CHARLOTTETOWN

charlottetown, a city of canada, the capital of prince edward island, situated in queen's county, on hillsborough river. pop. (1901) 12,080. it has a good harbour, and the river is navigable by large vessels for several miles. the export trade of the island centres here, and the city has regular communication by steamer with the chief american and canadian ports. besides the government buildings and the court-house, it contains numerous churches, the prince of wales college, supported by the province, the roman catholic college of st dunstan's and a normal school; among its manufactures are woollen goods, lumber, canned goods, and foundry products. the head office and workshops of the prince edward island railway are situated here. the town was founded in 1750 by the french under the name of port la joie, but under british rule changed its name in honour of the queen of george iii. charm (through the fr. from the lat. _carmen_, a song), an incantation, verses sung with supposed magical results, hence anything possessing powers of bringing good luck or averting evil, particularly articles worn with that purpose, such as an amulet. it is thus used of small trinkets attached to bracelets or chains. the word is also used, figuratively, of fascinating qualities of feature, voice or character.