■■■-'--. ■*-' [ 371 ] BOOK V. CAPE BRETON . i * CHAPTER I. Geographical Situation—Configuration and General Description—Sketch of . its History. is bounded on the south and east by the , and on the north and north¬ west by the Gulf of Lawrence. The Gut of Canseau separates it on the west from Nova Scotia , and forms also a deep and safe passage into the gulf; to which, however, the principal entrance, 57 miles in width, is between , in Newfoundland , and the north cape of . The aspect of is romantic and moun¬ tainous. The coast, washed by the Gulf of Law¬ rence, is of dangerous access, and without harbours,, and its iron-faced cliffs are high, and in many places pei'pendicular. On the , the shores are broken and rugged,but indented with numerous harbours and bays. A vast inlet, named the Bras d'Or, entering by two narrow passages, and afterwards spreading into