ACADIAN FRENCH. 409

Contented to exist as their progenitors did, they seem careless about living in a more comfortable, cleanly, and respectable style. It is, however, satisfactory :1 and pleasing to know, that neither beggary, nor the 2 want of necessary food and clothing, can be discovered 9

on the island.*

‘Vith few exceptions, the general characteristics of the people are honesty and hospitality; but many of the inhabitants about the Gut of Canseau, and a few in the vicinity of the North Cape, are considered as infamous characters as any Who exist unpunished. These were probably the most worthless people in the countries from whence they came; and, living in this colony, until the last few years, almost Without the limits of justice, their principles have not likely undergone a favourable change. ,

Agriculture, generally speaking, is in a most slo- venly and barbarous condition. The inhabitants, it is true, within the Bras d’Or, and at a few places

along the gulf ShOI’P, subsist principally by cultivating the soil, and rearing cattle and sheep ; but wherever

there are harbours for fishing or exporting timber, the farmers soon acquire the propensity, so common in America, of dabbling in pursuits unconnected with agriculture, such as fishing, hewing timber, building schooners, &c.

The Acadian French leave the cultivation of the soil, in a great measure, to the management of their wives, daughters, and younger sons. The quality of the soil in most places where they are settled, except at

4* Note B.