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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour 4tro reproduit en un seul ciichA. il aat filmi i partir de I'angle supirisur gauche, de gauche i droita. at da haut en baa. an prenant la nombra d'tmagss nicssssirs. I.ss diagrammea suivants illustrent la mithoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 'St" II AGl (.1 Paper read and .> E. EDWA] ;«pirp|r ■■»•'■■ T.'-^ L- .i ji ' I iijjj.'^-muim;j n THE ■I HOME COLONY; A GUIDE FOE INYESTOilS AXI) SETTLEllS IK NEWFOUNDLAND. (.1 Pap'jr read before the Foreign and O)loiii t r . , • 1 • • • .'j ' "l * ,' E. HEPl-'LE i£<>JJ.;. F.S.k,;i,ftAvS.i ic. :T^t> LONDON: EDWARD STANFOED, 55, CIIAllING CEOSS; S.W. - l yi yy i j I .H Wi y • *r— ^ •"i^'^T'." T*^ J. • •• *■. m » 58_ b^ 54 .^j^ -^ ;'rl 7 :U' ^ ^^\ \^\ iS^. M^ld'OlLSTDL^iVNl 2C y ( LTror^* r^ EngUsh' hhla ■ J2 "',' --50 V .^ .^ •CTEO .J^\ 0> lOT r,.; -0-r-T-i~7- 5*" CONTENTS. *. •*'! lAGt General DEScrirnox 1 IIisroniCAL Skltcii — Discovery of tlie Island iu 1407 — Iii- corporated \YitU Gnat Britain ir).S3--Coli~riij:ation i'< rioJ, 1814 — riopri'stnituiive GovernuKiu ^-ta^li^lled iu ISOJ ., 5 Climate 9 pHVtoiCAL Geography — Peninsulas — Inns and Ilarlxairs — liivcTS, Lakes, (Src. — Islands — ^Mountains ., .. 11-18 Agriculture — Land Laws — Stock-farmin'^ — Oiiouiugj: for British farmers 19-2i MiNES Kt.M Minerals — Geology of t!)e Inland — Copper — Gold — Iv ;> and Coal — Lead, tS:c. — NOtn.' Dame and St. George's La, I'iStricts described 25-29 Tim.u:r Products ^^^ 30 ,'.J;*,*^J'.d-liunting describtd ^V '!l-:r. • • • • * -Frcsli-water bc;ils — -^lerring and Salmon Fishericj Jl-11 .••• »«••• TRAfJl^,•/JN;^}^cr,,:^:^ .r».*-*Mi jli-buijAiu -f^J'll " ■5'ti*i5ud Exports — ■llcvenue, Debt, I'v-c. — Government — Population — Steaui- },]ijps_-,Tclegraplis — tlic llaihvay System — Education, »S:c. 42 Newfoundland as a Sporting Field --" Cariboo " hunting— "Barrens "and" Tilts," &c. \.\ l»r..- r Jt^^ tllLMUOUl I'arallols uicridiai tlie caj)i .^outhofi tile maij Kuro])e tlie snnuj triangle, I .«()uth-eas ini^:j:Ie3. ^I'linau 1 'read til li iiliour »-'ia'uit isl '"" * -"• • I HwtiM J... g^PIE m)5li:: COLONY. 42 56 1 ,' • nf^^-v 1" ' 1 . Mf- \ ' 4 itrs^.i Ln I. ^KWFOUNDLAXD is a large island— the Gou.rai tenth largest in the world— belonging to '^ •'"■'''^'""• Great Britain, and forms tlie easternmost of her North Anierican po-^scssions. It is situated in the Nortli Atlantie Ocean, at the mouth of tlic great Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the jKiralleLs 10' o(3' 50" and 57"r.O' N.lat.and between the nuridians of 52" 37' and 59' 21' 50" W. long. St. John's, tlio capital, is in latitude 47", four and a half degrees south of LoikIou. The Straits of Belle Isle, twelve miles wide, ;separato it from Labrador on the north, and form tiie main channel of steam communication between Europe and the gulf and river St. Lawrence during tlie simimer months. In shape the island is an irregular triangle. Capo Bauld on the north, Capo Eace on the south-east, and Cape Eay on the west, forming the angles. Its greatest length from Cape Eaee to Cape Norman is up\\ards of 400 miles, and its greatest breadth from Cape Spear at the mouth of St. John's h irhour to Cape Anguille is 316 miles. Its entire circuit is over 2000 statute miles, and its area, 42,000 B iWL'affiiiaav^-^'^^ »\'««t*r.'^,j THE HOME COLOXT. .la, rquaro inilc'r», is about onc-tlurd lar«rcr than tliat of Ireland, aiul approximates nearly that of Kiii^'Iaud. It.s coast, one of tlie most riiirged aud pii'tmesqiio in the known yrorld. is everywheie indented with niaixnitioent bays and harbours, a fact wliieh has not unjustly earned for it the title of the '• Xorwav of tlic New World." Many of tliose bays, such as Trinity, Bonavista, St. Georjje's and White Bav, are suUirientlv commodious to float the whole British uavv. Newfoun'lland forms that oiitlvinir aud detached portion or sc'nncnt of the North-American continent situate nearest to Europe, the distance between St. Jolm's and tlie harbour of Valencia in Ireland being only lG-10 miles. It is al- most Fevered in two by tlie great bays of Placentia aud Trinity, the isthmus between them bt-ing less than two miles wide in its narrowest part. The southern and smaller division forms Die Peninsula of Avalon. This, by reason of its extensive seaboard and the excellence of its fisheries, is by for the most thickly settled and commercially important pait of the island. No recent census lias been taken, but the population of the Penin- sula is estimated at about 95,000. As viewed from the sea the island appears everywhere abrupt and rocky — a truly iron-bound coast. Of its into (ind well A i-; - wffli mi^di /ands than or la I ahum] miles. Bay c mild(>i nature *■ a Lrn mirkiii the iv|, will be tile An wJiere J'lay bo I ranges land is sIo])ing Tlie inl of min i'Jterior "Tolts. ^nQ low[ lavislih ■■■v.-«.*,i.:j TlIK U03IE COLONY. 3 olVcTS 110 enginooring difficulties to tlie consinictiou of a railway, for which a preliminary Purvey was laade by the eminent engii\ci'r ^Ir. Sandtbrd Fleming as long ago as 1867-C8. Such a project ha? long been agitated, inul is absolutely needed to develop its resources, as well as to connect the severed portions of the island. A ildge of bills traverses the island almost parallel with the Long range, along the slopes of which the lino miglit run, thus avoiding the lower levels and swamp- l.nids. These hills nowhere rise to a jrreater heiaht than one hundred feet. There are no ranges to tunnel, or lai';zo rivers to bridge, while wood for sleepers is abundant. The lengtii of the projected line is 325 milts. On the western side of the island, St. George's IJay offers a splendid harbour, with a climate much mililer tlian that of the east coast. By "the hand of nature," writes the l^ev. 31oses Ilarvey, of St. John's, *' a grtMt plain has been spread from east to west, thus m ukiiig, uuniistakably, the proper route for a road across the i>laiid." ^Vhen complete and in operation, as it will be in tivo years, It will form the eastern division of the Amt'ricau and Kuropean "Short lino "railway, else- where fully described. The outer coast of the island may be termed mountainous, though the summits of the ranges do not reach any great height. The highest land is f^iind on the southern and eastern coasts, thence sloping towards the great northern and eastern bays. The interior is a vast elevated plateau, having ranges . of minor hills at intervals. In many parts of the interior arc to be seen isolated jjcaks, locally called " Tolts." Standing up in bold relief from the surround- ing low country, they serve admirably as landmarks. Kefercnce to the accompanying map will show how lavishly nature has endowed the island as tlie great B 2 'y-it'ft.i' ; wm \«i»!i'itii^ ■ THE UO:\Ii: COLONY. suing p:rr.u!nl (f tlio Morld. "Wiiliin a degrco of tlie Uih co.>.-t, is ti(u:itecl tlnj most extensive submarine <\nu(\ vet (li.-eovcred — tlie Clivut r«ank of XeMioiiiulland, '''-'U miles Ion;;, Jinil 200 brou'l. Around the sliores of -liis i-laud, ure fountiess smaller submarine elevations or oeesin j^ilaleuns. Tiles':^ f(inn the breedinp: grounds • •f the co'l, the staple prudiict of the Xewlu'indland v,;iters. These have been lii;hed for centurie.^, without showing aiiy tioj-arcnt diiulniilion in the supply When iM its sea treasures, which are literally ine.\h\uMible, and are carried by means of its wonderfully indented coast-liiie, and its varied water system, to the very doors of the peo[)le, we add its mineral wealth, its pine forests, and its plains yet uj.touched by ])lough or spade, tlie lea;t thoughtful and observant among us must recognise what should long ago have been apparent — that human industry, capital, and enterprise are .alone required to raise Isewioundland to a far higher position among British colonisation fields than she has yet occupied. Li roign , of disj Jean ( A niai-i have I; he fail has lint ^^■'•re ni; ^v;iy oi'l incited de Corfj it M'i ^'ewfon mariner] 1517 fol n'Jged hi to HakJ nidustrvl ^'fty ne'il ^''lese, the eve terijiiflat THE IIOJIE COLONY. II. rfTrT'^^jY' HE first or historical portion of my siiLject H;.tori.:ii r ;-. -r; «' ^^y properly bo divided iuto three periods ^'^'^'-^- • If-'' I: ^^^ — ancient, intermediate, and modern. L&^-ji^Ji Newfoundland was discovered by Jean and Sebastian Cabot as lonsj ai?o as the reign of Henry VII., in June 1-197. It is still a matter of disj)ute whether the palm of discovery belongs to Jean Cabot, or to his son Sebastian. Sebastian being a mariner — wliich his father was not — would seem to have had charge of the expedition, and therefore to be fairly entitled to the distinction, though history has not accorded it to him. Upwards of a century elapsed before any attempts vr'iL' maile to follow up the discovery of Cabot, in the way of colonising Newfoundland. The Portuguese, inciti'd no doubt by the voyage and report of Gaspar de Cortereal in 1500, were the first to turn attention to it. Within seven years of Cabot's discoveries, the Newfoundland fisheries were known to the hardy mariners of Brittany and Normandy. As early as 1517 forty Portuguese and Spanish vessels were en- gaged in the cod fisheries. Sixty yeai-s later, according . to Hakluvt, the number of vessels enc'aGred in this industry had increased to 300. Of this number only fiftv were EnG:lish, the remainder beinji: French, Portu- guese, or Spanish. Newfoundland, however, was on the eve of a great change ; its isolation was about to terminate. In 1583 England awoko to the importance ;.-jw.yifO«'.-.',*i,VW»a^t' i.iuimiji'J' 6 THE HOME COLONY. .^-^ of formally taking possession and planting a colony on tlie island. In that year Sir Humphrey Gilbert, a Devonshire knight, and half-brother to Sir Walter Raleigh, provided with letters patent from Queen Elizabeth, lauded at ISt. John's, and took possession in his Sovereign's name. 3Ir. Robert Thorno, of Bristol, and ^Ir. II ore, of London, had previously tit tempted to colonise certain parts of tlio island — the former in lo27, the latter in 1536 — but with ill-siiceess. Sir Humphrey's expedition consisted of five vessels, the Delight, the llaleigh, the Golhn Head, the SiraUow, and the Squirrel, with 260 hands, and a total cnpacity of 410 toiis. The in'^orporation of Newfoundland with 3. the English realm dates, therefore, from 1583. In 1610, Mr. John Guy, also a merchant, of Bristol, under a patent from James I. to the Plantation Company, reached the island with the intention of founding a colony at Cor.ccption Bay, and five years later. Captain ' Richard Whitborne, of Exraouth, visited it. These visits, however, appear to have resulted in little beyond the publication, in 1622, by the latter, of - & * Discourse on the Discovery of the Newfoundland trade,' which King James, by an order in council, caused to be distributed among the parishes of the kingdom " for the encouragement of adventurers unto the plantation there." In 1616-23 Sir George Cal- vert, afterwards Lord Baltimore, planted a colony at Ferry land, forty miles northward f;om Cape Race, but under the repeated harassmcuts of tho French, he abandoned tho colony, and went to Maryland,, whero he founded the Citv of Baltimore, tho commercial metro- polis of tliat state. Notwitlistanding the earlier and continued import- ance of the Newfoundland fisheries, which attracted THE HOME COLONY. on , a Iter een [1 in stol, dto )i* in Sir , the ', and itv of with \. In under npany, ling a Japtain Ated in ^ttcr, of Ludland onncil, of the ^rfl unto ere Cal- )lony at .ace, but uch, he Ivhero he |l metro- import- I attracted hiT'-^c fleets of vessels aiiuiially to its shores, the settle- ment of the country was exceedhigly slow. In 1G50, nearly a century and a half after its dis- A.r>. m:>... cov« rv, Newfoundland contained no more than 350 fiimiliesall told. These were distributed in fifteen small st'ltlements, chiefly along the ea«;tern shore of tlu> i^la'id. Tlie policy of the British Government of that day was to perpetuate the island as a fishing station, and tlie fisheries themselves as nurseries for British seamen; settlement and development were therefore «'(|nMlly retarded. The efTfect of this restrictive policy, perpetuated with strange infatuation and |>ersistency, is seen to this day in the comparatively limited progress made towards developing the resources of this liue inland, and in settling the fertile lands of the interior. Imniiuratioji of every description was discouraged in every possible way. The hostilities which existed both let'ort' and subsequent to the passing of the Treaty of I'tni-ht, A.i>. 