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INTRODUCTION.

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MERICA is so called from Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine, who published the first account of the country. Discovered by Columbus and Cabot in 1497-8. Other expeditions undertaken by Sir M. Frobisher in 1576; Davis in 1585; Baffin in 1616; and among others in later times, Franklin, Ross, Parry, &c.

The state of England during the reign of James I. produced emigration, and, a new field being open in America, "Cavaliers' flocked thither in thousands. The reign and death of Charles I. led to the same end. The district selected was to the South, and called "Carolina" after Charles. The restoration changed the scene, and now the "Roundheads" sought a new home in New England, to the North, and distinct from that of their fellow-countrymen. Hence, in the late war, we had "Confederates" and "Federals."

About the same time the French formed many settlements northwards, and by and by the English were completely hemmed in and subjected to all sorts of hardships. At length assistance from the mother country was solicited and war was declared between England and France. At the end of seven years the French were completely driven out of North America, with the exception of Louisiana. To pay for the war, taxes were imposed upon the colonists, which they refused to pay, as they considered they had borne their share by raising and maintaining the militia. In 1776, thirteen states united and declared their independence, which, after seven years' warfare, was acknowledged by the mother country. At present that which was colonized by the French belongs to England, and that which was colonized by England is an independent republic.

I.-CANADA.

SITUATION. The most important province of British North America is Canada, which extends from the meridian of 90° W. Long. E. to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and is bounded on the N. and W. by Hudson's Bay Territory; E. Labrador, Gulf of St. Lawrence and New

Brunswick; S. by the great lakes-Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, and by a portion of the river St. Lawrence.

AREA.-360,000 square miles.

POPULATION. -3,000,000. In the eastern portion of the province, people of French descent; in western, chiefly British. There are also various settlements of Germans, Dutch, Norwegians, and Danes.

DIVISIONS.—Previously to the year 1840, Canada was divided by the river Ottawa into two provinces, known as Upper Canada and Lower Canada, each with a separate legislature and capital. In that year, however, the two provinces were united under one Government with a common capital, and they have been since distinguished by the names, Canada West and Canada East, respectively, instead of their former ones. CANADA WEST is divided into sixty counties, each of which is sub-divided into townships. CANADA EAST is divided into forty-two counties, and similarly sub-divided. The principal towns are :-Ottawa, the capital and seat of Government. Montreal, the largest, handsomest, and most commercial city in Canada, stands on the S.E. side of an island of the same name in the St. Lawrence. Quebec, the "Gibraltar of America," and formerly the capital of British America, stands on a small promontory on the left bank of the St. Lawrence. It has a very striking appearance. Toronto, formerly the capital of Upper Canada, N.W. of Lake Ontario. Hamilton, Kingston, London, Three Rivers, and Sherbrooke.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.--The country E. and W. of the river Ottawa, possesses widely different natural features and climate. The E. Province is a nearly uniform plain, with a bold and rocky sea coast. In the country W. of the Ottawa, mountains and forests; rivers, lakes, and cataracts; narrow vales and wide prairies are common. The river St. Lawrence and the chain of magnificent lakes, from which it descends, form the distinguishing feature of Canada. The lakes-the largest fresh-water lakes in the world-lie on a succession of terraces. Superior, the most western, has an elevation of 627 feet, and is connected with Lake Huron (which is 32 feet lower) by the river St. Mary. Lake Huron is connected with Lake Erie (which is 30 feet lower) by the rivers St. Clare and Detroit; and Lake Erie is connected with Ontario (which is 331 feet lower!) by

the river Niagara. The stupendous "Falls of Niagara occur midway between these two lakes. At the N.E. angle of Lake Ontario is the Lake of the Thousand Islands, forming the commencement of the river St. Lawrence. Although so called, the islands, great and small, number 1,600! The river St. Lawrence flows from the E. extremity of Lake Ontario into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Between Lake Ontario and the city of Quebec the river often spreads into lakes of some magnitude, and above Montreal there are numerous rapids.

CLIMATE. In the E. both heat and cold exhibit extremes. Three of the four seasons occur between May and September. The remainder forms the long winter. During several weeks in November and December, snow storms are incessant. The change of seasons takes place with extraordinary rapidity, and then the ice upon the lakes breaks with a terrible noise, resembling the roar of thunder. Sudden changes of temperature are common; yet the climate is healthy. In the W. partly owing to the more S. latitude, and partly to the influence of the great lakes, the climate is less extreme. The winter is shorter, less snow falls, but thunder storms and droughts are frequent.

