^^V.V; 
 
 
 ■ .'*'*■' ^^ 
 
 * ?.*■* '■*C •*** 
 
 ^2 
 
 *■ ;? 
 
 R/l/j
 
 oners.
 
 Adrrrtiscmcnts. 
 
 ST. JOHN'S, N. F. 
 
 Wholesale & Retail Dry Goods. 
 
 DRESSMAKING! MILLINERY! MANTLES! 
 
 Provisions and Groceries : 
 
 I.AIUiKST stock: I.OWKST PliK'KS! 
 
 Cordage, Chains, Anchors, Glass, Paints and Oils, and all 
 goods required for the Fisheries and Farming. 
 
 Building- Material ! ! ! 
 
 ALL KINDS OF MECHANICS' TOOLS! 
 
 No lioiiie should be without or no vcssol shoulrt sail without a 
 supply of BKECH A>I'S PII.LS. TliPi-e is no better inerticiiie liitown. 
 We are s«)le Agents. 
 
 SPECIAL NOTICE. 
 
 ( 'nslouins rrsiiliug in OutpoitN can ^;ave the trouble and ex- 
 |K'use of coining to St. Jolin's, by sending order and money vo. 
 registered letter or Post Ottice Or<ler, as we give such orde:s the 
 ,greatest attention and cliarge our lowest jnice. 
 
 G. KNOWLING.
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 WM. H. DAVIDSON, 
 
 WHOLESALE AND RETAIL 
 
 FAMILY GROCER. 
 
 367 - - WATER STREET, ST. JOHN'S. - - 367 
 
 MANUFACTURER of Jams and Jellies made from native 
 Fruits, which have received the approval of Her Majesty' 
 the Queen ; and Sole Agents for 
 
 (i, \V. (iOODWIX \- SOX, 
 
 " /FY so.jf:' 
 
 MAX( 'H KSTKl!, KNt ILANl ). 
 ALKX. (XiSTOX \- SONS, 
 
 -SCOTCH SOAPr 
 
 ABERDEEN, SCOTLAX 1 ). 
 
 COX .^- CO., 
 
 " A7iti Biirton ^Uc's and Stoitt!' 
 
 LONDON, ENOLANI). 
 
 Koiir.Ks. m.\.\\vi:ll \- co.. 
 '' Cordials and Fi'iiit Syrups^ 
 
 AIJERDEEX. SCO'I'LAXI). 
 
 The New HYDROLEINE CO., (Limited), Sanitary Wash- 
 ing Powders, Ashly-de-la-Zouc!i, England. 
 
 'I'I';k>IS -Ciisli with order.-. t>r a]i]ir<>vc(l C'if.v ri'loroni-es.
 
 Ai/r>rh'sniicnt-<. 
 
 EJsTAIU.ISlIKI) lS,'.->. 
 
 Thos. McMiirdo & Co., 
 
 \A/holesal<3 and Dispensing 
 CMEIVIISXS. 
 
 TT^ULL stock.- cif Drugs ami Clieiuicals ot all kinds always (..n 
 -^ liaiid. English and Anieiican Patents and Piopiietoiy 
 Gdoils of i-epntt-. Dry Paints, Stains, VarnislK-.-, ^'v:^. Agricul- 
 tural, Garden and Flower Set-ds. Fl()\wringBullis in their si-ason. 
 
 ^^' Careful and laonqit attention to Outport orders. 
 
 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIMIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIinilllllflllMliinilllllllilllilil 
 
 Marine and Family Medicine Chests. 
 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiitiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiini 
 
 Water-St., 
 
 St. John's, N. F. 
 
 Cabinet-makers, 
 
 oisterers, 
 
 GENERAL HOUSE FURNISHERS. 
 
 DUCKWORTH AND GOWER STREETS.
 
 ^Lih'i'ii ixi'jiti'iif.-<. 
 
 lippii & Geierel MMi 
 
 t!!!!lil!!;il!ll'l!!lliniilllinilllllli:illllllll!llllllllllllllllllllllllliii! 
 
 Water Street, St. John's, N. F. 
 
 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii:[iii!!;ni!i;i[iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii;iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir 
 Importers and Wholesale and Retail Dealers 
 in all kinds of 
 
 Canadian & American Goods. 
 
 (iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii; 
 
 Our Departments are replete with the largest 
 stocks in town of 
 
 Dry Goods, Hardware, Groceries, 
 Provisions and Ships' 
 
 Chandlery. 
 
 Agents for the Liverpool «& London & Globe 
 l>s"SUR^^NCE CO. 
 
 LLOYDS' AGENTS.
 
 Adirrfiso/icvts. 
 
 Li) Alia. 
 
 llli'^ 
 
 WATER STREET, ST. JOHN'S, 
 
 GENERAL IMPORTER OF GOODS, GROCERIES, 
 PROVISIONS, LIQUORS, &c., is now occupying: his 
 New Premises 
 
 Wlieiv lu' invitfs insjirclidii ol'liis lui-yc .'-tuck. ('(jJtisli, Oi! ;ui.l 
 LtilistL'is inuTliascd at market lates. W'liaiTai^i- ami Sfoia^i^i- ar- 
 i-Ciiiini(iiLatinii. I'li-misrs all new ami rcnti'allv .-itiiatcil. 
 
 J. F. ClIIHllOLM, 
 
 WATER SXKEET, - - ST. .lOHN'S, XKWl'Ol NDLAM), 
 
 rMPORTER and Dwilcr in Stati(Hm-i-y and PxK.ks of all kinds ;. 
 J- Peiiinlicals. ilnsic, C'liaits and Xantical ^^'('l■ks, Fancy (loods, 
 Toys, Walking Sticks, Trout and Salmon 'J'acklc, Piju^s and 
 Siuokc'Vs' Snndries. Books, i'criodicals, Music, &c., supplied to 
 order iiromjitly, at lowest casli jirices. Order.- lilled with (le>]iatrli. 
 
 li!STABI.I.SHKI) ISnS. 
 
 TlTCALT^iVirAX, 
 
 DEAlJOIl IX 
 
 STOVES A^NTI3 TINWARE, 
 
 W]iole<ale and Ketail. 
 
 Plumbing and Gas F"itting. 
 
 384 & 386 WATER STREET, ST. JOHN'S, N. F.
 
 Advert/s'iiuiif^i. 
 
 '\ Cable Address : 
 
 , All "ANGEL," ST, .)«>H>S. I . r\ n 
 
 James Angel. , Te,.pho„,. : . A. P. Brown. 
 
 ' DOCK. Xo. 48. SXaiJK, No. rr, . I ' ' '■■■""■■ 
 
 JAME S ANGEL <& CO. 
 
 ST. TOMB'S ORY DOCK. 
 
 Til.' L.argest Dry Do.-k on iliis si.le tliL- Alhuitif. LuiiKtli. owr all, 610 ft ; 
 wiiltli of eiitr.inre, S-1 tt. 9 in. : Dejit!! nf water on sill at onliiiarv tides, 
 24 feut. 
 
 T ARdE SHEDS \uv tli.' stor;iuv i.f Frfi-ht. Evrry facility 
 -*-^ for Slii]i Vfpaii--. Vessel^ (if any size ivijuiriug repairs 
 Avitliout D(X-ka<^t' i/aii lu- laid aliiiijj;<iilc (nir iU'e])-\\ater pier*. 
 2^"" An exclusive Lloyd's Surveyor roideiii in the port. Ex- 
 tensive Work Slio])s on Dock side fitted -w itli iiiacliinery for the 
 repairs of Hulls, Engines antl Boilers. 
 
 We have had a long and varied ex]ieiience in all kinds of 
 Ship and Engine -work. A lai-ge and etfieient staff of Engineers, 
 Boiler-makers, Ship Repairers, ( 'oppersniiths, Hlaeksniitlis and 
 Ship (,'arpentHi-s al'.vays eniployeil ;nid ready fa- any size joli. 
 Diver, with all appliances ; Sti-aui I'linip and wiveking materials 
 'lU tlie premises. 
 
 Ships' linttoms cleaned and coateil with Auti-Fouling Com- 
 positions. 
 
 Dockage rates according to size of vessels and time on Dock, 
 but always rea--onal)le. 
 
 Castings in Ii-iai or Bia^s to any weiglit. Siii]> Stores for 
 'leck or engine room alwavs on liaiid at the Doek or at our En- 
 gineers' and Mill Furnishing Stores -No. 7 Water Street West. 
 
 Fi'iends and sti-angers are always welcome to examine the 
 Dock, with its sjilendiil Pum])ing House and Work Slio[)s, where 
 jii'e cai-i-ied rill all classes of Engine and Fonndiy work and the 
 manufactui-e of any reipiisite for llie smallest fisjiing sdiooner to 
 llie largest >teamshi[i. 
 
 Late Sliip]iing an<l Engineering I'aperson fyle at our offices 
 >\nd sliown with pleasure to those interesti-d. 
 
 At oui' l^ngineei-s" and Mill Furnishing Stores are kept a 
 large -toek of liiviss (tooiIs for Engines and Steam Fittings : all 
 >izes of Iron Pipe am! Fittings ;' I'.elting, Oils, Steel Bar Iron. 
 Every class of (Joods in our line. 
 
 Mai.diinery f(a- Saw Mills: 1 loi-ting Engines for Mines; 
 Boilers for Land an<l Mai'ine woik mnd.' ; an-1 dralei's in secoud- 
 li'ind Machiiierv of e^eiv elass.
 
 Aih-iiilfiinncnt^. 
 
 Goodfellow&Co. 
 
 GEE"EEAL IMPOPvTERS AI^D COM- 
 MISSION :^[ER(JHA1^T8, 
 
 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 
 
 Water Street, St. John's, Newfoundrcl 
 
 C^<-0-«-<-0<><-0-CM>«-<K>-(><'-fr<><K«>-0-0-0-«-(><>-<> <^<>-0-6-0-0-0-<><)-0-<>H?H><<HO^J<^><►os►-6•6<Kt<t-<^>^■*^♦ 
 
 — i>KAi.!;:;s ix- 
 
 Drv Goods, Hardware, 
 Provisions, (rroceries, and Ships' 
 
 Chandlery. 
 
 Aguf- iui- ill,' \\i-ll-k(ln\\ii liiiii ,,r W'ii. HorxsELi. & Co., 
 I'.ridpi't, Liiii' -iiiil l\\iiii' iii;iii;i['urlui'crs. 
 
 In lie alinvc (l(']iartiiHMits a lai-gv ami \ai'it'(l ai^sovtineiit of all 
 classe;ot" gonils is kcjit: wliicli aiv miI.1 at thi; smallest inarfi-iu of 
 ■profit. For all kinds uf ])i-(,.lure, sii.-h as FISH, OIL, HER- 
 RIXC, SALMON, LOBSTEKS. FURS, we pay the liigliest 
 ]irice> HaviiiiT exeelleiit facilities Icu- doing lutsiness in our new 
 [>reni~es, -we gurrantee satisfaelion in all de[tai'tnients tij those 
 ivvho nay tavur us will: their patroirige.
 
 Adrcrtisements 
 
 THE ST. JOHN'S CONFECTIONARY. FRUIT A.VD 
 FLOWER STORE : 
 
 FRED C WOOD, Proprietor. 
 
 Maimractui'ci- ami liii]i(iiU'r nf 
 
 ,K^^ CONFECTIONERY — »J. 
 
 (if suiMTioi' (|iialit\. 
 
 AGENT FOi; Xl'lJt. <>!■ THE .Vol'.l SioTIA XI'IISE 
 Choice Ice Cream, Soil.i WmU-i- with p in' Fiuir Syniii>. ;uul all ki 
 New Fruit in se;isrin. 
 
 CITY CLUB BUII.I>IN<i, W.VTICK STHKKT, ST. JOHX'S,
 
 ji(/ rf/iisf/iu/ifs. 
 
 S. E, GARLAND, 
 
 ■DOOKSELLEli, XEWSDEALEl!, AND STATIONED, 
 AMiolesali- ;uiil Retail Di-ak'r in (_'liaits. Domestic and Famv 
 Glu", Cliina ami Eartlifii\v;iiv, JcwelliMV, Tin, Wood, ami dtlu'i- 
 Toys, Trout ami Salmon Tacklt-, Smokers' JJojuisitcs. and all 
 kimls of Eaney (looils. "••"...'■'" Used Xewloundland Stamps, st-rond 
 hand Books lituiiilit and >iild. 
 
 GARLAND BUILDING: 
 
 ITT Watkk Stkket East, and ■2'j(> Watki! Sthket, "\\'i:st : 
 
 Ay A. ^ 
 
 Fine Tailoring. 
 
 SNOW & CO., 
 
 Harness and Trunk-Mckers, 
 
 422 Watep. Street West, St. John's, Xewi-oundi.aM'. 
 
 A lull >tork on hand of 
 HARNESS, HORSE CLOTHING, STABLE WEAR. 
 
 Repairix(t a Specialty. 
 
 WM. CAMPBELL, 
 
 (.SrcCE.^.sciI; TO THE I.ATK HKNliY ULDEU:, 
 
 Ships supplied promptly. Ships' Stores on hand. 
 Satisfaction guaranteed. 
 
 350 - Water Stkei:t. .St. .1i>h.\"s. Xi;wfoi xhlaxh. - ;550" 
 
 One Door Kast of General I'ost Otti< e.
 
 NEWFOUNDLAND AS 
 IT IS IN 1894: 
 
 A HAND-BOOK AND TOURISTS' 
 GUIDE. 
 
 THE REV. M. HARVEY, LL.])., F.R.S.C'. 
 
 .■1 1'JlKjr <,/'' Te:d-Bn«l: of XeirfiMrnJhi„J IL'ytnri/ ; J rtides " Xeirjlund' 
 hmd,'' " Lahraihyr," and ''Seal Fisheries of the World," in 
 Encj/chipaedla Uritannim ; " Lectureff Literary and Biogra- 
 phical ; " Where are v:e and Whither Tending;' and 
 line of the authors of " XeKfonndland — The Oldest 
 British Col .,1,/:' 
 
 WITH COLOURED MAP. 
 
 ST. JOHN'S, X.F. 
 
 J. AV. WITHKKS. gillKN-; PKIXTKK. 
 1894.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 In tlie lollowiuf,' ]>A'j,{:.s I liavc ainicil iit prcseutiiig, in a irioilerate 
 -Miiiliass, a (•oiiii)i-elieusivf ami trust-wortliy account of Xewl'ouiidlaiul as 
 it is at the present time. In <loin>; so it was necessary, of course, to refer 
 to its history and to trace its jirogr.-.-s in tlie past, so as to understaml how 
 it canie to be wliat it is in 1894. 
 
 I have devoted a consiilerible jporlion of tlie volume to a ile-;criptioa 
 of t>ie natural resources ancl capabilities of tlie Island. These have been 
 largely overlooked or mis-represented ; ami, as a <:onsequence, under- 
 valued and neglecteii. 'L'lic ai-count giv^ii in tliese jiages of the agricul- 
 taral and mineral resour.-i-s of th.i country ami of its forest wealth, will 
 b-' a surprise to many, i have endeavoured, however, iu dealing with the 
 subject, to secure strict a -curacy of statement, and to be guided solely Ity 
 ficts and ))y the liighesi and best authorities. Tliese natural resources, 
 as I believe, are siicli as Viarraut us in ])redicting a bright and jirosperous 
 future lor the Calony now that the eonstruction of railway.s has opened 
 its agricultural, mineral and forest lands, and prejpared a way for enter- 
 prise and capital to turn tlicm to |)rotitalile account. 
 
 1 lia\e also dwelt on tlie grand staple industry of the Colony — the 
 tislieries, — and gi\cii a full account of their [iresent comlitioii and pros- 
 jiects in tlie future. Tiie French Treaty Rights on certain jiortions of the 
 ■ihore and their ettects on the Colony, have received iliie attention. (>tlier 
 topics dealt with are education, finances, trade and comnierce, govern- 
 ment, pulilic institutions, population, and tlie general Ijusiiiess of tl'.e 
 ..•(luutry. 
 
 Ill the i'lia]iter for travellers and tourists I have dwelt on the tine 
 scenery of the Island, and given such information and directions as ai'e 
 requireil for enabling them to see the country to the best advantage. 
 There cari be little doubt that, in the near future, Xewfouiidland is de.s- 
 tiiied to holil an important jilace as a health-resort during its summer 
 months, and as a country which presents rare attractions for the tourist 
 and the sportsman. Xuniei-ous lines of steamers now remler access to its 
 shores easy, and the extension of its railway system and local steam com- 
 municatioii ]ilace within reaidi of visitors from other lands all that is 
 attractive and interesting in the beauty of its scenery. 
 
