, received instrnction-i fnmi the British Ministry to choose a Council from amongst the principal English inhabitants, and. until an Assembly ccndd be formed, to regulate himself by the instructions of the Governor of Virginia. This Council was eompo-cd of twelve members, principally officer.-^ of the }2arrison and the jmblie departments. The Governor and Ccmncil, from the necessity of the circumstances, combined both the legislative and judicial authority, which, except in so far as they wcr(^ restrained by the general principles of law, was absolute in all cases. In 1719 the seat of government wis irai'.sferrcd to Halifax, where Governor C«>rnwalHs formed a Council so uowhat similar in its functions to the one at Annapolis. This method of administration continued nntil after the concpiesf of Louisburg in 17.58, when Governor Lawrence, who had before the sailing of the ('X|)eilition, received an order to issne writs for the electicm of representatives, but which was delayed because of the unsettled state of public affairs, proceeded to constitute a House of Assembly. This Assembly was composed of 16 members, eleven of whom fonned a quorum for the transaction of business. The province at this time was not divided into counties. Lunenburg township was al- F 60 NOVA SCOTIA. lowcil to scml two ro))r<'H('ntativc.<, and the township of Halifax fiMir Tho rcprt'H«'ntativr.>* nitiTrd u])'tn their (hitics uiih y.cul and intclli *»cnct'. The most itnportjint moasures which thiy adopted were tho «'onfirinin'^ the past propeediiiijs of the ('oiirts of Judicature, the estuhlish- in;^ a I'orin of religious \vorshi|), the grantin;j; the security of full liherty of conscience, the eonfirminp; the titles of land, renderinj; real estate liahlo for payment of dehts, and passing an act fur lh<' punishment of criminal off-nders. Ou the ac cssion of George III., in 1701, a new Asse!id)ly was convened, the nund)er of mtmhers b(iuidated that " the hatehet was now to be buried in token of their submissioii to, ami ajuity with hi.s Majesty." The civil const"tulion which now existed, continued without any fun- damental change, imtil the concession by the Crown, of the modern Ibrm of administration called "Responsible (iovernment,'* which Nova Scolia received in the year 1841. The way was in some measure pre])ared for this latest reform, in 18.'J8, Avhcn two Councils were created, an Exe- cutive and a Ijcgislative ; and the deliberations of the Iie;j,islative Coun- cil were for the first time luade ojjcn to the public. The present political constitiition of Nova Scotia nuiy be briefly dca- cribed as follows : The highest authority is vested in the Likutkxant Govkuxoti, who is stvled His Exeelleney (as the (Queen's llepresentative.) The liieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia is nonunally subordmatc to the " Governor (icneral of British North America."' It is, however, only a distinctam of rank, as the administration of the respective colonies is in no respect t'pC(!t NCI I,, , and of hia > the f the jvcrn- llcitor :ncraU The Lv:fiTST,\TiVK Couvrir,, which is anulajyniH in its h>K!shitivi' func- tions fo till' House of Lord-;, eoiisists of twcnl y-onc nuMnbors, one of wliom U Prrsiili'iif. They are appointed l)y the CVnwn, upon the reiotnineiida- tion of tlic I'iXei'ulive, and hold their scats fur life. Tlie House of Iteprescnt alive.-, or more fretmcntly called the Iloisr, ok Assr.Miihv, consist-* of fifty- live member!', represent ini,' counties and town- ships, who are elected every i'otir years. 'I'lie elective franchise i« {^ranted to every male of twenty-one years of a^e, who is a natural-bom or natinali/e*! subject of tlie (^ii 'cn of (ireat Ilritain, and who has been for ow year a resi lent of the county or township in which he votes. In its mode of procedure, the llou-e of As- curriculum of study maintained in these Institutions includes the several branches of Mental and Natural Philosoj)hv, with the ancient and modern Languages. The departments are filled by 'gen- tlemen, who arc college graduates thoroughly (pialified for those positions. / , 70 NOVA SCOTIA. There arc in the provinco 52 grammar schools, contaiiiinj? ItUiO piijiils, and 1000 common school- — pui)ils ;;.),000. The Icgishitive "runt for «(luciitional purposes was in 18(30 8G5,8'Jo 26. Tin: ruKss. The " fourth estate" is tulcraUly well rejjrcscntod in Nova Scotia. In tlie city of Halifax there arc published six tri-weekly and one woiikly general newspapers, four weeklie-^ — or^MUS of relii-ious ilenominations, and one total-abstinence journal. TUei-e arc also one or more news- papers in the towns of Yarmouth, Pictou, Liverpool, Urido-.-town, Anti- gonish, and Sydney, C. K. The city p:»pei-s contain a hw^o amount of general reading and editorial matter, report-! of del)ates in provincial parliament, commercial and general intf IHgcnce, and are conducted Mitii considerable ability and energy. Their editorial eolunms are cliiefiy devoted to the discussion of local topics ; though the occasional con- sideration of subjects bearing upon tlie interests of the nation and the world, exliibit 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 imwo'^ted stimulus to the intellectual gyrations of Colonial bruhis. The circulation of the city papers is froni 1200 to 2500 copies at each publication. MILITIA. The latest reliable census of the Militia force of Nova Scotia, dates as f*ir bick as 18 tO, when it w.is returned as comprising -17 regiments, 111") commissioned otUcers, 2,491 non-commissioned olHccrs, 5;>,U20 rank and file. Of the rank and file 1878 were from 15 to 18 years of age, 41,(550 from 18 to 45, and 7,;)02 from 15 to 00. Tiiis body of Militia though constituting numerically so imposing a band of soldiery, are virtually ilisbaniled, no systeiiiatic drill having b.