148 APPENDIX. 



been scooped by glaciers, -which have also formed the North West Arm, and 

 largely denuded the rocks and excavated the depths along the western shore 

 of the harbour. 



From Ashbourne a walk of half a mile through the forest led to the Natur- 

 alist's grave. It is a quiet spot on a rising ground in view of the surrounding 

 landscape, covered with a young growth of birch and other deciduous 

 trees — just such a place as a philosopher might be expected to select for his 

 last repose. Here all around " the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep," — the 

 Dutch and German emigrants, who more than a century ago, settled at this 

 place, which was called after their name. A wooden railing, fast going to 

 decay, marks the grave of the " Philosopher of the Dutch village." The party 

 encircled it, and with bared heads listened to the interesting recital by the 

 President, of the biography with which he had been furnished. At its close, 

 anecdotes and reminiscences of the departed wex^e conjured out of the past, 

 and related by those who had known him and admired his talents and unob- 

 trusive virtues. It would be an act of grace, while the remembrance of the 

 man lingers among the present generation, to erect a more befitting monument 

 to one who may be truly regarded as a pioneer of civilization and science in 

 Nova Scotia. 



This tribute rendered to departed worth, the journey was made to 

 the top of Geizer's hill, the highest ground in the vicinity, from which 

 there is an extended view of the country that amply compensates the fatigue 

 of the ascent. Geizer's hill is nearly of the same elevation as that on which 

 the citadel stands, and which it pretty well commands. It is composed of 

 metamorphosed slate and quartzite,much disturbed, with granite boulders inter- 

 spersed — the compactness of the rock, and probably its elevation, preventing 

 the erosion which has evidently befallen the land for some distance on either 

 side. The retreat of the glaciers however, must have left a considerable deposit 

 of clay and drift, and this impregnated in the lapse of time with granitic and 

 slaty detritus and decomposed vegetation, has in some places produced a fertile 

 soil, which at this height appears to reward the labour of its cultivators. 



The land at a short distance from the hill inclines with a gradual descent 

 to the chain of lakes which skirt the Margaret's bay road. Byers' lake, the 

 next requirement of the programme, is about a mile distant in a north-westerly 

 direction. Just however as it came in sight, after a hard scramble through 

 bushes and over interminable boulders, it became the unanimous opinion, — 

 taking into consideration the Intense heat, and the exertion required to over- 

 come the difficulty of the way, and the little of interest that might be expected 

 when the goal was reached, — that it would be wise to retrace the route. The 

 main body accordingly returned to Ashbourne, where they were soon after 

 joined by stragglers who had taken another direction, but eventually had ar- 

 rived at a similar conclusion. The extreme heat and toil had told more or less 

 upon all, but all were in excellent humour, and in half an hour were well pre- 

 pared, with sharpened appetites, to discuss the ample repast prepared by their 

 worthy entertainer. 



An excellent dinner was served under the trees, in a hardwood strove a 



