[A] A stone inscription, dated 1609, was found in an old wall in the Fort at Port Royal, now Annapolis, by the late Judge Halliburton, author of “Sam Slick.” Some fifteen years ago it was in the possession of his son, Mr. R. G. Halliburton, then in Halifax. That gentleman gave it as a loan to the writer to be placed in the Museum of the Canadian Institute. Thus the oldest stone inscription probably in America may be found in Toronto. [B] The readers of Humphrey Clinker may recollect the astonishment of the Duke of Newcastle, the foolish Minister of George II., on hearing that Cape Breton was an island. The story as recorded is worth reproduction: “They [the Ministers] are so ignorant they scarce know a crab from a cauliflower, and then they are such dunces that there is no making them comprehend the plainest proposition. In the beginning of the war this poor, half-witted creature told me, in great fright, that thirty thousand French had marched from Acadia to Cape Breton. ‘Where did they find transports?’ said I. ‘Transports!’ cried he; ‘I tell you they marched by land.’ ‘By land to the Island of Cape Breton?’ ‘What! is Cape Breton an island?’ ‘Certainly.’ ‘Ha! are you sure of that?’ When I pointed it out in the map he examined it earnestly with his spectacles; then, taking me in his arms, ‘My dear C----!’ cried he, ‘you always bring us good news. Egad! I’ll go directly and tell the King that Cape Breton is an island.’” [C] This matter is entered into at length in the writer’s published history of the Intercolonial Railway, 1876, page 102. [D] At the same date in Ottawa the snow usually lies to a depth of two or more feet. [E] “We expect to reach Columbia River, opposite Eagle Pass, on foot from Selkirk summit about 10th September. No trail reported from that point on Columbia River to Shuswap Lake. If there is no trail the supplies must be packed through Eagle Pass. We will depend absolutely upon your agent at Kamloops sending a guide, with supplies, to meet us at Columbia River by 10th September. We leave to-day for the mountains. Good-bye.” [F] Buffalo rawhide, used for cordage, indeed for nearly every purpose, by Indians and trappers. [G] Devil’s Club Fatsia horida--Panax horridus Echinopanax horridus-- Oplopanax horridus-- Horsfieldia horrida. [H] Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus Pothos foetidus Icttodes foetidus-- Lysichiton Kamtschatcensis.