17K], proved another great barrier to the a.d. in.i march o( progress. Interminable disputes have arisen ngurding the interpretation of this treaty, which are apparently as far as ever from being settled. This important state document is as clear and forcible in its wording, and as definite in its provisions, as any such instrument can be, yet it is held by the French to confer rights whicLi its framers apparently never intended. As a consequence, the fine lands of western Newfoundland are still a wilderness, and its mineral treasures are untouched. But a brighter day was even then about to dawn. In 1728, the imperial policy was reversed, civil government was established, and Captain Henry Osborn was appointed first governor. The beneficial result was at once apparent. In 1763, the resident population had increased to 8000, and the Civil Govcrn- nioiit ea iblislie' A.I), 17-'S, I I •% * •• •■•r <» THE HOME COLONY. iloatinpr, or liomp-going portion, to 500C more. Two years later (1/05) the Lubtiidor coast, from the en- trance of Hudson's Sirait to tlie E'ver 8t. John, was attnohed to the Governorsln'p of Xewfoiindland. Durin<^ the wars uluch followed the French rovulntion, Newfoundland attained great prosperity, wages rising to a high figure, and the " cateh of fish " rising to three- fold its former value. Yet as late as ISll, four vears after the establishment of the first newspiipor, only sc'venty years ago, no house could be erected on the island \\ithout perm is' ion. At the commencement of the present century, during the governorship of Sir Erasmus Gower, the resident population was 20,-lSO. In ' 1814, the colony was increased by the arrival of 3000 emigrants, the inhabitants then numbering 80,000 souls. In 1825, tlie first roads were constructed, and in 1832, representative government was established, and ex- tended in 1855. In 1858, the first Atlantic cable was landed at Bay of Bulls Arm, Trinity Bay ; eleven years later, the population had increased to 101,144 ; and at the present date, the estimated return places the number of inluibitiints on the island and the adjacent Labrador coast at 190,000. that tl) snow ai wigwau of Esqi nndenia "The a] creature David J^ 'vas tru( sense, in are a sufficienj tempera! mercury! heit s sc/ mean tel which h{ mainly the nortl being fi< ciimatulc hoi 'Maj\ ception TIIK HOME COLONY. y III. |rv;^-;:.vvd[T[E isjand of Newfoundlriud would possct^s CHmato. I'^c-'^' ;'::5>4 attmctioii:^ for iuteiulini:; oniiscnin^ts f'n.Vii W'2- 'i<\\^^ Great Britain aud Ireland far ij^realerthiiu jt^/^ i!^-^' those slio DOW enjoys, if people could once divest tljouifsolves of the traditioaal I'at'ui y that this country h situated in tlio region of poi|A,(-i;aJ snow and frost. Newfoundlanders do not all live in wigwams and tents, nor do they dress after the fashion of Esquimaux and I aplanders. Tlu^ climate, tli(jii!2:h undeniably very variable, is nevertheL:;n the In tha range : winter, We the ish Proji an imj and no or proi norther the pe] snialles south c< forms a; island. St. Jc about ih which is is spacio by natu nable. accessibl and JunI of the I^recipitc That on I and bai conditioj luust ill scenery. Tlie ( north sif aud tliel ■.Ai jiiawaiawia THE HOME COLOXV. 11 gulf on tbe west coast, on wliat is called the French shore. In that section the mercury takes a somewhat higher range in summer, and a correspondingly lower range in winter. We will now glance at the topographical features of the island, as these greatly influence the climate. Projecting from the main body of the island, and, in reninMiias. an imperfect sense, forming its south-eastern, western, and northern angles, are the tliree main peninsulas or promontories of Avalon, already mentioned ; the northern peninsula, or le Pet t Nord, of the French, and the peninsula of Port a Port, which is much the smallest of the three. Cape Cliajpeau Bouge, on the south coast, between Placentia and Fortune bays, also forms an important feature in the configuration of the island. St. John*!?, the capital, is situated on the east coast, nay* an.i about the centre of the Avalon Peninsula. Its harbour, H*"**^""**- which is entered through what is called " The Narrows," is spacious and well sheltered, and so admirably guarded by nature, that it could be readily rendered impreg- nable. It is 90 feet deep in the centre, and is readily accessible at all seasons of the year, except in IMay and June, when ice and fog prevail, and at all stages of the tide. On either side of The Narrows, rise precipitous sandstone hills, to the height of 600 feet. That on the south side has near its base a lighthouse and battery called Fort Amherst. In favourable conditions of weather the approach to the island luust impress every admirer of bold picturesque scenery. The city occupies a commanding position on the St. JuimV*. north side of the harbour. Though founded in 1572, and thereforo 310 years old, it betrays no marks of nwm »oned by French troops, in direct contravention of Tin: iio:vrK colony. French Snore. ortunc tho Treaty of Utrecht. Fortune Lav aboiinils in Hue ficenerv, ami is tlie centre of an cxt«nisivo herrini; lisliery. It contains numerous picturesque islands. Amongst them are St. John's, Sagona, Brunot, and Petticoat. ]>et\veen Fortune Bay and Cape Ray is a straight line of coast known as tlie western sliore ; ami beyond that, stretching 400 miles from Cape Kay to Cape St. John, the northern point of NOtio Dame Bay, is the French shore. This is said by many to comprise tlie best portion of Newfoundland for agricultural puiposes. Nearly 10,000 people have settled in this region, and it is capable of yet greatly inerear^ed settlement. The open pretensions of the French to exclusive sovereiffntv on this shore have culminated in a series of outrages, Nvhicli, while they may possibly lead to further complications, must certainly open the eyes of the Imperial authorities to the necessity of vindicating British rights here. That about 12,000 British subjects are at this moment living, nominally, in a British colony and under the British flag, but on territory which, being neither British nor French, cannot be protected nor legislated for by either power, is a fact as discreditable as it is remarkable, and one which calls loudly for governmental interference. The points at issue between the two Governments become yearly more embarrassing, and the sooner a clear and definite settlement of tlie whole territorial question is come to the better for both parties, as well as for Newfoundland, whose immediate and vital concern it unquestionably is. Divisions. For Convenience of further description, Newfound- land may be divided into four divisions, which, simi- larly with the electoral districts — hereinafter described — are named after the principal bays within each divi- THE HOME COl.ONY. 15 < in fiue ht^rring inlands. ict, and straiglit 1 beyoud Capo St. iV, is tlie pvi:^o the purposes, gioi., aud lit. exclusive n a scries y lend to he eyes of iudioating 5h BuV.jects a British Q territory cannot be pr, is a fact one which The points ome yearly ukI definite is come to ^vfoundland, Istionably is. Newfound- fthich, simi- lar described ,11 each divi- sion. Two westera divisions, viz. St. George's r>iiy and JVrt a Port, 15ay of Islands aud Bonne Bay. Two north-ef-5tern divisions, viz. Hare Bay and Pistolet Bay, and White Bay and Canada Bay. Notre Dame Bay extends from Caj^e St. John Xotrc northward, 40 miles in breadtli, 250 in length, with ^*™' ^''>- Gander Bay, Bocky Bay, and Bay ot Exploits, which form part of it. Notre Dame Bay contains nj)\vards of forty islands and groups of ishmds, many of them ex- ceedingly picturesque. On the north and west shores of tiiis bay are the now celebrated copper-mines of 'J'ilt Cove, Betts Cove, Little Bay, and Seal Bay. Green's Bay and Hall's Bay are arms of Notre Dame, each ninning 20 miles inland. All round these arms are fine tracts of agricultural and timber lands, while the fisheries are most productive. Notwithstanding the iron-bound character of the coast, there is much picturesque scenery to be met with in a voyage round the island, which no visitor to New- foundland, if he has the time to command, should fail to take. Twenty-five to thirty hours' steaming north- ward by sea from St John's will transport the traveller lo the centre of thd^S'SSJ^gion — a distance of nearly •200 miles. In three years the railway, the southern division of which is now under construction, will reduce the time to about eight hours. BoNAviSTA, Trinity, and Conception Bays complete tlie list of important bays on the east coast. These are liom 50 to 70 miles each in length, and contain many ilue harbours. The harbour of Trinity Bay, in par- iiinitv ti'-'idar, is reckoned one of the finest in the world. ^'"^J'* *'*^' I [-.art's Content, a name familar to most Enjrli^i 111' rehants, as the terminus of the cables of the N.Y., N.F., and Loudon Telegraph Co., is situated on .-y— ■ ■w — wwifipn I w»m\ *^mmi^mrr^^ 16 TUi: HOME COLONY. i.iveis. the shores of this hay. Coiijimctively, these form Jiino magnillcent estuaries, varyinij in K'ligth from 40 .to 100 miles «u'l fi'om (JO miles in uiJth. St. George's Bay, Port a Port, and Hay of Ishimls, as we have just shown, are on the west coast. The coast of the entire isLind is almost everywhere what is lerinrd iion-bimnd, risinpj frequently in hokl precipices almost vertically from the sea. The riverfi of Newfoundland are, for tlie most pari, narrow and winding, and untitted for steam naviization. The three largest are the Exploits, the Ilumber, and the Gander. The Exploits — so named after the bay into which it flows — is the most important. It takes its rise in the south -we.s tern angle of the island, flows in a north-easterly direetion for 200 miles, and drains an area of 3000 square miles. The Hrniber has its source in two branches in the gorges of the Long llaiigc IMountains, and after a course of 114 miles empties its waters into the Humber- arm, Bay of Islands. The Gander, in two branches, drains an area of 2500 square miles, and flows into Notre Dame Bay. Indian Brook, falling: into Hall's Bay ; the Gambo and Terra Nova, into Bonavista Bay ; liocky Biver and great Battling Brook, are the names given to other and smaller streams. Indian Brook with Indian Pond, forms the connecting link between IlalFs Bay and the waters of the Humber on the west coast. Durinj? jiood stages of water it is navigable throughout its entire length of 40 miles. Bapids — called by the natives " rattles " — and chutes nre numerous, and the naviga- tion in shallow water difficult.