 A residence of over forty years in the Colony has given ine oppor- 
 tunities of becoming ac(|uaiiiteil with the country anil the peojile. It will 
 be a source of gratification to me if this little volume sliould aid in making 
 the country better known ami attracting to it that attention which it 
 richly merits. 
 
 AI. H. 
 
 tiT. John's, .Iulv, 1894.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH. Tack 
 
 The Aborigines ; The Xortliiiieii : Tlie Coining of the Wliite men : Tlie 
 tirst lisliernien : Sir Hiuii]ilirey (iilliert ; TheFreneli in Newfoinni- 
 land ; Historic Misfortunes ; I'njnsl L;nvs ; Dawn of better days . 7 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 PHYSIOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE 
 ISLAND. 
 
 Geograiiliieal ]>osition ; Its niountain-ranges, rivers, lakes, etc. : Geo- 
 logy ; Climate ... ... ... ... ... ... 24 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 ROADS AND RAIL\A^AYS. 
 
 First roads ; Beginning of Railway construction ; Railway to Harlioiir 
 Grace ami Placentia ; The Great Northern and Western Railway 
 — its rotite, character of the country traversed ; resources to be 
 developed ; land, minerals, tindjer ... ... ... 4-3- 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES AND FOREST 
 WEALTH. 
 
 Western Newfoundland ; Fertile Valleys ; Coal Fields ; Mineral De- 
 postts ; Exploits, Gander and Gambo Valleys ; Value of Agricul- 
 tural Products ; Prospects of Cattle and Sheep Puaising ; Forests . 89 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES. 
 
 Eise and Progress of Mining Industry ; Copper Miues ; Gyjisum and 
 Marble ; Iron Pyrites at Pilley's Island ; Discovery of Asbestos ; 
 Coal Areas ... ... ... ... ... ... 12-3
 
 C()STKSJ<. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 THE CROWN LANDS- ACTS. TAcr. 
 
 Purclia.-e of L;iii<l ; Licenses ot Oreii Ration : Hoiuestcad ; Licenses 
 to cut Tiinlier ; Paper Pulp Aet ; Licenses to .seanh for Minerals ; 
 Sheep Farming Kegulations ... ... ... ... I'ji 
 
 CHAPTKR \Ii. 
 THE FISHERIES. 
 
 Evolution of tlie (_'o(l-lisliery~its value ami ]iros]iects ; Seal, Herring, 
 fealiiio'.i anil Loi srer Fislieries : Fi.slieries" Coniini.ssion — it.s gooil 
 work ; Artificial Proi)agatiou of Marine Fooil-fislies ; Great Suc- 
 cess of C'oil anil Lolister Hati liing : Bait Preservation — the 
 Freezing Barrel : Refiigerators ... ... ... ... 140 
 
 CHAPTKR VIH. 
 INTERNATIONAL- TREATIES. 
 
 Their Effects ; Treaty Iliglits of the French: The "French Shore," 
 Disputes, Perils of the Situation; Michm rivnil'i ; Legislative 
 Action : Present Negotiations ... ... ... ... 170 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE THE 
 CLASSES AND THE MASSES. 
 
 Saxon and Celtic Elements ; Mental ami Moral Qualities , Capital ami 
 
 Labour ; The Creilit System ; Tlie Fishermen ; Social Pleasures . 193 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 POPULATION. 
 
 Eate of increase — The Census of 1891 ; Numbers of Religious deno- 
 minations ; Agi'icultural returns ; Employments of the people ... 20.' 
 
 CHAPTER XT 
 MODE OF GOVERNMENT. 
 
 Con.stitution — House oi As.seinbly — Legislative Council — The Gover- 
 
 r.or— Law Courts ; Fievenue ; Trade ; Finances ; Shipi>ing ... 212
 
 CONTEXTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 EDUCATION. Pace 
 
 Srliools — Acaikiiiif<— CollfLTes — Leg'islative Grants I'm' Ediicatidii ... 220 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Post Ottiee D^partiiiriit : Coiistal)iilary ; Light Hcjuscs ; Banks; Xi-ws- 
 
 jiaiier Press ... ... ... ... ... ... 22d 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 SCENERY. 
 
 Attractions for Travel lers and Tourists; Likeness to Norway; Tlie 
 Inland as a liealtli-resort ; Ojiinions of travellers on Seeiiery ; The 
 v.eather ; London " Times'' on NewfoninUaml ... .. 233 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 How to see the Country ; Rout.'s of Travel ; Steamship Lines to Eng- 
 land, Halifa.x", New York, Montreal ; Coastal Steamers ; St. John's 
 — Objects of interest there, its .streets, buildings, etc. ; Industries ; 
 Drives and walks in vicinity of St. Jehu's ; Signal Hill ; Qaidi 
 Mdi : To Torliay ; Portugal Cove ; Petty Harbour ; Renews : E.\- 
 cursions by Sea — We.steru Route to Bonne Bay ; Northern Route 
 to Battle Harbour and Labrador ; Moravian Mission stations ; 
 Grand Fall.s, Laln'ador ; Railway E.xcursions from St. John's to 
 Harbor Grace, thence to He.art's Content ; Working of Cables — 
 Instruments ; Rejiairing Cables ; New Cable of 1894 ; Heart's 
 Delight — Scene of Josejih Hatton's ''L'lider the Great Seal"; 
 Dildo Hatchery ; Placentia, its tine Scenery ; History ; Curiosi- 
 ties ; Relics, etc. ; Richard Brothers the Mad Pro] diet ; St. John's 
 to E.xiiloits ; Northern and Western Railway ; Stations and Dis- 
 tances ; Fishing ; Hotels in St. .John's ; Trip to St. Pierre and 
 ^liqnclon ; Descri]ition of the Islands ... ... ... 245 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 SPORT IN NENA/TOUNDLAND. 
 Wild Geese and Ducks ; Curlew, Plover, Ptarmigan Sliooting ; Deer 
 
 Stalking; Salmon Fishing ... ... ... ... ... 291 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 No. 1 — Erratum ; New Cable ; Stock Exchanges, London and New 
 York, connected hy CaVile ; Talile of Lengths of ( 'ables. No. 2 — 
 Scenery; Pay of I-skands ... ... ... ... ... 295
 
 ■NEWFOUNDLAND AS IT IS 
 IN 1894: 
 
 A HAND-BOOK AND TOURISTS' GUIDE. 
 
 CHAPTHi; r. 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 AltOKIGIXAI. XKWFOIXOLAXD. 
 
 .Shovi.d it Ik- askfil : Wlio wciv llie very first liiiinau iiilia- 
 liitants (if ill is laigc island ; to uliat race oi- nation did they 
 belong ; and what \ww their appearance and haliits ; what 
 plane of civilizaliun had they reacdied :' ^Ve are unahle to 
 answer these (piestions. History enables us to go back only 
 to the arrival of the first European ex]ilorers, and to describe 
 the inhabitants found l)y them in possession of the island some 
 four hundred years ago. But it is (piitc jtossible and even likely 
 that other races may have preceded the Red Indians who were 
 occupants of the soil when the "palef>ices" first trod these shores-, 
 .and these may lia\-e disap])eared, leaving no trace behind, after 
 playing their ])art for many centuries on this narrow^ stage of 
 being. "We know something about the latest comers, but all is 
 .eloudland as regai'ds any earlier tribes. 
 
 GEOr^OOICAl, CHAXGKS. 
 
 AVe have more records in the rocks, regarding the earlier 
 • changes through which this ])ortion of the globe has passed, than 
 .of the evanescent human lieings who first trod its surface. — 
 •Geology has much to tell us of vast transibrmations during the 
 .aeons of the past ; of the seas flowing over much that is now 
 diy land ; of the bottoms of old Camln-ian and Silurian seas 
 now elevated inli) hill-ranges ; of vast denudations sweeping
 
 8 IIISTOltlCAL SKETCH. 
 
 away later fonuatious ami s|(iva(liiig tlie wrecks over the floor of 
 ocean ; of volcanic operations that lironght to tlie sui'face the- 
 mineral-bearing rock.s, placing the precious ores M-ithin tlie reach 
 of man. Aliove all, geology lias much to say aliout an ice-age^ 
 (towards the close of the Tertian), when Newfoundland, in 
 common with many nciglibouring lamls, was luide]' a liuge 
 ice-cap many hundreds of feet thick, just as Greenland now is, 
 and during which glaciers foi- Imndreds of centuries were shap- 
 ing its valleys and scooping out its hays ami lakes and (>overing 
 much of its surface with hoidders of Archaean rocks. Tliesc 
 glaciers have left their grooves on the rocks, hy which tlieir 
 course can still be traced. This ice-co\cring ;it lengtli l>egan lo' 
 shrink as the climate grew milder, and finally disappeared. 
 Plants and animals, different from any now I'xisfing, lived and 
 died. Sj)ecies followed species, of whicli we can trace some 
 faint outlines in the rocks. Whether any Jiuman eyes looked 
 on them we know not ; lait, if so, they, too, passed away leaving 
 no memorials of themsehes. And when those daring voyagers 
 crossed the stormy Atlantic and reached this sea-girt isle they 
 found it inhalnted by a race in all resj^ects resendiling the 
 savage tribes of the neighbouring North American continent, 
 and evidently belonging to the same stock. These early ex- 
 plorers from Europe for a long time believed that the coiintry 
 they had discovered was not a new continent, but the eastern 
 £ihores of Asia, or India, as it was named, and hence they called 
 the whole inhabitants, both in North and Soiith America,. 
 "Indians." From their complexion the northern tribes were 
 afterwards designated "Red Indians," and the whole tribes 
 "American Indians." 
 
 THK IJEOTHIKS. 
 
 The Indian race found in NeAvfoundland called themselves 
 Bcothiks. This Avas their tribal name. Their features resembled 
 those of the continental Indians. They had high cheek bones, 
 email black eyes, straight black haii', and were of a copjun-color. 
 Their weapons, canoes, tents or wigwams and domestic utensils 
 resembled those of neighbouring tribes on the continent. Their
 
 HISTOIIICAL SKETCH. 9" 
 
 ]ial)its of life -were alike in many ivsjiccts and tiny iivcil liy 
 hunting and ti.sliing. 
 
 Among learned men who have ytudied carefully the few relics 
 which have l)een ])reserve(l, and examined the meagre and un- 
 certain vocal mlaries which contain all that remains of their 
 language, there is a difference of opinion as to Avhether they 
 were a branch of the wide-spread and warlike Algonkins who 
 once occupied nearly the whole of Canada and a larg(? portion of 
 the United States, or whether they wei'e a separate and older 
 race of Red men, who had at an unknown (hite migrated to this 
 island, where for many centuries they sustained tliemselves and 
 increased in numliers. There is a certain aniounl of evidence in 
 favour of the latter view, hut no certainty <'an now be reached. 
 
 CONUITIOX OF THE 15KOTHIKS. 
 
 When Cabot discovered the island, in 1497, the Beothiks were 
 a numerous and powerful race, well-<level(>[)ed jihysicallv, inge- 
 nious and of (piick intelligence, gentle in tlieir manners, tracta- 
 ble, and not indisposed to friendly intercourse witli the pale 
 faces. They had lived for unknown ages luimolested. The island 
 with its abundance of Avild creatures of all kinds, its shores and 
 countless lakes swarming with fish, was to them a very i)aradise. 
 Countless herds of the finest rein(h'er wandered over the savan- 
 nas of the interior, in their anuTial migrations. The ponds were 
 abundantly stocked with bea\er ; the lordly salmon crowded the 
 rivers ; vast flocks of i)tarmigan and other game birds Avere every- 
 where met with. Wild geese and ducks in the early sj^ring 
 arrived in myriads from tlie south. Tlie Beothiks must have 
 revelled in savage abundance, Ijeing " nmnarchs of all they sur- 
 veyed." They jiractised no agriculture ; but the wild berries, in 
 their variety and luxuriant growth, su2)plied them with abun- 
 d.ance of vegetalde food. The skins and furs of the wild animals 
 gave them abundant clothing. With their spears, clubs, bows 
 and arrows, slings, and many ingenious devices for cajituriug 
 their prey, they were rarely in \A-ant of food and clothing. New- 
 foimdlaud is still a tine sporting country, l)ut what must it have 
 been in the time of the Beothiks !
 
 10 msTorJCAL sketch. 
 
 SrFl'KKIXGS OF THIC BEOTHIKS. 
 
 The coming of iIr' wliite uv-n .><eale(l their (loom. For three 
 liuiulrcnl yeav.s afterwai-ds tliey continued to exist l)ut were gra- 
 dually liecoming weaker and weaker. For a short time friendly 
 relations l)etweeu tliem and the invaders existed, but soon quar- 
 rels arose. Deeds of violence led to acts of savage vengeance. 
 The iirst rude trappers, hunters and tisliermeu, as they spread 
 into tlie northern parts of the island, were outside the control of 
 law, and but little disjMjsed to try conciliation and kindness on a 
 tribe of savages Avhose pre>^ence interfered witli tlnnr pursuits. 
 The poor Beothiks \v(Me treated with the most brutal cruelty 
 nm\ for a long pei'iod were regarded as vermin to be hunted 
 down and destroyed. Such treatment led the Red Man to deeds 
 of tieice retaliation and " war t<:) the knife "' became the ])ractice 
 l)et\veen tlie two races. In such a conte-t the weak must go to 
 the wall. Their wea])ons coidd avail litth' against the tireai'ms 
 of the white man. (Gradually theii- muubfrs were reduced and 
 tliey were driven from the ]>e^t limiting and fisliing grounds. 
 Famine and disease thinned tlieii' rank.-. 
 
 THE RACK FXTIXCT. 
 
 Wlien at lengtli, in m-j,lern days, the spirit of humanity awoke 
 jiml attempts were nuule in 1760, and renewed up till 18-^3, to 
 eonciliate the Red Men and save the poor remnant from destruc- 
 tion, it proved to be too late. Sad experience led them to dis- 
 trust and hate the white men, and they could jiot be apjji'oached 
 with kindness. In despair the forlorn band that remained re- 
 treated to their last refuge, at Red Indian Lake ; and here they 
 died, one by one, till not a living re^jresentative of a once 
 vigorous and warlike race remained. There is no darker chap- 
 ter in the history of the white man's progress in the New AVorld 
 than that which records the fate of the unhappy Beothiks. 
 
 A 3IKLANCHOLY IJKCOKD. 
 
 In 1828 a final effort was made to i)]>en communication with 
 n remnant of them wliich were supposed to still survive. An 
 expedition was organized which penetrated to llu'ii' last retreat
 
 TIISTOl.'lCAL sKpyrcH. 11 
 
 at Red Indian Lake. Only tlieir graves and the mouldering le- 
 laains of their wigwams were i'unnd, liut no living Ik'uthik. 
 Silence deep as death reigned avonnd. There were i'ragiuents (if 
 their oanoe.s, their skin <lresses, their .storehouses, the rejKisitorie.s 
 of their dead ; ])ut no human sounds wei'c heard, no smoke 
 from wigwams mounted inUi the air, their camii-lires were ex- 
 tinguished, and the sad reenrd of an extinct race was closed for 
 ever. 
 
 TIlKIi: KKLICS. 
 
 In the Museum at St. John's may lie seen a collection of their 
 relics and remains which ha\e heen carefully iireseived. There 
 are a few skulls, some l)ones, and the almost jierfect skeleton of 
 a hoy, found in a gra\e on Pilley's Island, in a wonderful state 
 of preservation. Their tools, arrow-heads, gouges, and other 
 .stone imidements are to he seen, hut they are gone — 
 "Like the cloud-rack of a tempest. 
 Like the withered leaves of Autumn." 
 
 DKSCKII'TIVK ACCOUNTS. 
 
 A full account of all that is known ahout the Beothiks may 
 he found in "Hatton and Harvey's Newfoundland," in Rev. Dr. 
 Patterson's admirahle ])a])er lead hefore the Royal Society of 
 Canada on the "Beothiks, or Red Man of Newfoundland " ; also, 
 in "Cormack's Journey Across Newfoundland," and in Bonny- 
 castle's and Pedley's Newfoundland. Dr. Patterson's is the most 
 exhaustive account jMihlished. 
 
 THK NOKTH MKX. 
 
 It is highly proliahle that the hrst white men wlio saw the shores- 
 of Newfounilland were the Northmen. Five Inuulied year.s hefore 
 the time of Cahot these hohl adventurers led hy Lief, son of 
 Eric the Red, sailed from Gi-eenland in search of western lands. 
 Newfoundland lay directly in their course, and according to 
 their Sagas or hooks, on reaching it they gave it the name of 
 " Helluland," or the lauil of naked rocks. The daring sailors 
 passed on, however, and made no attemjit at forming a settle- 
 ment. Their adventiu'ou< voyage, in which tiny are said to- 
 have reached Rhode Islauil, took place in the year 1001.
 
