56 THE LABEADOR PEMNSULA. chap. xxiv. 



and washed by the waves without an intervenmg beach. 

 After hea\^ rains many waterfalls, not to be seen at other 

 times, descend from mountain summits, and tumble into 

 the St. La^vrence. These features of this impracticable 

 coast must be carefully considered, if ever it should be 

 determined to establish a permanent naval station at 

 Gaspe Bay, and a termination to the Canadian Eailway 

 system, remote from the American frontier, either in the 

 Gaspe Bay or in the Bay of Chaleurs. 



Under all circumstances, the relation of the Peninsula 

 of Gaspe to the Gulf and Eiver St. Lawrence is of great 

 importance, and the possessor of the Gaspe Harbour com- 

 mands the river and the sea road to Canada. 



The country connecting Gaspe Bay with the settled 

 portion of the St. Lawrence Valley is very mountainous. 

 The communication by the Kempt Eoad between the 

 head of the Bay of Chaleurs and the Thetis Eiver in the 

 St. Lawrence is over a hilly country, but without any 

 very great obstacles, and not unfavourable for agriculture. 

 The Matapedia Eoad, ninety-six miles and a half in 

 length, connects the St. Lawrence at St. Flavien, 200 miles 

 below Quebec, with the Bay of Chaleurs. It passes for 

 a considerable extent at a short distance from or along- 

 Major Eobinson's projected line of railway between 

 Quebec and Hahfax, and is intended to supersede the 

 present Kempt Eoad. This new road is comparatively 

 level or undulating, in which the steepest grades scarcely 

 exceed 1 in 10. The total cost of the road is about 

 100,000 dollars. 



The Gaspe Peninsula is distinguished by its magnificent 

 mountain scenery. The Notre Dame range, also called 



