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130 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
Portage of the Pointe du Bois which is 100 Paces. After two minutes 
paddling we reached the Portage of the Petite Roche when we came to 
the Bottom of the Fall and had the whole before us. This is a most 
magnificent Fall. The River is here divided by Rocks, covered with 
Trees, which it rushes over. The Banks are covered with beautiful 
Birch Trees and Oak. After paddling 5 minutes we came to the Portage 
Brullet? which is 50 Paces over rugged Rocks difficult to pass but such 
is Habit that the Voyageur carries the Canoe and the greatest Weight 
on his Shoulders when one false Step might endanger his Life. This 
Portage is to avoid a small Rapid which would be very fine were it sur- 
rounded by less interesting Neighbours. Such is the Power of Contrast.? 
After passing this Portage we paddled half an Hour when we arrived 
at the Portage de Chute d’Esclave which is 300 Paces through a fine 
Wood along a strong Rapid and Waterfall. The Breadth is not greater 
than 200 Yards but the Banks are high Rocks covered with Pine, the 
Ash, Aspen and the Iron Tree® so called from the Hardness of the Wood. 
At the Foot of this magnificent Fall we dined and a Power of Imagina- 
tion and Description might picture it in the most enchanting Colors. 
Indeed to my Feelings there is something very animating and inspiring 
in the Life of a Voyageur. In Nature’s Wilds all is Independance, all 
your Luxuries and Comforts are within yourself and all that is pleasur- 
able within your own Minds; and after all this is Happiness, if there is 
such a thing in the World, which no Mortal can say. Indeed there is no 
Reasoning on Happiness. Our whole Life is spent in wishing for Some- 
thing which, when we acquire it, often becomes insipid and new Objects 
and new Views crowd upon the Mind producing Dissatisfaction with the 
Present and a Longing or Desire for Something in the Future. 
Our Dinner Table was a hard Rock, no Table Cloth could be cleaner 
and the surrounding Plants and beautiful Flowers sweetening the Board. 
Before us the Waterfall, wild romantic, bold. The River Winnipic here 
impeded by Mountainous Rocks appears to have found a Passage through 
the Rocks and these, as if still disputing the Power of Water, show their 
Heads, adding to the rude Wildness of the Scene, producing Whirlpools, 
Foam loud Noise and chrystal Whiteness beautifully contrasted with 
the Black Pine. This again is softened by the Freshness and rich 
Foliage of the Ash, Maple, Elm, Red Willow and occasionally the Oak 
bringing to the mind England and all the delightful Recollections this 

‘ Roche Brûlée. 
? Henry (Coues) gives the following names: Grande Pointe des Bois, Petite 
Pointe des Bois, Petit Rocher Brulé, Chute à l’Esclave, vol. I., p. 31. 
3 Ostrya Virginica. 
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