* • The NewfoundlHnd vocabulary contains many worJa unfamiliar to EngliaU ears, muDy which cuq be traced to the Mic-macs, und TU1-: JIOME COI.DNY. 17 orin r.ine >m '10 .to Geori^e's bavc jnst the entire ou-boum.1, vertically Qost part, avii^ation. inbcr, and : the bay It takes and, flows lud drains les in the d after a ! Humber- brauohes, into Notre le Gambo River and other and ian Pond, ly and the iring good its entire he natives le nuviga- Js unfamiliar Iic-mac3, und Ki-wfomKUand is ccrtaiulv entitled to bo conr^itlcrnl Uka, a l;uMi>trine region. It is estiuiared tluil a tliird of the ""'' Mirfaec of the island is covered by hikes and sjiialK-r >h«i'ts of water. Th«'ro are also .>evoral varieties of niinend waters in various* parts of the island, wliich, to (jnote the words of a roccut writer,'' only require putting to become popular." Troin the tups of the higlio.-t hills more than cue hundred lakes and ponds have been ciainted at one time. Of these Gnind Lake, or " Pond," <.n the Ilamber, 192 square miles in extent, and 56 miles long, is the largest, lied lndi;ia Lake, oG uiilos in length, Gander Laku, and Deer Lake, are next in size and importance. There is a small settlement oi" lumber men at the head of Deer Lake. Biichy Lakes, to the east of the Humber, aflord some charming .scenery. Many of these sheets of water, such as Esquadde gawe Gospen (Lost Pond), Aliwade angeecli (lospen (Portage Pond), Elnuchi bcesli Gospen (Sit- tlown Pond), AVachta pecsh Gospen (Crooked Pond), and a few others, still jireserve their iMie-mac names. Victoria Lake, which flows into Ped Indian Lake, and Lake George IV., on the Exploits Pivcr, are respec- tively, 1160 and 1237 feet above the sea. Nearly two hundred islands, and groups of islands, uhwh. have thus far been named. They are mostly situate on the east and south coasts. The best known are Belle Isle, at the entrance to the straits of that name ; Fogo and ninny the origin of which is still more obsciin'. 'J'ho following list t mbraces only thoso most froquentl y met with : — tiolck', toll, gut, souiul, run, passage, reach, gospen, <^c. Cut, souuil, run, 2^as.sage, reach, are similarly with ••tickle" applied to running water, tlio phrase varying Nvitli the situation, volume, and velocity of tlic stroain. Gospm i:* Mic-mac for pond ; while J. icier is used to de.scrilio a person who lives 'ir resides steadily in one place, in contradistinction to one who visits ■ r frequents it during the fishing season only. &c. ••«aSi. The names givmi to laany of Hk; l>ay3, headlands, hills, i>:l:inds, inlets, and other niitr.ral features of New- Ibuudland are quite :\s .'urions in lliomselves and as straoge io the visitor as io\y t" be laet with in the 3Iic-niac vocaUularv — ircland's Eve aJ-d rin<']i£rnt are the names of island-, — the forniei- in Triiiitv Bav, the latter in l^ay St. Clary's. Throe sntall inlets in Trinity Bay are respective!}- named Heart's Desire, Heart's ConttMit, and Heart's r)e]ight, while two small points of land on its northern shore are dii'.nilied witii the name of the lTt)rse Chops. The Irion's Den and Damnable Bav are in Ijonavista Day; Cuelcold Head is between Capes lltico and St. rrmeis ; Bloody Uraeh, Frying Pan Beach, and IInn'j;rv Tickle are found on the easte^-n and sontliern coasts. Pijier's Hole is the name of a river whieh empties into Placentia liuv, while a peak of tlio IJuwkes rancre of IrUs not far from St. John's is known as the Butter Pot. >iountains. All the great physical features of the island run N.N.E. and S.S.AV. The largest chain of hills is the Long Eange, which, rising near Ca]ie Bay, extends nearly the whole length of the western slope of the island, and terminates in tlie great northern peninsula. Outside, and parallel with the Long Uange, strctche5; the Cape Anguille range, and the Blo-mi-dons, their greatest altitude being 2000 feet. A high ridge near the head of La Poile Iviver, La Poile Bay, is said to be 20G4 feet tibove the sea. Second in point of elevation to this, are peaks of the Blo-mi-don, and Amicop QuotcL ranges on the Humber and Exploits Piiver. Nearly parallel with the Long Bauge, and crossing THE HOME COLONY. 19 J rent Island, rierrc and ;, headlands, u-es of New- jjves ami as with in the Mncligiit are itv 15av, the its in Trinity terii Const, Kastcrn all doubt," says]\rr. ^Murray, " that the best descriptions of £rrM.<«5, irrceu crops, and most of the cereals thrive > o" admirably upon the lands snrronndinj^ the minor bays of Xotro l)anio;.and that beef, mutton, pork, butter an( leh uld b leese couui oe raiseu as well as in any pai 11 •fc of th( British North American dominiuns." TLo foUowiuir information is derived mainly from recent oflieiul re JlOl ts:— - The St. GeorLTf's IJay district, inclndinj^ the Codrov Valleys and Port a Tort^ contains 730 square miles of land, described as " more or less suitable for settle- ment," the most favoured beiui^ the coal-measure districts, where the surlace is often flat or gently undulating over great areas. " The soil in many parts of this region," states 'Mr. Ilowley, " is extremely rich in cpiality, and, I believe, would compare fiivourably with any iu British North America." Added to this the P:"!y of Islands, including the nujuljor Yallev, the Deer Lake and Grand Lake coimtry, contains GOO square miles, so that in this disrict (St. George's Bay) there is a total of 1330 square miles, or nearly one million acres of fairly good farming land. Oats, barley, hay, tui-nips, carrots, and clover can be successfully cultivated tliroughout tliis section. The valley of the Huniber is well wooded and embraces a large area of country which appears to be ]>rovided with all the necessary material for ship-build- ing in a remarkable degree. Tliis, in the opinion o! some, will yet become one of the most important industries of the island. On this coast the best farming lauds are to be found on the arms and inlets of Notre Dame Bav, on tin- Gander liiver and Lake, and their tributaries, and in tli- ' ..t'ldij . iv CI : .ujs I ;i!:d a| ;. .pub ;:;lle- i,gion> ii.lVC sl >t.31a| iii" latj lu all loi.Uit a few 11 be rou miles, ( The exceed vat able product and ]m these b j'.tmuall woman, iiiilueiic proximi transpo; .WM . — _.. THE HOME COLOXY. 21 descriptions Tt-als thrive minor bays pork, butter y part of the Le foUowini: cent ofticial the Codroy laro niile:^ of } for settle- :oabmeasure t or gently " states Mr. \d, I believe, Iritisli Xortli ichuling the jrand Lake that in this al of 1330 fairly coo'l carrots, and lUgliont this wooded and "tjiears to he r vship-build- '■ opinion ol important to be fonnd lav, on tlir and in til .;.fid>o and Terra Nova valleys. Theie is rooiu for a .. iv eon-^iderable n'nuber of farms on the nnoc'iijiied l.\iU tn-jund Hall's J'ay, the produc"' of which wonid ;l\A a ready sale at high prices among tlio mining ;..pnlalion. The extent available, in these lo.'alitk-s, ;n- st'ttlement is oJlicially estimated at 1700 square i:idf. Clary's bavs, mure particularh the J^.dnionier arnv of ih'' latter, embrace some fine land as vet iinsurveved. In all the districts above enumerated the amount of hinil lit ar.d open for ngricultural pur[K>ses on, or rather, u lew miles back from these two coasts, may, therefore, bo roundly though roughly estimated at 4500 square luiKs, or about 2.8^0,000 acres. Tlie extent of land now under cultivation does not ixceed 3t),U00 acres, equal to l-80th of the whole culti- vatable area, and the annual value of all agricultural jiioducts is less than 750,000 dols. The most certai:i and prolific crop produced thus far is potatoes. Of these between 700,000 and 800,000 bushels are grown ;'.nnually, equal to about four bushels to every man, woman, and child on the island. Under the stimulating iiiiluence of a liberal land policy, increased settlement, proximity to ine British markets, and the means of transportation between the capital and the mining ri'udons, which a niilway right across the island will aiiord, it is believed that mucli of this land will in a -Iiort time bo taken up and cultivated. " A large proportion," the report states, " is heavily timbered, and but little of it occupied." Of the Gander ' 'initry, jMr. Ilowley elsewhere writes, "The soil here, "ver a vast area, is of excellent quality and capable of "w ■!. n» m 'p^i « w.. oo THE HOME COLONY. vicldfiiiT rich li.irvests." . . . "Tahinc: evcrvtiiiiicr into arcoMiit, I do not think a more {'loniising count rv, or one more easy of access couM be found in JWitish America." It sliould alwavs l)0 distinctly borne in mind tluit these LiiuLs are heavilv timbered, and tliere- fore require ckwring before farniing operations can be conjmenced. It should ah>o be remembered that settle- ment in Xewfoundhind has tlius lar eonlined itself to a narrow fringe of coast. Four miles from salt water in any direction therf is scarcely a habitation to bo found. L.iDd l.Awi. Vnder the revised land laws piuir settlers can obtain a Yliv.v: CHANT OF 50 AGUES, and titty dollars in cash on his clearing six acres. Unoccupied lands can be }>urehased in lots of 300 acres; and lai-ger lots, varying from 500 to lUOO acres, are obtainable from the Government and the railway company on easy conditions of purchase. The resources of this island as a grazing country are fur larger than has hitherto been suspected, and the recent siir/evs carried on bv the Colonial Government and by 3[essrs. ^Murray, Blackuian, Kinipple, and Morris and others in connection with t!io railwav, have disclosed the existence of iar^e areas of rieh grass land, well watered, and in every way adapted for wool grow- ing. It is eve) maintained bv some that the climate is better suited for the development of a hea^y fleece than the warmer clima.-^ of most parts of Australia and Kew Zealand. In order to encourage sheep raising the Newfound- land Government issues licences for lanre tracts of lands to parties who will establish sheepw.dks, and every- thiiux connected with their business is allowed to enter duty free. Any person ,vho has kept oUO sheep on the land granted u them will, at the ex[)iratiou of ten St.jtk l;ai-iug, Shi'i;)) Fanning, vVc. \e ir- I'nrfhei ..-ha I ..f 2001 Thef riverki Tiio U\ rivers anothe] I'.v dr;| I. no m;^ these el InK lie cam advant; lie wo the sea from l about ports, jiuthori to do to to dope our ma The < f,.r the journey TlIK HOME COLOXT. 