ships, brigs and schooners, with cargoes. were all sold at auction! But better days have come, and peaceful commerce now prevails.

The Indian name for the water approach to Halifax was Chebucto, the meaning of which is ” greatest of havens.” The old name was well given, for it is undoubtedly one of the world’s great harbors. The settlement received its present name about the middle of the eighteenth century, in compliment to Lord Halifax, the sponsor being Cornwallis.

The founding of Halifax was attended with great difficulties owing to the hostility of the French and their lndian allies. The original settlers came from England and the New England colonies, as well as from Louisbourg when it was given 111) to the French by treaty. At that time the woods ran to the water's edge, and every foot of ground where 110w stands the city had to be carved out of the forest. Boards and squared timber were brought from Boston to build the first shelters.

Some twenty years after the settlement was showing signs of a steady growth considerable excitement was caused by the arrival of 600 Maroons who had been transported from Jamaica for parti- cipation in a rebellion against the authorities of that island. They caused much trouble, and showed a general unwillingness to work or do anything useful. At first this did not show strongly, and work was done by them on that part of the fortififation known as the Maroon Bastion. But later they became disaffected and troublesome. One complained that he had to work his farm to get food. Another objected because yams, bananas and cocoa would not grow in Nova Scotia. A third was angry because there were no wild hogs to hunt. Instead of being a help to the Colony, they were an encumbrance; and troops had to be detailed to keep guard and prevent an outbreak.

Their life was altogether foreign to the country in which they found themselves, and their customs could not be. grafted on the tree of Nova Scotian life. They became dissipated, and the only work they would do was to hunt or fish. They were polygamous; they buried their dead with unheard of rites in the hollows of the rocks, provided rum, pipe, tobacco and two days‘ rations, and thus sent off the ghost of the departed for his journey to the undiscovered land.

Fortunately at this time a place was found for them in Sierra Leone in the land from which they had originated, and greatly to the relief of Sir John VVentworth, the governor at that time, they departed, accompanied by general rejoicings of all in Halifax.

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