In the year 1809, the duty on Baltic timber was advanced to 2 14s 8d per load, while that from the colonies was left free.

The exportation from New Brunswick thereby received a great stimulus, and rapidly in- creased until 1825, when, from speculative over-trading, it experienced a severe check, from which, however, it recovered, and be- came as thriving as before.

It has recently been again depressed In 1826, the east coast of Miramichi was visited by an awful conflagration, of which the following description, by an eye-witness (Mr Cooney), may probably be acceptable to those who, never having been out of Europe, have probably but little idea of the fury and rapidity with which fires rage after a con- tinuation of hot seasons in North America and New Holland, when the dry underwood and fallen leaves, in addition to the resinous quality of the timber, afford combustible materials in the greatest abundance : " The summer of 1825 was unusually warm in both hemispheres, particularly in America, where its effect were fatally visible, in the prevalence of epidemical disorders During July and August, extensive fires raged in different parts of Nova Scotia, especially in the eastern division of the Peninsula.

The protracted drought of the summer, acting upon the aridity of ;he forests, had rendered them more than naturally combustible ; and this facilitating both the dispersion and the progress of the fires that appeared in the early part of the season, produced an unusual warmth.

On the 6th October, the fire was evidently approaching Newcastle ; at different intervals fitful blazes and flashes were observed to issue from different parts of the woods, particularly up the N.