272 Topographical Notices. 



a continued i*ange, from five to seven hundred feet in 

 lieight, and shutting out all further appearance of fertility 

 on the north shore, as far as 1 ascended, fifty miles above 

 this point. The Upper Canada shore also, along this space, 

 has a very discouraging aspect, being generally composed 

 of pine-timbered ridges, fifty to a hundred feet high, 

 evidently of a sterile nature, which, however, on the 

 greater part of the distance, do not continue far into the 

 country, as I shall have occasion to remark immediately. 



The scenery of the Ottawa, now becomes very striking 5 

 the tourist, at least, will little regret the want of fertile 

 coasts amidst the succession of romantic views, which 

 every mile of the river presents along these high lands. — 

 Fi'om a hill about five or six hundred feet in height, at the 

 foot of the Deep river, is a prospect, which 1 have nowhere 

 seen surpassed. The portion of the Ottawa within view 

 is, perhaps, the most remarkable and beautiful in its whole 

 course. To the right is the Deep river, extentling upwards 

 of twenty miles along the base of the heights, in the 

 straightest possible course, and yet lined with the most 

 uneven succession of rugged points. To the left, is thewliole 

 of the spacious winding of the upper lake des Allumettcs, 

 Avith its numerous islands, and a part also of the lower lake, 

 is visible beyond the great island. Several smaller lakes are 

 seen on both sides of the river, and among the rest, one 

 singularly situated half way up the hill from which the 

 prospect is obtained. 



The view south and westward, into the country we were 

 about to penetrate, is also very extensive, and was of course, 

 peculiarly acceptable ; though the elevation was not suffi- 

 cient to enable us to trace the waters very far amidst the 

 forest. A very good idea, however, is here obtained of 