 12 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 COMING OF THE WHITK MEN— SIR HU^IPHREY GILBERT. 
 
 Nearly five c:'iiturie.s passed. Tlie year 1497 arrived, and on 
 tlie 2ud day of May in that year a small cai-avel named The 
 Matthein manned by 18 stout English sailors, left the i^ort of 
 Bristol. She was conunanded l>y John Cabot, a Venetian hy 
 birth, who was in the seiviee of Henry VII. of England. On 
 the 24th of June following, hearty English cheers greeted the 
 first sight of the Island of Newfoundland. Thus liy right of dis- 
 ■covery it belonged to England, but it was not till 1583 that it 
 was formally taken possession of by Sir Humphrey (jill>ert, in 
 the name of Queen Elizabeth. This gallant English Knight had 
 formed the purpose of colonizing the island, but misfortunes 
 •overtook him and when returning to Englan<l his little vessel the 
 (Toklrni Hind awl all on board sank beneath the waves of the 
 Atlantic. 
 
 THE FIRST FISHFKMEX. 
 
 Nearly thirty years elapsi'd after tlie failure of Sir Humphrey 
 Gilbert's expedition before any fresh attempt was made to found 
 a Colony in Newfoundland. During that period, however, the 
 island rose into increased imjtyrtance in connection with its fish- 
 ^'ries. Indeed long before, the news of the almndance of iish on 
 the Banks and in the waters around tlie shores of the island luul 
 led the fishermen of various nationalities to visit these regions in 
 ])ursnit of the iinny trilies ; and to use the harl)ours and coves for 
 •curing and drying them. The first to take advantage of this new 
 sea-harvest were the fishermen of Brittany and Normamly. They 
 were soon followed by the fishermen of the Bascpie Provinces in 
 the North-west of S])aiii. The Portuguese speedily took ]iart in 
 the same fisheries. lu loTT there wei'e 100 Sjtanish and 50 Por- 
 tuguese vessels thus employed, but they srwn began to diminish 
 in numbers — the enter])rise of both nations being drawn to the 
 gold regions of South America. Ere long, hardly a Spanish or 
 Portuguese fi-hing vessel was to be seen in these .stormy seas. 
 FRENCH FISHERIES ANI> I>lSCOVERIES. 
 
 Not so with the French who followed u]) these fisheries with 
 vigour and success. In 1577 the Fieiich jwid 150 vessels eniidoy-
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 13 
 
 j-(l, wliik' English ti si ling vessels nuiiibei-ed only 50. The great 
 wealth which Fiance Avas deriving from these seas led her to form 
 new and extensive designs of colonizing North America. On the 
 Accession of Henry IV., the tirst Bourbon, the cod-fishery was 
 placed under the protection of the government, and was regarded 
 .as being of great national im})ortance, and such it has been ever 
 since. Her great explorers pushed on their discoveries. Cartier 
 .disc(i\-ei'ed ("anada and secured it for France, who helil it for 225 
 yeai's till (^hiebec fell before the conquering arms of Wolfe, 
 '("hamplain, l)e Monts, Manpiette, La Salle followed till the 
 iterritories claimed by Fi'ance exten<led to the mouth of the 
 Mississijijii. 
 
 KXGLISH FISHKKMKX. 
 
 The siiuie attiaction, however, which brought the French to 
 these \\esterH seas ere long became potent with Englishmen. 
 Tliough later in commencing this fishery they so(m gained rapid- 
 ly on their rivals the French. During the ten years which fol- 
 lowed the death of (lilbert, ending in 1593, the progress of the 
 English fishery in Newfoundland waters was so great that Sir 
 "Walter Raleigh declared in the House of Commons " it was the 
 ■st^iy and support of the west counties of England." In the year 
 1600, 200 English sliips went to Newfoundland and they em- 
 ployed 10,000 men and boys as catchers on board and curers on 
 land. Sir Humpln-ey Gilbert's attem])t to form a settlement was 
 tlierefore not fruitless, when Sir William Monson, an English- 
 man who wrote in 1610, declared that since the island was taken 
 possession of, the fisheries had been worth £100,000 annually to 
 British subjects — an immense siini in those days. He further 
 said that these fisheries had greatly increased the niimber of 
 England's ships and mariners. Beyond all doulit this was the 
 beginning of England's maritime greatness. 
 
 NEWFOrXULAND'S FISHKRIKS THF BEGIJTXIXG OF 
 ENGLAXD'S MAKITI^FE SUPREMACY. 
 
 France and England had now l)etween them the entire posses- 
 sion of these fisheries, liotli nations dj'ew enormous wealth from
 
 14 IIISTOKICAI, SKET( II. 
 
 tlieiii vt-ar after year, ami tlms incveased tlieir national greatness ;; 
 and both found tlieni the hest nurseries for lx)ld and .skilful 
 jailors, and thus developed their maritime po\^er. Colonies were 
 planted by both originally with the view of protecting and car- 
 rying on the fisheries. In this Avay the Newfoundland fisheries- 
 really laid their foundation of the empire wliicli England at 
 length acquired in America when her supremacy was estaldished 
 after a long contest with France. The humble fishermen were 
 the jiioneers of the great liost from the Old Worhl, which in due 
 time built up the United States and overspre<id ('anada. In pro- 
 secuting these fisheries England fii'st learned how to becomt? 
 mistress of the seas. 
 
 GUVS COLOXY. 
 
 Newfoundland at this time stood out prominently In-fore the 
 minds of Englishmen, so that it is not wonderful to fiml that other' 
 attempts at planting a colony on its shores should bi- made soon 
 after Gilbert's failure. In IGOfJ, John Guy, a merchant and after- 
 wards Mayor of Bristol, drew attention in a pamphlet to the iiu- 
 jwrtance of colonizing the island. The enterprise which he- 
 started was shared in by Lord Hacon and other noblenu-u. Bacon 
 declared that "the Newfound land fisheries were more valuable 
 than all tlie mines of Pern.'' Guy's jdantation was, for some- 
 reason luisuccessful. Priibably ])iracy then prevailing, was the- 
 cause of failure. 
 
 CAPTAIN ■WHITUOIKNK'S AliKl'\ VI.. 
 
 In 161.J, Captain Richard Whitbourne, mariner, of Exmouth,. 
 Devonshire, was sent out by the Admiralty of England to estali- 
 lish order and correct abuses which had grown u]i among the 
 fishermen in Newfoundland. He found 250 English vessels em- 
 ployed in the fisheries, — a sufficient jiroof of the Hourishing con- 
 dition of the cod-fishery at this early date. To "Wlutbourne we 
 are indebted for the first liook on Newfoiuidland — "A Discourse 
 and Discovery of Newfoundlaml Trade" — in which he Avrotc en- 
 thusiastically of the country and its prospects. This book is now 
 verv rare and valuabU-.
 
 IIISTOKIC'AL SKETCH. 15" 
 
 SIK OKOKGE CALVEKT. 
 
 Next came anotlifi' gallant kniglit — Sir (Icoigc Calvert, after- 
 wards Lonl Baltimore — a gentleman of keen intelligeiu-e ami 
 liigli cliaraeter. From Janie.s I. lie olitained a patent conveying' 
 to him the lordshiji of the whole southern ])eninsnla of New- 
 foundland whieh he named Avalon. He l)uilt a nolde mansion 
 at Ferrvland, and brought out a numlter of emigrants of a su]>e- 
 rior tyjie. His settlement, however, was so much harrassed hy the" 
 French that he l)ecame disheartened and returned to Englaml ; 
 hut nearly all the colonists he hrouglit Mith him remaint-d to in- 
 crease the resident ]iopidation. 
 
 SIR DAVID KIKKE. 
 
 The brave sea-captain — Sir David Kirke — olttained the next 
 chai'ter from Charles I. in 1638, and it conveyeil a grant of the 
 Avhole island. He did much to promote the settlement of the 
 country and governed wisely. He tlieil at Fenvland in IGGo,-. 
 at tlie age of fifty-six. 
 
 THE FRENCH IX NEWrOUNDLANXJ. 
 
 All this time the French had been struggling to found an em- 
 l)ire in the New Worhl. In doing so they never lost sight of a 
 l>roject early formed for the conquest of Newfoundland. The 
 jjcssession of it they knew wonhl enable tlieni to control the fish- 
 eries, and also to command the narrow entrance to the St. Law-- 
 rence and their Canadian possessions. Hence tliev never ceased 
 their efforts to obtain a footing in the island ; and llieir jiresence' 
 and encroachments were a constant annoyance to the English 
 settlers. As early as 1635 the Frencdi managed to obtain ])er- 
 mission ti'om England to dry fish on the shores of the island, on 
 jjayment of a duty of five per cent, on the produce, which duty 
 was afterwards remitted. In 1660 they founded Placentia on the" 
 .southern coast, and erected a strong fortification for its jnotection. 
 From this centre they succeeded in jilanting other settlements on 
 the same shore. iJesperate eftbrts were made liy them again and 
 again to effect tlie con([uest of the island. Their successes, how- 
 ever, were short-lived ; and though they cajtturcd St. John's more"
 
 16 ni.STOKICAL SKETCH. 
 
 than once they were si)ee(lily driven out and their expeditions 
 resulted in diffajipoiiitnieiit. 
 
 TREATIES OF UTRECHT ANI> PARIS. 
 
 Tlie Treaty of Utrecht (1713) marked an important era in the 
 liistory of the island. By one of its provisions the French agreed 
 to surrender all their possessions in Newfoundland and the ad- 
 jacant islands, and to retire from Placentia. Thus the sovereignty 
 of the whole island Avas secured to England. But even after 
 France liad fought her last battle on the heights of Abraham, and 
 her white flag no longer waved on the continent of North Am- 
 erica, she clung jiertinaciously to the idea of conquering and 
 holding Newfoundland, well knowing its value in the prosecution 
 of her fisheries, which she still i-egarded as the great training 
 school for seamen. So late as 1702 they organized a final expedi- 
 tion for the conquest of the island. They succeeded in capturing 
 8t. John's which was weakly garrisoned ; but it was soon wrested 
 from them by a strong British force desi)atched from Halifax. 
 Thus ended the last attempt of the Frencli to gain jiossession of 
 the island. The Treaty of Paris (1763) ended "the seven years 
 war," and France I'enounced all claims to Canada, Acadia, Cape 
 Breton and Newfoundland. 
 
 TRENCH TREATY RIGHTS. 
 
 Unfortunately, however, these treaties failed to deliver the 
 Colony from the French troul>les which had so long disturbed the 
 settlers and retarded the prosperity of the country. Though the 
 Treaty of Utrecht left the Fi'ench no territorial rights, it gave 
 them tlie right of fishing and curing fish on the western, northern 
 and north-eastern shores of the island. This, which was con- 
 ceded at first as a privilege, encouraged tlio Fi-ench to push their 
 claims to the sole right of fishing on the treaty-shore which the 
 colonists strenuously rejmdiated. Bitter disputes have thus been 
 engendered, which have gone on till the ])resent hour and ai-e 
 still unsettled. The practical effect of this unfortunate concession 
 has been that the people of Newfoundland have been A'irtually 
 exclude(l from the fairest ami most vaUuible i)ortiou of tlie
 
 IIISTOKH'AL SKETCH. 17 
 
 i.-*lau(l, ami that tlu'v ronld iieitlirr jaoM^Mite the tislR-nes tliere, 
 ;.settle the lands, nor carry on mining or any other imlu.sky. The 
 "Frencli Shore (Question" as it has been callo<l, has been trans- 
 niittetl as a legacy from generation to generation. More than any 
 •other cause this has retarded the progress of the Colony. The 
 French still hold on a- pertinaciously as ever to their claims. 
 This -was the tir-t ol the hnig series of "historic misfortunes," as 
 Lord Salisbury has named them, of which NeAvfoundland has 
 been the victim. In vain has diplomacy wrestled with these 
 .anti(piated treaties time after time. The Old Man of the Sea 
 did not cling more firmly to the shoulders of Sinbad than the 
 Frenchman to tlie shores of p]ngland's ohlest Colony. 
 
 HISTORIC :^IISKOKTrNI<:S-|iXJUST T.AWS. 
 
 Ibit even these uidueky treaties, foinied l)y careless or incom- 
 ]ietent statesmen, which deprived tlie colonists of the use of the 
 best lialf of the island, were not the worst of its "historic 
 misfoi-iniies." For more than a century ami a half, the settle- 
 ment of the island and the cultivation of its soil were systematic- 
 .ally thwarted and sternly ])rohibited 1)y law ; and continuous 
 eHbrts were made to kee]) it as a tishing station to which English 
 lishermen could resort in summer to catch ami ilry tisli, and then 
 return home at the end of the season with tlie products of their 
 toil. 
 
 lIKiK.VTORV riSHEUV. 
 
 This sirangi' ]>olicy, wliitli wa< backcl by English laws, re- 
 .(piires some explanation. From the first the tisheries had been 
 .<;arried on by merchants slnp-ownei's and tiaders from the west 
 of England. Each year they sent out ships and fishing-crews 
 from England. The fish caught was salted and dried ashore. 
 AVheu w inter approached the fishermen toi)k their departure tor 
 England. These English "merchant-adventurers" as they were 
 .enlled, found that it was for (heir interest to discourage the 
 settlement of the country, as they wished to retain its harbours 
 .ami coves for the use of their own lishing captains and servants, 
 .and thus sx-ure a very proHtalile monopoly of the whole tisheries.
 
 18 HISTOIJTCAL SKETCEI. 
 
 Tills sy.stein went on for generations till tliese mercliant-niono-- 
 polists began to fancy that the whole island Avas their own, anil 
 that any one who settled there was an interloper whom they were 
 warranted in dri\ing away. Being wealthy and powerful they 
 had great inHuence with successive English governments of those 
 days. They were able to persuade the statesmen and ])eople of 
 England that (lie hsheries would he ruined if a resident popula- 
 tion shoidd be allowed lo grow up in the island, and liiat they 
 would no longer bi- a nursery of seamen for tlu- Royal Navy. 
 Further, they misled tlu' English Governuu-nt and peojile l)y 
 rejiresenting the island as liopelessly l»arren, and in n-gard to its- 
 soil and climate, untit for being a i)ermanent residence for human 
 beings, but a very convenient rock-mass for curing and diying 
 codfish during the suuimcr season. 
 
 SICTTLKMKNT I'KOHIBITKI). 
 
 In this way it came about that unjust and injurious laws were- 
 enacted by the English ( Hivt-ruuient to ]>revi-ut the scttlciueut of 
 the island and to keep it forever in the degraded condition of a 
 stage for drying tish. These laws forbade anyone to go to New- 
 foundland as a settler, and ordained that all tishermeu should 
 return to England at the close of each fishing season. Masteis 
 of vessels were comixd led to give bonds of £100, Innding them 
 to bring back eatdi year such persons as they took out. Settle- 
 ment within six nules uf tlie coast was jirolubited under heavy 
 penalties. No one could cultivate or eiu-lose tlic smallest piece 
 of ground, or even repair a house without license, which was' 
 rarely granted. 
 
 CONFLICT OF SKTTLFUS AN'I> MEKCH VXT-ADVEMITUF.KS, 
 
 Notwitlistanding tliese liardships and disenura^cments the 
 sturdy .settlers held their ground and slowly but steadily in- 
 creased in numbers. Between them and their oppiessors a liitter' 
 autii^athy .sprang up, and it is not M-oiiderrul that it shonhl have- 
 been so. There weiv among them men of a manly indei>eiident 
 sjtirit, who carrie<l on the contest bravely against the gras])iiig 
 tishing-cai>italist>, and at last coiupiered them and won their'
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 19 
 
 dreedoni. Tlio coiiliict, however, was very trying and extended 
 .ovt'r one Imndred and tifty years, entailing teriilile sulferings on 
 tlie settlers, who were ke])t outside llie ]iale of law and without 
 i\nx eivilizing intluences. lVrhaj).s tlie worst feature of the mis- 
 rule of tliose days was the government hy Fishing Admirals. It 
 was enacted that the master of the iirst sliip entering a harhour 
 was to he Admiral for the season, and Magistrate of the district, 
 with nnlimited ]>ower to decide all t^uestions regarding jn'operty 
 iind all other ilis])utes. From llieii- decisions there were no ap- 
 ])eals. These rmli- and ignorant >kippers weiv the ser\'ants of 
 the merchant-adventurers and, therefore, personally interested iu 
 .([uestions of ju'operty that arose. They were the enemies of the 
 poor resiilents whom they wanted to tranii»le ont. They took 
 possession of tlie ])f<{ fishing-stations, and frequently drove out 
 the inhaliitants from tlu-ir own houses and fishing gi'ounds. 
 Tliey todk lirilies wlien determining cases and carried on for 
 long years ;i, system nf nililrcry and uppi-i'ssjou. How could the 
 iConntry make any progress under such conditions I The lot of 
 the poor fisherman was very hittei'. In tlieir little wooden ham- 
 lets sprinkled around the sea-margin, they conld liardly oljtain 
 the liarest sulisistiaice. Tlicv had no schools for their children 
 and no ministers of religion among tliem. All around them wei'c 
 the deirse woods extending to the sea-shore with a few paths cut 
 throngh them. Before them the great ocean from which alone 
 lliey wei'e permitted to draw their means of sulisistence. 
 
