NORTH AMERICAN No. CCXXX. JANUARY, 1871. REVIEW. ART. I.—THE ABORIGINES OF NOVA SCOTIA. THERE still remains in Nova Scotia a portion of a tribe of Indians, the descendants of its inhabitants when first visited by Europeans. They have been called by various names, but are now generally known as Micmacs, and are a branch of the great Algonkin family. It is generally thought that they have greatly decreased in number during the last century, and this opinion is strongly supported by themselves; but an estimate made by a priest, in 1760, places them at three thousand, and it is believed by those best acquainted with the tribe that it is quite as numerous now. The census of 1861 shows an increase of thirty-three per cent over that of 1851 for Nova Scotia, and the number at present living in that province must be considerably greater than fifteen hundred. The Micmac population of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick is quite sufficient to raise this number to the total given above, without taking account of scattered members of the tribe living in Canada and other parts of the continent. The confidence with which the Indian refers to the multitude and power of his people in past times, and the readiness with which his representations are received and become matters of popular belief, are easily explained. Savage or civilized man seems equally inclined to forget the wise dictum of the Preacher, when speaking of the former days. Any one acquaintVOL. CXII. - NO. 230. 1 |