28 



the general description of the country is also 

 mountainous ; notwithstanding which, in many 

 parts of the district, particularly the latter, 

 there is a considerable portion of excellent 

 land, well settled, and containing a population 

 of 3000 inhabitants, most of whom being em- 

 ployed in fisheries, unfortunately pay but little 

 attention to the important duties of cultivation, 

 that, from situation and other advantages, 

 would soon become as productive to them, at 

 all events, as the labours they now pursue. 

 On the north side of the Saint Lawrence, and 

 from the river St. John, the eastern extremity 

 of Lower Canada, a ridge of heights takes a 

 course parallel with and close to it, or rather, 

 in most parts forms its shores as far up as 

 Cape Tourment, where, taking a direction west 

 south-west, it ends upon the Ottawa river 

 about 38 leagues above its confluence with 

 the St. Lawrence, enclosing within it and the 

 two rivers a beautifully picturesque country, 

 well watered and level, particularly so from 

 Deschambault westward, which, in respect to 

 population, good cultivation, and a generous 

 soil, especially along the course of the river, 

 must be considered as the best part of the pro- 

 vince. On the north side of the ridge just 

 described lies the remaining part of Lower 

 Canada, yet unnoticed, and which is contained 



