56 BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES. 



the agricultural capabilities of a country, and its power 

 of supporting a large population. In this latter rela 

 tion, therefore, the inquiry possessed an additional 

 interest to me, which, to those who regard it in its direct 

 economical bearing, it does not possess. 



From the seam of coal on the Coal branch of the 

 Eichibucto, it was stated that some tons of coal had been 

 extracted during the frosts of a past winter, and con 

 veyed away on sledges for the use of some adjoining 

 smithy. We discovered it with difficulty among the 

 rubbish of the crumbling cliff. It had a thickness of 

 twelve to sixteen inches, arid occurred among beds of 

 sandstone and whitish fire-clays. As an economical 

 deposit, it is almost worthless. 



We were accompanied in our exploration through the 

 wood, and by the side of the stream, by one of the old 

 Irish settlers on the Coal Brook ; and on our return were 

 compelled, by the pressing hospitality so often met with, 

 even in the roughest cabins of the Old Country settlers, to 

 partake of a tea-dinner in his house. I here for the first 

 time ate buckwheat pancakes with molasses, which I after 

 wards came to relish much. I learned also to eat boiled 

 eggs with potatoes, instead of bread. When mixed up 

 with a crushed potato, a fresh-boiled egg is really very 

 good, and bread is scarcely missed. Indeed, if the tra 

 veller in New Brunswick is fond of tea and potatoes, he 

 will find them set before him at every meal 5 if he does 

 not relish these two articles of diet, he must either for 

 the present turn his footsteps to some other country, 

 or, to prevent disappointment, carry his own supplies 

 with him. 



After a drive of forty-five miles, we returned to Riehi- 

 bucto just as the twilight was disappearing. We had to 

 hasten our return, that we might pass along certain of 

 the bridges before it became too dark to see, and avoid 

 some of their defective parts. 



