402 



of Desmaure and the lower part of Faussera- 

 bault, though superior in its fertihty and good 

 cultivation. For a distance of nearly two 

 leagues and a half from the St. Lawrence, it is 

 entirely settled, but thence it becomes moun- 

 tainous, with scarcely any part of it under 

 tillage, though many patches appear to be ta- 

 lerably good arable land. The front being thick- 

 ly inhabited has but little timber standing, but 

 further on good beech, maple, and pine are 

 found in plenty. Its general fertility is aided 

 by several little streams that trace a mazy 

 course through it, and flow into the River St. 

 Charles, and also by the lower part of the Ri- 

 viere du Cap Rouge, mentioned in the seigniorj'' 

 of Desmaure, which still preserves its character 

 of being eminently beautiful and picturesque ; 

 it feels the attraction of the ebb tide of the St. 

 Lawrence so strongly, that at low water its bed 

 is nearly dry, and can be crossed with the 

 utmost ease without the assistance of the ferry- 

 boat ; but at high water boats of considerable 

 burthen can enter it and ascend as high as the 

 mill, about three quarters of a mile from the 

 St. Lawrence ; at its mouth is an established 

 ferry where boats and scows are always ready, 

 though, as before observed, they are not always 

 necessary. On the west side of this river, near 

 its discharge, tliere is a gradual slope from the 