 DAWN OF BETTER DAYS. 
 
 They lield on, however, and courageonsly resisted their selfish 
 oppressors ; and at last the day of deliverance dawned. The 
 Government and peojjle of England discovere<l at length that they 
 had heen misled and deceived hoth in regard to the country and 
 its fisheries. Hnmane and intelligent men in England came for- 
 wai'il to plead the canse of the poor fishermen. Restrictions on 
 the settlement of the island Avere removed one after another. 
 Ohnoxions .statutes were repealed, Ijut so slowly that it was not 
 till ahout eighty years ago that the last of these unjust laws was 
 remove 1 fiom the statute-book and the people were allowed to
 
 20 TIISTOUR'AL SKETCFI. 
 
 possess lauds and Iniild lioiiscs and lake sonie steps towards selt'- 
 governmeut. In 17^9 the Britisli Govei'nnient ajipointed a 
 Governor, and for the first time New fuundhind \va.< recognized 
 as a British Colony. 
 
 I]VrPROVKMKNT,S--SETTL,EMKXT ALT-OWKD. 
 
 The residcMit piipnlatiou had tlien grown to he 0,000 stiong. 
 The Fishing Admirals, however, were not abolished till long' 
 afterwards, but they weie brought under some sort of control ; 
 and as the population increased and intelligence spread, their 
 claims to authority fell into VicU-merited conteni])t and passed 
 into oblivion. Courts of Justice were establislicd ; the na\ iga- 
 tiou laws were extended to the island ami a collector and con- 
 troller of customs appointed. Freedom of religion was jirnclaimed 
 wliich ended a dei)lorable system of J'eligious persecution which 
 liad grown up. Still so late as 1799 houses erected in St. John's 
 without a license were pulleil down liy the order of the Governor 
 and restrictions on building and enclosing and cultivating tlie 
 ground were not entirely abolislied till 1820. The year 1825 
 saw the first roads luiilt by Governor Duckworth. A jjost-oftice 
 and a newsjmper had Ijeen established at an earlier date — 1805- 
 and 180G. In 1763 the resident population was 7,000 ; in 1785 
 it had increased to 10,244; in 1804 it Mas found to be 20,380' 
 an<l in 1834 it was 75,000. The population of St. John's was 
 then 15,000. 
 
 SLBSTANTIAX, I'KOGKESS. 
 
 Since the removal of these noxious restrictions the Colony has 
 made resi^ectable ])rogress, and of late years this progress has 
 been greatly accelerated by the introdiiction of mining, lumber- 
 ing and other industries. During the long European wars which 
 followed the Fremdi Revolution, the fisheries became very pros- 
 perous and the i)rice of fish tivbled. Tlie peace of 1815 termin- 
 ated that artificial prosperity and brought on a commercial crisis. 
 In 1832 the great boon of Representative GoA'ernment was grant- 
 ed to the Colony, and the new era of self-government began. 
 Provisions were annually made by the local legislature for build-
 
 HISTOinCAI, SKETCir, 21 
 
 iug roads and ln'idgL's and tor tlie ostablislunent and luainteuaiice 
 of education. Thi.s conce.s.sion was enlarged and conijileted in 
 1854 by the grant of Respon-sible Oovernniont. Tlie discovery 
 of valuable dei)t)sits of cop])er ore in Notre Dame Bay in 1857 
 and tlie opening of the tirst eopjter mine in 18G4 gave a great 
 imi)ul.se to the general i^rosperity of the country. A Geological 
 Survey of the island was initiated in 1864, and its natural re- 
 sources were foinid to be very great. The Atlantic Cable found 
 a resting 2»lace on its shores, and connected it with England and 
 America. 8te;im conununication direct with Europe and Am- 
 erica was established in 1873 ; and in 1880 the tirst decisive steps 
 towards the construction of a railway were taken. In 1882 a 
 splendid Dry Dock was constructed in the harbour of St. John's. 
 In 1884 the jiopulation had increased to 197,589. The annual 
 value of agricultural products is now about $'750,000, and the 
 value of land under cultivation, togi-tlier wWh tlie cattle, slieej) 
 and liorses, over -$^2,500,000. 
 
 DEVASTATION IJY FIRES. 
 
 St. John's has grown into a city of 30,00u inhabitants. It has 
 guifered terribly by tires which have recurred again and again. 
 In February, 1816, a fire broke out which destroyed 120 houses 
 and left 1,500 people homeless. On Xovendjer 7th of the same 
 year another fire destroyed 130 houses, and a third on the 21st 
 November laid in ashes a consideral)le part of the business j)or- 
 tion of the city which had escaj^ed former fires. These, however, 
 A\-ere small in comparison A\ith the great conflagration of June 
 9th, 1846, which in a few hours left three-fourths of the city a 
 smoking mass of ruins, and about 12,000 persons houseless. The 
 loss Avas estimated at a million pounds steiding. 
 
 GKEAT FIRE OF JULY 8th, 1892. 
 
 A still greater calamity, as far as loss of piojierty was concern- 
 ed, occurred on July 8th, 1892, when more than one-lialf of the 
 city was consumed. Sixteen hundred houses were destroyed and 
 some 10,000 people left without a home. The best part of the 
 business portion of the city was destroyed, the Church of Eng-
 
 -OO 
 
 iriSTOinCAL SKETCH. 
 
 laud Cathedral, several churclies and many public building:*. 
 ■The loss was estimated at three million pounds sterling. 
 
 SI'IKIT or THE PEOPLE. 
 
 Tin; spirit and energy of the j)eople may be estimated from the 
 fact that they met these repeate<l calaniities with courage and 
 tirniness, and in each instance the city rose from its ashes greatly 
 improved and l)eautitied. This is specially true of the last cala- 
 mity of 1892. In two yeai's, a large proportion of the liouses 
 destroyed by the tire, were rebuilt, many of them being of a 
 jgreatly improved lype, and in another yeai- or two hardly a trace 
 .of the tire will be visil)le. The new ]K)rti(in is a great improve- 
 ment on that which was destroyed. 
 
 VICTORY WON VILLAGE HAMI'DENS. 
 
 The enteri)rise and calm courage which have marked the peo- 
 ple of St. John's in grappling with and overcoming their misfor- 
 tune, have been in ai-cord with the spirit displayed by the whole 
 ])eople during those long years when they cari-ied on the struggle 
 for freedom against such heavy odds. Tliat \\as tiuly a battle, 
 .and was won, not through bloody strife, but by sore toil, and 
 patient endurance amid sufferings and hardshi])s. No colony of 
 the British Empire evei' recei\ed sticIi harsh and unnatural treat- 
 ment from the Impeiial ^Mother. When Lord Salisbury described 
 it in euphonious terms as having been "the sport of historic mis- 
 fortunes,"' he would have been nearer the mark had he said "the 
 victim of liistoric wrongs and cruelties." For a century 
 and a lialf its peoitle were forbidden under heavy penalties 
 to cultivate the soil or buihl houses, or do anything to make 
 a home for themselves in tlie wilderness. They were left to the 
 tender mercies of Fishing Admirals and Surrogates, and every 
 means used to drive them from their adopted country. That 
 they held their ground and tinally gained the victory, is proof 
 siltilcient that there were among them many " Village Hamjidens"' 
 who with " dauntless In'east" confronted tyranny and resisted the 
 .oppressor. Even when by Imperial Treaties the 1 )est half of their 
 island home was torn from them and virtually given over to the
 
 IIISTOKICAL SKETCH. 23 
 
 French, they did not despair, but made the best of circumstances 
 and waited for the time when this wrong would be righted. Now 
 that at last the colony is on the jmth of progress, is it not time 
 that the great Mother of Colonies made some reparation for the 
 wrongs of tlie- jjast, by holding out a helping hand to the oldest 
 of her childi^en ?
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 PHYSIOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF NEW- 
 FOUNDLAND. 
 
 GENERAI. OUTLINE. 
 
 A larief account of the physical conditions of the island, its 
 soil, climate, under-earth, configuration and relation to the 
 neighbouring land-masses seems to lie desirable at the outset of 
 any attempt to present an intelligilde picture of the country. 
 
 GEOGKAPHICAI. POSITION. 
 
 Its geographical position is unicpie and singularly important 
 and commanding. Anchored at no great distance off tlie North 
 Amei-ican Continent, and stretching right across the entrance of 
 the Gulf of St. La^vrence, to which it affords access at botli its 
 northern and southern extremities, it might l)e regarded as a 
 jjlace of arms and defence ; for the power which possesses it holds 
 the key of the St. Lawrence. Its south-western extremity is 
 within sixty miles of Cape Breton, which is substantially the 
 eastern point of Nova Scotia ; while its most eastern projection 
 is but 1640 miles distant from Ireland. Tlius it is adapted by 
 nature to serve the peaceful interests of commerce, and to iacili- 
 tate intercourse between the Old World and the New, being a 
 step])ing stone between them. 
 
 DEEP BAYS. 
 
 In another respect the hand of nature has marked the island 
 as a centre of commercial activity. A glance at the map shows 
 that its coasts are j^ic'icetl by numerous magnificent bays, run- 
 ning in some instances eighty or ninety miles inland, and throw- 
 ing out smaller ai-ms in all directions. lu these de p bays, whose 
 entrances are sentinelled by jutting headlands, are some of the 
 finest harbours in the world, as well as countless co\-es, creeks
 
 PHYSIOGRAPHY. 25 
 
 and minor inlets where the fishermen's craft find shelter. These 
 great ■watery ravines, which in many instances expand into in- 
 land .seas, hi'iiig with tliera the marvellous fish-wealth of the 
 surrounding waters, and place it within reach of the fisherman's 
 net and hook. At the same time they present unrivaled facili- 
 ties for the transport of the products of the fisheries, as well as 
 the riches of the mine and the forest, and the agricultural pro- 
 ductions whicli human labour will yet develope. To .such an 
 extent are the .shores indented that though the island is ahout a 
 thousand miles round, measuring from headland to headland, its 
 entire coast-line is double that extent of mileage. In fact it 
 would be difficult to find anywhere an equal land-area presenting 
 such an extent of frontage to the sea. 
 
 COMPARATIVE SIZE. 
 
 Size counts for a good deal, and in the long run must l*e a mea- 
 sure of power. In regard to size it counts tenth among the islands 
 of the globe. Its greatest breadth is 216 miles, and its greatest 
 length the same ; its area is 42,000 square miles. We obtain the 
 best idea of its extent by comparing it with other countries. It 
 is almost equal to the Empire State of New York ; it is twice the 
 size of Nova Scotia, and one-third larger than New Brunswick. 
 Ireland contains 32,500 square miles, so that Newfoundland is 
 one-sixth larger. It is three times as large as Holland and twice 
 as large as Denmark. 
 
 SHAPE -PENINSULA.S. 
 
 In shape it is roughly triangular, having a wide southern base 
 between Cape Race and Cape Ray and a long narrow apex to- 
 wards the north. Three large peninsulas project from the main 
 body of the island. The largest of these — the peninsula of 
 Avalon — is almost severed from the 2:)rincipal portion of the 
 island In the two large bay.s of Placentia and Trinity which are 
 separated by a narrow isthmus, in one place but three miles in 
 width. The Avalon peninsula is further divided by the two bays 
 of St. Mary's and Conception. Owing to its extensive frontage 
 on the Atlantic, its numerous harljours and its proximity to the
 
 26 PHYSIOGRAPHY. 
 
 best fishing grounds, Avalon is the most thickly populated and 
 commercially important pai't of the island. The northern pen- 
 insula — called Petite Nord by the French — runs up long and 
 narrow, almost to Labrador, like the arm of a huge frying 
 jiau. The smallest peninsula of the three projects southerly be- 
 tween the bays of Placentia and Fortune. The little peninsula 
 of Port-au-Port, off the west coast, may also be named. It is 
 joined to the mainland by the Gravels, an isthmus not more than 
 a quarter of a mile in width. 
 
 COAST SCENEKY. 
 
 The first sight of the coasts of Newfoundland impresses the 
 traveller unfavourably. They are what is usually termed " iron- 
 bound." To say that they are rocky describes them tamely. 
 They might rather be designated one great wall of rock, now 
 shooting up into peaks, now breaking into wild fissures, now pre- 
 senting dark frowning cliffs, bold promontories and headlands 
 sculptured into grim fantastic forms by the blows of Atlantic 
 billows. Then come miles on miles of rocky ramparts from two 
 to four hundred feet higli, grim, massive, awe-inspiring. Such 
 is the aspect from the sea. But let the traveller enter one of the 
 deej) fioids which at intervals cleave the rocky walls, and, if the 
 season be summer, he will ere long, find himself amid varied 
 scenes of beauty such as are rarely surpassed in the world's most 
 favoured lands. The fiords of Newfoundland strikingly resemble 
 those of Norway, to which tourists resort from all countries, and 
 when known and made accessible to travellers, will prove not less 
 attractive. Verdant islands, of all shapes an<l sizes, stud the 
 bosom of the larger estuaries. Dark-green forests often sweep 
 down to the water's edge. Fishing hamlets line the shore with 
 their rough stages and " flakes" for drying the cod. The little 
 fishing boats are dancing in groups on the bi-ight watci-s. The 
 sky overhead is Idue as that of Italy, and the air lialmy and 
 exhilerating. 
 
 THE ISLAND AS A FISHING-CENTKE. 
 
 The hand of nature lias marked the island as (me of the woidd's 
 great fishing-centres. Not only do the arms of the Atlantic,
 
 riiYsioonAPiiY. 27 
 
 penetrating far inland, carry the tinny tribes almost to the doors 
 of the iishernien, but at the distance of a degree from the shores 
 is the greatest submarine island of the globe — the Grand Bank 
 of Newfoundland, — which extends for a length of six hundred 
 miles with a lireadlh of two hundred. This is the great capital 
 of the cod-kingdoms, and its sub-marine valleys and hills are 
 alive with countless colonies of this noble fish. Since the days 
 of Cabot thousands of fishermen have been mining the silvery 
 quarries of these inexhaustible seas. Then all around the shores 
 of the island and of the great bays are countless smaller sub- 
 marine elevations to which the cod-colonies resort, and which 
 constitute the finest fishing grounds in the world. Vast shoals 
 of the bait-fishes — caplin, squid, herring — follow each other in 
 succession throughout the summer, furnishing food for the cod and 
 drawing them shoreward. Winter and spring witness the migra- 
 toiy visits of enormous shoals of the finest herrings to their fav- 
 ourite resorts around the shores ; and salmon crowd the estuaries 
 preparatory to their ascent of the rivers to " I'epeat the story of 
 their Ijirth." This is not all. Labrador with its eleven hundred 
 miles of coast fronting the Atlantic, is included in the jurisdic- 
 tion of Newfoundland, and is the summer-resort of 20,000 of its 
 fishermen. The climate of the island, with its cool winds and 
 the absence of a liurning sun in summer, is most favourable for 
 the cure and drying of fish ; while the land supplies abundant 
 materials for shij) and boat-building, cooperage and all other 
 fishery purposes. The harbours of the Avalon peninsula present 
 the most favoural.>le points from which to carry on the seal fish- 
 ery in spring, the value of which approaches at times a million 
 dollars annually. 
 
 MOUNTAIN AND HILI. RANGES. 
 