-en enforced for Kjveral years. The \'olunteer movement lias, however, aroused the dormant warlike spirit of Nova, Scotians, which h;vs manil'ested itself in the organi/^ition of an effective Volunteer force, numbering throughout the province not less •mn 2'ii)i) men, comprising 4 I companies, of which are Artilleiy corps. His Excellency the Earl of Mulgravc, who, in his capacity as Civil t year r<'turns ()7,;}()7 males between the ages of fwcnfi/ and .••ixty ; if, then, what is contem- plated by the autliorities br done — to resuscitate the Militia under an improved organization, — shoidd any imperious necessity call f u-th her aid in the mutual defence of the IJritish possessions in North America, Nova Scotia woidd | roudly take her po-ilion alongside the other colonies, with a contingent of at h'ast GO,\\\y miles from Halifax. Indeed, had it not been for this circumstance, Tan- gier might have enjoyed nndi-^turbed its iiiiposing name and forest seclii- Hon for half a century to eonie. Like mo.«t of the modern discoveries of gold, its discovery in this province was purely accidental. The Hon. Mr. Howe, Pro incial Secretary, who early visited the place accom|)anied by Professor How, of King's College, in his report to His Excellency Lord Mulgnive, gives a brief and graphic accoimt of the particulars of the dis- covery at Tangier. He states that in INIarch, 18(51, "a man stooping to drink at a brook, found a piece of gold shining among the ])ebbles over which '„ne stream flowed, and u])on further sesirch he found more. This , < aaaa 72 NOVA SCOTIA. was alioiit Imlf a mile from tlic cast of Tanuicr river, a small stream faking its rise not far from tiu" sinirce of the Miis(|ii()(l()l)oit, and tlowin*^ tliroujfli a cliaiii ot' l;ike-< wliicii di'a'ii for many miles on cither >iile a wilderness connU-v, and llowinj^ into the Atlaniic about forly miles to the eastward ol' l[;dil:iK."' As Mr. Howe found ahoiit one iiundrrd men collected at the place who were impatient to try their fortune at this nnvid cmploy- meu', he instructed a s'u vevDr to lay oil" a squai'c mile in lots of 20 f et by -M). Lo's were soon taken up, some of theui by miner; who had Avorked in (^d■fornia and Australia. Thou-^h no very valual)lc nu;j^ii;ets were as yel found, eondd 'iiee in tlie c.\t''ut ot" the (h'posits steadily in-reased, and the pioneers worked on cheerfully and iiidustriou~ly. The G.»vernmei\t, wh'l' ^Ivinj^ every ficility to tliose v.Iio were d'spo-ed to *•• pru.pect," acted with caution, lest too s^reat indueeinen! niiu,'ht l)e htartled the imaf;ination of the stolid Germans ; and so jrreat was the excitement for somi' weeks before the claims weu* adjusted, that buXom matrons and maidens niiu;ht be .seen in diligi'nt search for some shininji' nn;j:|;et, or eatherinj; sand with the hope of extractin;^ the ])rccious dust. What tale of (|iieeidy or faeiy riches can ri\ al the neiili^^ent luxury of these honest Dutch jx ople ? Cleopatra, to im[uirt splendour to a feast, dissoUcd and drank off la r GOLn Drscovi:uri:s am* mim:s. 73 choicost jtcarls ; 1)ut tlu' wortliy dinivs of Lunenburg have fur ^rt'iiorntloiis past, ul'ier sc-nibhiiiLi tlnir iUnn-liousc Hoors to thfir wonted wliiicm'ss, strown them broailcasi with sand (tt'j:()ld. Not \vxv^ aftor the discovery of i,'oUl at Lum nhnri^, spocimcn'* wore found about nine miU's distant from Ilalifax on the proi)erly r)f Mr. Charh.'s P. AIUmi, at Lake Thomas, which (iohl locality was imme- diately distin«;uishcd as AIIi'h'k /urni. The account of this discoN'-ry created so much excitement tliat in two days fifty applications for claiuis were lodj^^d witli tlie Commissioner of Crown liands. Several of the finest specimens yei found were from this place, and the })rospect ap- peared so promising' as to induce the au[ent of the London Company to purchase a ])ropc rty conti,L!,nous to Allen's (Laidlaw's,) vJ a huj^e ad- vance e.pon its previous valinition."' Then fidlowed discoveries at oth(>r jjIuccs on the Atl.'.ntic Coast; at JiiiUkii /Iidlintir, and at W'im' /fdilmiir in the (,'ounty of (Juysborough. Tills was auo'.it llie niidnie of September. ]\[r. Smitli. the discoverer of gold in (his nei>;•llbour!u)(yd,"7^vTlV)TK"ul been jjrospcctin:^ for some days in the vicinity of IiuTiaii Harbour ) upon searchim; at Wiiie Harbour discovered near the tideway, a rid^e of whinstone cropping out, and slaly formation a(ljoinin<(; the two beinj^ separated by a small v.in of quartJ:, wliich he found to co;itain ^'old. Tiiis seam of (piart/. e\t( nds for some distance nearly parallel with and dose to hiu'h water mark on the shore of \Vine Harbour, tlie direction beinj; S. ();)" Ka^t. A few weeks later, gold was found at S!iirl>n„,hv^ about a mile anda lialf from the west bank of the St. Mary's lliver, opposite the village of Slierbrooke, hlso in the County of Cuysboro'. The discoveries nntil now were confnu'd to the Atlantic Tnetamorphic district. On liie 2()th October a letter appearetl in one of the city ])apers, written at Wolfville, in King's County, informing tiie public that gold had been discovered, in small (juantities, at a place called Little Chester, on the south oi Jfoilm' Moiiidniiis. This locality is ju.