in eastern Nova Scotia. Thus, the Highlanders who began in 1790 to trickle into the territory along the shores of Northumberland Strait, were mostly Catholics. The tide of these immigrants continued to ebb and flow for about a quarter of a century, until they penetrated into every nook and corner of the county, interspersed by a few families here and there from the Emerald Isle."
The Catholic Cathedral of St. Ninian is inscribed above its door with the Gaelic words, Tighe Dhe, the House of God. Occasionally sermons are given in the ancient tongue of the Highlands. The University of St. Francis Xavier was founded in 1854 by the Bishop of Arichat. The original college building now has for neighbours a chapel of exquisite interior design and a new science building, both presented by alumni. A new dormitory is about to be constructed on the quadrangle at the rear of the main building. Soft-stepping Sisters perform the labours of dormitory, laundry and kitchen and serve to the chance visitor sugared cakes and tea, with cream from the college dairy. This is said to be the first Roman Catholic College to confer the Arts degree upon women. Its courses are open to both sexes and all sects at a nominal tuition.
To the right of the main building is St. Bernard's Convent for young women. On the hill behind the cathedral is the palace of the bishop of the diocese.
