464 



afloat. From the line of La Vacherie, which 

 in fact is the western extremity of St. Roch's 

 suburb, the beach up to the bridge on either 

 side of the channel is generally used as timber- 

 groundsj and provided with extensive booms, 

 &c. The bed of the St. Charles is flat; at low- 

 water the two channels are narrow, winding, 

 and frequently divided by wide spreading shoals 

 of sand or mud ; when the tide is out, the water 

 in them varies from eight to twenty-seven 

 inches, but at full flood the average is from two 

 to two fathoms and a half. Dorchester bridge is 

 six hundred and sixty feet in length, by twenty- 

 seven in width, built entirely of wood, and 

 supported upon piers of the same materials; 

 its elevation is fifteen feet above high-water. 

 From hence to the city the distance is about 

 a mile, and the road, particularly during the 

 summer-time, is much frequented. The pros- 

 pect on every side from the bridge is agree- 

 able and pleasing; the town, suburbs, and 

 the Cape, are seen to great advantage. It 

 is always kept in good repair, although the 

 toll is frequently avoided by passengers going 

 along the beach at low water : in winter 

 time, as soon as a solid track can be made 

 upon the ice, this evasion is almost general. 

 On each side of the river, below the bridge, 

 besides the established dock-yards, there are^ 



