380 CAPE BRETON.

of Cape Breton, was written by a gentleman who was residing in Louisburg during the siege?“ “The French began to fortify this town in 1720. It is built on a neck of land which juts out into the sea south-east of theisland. It is of an oblong figure, and nearly a league in circumference. The streets are wide and regular; and near the principal fort and citadel, there is a handsome parade. To the north of the town there are three gates, and a spa- cious quay. They have likewise constructed a kind of bridges, called in French calles, (wharfs,) which project considerably into the sea, and are extremely convenient for loading and unloading goods.

“ The fortifications consist of two bastions, called the King’s and Queen’s, and two demi-bastions, dis- tinguished by the names of Dauphin and Princess. These two out-works are commanded by several emi- nences. The houses are almost all of wood; the stone ones have been built at the king’s expense, and are designed for the accommodation of the troops and officers. When the English were masters of the town, in 1745, they built very considerable caserns. The French transplanted the materials of their stone buildings, as well as their other works, from Europe.

“ There is hardly a settlement that has been attended with more expense to the French nation than this of Louisburg. It is certain that they have laid out above thirty millions of livres ; and so cogent.

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i ‘* Genuine Letters and Memoirs relating to the Natural, Civil, and Commercial History of the Islands of Cape Breton and St John, by an. impartial Frenchman. English translation. London, 1761.