>t at tiic inner edge of the granitic metamorphic district, where it joins the carbo- niferous. About the same time, or perhaps a little before the discovery at Ilor- ton ^fountains, it was announced in the Yarmoutii Tribune, tiuit gold had been discovered at Foote's Cove, near Cninln rnj ll>ii crusliing process, and thus enabled tliem to realize the fruit of their lo'l! These mines are situated sixty seven miles cast oniMlifax. and about half a mile from the coast. The outcroijpiiii' rocks form a series of lov/ hills, wliich are covered with a thick ^-ovvth of spruce and hemloek. Tlie strata which contain the gold cou>ist of cl;ii\- sbite, traversed in various direction s 1)\ veins ot (piartx, which is generally very coin[)act. The strata whicli are very mu^-h disturbed, have been pretty well exposed by re::ent exploration s. At one ])oi nt they have a s trike of S. H \_ ° K., and a dip of 67 ^ S , The gold at 'i'angjer occinvi mainly in the quart/ veins. It is dissemi- nated tlirouLdi the matrix in the usual manner — fre(iuently in isolated particles and masses ; and w h ere the (piart/. is white, furnishes speci- mens of great beauty. The minerals In association with the gold, arc * Wiihin the last two months, a niimlter of claims have been taken up at this place. r GOLD DISCOVF.RIKS AND MINKS. ii) princii)ally iron ])yritL's aiul m'is]iiokc'l. ('hnlcoi>yrito, m:\^iiotit(', licma- titc, iuul i^alciKi. also occur in smuU (luantiiif •; .''•' Taiiuicr U our most ii ni)()i(ant mining; district, ''and has bcconu- diiitt' a conslcK raMc vilhiL;*' . Tiie facilities for in-oHtable labour are ct)ntinuallv incvcasinu". 'i'vvo or thre e crusliing machines have been sot \\]\ aud arranucmcnts arc made by individuals and by companies, to commence (■■\t( nd-- d opnations. At Tjiinonhnvg (the Ovens), as soon as the aiiriferous character of the sands was known, there was not a little excitenunt. l-lviry body rut- jd from the upland dijfj;in;jjs; and as many were cap:rr to participttte in the allotment who had no sliare in the discovery, it was not withoirt some ditViculty that the Government finally adjusted tiie respective claims. ^Ir. Campbell, who first directed his attention to tlu> shove claims, luivinjj; associated himself Mith William Cunard, lvs([., and Mr. 11. Ci. Fraser, suceeedid in securing the best locality; and it is cur- rently believed that those ^'cntlemcn have been so fortunato as to extract a larj-e amount of gold. It is not pretended to state what amoinit : but judgln;^ from the short period in which they enjoyed them, and the ex- pense attondin^ij the working of the claims, any "guess" at the amount would be i)robably much exaggerated. These claims vcre aiterwards sold to a larger CJompany for ihe sum of ijti 1800. All tlie liohlrs of shore lots have been more or less successful. The upland claims are, notwitlistanding, the most likely to prove lastingly remunerative. The facilities for mining at the Ovens arc even greater than at Tangier ; every part of ihe pcidnsula being accessible by water. IJelbre the win- ter Iuul set in, there were from .'>() to 80 shanties and tents on the ground, and two or three lumdred peo[)le. The slrat.i at this place are similar in appearance and structm-e to those at Tangier, aud seem to have been equally disturbed. At one point near the sliore (writes Mr. Marsh, who visited the s])ot where they were well eN]>osed, the strike vas S. KO = W. and the dip about 7') ^ N. (iuart/ veins pass tluough the slate in many directions, and ;»•< generally found to contain gold, especially those running north and south. Several dikes of basaltic trap were also observed, one of which was seven feet in widtli and appeared to be conformable to the strata. The aurifi-rous sand on the shore rests on the edges of the up-turned slate which has been worn into "pockets" of various sizes, well adapted to retain the gold as it is washed over them. At this phice all the shore claims for miles around the i * O. C. Marsh A. 1$. in Aaur. Jour, of Sci<>nce and Arts. _,'*»rtj;7< - rgyyjy^. tt't^ '^"^ 7G NOVA SCOTIA. ' Ovens liatl been taken up, to the niinil)LT of 82, up to October last — nnd ;}(»(T upland dainiH. Tiic Munibir ()t»i-lann-i ft]i]>lioil for at Wine Ihtrhour (INFr. llowe iiilnrms us by lii> Ittlir to Lord Miil;i»avf of UStb Oflober) was at thai tinn- liO ; llic number of people employed about two luuidred. At /sfttn-'s J Ix.I'Diir 2.'J apjdieat'o'.H bad been' made for claim-, and about 7(^ ])ers()ns were emi)Ioy('d. At Tiaidlaw's farm 1(5 claims had been taken, and oO pcr-uns were employed. ^t S/iirln'iml.-r^ \\i' Icarii frpu a eorri-spondfut of tlic Smi new ]):ipiT, Avbo SI- 'iu^ In wr'iic intelliu'''iitly upon the subjc/t, llie ;j;i)Ll lirlds |iii):iiis('. to Ite CMpial to auv vet di (•!)\crrd. On the elaiins 1 lid out, eiLilit li:n' \ clns j ^__^ . '^^ of ({Mart/,, all Miore or h's- L;')ld bearinL,^ have bci-n dis covered. ()u':ikiu took (lilt t'nty d()ll,n's woilh in an al'iernoou, by breaking- it up wiih :i small huMiMiT. Thi' ^'eii'ral d'rect'on of the veins is about (iS \\'-. CMr- respoiuru;- f ) th" strike ol' the eiudosiuLr strata, which an- hard anil sl'.ty in stiiieliu-e, and considerably shatten d, dipping- about 22 )•>., at i ver y hi,L'h am;'e. The (piait/. is hin-hly impre;.,mated wilh metallic niiiu vals, as bisulphale ol' iron and co[)[)!'r, arsi'uical pyrites, auTa mineral resenibliuji; ri;()i)t:<"rivi:xr.ss, Sn\ The following' futures will afford some informaticm as to the prodnctivc- ness of the (juart/. A 'l'auL;ier miner (da--itieil his (pu>rts into three ])arts : No. 1 c »n-isted of rceptH)le ; No. ;• wdiere there were nc apparent signs of gold. Al the reipiest of a bystandi-r, who bad witne-s d the failure (il"the temporary mechanical ai)[)liance of cru-hing. the nurcr pro- ceede(l in his own way to pound aiul wash the (juartz so classilied, and afterwards to auudgaiiuvtc and produce the gold. The result was .".s follows : Quart/ No. 1 weighing o lbs. produceil fine gold 1 dwt. 22 grains. " No. 2 " S U.S. " " " 4 dwt. *« No. ;> " () Ihs. " " " GO cents worth. IMore nn-eutly a lot of (puu't/, (not ])icked), w(>ighiug a few c wt. less than s'x ions, was (aaished at Tan.ijiier which yiidded ?;^1,<)80 (.ClMC) sig.'), or 82t>() (i'ii> stg.) to the ton. At Limenburg, the shore washings have been exceedingly reniiu\ei'a- tlve. Their ti'iic productiveness is not easily ascertained, as the most extensive ojierations have been carried on by a company, who have pru- dently nuiiiitained the greatest secrecy regarding them. It is stated, how- (101,1) i)is«'(ivi;iiii:.s wd minus. 