Franquet Makes Plans 149

structed after a flimsy fashion, examining the condition of the royal stores, and studying in the light of military science the best position for the erection of a fort. Three sites lay in the engineer’s choice, each of them good and capable of being strongly fortified; one, that on which an earth-work yet stands—the other a height on the opposite side of the valley, where in modern times stood the mansion of Ringwood, and a third, an eleva- tion on the same ridge as the first but further inland. Although the last two eminences had each a greater height, than the other, Franquet gave a preference to the first mentioned, because at close range it fully com- manded the entrance to the harbour, and was provided with a plentiful supply of water from a spring on its very summit. The work which he proposed to place on this height was a fort with four bastions, enclosing an area sufficient to contain all the necessary buildings for the accommodation of a garrison of four hundred men, with stores and provisions for two years.

The projected fort was planned in accordance with the newest principles of fortification. The bastions and curtains were to be of solid masonry—brick and stone. Excellent brick clay had been discovered at a short distance from the site where the fort was to be built, and if the Island sandstone was found to be too soft for such a work, it was proposed to import from Isle Roy- ale the same quality of stone as was used in the defences of Louisburg.

To ensure still further the safety of the harbour, a square redoubt was to be erected on the Point a la Framboise, and the Vidette Station on Point de la Flamme strengthened. The redoubt, so far as can be judged from the plan, was not intended to be a tempo-