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HISTORY, &C.-Was discovered by Cabot in 1497, but no steps were taken to secure possession of it. The French made several unsuccessful attempts to colonize New France, as Canada was then called; but at length succeeded in 1608, and laid the foundation of Quebec. The English took Quebec and other French provinces in 1629, but restored them at the Peace in 1632. Thirty years afterwards, large bodies of French emigrants landed in Canada, and about this time the English acquired numerous possessions in that part of America, which now forms the United States. From 1680 to 1760 almost continual warfare was carried on between the English in British America and the French in Canada. In 1759, three distinct bodies of English troops were sent to invade Canada. The army commanded by General Wolfe defeated the French under the walls of Quebec, and the town opened its gates to the English. Montreal capitulated the next year, and the conquest of Canada was completed. In 1763, the whole of the French possessions in that part of America were formally ceded to England. Since that time the Canadians have proved very faithful allies of the mother country.

GOVERNMENT. This is entrusted entirely to Canadians. There is a Governor appointed by the Sovereign of Great Britain, whose representative he is in the colony; and there are besides two bodies corresponding to our two Houses of Parliament, viz., a Legislative Council or Upper House; and a House of Assembly or Lower House. There are five dioceses in Canada, viz., I, Montreal (the Metropolitan See); 2, Quebec; 3, Toronto; 4, Huron; and 5, Ontario.

II. NEW

BRUNSWICK.

BOUNDARIES.-N. Chaleur Bay, E. Gulf of St. Lawrence, S. Nova Scotia and Bay of Fundy, and W. by the State of Maine.

AREA.-28,000 square miles.

POPULATION.-250,000, all of British descent. DIVISIONS.-Ten Counties. The capital and seat of Government is Fredericton, a small place with about 5,000 inhabitants, 80 miles upon the river St. John. The chief seat of trade is St. John, (distinguished from other towns of the same name by the letters N. B., i. e., New Brunswick,) at the mouth of the river, with a population of 40,000. Other towns,-St. Andrew's, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Bathurst.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.-Undulating; but no mountains of any considerable height. The plains and valleys are eminently fertile. Large rivers in every direction. Climate similar to that of Lower Canada, of an extreme character. The Autumn, however, is an especially beautiful season. GOVERNMENT.-A Dependency of Canada. Fredericton, the See of an English Bishop.

III.-NOVA SCOTIA & CAPE BRETON ISLAND.

SITUATION.—A peninsula and an island. Bounded N. and E. by Atlantic, W. and S. by Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

AREA.-19,000 square miles.

POPULATION.-331,000, most of whom are engaged in the timber trade or the fisheries.

DIVISIONS.-Eighteen Counties, four of which are in Cape Breton. Principal towns,-Halifax, the capital, is famed for its excellent harbour, the finest probably in the world. It is more than large enough to accommodate the whole of the Royal Navy, besides the merchant shipping of Liverpool; Picton, in the N., famous for ship building; Yarmouth, in the W.; Liverpool, Annapolis, Lunenburg, and Windsor. The chief town of Cape Breton is Sydney, on the E. coast.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.-The Atlantic coast is dotted with numerous islands, and indented by a great number of small bays, many of which form excellent harbours. The country for the most part is level; the greatest elevation does not exceed 1,200 feet. Cape Breton is nearly cut in two parts by an arm of the sea, called the Bras d'Or. The northern part of the island is more rugged and mountainous than the south. The climate is of an extreme character, but generally healthy.

HISTORY, &C.-The histories of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Cape Breton Island are all connected. Discovered by Cabot in 1497. First two colonized by the French in 1604, and called Acadia. In 1623 a body of English sent by James I. Quarrels and wars were continuous for years between the French and English. In 1710 they were ceded to England; but the French, from Cape Breton, made frequent attacks on the English settlers. At length, in 1757, Government interfered, and Generals Amherst and Wolfe forced the French to surrender. Possession not since disputed.

GOVERNMENT.-A Dependency of Canada. This colony, together with Prince Edward Island, forms the English diocese of Nova Scotia.

IV. MAGDALEN

ISLANDS.

SITUATION. A group of II islands in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, N.E. of Prince Edward Island. Lat. 47° 30' to 47° 38' N.; Long. 61° to 62° W.

AREA.-Coffin's Island is the largest and has an area of 75 miles. The other larger islands are Amhurst, Wolfe, and Saunders.