77 ;iKiu CV(M', tliat a shiircholdtT rcfiisi'il .^-OOO for si li;ilf sliiirc, the (tvl>;lii;il price of which was iJiJ'iilO ; and that one huinh-C'd l»a,i;s of sand shipped to Ilidilav realized Sl^^O worthed {^old per hai.'. Three diircrcnt samphs of qiKiii" -Tilt from Liiueiihiir^ to Loadou wa- found upon nnalvzation to prod lie ' r-spectively (to the ton) 01 o/., I oz., and oni'-tenth of an ounce of ^^oM, Aj^'Mitlcaian from Sherliroo'xe so'd to a (inn In llaliiax 120 o/s. at ^iS.'jO per ounce, wiiii-h, witii -onic other lots sold al ihi- sann- time by oth r p.ivii -s. reali/eil nearly slO, '>')!). I'grt of this was washed out of the sn.l i)\ erlying t lie ( [uart/. ri'cfs, and the n'Uiaind'r fi'om ihe (piar:/. It i- ipiite impo-isibli- to arrive at '-ven an approximation to the iij^'^'re- gate amount of j;olil extraeted since its dis'-overy, ami lariie (piantities of quart/, an- in po-se-sion of nvners, yet uncriished. In uddiiion to what has he;vi sold in llalifax, larL,fe and valuable specimens have been sent to l*!n,nl lud, Ireland, Scotland, and the I'nited States. Tli'Te have been pevcral comi):(uies formed for the purpose of «>ionf'r'ri oflicc, tlmt thcro \viT<' !>ol(l to 3lr*t Ik'O., 1801 — At 'r;iii;.-!() (>1 21 '2\ Sloriiiont, (*><) o 2M T) acri! lot«. 4 1 6 2 10 6 TIkmc Jirc IK) ava'.lablo sta istios hitcr t}v!«ii tiic nliov*' date. A liirgo iiiiiiihtT ()!' claims liave, however, hci-n taki u np since Dec., '(11, at Siiorhrooki' iiiit at the new tlij^Lfiii^f.s of Oldham (Mlmsdale.) ami Ucn- I'rew. It ii Mii)i)i).s('d that more than ei}.;;i»ty ])laces throughout tlu- pro- vince, have I): (II t'ouiul to he auriferous. Ki'ti'drhj'i'out the Art ir/'ifiii;/ fa the (iolil Fi'rhh nfXovn Scuti'i. •' Tiic (iiivi'iiKir ill ('i»iiinil i-i licirliy aiitlinri/:cil to sflccf inn! ii|iiioiiit« 'Jiiitalilo nor- Hon 1o ;H't if l)i'|iiity (iuM ('aiiiiiiHsioiiiT lor llic i'roviiirc, nnii ^iiIijiMc j»r>nii-. u» act ns DlMiiv (iiilil (■(iuiiiii,--«ioiu'r>. as orcasioii iiiiiy iT(|uiic, in tlu' several (Iis|ii(tj, ;im(1 to ilcliii'' llie liiiiiis of ilii'ir jiiri,>iiirti(iii n'-|ii'(ii\cly : atui liy virtue of and iluiin'.'' the colli inuanee ul'.-iicii !i|i|ioiiilniiiil, -.m ii (ioM ( 'miinii^-'ioiier within ail tlie ;;(ili| ili ,iietH, anil swell l)e|itity witliin tlie distriim to wliieli lie is ii|t|tointiii, shall rovii|i, the |ire>ervalion of thr ji' ice, the inevention of crime-, (lie e time of their hi'iii;jr made, showing; the deseri)) i'lii of area apjiliod fur, the aninnnt paid, the name or iiame-j of the Mpplicanis in fall, \\iili the name of the parly payiii;.'. which shall he open, at all rea-onahle times, to the iiipeetion of all persons d -.•irinu' lo see the ^,\\\h' ; and as L'a,cli !i]iplic;mt shall pay lor and lile his wrillon application tor a niiiii'. the name (.f the ajiplicant shall he written on tlie hroii or areas apiili"i| tor ; and each ilepnty shall make a reiiirn weekly, or ofu'iier. if ro- «^nir(Ml. to the Chief (Iold ( 'omaii--ioiicr, of all :ip|>lieiiiion- so made, and ol tiie iiami'S written on tlie plan rv'ipiircil Ky the l.'Uli section, and remit the amounts paid." " It hIimH lie the duty of each Deputy (Jold Couuni-oioner to pre|iaro and keejin plan of the ;:;nld liehl or f eids within his inri-diction, with the areas that shall Lave hecn iaiil oH", all di'^liiictly marked out 1 hereon ; and with his wi'ckly or other reiinu lo the (Miief (j(dd Coinnii-sioner he slie.ll forward a duplicate plan of all surveys made diir;ii;» the week, and tlu' C'liif < Jold ("oiiiuii>^io!'.er sliill eaine such plan to he iin'tliwilh fopied upon a <;eiieral phiu to he prepared and kept hy liiiu, of the ^old tields in tjucs- i:iv>n. " The form of an ap]i!iealinn for a ininiii'x area shall )>e as in Schedule II., or to that fftee.t, and the Deputy ( 'oniniis-ioiier shall endorse ther.'on the precise time when re- (>;ived ; hat iio apj>iica;ion shall he valid unless made in wriliiiLr, iletinin;;- the area applied for, and aceoinpaaied (e.\.eeitt in ease of free chiiniti by discovery or otherwise, IMMKillATlOV. 79 Oti'l'T llio prnvisioii'* of iliin A<'f,) l>y payment of u llr.-it iii-^tiilmnit »»•» liorfiniift»'r prn- vidul fitr -^irli lui'i ; nr, in i.i'i' nl' u lut ol dm' tliHU-iiiiicI MjiLir' Cfct in jilliuiiil'T filai'ff ilii:'iiii'j;^, l>y paTiiifiir ol" tin.- ciiiiri- vi iirly iiMiial. A n-oipt hi::t!ci| \>y tlio liMvivcr ti.iifiMl, lirlviinwliilu'iii;; p.iyiii.Mit at his (tlUi'i', sliall lif taki'ii. wIk-h jncciitc iI to tJif Di'pMfv (tuM ('. iiiiMiii^iuiii r III" I In* ili^trii't, n< i'i|iiiva'i'nr lo tln' pruiluniuii of ilu- nioin'v tliiTi-iii ^p(•<•ili(•ll. ainl iln-ri'iipoii Midi I)t|iui\ ("t>iuiiii.- ioiicr .■'liall **> " ^IwAvX/. tiiiiK's >hnll, so far a^ local poi-iiliaritics or otlu-r rin niii'^tanriw mav prrtr.it, In-, ill (^i iifi-.il laiii oil' ill ari'iii", ami Ik- siilijcft lo ilie ri'iits ami royalliis livn iiialur sj)c- fithiil. " An-a MiiMiIx-r one sliiill lio oih" liiii»iirr(I and iifty fi'ct aloiiira l«'ay tlvo liim- driwl fi'i't a(ri'.->'. " Ari'iinniiilK-r tlm'O sliall Ih> lliri'o Iniiiilifd fict aloiij^ a leiul l»y live Inindivd fiet iirross. " Area niimlu'r four shall ho four hundred and lifty fi-i-t iiIon;j n It'ud l>y (im- Iniiidn-d foot a'Toss. " Aicas shall In' laid out, iin far as pos-iMc, iiiiil'nnnly, and in i|iiadiilat«'r.il and rwtaniziilar sliaprs. Mcasunnu'iirs of areas shall ho horl/.inital, and nicli aiva -liall ho bounded liy liiu'.