SABLE ISLAND—-MACDONALD. 277 
A few months ago, in company with Mr. John Woodworth, of 
Grand Pre, I traversed the shelving beach off Long Island, 
which is bared at low water for ? of a mile. From the channel 
to the shore we traced stumps and roots of forest trees, some of 
which would be eovered at high water to a depth of 45 feet. 
Now, startling as this may appear to many, it is strictly in 
accordance with the geological changes that have taken place in 
all past ages. 
This rising and falling of the bosom of mother earth tells of 
life within. 
Sometimes she heaves a sigh and we record an earthquake. 
And when those movements cease and she assumes the condition 
of a dead planet, as the moon is thought to be, we, her children, 
will also cease to live. But I digress. 
This off shore accumulation, having partaken of the upward 
movement at the close of the Champlain period, would also in 
sympathy with the coast partake of the subsidence now in pro- 
gress. 
This, aided by the leveling effect of waves and currents, would 
soon reduce it to the condition we now find it, with its summit 
alone above the water. 
The rapidity with which it has reached its present condition 
can be judged by the changes that have occurred in the outline 
and area of this island since its discovery, to some of which I 
will turn your attention. ; 
It is evident from the familiar manner in which those early 
navigators resorted to this place, it had a much greater area and 
importance without the dangerous surroundings it has to-day. 
In 1560 Baron de Leroy arrived on the coast and finding it 
too late to get his colony under cover before winter would over- 
take him decides on returning, but first placing his cattle on 
Sable Island and sails thither. In 1598 Marquis De la Roche 
reached Cape Breton with his convict colonists, and fearing they 
would escape if left on the mainland prefers trying Sable Island, 
and heads his vessel accordingly. 
Five years after the King of France sends for De la Roche’s 
-pilot and orders him to proceed to Sable Island and_ bring back 
the convicts. 
