MILITARY AND CIVIL. 3 I

entered the harbor with safety, cast their anchors, and rode majestically on the placid waters. But the arrival of those monsters could not have been contemplated by Holland, who probably alluded to such “ships of burden,” as the com- merce of a new country required.

Respecting the climate, Holland said, “ the time of the setting in of the frost in winter, and its breaking up in the spring is very uncertain. In general it is observed that about October there usually begins to be frost morning and evening, which gradually increases in severity till the middle of December, when it becomes extremely sharp. At this time northwest wind with small sleet seldom fails. In a little time the rivers are frozen up, and even the sea some distance from land. The ice soon becomes safe to travel on, while the snow upon the ground is often a surprising depth, and impossible to travel except on snow-shoes. In the spring the rivers seldom break up till April, and the snow is not entirely off the ground until the middle of May.” Though written one hundred and thirty- one years ago, this brief sketch of the climate will no doubt be fully endorsed by the readers of the present day.

The scenery at that period must have been of a striking character. The broad expanse of the harbor with a blue sky overhead, the extended view of the rivers, and the red clay banks bordering to the waters edge, being broken and uneven by numerous coves and creeks winding through a growth of forest trees, whose verdant foliage over-hung the flowing waters, while the rivers and shores were alive with a numerous collec- tion of water fowl. Tracts of ground under cultivation, and huts of settlers were to be seen in many directions ; numerous fishing boats and other crafts, were plying from place to place. Beyond the opening to the harbor, were the glassy waters of the Straits of Northumberland, while further in the distance a faint view of the mountainous regions of Nova Scotia was visible. All ,these various scenes combine to make a picture, as splendid as it was rare.

Plans and sketches of the County Towns, by Captain Holland, having been laid before the Government of Nova Scotia, Mr. Morris, 21 land surveyor, was employed to proceed to the Island and lay them out. Accompanied by some Magistrates and other civil officers, over whom Isaac Deschamp was appointed superintendent, and Jonathan Binney second