-i vrnical lo the hori/nii. *' The rent . per aniiniii of these areas shall he — for area nnniher one, forty dollars ; urea iinnilier two, eighty dulliiis ; urea niinilier tlin e, one hundred and >ixiy dulhirs ; and ftr area nnniher four, two hiindri'd and lorty flollars. " No more than <>iio area shall he ineludeil in one lease ; hut siieli aiva may he of an/ of the elas>es ahove nanieil. l.MMKJIlA'rioN'.— ( ONC'I.l SIO.V. Thci'c is not, poiliaps, one ol' tin." colonics of (Iroat HrUain, suited to the i't»c(^j)tioii of enii^'fants, wlierc so little eirorl h;is been made to iii\ite enu^iatioii. as in Xovii Scotia. Indeed, tho liistorlan of our I'mvince was orojtiniun that iiny jiccession to onr ])oi)iilaiion l>y means of imini^rniticju wiis not desirablo, and he considei-cd it to be a matter of sell-p-atiiliition that th'^ unfavourable character wliich the jmivince sustained abroad, both as to its soil and climate, hu-* diverted th(^ tide ol' emigration to other colonies. Tlie leaiuvd author writes (Ili-tnry of Nova Scotia, \ol. li. 1». 359) — " We reciuirc all the unoccuided land in Nova Scotia for the expansive i^rowth of our own population. Jt is now (1^27) litth' slmrt of 150,000, ami, if it sliould increase at the rate exhibited dtnin. I'nder tlicso ciretim.stunccs, aUhoujjfh there is yet ample room for i>' >io:ranls, their IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4 ^/ /. Si i^ M 11.25 ^1^ Ui U i 1.6 I 6" Hiotogrephic .Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAKJ STRUT WnSTiR,N.Y. I4SM (716)S72-4503 •s? \ <^ O^ 80 NOVA SCOTIA. J' introduction in any great numbers, if not to be regretted, is a matter o perfect indifference." We dissent from this o[)iiiion. Admitting the learned Judge's probable rate of increase giving us a population of 500,000 in seventeen years from the present time to be tolerably correct, (which it has proved to have been by the actual increase since 1827) ; 500,000 will be an exceedingly sparse population for a country containing an area of 18,600 square miles. There is not one of the hitherto flourishing states of the Federal Union whose number of population to the square mile does not far exceed 26. In 1850 Massachusetts had 1.'37.17 to the square mile ; Ehode Island 122.95 ; Coimecticut 78.06 ; New Jersey 71.46 ; New York €7.33 ; Maryland 53 ; Pennsylvania 49.19 ; New Hampshire 39.6 ; Maine, the least dense of all the northern states, being 16.66.* Nova Scotia in 1851 had 14.84 to the square mile; in 1861, 17.78. It will be found, upon closer examination of statistics, that the states referred to are in a prosperous condition industrially, in the ratio of the density of their popu- lation. New York, whose cities' population constitutes 50 per cent, of the whole state, may be wealthier in her industrial resources than other Siates which are more densely populated. Rhode Island, however, the smallest in area — only 1200 square miles — ^ranks second in the density of her population ; and it is proverbial that this small state is proportionately the wealthiest in the Union. Massachusetts, which ranks first in density, is well known to be the principal seat of manufactures, and is rapidly increasing in wealth. On this subject the writer recalls to memory an article in a British reviewf upon the industrial state of the West Indian Colonies. Referring to Barbadoes as a prosperous island, containing 724 inhabitants to the square mile ; he accounts for the miserable condition of Jamaica, from having barely 60. Happily, Nova Scotia, with less than a third of the density of Jamaica, is in exactly the opposite condition. The question now arises, does Nova Scotia need immigration f And the question here is not, will it make her present inhabitants richer or happier ? but rather, will it tend to urge her forward in a career of in- dustrial and commercial progress ? Will it tend to develop those inex- haustible resources with which the God of Nature and Providence has endowed her ? In a word, shall she take her place, humble though it may be, in the advance car of the Avorld's progress ? It cannot be de- nied, that our province might move on in a happy and contented con- dition, securing to her people, all that a people ought reasonably to * Hunt's Merchant's Mag., 1854. t London Review, Jan. 1861. . IMMIGRATION. 81 > >- \i .- ^ < demand — the healthiest climate under the sun ; the largest liberty which is consistent with the reserved power and authority of a well organized state, and a dependency of a great empire ; admirable facilities for education ; enjoying the purifying and elevating influences of Christian institutions, with the fullest toleration of religious opinion; with a generous soil, and a surface diversified with the most varying forms of beauty — nevertheless, failing to fulfil her destiny. But what superior advantages she possesses ! A country is what its people make it to be. Read the history of the flourishing states of Europe. There, energy has overcome the most formidable natural obstacles to progress ; here, Nature invites us to open her treasures, and promises to reward the patiently industrious with plenty. There, industry and commerce have struggled against the com- binations of wealth and power ; here, such hindrances are but little felt. There, the accumulations of years are jeopardized or lost in an hour by the ruthlessness of political dissensions or aggrandising war. Alas ! the American Continent may not boast, after the vandalism enacted at Charleston, disgraceful to a people professing to occupy a place in the comity of nations. Is the United North so righteous, forsooth, that it claims to be the Minister of Divine Vengeance upon the sins of modern