AA stone inscription, dated 1609, was found in an old wall in the Fort at Port Royal, now Annapolis, by the late Judge Halliburton, author of “Sam Slick.” Some fifteen years ago it was in the possession of his son, Mr. R.G. Halliburton, then in Halifax. That gentleman gave it as a loan to the writer to be placed in the Museum of the Canadian Institute. Thus the oldest stone inscription probably in America may be found in Toronto.

BThe readers of Humphrey Clinker may recollect the astonishment of the Duke of Newcastle, the foolish Minister of George II., on hearing that Cape Breton was an island. The story as recorded is worth reproduction: “They [the Ministers] are so ignorant they scarce know a crab from a cauliflower, and then they are such dunces that there is no making them comprehend the plainest proposition. In the beginning of the war this poor, half-witted creature told me, in great fright, that thirty thousand French had marched from Acadia to Cape Breton. ‘Where did they find transports?’ said I. ‘Transports!’ cried he; ‘I tell you they marched by land.’ ‘By land to the Island of Cape Breton?’ ‘What! is Cape Breton an island?’ ‘Certainly.’ ‘Ha! are you sure of that?’ When I pointed it out in the map he examined it earnestly with his spectacles; then, taking me in his arms, ‘My dear C——!’ cried he, ‘you always bring us good news. Egad! I’ll go directly and tell the King that Cape Breton is an island.’”

CThis matter is entered into at length in the writer’s published history of the Intercolonial Railway, 1876, page 102.

DAt the same date in Ottawa the snow usually lies to a depth of two or more feet.

E“We expect to reach Columbia River, opposite Eagle Pass, on foot from Selkirk summit about 10th September. No trail reported from that point on Columbia River to Shuswap Lake. If there is no trail the supplies must be packed through Eagle Pass. We will depend absolutely upon your agent at Kamloops sending a guide, with supplies, to meet us at Columbia River by 10th September. We leave to-day for the mountains. Good-bye.”

FBuffalo rawhide, used for cordage, indeed for nearly every purpose, by Indians and trappers.

IThe latter valley was evidently the one that, judging from its general bearing, would be most likely to afford a pass in the direction wished for. I therefore tried to induce the Indians I had with me by every possible persuasion to accompany me all the way across the Selkirk Range, and make for Wild-Horse Creek. (The Columbia River Indians would, from the first, only engage to go as far as the head waters of the Ille-celle-waet.) All my efforts were, however, unavailing, as they affirmed that if we went on we should be caught in the snow and never get out of the mountains.—Mr. Moberly to Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, 18th Dec., 1855.

JThis meeting was held on October 11th. As a result the Standard Hour system went into force throughout North America on the 18th November following.

KVide Sessional Papers, Province of Canada.

LThe fisheries, only in their infancy, already employ 60,000 men and boys.

MCabot landed on the coast of Labrador 24th June, 1497. Columbus did not see this continent till the following year. He discovered the West India Islands in 1492–3–4.