The Mira River district, 
     
     half—way down the coast towards 
     
     Louisbourg, abounds in picturesque 
     
     views; and a journey over the 
     
     beautiful river, with its remarkable 
     
     clear water, is a veritable treat. 
     
     An old French shipyard was once ‘ 
     
     here, some remains of which are . 
     
     still visible; and the hulls of many small craft may‘be seen below 
     
     water. The course leads through a ravine that is sheltered from the 
     
     sun for most of the day, the coves and small headlands of which give 
     
     many pretty views. Pleasant fishing streams and brooks empty them- 
     
     selves along the course of the Mira River, and numerous evidences 
     
     of the early French days are seen as the upper waters are reached. 
     
     Pleasant islands, also, vary the way, some of them in picturesque 
     
     clusters. A number of inviting-looking bays and several villages 
     
     are passed, and as Marion Bridge is gained the country becomes more 
     
     hilly and varied. Salmon River, which empties into the Mira, is a 
     
     favorite fishing stream, and, in addition, it offers many beautiful 
     
     views. Near the head of Mira River is Victoria Bridge, from which 
     
     pleasant drives may be taken to Gaberouse on the bay of that name, 
     
     to Framboise, and to Fourché, all quiet fishing villages remote from 
     
     travel highways, and on that account interesting to see. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     When the Treaty of Utrecht gave France the right to hold and 
     
     fortify Cape Breton, the name of the Island became I.’Isle Royale, and 
     
     choice of a place was soon made for the erection of a stronghold or“ 
     
     fortress to maintain possession of this commanding approach to her 
     
     vast inland territory. Havre a l’Anglois was the place selected, 
     
     and its name was changed to Louisbourg in honor of the French 
     
     monarch of that time, Louis XIV. The history of this interesting 
     
     place was for many years the history of the whole island. 
     
    
   
   
    
     \Vork on the fortifications of Louisbourg was commenced in 
     
     the. early part of the eighteenth century. It continued for over 
     
     twenty years, and the whole defensive system was planned by Vauban, 
     
     the great French engineer. 80 strong was the place made that it 
     
     became known as the Dunkirk of America. Towards the middle of 
     
     the century the population of Louisbourg had increased to 4000, 
     
     and it was rapidly becoming a place of great importance Islands 
     
     in the harbor were strongly fortified to command the water approach, 
     
     while on the land the solid fortification walls, over ten feet thick 
     
    
   
   
    
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