cities ? Pitiable arrogancy ! During the last twenty years, Nova Scotia has suffered deeply from one of the evils just cited. There is not a British Colony excepting Canada, where the heat of party conflict has been so intense. But in Canada, the constitutional struggle was more brief, and Canada has since bounded onwards with a giant stride. Nova Scotia has been the principal theatre of the constitutional struggle which gave Responsible Government to the B. N. A. Colonies ; and the exacer- bated passions of some of the disputants have never been efiectually calmed. The Legislature for the past ten years or more, has been a scene of party recrimination ; and only when some absorbing subject, such as the Inter-colonial Railway, has awakened unusual interest, have party animosities been forgotten and the country's real welfare been seriously regarded. The most intelligent and influential men of both parties are indulging the hope that those hindrances are things of the past, and as a variety of circumstances of recent occxirrence have com- bined to unite the public mind, it is reasonable to presume that the Colony has already commenced a course of unexampled prosperity. No event has succeeded so much in uniting together the hearts of the \ ■> #■ 82 NOVA sconA. r i I ... r in people, as the interesting visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in the summer of 1860. And Nova Scotia was behind no Colony of the realm, in her cordial and unanimous welcome to the son of her beloved and august Sovereign. No less sincere is she, in her expressions of condolence, in the mournful event which has onshadowed the Royal home. After all, governments at best are but feeble instruments of national progress, if the spirit of self reliance, manly independence, and untiring energy do not characterise the people. These qualities are not lacking in Nova Scotia, maugre the insinuations of some English politicians. In the neighbouring States, the young men of Nova Scotia are generally reputed to be the best mechanics, and the best employees in every branch of labour. The cause is not easily assigned unless it be that a conviction of the importance of moral and mental training is so widely diffused throughout the Province, and such training generally imparted. Nova Scotia, in the tardiness of her progress has been spared the evil which exists to such an alarming degree in the United States ; of large influxes of population of most vicious and demoralized character. This disease in the body politic of the Union, has lately reached its climax ; its seat being in the selfish and unprincipled element, which is hurrying on the nation to imbecility if not to destruction. It may now be con- sidered a political axiom, that in the ratio of the existence of enlightened religious faith, cceteris paribus, a country is fitted for the enjoyment of civil liberty. The experiment of liberty without religion has been tried in Europe and has failed. Christian nations have looked upon America, with a feeling akin to admiration, as an example of successful demo- cracy. But even the great American republic, has to add her fate to those republics of the past which rose like a meteor and as suddenly vanished, And it must be apparent to every reflecting mind, that the nations of Europe, who are now depressed by reason of the despotic and injudicious exercise of irresponsible power, cannot hope to enjoy the boon of government based upon the popu lar will, unless the " illumi- nism" of religion, I mean of trW Christianity, has prepared them for it. Having written so much upon the general subject of immigration and kindred topics, and presuming to believe that the preceding chapters have succesfully proved that Nova Scotia is a desirable home for emigrants, whether from Britain, Norway, Sweden, or Germany, it will be neces- sary now to refer to the classes of emigrants who are suited to tlie cir- y \; IMMIGRATION, 83 cumstances of the colony. In the first place, then, professional men, such as belong to the legal and medicid professions, would find a most unfavourable prospect of success in Nova Scotia. These professions are fully pre-occupied by such as pos^sess the influence of local connection, and possess, likewise, qualifications which, in the older countries, would be considered of the most respectable kind. Many of the medical prac- titioners are licentiates of British Medical Colleges. The class of emi- grants who are most likely to succeed, are those who voluntarily and de- liberately seek for a new field of exertion, as a better means of rising and going forward in the world than any they can find at home, where com- petition is worked to its highest power, and where, in many cases, the industrious head of a family sees no prospect for himself or for his chil- dren of rising above the struggling position in which it is his lot to be placed. And it must be considered by those who are desirous of emigra- ting, that emigration is not to be understood as a mere refuge from pri- vation. *• One of the most common opinions," observes an intelligent writer upon this subject, " is, that if the removal to a new country be a difficult thing to accomplish, yet, when once accomplished, it leads at once to prosperity and riches. If the emigrant believes that the mere change of place is to operate a change of fortune — if he believe that the struggle, the toil, and the disappointed hope, are the fixed characteristics of one hemis- phere; and success, wealth, and happiness those of another — if he believe tliat in his flight he may safely abandon care, and toil, and energy; yet become comfortable and independent — he looks on the whole question from a false light— >he has grievously mistaken the economic effect of