288 PRINCE EDWARD ISEAND. of this place, during his residence on the island; and since then, the family of the late General Fanning have by some means obtained a grant of this valuable tract.* During the summer and autumn months, the view from Charlotte Town is highly interesting. The blue mountains of Nova Scotia appearing in the distance; a long vista of the sea, through the entrance of the harbour, forming, with the basin, and part of Elliot, York , and Hillsborough rivers, a fine branching sheet of water; and the distant farms, partial clearings, grassy glades, intermingled with trees of various kinds, but chiefly the birch, beech, maple, and spruce fir, combine to form a landscape that would please even the most scrupulous of picturesque tourists. No part of the island could have been more judi¬ ciously selected for its metropolis, than that which has been chosen for Charlotte Town ; it being situa¬ ted almost in the centre of the country, and of easy access, either by water, or by the different roads lead¬ ing to it from the settlements. * There has been much said about the claim of right to this property ; and a wish not to hurt the feelings of private individuals prevents me from detailing particulars contained in original docu¬ ments which I possess. I will, however, assert, that no grant of this property was made to M. de Calonne ; but I believe he was offered it as an asylum for himself and a number of French refugees. He had, however, too much ambition to retreat like a hermit from the great world; and his grand purpose at the time, was to plan and effect a counter revolution in France . I have by me several letters written by his brother the Abbe, while on the island, to official persons there at the same time, which throw much light on this subject.