23 rvthiTiiT into count rv, or I in J5iilish y l)(niu3 in I, anil ilicre- tions can be 1 that sot tle- il itsL'lf to a ;alt ^\ator in to ho ionnd. can obtain a I cash on his e piircliased ig from 500 rnnicnt and purchase, country are ^d, and the jovornnicnt lipphj, and ilwav, have 1 grass land, \vool irrow- ] Ui climate •d\\ fleece Australia S'ewfound- cts of lands md every- d to enter eep on the iuu of ten vivir-, own tlio said land in fee Pini[»lo far ever; and iivfher, any two persons '.vho will raise 500 sheep on - ich a ]iiece of land ^\ill be given as a bounty the sum ,,f 200 dols. each. The grass lands and the rich belts running along the river batdxs are particularly well adaidcd to cattle raising. Tiio liud in the interior slopes up from the lakes and rivers like a series of stcpjx^s, one tier rising above another, and tliereforo easilv and naturally drained. A i''.v drains running parallel to tlie hike or river, with (iiie main drain at riirht an.ijles to tin so, would convert these extensive plains into rich pasture lands. In Newfoundland the stock-farmer of the future, for he cannot be said to exist at present, would have great advantages over his brother farmer in the far West. He woukl live close to the port of shipment, whence the sea voyage is scarcely more than half the distance from New York to Liverpool, or, in other words, about five days* and a few hours* sail of English* ports. For years to come, however, writes a competent authority, farmers in Newfoundland will have enough to do to supply the local market, for at present we have \o depend to a great extent on Nova Scotia to supply our markets. The cattle raised in the Western States have to pay f>ir the heavy expenses attendant on long railway journeys of some thousands of miles, and then the sea voyage of three thousand miles, and it can readily be believed that afte* so mucli travel the stock cannot be in first-class order for the market. Yet this busiiifss yielus a handsome profit to those engaged. If these men can make it pay, how much easier would it be to make it pay in Newfoundland? The export of cattle wm*rw^~^'^^EXT to lier fisheries tlio iiiiiiera; ;ii-j-'>.-;if:3 :\iin.v and of Ni'wToniidhmcl constitute hv.v wp.-tf-t, ^^""•'"''• pro-eiit f^ovirco. of j)!^^!^'!'^}'. Not urstil a very rix-ciit period av;!S it oven sr. p-x-tod that tlie grim-lookin;^: rocks of tiiis ii-on- !.»und island cojitiiiiied miiionil (ro.isures of .such • '..••ruioiis value, th;it \v!ieu fully developed, tin y would fi»!;>iitute it ouo of the Nvorld's givat iniuing eoiitres. I:i the production of copper Newfuir.idland ranks ^;ixth .■iTi»<»iiii;>t the world's mining ilaUU. Atte)ilioii Mas Copikt, lir-it directed to mininp; in ISGM, and in the following v. Copper-rnines have \ • vi\ rapidly opened on the north side of Notre Darne l",iy, and the present export of this ore averages •|."»,<'00 tons annually. The late Profcr^sor Stewart, <;• ologist in the State School of Mining at Virginia t'ity, Nevada, in a recent paper deserihed the co[)[)er • •re of this region as a heautiful yellow sulphuret, free ir.iui arsenic or any undesirable ingjodient, with a little . jnni ; nud containing from eight to twelve per cent, of jure copper. He had never seen finer copper ore in ;:;•' course of his experience. The character of the t< K'lii in which it occurred was such as to (^ive an ahso- l'-*.- assurance of i^eiydnitij in the working. Tliese r H-ks were metamorphosed and laminated; and the v.-wiviiM^k ■■i«am«Hi HI - SW ■««H">^- 2b* THE IIOMK COLOXY. extent of mineral inlications over extive areas was sucli as iTiulered exhaustion, in the uorkin^, a praetical impossiliiUty. A more ]»romi:k for „r pockc opened, (.stiniatej forinatioj " I feel iuvestigJ of the n] of Notre into greJ labour hi shore of the iram the prii Here, af of quart was dril from tw patches. foot, no call the preciou visible oight were pi uetfe&MHrO^'" THE HOllE COLONY. 27 Xor 19 Xewfoundland less likely thai, her neigh- GoU. Imurs, Nova Sootia and Quebec, to shfire in thi wealth .iCi]uireil in the search for, and utilisiatioii of the more jirci'ious metals. The formation, in which the gold-bearin<( ore occurs, is s-erpontine, bolonjiing to what is ternjcd, in Canadian ''eology, the *• Quebec group " of the Lower Silurian basin, the great metalliferous formation of North America, \^'he^e no serpentine exists it is vain to ]ook for ore. The ore in Newfoundland occurs in beds or pockets — not in veins — and, in the localities already opened, is extracted with great facility. j^Ir. Howley estimates the total area of tlie serpentine or ore-bearing formation at 5000 square miles. Mr. 3[uiTay says : — " I feel bound to state that the experience of tlie late investigation convinces mo more than ever that many of the northern parts of this island, and the great bay of Notre Dame in particular, are destined to develop into great mining centres, should capital and skilled labour be brouglit to bear in that direction. The north shore of Co]ieeption Bay, two miles from Brigus, and in tlie immediate neighbouihood of r>rigus Lookout, was the principal scene of ^Ir. Murray's inv<;stigation8. Here, after a careful examination, he selected a ledge of quartz _which seemed the most promising. A hole was drilled uiulerneath it, and the first bla-it detached from two to three cubic feet of quartz, with clilorite patches. In this mass, w ithin an area of a single cubic foot, no less than ten "sights" of gold, as the miners call them, were obtained — 'that is, small masses of the precious metal, some of them mere specks, barely visible to the naked eye, others containing each about eight or ten grains of gold. The fragments of quartz were put into a bag, and on shaking it out afterwards, 2S THE HOME COLONY. rigus -artz .ns. a small ploco of gold NM^irhiiig four grains, was found, which luid been detaclicd by friction in carrying it to B'-igns. Tlie quartz veins, in one of whidi the gold was found, are reticulated over a considerable area, and intersect a f!;recn felsite nia^nesian slate of the Huronian ai;e. They vary from one inch to a foot in breadth. The veins frequently intersect one another, and at the ]H)ints of intersection form a knot or bess. It was in one of these knots that the uold was found. The quartz holding the gold ^lartides is associated with a dark-green chlorite, and in the chlorite i)atches the gold is seen finely distril)uted. The reticulated veins of quartz are chiefly limited to an area of country nearly a mile in breadth, and three miles in length, extendinir from Brigus Lookout in a south-v.cst direc- tion. Various reports are in circulation to the effect that gold has been found at a much greater distance inland, in the same direction. Mr. jMurray further savs : — " That a large area of country in the region referred to is auriferous, there can scarcely bo a doubt, although nothing short of actual mining and practical experience can jwssibly prove what the value of the produce may be ; or whether the prospects of obtaining a remunerative return for the necessary outlay are favourable or otherwise. The specimens which have been obtained, although an unquestionable evidence of the. presence of the precions metal, cannot by any means be taken as indicative of a certain average yield." Further on he remarks : — "The indications of gold in this country, then, are certainly sufficiently favourable to merit a fair trial ; and there are good reasons to hope and expect that ample capital applied l3 skilled and judicious labour may be found remunera- tive to future adventurers, while a new industry will be added of the little siderat ^^^fli^fliP^^ ■■ THE 1I05IE COLONY. 20 aiUloil to give enij>loyinont to the labouring population ,>t" iho island, and possibly bring this despised and but little known colony into more prominence and con- sideration abroad than it hitherto has enjoyed.** Deposits of lead have been found at La Manclie, i-oa.i. riaccntia Bay, and at Port a Port on tlie French shore, but they are at present unworked. Coal exists in the St. George's Bay district, on the Coal, iron, number Eiver, and in the neighbourhood of Grand ' *^" Lake from Number Kiver along the banks of Main Brook to Sandv Lake, but thus far no mines have be^n opened. Twenty miles from the harbour of St. George's Bay, jMr. Murray reports the existence of a coal field thirty miles long and ten miles broad. Iron ores exists on every side of the island, and in all the bays. 3\Iagnetic iron ore has been found at Cairn ^[ountain in St. George's Bay; and gypsum, marble, building stones, and roofing slate in great abundance and of fair quality in various parts of the island. The following column represents the geological OLiiiojy. formations of Newfoundland as they succeed each other in descending order : — Conl measures. IMillstono grit. Carboniferous CurboniferoMs limestone. Gypauin co»<:!;lomerate. Devonian _ .. Gasix; sandatoues. Middle Silurian Clinton. Slediua. ' Hudson River. \ Utica. 1 Trenton. \ Trenton Group Birdseye. 1 Lovcer Silurian . . { Serpentine nnd metalliferous. / Sillery Baiidstonc. Levis. Cnlciferous. Quebec Group. Potsdam. k Primordial. ) Iluroniun Iluroniun. Laurcntian .. Upper and Lower Laurcntian. '■ wi'imwr**" 'V 80 THE lIOMi: COLONY. Tiniier. All the Dioio t'xteusivo tracts of good land are still heavily timbeivil, thougli fires liave swept mucli of it away. The most valuable timber grown in Xewfound- laud is the wliite variety of pine (Piniis slrohus). It is especially priztnl for the manufacture of lumber. In the Gander country alone, ^Ir. Rowley estimates there are 850 square miles covered with this growth easily accessible by means of small boats on the Gander Kiver. The yellow or red pine {Pvius resinosa) is another well-known variety. Neither beech, elm, oak, nor cedar is found. Around St. Ceorire's Vox. and in the valley of the Ilumber also, are tine forcsits of timber of yellow and white birch, white and black spruce and tamarack (larch). The colony derives no revenue from its forests, which are cut at will by all comers. Tliere were seven saw-mills in operation on the island in 1870. a- 1-1 ildi r| (•(lion; oi the l.raucl ;i;,'riC\ THE HOME COLON Y. ' are still neli of it ewlbund- ->hus). It )ber. In itos there til easily • ' Gander nnosa) is elm, oak, V, and in oresits of kI Mack e lives no ill by all iition on Y, m ■^E now come to consider tlie sta})]{; interest I'ijhei i-.s and leading industry of Ne^\l'oul'dlalK], the fisheries. Of Newfonndland it may bi; truly said, " Suj^cr pisces rcspulUca condiia e$t^' (Upon hA il-h rests the permanence and prosperity of the wbole folony). The merchants, who constitute tlio caj>italist^ vi the island, devote both their monev and time to thiy hranch of industry, to the almost total noirlect of ;i;;riculture and mining. In the excellence of the fish, not less than in the extent of the "catch "or yield, N\\vfonndhin quintals. This would be the largest on record except 1874, when 1,()0U,724 quintals were exported. Tho value of codlish has advanced from 50 to 75 per cent, during the last twelve years. * This vnhmbl«> intlnstry will be adequately lopresontcil nt tl: • forthcoming Intoi'uational ExbiI>itiou iu Loiulun, a fitting appropriation having beou liinde for the purpose. «■ THE HOME COLONY. S3 f a cod rincipul salmon. 'Shore" e shores t known 'ariotie!5, iu>n and \' covers ;horos ol" e neigh- st. Tor 1 fished, liaiistion. quintals !/. The -75) has e whole svas onlv Is. Tlie ; the oil, List year, dor, \va< id m »•" heu the ,5»J4,GSt) I cxcei>t Th.> )er cent. led nt til • ; Lropriatif;'. '. The Bank fishery still cnntinue.s to be mainly carried i»n by the Trench and Americans. This year it i.s ri>j)orted to bo unusually productive. About one- lourth of the whole "cateh " is taken on the Labrailor (•oast. The total value of the tishcry amounts to about .