Topographical Notices. 263 



this section of the country, as it tiiidoubtedly forms one of 

 tlie most eligible positions for settlement in this part of 

 Canada. The whole tract to which 1 allude, extending 

 south-westerly from the Ottawa, across the Musk-rat 

 waters to the Bonnechere, and north-westerly from the 

 lake of the C/iafs to that of the upper des Allumettes, may 

 contain from three to four hundred scjuare miles — through- 

 out the whole, limestone is abundant. 



As long, however, as the Chaudiere and the C/uifs rapids 

 continue unimproved, we can only hope to see a slow and 

 partial settlement of the finest townships above these points. 

 The fine navigation of the Chaudiere and Chats lakes, is 

 rendered nearly xniavailablc by these interruptions ; and as 

 to roads, passable ones at least, are hardly known on the 

 Ottawa, {ram Grenville upwards ; a proof how little is to 

 be expected from them towards the settlement of the more 

 interior parts. Had there been no Grand liiver in the 

 country, we should, {)robably by this time, have seen a 

 good main road somewhere near the ground which it 

 occupies ; but as it is, whilst there is a possibility of scram- 

 bling up the rai)i(ls, nobody will trouble their heads about 

 any thing of the kind. 



At the Chaudiere, as before explained, the work of 

 improvement is half completed, or will be so with the first 

 two miles of the Kideau canal. IJoth there and at tbe 

 Cltals^ I am confident that the necessary works will be 

 found renuirkably easy of accomplishment, considering the 

 formidable appearance and actual elevation of the rapids. — 

 In order to obtain the full advantage of these two impruvc- 

 nientK, a plain timber rail-road wouM [)robably be found 

 re<piisiie, from the Portage du Fort to the upper des Allu- 

 mettes lake, which, in addition to the Musk-rat countrv. 



