58 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 
     
    
   
   
    
     which was extremely difficult, as a number of deep creeks and 
     
     inlets of the sea had to be crossed, rendering a long circuit 
     
     necessary, unless the traveller should be fortunate enough in 
     
     obtaining a crossing in some rudely constructed canoe formed 
     
     from the trunk ofa single tree, which was then the only 
     
     means to be expected. However the Legislature in due time 
     
     had good passable roads run through the forest to the principal 
     
     towns and settlements, affording them a direct communication 
     
     with the capital, as well as opening up the country’s merits 
     
     through which they passed. 
     
    
   
   
    
     An interesting and graphic sketch of the Island’s history, 
     
     by John Hamilton, Esq, of New Perth, having appeared in the 
     
     city papers during the autumn of 1895, we take the liberty of 
     
     making the following quotations therefrom : 
     
    
   
   
    
     “ The fifty odd years that intervened between Governor Patterson and 
     
     Ready’s administrations may be characterized as the dark ages of the Island 
     
     history, although considerable progress had been made in clearing the land, 
     
     and some schools and churches had been established. The agriculture of 
     
     the settlers beyond the limits of the town and Royalty of Charlottetown 
     
     was in the rudest state, implements of labor were of the most primitive con- 
     
     struction, and the condition of the people, in regard to food and clothing 
     
     was, for the most part, destitute of comfort. Ship-building was carried on 
     
     to a considerable extent at the outports, and the exports, besides some 
     
     small cargoes of native produce and live stock sent to the mainland, con- 
     
     sisted chiefly of ships, pine, timber and deals. The imports always included 
     
     a generous allowance of rum, brandy, Geneva spirits, wine, molasses, salt 
     
     and ship findings—together with sundry other articles of British manufacture. 
     
    
   
   
    
     .“ The whole Island at one time was under the jurisdiction of the Chief 
     
     Justice of Nova Scotia, who came over to Charlottetown in term time to 
     
     attend sittings ofthe local court. Jurors were summoned from all parts, 
     
     and asingle Sheriff executed the decrees. No Catholic could vote at an 
     
     election, hold any civil office, or sit as a member of the Legislature without 
     
     subscribing to an oath which his church and clergy alike condemned. 
     
    
   
   
    
     “There were no threshing mills, but here and there a plough with a 
     
     wooden mouldboard, which the owner frequently lent to a neighbor who 
     
     had none. The farmer who had a cart with a wooden axle was considered 
     
     well advanced. It is safe to assert that of light wheeled carriages not more 
     
     than two or three gigs were to he found in all King’s County at the time 
     
     under review. Some saddles were imported from England, and when 
     
     business or professional men had occasion to go a distance from home they 
     
     rode on horseback. 
     
    
   
   
    
     “ The grain, after threshing by the flail, was separated from the chaff by 
     
     the free winds of heaven as it rushed from side to side of the barn through 
     
     its opposite opened doors. 
     
    
   
   
    
     “ The emigrant mothers of the colony brought their spinning wheels and 
     
     check reels from the old country, whereon they spun their flax and woolen