<00,000/., while ujiwards of -lOoO tuns of cod-oil and ei»d-liver oil are annually exjiorted. The season follows elosely upon the seal-fishery season, and extends from the end of I\[ay till early in Ocrober. Scarcely, indeed, is the seal-fishing at an end when the cod-fishini^ begins. The crews which have returned from the Arctic hunting grounds, transfer themselves into the small brigs and schooners used for fishing on the banks, while others return to the coves and creeks to which they belong, and fish from the shore. In June, the fleet haves St. John's and remains away three or four months, as the case may bo. Cod-fishing does not possess any of the excitements of seal-hunting. It must, on the contrary, be a most dreary and tedious uecupation. Before daylight, the crews leave the vessels in small boats, and lay down the long lines to which " snoods " baited with herring are attached, returning in the afternoon to haul them in. The fish are cleaned on board, and tlie insides thrown over- board, so that it has been suggested that the enormous ijuantity of fish's entrails annually thrown into the sea at the banks might damage the fishing, but it does not seem to have had this efi'ect. The men fish on what !s called the " credit system," the owner of the vessel iurnishing them with the materials for fishing, and -li.iring the profits with them. To the attractions of the coast this fishery lends an especial charm, for it ntributes its most picturesque feature to the scenery. i'iie bays and coves within easy drives of St. John's aro ■»» ^ w p «<*n»-^^ 'smm 34 THE no>fr roLON'y, '\irtiignl v'ove. all worth a vi-it, if it be only lo see tlio VuV in wlnVli the '*eoil-;id iu oil d-'victions fre'u '.].(• eopital. The country i-j a '"ild opiii, viiuhihitinp: exjiUh-?, risiui,'^ in ronnd»'d liills to an clevi'ticiii in its hiLiliest parts ol" COO or 100 fci'l. And all round St, John's al.nndanfly dotted Avitii small farms, iiinnmerable clear trout streams iiniie the lakelets that lie en^lH)-o:ued here and there in the Moods .-i' ijt'ier d\v;ni\d s]Vi-!i(^c and iir trees ; \vhilo marshy spots uf peat and cixirso ^';ra>-j atVord a home to abundant r'nipe ; and phiins covered with stunted juniper, iamarack, and l-.'ii-y-bearini!; shrubs, coniplete the land'cape. It is across thi> country that one drives to Portugal (.\»^e — a large fishin<^ villa-:r^' idno miles liom St, dolm's — wlicre one niav take steamer, and cross Conception I'.iy to llai- bon;* Grace, the JIavre de Grace of the I'^rentdi nomen- v'^latiire. Tiic railway now laid to Harbonr Grace J\metion, and soon to beoj>oued to this]ilaee, will alTord a more ready access. The road crosses a table-land upwards of 500 feet above tlu; sea-level, on the summit of which a lake called Twenty-mile Pond is sur- rounded by low hills, and several farms are dottel along its shores : but as a general rule, these arc only accessory to fishing, the land being rarely siillieiently productive to alTord a return unaided by any othi:- industry. The village of Portugal Cove, which is passed on th' way, consists of a cluster of 200 to 300 cabins, pcrcln' i in the most impossible niches amongst the rocks on tl.'' side of the deep cliffs. Generally the ground is U' uneven Vj afford foundations, and these are supplied 1 y THh HOME COLONY. 35 which ?.^, are us and r. vorv j;i]titnl. , vhrny: );irts oi' uhiiifly trout h1 heiv iiec and >0 L'Ta>S covoied b'Bann-' )S3 thi> ■ti lai'jj'c lore Olio to llai- noineu- r Grace II alYoid bh>hind .summit is snr- dolto ! irc only lic'iently y othi'; Id on til- pcrcht^i :son tl.'' III is t'>' Ipliod 1 y j'i>.-r-'. Nvliiidi are fixed into the rocks so as to support the siils. Each (?otrago iias its our rough approach, t:heot of water 20 miles across, glittering golden in the setting sun, surrounded with high land that ends in ragged promontories and deep bays, except to the northward, \vliere the Atlantic forms the water horizon — r.nd you have Portugal Cove. The front is the island of Bell Island, remarkable from the fact of beinir a cood farminL' loealitv, entirely free from the rocks and .stones of the mainland, and with an alto- gether different soil. It is thickly populated — Con- ception Lay itself, across which we are now looking, supports on its shores a population of about 40,000 souls. At the towns of Harbour Grace and Cavbonear, only 3 miles apart, the population amounts to about 12,000 ; but one need not go further than Middle Cove, Logic Bay, or Quidi Vidi, to have samples of coast scenery^ and fisliing villages, \\hieh are repeated in endless variety all round the island. Wherever the Atlantic waves rest or eddy for a moment in the clefts or crevices of the rocky precipitous cliffs which overhang the v.atrr, and wherever in the neighbourhood of such u smooth spot there is a .shelf or ledge of rock favour- able for the pui*pose, the settlement of the cod-fisher may be seen. Here he erects his " stage " and cod '* flakes." The former, a rough shauty made of the D 2 -♦^■f^i-^ i^-»* ->,T"- ao Tin: U'J.IU COLONY. boiiglis of J line trees, iuul n'OJed with bark, is <;-eucrallv ]iereliocl on stakes liriulv wodiiecl into llio loclvs. Thev are placed as near tlie Viatev as possible, for in these littlf rooms the i\>\\ are rel;l'i^l''l iVom the boats and cleaned preparatory to beiiiir lai^l out on the llakes. They sometimes seem perched like piiiaiitic nests over the waves, one advantage of j)vo\iiiiily to wliich is, that all the refnso Jails directlv into them. vnotlier recinisite to afavonralde location is a convenient approach to the ilakes ; lln se are erectod on poks in the immediate vicinitv. In Quidi Yidi there must bo at least an acre oftl lese smgu lar-h d ooKiiiir (I rynio;- •grounds. In the s]U'in}:^ of the year the women and children are engauod in the woods cutting small pine-boughs and nudviuL;; them np into bundles, to be spread upon these erections; and tlien, as soon as they aro split, and salted and soaked, the cod are S})read out in the sun to dv^v, being carried from the stages in liand- barrows, np steps often ingeaionsly contrived on the face of the rocks. Under theso Ilakes one may walk in some of the llshing stations for hnndreds of yards, completely I'ootl'd in by codiish, which exclude the rays of the sun from the alU)ys beneath, so as almost to I'endnd one of the shaded streets of some Eastern town. As may be imagined, the suiell does not induce one to linger long in tliese shady but iishy purlieus. Wherever there is building room, the rude shanties of the* fisher- men, who in many instances only use them during the summer, are put up — each containing a cou[)le of bunks rouo-hlv constructed, a backing of stones against which the fire is made, no cliininey, much less windows. The smol;o finds its wav out through a liole in the I'oof, through which and the doorway the inmates receive light and air. A woo 1 en bench, and a "barrel- --.^-T L » y» ..^-» THE HOME COLONY. 37 isx the Ibuuks hvhicli idows. |u the mutes larrel- hoad on a sinj^le leg for a table, complete the funiitnic Altogether if there i.> a great absence of comfort, com- bined with a powerfully odoriferous atmosphere, ])er- vading tlio whole estabh'shment, it is scarcely possible to imagine anything more picturesque — the upturned boats stowed away in convenient corners; the laby- rinths of stages and flakes, perched like 3falay villages over the water, or sticking against the rock wherever there is holding ground ; the fishers' cottages glued to the rocks like birds* nests ; the beetling cliffs over- hanging nil ; and in spring the huge blocks of blue trans- parent ice grinding themselves to pieces in these iron- bound bays on their way from the Arctic regions. In the early part of Juno the scene changes. At this time shoals of small fish, called capelin (Sahno Arcticus), swarm in the harbours, and in their attempts to escape from their enemies, the cod, are washed up in myriads upon the beach, where the women and children collect and scoop them up in bucketfuls. They are a delicate, tender little fish, not unlike sardines, not fleshy enough, it would seem, to make it possible to preserve them in oil ; but they ftre salted and sent to Catholic countries as an article of diet ; while they form, as long as they last, the best bait for cod. They appear in such quantities, however, that the country people take them by the cartload, and use them as manure for their land. One wonders why it is that the Newfoundlanders have neglected to turn to account as a source of revenue the quantity of fi!sh-manure which their industry }>roduces. The cod-offal ^hicli is now allowed to fall into the sea might be converted into fish-guano, and made a most profitable article of com- merce. Indeed the French have had one of these factories at Qiiirpou, near the Straits of Belle Isle, which UO THE UO:\IE COLONY. is said to fnmi.^li SOOO to 10,000 tuns of flsh-maimre tumuallv. AVitli the coni])loTiun of tlie railwav between St. John's tintl tlio miuinix district of Notre Dame IJay ;tn exeellvut opening ^vill be olTered for the investment of capital and enterprise in this branch of bnsiness — the mannfactnre of fish-gnano — which is now in great rerpiest and brings a high priro in the London market. Among tlic otlu'r marine proiUicts and wonders of the IsewfoundL'.nd waters mnst be mentioned tlie now fanions " IXvil Fish." This monstrosity Is said to attain its greatest size and uiilincss off this coa.^t, and a spei/imen exliibited to St. John's visitors lully attests the justice of tlie claim. Two specimens recently captured in Trinity I'ay are described as having bodies measur- ing respectively 11 feet and 20 feet in leiigth. They are furnished with tentacular arms which; when stretched to their full, formed tiic radius of a circle nearly 200 feet in circumference. A smaller species of ce2)JmJo2:)od, vulgarly known as the *'^ squid," forms one of the productions of Newfoundland, on which, at certain sear.^ons of the year, the fishermen principally rely for bait. " There are also other kinds of shell-lisli, as limpets, cocldes, wilks, lobsters, and crabs; also a iish like a smelt which cometh on shore, and another that hath the like property, called a squid." * Second only in importance to tne cod-fislicry of New- foundland, and lirst in the order of season, is the cuj)- ture of seal. Scarcely is the seal-lishing over, than cod- jfishing commences. Formerly seal-tishing was carried on by small but stoutly built sailing vessels of from 80 to 200 tons. Of this class of cruft, in 1^52, there were engaged oG7 vessels, manned by 13,000 men, and of an * Letter of ]Mr, Antliony rarkhurst, of Bristol, to Ricbaid Hukluyt, of llio Middlo Toiuple, Nov. i:3th, lol5. "n'?"^»«"»«PM[i THE 1I03IK COLONY. r.0 iNew- cap- cod- rrieil 1 80 were lof au Ikluvt, aprgrogate capacity of 35,700 tous. Within the last ten years steamers have largely .