34 HISTORICAL SKETCH 0F PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

sounding the joyous refrain “ all is well.” Here, also, the fire-fly’s red flash light in quick glancing splendor, sent dazzling rays in gush of light, to illuminate the scene.

On the east and west of this woodland scene gurgling rivulets wandered t0 the ocean’s briny flood and the sea-fish entered the silvery streams, gliding serenely through the running tides towards their fountain head. Those streams—once the pride of juvenile fishermen—are known as the Governor’s Pond and Beer’s Creek.

Such was the state of this wilderness when first the wood— man’s axe hewed down the majestic pine and the graceful poplar from their towering heights, and no outstretched hand was there to save, nor plaintive voice to sing, “ Oh! woodman spare that tree.” Again and again, while traversing the streets and squares of the city, I repeat this sentence to myself. Not a memorial remains to show where they had spread their wide extended roots, or lifted their lofty heads.

The feathered songsters have long since found other groves wherein to build their little dwellings and sing their wood—note songs, and the wild animals having been driven to other sections and far off districts by the onward march of civilization ; while silvery fish no longer seek those flowing streams and transparent waters, once so pure and sweet. Were it possible to bring together, as if for a moment, the past and the present and place the scene as it was then viewed and as it is to-day, side by side, we would be able to realize more clearly how vastly the face of nature can be altered by the work of man.

One century and aquarter has elapsed since the first clear- ance was made on the north bank of the Hillsborough and the erection of a few rude cabins. But the eye now rests upon many venerable buildings, churches of various creeds, stately edifices, rows of costly business establishments and numerous comfortable family residences, some of which have been built in grand style of architectural beauty, ornamented as princely dwellings—showing the wealth and prosperity of the Citizens.

The population of Charlottetown, which in I 768 was estimated at fifty persons, has steadily increased and may now be estimated at 12,000. Thus emerging from a state of obscurity -—as it were—the city has attained its present flourishing