year 1827 to the month of September of the present

The Bridgeport mines are situated on the southern shore of Indian Bay, one mile and three-quarters from the harbour where vessels load, and which is perfectly secure for shipping in the most boisterous weather. The southern head of Indian Bay, which is called Cape Table, bears by compass from Flint Island north-west by west, distance eight miles and a half, and the northern head of the Bay bears from the light-house on Flat Point at the entrance of Sydney harbour south-east, distance four miles. Vessels may run safely into four fathoms water between the northern and southern heads.

The coal from these mines is of excellent quality, of the same description as the Sydney, and not at all inferior to it. A rail-road has been laid from the pits to the shipping-place, and along which the coal is carried and deposited at once in the holds of the vessels.

This establishment employs about 100 persons: the houses and buildings exceed 20 in number, exclusive of wharfs,, saw-pits, &c. The following quantities of coal have been shipped from the

Bridgeport mines from the year 1829, when they were first opened, to September, 1834 :—

The extent and power of the veins or seams of coal already discovered in Nova Scotia render them as it were inexhaustible; and when the capabilities of the mines opened by the Association are fully developed, they will be equal to supply any demand. For that demand the Association look to the consumption of Nova Scotia, and the neighbouring colonies; but principally to the United States, which will become the great mart for the produce of the Nova Scotia mines, so soon as it can be sold at prices that will defy competition. That this result has not yet been obtained, will be sufficiently accounted for in considering the vast outlay required to establish extensive works in any country, and especially in a new and remote country, where the price of labour must necessarily be so much greater, as well as the difficulties and drawbacks to be encountered in carrying on any operations: but it will gradually be brought about, by the economy in the cost of production which accompanies the progress of the works towards completion.

The benefit and advantages accruing from the presence and operations of the General Mining Asso

ciation in Nova Scotia have hitherto been exclusively reaped by the colony and the mother country. The rents and royalties paid, and the large sums of money expended, by the Association, form important items in the budget of Nova Scotia, and in the increased prosperity of that country. The Government at home have derived from the resources of the Association the means of assisting the financial arrangements of Nova Scotia: the emigration of workmen and artisans from the distressed districts of England has been greatly promoted by the Association; whilst the Association itself has not, to the present day, received any return or compensation for the capital and exertions so liberally embarked in this vast undertaking.

The capital of the General Mining Association is 400,0007., divided in 20,000 shares of 201. each. Of this sum 280,000l., or 147. per share, have already been subscribed, of which 180,000l. or 91. per share, have been applied to the operations in Nova Scotia. On the other hand, the Association possesses in Nova Scotia considerable property in mines, machinery, implements, steam-boats, and other craft, wharfs, and houses, and about 14,000 acres of land.

GOVERNMENT.-This has been before adverted to as a cause of complaint by the inhabitants, who protest against the incorporation of their fine island with Nova Scotia as a county of the latter, and returning only two members to the Provincial Assembly. The revenue, amounting to about 4,0007. a year, is spent in salaries to a few public functionaries, and in improving roads, &c. In the north

east district of Cape Breton there were twenty-two schools in May, 1832, in which 800 children received the benefits of moral instruction.

The social condition of the people is now rising; the inhabitants are generally a rude, hardy, and simple race, attached to England, lovers of freedom, and ready to defend their island against any enemy of Britain. Heretofore little attention has been paid them; but I trust the apathy which has so long been displayed is now passing away; that the blessings of religion and education will be extended more efficiently among this simple people; and that the merchant, the capitalist, and the statesman, will have their attention for the future more actively directed to this valuable colony.

CHAPTER III.

SABLE ISLAND - THE MAGDALEN ISLES, ETC.

THIS scene of numerous and melancholy shipwrecks1, lying directly in the track of vessels bound to or from Europe, is about eighty-five miles distant from Cape Canseau; in length about 30 miles by one and a half in width, shaped like a bow, and diminishing at either end to an accumulation of loose white sand,

1 Forty vessels have been wrecked on it in the course of a few years; and in one year 200 people perished on its

shores.

NOVA SCOTIA.

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being little more than a congeries of hard banks of the same its west end is in north latitude 43° 56' 42", west longitude 60° 71′ 15′′. East end, north latitude, 43° 59′ 5′′, west longitude 59° 42'. A sum of 8007. is devoted to keeping on the island a Superintendant from Nova Scotia, with a party of men provided with provisions, &c. for the purpose of affording prompt aid to any shipwrecked mariners of whatsoever nation who may be driven on its inhospitable shores.

The surface of the island, according to the statements furnished to Mr. Haliburton, of Nova Scotia, is undulated; and as its colour is also very similar to the sea, it is not easily distinguished from it. Throughout the whole extent there is not a single tree or shrub, and the only productions to be found upon it are a strong coarse grass, commonly known by the name of bent grass, or sea matweed, and whortleberry and cranberry bushes. The grass is indigenous, and grows near the shore, or in low places; and the cranberry bushes are confined to the deep hollows, which the violence of the wind has occasioned, in scooping out the sand, and driving it into the sea. With these exceptions, the soil, if such it can be called, consists of a naked sand, which is easily acted upon by the tempest, and drifts like In some places it has formed conical hills,

snow!.

1 Such was the place where the Marquis de la Roche landed, and left forty malefactors, in 1598, for the purpose of forming a colony (see chapter I. page 2.), and who would all have perished but for some shipwrecked sheep, soon after their landing, being providentially thrown on the coast.

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