^npersedod sailing craft, and now almost wholly monopolise the trade. Twenty-five steamers — five of which formerly saih>d from Dundee, and were engaged in the Greenland seal-fishery — now sail from St. John's. The entire catch, however, has not very niueli increased since the introduction of steamers, ranging from 250,000 to 000,000 seals a season. These steamers are sometimes of considerable size, and cost from 8000/. to 10,000/. apiece. They carry as crew 2C0 and sometimes as many as 250 men eacli. The fishing, or hunting season, commences, for sailing vessels 1st March, and for steamers 10th JMarch, and is usually continued to the middle or end of xVpril. "JTie largest number of seals ever brou";ht into St. John's bv a single steamer, was 50,000. Tin's was the licsolute of Dundee, the cargo being valued at 30,000/. During ISSl upwards of half a million seals are reported to have been captured. Often, however, both steamers and sailing vessels return " clean," or with but a few seals. In ordinary seasons the entire "take" varies from a quarter to half a million annually, ranging in value from three-quarters of a million to one and a quarter million of dollars. Upwards of 10,000 men are encraired in the seal fisheries ; and when the fleets ore in port the streets of St. John's swarm with men engaged in it. The danvitli the skinned carcases, still preserving their original sha})e, and almof^t quivering witli life — presents a scene which nothing but the liope of large profits and quick retnms could harden men to. Seal-hunters, however, have no bowels of compassion. The pelts, on an average, are worth about 10s. apiece, and a third of the profits go to tlie crew, so that every man has a most special interest in the result. Seals are reported to have been found in Grand Lake, Sandy Lake, and in other of the fresh waters of the island. As to how they came there is a problem for the naturalist to solve. Of the Clupxidie^ or herring tribe, the'herring alone Herria? visits the Newfoundland waters. The centres of the ^^ "herring fishery are Fortune Bay, Bay of Islands, and the Labrador coast. The Labrador herring ranks among the finest fish of its kind in the worhl. Several varieties of salmon {Sahnonidie)^ viz. salmon, trout, capclin, smelts, ilc, are abundant on the shores during summer. Trout are found in almost all the fresh river-waters and lakes ; while salmon resort to all the larger rivers during the spawning season. Pickled salmon, and preserved salmon and lobsters, are also shipped in considerable quantities. Li 1S78 no less than 1,554,096 lbs. of the latter were exported. 42 THE HOME COLONY. It 57 19T^ 1^73 ISSO 88 95 ] .")."> 1 •>o 6130 ... __ . VI. fS^^'Tj HIP ami boiil building Lave ninde pome pro- gress in the colony, as we pathor Irom the returns l\>r 1879 and ISSO, contrasted with those of 1S57. No. of vessels built „ boats „ On the 31st December, 1879, there vas on the register, 1G91 sailing vessels, and 27 steamers, with an aggregate tonnage of 82,561 tons. It is the oidy industry which shows any considerable expansion during the past three years. An important step in connection Mith the shipping intere;ti(»:\ Lay. 'J'ur otal amount of steam service >ul)siilies expended aimually by the Colonial Govern- ment, amounts to 130,800 dols. The imports and exports of the colony, including imports Labrador, for tlie past fifty years, have ranged as J-^p^j^.^^ I'd lows: — lirporta^ Dols. Kxiy>rt3. ]'oU. 1829 .. .. 4,090,905 1859 .. .. C. 620, 680 18(16 .. .. 6,784,849 1876 .. .. 7,205,907 1879 .. ., 7,261.000 .3,151,545 6,785,565 6,591,701 7,241,595 Total imports ftnd exports .. .. £2,625,417 The revenue of Newfoundland is mainly derived Revenue, from duties on imports. In 18G6 it was 721,390 dols. ; ^^'^'' *='• in 1879 it amounted to 972,402 dols. ; and in 1880 to 205,23H. The gross public expenditure in 1880 was 230,31UZ. By far the largest share of the exports was sent to Great Britain, the total value of merchandise exported to this country being 2,007,636 dols., 460,000/., and to Brazil 1,383,819 dols. Portugal and Spain between them received goods to the value of 1,428,998 dols. -'••—'n^ifw^mmtimiim 44 . THE HOME COLO^'Y. Tho rest of the ox])(nts were sent iu about equal pr- portions to Canjula, the United States, the JJriti^h West Indies, Italy, Sec. Flour, biscuit, molasses, sufrav, wines and spirits, tot. and pork, figure among the ])riucipal imports ; corda:.',-, cables, and manuriictured goods aie also largely ijn. portt'd. The exports are, of course, chiefly the pro'liu-,.' of the fisheries and the mines, the principal itt Ins being:— Cod(isl), 3.490,482 dols. ; herrings, IVI^:/,] doh^; salmon, 110,070 dok ; lobsters, 116,880 dols ; cod-oil, 461,740 dols. ; seal-oil, 598,308 dels. ; seal- skins, 320,41*8 dol.s. ; but copper ore and regul;i< figure for 555,790 dels. (29,617 tons having been stut to England); ox- hides, 29,772 dels.; timber, ^c., 17,000 dels. Besides the above returns of exports, thv following orticdos were shipped during the year direct from Labrador, and are not accounted for in the New- foundland Customs report : — 393.580 quintals of cod- fish, 16,962 barrels ojf herrings, 1096 seal-skins, lOu tuns of seal and cod oil, and other fish produce, valuc'l in the aggrede at 1,250,000 dols. From a return just issued by tho Commercial Society, it appears that the exports from Newfoundland and Labrador for tlu year ending July 31, 1882, make up a total value v\ nearly two millions sterling, the following being t!i" items : — . - .. £ Codfish, oil, and their other products .. 1,385,730 Seals and their jiioducts 239,440 Fickled fish of all sorts 86,469 Preserved or canned fish 27,579 Frozen fish 2,595 Dried fish 800 "Whale and other oils 1,013 Mineral ores 149,017 Unenuineruted articles (say) .. .. 20,000 £1,912,143 Among f the f i-legra dels. ; >urvey, .!ols.; (•ourage MHiounl ,!evivec ;ict of the pu in ^o I public ( liquidat remaind the bala :;o,ooo i the pub virtuall) unique j from del atl22,ej 190,000, Treasure colon V, s in a the •iition. Newfoun home m interest i * The V« tint tho ni kon greu I'onunorcin iilso incren; in tho savi THE HOME COLONY. 45 1 rs that or tlh alue v\ Amou!^ the estimated items of expenditure arc — Jielief nhe i^ooYj 143,705 Jols. ; stoain service, 1 3 G,S doK ; I. K'l^raph extension, 7000 dols. ; education. 88,860 Aoh.\ roads and bridges, 103,000 dols. ; geological survey, 5500 dols. ; drawbacks to ship-bnilders, 17,000 x\o[i.\ drawback to bank-fishery, 10,000 dols.; to en- I'ourage sheep raisinjr, 1000 dols. ; and the public debt -amounted to 1,457,290 dols., or 302,280/. The profits ,!i'vivpd from the Colonial Savings Bank are, by an :u.'t of the Legislature, devoted to the liquidation of the public debt, and that institution is reported to be i;i ^o prosperous a condition that the amount of the public debt held by the bank (505,849 dols.) >vill be liquidated in a period of sixteen years. Against the reinainder there is now placed to the credit of the colony the balance of the fishery award (742,714 dols.), yielding 1)0,000 dols. per annum interest. Thus the whole of the public debt, being held solely by the people, is virtually provided fur, and the colony stands in the unique position of being, to all intents and purposes, free iVom debt.* The jiopulation, which in 1857 was returned at 122,638, and in 1874 at 161,389, is now estimated at 190,000, including Ljibrador. Mr. Eogerson, Colonial Treasurer, in a recent review of the jjosition of the I'olonv, said it would be admitted that its affairs were in a thorouglily and most exceptionally healthy con- •iition. Almost alone among Transatlantic colonies, Newfoundland can boast of having borrowed in its homo market, and of having done so at the moderate interest of a fraction over 4 per cent. * Tl-e bauks arc rcixTioti to be in a sound, hcalthj- condition. We find that tlio note circulation of tlie Union Bnnk for the present ycir has Iv u greater by oO,OOii?. thiiu in any former years, while in the V'unuuercirtl Bank an iucicase of 3G,000/. is noted. Tlie deposits have also incrensed largely ; no le^s than GOO new accounts have been opened it) the savin^^s bank. -.- '-'■•^ K ' m^ ■», ° ' ."- •mna^^mi^jK^r^ltf- m ^^-%*tyt.^eniblv of tliirtv-one meml.- : , elected every fourth year by tlie people, 'i'lie presij.: Governor-eli^rt is Sir Henry F. J)erl^eloy ^[a\s . K.C.3I.G. Within the jurisilietion of the Governor «.; Newfoundland are the coast of Labrador on the niaii.. land, and the island of Anticosti in tlie Gulf of St Lawrence. The Governor receives his appointment from t!; Imperial Governmeut. lie has a salary of 12,000 dul.v. paid by the colony, and resides in Goveinnient Hous- , yt. John's. The whole male population over t\venty-oi. years, occupyin*^ dwelling houses, either as owners i r tenants, for one year have the right to vote. The Execu- tive Council con:»ists of seven members — the Colonial S • cretary, Attorney-General, Eeceiver-General, Solicitor General, Surveyor-General, Financial Secretary, an '. Chairman of the Board of AVorlis, constitute the chic. Governmeut officers, and are selected from a majorit\ of the Lower House. There is a Supremo Court, witl; a Chief Justice and two Assistant Judges; also, tw- Judges of the Central District Court, Central Circuit Court, and Courts of Justices of the Peace, and a Court of Vice-Admiralty. , No county or township division yet exists in New foundland, the unsettled slate of most of it, and tli' long-disputed claims of the French settlers, equ di} forbidding it. The electoral districts — ten in numb. r. — occupy nearly two-thirds of the coast-line, and ar thus enumerated and classified : — * • II • li 1 Is i Is — /: Is ,5- Q o THE IIO.^rE COLONY. 47 •f, witi: SO, tW" Circni: I CoiiM »e\v mt 1 til. )qii ill) ibiT. ma ar 1 1 c « ^4 «-|<»H P4 S^ o ^ *■> o • r^ 9t i^ e-i •o 1 i 7 • • • • »-< r-4 «-* Cm ."2 i ^ w t«« c» >H 1 ■. '= :7 • * • * •^ • T< u r • • . ■ • 1 « "U 1 «r X CI » '.— CI n • '. ! w ^; V^'Ji <-tCi <^ 00 1— < rH O ^ 1-: c *-4 i i ^ SI •f-« ^H '^ X rt 1^ - 1 ^Jl PH f-N • • • a • « »T< i u~ • • • • •. • 1 ^'a : s * OO -ft r^ ^ ir: (T) — « >— !?i O -H CO -^ O — 1-: -,| 2>-= ?-: -r> C-- o — V ri o M i> c: o n <-H Ci *"- b ", ^*^ a. o • •rj ;r r: 1^1 ;o If: rH Oi n t- f CT SM t- 12 «k ^ - ^^ r^ M 1-1 M « o ec o CO CO '^ •3 , 8H3 -J IM M ?> ITS ^5 CS «0 «* o r>- 1*; « :r> » t^ j: i o c — X r^ SO r; o o en vr M (M — r^ 1 ^ s (M l-(N C^ o c — I- o ir: o C^ -O M F^ »iH t*-r CO h ; 6" ^ »o lo c — ' X — 13 -^< « CT cc r: i^ »^ — :■; ri :t -^ -.r m trj -*< CT .-« o ;;> X t^ ^ M C 'O fi tr- -*■ 'i^ Ti ^ 'P OO a cc -c r: iM l^ -r l.C 1 = M(N f-« M t~ eo o o »-i ^H •»t< rft rM Wi-i CT 5« O i-C c -« :ri -< (M -J O « t^ t^ O l> »*' — < r; CT o I^CT ... o o — ' rs f :i -r :o •'^ -< -o o CT cc r* 1— I r^ X l~ ri) ^^ c^ -o rj 1.-5 •.-: I- ;r o 00 rt — r^ l."' c« t- »ti i-'riOT<»Jii30'-< w « -- -^ •2 '•• i-M ;3 t^ t^ c-T o i^ lo r-r tfi CT f O ut o 00 (N »-i i-> 1— 1 ^N r^ rH r^ o •o r-^ i-i "^ ^ • • • • • • ■ ' * .5 • • " • ■ . . • • • • • v.- • 5 , , a • • • e Harbour Main (Cone Bay) Port -de-Grave, Divisio Curbontar „ Trinity Bay Bonavista Bay Twillingute and Fogo S s- .2 : o .2 • Q a Centra St. John's, East St. John's, West Furry hmd .. 1 1 Soutbc] Placentia and St. Fortnno Bay Burgco and La P 1 S French Shore Labrador . . i- ^n«B«»«.'i^.. r^. .*■ . . . w ' V •.*-^i'"* ■■< ■.fr4-^ ■■■ —-?