 Passing now from the rugged coast-line to the outer interior 
 of the island, we find a country whose general cliaracter is hilly, 
 Init the eminences do not reach any great elevation. Further 
 inlaml, the interior x>i'oper is found to be an elevated undulating 
 plateau, traversed by ranges of low hills, the surface being diver- 
 sified by valleys, woods, ponds and marshes. All the great hill-
 
 28 PIIYSIOGKAPnY. 
 
 ranges liave a N. N. E. and S. S. W. trend ; and all the other 
 great phyt-ical features of the country, such as the bays, larger 
 lakes and rivers and valleys, have a similar direction. Probahly 
 this conformation has been shaped by glacial action during the 
 Ice-Period. The most important range of mountains is the Long 
 Range which commences at Cajie Raj', and runs in a continuous 
 chain in a north-easterly direction for 200 miles, terminating in 
 the Petit Nord peninsula. Some of its summits reach a height 
 of 2,0u0 feet. Outside the Long Range but parallel to it, and 
 nearer the west coast, is the Anguille Range, running from Cape 
 Anguille to the highlands of Bay St. George, with summits 1,900 
 feet high ; and the Blomidons extending along the south coast of 
 the Humber Arm, Bay of Islands, some of whose summits reach 
 a height of 2,084 feet, l^eing the highest in the island. The Mid- 
 dle Range stretches across the country from Fortune Bay to Notre 
 Dame Bay. The Black River Range runs from Piper's Hole, 
 Placentia Bay, to Clode Sound in Bonavista Bay. From one of 
 its isolated peaks called Centre Hill, 1,081 feet high, may be seen 
 in a clear day, the bays of Placentia, Fortiiue, Bonavista, Trinity 
 and Conception, and 150 lakelets may be counted. The view is 
 exceedingly fine. The Avalon Peninsula is traversed by an east- 
 ern and western range. The former commences at Renews, on 
 the eastesn coast, and extends for over twenty miles to Holyrood 
 at the head of Conception Bay, having at each end a rounded hill 
 named the " Butterpots," about 1,000 feet high. The westei-n 
 Avalon range begins at St. Mary's Bay and terminates at Chapel 
 Arm, Trinity Bay. Its principal summits are North-East Moun- 
 tain, 1,200 feet, from which 67 lakes are visible. Spread Eagle 
 Peak, Trinity Bay, and the Monument. Over the interior are 
 distributed a number of isolated sharply peaked summits which 
 spring abruptly from the great central plateau, and are very 
 serviceable as landmarks in guiding the Indian or the siiortsman 
 on their line of march. They bear the local name of Tolts. 
 Some of the more conspicuous of these are Hodge's Hill, on the 
 Exploits, (2,000 feet) ; Mount Peyton (1,670 feet), west end of 
 Gander Lake ; Lobster House, Hind's Pond ; Mount Musgrave
 
 PHYSlOmtAPIIY. 20 
 
 Tliero are other minor ranges and detached hills, such as that 
 running along the south shore of Conception Bay by Portugal 
 Cove to CajDe St. Francis ; Sawyer's Hills south of Placentia ; 
 South-side Hills running from Torbay to the Bay of Bulls, of 
 which Signal Hill (520 feet) is a summit ; Branscombe's Hill, 
 near St. Jolin's (870 feet) ; and Chisel Hill, St. Mary's Bay. 
 Tliese numerous mountain and hill ranges show that the country 
 has undergone many disturbances and dislocations of strata, dur- 
 ing the geological ages. 
 
 RIVERS. 
 
 It is a common mistake to suppose that the island contains no 
 large rivers. It is true that, compared with its size, large rivers 
 are few, Init the want of these is amply compensated for by the 
 numerous bays which pierce the land in all directions. One 
 cause of the scarcity of large streams is the Ijroken hilly character 
 of many portions of t!ie country. Down the small valleys flow 
 the streams from tlie pond or set of ponds in their neighbour- 
 hood, forming numerous brooks which thus find the nearest course 
 to the sea. Still there are three large and important rivers — the 
 Gander, the Exploits and the Humber — and a nundjer of others 
 whose drainage and size fairly entitle them to be classed as rivers. 
 
 EXPLOITS RIVER. 
 
 The liighest land is on the west coast ; and the Long Eange 
 chain forms there the watershed, causing most of the rivers to 
 How north-easterly or easterly towards the east coast. The largest 
 river is the Exploits which rises in the extreme south-western 
 angle of the island near the .southern extremity of the Long Eange 
 and after a course of more than 200 miles falls into Exploits Bay, 
 in Notre Dame Bay. It drains an area of l;etween 3,000 and 4,000 
 square miles. At its month it is a mile wide and gradually nar- 
 rows to an average of lialf a mile which it maintains for ten miles. 
 For this distance from its mouth it is studded with islands, the 
 largest being Tliwait Island, nine miles in lengtn. Fouiteen 
 miles foom the mouth are Bishop's Falls, a succession of cascades, 
 the total height being about twenty feet. Some twenty miles
 
 30 PHYSIOGRAPHY. 
 
 higher up the river the Grand Falls are met with, presenting one 
 of the finest and most picturesque scenes in the island. Now 
 that it is made accessible by the railway, it is sure to become a 
 favourite resort of tourists. Seventy-two miles from the sea the 
 river issues from Red Indian Lake which is itself 36 miles in 
 length, its surface being 468 feet above the sea and its total area 
 69 square miles. This large river receives numerous tributaries, 
 some of which from their size i-ank as rivers. It has long been 
 famous tor its salmon. 
 
 THE HUIVIBER. 
 
 The next largest river is the Humber, which falls into the 
 Humber Arm of the Bay of Islands, after draining an area of 
 2000 square miles. Its main branch rises 20 miles inland from 
 Bonne Bay, and after a circuitous course of some 70 miles, it 
 falls into Deer Lake, which is fifteen miles in length, and from 
 thence it flows majestically to the sea through magnificent scenery. 
 
 The Gander, the third of the large rivers, is 100 miles in length, 
 and after flowing through Gander Lake, 36 miles long, it falls 
 into Hamilton Sound. With its tributaries it drains an area of 
 nearly 4,000 square miles. 
 
 GAIklBO AND TKBKA NOVA. 
 
 The Gambo is a small river flowing from Gambo Pond. Terra 
 Nova is a considerable stream noted for its rapids, falling into 
 Bonavista Bay. Rocky Rivar takes its rise in Hodge Water, a 
 large lake in the peninsula of Avalon, and falls into the Colinet 
 Arm of St. Mary's Bay. The scenery at Rocky River bridge and 
 along the river's course from that point to the sea is unsurpassed. 
 Colinet River falls into St. Mary's Bay. 
 
 Numerous rivers discharge their waters on the southern coast, 
 Ijut having short courses they rush in turbulent torrents to the 
 sea. The principal of them are Bay-d'-Est River, Bay-de-North, 
 White Bear and La Poile Rivers. Many of them make a fall of 
 1200 feet in a distance of 20 miles. 
 
 CODROY BIVEKS. 
 
 On the west coast the principal rivers are the Codroy, which 
 rises in the Long Riinge, and after flowing through a feitile valley
 
 riiYsioGiiAriiY. 31 
 
 ot" the same name, falls into iLe Gulf of St. Lawrence ; the River 
 St. Geoi'gc and Harry's Brook I'all into Bay St. George. 
 
 LAKES AND PONDS. 
 
 One of the niof^t remarkable of the physical features of the 
 island is the immense number of its lakes and ponds. They aie 
 so numerous that ■were the island mapped out in detail, more 
 than one-third of the whole surface would be represented by 
 water. They are found in every possible position — -in the 
 mountain gorges ; in the de[)ressions between the low hills ; in 
 the valleys ; and frequently in hollows near the tops of the 
 highest eminences. They are of all sizes, from tiny j^ools and 
 lakelets to sheets of water nearly sixty miles in length. In many 
 districts they form a very beautiful feature of the landscape. 
 From the tops of some of the highest hills, fi'om fifty to one lum- 
 dred and fifty lakes and ponds may be counted. These bright 
 gems dotting the expanse of country, are generally over-hung 
 with dense woods. It is generally believed among geologists 
 that they are relics of the Ice Age, and were scooped out by 
 glaciers when the island was loaded with its ice-mantle of two or 
 three thousand feet in thickness. 
 
 GRAND LAKE. 
 
 The largest lake in the island is Grand Lake, iifty-six miles in 
 length and five in bi'eadth, with an area of nearly two thousand 
 s(juare miles. Its surface is but fifty feet above the sea-level, 
 while at its deepest portion the bottom is more than three 
 hundred feet Ijelow the level of the sea. Many brooks emj)ty 
 into it, but it has only one outlet — Junction Brook, which joins 
 the Humber. Its south-western extremitj^ bears about north- 
 east from the head of St. George's Bay, from which it is distant 
 about fifteen miles. It coiitains an island 22 miles long and four 
 to five miles in breadth. Its shores are densely wooded, arrd its 
 scenery at many points very beautiful. 
 
 RED INDIAN LAKE. 
 
 Red Indian Lake, thi-ough which the River Exploits flow?, is 
 37 miles in length, with an area of 64 square miles. Around its
 
 32 pHYsioaRArnv 
 
 shores are forests of fine timber indicative oC a I'ertile soil. Gander 
 Lake is 33 miles in length, and covers an area of 44 square miles. 
 Its hanks, and those of the Gander Elver -whicli flows througli it, 
 present immense tracts of the finest agricultural and timber lands 
 in the island. Deer Lake, through ^vhich the Humber Hows, is 
 15 miles in length, and has an area of 24 square miles. The land 
 around it is fertile in the highest degree. Sandy Lake, Victoria, 
 Hind's, Terra Nova and George Fouith Lakes range next in size. 
 
 SOLITUDES INVADED. 
 
 Tlie shores of these great lakes, and the valleys through which 
 these large rivers flow, are still absolute solitudes, except where 
 recently the lumbermen's camps have invaded them. Their 
 pine forests have been left to rot or perish by fire, and the fertile 
 soil, Mdiich might sustain thousands of people in comfort, is un- 
 touched by plough or spade. All is primitive wilderness. This 
 is, to some extent, accounted for by the fact that, until a com- 
 paratively recent date, the very existence of fertile lands in the 
 interior, or of forest-growths of any value or extent, or of metallic 
 or non-metallic minerals in the rocks, was unknown, and by many 
 was questioned or vehemently denied. Xow that the great re- 
 volutionist, the railway, has obtained an entrance, all this will be 
 gradually changed ; the wastes will be occupied, and human 
 industry will make them " blossom like the rose." 
 
 GEOLOGY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 
 The Geological Survey of the island, which was commenced in 
 1864 under the late Alexander Murray, C. M. G., F. G. S., and is 
 still continued by Mr. James Howley, F. G. S., constituted a new 
 epoch in tiie history of the country. To it we are largely in- 
 debted for trustworthy information regarding the agricultural 
 and mineral resources and the forest wealth of the island, wliich 
 is slowly but surely revolutionizing people's views on these j^oints 
 and has led to the introduction of the railway system, and the 
 application of capital and enterprise to a moderate extent, to the 
 development of its great natural cajmbilities. While the survey 
 has been conducted on strictly scientific principles in working
 
 TOPOGKAPIIICAL. 33 
 
 out the distribution of the various rock i'orniatious and delineating 
 these on maps, as tlie essential preliminary step, it aimed from 
 the outset at the economic application of geological research and 
 the realization of practical results. 
 
 TOPOGKAPHICAL 8UKA EY. 
 
 In such a country, much of wliich was unknown, a topographical 
 survey was found to be indispensable, in order to construct a cor- 
 rect map upon which to delineate the boundaries of the geological 
 formations, and other\\-ise represent the structural details. This 
 topographical survey whicli was combined with the geological, 
 led Mr. Murray and Mr. Howley to scale the principal water 
 courses, keeping up a connected system of triangulation from all 
 the most consj^icuous heights, and thus on their map the whole 
 of the great features of the island were accurately laid down. In 
 carrying out this work, the officers of the survey were led to ex- 
 amine the surface of the country — the character and extent of its 
 fertile belts — its forests and extent and position of its minei-al 
 bearing rocks an<l its coal beds. Their annual reports dwelt 
 largely on these, and helped to disabuse men's minds of the 
 erroneous ideas previously entertained, and to convince them 
 that the natural resources of the country awaiting development 
 were very great. An important impulse was thus given to 
 mining, by the information furnished regarding the position, 
 character and extent of the various mineral bearing formations. 
 But above all, the discovery as the survey advanced of vast areas 
 of excellent arable and grazing lands, especially in the vallej'^s of 
 the large rivers, and the existence of extensive forests of pine and 
 other valuable timber, furnished abundant warrant for the con- 
 struction of railways in various directions. Thus the geological 
 survey proved to be of great and lasting benefit to the colony. It 
 is not the province of the geologist to search for or discover 
 mineral deposits or to engage in mining, but so to direct his study 
 of the structure and composition of the rocks as to facilitate the 
 extraction of useful minerals from the earth by those who are 
 practically engaged in mining industry, and to be able to indicate 
 where metallic and non-metallic minerals may be searched for
 
 34 TOPOGKAPlllCAL. 
 
 with the greate^:t probaljility of ^^uccl'ss. This object has Ijeen 
 steadily kept in view in connection with the geological survey. 
 
 COAL, BKDS AND MINERALS. 
 
 In jjoint of fact two things were especially aimed at. One of 
 these was to determine whether a continuation of the rich coal 
 deposits of Sydney, in the island of Cape Breton, might be search- 
 ed for with a prol^ability of success, in the carboniferous ai-eas of 
 Newfoundland, along the shores opposite the coal-bearing strata 
 of Cape Breton. As there was a general analogy in the character 
 of the measures on the opposite sides of the waters dividing them, 
 it was for the geologists to determine whether the attitude of the 
 strata in Newfoundland warianted tlie expectation ot finding 
 there coal beds that would be commercially valuable. The other 
 important point to be kept in view v.-as to determine to what 
 extent the metalliferous zone of North America was developed 
 in Newfoundland. This is called in Canadian geology the Quebec 
 group, its middle division, the Lauzon group, Ijeing lich in 
 metalliferous deposits all over North America. It was, therefore, of 
 primary import to find whether there was a spread of this for- 
 mation in the island and to what extent, as its importance as 
 a mining region would depend on this. To what extent both 
 these enquiries have been determined will be more fidly seen 
 wdien the mineral resources of the colony come to be described. 
 
 At present it is enough to say that all the ancient rock systems 
 between the Lower Laurentian and the coal measures are more 
 or less represented at one part or another of the island. 
 
 LAURKNTIAN SYSTEM. 
 
 The Laurentian system has an immense sjiread in the island. 
 It constitutes the principal mountain ranges, coming to the sur- 
 face through the moi'e recent dei")osits, or Ijrought up by great 
 dislocations. The Laurentian gneiss of the Long Range, on the 
 western side of the island, extends in nearly a straight course 
 from Cape Ray to the head waters of the Castor on the great 
 northern iieninsula, whose central portion is Laurentian. These 
 rocks occupy the coast from Cape Ray to La Poile and spread
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL. 35 
 
 over a wide expanse of country between Grand Lake, the Humber 
 and Exploits rivervS, In fact it may be safely affirmed that more 
 than half the island is Laurentian. 
 
 HURONIAN KOCKS. 
 
 Three-fourths of the great Peninsula of Avalon are Huronian 
 (equivalent to the Cambrian of English geologists). The Hu- 
 ronian consists mainly of a set of slates with conglomerate bands. 
 The city of St. John's, and in fact nearly all the settlements be- 
 tween Fortune Bay on the soutli, and Bonavista Bay on the east, 
 are built upon this formation. 
 
 SILURIAN ROCKS. 
 
 The Lower Silurian rocks have a large develoyment and it is 
 in. these that the metallic oi-es occur which seem destined to ren- 
 der the island a great mining centre. The Lauzon division of 
 the Queljec gioup, which is included in the Silurian, has an im- 
 mense spread in the island. It consists of serpentine rocks, 
 associated with dolomites, diorites, etc. As in other jmrts of 
 North America, it gives evidence in Newfoundland of being 
 more or less rich in metallic ores; and hence the strong proba- 
 bility that many portions of the island will become important 
 mining centres. 
 
 The middle Silurian division of rocks is also widely spread ; 
 and the most fertile belts of land and the most valuable forests 
 are nearly all situated on the jjortion of the country occupied by 
 this formation. The valleys of the Exploits, Gander and several 
 smaller tracts, which contain arable lands, belong to the middle 
 Silurian foi'mation. 
 
 CAKBOMFEKOUS. 
 
 The Carboniferous series, in wliich the coal-beds are to be 
 found, occupies a large area on the western side of the island, in 
 the neighbourhood of St. George's Bay and Grand Lake ; and 
 also along the \ alley ot the Hunil)er and around the shores 
 of Deer Lake. Tlie l)est land rests upon the, rocks of this for- 
 mation.
 
 36 CLIMATE. 
 
 VERDICT OF GEOLOGY. 
 
