NOVA SCOTIA AND NEW BRUNSWICK. 259 



of Annapolis, is about 15 miles long, by 10 broad. It is the source 

 of Liverpool river. Chester lake, 20 miles S. E. of Windsor, is about 

 15 miles long, but very narrow. 



Climate.. ..Until within a few years past, the climate of Nova Scotia 

 was supposed to be improving. Since the year 1807 the severity of 

 the winters has however considerably increased. In 1809 the harbour 

 of Halifax was completely closed with ice, a circumstance which had 

 not taken place before, for 20 years. The winters of New Brunswick 

 are very bleak. The springs are late and rainy, but summer while it 

 continues is mild and pleasant. 



Soil and produce. ...Nova Scotia, or New Scotland, till lately, was 

 almost a continued forest; and agriculture, though attempted by the 

 English settlers, made little progress. In many parts, the soil is thin 

 and barren, the corn it produces is of a shrivelled kind, like rye, and 

 the grass intermixed with a cold spongy moss. There are, however, 

 tracts in the peninsula, to the southward, which do not yield to the 

 best land in New England, and, by the industry and exertions of the 

 loyalists from the other provinces, arc now cultivated, fertile and flou- 

 rishing. In general the soil is adapted to the produce of hemp and flax. 

 The timber is extremely proper for ship-building, and produces pitch 

 and tar. Flattering accounts have been given of the improvements 

 making: in the new settlements and bay of Fundy. A great quantity 

 of land has been cleared, which abounds in timber ; and many loads 

 of good masts and spars are shipped from thence annually. 



Animals. ...These provinces are not deficient in the animals of the 

 neighbouring countries, particularly deer, beavers, and otters. Wild 

 fowl, and all manner of game, and many kinds of European fowls and 

 quadrupeds, have, from time to time, been brought into it, and thrive 

 well. At the close of March the fish begin to spawn, when they enter 

 the rivers in such shoals as are incredible. Herrings come up in April, 

 and the sturgeon and salmon in May. But the most valuable appen- 

 dage of New Scotland is the Cape Sable coast, along which is one 

 continued range of cod-fishing banks, navigable rivers, basins, and 

 excellent harbours. 



Population... .The whole population of Nova Scotia, New Bruns- 

 wick, and the islands adjoining, is about 120,000. 



Chief towns. ...The capital of Nova Scotia proper is Halifax, which 

 stands upon Chebucto Bay, very commodiously situated for the fishery, 

 and has a communication with most parts of the province, either by 

 land carriage, the sea, or navigable rivers, with a fine harbour, where 

 a small squadron of ships of war lies during the winter, and in sum- 

 mer puts to sea, under the command of a commodore, for the pro- 

 tection of the fishery. Tlie town has an entrenchment, and is strength- 

 ened with forts of timber. The number of inhabitants is 800C. 



St. John, the capital of New-Brunswick, is situated at the mouth 

 of the river St. John. It contains upwards of 1000 inhabitants. 



Pictou, in the county of Halifax, contains 500 inhabitants. Frede- 

 rickton, the present seat of government in New-Brunswick, is situated 

 on the river St. John, 80 miles from its mouth. 



The other principal towns are Liverpool, Lunenburg, Annapolis, 

 Windsor, Barrington, Argyle, Yarmouth, Digley, Shelburne and Man- 

 chester in Nova Scotia, and St. Andrews in New Brunswick. 



Shelburne and Manchester, formerly among the most considerable 

 towns of Nova Scotia, have lately fallen very much to decay. 



