LONG BRIDGE OF BATHURST. 7 



length. The construction and maintaining of such a 

 bridge, even in an old country, would be considered as 

 a serious undertaking ; but it is only one of numerous 

 similar works which have been executed in this province, 

 for the purpose of improving and facilitating the inter 

 nal communications of the country. On the high ground 

 above the north end of the bridge stands a large Roman 

 Catholic church, and, at a little distance, one belonging 

 to the Church of Scotland both conspicuous objects. 

 On the south side of the harbour is an Episcopal church, 

 smaller, and of less pretensions. The larger churches, 

 and especially the very large Roman Catholic one, are 

 intended for the accommodation of a larger rural, as well 

 as for the smaller town population. 



Among the persons from whom strangers in Bathurst 

 are accustomed to receive attention, Mr Francis Fer 

 guson is one of the most conspicuous ; and I have to 

 confess my obligations to him for much hospitality and 

 kindness. He owns a farm of 500 acres, close to the 

 town of which 130 acres are in cultivation, all well 

 fenced, clean, in good culture, and under crop, besides 

 10 or 12 acres in pasture. This farm presents an illus 

 tration of what I have said, as to the gradual extrusion 

 of the Acadian French. Eight years ago it formed 

 three French farms, on each of which only a little bit 

 was cleared round the site of the settlers house. These 

 farms he bought and consolidated, and, clearing the 

 intervening spaces, has fenced and brought into cultiva 

 tion the continuous breadth of 150 acres, on which his 

 excellent farm-house and buildings are erected. The 

 lower parts of the farm consist of black earth, where 

 cedar-swamps formerly stood, and of rich red clay. The 

 higher parts are more sandy and gravelly the looser 

 debris of the same red rocks from which the red clay of 

 the lower land has been derived. 



Oats, barley, potatoes, and hay are his principal crops. 



