Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-09-01

are so many isles and great bays to
20 by from st. John'sl before one be at
It, that wonder how one might ever
pierce so far as to find it. There are
three or four mountains imminent above
others on the sides; but on the north side
from whence the river runneth down,
there is sharp pointed one about two
leagues distant. The woods Of the main-
land are fair and admirable high, and
well grown. as in like manner is the grass.
There is right over against the island
fresh water brooks very pleasant and
agreeable, where divers Of De Monts his
men did their business and builded there
certain cabins. As for the nature of the
ground, it is most abundantly fruitful
For the said Monsieur De Monts, having
caused there some piece Of ground to be
titled, and the same sowed with rye, he
was not able to tarry for the maturity
thereof to reap it, and notwithstanding.
the grain fallen hath grown and increas-
ed so wonderfully, that two years after
we rcaped and did gather Of it as fair,
big and wcighty as in France, which the
soil hath brought forth without tillage;
and yet at this present l6O9] it doth
continue still to multiply every year.S
"The said island containeth some half
a league in circuit and at the end OF it,on
the sea side. there is mount or small
hill, which is. as it were, severed from
the other where Monsieur Monts his can
non were placed.
A CHAPEL AND FORT BUILT.
"Therc is also title chapel built az
tor the savage fashion.
During the toresaid navigation, Monsieur
De Monts his people did work about the
fort II which he seated at the end Of the
island, opposite to the place where he
lodged his cannon. which was wisely con.
sidercd to the end to command the river
up and down. But there was an inco',.
venience; the said fort did lie towards
the north, and without any shelter but Of
the trees that were OF. the isle shore which
all about he commanded to be kept, and
not cut down. The most urgent things
being done, and hoary, snowy father be-
ing come, that is to say winter. then they
we're forced to keep within doors. Dur
ing which time our lDen had three special
llsconmodities in this island, want OF
food (tor that which as in the said isle
was spent in bulIings), lack of fresh wa.
ter, and the continual watch made by
night, fearing some surprise from the saw
Ages that had lodged themselves at the
foot of said island or some other enemy.
For the malediction and rage of many
Christians is such that one must take
need OF them more than of intidels."
Because of the interest which attaches
to St. C:oix Island and its surroundings,
we have vcntured to give this lengthy ex-
tract. The historian OF the expedition
has given US i view of the Island as it
appeared at the time we are particularly
interested in. We seem to see that "lit-
tie chapel" rudely constructed after the
savage fashion" and near by We can i'm.
agine the appearance Of the roughly built
fort, from whose cmbrasures bristled the
..cannon' which were to defend the little
band against the incursions of the war.
like Etchemins. who would naturally re-
gard with hostility the incipi,nt inroads
made upon their domains by the white
faced Europeans. At that time the
North American continent was to the
Caucasian races, terra inco3nita-
Here aud there along the borders, the
shallops of French and English discover.
ers had landed, but the hardy nayigators
dared not venture into the interior, until
like De Soto, they were prepared by force
of numbers, and with weapons of war, tc
risk the consequences. 1t was far from
safe to even eucamp upon the margin Of
the great unknown wilderness land as
many early colonists sadly learned from
bitter experience. Under these circum.
stances, these French adventures felt the
Importance Of relying upon the unseen
Power for protection and guidance; ant
while on the one hand they trusted in the
defense Of their fort" Oh the other they
looked for support in the spiritual aid
their "chapel" afforded.
THE FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICE.
1t will be interesting to give our nex1
extract from more ancient translation
of Les:arbots work, entitled, Nova
Francia, or The Description Of New
France, Translated out Of the French in
to English by 2. Erondelles London
printed for Andrew Het, and solde at
the signe of the Bell in Paul's Church
yard, 1909" a volume Of 3O7 pages
We reproduce the exact language as
found in this book "Concerning the la.
bour Of the mindc, l Fl. e. Lescarbot]
tooke reasonable parte of it, for al
night, curry one being retired, among the
pratings, noises and huriburlies, l was
Shut vp in my studio reading and writing
of something. Yea, will not bc asham.
ed to spcakc, that being requested by NJ
de Poutrincourt our commander, to be.
stowe some houres of my industrie III
giving Christian instruction to our small
companie for not to live like beasts. and
Tor to give the sluages an example Of ouI
manner Of life. l have done it, accord
ing to the necessitie, and being thereof