emigration. He must remember that the new country does not pour forth spontaneously the elements of success ; it is merely, after all, a Jield for exertion. Its existence does not make the world a farthing richer ; it only gives mankind a wider field for the acquis itln of riches by energy, intelligence, industry, and self-denial," There is, perhaps, no feature which an emigrant should seriously con- sider, belonging to the country he may choose for his new home, more important than that of climate. jMany emigrants, tempted by the pros- pect of acquiring sudden wealth, risk the hazard to life and the number- less inconveniencesof unhealthy and semi-barbarous countries or colonies. He should consider, however, that he is choosing a residence — it may be for his children's children ; and what so important that the country of his choice should possess, not only the elements of subsistence and the promise of independence, but where the blessing of health (which const!- u NOVA SCOTIA. tutes nearly all the happiness of physical life) may be continuously enjoyed.* -. ,^ There is no doubt that the possession of capital, however small, is of great advantage to the emigrant, as it is to every class of men in every part of the world, who can use it discreetly. So much gr(?ater as are the productive resources at the command of an inhabitant of a new country, by 80 much greater is the value of capital which is the machine by which they are made effective. Take an agricultural emigrant, for instance. He naturally expects on arriving at a new country to exchange the posi- tion of a tenant, or that of a hired farmer for one of a proprietor. Whe- ther he purposes to buy a farm partly cultivated, or trusting to his stal- wart arm, and indomitable energy, proposes to clear away the forest and cultivate the virgin soil, he must have a little capital, either to buy the farm or to secure his title to the government land. In the latter case not much is required, as one hundred acres can he had for £8 los. Od. stg. Or suppose the case of a skilful mechanic ; he must expect to suffer the loss of some portion of unemployed time on his arrival, as he cannot ex- pect to find a place prepared for him. To the latter class, however, Nova Scotia, just at the present, does not hold out the greatest inducements, unless associated with the enterprise of manufacturing capitalists. To the agricultural emigrant it has been said. Nova Scotia offers supe- rior inducements. The government lands are sold on favourable terms, without reference tr quality or situation, except marsh or water lots, the price of which is fixed by the Governor in Council. (The reader is re- ferred to the chapter on " agricultural resources" for particulars as to the quality and quantity of ungranted lands.) The most suitable season for the arrival of the agricultural emigrant is in the Spring, at which time he will only require in addition to the price of his land, stock and imple- ments, the needful for six months' support ; whereas if he arrives in the Autumn, he can do nothing until the following Spring, and will have to support himself 12 months instead of six. An allowance of six months is made in both cases for the maturity of the crops. " The demand for farm servants is increasing. Labour has been so scarce for some years, that farmers have found it difficult to husband their crops at the proper season. The best men can earn from £25 to £28 sterling per annum, and women from £10 to £12 ; both being fed * It was omitted to remark in the chapter on Climate, that ascertained from meteor- ological observations, the Military authorities have stated that Halifax is amung^ tho hMlthicst colonial stations of the Empire. .. ',-... i : f IMMIGRATION. 85 and lodged in the families where they are employed. House servants, especially females, are much wanted in all the towns and villages. Pla- ces are easily obtained and wages are good, ranging from 12s. to 20s. per month. They are provided with everything but clothing. Boys and girls from 12 to 15 years of age would be readily taken by the farmers as apprentices."* Workmen in the various mechanical trades generally receive better wages than in England. The price of labour varies at different times, so that no sum named here would furnish a true ciiterion. The mechanic will learn irom Chap. VI. sec. Manufactures, the occupations most in request in the country. Carpenters and Joiners receive per day from 5s. to 6s. sterling. Masons and Bricklayers, ... 6s. to 8s. " Blacksmiths, «Stc., ..... do. do. " Tailors, . . , . . . 5s. to 6s. " Other trades in proportion, and labourers 3s. to 4s. sterling. Mr. Philips, in his paper on " Gold Mining and the Gold Discoveries made since 1851," (read before the Society of Arts in London on the 14th. of May last,) when describing the Gold Discoveries in Nova Scotia, ju- diciously observes : " It must also be taken into consideration that Nova Scotia possesses many decided advantages over both California and Aus- tralia. Each of these countries is situated at a great distance from Europe, and can only be reached after a long and expensive passage, and, as a natural consequence, wages were for a long time exceedingly high and provisions proportionately dear. Nova Scotia, on the contrary, is within an easy distance both from Europe and the United States of America, and possesses a considerably settled population of intelligent, industrious, and sober people, eminently adapted after a little experience to become steady and efficient miners. The whole of the gold-bearing portion of the pro- vince also lies within a convenient distance from the coast, which abounds with magnificent harbors, affording ample security to shipping, whilst wood in large quantities is to be everywhere procured for all descriptions of mining uses, and an abundant supply of water is generally to be met with for the purposes of washing and amalgamation. From these circum- stances, it is impossible that wages can ever reach the extravagant rates that mainly led to the failure of nearly all the gold-mining enterprises of 1852, since which period many of the mines have been advantageously * From official documents fm'nished by Crown Land Office. 