Notice of the Peninsula of Michigan. 315 
ants of French descent constitute near a third part. They . 
occupy sections of the shore from Lake Huron to Lake Erie. 
Their farms, adjacent to Lake St. Clair and river Detroit, are 
in narrow zones, commonly less than three acres in breadth, 
and extend back from the shore three miles, with rarely more 
than twenty acres in depth of tillable surface. This strip of ta- 
ble land is elevated from fifteen to thirty feet above the water, 
and generally descends westwardly toa dense wet forest,but in 
open places, extensive swampy meadows occupy the rear of 
the farms. In the soilcultivated, clay predominates, embracing 
calcareous ingredients, Good water is rarely found by sinlr- 
ing wells in these banks of clay. ‘The inhabitantsrely on the . 
Orne lake and passing stream. 
he French are indifferent farmers, but their ungrafted or- 
chards produce much good fruit. The dwellings are plea- 
santly situated near the water, a road intervening, and com- 
mand beautiful lake and river views, bounded to the east by 
the Canadian Peninsula. For upwards of fifty miles, with the 
exception of a few wet uninhabitable tracts, an almost con- 
tinued village is presented. The fences area rude picketing 
of poles. The ride on the banks of Lake St, Clair, and river 
Detroit, is one of the most agreeable in the western region. 
The Canada shore presents a similar range of Freneh occu- 
occupy the margin of the stream in the vicinity of 
The principal street runs on the flat summit parallel to the 
river. It is wide, extensive, and well built. This city is fast 
rising to importance, from the rapid settlement of the interior, 
Its healthy and pleasant site, the depth and safety of its har- 
bour, and its location between great navigable waters, give it 
