0n Prince Edward Island

CHAPTER XIV.

BELFAST.

This is one of the oldest, largest, most intelligent and prosperous settlements in the province. It is situated in the eastern part of Queens county, and comprises Eldon, Orwell, Point Prim, Belle Creek, Pinette River, Flat River, etc. In 1758, when the island was taken from the French, a few inhabitants were settled in this district; but from that period the land, in a great measure, remained unoccupied till 1803, when, though it had been cleared and culti- vated by the French, it was overgrown again by thickets of young trees, interspersed with grassy glades. In August of 1803, about eight hundred immigrants arrived from the Highlands and islands of Scotland. On their arrival they spread them— selves along the shore, upon the site of an old French village which had been destroyed and aban- doned after the capture of the island by the British forces. These settlers were brought out by the Earl of Selkirk, who remained with them for nearly two months, laying out their lands and getting them settled as comfortably as possible, under the circum- stances. A little more than a year after their settle- ment the Earl returned to the island and stated that with the utmost satisfaction he found that his plans had been followed up with judgment and attention, and that the settlers were then engaged in securing

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