PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



this the Chippewa Indians inform me is uniformly the case with them every 

 Autumn, to avoid being taken by the Wolves during the deep snow of this neigh- 

 borhood, which is frequently crusted over." This is doubtful, and I do not think 

 it has been confirmed by observation elsewhere in our country. 



The instances ai-e exceedingly rare in which the land surveyor unbends him- 

 self in the letters and journals of Mr. Burwell, and one might suppose that the beauties 

 of landscape and of woodland scenery were unappreciated by him. But over the 

 Huron Tract he grew almost eloquent. "Notwithstanding the fatigues and priva- 

 tions attendant on such a tour," he reports to the Surveyor General, "I have had 

 great pleasure in Surveying the purchase line — the country through which it passes 

 is magnificently fine. The River Menesetunk is about half the size of the Thames. 

 It is a fine River of pure clear water. Its banks afford numerous eligible situa- 

 tions for country seats to the right and left, sufficiently elevated and in variety to 

 add beauty to their appearance, and in general they are easy of access, and the 

 Flats extensive. When you are in possession of the Field Notes, Map, and report 

 of the Survey of the purchase line, and the exploring expedition for the Canada 

 Company in detail you cannot fail to feel a deep interest in this part of the coun- 

 try."* It would lea wonder indeed if a stream of so much picturesque beauty 

 flowed on forever without a poet to write a verse in praise of it. The Menesetung 

 has its singing lover, and although I think his genius has been nurtured overmuch 

 on the metrical version of the Psalms of David, he sings out of the heart with a 

 swelling note and a touch of Robert Burns. + 



Unknown to fame thy waters run. 



Past groves of living green ; 

 And all obscure they gently flow 



Thy leafy banks between ; 

 Thy beauties ne'er have found a voice, 



Thy charms are yet unsung ; 

 Be mine to sing in humble strains 



Thy praise, Menesetung. 



No tumbling torrent roaring down 



Its rocky bed art thou ; 

 Thy peaceful waters murmuring low 



Kiss soft each nodding bough ; 

 The sombre cedars bathe their limbs 



Thy crystal depths among ; 

 And mirror' d hemlocks sigh to thee. 



Oh, fair Menesetung ! 



The dappled trout in many a pool 



Their speckled beauties hide, 

 Or, startled from their shy retreat, 



Swift down thy current glide ; 



- Menesetunk, as the word was written bv Burwell, is stated by him to signify in the Chippewa language a 

 larg-e, open harbor. In .-i private letter to Ridout he says : " The Canada Company have ca led it the Nocton. 

 after an estate of the Father of Ladv Goderich in England, and they have called the mouth of the River Goderich 

 Harbor." Mr. J. C. Bailey, the railway engineer, who is one of the best of our local authorities, writes in reply 

 to an enquiry: "Goderich. or in that neighborhood, was called by the Indians Ma-ne-se-tung. So. it the 

 Maitland rive'r was called after the village -as the rivers generally are— it should have the word • se-be alter 

 it, which means a river, and should then read Ma-ne-se-tung-se-be. Me-nis means an island; Ale-ms-ing, in. at 

 or on an island ; Me-ne-ting, an island in a river ; Me-ne-te-goje-wun, an island in a rapid. At about 25 miles 

 from the starting point of the purchase line survey it is described by Burwell as • a hne Kiver with Islamts. 

 gentle banks, and Stoney bottom." 



t The writer is my associate in the Bureau of Mines, Mr. Thomas W. Gibson, who was born in the village 

 of Wroxeter. on the banks of the Maitland. 



