43 



ferred so much consequence upon the naval 

 operations in this quarter. Very heavy squalls 

 of wind frequently occur, but they are unat- 

 tended either with difficulty or danger, if met 

 by the usual precautions every seaman is ac- 

 quainted with. Of the many islands at the 

 east end of Ontario, the Grand Isle, lying 

 abreast of Kingston, is the most extensive, and, 

 by being placed at the commencement of the 

 Cataraqui river, forms two channels leading 

 into it, that bear the names of the North, or 

 Kingston Channel, and the South, or Carleton 

 Island Channel. The Cataraqui, from its en- 

 trance to the place called Petit Detroit, about 

 39 miles, is almost filled with one continued 

 cluster of small islands, so numerous, as to 

 have occasioned the general denomination of 

 Milles Isles. The distance between Kingston 

 and Montreal is about 190 miles ; the banks 

 of the river display a scene that cannot fail to ex- 

 cite surprise, when the years which have elapsed 

 since the first settlement of this part of the 

 country (in 1783) are considered ; they embrace 

 all the embelUshments of a numerous popu- 

 lation, fertility, and good cultivation. Well 

 constructed high roads, leading close to each 

 side, with others branching from them into the 

 interior, render communication both easy and 

 expeditious, while the numerous loaded bat- 



