exCVIrE 
Carr BRETON. 
Nova Scorta. 
CuimateE, 
CAP EV*RPR ET ON. NOVAS COT TA: 
ufed for lighting of lamps) than the train-oil, which is ufed by the curriers, 
It is thus made :—They take a half tub, and, boring a hole through the bottom, - 
prefs hard down into it a layer of fpruce boughs ; upon which they place the livers; 
and expofe the whole apparatus to as funny a place as poffible. As the livers cor- 
rupt the oil runs from them, and, ftraining itfelf clear through the fpruce boughs, 
is caught in a veffel fet under the hole in the tub’s bottom.” 
The barren ifland of Cape Breton forms one fide of the great entrance into the 
gulph of St. Laurence. It is high, rocky, and dreary : rich in thick beds of coal, and 
may prove the Newca/fle of America. This ifle was firft difcovered by Sir Humphry. 
Gilbert, in his fatal voyage. It was foon after frequented, om account of the 
Walrufes, and the fifhery of Whales. Among the earlieft adventurers were the 
induftrious Bifcayeners, who feem to have been our mafters in the art. Till of 
late years, it had been important by being the feat of the French fithery ; but the 
ftrong fortrefs of Loui/bourg is now demolifhed, and the place deferted. 
The great peninfula of Nova Scotia is feparated from Cape Breton by a narrow 
ftreight. It was, in 1616, poffefled by the French, who attempted to colonize it 
from their new fettlement in Canada; but they were foon expelled by the Engli/h, 
who deemed it part of North Virginia ; the whole continent, at that time, going 
under the name of Virginias fo called, originally, in honor of our virgin queen. The 
French had given it the name of Acadie. ‘ames 1. made a grant of the country to 
Sir William Alexander in 1621, on condition that he would form there a fettle- 
ment. It then received the title of Nova Scotia. In order to encourage Sir WVil- 
liam, he planned the order of baronets, which is called after the country. To 
every knight who would engage to colonize any part, a grant was to be made 
of certain portions of land. The order was not inftituted till 1625, when a number. 
were created, and they held their lands from the crown of Scotland as a free barony, 
with great privileges to all who would fettle in the country *. The defign almoft 
inftantly failed, and the French were permitted to repoffefs themfelves of the pro- 
vince. Its value became known, and fince that period it has frequently changed 
mafters. It never was effectually fettled till the year 1749, when a large colony 
was fent there under the aufpices of the Earl of Halifax. 
The climate of this province is, during the long winter, extremely fevere; 
and the country covered with fnow many months: the fummer mifty and 
damp. The face of it is in general hilly; but can fcarcely be called moun= 
* Collinss Baronets, iv. 330- 
tanous,.- 
