( 26 3 ) 



upon a tree, on that they chufe to perch, and fit in 

 fuch a manner, that the moft inexperienced gunner 

 can hardly fail of bringing down at leaft half a do- 

 zen at a fingle (hot. Means have likewife been 

 found of catching many of them alive ; they are fed 

 till the firft fetting in of the frofts, then killed, and 

 thrown into the ftore-room, where they are preferr- 

 ed all the winter. 



Thus it appears, Madam, that every one here is 

 pofTeffed of the necefTaries of life ; but there is little 

 paid to the King ; the inhabitant is not acquainted 

 with taxes ; bread is cheap ; fifli and flefh are not 

 dear ; but wine, fluffs, and all French commodities 

 are very expenflve. Gentlemen, and thofe officers 

 who have nothing but their pay, and are befides 

 encumbered with families, have the greater!: reafon 

 to complaim. The women have a great deal of fpi- 

 rit and good nature, are extremely agreeable, and 

 excellent breeders ; and thefe good qualities are for 

 the moft part all the fortune they bring their huf- 

 bands ; but God has bleffed the marriages in this 

 country in the fame manner he formerly bleffed 

 thofe of the Patriarchs. In order to fupport fuch 

 numerous families, they ought likewife to lead the 

 lives of Patriarchs, but the time for this is pad. 

 There are a greater number of nobleffe in New 

 France than in all the other colonies put together. 



The king maintains here eight and twenty com- 

 panies of marines, and three etats majors. Many 

 families havsbeen ennobled here, and there ftill re- 

 main feveral officers of the regiment of Corignan- 

 Salieres, who have peopled this country with gentle- 

 men who are not in extraordinary good circumftan- 

 ces, and would be ftill lefs fo, were not commerce 



R 4 allowed 



