Anon. (1877) ’Prince Edward Island’. Harper’s New Month/y Magazine, (September, 1877) Vol. LV, pp. 545—554. [PEI PARO, Acc. 2353-19]

This is among the first travel descriptions of the island written for the nascent tourist market that was beginning to develop in the late nineteenth century. The anonymous writer (who appears to be male) is an American writing in an American magazine for an American audience. He visited the island in August (presumably in 7877) arriving by steamer from Pictou, and during a week or more, he saw Charlottetown, Souris, Summerside, Rustico, and possibly Georgetown — all by travelling on the newly built railway. At the end of his stay he left Summerside by steamer for Shed/ac. His visit to the island proved to be ”a fascinating pleasure excursion” and the tone of the article is generally positive - though he is not an indiscriminate praiser: he notes the lax postal service and the lack of punctuality in hotels. in addition to his own observations he had made contact with local people who provided him with historical and other information - Mr. Campbell, ”author of a forth-coming history” is particularly cited — clear/y, Duncan Campbell, one of the early historians of the island. There are several mentions of the island '3 forests and trees — but it is evident that, although ship-building appears to be still ongoing, the woods that remain are viewed (by the author at least) not as an economic resource but for their scenic effect. The frequent use of the word ’primeval’ in describing the forests and trees is for literary effect rather then biological accuracy.

The residence of the Governor is a neat building, admirably situated at the head of a close—shaven lawn, which slopes down to the water, and flanked by the sighing pines of the primeval forest. [p. 546]

Ship-bU/idl'ng- Ship-building is also in a very thriving condition. In the various ship-yards of Mount Stewart, Summerside, and Souris I counted sixteen vessels going up, from seventy— five to 1200 tons in size, and I heard of others building at Fortune Bay and elsewhere at the same time.

Steamers ply up the East and West rivers, and an afternoon spent on each of these takes one through beautiful scenery The brilliant tints, vivid orange and Indian red,

Picturesque trees. of the new red sandstone harmonize admirably with the rich ultramarine of the water and the white trunks of the birch woods, [while there are] neat, cozy farm- houses, kept in good condition, and sheltered from the winter gales by clumps of primeval fir, pine, and spruce.

Going by rail to Hunter River Station, one finds himself at once in a beautiful region among hills and glens and wooded streams. [p. 550]

By the French settlement and Roman Catholic church at Rustico we jogged along to the end of the peninsula that is near the mouth of the bay. There on the bluff, we found the Rustico House, admirably situated on the edge of the spruce woods.

393’3- in the tangled depths of the primeval forests which still exist here and there, black bears are quite numerous,

The woodlands, consisting of beech, birch, maple, spruce, and fir chiefly, are gradually thinning out, while the product of grain and hay and vegetables, especially potatoes, is increasing. lp. 5511

The main trees.

The railway in this direction [from Charlottetown to Sour/s] passes through a more level country, but more savage and melancholy, because less inhabited, and presenting waste moor-lands abandoned to the rabbit, the grouse, and the bear.

In the bay [Bedeque Bay], is Indian Island, on which Mr. Holman has erected a hotel . This islet is just one mile in circumference, and is overgrown with picturesque primeval woods. These have been very judiciously intersected by rural drives and walks. [p. 552]

lndian Island.

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