ust, says, "Productive fisheries, prolific whaling
waters, extensive coalfields, a country well timbered in some parts,
susceptible of every agricultural improvement in ethers, with rich gold
fields on the very borders--these are some of the many advantages
enjoyed by the colony of Vancouver's Island and its fortunate
possessors. When I add that the island boasts a climate of great
salubrity, with a winter temperature resembling that of England, and a
summer little inferior to that of Paris, I need say no more, lest my
picture be suspected of sharing too deeply of _couleur de rose_."

Of the southern part of this district Lieutenant Wilkes, who commanded
the late exploring expedition under the United States government, says,
"Few portions of the globe are so rich in soil, so diversified in
surface, or so capable of being rendered the happy homes of an
industrious and civilised community. For beauty of scenery and
salubrity of climate it cannot be surpassed. It is peculiarly adapted
for an agricultural and pastoral people, and no portion of the world
beyond the tropics can be found that will yield so readily with moderate
labour to the wants of man."

Perhaps the fullest account of the country yet given is that contained
in "The Narrative of a Residence of Six Years on the Western Slopes of
the Rocky Mountains," by Ross Cox, one of the earliest explorers of
British North America. He says, "The district of New Caledonia extends
from 51 degrees 30 minutes north latitude to about 56 degrees. Its
extreme western boundary is 124 degrees 10 minutes. Its principal
trading post is called Alexandria, after the celebrated traveller Sir
Alexander Mackenzie. It is built on the banks of Fraser River, in about
latitude 53 degrees north. The country in its immediate vicinity
presents a beautiful and picturesque appearance. The banks of the river
are rather low; but a little distance inland some rising grounds are
visible, partially diversified by groves of fir and poplar. This
country is full of small lakes, rivers, and marshes. It extends about
ten days' march in a north and north-east direction. To the south and
south-east the Atnah, or Chin Indian country, extends about one hundred
miles; on the east there is a chain of lakes, and the mountains
bordering Thompson River; while to the westward and north-west lie the
lands of the Naskotins and Clinches. The lakes are numerous, and some
of them tolerably large: one, two, a