443 



and four hundred and thirty-six broad, is en- 

 circled by a lofty stone wall, and, with the 

 exception of a space allotted to the court-yard, 

 is laid out in fine productive gardens. This 

 institution, for the purpose of extending the be- 

 nefits of a careful and religious education to the 

 females of the colony, owes its foundation in 

 the year iGSQn to Madame de laPeltrie, a lady 

 residing in France : it consists of a superieure. 

 La Reverende Mere Sainte Ursule, (Margue«- 

 rite Marchand), and forty-five nuns, who are 

 employed in the instruction of the pupils in 

 the most useful branches of knowledge, besides 

 embroidery, fine work, and other female ac- 

 complishments. The religieuses live very re^ 

 cluse, and are more rigid in their manner than 

 any other in the province. The landed pro- 

 perty of the institution is not very great, but 

 the industry of the sisters is incessant, and the 

 profits arising from it are all placed to the ge- 

 neral stock, which thereby is rendered suf- 

 ficiently ample : their embroidery is highly 

 esteemed, particularly for ecclesiastical vest- 

 ments, and church ornaments; their fancy- 

 works are so much admired, that some of them 

 obtain considerable prices; the produce of 

 their gardens, beyond their own consumption^ 

 also serves to increase the revenue of the com- 

 munity. The building is exceedingly neaty 



