commemorate the island's Italian discoverer. From this point the approach of vessels is signalled to the city. Cape Spear, at the harbour mouth, is 1213 miles from Sandy Hook, 885 miles from Boston, 488 miles from Halifax and 1921 miles from Liverpool.
In June, 1762, the French Government outfitted four warships for the capture of St. John's. The town had a small garrison in forts which had been long neglected and was guarded by a single sloop armed by twenty guns. The French forces numbering 700 men easily captured Signal Hill and strongly fortified it. During a bloody engagement in September of that year they were dislodged by Scotch and American colonial troops who marched overland from Torbay and Quidi Vidi, and stormed the seemingly impregnable defences with such valour that the interlopers were routed at the point of the bayonet.
Excursions from St. John's.
The country on the border of the capital is in fertile contrast to the bleak splendour of the sea front. Beyond the green-fringed lake of Quidi Vidi, where summer boating regattas are held, is as characteristic a fishing village as may be found on this crenated coast. A ring of dark-hued rocks girdles an irregular basin graced by drooping sails. In the rough shacks below the clean-swept houses of the Quidi Vidi fishermen the cod are headed,
