Subsidence of the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia. 

 (Introductory to a paper by Mr. Mcintosh) — By Henry 

 S. Poole, D. Sc, F. G. S. 



(Read 21st December, 1003 j 



When the question of modern subsidence of this country is 

 mooted, reference is invariably made to Louisbourg as a spot 

 where evidence of an undoubted character has been obtained. 

 This view has been accepted, and, so far as is known, remained 

 unchanged for forty years. It is hence entitled to the respect 

 which goes with age, and has to be met, if it can be, by argu- 

 ments as weighty as would be required to establish a simi- 

 lar reputation for a new locality. Yet this is an age when the 

 reverence for traditions saves but few from re-investigation and 

 criticism, and this one regarding Louisbourg, is, I consider, open 

 to such a treatment. 



It appears that the parent source of the statement respecting 

 Louisbourg was a paper by Dr. Abraham Gesner, entitled, 

 " Elevations and Depressions of the Earth in North America." 

 It was published in vol. xvii, page 386, of the Journal of the 

 Geological Society of London, 1861 ; only one hundred years 

 after the second and final fall of the great fortress on which 

 France had spent so many millions of francs to maintain her 

 hold of possessions in North America. Now when a further 

 period nearly half as long has elapsed, we are justified in expect- 

 ing that the evidence that carried conviction to Dr. Gesner 

 forty years ago, would be intensified and be now patent to all 

 observers. On my own part, a casual acquaintance with the 

 old town extending over the life of a generation, has left with 

 me no confirmatory impression, and lately led me to seek for 

 data on which the accepted conclusion has been based. 



Dr. Gesner's remarks were as follows : — " Had Louisbourg 

 continued to exist up to the present time, its abandonment 

 would not have been the less certain ; for the sea now flows 

 within its walls, and overflows sites that were formerly inhab- 



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