HALIFAX, the capital of Nova Scotia, in North America, and also of a county of the same name. It is situated on a peninsula near the centre of the eastern coast, and possesses one of the finest harbours in the world, originally called Chebucto, on a bay sixteen miles in length. It was founded in 1749, by General Cornwallis, and has since carried on nearly the whole trade of the country. Halifax stands on the west side of the harbour, upon the declivity of a hill, and is laid out in oblong squares, the streets running parallel to each other at right angles. The government-house is one of the most splendid edifices in North America. There is here a splendid royal dock-yard, which, during war, is an important naval station, being particularly well calculated for the shelter, repair, and outfit of fleets cruising on the American coast and in the West Indies. The harbour is at all times accessible, and is rarely impeded by ice. Ships generally anchor abreast of the town, where the harbour is rather more than a mile in width. After narrowing to about one fourth of that width, it suddenly expands into a noble sheet of water called Bedford Basin, completely land-locked, with deep water throughout, and capable of containing the whole navy of Great Britain. There is a considerable fishery at Halifax; but the colonists are neither so enterprising nor so successful as the New Englanders. The principal trade of the town and province is with the West Indies, Great Britain, and the United States. To the former are exported dried and pickled fish, lumber, coals, grindstones, cattle, flour, butter, cheese, oats, potatoes, and other produce. The same articles are exported to the southern parts of the United States, and gypsum to the eastern parts of New England. To Great Britain, are sent timber deals, whale, cod, and seal oil, furs, and other articles. The imports consist chiefly of colonial produce from the West Indies, all sorts of manufactured articles from Great Britain, and of flour, lumber, and other kinds of goods from the United States, principally for re-exportation to the West Indies. Government packets sail regularly once a month from Halifax to Falmouth; and recently packets to Liverpool have been established. There are two private banking companies in this town. About one hundred large square-rigged vessels, and about the same number of large schooners, with several smaller craft, belong to Halifax. A canal across the country from this town to the basin of Minas, which unites with the bottom of the Bay of Fundy, has been commenced. It is expected, that when completed, this work will be of essential service to the trade of Halifax. The population, exclusive of the military, amount to about 18,000. Long 63. 28. W. Lat. 44. 36. N.