COMMERCE AND SHIPPING OF CAPE BRETON ISLE. 351

Since the chapter on Cape Breton went to press, I have received the following details of the trade of that island; the London Custom House documents, from which I have copied them, do not contain any returns for 1834.

Chief Exports from the Port of Sydney Cape Breton.

Total.. 667 53305 2593 752 56396 2700 591 42661 2010 656 47741 2177

The trade in coal is rapidly increasing at Cape Breton, as also at the port of Pictou; for an account of which, see the Nova Scotia Mining Company's proceedings in the Appendix.

* Mds. signifies 1000 feet.

RELIGIONS IN NOVA SCOTIA.

353

RELIGION.-The established Church is Episcopalian; the number of people of different religions at the last census were -Church of England, 28,659; do. Scotland, 37,227; do. of Rome, 20,401; of Methodists, 9,408; Baptists, 19,790; Lutherans, 2,968; Dissenters from the established Church, 4417; do. of Scotland, 405. Quakers, 158; Jews, 3; Universalists, 51; Sandimanians, 23; Swedenborgeoins, 3; Antimonians, 9; Unitarians, 4; Doubtful, 313. The foregoing

does not include Cape Breton.

The established Church is under the management of a Bishop, Archdeacon, and 32 clergymen. Of the Church of Scotland there are 12 Ministers. Of the Roman Catholic Church, a Bishop and 14 Priests. There are 19 Wesleyan and 36 Baptist Missionaries.

About 50,000 acres of land have been granted for the support of religion and schools; the Ecclesiastical establishment as supported by the Home Government, and expense thereof from April 1834 to March 1835-Bishop of Nova Scotia (salary 2,0007.) Archdeacon (3007.) President of King's College (507.) Presbyterian Minister (757.)

The different religious communities live in harmony, but the contrast between the salary of the Bishop and that of the Presbyterian clergyman, viz. 2,000l. and 757. has given rise to observations and feelings by no means advantageous to the Protestant Church.

EDUCATION. The provincial legislature, as also many private individuals,* have made strenuous efforts for promoting the blessings of education. By an Act passed in 1811, any settlement consisting of 30 families, raising a sum of not less than 50%. by assessment, after the manner of poor rates, are entitled to 25. from the treasury of the province for the establishment of a school or schools; the returns for the last year will be sufficient to quote as an example of the extent of those schools: I also add the money assessed by private individuals, and the aid granted in conformity to the Act.

I may be pardoned in mentioning one gentleman in particular to whom the rising youth of the colony are so much indebted. I allude to the philanthropic W. Bromley, Esq., late of the 23d regiment.

354

EDUCATION IN EACH COUNTY.-THE PRESS.

School returns for the year ending 30th of November, 1832.

Thus the average number of scholars to inhabitants is 9 in 100. Independent of the foregoing there are 24 grammar schools.

Dalhousie College, at Halifax, is in constitution similar to the University of Edinburgh; it is not yet in full operation. There is a fine Institution called the King's College at Windsor, with regularly educated Professors, &c. the state of which is very creditable to the Colony, as is also the admirable institution of Pictou College.

PRESS. Of this advantageous coadjutor of the schoolmaster, I am unable to give any details; there are eight newspapers in the province, but their present tone and relative circulation I am not cognizant of.

SOCIAL STATE.-Nova Scotia is making rapid progress in social wealth and happiness,-it is no longer dependent on other countries for provisions, which are now indeed become an article of export; its fisheries, to which due attention is now being paid (so far as ministerial neglect of the United States usurpation thereof will permit), contain inexhaustible sources of wealth; while its mines of coal and iron afford boundless streams of wealth. Such is the valuable colony long neglected in England.

* No similar returns from Cape Breton.

CHAPTER IV.

CAPE BRETON AND SABLE ISLANDS.

GEOGRAPHY — AREA-HISTORY-PHYSICAL ASPECT-POPULATION-PRODUCTIONS-GEOLOGY-MINERALOGY, &c.

This singular and valuable island though forming a part of the Government of Nova Scotia, necessarily requires a brief separate description.

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.-Cape Breton is situate between the parallels of 45.27 and 47.5 north latitude, (including Madame, Scatari, Boulardie, St. Paul's, and other minor isles) and 59.38 and 61.50 west longitude:-bounded on the S. and E. by the Atlantic Ocean [distant from Cape Ray in Newfoundland on the E. 57 miles] on the N. and N.W. by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and separated from the adjoining peninsula of Nova Scotia by St. George's Bay, and the strait or gut of Canseau, which is in length about 20 miles, and in breadth one mile; the whole island being in its greatest length from N.E. to S.W. 100 miles, and the greatest breadth from S.E. to N.W. about 80 miles, comprising an area of about 2,000,000 acres exclusive of the surface covered by lakes and rivers.

GENERAL HISTORY.-The island was discovered by Cabot during the voyage mentioned in the 1st Chapter, but whether named by him after Britain, or by its subsequent visitor Verazani (then in the service of France) after Brittany, is not known.* In 1714, a few French fishermen from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland settled on its shores for the convenience of the Cod-fish trade, their residence being principally confined to the summer months, while in winter it was visited by the fur hunters or purchasers of skins from Nova Scotia and other places.

In 1715, Louis XIV. in order to detach Queen Ann of England from her alliance with the united powers of Europe with whom he was contending, offered her Newfoundland,

* While in possession of the French it was called L'Isle Royale. VOL. III.

2 A