CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

This County is bounded on the north-west by Chiegnecto channel, the Missiguash river, and part of New-Brunswick; on the east by the Straits of Northumberland; on the south-east by the District of Colchester; and on the south by the township of Parrsborough and part of the Bay of Fundy. Previous to the year 1784 (when New-Brunswick was created a separate Government,) the township of Sackville was contained within the limits of this County, but it is now a part of the adjoining Province, and is called Westmoreland. The border line is yet an ideal one, not having been established by actual admeasurement, but its course is so far ascertained, by its practical effects, as to be found productive of the most serious inconveniences. By dividing the farms and allotments of lands, the inhabitants become proprietors in both Provinces, are rendered liable to two jurisdictions, and required to perform duties, and to pay taxes in either Government. Cumberland County contains two townships, Amherst, and Wallace, and a number of settlements not comprised within either, viz. Fort Lawrence, Maccan, Nappan, Minudie, West Chester, Pugwash, Fox Harbour, River Philip, Goose River, &c. Adjoining the boundary line, is Fort Lawrence Settlement, lying between the Missiguash, and the La Planch. On the former river, which is navigable about two miles, there are two thousand acres of dyke land, one half of which is in New-Brunswick; and on the latter river four thousand, one moiety being in this settlement and the other in Amherst. It is unquestionably the most productive part of Nova-Scotia, and not

inferior to any portion of America of the same extent. Here stood the two rival Forts of Beau Sejour and Lawrence, separated from each other by the little stream of Missiguash. The entrenchments erected by the English during the seige of the former place, are still visible; and many traditional anecdotes of the campaign have been handed down to the present generation by the first settlers. Among others it is said that while preparations were making for attacking the Fort, parties of French and English frequently met at the river, and amused themselves by boasting of the probable success of the conflict, of which both seemed to be equally confident; and by making exchanges of bullets, and exacting a promise that they should be returned in the engagement from the mouths of their muskets. This state of hostility has been happily long since exchanged, for one which precludes the possibility of its revival. The descendants of either are now natives of the Country then in dispute, each claiming the protection of the same Government, and both enrolled under one banner. After Beau Sejour was captured, its name was altered to that of Cumberland; and though rebuilt at a subsequent period, it is still designated in the same manner. From the

bastion of the Fort, there is a splendid view, embracing the great Tanteimarr and Missiguash meadows, Baronsfield, Westmoreland, and the Country

at the foot of the Shepody mountains; vast stacks of hay cover these alluvial lands, as far as the eye can reach, and the substantial farm houses, and numerous herds, bespeak the wealth and independence of the Yeomanry. The inhabitants of this

place, as well as the adjoining township of Amherst, are composed of people, who removed from New England before the revolution, of natives of Yorkshire, and of a few families from the North of Ireland, and their descendants.

The township of Amherst originally consisted of fiftythree shares, or rights of five hundred acres each, and contained twenty-six thousand, seven hundred and fifty acres, with allowances for Glebe, School, Minister, and roads. The village of Amherst is in a flourishing condition, and like most other places of the same description in Nova-Scotia, has much increased within the last twenty years. Situated near the isthmus, which separates the waters of the Straits of Northumberland, from those of the Bay of Fundy; it is in some measure connected with the navigation of both, and can, with very nearly the same facility, avail itself of the markets of Miramichi and of St. John. Its exports consist chiefly of the products of its extensive and valuable meadows.— The upland in this township is generally poor, and requires to be well manured, but the marshes are of an excellent quality. On the south side of the Le Planch river, which is the boundary between Amherst and the District of Fort Lawrence, there are besides a great quantity of undrained land, two thousand acres of dyked-marsh, and on the Maccan, Napan, and Tidnish rivers, two thousand more, making the whole quantity in Amherst, four thousand acres.

The township of Amherst is but little elevated above the level of the sea, and from its bleak and north-west aspect, is much exposed to the cold in winter. The inhabitants appear to give a decided

preference to grazing, in their system of agriculture, and keep large herds of cattle. The marshes, although substantially dyked, and in some places well drained, present vast tracts of uncultivated land; which, though susceptible of the highest improvement, are never disturbed by the plough. These extensive meadows are devoted to English hay, and the depasturage of cattle.

Besides these rivers just mentioned, there are several others emptying into the Bay of Chiegnecto, upon which there are extensive tracts of alluvial land, and flourishing settlements. On the Maccan, and Nappan rivers, are to be found many substantial farmers, composed of Yorkshiremen and their descendants, who emigrated to Nova-Scotia, in consequence of encouragement given to them by the late Lieutenant-Governor Francklin. Between the latter and Minudie, is situated the river Hibert, up which the tide flows thirteen miles, enriching it with 1800 acres of excellent marsh land. Minudie is settled by Acadians, the greater part of whom are the descendants of those who escaped the general transportation at Windsor, and who were induced to move thither by Mr. Francklin, and cultivate the ground as tenants. Here they found the wives and children of many of their countrymen, who had been torn from their families, and were thus left destitute of food and cloathing, and deprived of their natural protectors. Only four or five of these people ever rejoined their relations in Cumberland, and of these there are now none surviving. There are about fifty families here, all of whom are tenants. They are a temperate, industrious, and pious people, form

ing a little distinct community, and preserving with remarkable attachment, their language, customs, and religion. The Dyke land, around which they are settled, is fifteen miles in circumference, and about three miles wide, and contains three thousand acres. The upland consists of a strong rich loam. Great quantities of shad are taken at Minudie, in wears erected upon the flats, which are exposed at low water. This delicious fish not only supplies the wants of the inhabitants, but forms a valuable article of export. At a place called the South Joggin in this neighbourhood, are situated extensive and valuable quarries of Grindstones, from which there is annually exported stone to the value of £7,000.

The grindstones, on account of the expence of removing the superincumbent earth, are dug as nearly as possible to low water mark, where the tides have left them exposed to view. But as the combined action of the sea and frost, naturally affect the quality of the upper strata, the best kind are those which lie a few feet from the surface. In cutting the stones the workmen frequently meet with hard rounded nodules, which they call "Bull's eyes," a defect which renders them unfit for use. These vary in size from one to ten inches in diameter, and are distinguished by their compact texture.

Two miles beyond this is a vein of coal, which, under proper management, might supply the demand of St. John, and the villages in the western part of Nova-Scotia. Between Minudie and the boundary line of Parrsborough, which includes the remaining part of the county that borders on the Bay of Fundy, are several inconsiderable coves and