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flows into the St. Lawrence, near Descham- 

 bault. The banks on each side are high, and 

 verj well w^ooded ; the stream is precipitated 

 through so man 3^ rapids and along a broken 

 rocky bed with such violence, as to render it 

 impassable for any sort of boat, however light. 

 At the entrance into the river from the St. 

 Lawrence the land, for a short space, is 

 low, and extremely well cultivated on each 

 side. At a small distance up, on the western 

 side, are the valuable grist and saw-mills be- 

 longing to Messrs. Coltman and Co., most con- 

 veniently and agreeably situated in a hollow 

 near the main road, from whence the ground 

 rises almost in form of an amphitheatre ; on 

 the gentle acclivities there are several fine set- 

 tlements, and many good houses dispersed, 

 that greatly enliven a prospect naturally beau- 

 tiful. From the mills the exportation of flour 

 is very great, and with the shipments of timber 

 almost continually carried on, the place gene- 

 rally presents a bustling scene of business : 

 the mercantile concerns of the proprietors 

 being very extensive, they have been induced 

 to establish a depot here for the collection of 

 all sorts of timber for exportation ; and it is no 

 uncommon thing to see almost a small fleet of 

 vessels of various classes lying at anchor off 

 the mouth of the River Portneuf, receiving 



