56 TOURING QUEBEC AND THE MARITIMES

groups of statues were picturesque with their crowns of foliage.

The pioneer settlers of this section, who were mostly Scotch Catholics, came to the Island in 1803 from Scot- land, mainly from Barra and the Hebrides. A number of the “originals” fought under Wolfe at Louisburg and Quebec; and subsequent to their return to England, came back here for permanent abode, but they never forgot “an gleann ’san robh iad 0g,” and it was with many a sigh of affection that they longed to see their native land once more. ‘

Let’s go, lassie, to the braes 0’ Balquithe'r, Where the blueberries grow ’mang the bonnie Highland

heather; . . Where the deer and the roe lightly bounding togither, Sport the long simmer day on the braes 0’ Balquither.

At 3.00 p.m. as many as could crowd" into the cabin, had the pleasure and privilege of hearing Mrs. McKinney speak on the subject of temperance.

About 5.30 p.m. we entered the ocean, as evidenced by the tide-like wall of water. As we approached Sydney, our Captain told us that we were then directly above the coal mines. They extend as far as three and a half miles from shore, under the ocean. There are sub-oceanic gardens in the mines, where flowers and mushrooms thrive.

Thrill of the coal seam, Buried below!

Tropical forests, Aeons ago!

Approaching the harbour we had a splendid view of The Steel Works, the largest in Canada, and arrived at Sydney in time for evening dinner at Isle Royale Hotel.

Sydney is the eastern terminus of the CanadianNa- tional Railways. The first large settlement was in 1783 and was composed of about 3000 United Empire Loyalists. It was then made a garrison town, and continued to be so