«>■ 48 THE HOME COLONY. The peculiar po-sition wliich it occupies in the Atlantic witli reference to the two heniis^pheres, has contributed to make Newfouiulland one of the most important telegraphic centres in the world. Hitherto the island ha>=! been unable to derive anv direct ad- vantage from this source. AVlien the original New "i'ork, New fuinul kind, and London Telegrapli Company >Ya.s created, the novelty <^f the enterpri:>;e dazzled the colony, as it did the world at large, and they accorded terras to the Company which could only be justiiicd on the score of iguoiance of the possible results. Not only did they grant the Comi)any a hundred square miles of the mineral lands of the island, whicli are now turning out to be the most valnabio, but tliev j^ranted them an exclusive monopoly for fifty years, during >Yhich no other compauy wns to have the riglit of land- ine: cables on the shores of tlio ishind. The Newfound- land Government Ibrtunatelv inserted a clause bv which this monopoly might be extinguished at the end of twenty years, upon the ])ur('haso by the island of the wires, apparatus, and general jdant, ata valuntion to be fixed bv arbitration. Since tliis arrancrenunt was entered into, tlio original company has amalgamated with the Anglo-American and the French Cal)le Companies, and the term of the monopoly enjoyed by tliese companies has ceased. Tlic cables of the Anglo- American, New Yc>rk, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company are landed at Heart's Content. Trinity Bay, thence messages are sent overhuul to Placentia Bav, and from tlience extended bv submarine cable to all parts of the maiidnial. Land lines are in operation from St. John's to Heart's Content, IMacertia Ciiannel, Bay of Islands, Tilt Cove, and Belts Cove. Another company, known as La Comj)agnie Fran^-aise rp rp pany, ^ ^lessrs. at St. V\ sections Hi lirj Cj Ol. St. Am 01 we find Educ tioual p divided proporti of educi each fo Wesleys.1 reported The mi compuls There i the sev gramma ago, the of the C opened Irish S( a tithe ( society, fitting t ■--T«l- TUE HOME COLONY. 49 Je Tili'^fnqjhie de Paris a New YorJc, a French com- i»:\ny, Avhnso oablo was rcjiaired by the contractor?:, 3[essr^^ Siemens Brotliers, in 3Iay 1880, has a station Jit St. Pierre Island. This line embraces the following sections, viz. : — M»e«. Brest (France) io rcii7ance, Cornwall (brjitioh) .. 150 Urt'st (France), St. Pierrt', X.F. (malu lino) .. 2200 " St. riono U> Louisbm-p, Capo Breton (branch) .. 200 St. Pierre to Cape Co,l,^l;is.-achusett3, and tUonce throu;;!! United Stated to Now York 800 Totiil length 3,350 Among tlie items of colonial expenditure of 1880, we find one of 7000 dols. for telegraph extension. Education is w^'.sely conducted on tlie denomina- Education. tional priL iple. The annual grant of 88,8G0 dols. is divided among the several religious denominations in proportion to their number^, and there exist local boards of education for each denomination, and one inspector each for Church of England, Koman Catholic, and Wesleyan schools. The Public Schools Inspectors reported 15,41(1 childicn receiving education in 1S79. Tiie number is now probably slightly larger. The compulsory system will in time no doubt be adopted. There ai-e four academies, connected respectively witli the severiil denominations, in St. John's, and one grammar school in Harbour Grace. Some four years ago, the Pioman Catholic bishop introduced tlie Brothers of the Christian Schools into the colony. The brothers opened scliools under the auspices of tlie Benevolent Irish Society; but the old schools could not contain a tithe of the children who flocked for instruction. The society, aideil by the public, determined to provide fitting accommodation, and soon a magnificent pile of *fl IT fr»^g'>T i M awy^y V '■■■•n? 50 TUE I103IE COLON y. imons. build iugs, known as the St. Piitrick's Schools, was biiill, at a cost of over 50,000 dols,, and fitted up with all the approved appliances. Besides the schools, a fine residence for the teachers, known as " !i\Ionnt St. Francis," has been built by public subscription. The general public interest in the erection of these CLluca- tional establishnjents is a proof of the complete absence of all sectarian feeling in their midst. Ab thoucrh the Christian Brothers are an exclusively O m Catholic organisation, people of all i-anks and religious, niljidiul only of t!ie good results already achieved, and the value of this teaching body to the youth of New- foundland, came f<)rward and generously supported the movement. In matters ecclesiastical, the population of New- foundland enjoy the most unbounded freedom. The diocese is very evenly divided betwceu the clergy belun^injr to the several denominations. The Church of England is represented by the Lord Bishop (Bight Bcv. Llwellyn Jones, D.I).), and seven Bural Deans; the Bomiin Catholic Church by a l^ord Bishop (Right Eev. Thos. Joseph ro\\er, M.A.), a Bishop of Harbour Grace,, a Yicar-General in each diocese, and an Administrator at each of the following j^laces : St. Peter's Chapel, St. Patrick's, Petty Harbour, Belle Isle, Topsail, Portugal Cove and To]l/ay, Witless Bay and Bay Bulls, Ferryland and Cape Ih-oyle, Fcrmeuse and Benews, Trepassey, St. Mary's and Salmon ier, Great Plucentia, St. Ivyran's, Burin, 0 :i]l that li.is 1,(^1 saltl uaii.v.y. I, .'tj/iij aiiu writteu on the sultjoct, NowiuiMullaiid ^'• f :^'l-'i'*3 is vet without a coninletofl rail -Miv. It is, LiC^^c^S^^ howewr, a realisation of tlio inuiv fiitiire. In 1875 a survey v.-as ma(h^ iVom St.. John's, on tiie east, across tlio island to St. (!eoru;e's Bay, on the >vest, liaving in view the establi^liincnt of St. John's as a port of call for sloaniers with pa-soii;reis bound for Canada. Fast steamers were calculated to run from Galway. in Ireland, or Tililford Haven, South Wales, to St. John's in about five days, ivotn Mhieh port ))assengers would then be able to take train across the island, and complete their journey by steanjer across the Gulf of St. Lawrence to a Canadian port. It was estimated that a saving of time in the mail service of from thirty to forty-eight houi-s would thus be i-iVeefed. This line, there is little doubt, will ultimately bo built, and when it is, will form the eastern or Atlantic division of the projected American and European "short line" railway recently incorporated, and for the construction of which important concessions have been made by the Newfoundland Legislature. A biiof extract from the Ncio York Herald will suffice to indicate the character of the undertaking. The outline of the scjieme is the construction of a railroad from the most eastern ]ioint of the Newfound- land coast across the island to Caj)e Hay. This western terminus will connect by steam ferry with the railway to be couistructed from Cape North over the island of Caj)e E 2 rvJP J Wl n* ^! 52 THE HOME COLONY. liieton to llie Gut of Caiiso, tlic straits to Ic cro=i=;p(l Iv A ferry. Tlio lino will travin'so the north slioro of No\'i Scotia and lorni a junction Avith the Intercolonial IJail- way, from \vliicli connections will be elTtctod with tlic railways (.oniniiinicatinir with F.augor, Boston, Xcw York, ^lontreal, Chicopja, !St. Louis, and San Fi'aneisco. From the east shore v( Xewtuundland the coinpanv will establish a line, consisting of ten powerful au'l swift despatch steamshi}).-:, to connect witli the wo.-t coast of h'rlund. and tlieiu'o by fast express trains witli London and all contJJiontnl cities. The niinimnm eaving of time between London and New York is esti- mated at fortv-eiiiht bonis. Ths! whole sea vovaiie is redueed to 1700 miles between tlicso great commercial centres, and tlie dangerous coast, a thousand miles in extent, lying between Cape L'ace, and Isew Y^ork — tlic grave of numerous ocean stearuers and sailing slops — i^ completely avoided. The company anticipate carrying' annunllv across the Atlantie bv this short line not lt>> than 20,000 passengers. Tiiey aie also sanguine that they will so largely facilitiito as to completely absorb the transportation of the mails of the governments of America, Euro})c, and Asia. 'J.'hc work of construction is to be proceeded with immediately. The Newibundland Legislature, in 1880, passed an Act authorising the construction of a railway from St. John's northward, to the miniuL' region at Hall's Bav. with branches, and the Government were uutliorised to raise a loan of one million puuuds sterling, on the creilit of the colony, for its construction. By an Act (44 Yict. cap. 2), passed 9th May, ISSl, the location, equipment, and 0[)eration of the line wa< fully provided for and the v.ork commenced, the turning of the first sod — metaphorically speaking — being tlu' great event in the Colonial Calendar for ihat yar. The Syndicate Company (^'ewfoundluud liailway Cuin- pany) contract with the Govcriinjciit : — l>ei THE HOME COLONY. l\v;i>; liii;.' tin' rt.ar. fuia- 1. To locate, const mot, equip, inniutain, and con- tinuously operate in an clVicient and sale condition, as their sole pr )perty, Throe Hundred and Forty Miles of Ixaiiway in tlie Island of Newfoundland. Such line of Maiu Line liaihvav shall commence at St. John's, and run thence ^J^'i'^'iiw".''- through the Penin^ada of Avalon, on or near the line indicated by the Survey of Kinipple and Morris, male in the >ear One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty, and from the end of said Survey near Spread Jvigle Peak, to Hall's Bav bv the best and most desirable line, connecting with South West Arm of Random Sound, with Clode S.>nn-i THE IIOMK COLONY. Trinity Harbour. Litil-'lkiy. Come In- Cliance. Centre H ill. Bhi.k IJiv. r. R:iTiilMin J^'Mnnl. fc»hoal IJarbniir Head of Ilanil nil I>iand. Cl'iclo Snuiul. Terra Xova. North r.idok. Greenlanil. Gambo. 15.)na Vi.>ta. GKneoo. Do ul Wolf. Whitewi'.y. Gamier liiver. Mineral liank. Midlnnd. Bishop's ]'uUs (Exploits River) Junction with "liraneh We^c to St. Go tr^i's Day. Gland Forest. Sial Day. Iiai'.bit's Ami JuNXMioN', to Rabbit's Day. IIvLi/s Bay. Junction to T-ittl.^ Day. Indian Brok. South West Aviu, Xotro Dame Day. !^[idd!e Arm. Xutre Dame. Little Day Junction. Grci-n Bay. Di.'tti Cove. Brent. Tilt Cove, Shoo Cove, at head of Notre Dame Bay. along t! easily i railway now re;: prices, i The 1 present ruiles h stood b^ • from tli< Albert I Lidep brauelie: aud post miles in Along this line, there are on either side fertile belts of agricultnral land, where comfortable homesteads mav be estaljli.shed, and Imiidreds and tens of thousands of acres of soil turned into smiling farms. There is also abundance of good sound timber, easily convertible into lumber for the building of dwelling-houses, barns, stables, iV'c, and as the line of railway passes close to the heads of tlie great bays of the Eastern Coast, the facilities for procuring fish manure are very great. Abundance of sea-weed, or " kelp," is al>o procurable within easy distance of tlie contemplated farms. The raw material is all at hand, awaiting: the muscle and energy of the tiller and huobandman. The railway company have undertaken to complete the road within four years, and its operation, at an annual sul)>idv of 180,000 dols. for thirtv-ilve vears, and a land grant consisting of 500 acres to the mile THE HOME COLONY. 55 alon- the line of road. Large tracts of ricli, fiiio, and easily cultivated land ou each side of the i.n.j.