400 CAPE BRETON.

and Harbour, which are separated from the principal entrance to Bras d’Or, by the high peninsula of Cape Dauphin. This bay is ten miles deep, to the narrows, which lead to a safe and capacious harbour, eight miles in extreme length, and three in its most extreme breadth, but not more than one in some places. It has excellent anchorage, water sufficiently deep for the largest ships, and the high lands which surround the harbour and its narrow entrance, protect it from all Winds. This place, formerly called Port Dauphin, was first chosen by France in preference to Louis- burg; but In consequence of the latter opening imme- diately to the ocean, it was fixed upon, and the for- mer abandoned. The beauty of St Anne’s Harbour, branching into two principal arms, and several coves and creeks, and the bold, yet fertile features of its scenery, must be admired by all who visit the place. It remained, after the conquest of Cape Breton, long unsettled. A few families planted themselves on the south side, near the entrance, more than twenty years ago; and within the last twelve years, the lands abutting on the harbour and rivers have all been granted to Scotch emigrants, who have made greater improvements than any settlers on the island.

Bras d’Or (Golden Arm) inlet enters Cape Breton a few miles n01 th of Sydney, and penetrates the island for about fifty miles. It branchesjiii its course, into numerous bays, rivers, and creeks, also lays open to maritime inteicourse the most valuable lands in the colony. It has two entrances, termed Great and Little Bras d‘Or. The former, leading between Cape