The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-08-04
Here and There. No. 16.


lea, Acadia's Annapolis has indeed not
able place, yielding to Saint Augustine,
Florida, alone as to age Nature has
been traly munifcent in her favors
throughout the charming Annapolis
valley. Here where mountains have
long kept solemn guard over the quiet
plain below, it is not difficult to separate
mans part from the Creators grand
achievement, though the former is praise
worthy and has been continued for near
ly three centuries. One would wish,
though vainly, to see this fair spot as
the French explorers found it, in 1904,
when they sailed up the Basin of the An.
napolis. Having left the tempestuous
Bay of Fundy, not strange that this
fair inland sea was a pleasant sight to
them. not strange that the harbor was
declared to be a royal one. Port
Royal, exclaimed DeMonts, an officer in
the royal household of King Henry
Fourth, and his two companions perfect
ly understood that the name was author
atively fixed. OF the two who had &C
companied DeMonts, Champlain and
Baron de Poutrincourt, only the latter
was moved to ardent desire to make
here home for his family. A change
indeed for the attendant upon the Court
of his sovereign, but the picture was
most alluring as on that June day it was
first seen. The following day sailing
up the river, now called Annapolis, the
view of rich intervale which greeted the
enthusiastic Poutrincourt seemed to
conquer any remaining doubt as to its
suitability as home.
The thought will come, that these
pleasant homes of to-day and to which
very willingly we now turn with admir-
alton, were made possible because a
court-dweller was home lover. These
homes are surrounded by the gardens
and fine orchards which we ever associ.
ate with the name of this pleasant,
fruitful province, Nova Scotia. One can
but believe that the desire to know all
about this land is shared by many who
gaze over the uncertain waves of the
Bay of Fundy, when standing on the
pier at st. John, New Brunswick.
Enquiry as to the cherry harvest, brings
out the fact thai Bear River need not
disturb the spirit of the non-hunting
tourist, the entire vicinity being noted
for its cherry cultivation. One of our
merry party endeavored to lead US into
a charming cherry orchard to which she
alone had been invited, but a greater
obstacle to our cherry lunch was found
in their unripe state. However, we
were RECALLED after all with the lucious
fruit through the kindness of another
member of the party who found a small
boy with large box for sale. We are
assured that the May time blossOming of
these thousands of fine, large trees
makes marvellous change in the river
landscape. Perhaps it is we'll that the
time of fruitage is not so definitely an
nounced.
According to Macvicar's history the
early settlers found the groves of
oak not only useful but these trees
did not grow too closely to prevent a
speedy clearing for the needed harvest
of rye and wheat. There is charm
which fingers over the entire hundred
and fifty years of the French rule in fair
Acadia. Perfectly clear to the readers
of history is the reason for the strong
tie which bound the Indian tribes to the
French Colony's interests. AS one wan
ders over the beautiful town of Annap-
oils Royal the long ago miHgles with the
present time and the brave Pontrincourt
is an important figure. In young man.
hood be had left the luxurious French
court quite unspoiled, although a favor
lite, having performed with ability his
part in "Old France"
Governor of the small Colony of ener-
getic, genial French people, Poutri n
court was an accepted leader; but doubt
less owed much to the gay hearted
Champlain, who seemed to tarry with
the little Colony to some purpose.
Champlain, engaged with mis- Majesty's
maps and plans of the ''undefined terri.
tory La Cadie, from Belle Isle to the
Chesapeake" yet found time for cheer
full diversion. The gentlemen who sat
at the Governors table, fifteen in all,
were playfully organized and this
"Order' with its ceremonies and reg
ulations daily by turn, were led by one
of their number as chief Steward. This
leader, wearing the glittaring collar of
the order, with staff in hand gayly
marched into the rude dining hall fol-
lowed by the other members, each bring
ing some dish for the table. There was
no lack of fish and game, therefore the
table was in one respect at least eft for
king" Not alone were these men
hat hn
trincourt often invited to his table the
noted Chief Memberton, while the Indi-
ans frequently looked on much impress
ed with this pomp and display. The
lonely winter with its discomfOrts and
discouragements was a busy one, cutting
timber for building vessels and mill,
occupied the time of the little colony.
Just when the spring time offered new
opportunities the summons came to
leave all and return to France. The
order for departure was skillfully man.
aged and the wise Poutrincourt awaited
the ripening of the grain before crossing
the sea to his old home. With samples
of the various products of the rich and
productive earth, he obeyed his SOW
ereign's command.
How convincing were the precious
grains of various sorts which he exhibited
we may only guess, but the earnest
prayer of the ardent Poutrincourt to
have his grant of Port Royal cofirmed by
Henry the Fourth was favorably answer
ed. Two years passed before the Gov
ernor returned to his own Port Royal
and yet seed time and harvest had been
faithfully observed. His agent, the
good Chief Memberton, who joyfully
welcomed the returning Colony. had