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LETTER V. 



Of the beavers of Canada ; in what they differ 

 > from thofe of Europe ; of their manner of 

 building of the advantage which may accrue 

 to the colony from them -> of the hunting of the 

 beaver and mufk-rat. 



Quebec , March i 3 1721. 



Maddm, 



1 Ought to have fet out within a day or two after 

 writing my lafl letter ; but I am ftill detained 

 for want of a carriage. In the mean-time, I cannot 

 do better than entertain you with an account of the 

 curiofities o£ this country. I mall begin with the 

 mod Angular article of all, that is to fay, the bea- 

 ver. The fpoil of this animal has hitherto been 

 the principal article in the commerce of New France . 

 It is itfelf one of the greateft wonders in nature, 

 and may very well afford many a linking lellon of 

 induftry, forefight, dexterity, and perfeyerance }n 

 labour. 



The beaver was not, unknown in France before 

 the difcovery of America ; we find in the ancient 

 books of the Hatters of Paris 3 regulations for the 



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