 The verdict of geology then is that Newfoundland is a country 
 adapted to sustain a large population engaged in a great variety of 
 pursuits— farming, lumbering, shipbuilding, mining and manu- 
 facturing. Wlien to this we add the fish-wealth of the surround- 
 ing seas, on which the present population of 200,000 are mainly 
 dependent, we must form a high estimate of the natural capabili- 
 ties ot an island which lias been so long unknown or rather 
 mis-known. For the development of those yet dormant resources 
 there is a robust race of people who have served a rough appi'en- 
 tieeship of toil and danger amid the billows- -men of bone and 
 muscle, whose lives are mainly passed in the ojien air in a Avhole- 
 some bracing climate, and whose habits of life are sinijde. They 
 need but some Moses to lead them, not out or, Init into the 
 wilderness to fell the giants of the forest, to drain the marsh 
 and swamp, to drag up the treasures of the mine and to make 
 the valleys wa\"e witli a golden harvest. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 Erroneous ideas regarding the climate of Newfoundland are 
 quite as prevalent as the delusions in reference to its soil and 
 natural products. The bulk of outsiders still fancy that the 
 island is enveloped in almost i^erpetual fogs in summer, and 
 given over to intense cold and a succession of snow storms in 
 winter. It is true that it partakes of the general character of 
 the North American climate, and is therefore much colder than 
 lands in the same latitude in the Old World. Its latitude cor- 
 responds to that of France, but its climate is very different. 
 Still in the American sense of the word, it is liy no means a cold 
 country. Winter sets in, as a rule, in the beginning of December 
 and lasts till the end of Marcli or tlie middle ef April. During 
 this time a snow-mantle of greater or less depth, usually coveis 
 the ground, but the frost is occasionally broken by southerly 
 winds and bright wai-m days, and much of the snow is melted. 
 Then the wind changes, and fre.-h falls df snow are experienced. 
 During the winter there are at tinuv; heavy gales of wind, and 
 severe suow-stoinis. These, howevei', do not cjccur often nr last
 
 CLIMATE. 37 
 
 long. Winter is the season of social enjoyments of all kinds, 
 and is far from being unpleasant. Nothing can bo more exhi- 
 lerating than the bracin;,' air of a fine wintei''s day, with the hard 
 crisp snow under feet and a bright sun over head. The musical 
 tinkle of the sleigh-bells when driving over the frozen snow, and 
 the purity of the atmosphere add to the charms of the scene. 
 The snow jDreserves the ground from the infiuonce of the frosts, 
 and in April when it melts, the fitdds soon become fit for the 
 operations of the farmer. It is true tlie spring is late, owing to 
 the chilling influence of the Arctic current which washes the 
 eastern coast, and often 
 
 •' Wiuter lingering chills the lap of May." 
 But once vegetation sets in it progresses with marvellous rapidity, 
 and crops grow and ripen much quicker than in the eastern 
 hemisjjhere. The frosts of winter too, aid the operations of the 
 husbandman and hel]) to pulverise the soil. The destructive 
 tornados and cyclones which often spread havoc in certain 
 portions of the North American continent are unknown in 
 Newfoiuullaml ; "Idizzards" are rare, and the Anieriean "cloud 
 burst" is never experienced. 
 
 SILVKB THAW. 
 
 There is one curious winter phenomenon which is often wit- 
 nessed — called here " silver thaw." When rain falls with a low- 
 state of the thermometer near the earth, it is congealed as it de- 
 scends, and thus a regular disposition of ice takes place on the 
 branches and smallest twigs of trees and shrubs. The layer of 
 ice goes on increasing till it attain-; a thickness of half an inch or 
 more. A magical transformation is wrought. The trees are hung 
 with glittering jewels, even the smallest twigs being loaded and 
 the branches lient to the earth. When the sun shines a scene of 
 dreamlike splendour is presented. Each tree has the appearance 
 of a great chandelier of crystal, tlie play of the sunbeams on 
 myraids of prisms producing a ilazzling effect. The weight of 
 the icy jewellry often breaks the thickest branches. Sometimes 
 the w'ind rises suddenly and uidoads the jewelled trees, and " like 
 the Ijaseless fal)ric of a vision " the whole vanishes.
 
 Sg CLIMATE. 
 
 AUKOKAS. 
 
 Another natural phenomenon witnessed often in perfection in 
 winter is the aurora borealis. The play of these northern lights 
 oeeasionally presents a magnificent sight. The wliole heavens 
 are lighted uj^ witli the brilliant display, and huge curtains of 
 all hues seem to wave over the vast concave. 
 
 In winter the thermometer rarely .sinks below zero, and then 
 only for a few hours and but a few degrees. Once in thirty or 
 forty years an exceptionally severe winter is experienced — such 
 as that of 1893-94 — when the thermometer repeatedly reached 
 ten or even fifteen below zero, and, in the more nortliern and 
 exposed places, as low as tliirty-four. This, however, is very 
 rare and of short duration ; usually, open fire-places are suffi- 
 cient to heat tlie houses, only model ately heavy clothing is 
 needed, and open-air exercise is throughout attainal)le. 
 
 NEWFOUNDLAND SUMMERS. 
 
 Tlie summer temperature ranges from seventy to eighty de- 
 grees, not often exceeding tlie latter figure. Tlie extreme heats 
 and colds of Canada and tlie United States are unknown. A 
 fine summer's day in Newfoundland is delightful. The heat is 
 never o^jpressive ; the nights are always cool, and the breezes 
 are balmy and invigorating. From the middle of .June till the 
 middle of September is the true summer, and usually fine 
 weather is experienced, though the changes are at times sudden ; 
 and, of course, there are, as in all countries, imfavourable sum- 
 mers. The robust and healthy ai)pearance of the jieople. their 
 fair complexions, and the numerous instances in which an ex- 
 treme old age is reached, all testify that the climate is salubrious 
 in the highest degree. Malaria is entirely' unknown. 
 
 FOGS PAKTI AL. 
 
 The fogs which have given the country such an undesirable 
 reputation are confiued to the south and south-eastern portion of 
 tlie island. Enormous masses of \apour are generated on the 
 Banks,. which are at a consideiable distauee from the shores of 
 the island, by the mixing there of the heated waters of the Gulf
 
 CLIMATE. o9 
 
 Stream with tlie Arctic curront. When (southerly or south- 
 westerly winds blow the fog is rolled in on the south-eastern 
 and southern shores of the island, covering the bays and head- 
 lands with a thick curtain of vapour. It rarely penetrates far 
 inland ; so that while these coasts are shrouded in dense fog, the 
 sun is sliining brightly inland, and the atmosphere is dry and 
 balmy. With southerly winds the great bays on the southern 
 coast be2onie receptacles of the sea-fog. It often tills Placen- 
 tia Bay and drifts over the narrow isthmus into Trinity Bay, 
 while Conception Bay is comparatively clear. Thus the fogs are 
 partial in their intluence. On the western shore, after passing 
 Cape Ray, fogs are almost unknown. The same holds good of 
 the northern and eastern coasts as far south as Bonavista. The 
 summer months in tlie interior may often be spent without ex- 
 periencing a genuine foggy day. However gloomy and disagree- 
 abie these sea-fogs may be, it must be rememl)ered they are not 
 prejudicial to health. The Gulf Stream which generates them 
 modifies the cold, so that the climate is more temperate and 
 wholesome than that of the neighbouring continent. 
 
 The mean annual temperature for eight years was 41.2 degs. ; 
 the average height of the barometer was 29.37 inches. 
 
 It is not ditticult to account for the erroneous ideas prevalent 
 regarding the climate of the Islaml. The climate of the Banks, 
 which are over one hundred miles distant from the shores, and 
 of the southern and south-eastern seaboard, which are affected 
 by the sea-fogs, has been taken l)v voyagers and casual visitors 
 as indicative of the climate of the whole Island. Hence, it has 
 been concluded that the coxintry is enveloped in almost per- 
 petual fogs in sunnner ; and, on the other hand, an impression 
 has grown up that it is given over to intense cold and a succes- 
 sion of siiow-.-torms in winter. 
 
 It may be desiralde, therefore, to cite the opinions of a few 
 intelligent persons who, from exjierience, have lieen enaVjled to 
 form an estimate of the general character of the climate, in 
 ovdvv to arrive at the truth. Sir Richard Bonnycastle, who 
 spent some veai'.- in tlie country, in his excellent woi'k on Xew-
 
 40 CLIMATE. 
 
 Joimdknd (1842), says; "We find that tlie oxtioiiiui ;;t tern- 
 pemtiire in Newfoundland are trifling i-onipared Avitli those of 
 Canada. There the thermometer falls as low as twenty-seven 
 degrees below zero, and even lower at times, in winter, and 
 rises to ninety in summer. Here (in Newfoundland) the lowest 
 temperature in winter scarcely exceeds zero, or eight or ten de- 
 grees below it, excepting upon rare occasions ; and in the height 
 of summer does not attain more, in common years, than seventy- 
 nine degrees. Winter ma} really be said to commence here 
 towards the latter end of November only, though fire:, are 
 comfortable adjuncts during most of that month ; and its seve- 
 rity begins after Christmas, runs through January and February, 
 and becomes less and less stern until the middle of April, when 
 it ceases altogether. In the winter of 1840 ploughing was going 
 on after Christmas." 
 
 " It is generally supposed in England that N(;wlnundland is 
 constantly enveloped in fog and wet mi.^t ; nothing, lio-,veve]', 
 could be farther from the truth. The summers are fre(piently 
 so hot and dry that for v«-ant of rain the grass perishes — the 
 summer of 1840 was one of these — and the nights are unusually 
 splendid ; whilst in winter fog is very rarely seen." 
 
 He kept a register in regard to foggy days, from ^\■hic■h it ap- 
 peared that in 1841 there were only seventeen and a half days 
 of thick fog in St. John's, " which is moi'e exposed to the Bank 
 weather, as it is called, than any other part of the Island " ; and 
 light fogs Mere prevalent only nineteen and a half days ; giving 
 thirty-seven days of foggy weather on the shore throughout the 
 year. He remarks further on the light clothing with which the 
 laljouring classes went al)out in winter, and on llicir roliust 
 appearance, and ])i-onounces the climate salubrion- in tlic highest 
 degree. 
 
 The Right Rev. Dr. Mullock, formerly Roman Catholic Bishop 
 of the island, in one of his lectures, says : " We never have the 
 tlu'niKiiiicter down to /cro, uidess once or twice in llic yeai', and 
 then only i'or a few hours and for a k'W degrees, three, foiu' or 
 ])erha]is tv\i ; while we hear of a tenijicratuie of li'u and twenty
 
 CLIMATE. 41 
 
 below zero in Canada and New Brunswick ; and tliis life- 
 destroying cold continuing for days, perliaj).-^ weeks. Tlien see 
 another effect of tliis — the Canadians and other North Americans 
 of the same latitude are obliged to keep nj) liot stoves almost 
 continually in their houses, while we have open fireplaces, 
 or at most Franklins ; our children, I may say, are lightly 
 clad as in summer, spend a large portion of their time in the 
 open air ; and thus while onr neighbours have the sallow liue 
 of confinement tinging their clieeks, and their children look com- 
 paratively pale, our youngsters are blooming witli the losy luie 
 of health, developing their eneigies l)y air and exercise, and pre- 
 paring themselves for the battle of life hereafter, either as hardy 
 mariners or healthy matrons — tlie blooming mothers of a power- 
 ful race." "The mean temperature of 1859 was 44 ilegrees." 
 
 Sir Steidien Hill, wlio was Governor of the island for six years, 
 says: "The climate of Newfoundlaml is exceedingly healthy, 
 The robust and liealtliy appearance of tlie people, and the ad- 
 vanced age to whicli many of them attain, testify to the purity 
 anil excellence of the air which they inhale aval the invigorating 
 (pialities of the breezes of British North America." 
 
 Alexander Murray, C. M. G., Geological Surveyor, who spent 
 eighteen years in the island, traversing it in all directions, saj's : 
 "The climate of Newfoundland is, as compared with the neigh- 
 l)ouring continent, a moderately temperate one. The heat is far 
 less intense, on an average, during tlie summer, than in any jjart 
 of Canada, and the extreme cold of winter is muidi less severe. 
 The thermometer rarely indicates higher than seventy degrees 
 Fah., in the former, or much below zero in the latter ; although 
 the cold is occasionally aggravated by storms and the humidity 
 consequent on an insular position. The climate is undoubtedly 
 a very healthy one, and the general physi([ue of the natives, who 
 are a ]>owerfully-built, robust and hardy race, is a good example 
 of its intiuence." 
 
 The climate of St. John's, it .-liould 1 e reiiiL-uiliered, is not 
 a fair standard by which to judge of the whole island. It is on 
 the most eastern pt)int in the peninsula of Avalon, and therefore
 
 42 CLIMATE. 
 
 most exposed to the chilling influence of the Arctic Current. At 
 the heads of the gi'eat bays, in the interior of the island, especi- 
 ally in the sheltered valleys, and on the west coast, the climate is 
 much Avarmei- than at St. John's. In St. George's Bay the mean 
 annual temperature for the year is 43-8 degrees ; that of Toronto 
 is 44-3 degrees. 
 
 Mr. Howley, the present head of the Geological Survey, in one 
 of his reports says : " I myself spent four months during the past 
 season in the interior without experiencing a genuine foggv day, 
 until reaching witliin twenty miles of the southern side of tlie 
 island. During tlu' entire months of July and August, the 
 weather in tlie interior was delightful, while logs prevailed at 
 the same time along the southern shore." 
 
 The railway surveyors who have been engaged during tlie lasr 
 two years in locating the new railway, all speak in glowing teiins 
 of the deliglitfid climate of the interior in summer, and its free- 
 dom I'mni foLis.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 ROADS AND RAILWAYS IN NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 
 I^' iiu otlu^' country lias tlie material and social advaiLceiiient 
 of the people been so seriously retarded Ijy the want of roads as 
 in Newfoundland. Tlie original settlement of the island took 
 jdace entirely in connection with the fisheries. The gathering 
 in of the sea-harvest was the onh' industry contemplated or 
 attemjjted. Around the shores fishermen, chieHy from England 
 and Ireland, collected at first in hamlets and small villages, 
 situated in such localities as were found best adapted for catch- 
 ing, drying and shijiping fi.sh. These, as they multiplied and 
 the population increased, were dotted around the shores of the 
 great bays, or wherever there was a sheltered inlet where fish 
 could be landed and the fisherman's stage and hut erected. 
 Sprinkled thus along an extensive seadjoard, tliey were generally 
 widely apart from each other, and intercourse was maintained 
 mainly or entirely by sea oi by rude paths through the woods 
 between neighbouring settlements. 
 
 BAD LAWS. 
 
 Had the clearing and cultivation of the soil been combined 
 with fishing, the construction of roads would have become a 
 necessity ; but the unhappy policy adopted by the Imperial 
 Government, at the prompting of the English capitalists who 
 carried on the fishei'ies, effectually prevented colonization. The 
 policy was to keep the island solely as a fishing station in order to 
 train seamen for the British navy. All grants of land were pro- 
 hibited, the cultivation of the soil made a penal oflfence, and 
 a vigorous attempt was carried on for a long period to remler the 
 fishery migratory by carrying home the fishermen at the close of 
 each season to return the following summer. 
 
 SLOW PROGRKSS UNDER DIFFICULTIKS. 
 
 In .->pite of these stupid, selfish laws the resident population in 
 the fishing villages continued to increase and in many instances
 
 44 liOADS AND RAILWAYS. 
 
 tliuse givw into small towns. St. Jolnvs in particular made great 
 strides. The laws, however, against the cultivation of the soil, 
 and the erection of dMolling houses, were enforced up to the be- 
 ginning of the present centmy. In 1790 one of the Governors 
 2)ublicly announced that he "was directed not to allow any 
 possession as private property to l^e taken or any right of private 
 projjerty ^vhatever, -to Ise acknowledged in any land whatever 
 which is not actually employed in the fishery in the terms of the 
 Act, 10 and 11 William III." In 1799, Governor Waldegrave 
 ordered fences which had been erected enclosing a 2jiece of 
 ground to be torn down, and jirohiliited chimneys even in the 
 tenqjorary sheds. The people were thus confined to the sea- 
 margin, in small isolated settlements, the only inter-communi- 
 cation being by sea. Though the progress of the Colony was 
 thus seriously retarded, still the hardy pioneers held their 
 ground and increased in nuudjers, thus proving that there were 
 among them men of the right stamp for building up a new com- 
 munity — men of moral worth and force of character, who saw in 
 the midst of their rough surroundings that here was a spot which 
 might one day be made into a desii'alile home for themselves and 
 their children. 
 
 THK I>AWN. 
 
 A liettcr day at length dawned. Tlie foolish and cruel laws 
 were relaxed, and in 1813 grants of lands to settlers were for the 
 liist time permitted. Agriculture on a small scale immediately 
 commenced around each settlement. Those who Avere interested 
 in keeping the country unsettled had all along sedulously incul- 
 cated the lielief that both in regard to climate and soil the 
 island was wholly unsuited to agriculture. This view was 
 speedily disproved when restrictions were removed, but to this 
 ilay is not wholly eradicated. 
 