^ctod railway are iu the hands of the contractors, svL are Jiow ready to di^^po^e of them ai extraordin.uily low prjces, and on easy terms, to intending immii^ranis. The railway system of Newfoundland, of liuch the present line between St. John's and J [arbour Clra^^e S6 miles long, forms tlio first section, ^v•iJl be best nnderl stood by reference to the accompanvincr map, reduced irom the Admiralty Cliart and latest oliieial surveys bv Albert D. lUackman, C.E. ' Lidependently of the main railway line and its brandies, there are on the island 2457 miles of district and postal roads completed and in operation, and 19.00 miles in process of construction. THE TIOMll COLONY. VIll. ^^I7;EWF0UNDLANJ), although not strictly '^ entitled to rank ns ii sportsman's paradise, not at any rate in the sense in which that term is generally understood tlironghont ~~~' Canada and in some parts of the United States, is nevertheless a line sporting country. Fin. :ur,and fowl are sufficiently abundant to satisfy the most -imbitious seeker for sport, either by Hood or field. ' In less than a week after leaving home," ^vrote Laurence Oliphont in 1873, "the English sportsman may find himself in unexplored wilds, dej)endent upon ii»s gun and rod for subsistence, and it is his own fault if he does not live right royally on their spoil." AYhat \vas true ten years airo is substantiallv true now. Gariboo or kariboo, a species of reindeer larger than those of Lapland, though now scarce round tlie settle- ments, still range the savannahs of the interior in great abundance, herding by thousands in the months of November and 2[ay, when they a^e killed by the j\tic-mftc Indians and white hunters whih^ crossintr the lahes. Besides the cariboo, the hunter, ambitious for more savage game, may chance upon an occasional bear, or tL ■ noble cariboo's natural enemv, the wolf. Tlio remaining animals met with in Newfoundland are foxes, otters, beavers, hares, weasels, and musk rats. The fox is abundant all over the island, the yellow variety being the most common. In the way of feathered fov/1, the sport is also excellent. coves The 1 looking hear tl ■-HWS"'WH5-" THE HOME COLONY. 57 Of the Tdraonhhv, or grouso tribe, there are two well- known varieties, the willow grouse and the ])tarmi2:an. The ptarniigau are a larger and plumper bird tlian the game known in Europe by that name. As many as thirty brace of these fine birds will sometimes fall -to a single gun in a day's shooting. 'J'hcy are called " rock " or " mountain " partridges. Snipe and wild geese are met with almost everywhere, while tlie black duck — a sui>erior variety to the fomous canvas back, and chiinied by some authorities as the best table b'rd on the island — are plentiful. These with the blue- winged teal complete the list of birds fit for a bag. Mr. T. E. Collins, of Toronto, has recently furnished the New York Forest and Stream with an account of his recent rambles through Newfoundland. From it we cull the following : — "In the late autumn in Newfoundland the interior of many portions of the island, particularly that of the Peninsula of Avalon, is literally crawling with game. The cariboo, a variety of the reindeer (Cervus taraadus) breeds in actual swarms in various localities, and may be found in the autumn at favoured points — the valleys of streams winding down to the bays — in large herds. Then the willow grouse (Lar/opiis alhiis), erroneously called 'partridge* all over the island, is found in abundance near about and in the woods, while the rock ptarmigan (Lagojnis riipestris), or mountain partridge, as it is called in tlie island, in the autumn, especially on foggy days, is found sentinelling the very highest and bleakest ridges on the island. The slaughter among these birds by the fishermen, living down in the coves and crevices, on a foggy day, is inconceivable. The birds will stand upon tlie bare ridge in flocks, looking in the fog as large as turkeys, and when they hear the huntsmen they close together in bundles, thus exposed to the raking fire from the long-barrelled shot-guns. nmmwvr*"*^ •jr-^w*-.- 5R THi: nOME COLONY. i\ " No one,r.nl(\s3 he Ic too lazy, iiood be witlio>it crnmo for the greater j>art of the year iii .\e>vt\inii(iIaiHl,aJi(l, as a matter of f u-t, go into the lioii-c-s uf the {n.-viplc living in tlie eoves and creviecs, and in'ne mcnths out of tljc year you Avill lind their tables ^^jlpli«■ll \\ith name — with the cariboo, the red duck, the cu'-'ew, or plover, or sni])e, or 'beoeh bird,' the ' miir,' tlie ^vild a^>o^e, and last, but n(^t least, with the 'partridize.' Alter tlie cod-Hshing season is over, during uhieli there i.-^ uo time for gunning, anil little game to be had, the mother will sry to the hrisband or to one of her sons:, 'The duek or the partridge are a.ll gone ; I wish you would go out iu the morni'ig aud get me some more.' And straiglitway with the next mi^ijiing's light he climbs over the grey hills, where he linds abundance of game, kills a dozen birds or so, and then returns. I have sat in t.he grey dawn of a foggy morning uj)on one of those high bleak hills, a mile iu from the sea, awaiting sun- rise to get a shot at the birds, and heard the crowing of many hundred ptarmigan in the air all around me at once; and tlie r^ound of innuiui'iuble winirs in the early light whirring around me on every band. After two hours' shooting I have frequently returned with twenty or thirty birds slung on my guu and across my • shoulder. "Go into any one of the fishermen's cottages and that which you first notice is the jioreh, bristling with rows of spikes, upon which to hang the game. Never, 'or hardly ever,' are these spikes all empty. I'roni the 1st of Septend)er to the last of October you find them rauged with tresh-water ducks, wild geese, a^'d willow grouse, rock ptarmigan, plover, curlew, snipe, and small game ; from November till the 1st of xVpril, you find the rock ptannigan, willow grouse, and the various kinds of sea ducks there. Then from the 1st of April till the heat of summer they are lined with sea-pigeons (black guillemot), the commor guillemot, aii;l thick- billed guillemot, the two latter kuowu among the inhabitants Tii;; Tfo^rE colony, 59 as *Hiiirs* (\T\(\ 'tuiT<,' (Voin the cry thoy mako exactly re «(• milling tlu-^'"* woivls. Ami otren Iiapjioniiii^j in yon did ji li;iniich I i" V( i;is< n hanj^iui!: upon the ' vonisoii pin/ or two or ilu • • puirs of Arctii' liures or, in later yeaijj, the Anitri .u) h;tre, a fow p:iirs of which were iniptirtr'l from N •\,i Scotia some years njjo, •"♦nd liave now j^wiii'inod ovfr a 1 irL;c portion of the island." Li the way of I'i'iin'ug the choi(!c {.•^ s!uaU but select. ** 'J iie rivers corit.iu nothing hut s;.linou, trout, eels, and jiiinnows." The .-alinou badly ]ieed protection : the net-llsliin^- nnd lr.i|»s .set for thejii at the mouths of the rivers ppoil tiie unifier's sport ; and though they are mnuerons enough uji-stream they >;eldom attain any great t:ize. The frcsh-water trout, averaging from two to five pounds, abound, and the delicious red sea-trout literally swarm in the ponds and brooks accessible from the sea. 'J'hey are, however, singularly destitute of the many species of ilsh which inhabit the lakes aud rivers of the mainland. The interior o!" the island, more especially those portions or districts of it drained by the Exploits, Gander, and Humber ri\crs, referred to on page 10, and more minutely reported upon by !l\rr. Murray, are full of beautiful lakes, rivers, and picturesf^ue cas- cades. Grand Lake encloses within its arms an island 22 mihs loufx and 4^ miic^ at its greatest width. The group of lakelets known as Birchy ponds or lakes, 12 miles in extent, situate between Indian Brook and the Ilumbei', afford fuie hunting and fishing. On the southern side of the second of these lakes the ground is seamed with deer paths, the uan-ow neck of water being a favourite place for the cariboo to cross when moving south in the month of October. The "barrens'* in this quarter arc famous grounds for deer hunting. r#WW | W W y v m f * %«««»^ GO THE HOME COLON i'. Lut tlio hunter niid tlio tourist arc both w:intiii::^ to tinu the pK-ntiful supi»liesof game and tlie picliireMjin* scenery to jiceount. Tiie interior of tlie ishmd rcijuiros to he more thoroiiLrhly explored boiore pnictieal ^ettli.-- mont can bo sueeessfully commoiieed. 'I'he interior of Xewfoundhmd, as I liave elsewhere stated, diliers widely from the sceu':»ry of the inland porliims of the continent. Forest for the greatt-r jiart is only found liniuLr tlie banks of tlie streams; if vuu find it elsewhere it exists in clumps or *' drokes ," us the peo[)lo say, about swampy regions. The clear spaces between these elunij»s are generally soft marsh, through uhich in crossing the traveller Avill sometimes sink to the middle. Frequently large ponds, the waters loolc- ing black as ebony, are found in such districts. It is here the Newfountlland beaver [Castor filer) plies the trade of tree cuttinij, damminjr streams, and build imr houses all his life, without interruption. i As 1 have said, you may wander for weeks through the interior of tlie island and not meet a humau being, unless now and again you happen upon a fhuuting party. The hunting parties, therefore, fri- queutly build shanties or "tilts," as tliey are callt-d by the peojde, in the densest patch of forest that can bo found. The tilt is built of logs laid horizontally upon each other, and a hole is left in the toj) of the building for the escape of the smoke. After the hut is up the hunters proceed to strip the bark off a number of the trees growing round about it. In a year these trees become what are known as "whitings"; that is, they are dry, and ring again when you strike them with an axe. Thus the party coming to the tilt subsequently finds a number of whitings growing about the eanip. and, cutting some of them, ho has material for a m~ ^k« TlIK JIO:\li: COLON V. »1 delightful ramp lire. Nearly every siioli tilt is pro- vided with till cups, a kottle, an axe, plutfs', spoons, &c., and always a bag of salt ami a tin of pepper. There is no fi-ar of robbers. No one visits thtse wild, secluded haunts but sportsnieir. These lonely plains and valleys only need settlement to make them valu- able. They are fitted for tlie habitation and husbandry of man, and despite the picjudiee and ignorance that has prevailed iu regard to the climate, resouroes, and productive cai>acity of NewAnindland, tlure can be no doubt that the day is rapitlly approachiiii: when tho most fertile tracts of country in the various divisions of the island, more particularly on tho west coast and in the valley of the Exploits, will be all taken up by a hardy class of immigrants. When we romcniber that these districts are a thousand miles nearer to England than the best farming regions of Canada — that they must, before long, be on the highroad from the mother country to the Dominion — that they show ])romise of abundant resoiirces of coal, iron, and other ores — and especially when we reflect that they will shortly be opened up to old world capital and industry by rail- way, we can scarcely resist the conviction expressed in tho opening chapter of this pamphlet, that New- foundland has the elements of a great future befo^'e her, and that enterprise and energy arc tdcne wrjr.ed to raise her to a far higher position among the colonial fields of the empire than she has hitherto occupied. i ( / ^p: MKDOKv fBIMU) BT -i I^ STAUIUUD STEEBT •■•••• ^^'^mmtf'^m^'