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between Sophiasburgh and Marysburgh, which empties itself into a bay of lake Ontario.

There is an island in the bay between Sophiasburgh and Thurlow, and between Killikokin Point and Point Oubesuoutegongs, of about seven miles long.

Isle de Quinté, now called Nicholas Island, lies off Ameliasburgh in lake Ontario; and off Pointe Traverse in Marysburgh, are the Duck islands. In the deep bay between Point Traverse and Point Pleasant, are Orphan island and Isle du Chêne.

The river Trent, which falls into the head of the bay of Quintê, not only leads off the waters of the Rice lake, but of a chain of lakes between it and lake Simcoe; a few miles up the river, on the south side, are salt springs.

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The fertility of the soil about the bay of Quinté is generally allowed; the land is rich, easily worked, and produces several crops without manure; twenty-five bushels of wheat are often produced from an acre; the timber is much like that of the other parts of the province, oak, elm, hickory, maple, &c. The bay is narrow throughout, and upwards of fifty miles long, all which distance it is navigable for those small vessels that are used on the lakes.

An apparent tide is frequently noticed in the bay of Quinté, not dissimilar to those observed in some of the upper lakes. The bay abounds with wild fowl, and fish of various kinds; the river Trent affords a salmon fishery,

In passing from the head of the bay of Quinté into lake Ontario, you cross a very short portage in front of the township of Murray, being the isthmus between it and the peninsula of Prince Edward; at the end of the portage, and before you enter lake Ontario, is a small lake, exceedingly beautiful, and the land on its banks extremely good to the northward of this portage it is proposed to make a canal, to connect the waters of the bay with those of the lake. The circumstance of two small streams rising near each other, and running different ways, seems to point out the facility of the measure. The cut, which Campbell (in his Notes on the Political Survey of Great Britain) calls Earl Gower's canal, seems to be well suited to this country, where labour bears so high a price, and where the rooting up of immense trees is so great a difficulty to encounter.

A little to the westward of the portage and proposed canal, is the harbour of Newcastle, a situation well suited for commerce and protection, and sheltered from all winds; a knoll on the peninsula affords a healthy site for the town.

After leaving Murray, in going to the westward along the shore of lake Ontario, you pass the townships of Cramahé, Haldimand, and Hamilton; and arriving at the township of Hope, you find excellent mills; from thence there is a portage to the Rice lake.

You then pass by the fronts of Clarke, Darling. ton, and Whitby; and coming to Pickering, you

meet with an excellent salmon and sturgeon fishery, at a river called Duffin's Creek, which is generally open, and large enough to receive boats at most seasons of the year.

After leaving the township of Pickering, you pass under the high lands of Scarborough, and arrive at the township of York.

All the townships on the north side of the lake are well watered by small streams, at the mouths of which are ponds, and low land capable of being drained and converted into meadows. In the rear of the township of Murray, is the township of Seymour; in the rear of Cramahé, is Percy; and in the rear of Haldimand, is Alnwick.

The river Nen empties itself into lake Ontario, in the township of Pickering, east of the Scarborough heights; it runs from a considerable distance in the country through Scarborough, Markham, &c. crossing the Yonge-street, and apparently rising in the vicinity of one of the branches of Holland's river; with which it will probably, at some future period, be connected by a canal. This river abounds with fish; at its embouchure are good intervals for meadow ground, and it is the back communication from German settlement in Markham to lake Ontario..

York, which is, at present, the seat of government of Upper Canada, lies in about 43 degrees and 35 minutes north latitude, and is most beautifully situated within an excellent harbour of the same name, made by a long peninsula, which em

braces a bason of water sufficiently large to contain a considerable fleet. It has this advantage over the other ports on lake Ontario, that vessels may ride safely at its entrance during the winter.

On the extremity of the peninsula, which is called Gibraltar Point, are commodious stores and block-houses, which command the entrance to the harbour; on the main land, opposite to the Point, is the garrison, situated on a point made by the harbour and a small rivulet; the barracks, being built on a knoll, are well situated for health, and command a delightful prospect of the lake to the west, and of the harbour to the east. The govern. ment house, is about two miles from the east end of the town, at the entrance of the harbour, and the town is increasing very rapidly. The front of the city, as now laid out, is a mile and a half in length; several handsome squares are projected, particularly one open to the harbour. The river Don empties itself into the harbour a little above the town, running through a marsh, which when drained will afford beautiful and fertile meadows; this has already been effected, in a small degree, which will no doubt encourage further attempts. The long beach, or peninsula, which affords a most delightful ride, is considered so healthy by the Indians, that they resort to it whenever indisposed; and the bridge over the Don being finished, is fre. quented, not only for pleasure, but as the most convenient road to the heights of Scarborough.

The ground which has been prepared for the

the government house, is situated between the city and the river Don, in a beautiful spot, and its vicinity well suited for gardens and a park. The oaks are large, the soil excellent, and watered by various streams; the harbour is well calculated for ship building, and launching of vessels. The Yonge-street, or military way, leading to lake Simcoe, and from thence to Gloucester on lake Huron, commences in the rear of the city. This great communication has been opened to Gwillimbury, 32 miles; and must be the great channel to the north-west, as it is considerably shorter than the circuitous route by the Straits of Niagara and Detroit. The tract of land between Kempenfeldt and Penetengushene bays has been lately purchased from the Indians, and a road is opening, which will enable the North-West Company to transport their furs from lake Huron to York, thereby avoiding the circuitous route of Lake Erie, and the inconvenience of passing along the American fron

tier. Farm lots of 200 acres are laid out on each side of Yonge-street, having a width of a quarter of a mile each on the street: in general the land is excellent, and fit for every purpose of husbandry. After leaving Gwillimbury you enter Holland river, and pass into lake Simcoe, by the head of Cook's bay, to the westward of which are oak plains, where the Indians cultivate corn; and on the east is a tract of good land. A few small islands shew themselves as the lake opens, of which Darling's island, in the eastern part, is the most consider

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