cnAP. XXIX. EFFECTS OF SEIGNOEIAL EIGHTS. 131 



as we drifted lazily along before the dying breeze, I 

 could not but think it both unjust and unpatriotic that 

 abused and misapplied seignorial rights, convepng many 

 miUion acres to single individuals, 200 years ago, should 

 now exercise a potent influence in arresting the progress 

 of settlement on the north shores of the Gulf, in sight of 

 the finest hshing-ground in the world, and including the 

 best parts for settlement. Yet such is even now the case ; 

 and many years ago many settlements would have been 

 estabhshed on the Labrador shores, if seignorial rio-hts 

 had not friglitened away hundreds who were disposed to 

 establish a home there, 



Natashquan is one of the great resorts of the seal, in 

 , consequence of its gently sloping beach ; and long ago it 

 attracted the attention of some French Canadian and 

 Acadian famihes, who have recently established them- 

 selves there and formed a settlement on the coast. In the 

 rear of Natashquan, the forest timber is of fair dimensions 

 a few miles from the chilling salt winds of the sea. The 

 soil about tlie harbour is pure sand, but, Avhen manured 

 with fish or their oflal, yields excellent crops of potatoes 

 and cabbages. Wild peas and vetches groAV in abundance 

 a httle distance from the shore, affording natural pasturage 

 for cattle. Close to the sea-shore there are vast numbers 

 of low dunes, thrown up by the waves. If a hole is dug 

 in these dunes, fresh water is immediately obtained ; in 

 passing through sucli a body of sand, by upward filtration 

 probably, the whole of the salt is retained. Several small 

 wells, not more than fifty or sLxty feet from the highest 

 sea margin, always supply the people of Katashquan with 

 pure water. In fact, every fisherman can have his well 



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