[GANONG ] BOUNDARIES OF NEW BRUNSWICK 419 
were laid down; they were simply for the better carrying out of those 
principles. 
Of the eight original counties, none retain exactly their original 
boundaries, though Charlotte retains those of the Act of 1786, with 
the exception that the St. Croix, and not the Scoodic (with its due north 
line), has been the boundary since 1798. The river counties have all 
altered their eastern lines, and Westmorland its western. 
A very notable fact about the original lines from a surveying 
point of view is their practical character. In every case a definite 
starting point is given, such a recognizable spot as a cape, the end of 
an island or the line of an already-marked land grant, and the lines 
are to run thence in a definite compass direction. Such lines are the 
easiest of all to ascertain and run, and the fact that such were chosen 
in 1785 shows that they were established under expert advice. The 
same principles have been followed also in the establishment of the 
later lines. 
Summarizing then the whole subject of the establishment of our 
county lines, we must concede that they were planned with admir- 
able foresight, and have proven practically very convenient. It is 
true the irregular appearance of the lines upon the map strikes one 
at first unfavourably, and much merriment is at times made over this 
peculiarity. Some thoughtless complaint, too, is occasionally heard, 
coupled with suggestions for a change of the system, and one of the 
more important of these suggestions is later to be noticed. But, for 
the irregularity, the topography of the province, and not the designer 
of its county lines, is to blame. Men are more prone to notice the 
faults than the merits of a system; let us not forget the merits in this 
case. We can hardly doubt that Governor Carleton had much to do 
with the establishment of the lines, if indeed, he was not its chief 
author, and this is but one of many advantages, as yet unacknow- 
ledged, which we owe to his wise, even if not strenuous administration. 
The most definite proposition I have been able to find for a change 
in the county boundaries of New Brunswick is embodied on a MS. map 
in the Crown Land office, entitled “ Map Illustrative of a Report on 
Boundaries in the Province of New Brunswick, submitted to His Exy. 
M. General Sir H. Douglas, Bt. by 8. P. Hurd, Surveyor-General, 
1828.” The report I have been unable to find, but the map shows by 
lines and colours a division of New Brunswick into areas, approxi- 
mately reproduced (though with some variations due to the imperfect 
topography of the original) upon the accompanying modern map (Map 
No. 37). It will be noticed that the divisions are made by the rivers, 
connections between which are made along the old Indian portage 
