42 THE MAGDALENE ISLANDS — PATTERSON. 



2,202, and in 1860 had increased to 2,(351. By the last census 

 they numbered 4,810 and may now be estimated at 5,000. Dur- 

 ing the present century a number of English-speaking and Pro- 

 testant settlers have taken up their abode here. These were 

 principally from P. E. Island and the counties of Pictou and 

 81ielburne in Nova Scotia. From time to time persons wrecked 

 here have chosen to make it the place of their permanent abode. 

 Of such I found English, Scotch, Welsh and Jerseymen. In 

 these ways there has been formed an English-speaking popula- 

 tion of over 500 souls. 



Before, however, referring more particular!}- to the people and 

 their industries, we must give a particular account of the islands. 

 The first which meets the eye of the voyager approaching either 

 from the south or east is Entry, so named because it stands as a 

 sentinel at the entrance of Pleasant Bay. Its appearance as you 

 draw near is somewhat striking. On the north-eastern side 

 conical hills rise high above the surrounding waters, one being 

 580 feet high, and the highest point on the group, while another 

 known as Pig Hill is only 50 feet lower. On this side the sea 

 has so cut in upon it that the cliffs are of a height of 300 and 

 350 and in one place 400 feet in height. Curiously enough they 

 actually overhang the sea, which has undermined them, and will 

 continue to do so, till the weight of the overhanging mass brings 

 it down with a crash. Toward the south-west, however, the 

 land slopes to the shore. This island is about two miles long, 

 being pentagonal or somewhat circular in shaj)e, but seldom can 

 as much varietj' of scenery be found in the same space. These 

 hills, and they are but hills, rising abruptly from so small an 

 area, and from their steepness looking higher than they are, give 

 the impression of a rugged and mountainous region. From these 

 radiate miniature gorges and dells, thicklj' overgrown with 

 bushes, mostly of scrubby spruce, and terminating except on the 

 land-ward side in the inaofnificent cliffs mentioned, which we now 

 see to be scarped and sculptured into various fantastic shapes. 

 In one place the rocks stand in the form of huge rugged 

 columns, to which have been given the name of the Old Ma:i 

 and Old Woman. At another a portion of about an acre in ex- 