86 NOVA SCOTIA. il n worked which were then abandoned on account of the enormous expendi- ture necessary to carry on the operations." The following list of prices of food will afford a fair criterion of the expenses of living in the Colony : heef, 4d. to 6d. per lb. ; mutton, 2d. to 4d. per lb. ; pork, 3d. to 4d. per lb. ; turkeys, 5d. to 8d. per lb. ; geese, Is. to Is. 8d. each ; /oM>;.s, Is. 3d. to Is. 8d. per pair; salmon, 4d. to 6d. per lb.; codfish, 6d. to Is. each; mackerel, 2d. to 3d. each; herring, 4d. to 6d. per dozen; trout, 9d. to Is. per dozen; lobsters. Id. to 2d. each; oysters^ 3s. to 4s. per bushel; /our, 24s. to 30s. per barrel of 196 lbs.; cornmeal, 14s. to 16s. per barrel of 196 lbs. ; butter, 8d. to Is. per lb. ; cheese, 6d. to 8d. per lb. ; eggs, 6d. to lOd. per dozen ; tea, Is. 8d. to 2s. per lb. ; suyar, 4d. to 5d. per lb. ; potatoes, Is. 2d. to Is. 8d. per bushel (in season) ; tur^ nips. Is. to Is. 4d. per bushel. The foregoing prices are in sterlin"-. Coal is 20s. to 25s. sterling per chaldron ; tvood., 10s. to Hs. per cord. There is one class of persons who seldom are included in the lists of emigrants, to whom the writer considers Nov a Scotia offers many in- ducements as a field of enterprise — the small manufacturer, and capitalist. It is true that there are many advantages in older countries which do not exist here, as the plentiful supply and the cheapness of labour, which secures the employer from any sudden embarrassment in his operations for the want of hands. Here however there is but little competition ; and the protective duty of from 5 to 20 per cent on all imported manu- factures, is a considerable offset in his favour against the disadvantages which may be found to attend his operations in the colony. It could not be expected that at present the province would afford a market for several manufacturing establishments in each department. Not more perhaps than two or three at most could be sustained, and those such as are manufactories of the most useful products of industry, such as plain cloths or trowserings, or several departments of woollens, combined — grey domestics, white shirtings, denims, drills, and stripes, united — common pottery and glass house combined. Should manufacturers be induced from the existence o f an abundance of raw material of every description, and a plentiful supply of coal, to try Nova Scotia as a sphere of industry, it would be requisite to transport every mechanical appli- ance, and all the skilful labour required for successful operations. One word more, to all who may emigrate to Nova Scotia, viz : the means of conveyance. There are twice in the year, generally in the months of March or April, and August or September, ships leaving the ^^dft^ CONCLUSION. 87 n ports of Glasgow, Liverpool, and London for Halifax, and occasionally other parts of the province. Ti;e passage money by these ships will be from six pounds to ten pounds sterling. The Cunard Steamers carrying H. M. Mails also sail every alternate Saturday from Liverpool to Boston, calling at Halifax. These ships carry Ist. and 2d. cabin passengers. The cost of passage is — 1st. cabin, £22; 2d. cabin, £16. The agents of this Company are D. ds C. Mclver & Co., 8 Water St. Liverpool, G. B. CONCLUSION. In conclusion it is but just to ourselves to indulge the conviction, that if our valuable resources may remain for years to come undeveloped ; if we cannot tempt English capital and English skill ; and if agriculturists will prefer the soil of our republican neighbours to our own, we may not despair — our Country must progress. But we must content ourselves with a slower measure of progress. And we have a notable example in the steady, industrial and commercial advancement of Great Britain her- self. It is chiefly within the last sixty years that Great Britain has made any rapid strides in material prosperity. Our resources are very similar to hers. It may not strike the cursory reader, but it is so. And may it not be more than the enthusiastic dream of a patriot to predict, that Nova Scotia is destined to become in the extent of her commerce and manufactures the Great Britain of this Continent. Our cousins of the neighbouring republic, rejoicing in the splendour of their mushroom progress, may read this prediction with a feeling of contempt. But Time — the great umpire of terrestrial events — will de- cide. We do not believe as some do, in the im'med' ne end of sublunary things. We believe that the world, as concerns her i r ogress in wealth, science and jurisprudence, is but now in her adoloscence. We anticipate the period — and passing events seem to indicate its accelerated ap- proach — when this continent shall exhibit the reproduction of the older continent of Europe, characterized by states, or federations, or de- pendencies, as diverse in their intelligence, in their industrial pursuits, and in their national character, as the more highly cultivated states of Europe. There will be this difference however. The mighty progressive power of constitutional liberty will prevent the re-appearance of those despotic empires which are the bane of Europe — whether based on the decaying foundations of hereditary empire, the momentary power of the sword, or the crumbling system of a religio-political hierarchy.