 A NEW ERA— ROAD MAKING. 
 
 It was soon found that no pi'ogress could be made in the culti- 
 vation of the soil till roads were constructed. The year 1825 
 \\-a.> rendeied lueinortible by the coustructiuu of the tirst road,
 
 kOADS AXJ» I'vAILAVAYS. 45 
 
 nine miles in lengtli, iVuni St. John's to Portugal Cove, on the 
 southern shore of Conception Bay. On the opposite shore of this 
 bay Avere the thriving towns of Harbour Grace, Caibonear and 
 Brigus, the centres of a considerable population. By establish- 
 ing a regular system of boats to cross this bay, carrying mail* 
 and passengers, a route was established Ity which nearly half the 
 population then living in the country were provided with a rough 
 means of comuiunication. To Sir Thomas Cochi-ane, Governoi-, 
 belongs the honour of introducing this essential step in civiliza- 
 tion. He also constructed a road to Torbay, a village north of 
 St. John's ; and a third along a beautiful valley through which 
 Hows a small stream falling into St. John's harbour, to a spot 
 now called Waterford Bridge. This beginning of road-making 
 took place only 69 years ago, liut the progress made since has 
 been remarkable. Year after year roads radiating from St. 
 John's in several directions were built, along which farms and 
 neat farm-houses soon became visible. One of these roads ex- 
 tended first to Topsail on Conception Bay, thence to Holyrood at 
 the head of the bay, and onward to Salnionier, St. Mary's and 
 Placentia. Efforts were made by the more distant settlements to 
 connect themselves with each other by roads, though often of 
 a very rcngli description, and to establish means of connnunica- 
 tion with the capital. When Representative Government was 
 established in 1832, an annual grant Avas voted for making and 
 repairing roads and bridges ; and of late years over 0150,000 per 
 annum, have been devoted to this purpose. The Great Northern 
 Mail road, for establishing communication with the people of the 
 northern bays, was projected and commenced. At present there 
 are about 1,000 miles of postal roads, and over 2,000 miles of 
 district roads. 
 
 THOUGHT WIDKXING. 
 
 Road-making, witliout wliich no country can advance or make 
 progress in other arts or in social life, though of late introduc- 
 tion, has had a most important civilizing influence in this Colony. 
 Still these roads only connected the fishing towns and settle- 
 ments on the coast, and hail little effect in opening up the good
 
 46 KOADS AND KAILWAYS. 
 
 lands of tlie interior for colonization or in developing the 
 natural resources of the Island. As the })eople inci eased in 
 nundjers and tlieir views and asjtirations hegau to widen, the 
 question presented itself : Were tliey doomed to cling fore^•er to 
 the rocky shores and content themselves with a jirecarious sub- 
 sistence derived from the stormy dee]) ? Was -it not possible to 
 turn to some profitable account their huge territory of 42,000 
 square miles, and not leave it furever to the bears tlie wolves, 
 and the deer ? Must the inteiior remain furevei' an unpeopled 
 solitude where so many of the population were finding the pro- 
 ducts of the fisheries inadequate to give tliem daily bread ? If 
 it be true, as so many have reported, that there are in the in- 
 terior noble forests, rich mineral deposits and fertile lauds, must 
 these all remain as nature has place<l them and be turned to no 
 human use ? 
 
 DOUBTERS AND SCOFFERS. 
 
 Still there were inany who doubted or denied the existence of 
 any such natural resources in tlie interior, and clung to the old 
 belief that nothing was to be found but alternations of b(jgs, 
 rocks and swamps, with little if any forest growths or lands fit 
 foi' settlement. As to minerals, they scoifed at all reports of 
 their existence as mere fables, propagated Ijy wild enthusiasts or 
 designing imposters. 
 
 ANOTHER GREAT STRIDE-GEOLOGICAIi SURVEY. 
 
 Happily there was sufficient faith among men of intelligence 
 in the resources of the country to secure the organization of a 
 Geological Survey in 18G4. Sir William Logan, the eminent 
 Cteologist of Canada, was applied to, and he nominated Mr. 
 Alexander Murray, who had been his assistant for twenty years, 
 to take charge of the work. He prosecuted the survey Avith 
 commendable zeal and energy for over twenty years, and it has 
 been continued by his able assistant, Mr. J as. Howley, till the 
 present time. Noav, for the first time, the resources and caj)- 
 abilities of this neglected and misrepresented country Avere ex- 
 amined and reported on by competent scientific men whose
 
 KOAbS AND RAILWAYS. 47 
 
 statements -wei'e thorouglily reliaMe. The le.-jiilt.s exceedeil the 
 ex])ectati'jns of the most hopeful. Mr. MiUTay'.s reports, puL- 
 lislied year after year, sliowed that thi- inlerioi' contained exten- 
 sive pine fore-'ts of exeelh'ut timber ; fertile valleys, in which 
 many thousands might lind a home ; a carhoniferons region con- 
 taining large coal-beds and mineral tracts, -which the labours of 
 many generations were not likely to exhaust. His survey 
 slioweil that on the "West Coast there were 1,320 stpuire miles ot 
 fertile lands admirably adapteil for settlement, and in the 
 valleys of the Exploits, ( Jambo, Terra Nova and Gaudier, 3,320 
 square miles fitted for agricultural operations or cattle-raising — 
 much of these regions being covered with valuable forests of 
 pine, birch, and other trees — in all, nearly three million acres 
 of land well fitted for settlement. He further found that the 
 Island presented large developments of the " (ihiebec GroujV' 
 which is the great nietaliferous formation of North America, and 
 therefore might be expected to be found ) ich in minerals — a pre- 
 diction which has been amply verified. It couhl no longer be 
 doubted that Newfoundland presented a promising field for 
 mining enterprises or for extensi\e lumltering operations, or 
 that its reclaimable land would sustain in comfort a very large 
 population. 
 
 UISCOVIillY or anNEKALS. 
 
 So far as the statements in the reports regarding the mineral 
 resources were concerned they were speedily continued by actual 
 discoveries. The first discovery of copper ore was made by Mr. 
 Smith McKay, an enteriuisiug explorer, at Tilt Cove, on the 
 North-eastern shore of the Islund, in 1857. It was not worked 
 till 1864. At the close of 1879 this mine had yielded 50,000 
 tons of coi)per ore, valued at 5'1,.')72,154, and nickel ore worth 
 <^32,740. At the present time the working of this valuable mine 
 continues and several hundred miners are employed. 
 PROGRESS OF MINING. 
 
 In 1875 Belt's Cove mine, a dozen miles further south, was 
 opened, and up to 1879 had yiidded ore to the value of $•2,982,- 
 836. Little Bay mine followed in 1878, and proved to bu still
 
 48 If ADS A^■i) ilAIIAVAVS. 
 
 luoi'e }ii'oiluctivL-, lliL' workings being continued till about a year 
 ago. At the close ol' 187i) it was found that the total ^■alue ot 
 the ove exjiovted from the various mines had reached the amount 
 of r^'4,G29,889. The work has gone on up the present time with 
 successful i-e>ults. In 1892 tlie value of the ore exjtorted ac- 
 cording to the Customs' Iveturns was .^1,006,592. It must 
 further lie considered that mining operations have hitlierto been 
 mainly confined to the shores of Notre Dame Bay. The in- 
 terior, now to be opened up by railways, is still untouched, and 
 may be expected to prove rich in minerals. 
 
 I'KOSPKCTS OF MINING. 
 
 Tlius science is pointing out Newfoundland as likely to lie- 
 come one of the copper-bearing regions of the world has been 
 confirmed by actual experiment. It presents a, wide develop- 
 ment of that metalifei'ous zone M'hich in other North American 
 countries has yielded abundance of valuable mineials. The area 
 of the serpentine rocks, in connection with which all the cojjper 
 ore hitherto has been found, is estimated by Mr. J. Howley, Geo- 
 logist, at 5,097 scpiare miles. There is reason to believe that this 
 serpentine formation runs across tlie island, and in the yet unex- 
 plored interior it may come to the light in many places. 
 
 A KAIIAVAY LOOMING DIMLY. 
 
 After being thus a mere fishing station for some 250 years, 
 without farms or roads, the fringe around the coast began to be 
 intersected with roads, and the cultivation of the soil made some 
 progress. Then followed the revelations of the Geological Sur- 
 vey, which could not lie disputed, and were confirmed in many 
 points liy the Avorking of the copper mines, by which wealth 
 began to be poured into the country ; and also by the introdiic- 
 tion of lumbering establishments along the larger rivers. Wider 
 views regarding the destinies of the country began to lie enter- 
 tained among those ■who were; at the head of afi'airs. The neces- 
 sity of ]iioviding other means of sustaining the population than 
 the fisheries liad Ijeen felt for some time. TJie population was 
 rapidly increasing, while their mainstay— the lisheries^showed
 
 HUADS AM) UAIIAVAYS. 4^ 
 
 uiimistiikalik- syiiiptuiu.s of (lecliiiu, or, id best, were precarious. 
 The idea ol' a railway began to Hoat dimly befoi'e tlie iiiiuds of 
 some of tlie more tliouglitful, but was at first spoken of with 
 bated breath lest its ailvocacy might expose the bold innovators 
 to the snsjticion of insanity. By the great mass of the people 
 the project of liuilding a railway was at first regarded as utterly 
 beyond the means of the colony. Short-sighted people declared 
 it wouhl bring no returns and would speedily involve the 
 country in bankruptcy. The opponents of i)rogress and change 
 I'egarded it witli liui'ror. 
 
 FLEMING'S PKOJECT. 
 
 A proposal made liy Mr. Sandford Fleming, who was then 
 Engineer-in-chief of Canadian railways, hel[ied to fannliarize 
 the puljlic mind with the idea of a railway across Newfound- 
 lanil. This eminent engineer puldished a paper in whicii he 
 pointed out tliat the shortest and safest tra\-el-route ))et\veen 
 America and England was across Xewfoumlland. He suggested 
 a fast line of steamers from A\ilentia, Ireland, to St. John's, N.F., 
 carrying only j>assengers, mails and light express matter. Thence 
 he pro])Osed to Iniild a railway across the islan<l to St. George's 
 Bay, where another line of swift steamers would ply to Shippe- 
 gan, in the Bay of Chaleur, where connection with American 
 railways would be obtained. He calculated that],by this route 
 the ocean passage would not exceed four days, and that passengers 
 from London woidd reach New York in seven days. It was a 
 bold 2'1'oject, but founded on careful calculations. The NeM- 
 foumlland Legislature voted a sum of money for a preliminary 
 survey of the line, which was carried out in 1875 under Mr. 
 Fleming's direction. It was found that tliere were no serious 
 engineering difficulties in the way, and tliat the line could be 
 constructed at a modeiate cost. 
 
 THK FIRST IIAILAVAY PKOJliCTED. 
 
 Two years elapsed lielore any further steps ■\\ere taken. At 
 length, in 1878, Sir William ^^'hiteway, Premier of the Colony, 
 to Avlioiu belongs the high honour of not uuly introducing the
 
 50 i;OAI)S A^T> liAILAVAYS. 
 
 railway system in the face of strong oppo.sitioii, but of persever- 
 ingly carrying it out for more than fourteen year-s, as a prominent 
 feature of liis jiolicy, undertook to grajijjle with the matter in 
 earnest. His first jjrojjosal -was, in following the lines laid down 
 liy Mr. Fleming, to offer an annual subsidy of £120,000 and 
 liberal land grants along the line to any company that would 
 construct and operate a line of raihvay across the island to be 
 connected Ijy steamers with England on the one side and on the 
 Gulf of St. Lawrence, on tlie other, with Canadian railways. The 
 Imperial Goveinmeut, however, refused to sanction this project 
 on the ground that it might be regarded by the French as an 
 infringement of their fishing rights which wei-e secured by treaty 
 on the west coast where its terminus would be. The project, 
 therefore, had to be abandoned. 
 
 THK HALL'S BAY LINE. 
 
 Two more years elapsed, and Sir William Whiteway, finding 
 that the project of constructing a line across the island which 
 woulil be a link in tlie chain of comnumicatton between tlje Ohl 
 and the New Worlds, could not then Ije carried out, decided on 
 building a narrow-guage railway suited to local recpiirements, 
 and such as the Colony itself could undertake. The resolutions 
 which lie submitted to the House of Assembly projwsed the 
 construction of a railway from St. John's to Hall's Bay, the 
 centre of the mining region, with bi'anches to Harbour Grace 
 and Brigus, the total length of which \\ould be about 340 nnles. 
 Such a line would o])en up for settlement large areas of good 
 lands and valuable and extensive timber district's in the valleys 
 of the Gambo, Terra Nova, Gander and Exploits, ami by con- 
 necting the mining region with the capital, would impart a great 
 impetus to mining industry and give access to new mineral lands 
 as yet unexjilored. 
 
 REPORT OF PAKLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE. 
 
 A joint-committee of Ijoth Ijranches of the Legislature was 
 ajjpointed to consider the proposal. Their report was strongly 
 in favour of such an enterjnise. It pointed out the necessity of
 
 ROADS AND RAILWAYS. 51 
 
 opening up new iudiistiie-; for the cni]>loyniont of the increasing 
 l»opuhvtion, for wliose sujiport the fislieries were now inradeqnate. 
 It referred to the mineral wealth and tlie great extent of fertile 
 lands which the Geological Survey of the island had made known ; 
 to the large importations of agricultural produce and live stock, 
 almost all of which could be raised in the country ; to the 
 advantages the island possessed as a grazing country, and the 
 facilities of exporting live stock to England ; and to the benefits 
 that would flow fiom the remunerative employment i'urnished to 
 tlie people by tlie construction of a railway. It concluded by 
 recommending tlie passing of an Act authoiizing a loan of the 
 amount required to construct tlie line within the limits of one 
 million pounds sterling, and in sums not exceeding half a n^illion 
 of dollars in any one year. Tliis report was adopted Ijy the 
 Legisl.iture l)y an overwhelming majority of botli blanches. 
 Railway tVimniissioneis were ajipointed and Engineers were 
 omployL-d in the summer and autumn of 1880 iu making a pre- 
 liminary survey of tlie southern portion of the ])i-o])0.-ed line. 
 
 FIRST RAILWAY CONTRACT. 
 
 A new era was thus initiated. The Colony took a fresh de- 
 paiture in the direction of progress. The long-neglected natural 
 resources of the island were now to be turned to profitable 
 account. The horizon Avidened in the eyes of the people, and 
 confidence in a great i'uture for the country was developed. The 
 funds necessary for the building of a railway were to be raised 
 by a loan on the credit of the colony, and the Ooveinment was 
 to direct and control the work. To t!ii«, howevei.grave objections 
 of a i)olitical character were raised. It was considei'ed by many 
 that the construction of the line would be more economically 
 carried out by a contract, and that the work would prove more 
 satisfactory. When the Legislature met in February, 1881, tin- 
 tender of an American Syndicate for building the railway was 
 accepted. The leading features of the contract were as follows : 
 A line f>r narrow-guage railway (3 feet G in.) to run Irom St. 
 John's to Halls Bay, with branches to Brigus and Harbor Grace :
 
 52 ROADS AND RAILWAYS. 
 
 the distance estimated at 340 miles. Steel rails of the hest 
 fjuality to he used. A money sid)sidy of ^180,000, to Ije jiaid 
 half-yeai'ly hy the Government for thii'ty-five yenrs, eomlitional 
 on the otRcient maintenance and ojteration of the line, the pro- 
 l^ortions of this subsidy to attach while the railway is in course 
 of construction ; and as each five miles are comjileted and ap- 
 proved, land gi'ants of five thousand acres per mile of good land 
 to lie secured to the company in alternate blocks along the line 
 in (piantities of one mile in width and eight miles in deptli ; and 
 if not obtainable along the line, to 1)l' SL-Iectrd elsewheie. The 
 company bind themselves to Imild a sul)stantial and etticient 
 road, subject to approval liy a (Juvi-i'uuient Inspectoi', and to 
 complete it in five years. 
 
 FIKST SOD CUT. 
 The tirst sod of the railway was turned on the 9th of August, 
 1881. By September, 1882, thirly-tive miles were comjileted 
 and in running order ; one humlred miles were located, and the 
 remaindei of the line northward was under survey. In Novem- 
 ber, 1884, the line was completed and opened for traffic between 
 St. John's and Harbour Grace, a distance of 83a miles. The work 
 of construction led to tlie distriljution of large sums as wages 
 among the labouiing classes who were employed : while the 
 trailing classes also shared in the lienetit. The enterprise Avas 
 regarded with general approval throughout the comiunnity ; and 
 the passenger and goods traflie on the line develo]>e(l at a satis- 
 factory rate. 
 
 FINANCIAT. TROUIiLKS. 
 
