142 Our North Land. 



They had with them a number of men-servants to manage the boat 

 in which they made the journey, and two maid-servants to look 

 after the four children. Capt, Sopp had ordered the cabin put in good 

 order, and directed the steward concerning some extra attentions to 

 the dinner, so that everything possible was done to make their visit 

 pleasant. 



The day was exceedingly fine, warm and summer-like; and in 

 the afternoon we all made an excursion to Old Fort Prince of Wales, 

 on Eskimo Point, about two miles distant, and spent several hours 

 among the very interesting ruins of that long-ago deserted post. 



Old Fort Prince of Wales was commenced about 1735, and com- 

 pleted, probably, in 1760, by the Hudson's Bay Company, I suppose 

 to protect their possessions from the French ; but it was not much 

 more than completed when La Perouse captured it, and carried its 

 commandant, Samuel Hearne, a prisoner to France. But for this, 

 and the destruction of the fort, as also that at York, the French 

 Government is said to have paid a good sum at the close of the 

 war. 



It is the old Roman style of fortress, about three hundred and 

 fifty feet square. The outer walls, which are a little over six feet 

 thick, of solid masonry — the face stones being all well dressed — 

 were originally about twenty feet high. They are now somewhat 

 dilapidated, and in places partly broken down, but the present 

 average height is still over sixteen feet. Within, nearly everything 

 has fallen into decay. The walls of the barracks and officers' 

 quarters are still standing; but will not hold out much longer. They 

 have parted every here and there ; many of the stones have tumbled 

 down, and at the ends they are tottering to their fall. The arch 

 over the main entrance has collapsed, and partly fallen into the 

 passage. That portion which still remains in position has assumed 

 a threatening attitude, and the visitor passes under with feelings of 

 insecurity. 



The parapets are well covered with grass, and afford a very 

 pleasant promanade. The inner walls are in a good state of preser- 

 vation, and will stand for centuries to come. From the ramparts 

 one can see a vast stretch of ocean and landscape, and the prospect, 



