distance of the Irish coast. Once its attractions are thoroughly known it can hardly fail to secure a considerable rill from the great stream of emigration now flowing from the Old World to the New.

CHAPTER IV.

NOTRE DAME BAY AND THE EASTERN DISTRICTS.

The future of the plain that will one day unite the Humber district with Notre Dame Bay-A splendid stretch of country-Scenery equal to that of the English and Scotch lakes-Large and small game-Red Indian Lake and White Bay-The fertile belts of the Gander and Gambo country-A wilderness that might be "settled "The unpeopled valley of the Exploits — Gander River.

FROM the Bay of Islands on the western coast Newfoundland can be crossed, without much difficulty, to the shores of Notre Dame Bay on the eastern coast. The distance from the head of Humber Sound to the head of Hall's Bay, an arm of Notre Dame Bay, does not much exceed one hundred miles. A level plain at this point extends across the whole island, the greatest height of land between the two opposite shores of the island not exceeding one hundred feet. Thus a railway one hundred miles in length, for the construction of which along this level plain there are the greatest facilities, would unite the fertile Humber district and the Bay of Islands with Notre Dame Bay, the great mining district which will one day contain a dense population. Such a railway could commence on the eastern side, either at the south-west arm of Green Bay or at Hall's Bay, and terminate at the head of Humber Sound.

There is a

splendid stretch of country between these two points, the land being in many places excellent, the timber abundant and of large size, and the mineral indications at many points such as to give promise of important discoveries. Ten or twelve thousand people could find comfortable homes along this great plain, which in some places attains a considerable width, but for the most part does not exceed from two to five miles. A chain of small lakes, with rivers flowing from them, extends from Hall's Bay to the shores of Grand Lake, with only one portage a mile wide. By following these rivers and lakes a journey across is greatly facilitated. From Grand Lake the route lies across a portage of nine miles in width, and then the Humber River is reached, flowing through Deer Lake into Humber Sound. There is not a single settler in this valley which stretches across the island. Were it settled, and a railway or ordinary road constructed, there would be a never-failing market for all kinds of agricultural produce, as well as for timber of all kinds, at the mines of Notre Dame Bay. The coal fields. of St. George's Bay and of Grand Lake district would supply the mines with coal for smelting purposes and domestic use; and from Notre Dame Bay coal could be conveyed to St. John's and other towns by the railway which is now under construction.

The scenery along this route from Hall's Bay to Grand Lake is in many places beautiful, especially on the lakes, where it is often as picturesque and lovely as in the lake country of England or Scotland. Game of various kinds is abundant, and deer, at the proper season, are to be met with in large numbers. In 1878 Mr. Harvey made the journey across in company with Sir John Glover, then Governor of the island, and a small party. He has given an account of the excursion in a pamphlet entitled Across Newfoundland with the Governor." The route lay from Hall's Bay up Indian Brook navigated in canoes, through

Indian Lake till the portage, or "height of land," was reached, whence the streams flow westward, then Birchy Lakes, Sandy Lake, and Main Brook were followed, till Grand Lake, fifty-four miles long, was reached, and some time was spent in exploring its shores. The following extract from the pamphlet above referred to will convey some idea of Grand Lake and of the feelings its scenery awakened in the mind of the writer.

"The shades of evening were closing in as we got our first glimpse of Grand Lake, and a very beautiful and impressive sight it was. Near its mouth the river takes a sudden bend and reveals at once the full expanse of the blue waters of the lake in which it loses itself. Our expectations were wound up to the highest pitch as we approached this noble sheet of water, of which we had heard so much but which so few had visited. To compare small things with great, we had been looking out for it and anticipating a sight of it with something of the same feelings which Speke experienced when he mounted the last height and saw the magnificent Victoria Nyanza stretching away in the dim distance, as far as the eye could reach. Where the river enters it Grand Lake is about six or seven miles in breadth, and with the encompassing hills gently sloping down to the water, thickly wooded, and flashing under the rays of the setting sun in all the golden glories of autumn, and the bright waters gently heaving under the evening breeze, the sight was enchanting. Near the shore the bottom is composed of bright yellow sand, and the reflection on the rippling surface produces an endless succession of golden squares and circles dazzlingly beautiful in appearance. I stood on the shore enjoying the fine sight as long as daylight lasted, and watching the effect of the darkening shadows on the waters, which, as the breeze died away, became like molten silver. I tried to picture to myself in its full extent this great watery expanse stretching from where I stood for fifty-four

miles towards St. George's Bay, and grasping in its two arms a lofty island twenty-two miles in length, thus exceeding the famous Lake of Geneva by nine miles. Here it had lain embosomed in its surrounding hills, its silences unbroken save by the shouts of the Red Men, whose wigwams are no longer seen on its shores, or by the wild unearthly note of the great northern diver fishing in its waters. In all these woods and hills stretching away in one direction to Red Indian Lake, and in another to White Bay, there was not a single track except the paths beaten by the deer in their annual migrations; and in the whole region round there was not a human being but the few composing our party.

"I sat down on the trunk of a pine tree that had been washed up by the waves, and gave myself up to the spirit of the hour and the influence of the scene. The shades of night had now darkened the hilltops, and only a stray breath of wind played on the surface of the lake. The stillness had in it something oppressive, almost painful. There were no warblers to fill the woods with their evening song, nor even the hum of an insect to disturb the stillness. In vain you hold your breath and listen intently for the faintest sound. The silence was absolute, and had a peculiar and depressing influence on the feelings. To relieve this sombre mood I tried to picture the 'good time coming,' when the great valley stretching from shore to shore will be filled with a busy prosperous population; when the forests will be cleared away, and smiling corn fields and meadows will overspread the scene; when along the iron road will be gliding the chariots of fire; when those blue waves will be the pathway for the steamboat with its tranquil motion; and when 'young men and maidens, old men and children' will mingle their voices here in songs of gladness. It seemed to me as I gazed in the darkening twilight at lake and hilltops, woods and sky,