 Soon after, unfortunately, the "Newfoundland Railway Com- 
 pany "got into financial difficulties, and woik on the line was 
 discontinued. Legal proceeding- followed : tlie company jnovcd 
 unable to fulfill their contract, and finally the pru'ti'ju of tlie line 
 finished passed into the charge of a Keceiver on liehalf of certain 
 bond-holders in England, who held a mortgage on it. Tender 
 tliis airangeiiienf it has lieen most satisfactorily operated till tlie 
 present time, and lia\-.ing a >ub<idy of .? |,').r)()() per anniini a lair 
 dividend is paid to tlie bond-lioMeis
 
 KOADS AXIJ RAILWAYS. 53 
 
 RKSULTS. 
 
 Tlie financial collapse of tlie Newfoimdlaml Railway Company 
 was an unfortunate event, a.s the work of lailway construction 
 was tliereljy temporarily retarded, and more or less brought into 
 discredit. Had the constiuction been undertaken by a financi- 
 ally strong and ca])al)le company the line would have been 
 completed iu 1886 ; whereas only 83;^ uiiles, to Harbour Grace, 
 were then in a woiking condition. 
 
 PLACKNTIA RAILWAY. 
 
 In 1885 a change of Government took place and Sir Roliert 
 Thorliurn liecame Premier. Nothing daunted liy the previous 
 break-down, he and his colleagues in 188G commenced the con- 
 struction of a branch line, il miles in length, from Whitbourne 
 Junction to Pluceutia, the old French capital. It was completed 
 and opened in 18K8, and pioved to be a well-built line in every 
 rcs2)ect. l!y this luaucli line not only was the large and thriv- 
 ing population of I'lacentia Bay brought into more easy and 
 rapid connnunication with the cajiital, Imt for the people of 
 the whole southern and westei-n shores the travel-i'oute was 
 shortened and facilities of trade extended. By means of a 
 steamer plying on Placentia Bay, the various settlements around 
 its shores wei'e enabled to participate iu these advantages. Few 
 would now be found to deny that the Placentia Railway is 
 a highly beneficial ]»ublic work, and well worth all it cost 
 Moreover, the first 'se\en miles of the line fi-om Whitl)Ourne 
 were available as a portion of the Northern extension towards 
 Hall's l-]-iy, should that wi.irk lie resumed. Tiie great innovator 
 and ci\ili/.('r liad now got a firm footing in the island and tlie 
 benefits were so ajipai'ent that the work of railway-building was 
 sure to proceed, wliatever government held the reins. The large 
 sums distributed in tlie shape of wages among the labouring 
 classes, in connection with railway-l)uilding, ami the number of 
 engineers ami skilled mechanics and workmen employed, tended 
 to advance the general jirospcrity of the ]ieople. Tlic revenue 
 advanced iu proportion.
 
 54 IIQAPS AND RAILWAYS. 
 
 THE THORBUKN UAILWAY POLICY. 
 
 In 1889 the Thorlmrn Govei-nment annoniiced as part of their 
 policy the extension of the railway northward i'roni the Placentia 
 Junction. Public opinion \\as strongly in favour of this as the 
 only means of utilizing the agricultaral, forest and mineral lands, 
 and providing new outlets for the industry of the people. The 
 successs of the Harbour Grace line and its rapidly increasing 
 traffic furnished a sufficient warrant for further extension, and 
 convinced all intelligent men that in tliis country the giaml 
 desideratum of progress is a railway to open up the interior and 
 connect the extern districts with eacli other and with the capital. 
 The Government wisely decided that the northern extension 
 should be built under a contract. Accordingly they advertised 
 for tenders in England, tlie Suited .State.; and Canada, in order 
 to obtain such information a< to cost and otlier particulars as 
 would enalile tliem to formulate a plan to be submitted to the 
 Legislature. In the Legislative Session of 1889 a Railway Ex- 
 tension Act of a comprehensive cliaracter was passed through 
 l)oth Chambers with little opposition. Tlie Government were 
 pledged to carry out a survey of tlie line to Hall's Bay that year, 
 to immediately commence construction, pending a contract, and 
 to jn'ovide for the completinn of the wliole line witliiu ten years, 
 the rate of construction to be at the rate of not less than 25 miles 
 per annum. The work of construction was commenced in the 
 fall of 1889 from Placentia .Junction northward. I'efore wiut>'r 
 set in some ten or fifteen miU'S were l)uilt. 
 
 Sill AV. AVHITEWAY AGAIN riiEMIEK. 
 
 Tlie general elections took ])lace in XnvcmbL-r, 1889, witli the 
 result that Sir William Wliiteway was again called on to taki' 
 the reins of government. He s])ecilily sliowed tliat he had lost 
 none of liis {ormcr confidence in railwav extension a< a means of 
 developing the I'esources of the colony. An Act was passed in 
 the .session of 1890 ])ro\i(ling for the eoiistiuetioii of a line ol' 
 railway tinmrd^ Hall's liay, with a luancli to Prigus or Clarke's 
 Peach, autlioi-iziug a loan of .S'4,.")00,000, an<l empowei'iiig the
 
 JtOAliS AMI UAII.WAVS. OO 
 
 fgdvciiuiu'ut to accept ;i tcniK'i- I'or cun.-tnutioii. Tlic tciiilcr of 
 Mr. R. <T. Rci<l, of Montreal, Avas acceiitcil, and the work roni- 
 lueuced, uuiler contract, in Octolier, 1890, to lie conijdeted in tive 
 year?;. 
 
 A CHANGE OF PKOGKAMMK. 
 
 Meanrinii' a survey was made for aline of railway to tlie West 
 .Coast of tlie island from tlie Valley of the Exploits. Tliis sur- 
 vey Avas made liy way of the valleys of Deer Lake and Harry's 
 Brook, in order to ascertain whether this route jiresented more 
 tavouraljle features than that already surveyed via Red Indian 
 Lake. The result of the survey A\as as the report showed, that 
 :a most favourable line was found through large areas of a rich 
 loamy soil, es])ecially about Deer Lake, awaiting agricultural 
 <leveloiimeut. This line, too, would open u[) the tine Humber 
 valley, famous for its jiines, and reach the Bay of Islands with 
 its grand scenery and lands. In every respect tliis route was 
 found to l)e far preferalile to tliat j>reviously surveyed. 
 
 NOKTHKRN A>D AVESTKRX KAILAVAY. 
 
 The governnieiit now decided to cany llie railway west from 
 -.the Exploits. A new contract was entered into with Mr. R. G. 
 Reid, by which lie undertook to "construct and equip a line of 
 .railway commencing at the terminus of the road to be con- 
 structed uniler the Northern Railway contract, fieing a jioint 
 two hundred miles distant from Placentia .function, and running 
 by the best, inost desirable ami most direct route to the north- 
 .east end of Gi*and Lake ; thence to the north-east end of Deer 
 Lake, and westerly along the north side (afterwards changed to 
 south side) of Deer Lake and do\m the Humber River ; thence 
 by way of the north side of Harry's River ; and thence to Pcjrt- 
 .aux-Bas(|ues.''' This contract was signed on the IGtli May, 1893. 
 On the same day another contract was signed, in which Mr. Reid 
 undertook to operate the Placentia branch railway, and also the 
 •" Newfoundland Northern and Western Railway," as the new 
 line from Placentia Junction to Port-aux-Bas(pies was to be 
 .called, for a period of ten years, commencing Sept. 1st, 1893.
 
 56 IIOADS AND RAILWAYS. 
 
 The wliole k'ligtli ol' ihv ir-w line, tiuiu Placeiitia JuiiL-tiou to" 
 Port-aux-Buficiues, is i-stiiuatvd tu lie aliout tive Imiidied uiik's. 
 
 THE CONTRACTS. 
 
 The main features of the contracts were as foUows : — For' 
 construct ini;' ami e(juipping the railway "iiayments shall he 
 made to the coutractoi' U]>ou the completion of each continuous 
 and consecutive section of live nnles, or a fraction of a section 
 at the end of the work, at the rate of §"15,600 per mile of main 
 line, the said payments being in full for all the works and 
 materials provided for under this contract and necessary for 
 the thorough and complete construction and e([ui2)ment of the 
 line of railway herein provided for. All such i)ayments shall 
 l>e made by the government and accepted by the contractor in 
 debentures of the (hnernment of Newfoundland in sterling 
 money of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, 
 maturing on the 1st day of January, 1947, with interest thereon 
 at the rate of three and a half ]>er cent, jier annum, payalde 
 half-yearly ; principal and interest payable in LoikIou, Eng- 
 laml." " Payments will be made to the contractor on the written 
 certiticate of the engineer and the apjiroval of the government 
 that the works have been duly executed." The whole line is to 
 be completed in three years from September 1st, 1893, and to Ite 
 a narrow -guage of three feet six inches. The specifications are 
 .such as will secure a thoroughly safe and well-ecjuipped line. 
 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION. 
 
 The contract for maintenance and operation of the Placentia 
 branch and of the Newfoundland Northern and Western Eail- 
 way for a period of ten years from September 1st, 1893, provides 
 that the contractor shall maintain these in a safe, efficient and 
 satisfactory manner, and continuously and etiiciently operate the 
 «5ame (the number of trains to be run being specified) ; also, 
 .«hall erect telegraph lines along the whole line of railway for 
 the purp)oses of its ojieration and work them at his own expense,- 
 and also shall, if ref^uired, work them as part of the government 
 telegi'aph system on certain conditions. On the faithful perfor-
 
 KOAliS AND I.'AII.WAYS. ;> ( 
 
 inance of tliest- c'UgageUR'iit- the i;(ncriiiiiciit ;il;icci1 "to giant in 
 fee-simple to the coutractcr live thdusand acre- 'A' laud Ini- cacli 
 one mile of main line or luaiuli rail\\a\- tliiiiiiglKnit tlie entire 
 length of tile line^ tn lir ojn-rated." SlmuM the line, therefore, he 
 five hundred miles in length, the land grant \\'ould he i, 500,000 
 acres. "The said fee-sinijile grants shall hi- made hy the gowru- 
 iiient to the said contractor a- follows : — i!.JO,000 acres upon the 
 completion of the northern lim- to Exploits ; 250,000 acies ujion 
 the com])letion of the we-lcin line to St. GeorgeV Bay ; 250,000 
 acres upon the comphtion of the line to Poit-aux-Basques ; and 
 the balance at the end of five years friMu the ilate of this ron- 
 tract, or as soon thereafter as praelicahle. ''The land shall l)e 
 located on each side of the railway in alternate sections of one 
 or tAVO miles in length with tlie railway, at the option of the 
 contractor, on meridian or lia^e lines, as the case may he, and 
 eight miles in dejith, the go\'i-innient retaining the alternate 
 sections, anil until the eonti'actor has made his seleetion under 
 this section, the government shall ni.it dispo.-e of ariv Crown 
 lands, timber, or mineral rights within eight miles on either 
 side of the line of railway."' "AVhere such sections from any 
 cause are not oljtainable along the line, the .said contractor may 
 select Crown lands elsewhere to make np deficiencies, tin; br-t- 
 mentioned selections to be made in sections or blocks of not less 
 than one mile square and not moi-e than ten miles stjuaie." 
 
 The contract contains stringent ])rovisions for the due execu- 
 tion of the various agreements, so as to secure the construction 
 of a first-class line of railway. One section stipulates that the 
 ■wages of daily labourers shall not be less than one dollar per 
 day, payalile monthly. 
 
 THE WORK COM^IEXCED A'lGOKOlISLY. 
 
 Under the contract the work commenced in October, 1890, and 
 ■was prosecuted with so much energy that at the clo.se of 1891 
 sixty-five miles ■were completed and operated. Tlie work of con- 
 struction continued to advance vigorously, and early in the fall 
 of 1893 two hundred miles were completeil and trains were run-
 
 58 KOADS AND KAILWAYS, 
 
 niiig twice each wi'i'k Iji'twecu Exploits, Wliitljoiuue and St. 
 .Jolni's. 
 
 RESULTS. 
 
 Tlie railway having now pi'nctiatcd a ivgioii wliicli was ])re- 
 viously lint litllc known, to a ilistance of two lumdi-ed miles, in 
 little more tlian two years, we are enabled, to some extent, to 
 form an estimate of tlie lieneticial changes it has accomplished 
 And is likely to accomplish in the fntnre, and also to arrive at a 
 conclusion in regard to the chai'acter and resources of the coun- 
 try "wliich it ojieiis iij). 
 
 C<)>I>1<)N ROADS OPKNKD. 
 
 The lirst tlung wliicli strikes us is the wonderful extent of 
 •common roads alreatly constructed or in course of construction, 
 to connect the \ari(jus settlements and towns on the sea coast 
 with the railway. These have been mostly surveyed and built 
 Ijy the contractor, Mr. Reiil, acting umler the instructions of the 
 '(Government. A good waggmi road, forty miles in length, has 
 been built from Trinity to Shoal Harl)our, via Goose Bay. This 
 •opens uj) a laigv ([uantity of good land for settlement and secures 
 access to tlie lailway to a con.siderable population. Another 
 road, ten miles in length, has been built to connect Indian Arm 
 Bay with the railway ; while a third, five miles in length, runs 
 from Alexand(n' Bay to tlie railway near Gambo. A road about 
 forty-four miles in length, from Hall's Bay to the railway, join- 
 ing tlu' latter about four miles west of Badger Brook, has been 
 surveyed and some work done upon it. It will doubtless T)e 
 •completeil this season. Roads from Arnold's Cove and Come-by- 
 -chance have also been built. A line of road four miles long has 
 been surveyed from Northern Bight to the railway ; and another 
 is projected from Exploits to Botwoodville and Gander Bay. It 
 may be leasonaljly exitected that wheivver there is good land 
 along these waggon roads it will lie occupied by settlers and that 
 farms will multii)ly. New life will be imparted to these lonely, 
 isolated settlements thus ])laced in easy communication with the 
 ^.-ajiital, and vaiioiis industrial eiilerprises will lie develojied.
 
 ROADS AND RAILWAYS. 69' 
 
 When so miicli lias been accomplished in sucli a hrief period in 
 road-making, it may lie safely ]iredicte(l that hundreds of miles 
 additional ^vi]l soon he iuiind necessary as feeders to the I'ailway. 
 
 MAIT.S IJY RAILWAY. 
 
 The railway now carries nearly all the nnrthern mails, whicli 
 in winter nsed to be con\'eyed by couriers on foot or with the 
 aid of dogs over the surface of the snow. Small steameis ])ly 
 from Shoal Harbour, Exploits an<l ('lode Sound, arouml the ^m\s 
 conveying mails and passengers to and from the various settle- 
 ments. A wonderful impetus has thus been given to civilizing 
 influences in these districts, and Ixith social and material progress 
 lias been initiated by the railway and its satellites the roads. 
 
 H'3IBKIJIXO INDliSTKY. 
 
 The most marked feature, however, in the cliange already 
 effected is the surprising development of Inmlieriug industry 
 v'liich has followed i'ailway extension. This far exceeds the 
 most sanguine expectations and amidy sustains the statements of 
 those Avho have been proclaiuiing, too often in deaf ears, the 
 value of the forest Avealth of the island. Fi\e large and well- 
 equij)ped lumbering establishments ha\i' sprung up along the 
 line of railway and are luniiug out large quantities of excellent 
 lumber, mainly pine and spruce. These are — the (.'ami)bell Lum- 
 bering Co., on the Terra Nova River ; Murphy's Mill, at Gambo ; 
 Benton Mill, operated by Mr. 11. H. Reid on Souli's Brook ; Ster- 
 ritt's Glenwood Lumber Co., Glenwood, on Gander Rivei', and 
 the Exploits' Wood Co., at Botwoodville, on Peter"s Arm of Ex- 
 ploits Bay, and Phillijjs' tine Mill on Gander Arm. A large 
 amount of capital is invested in these establishments, and hun- 
 dreds of men are emphncil at good wages. 
 
 QUAXTITIKS ANU Ql'ALITY OF Ll^IBEE. 
 
 Li the winter of 1893-94 it is calculated that tliese ^•arious 
 lumber mills will turn out neaily twenty million feet of lumber, 
 most of ■which would have i-emaiiied in its primeval condition but 
 for the facilities aflbrded ))v the railwav for conductiuu tliis new
 
 60 ROADS AXlt RAILWAYS. 
 
 industry. A few of tlif lumlici' mills wciv in L'xistence before 
 tlie railway was l)ui]t, lint now tlu'se have greatly extended their 
 operations. In wintei- evei-ything re(|uired hy the luml)er-canips 
 is brought by rail. If any doubt regarding the quality of this 
 ]>ine is still felt, the jirice which it firings in the English market 
 iurnishes a suttieient answer. Experts from other countries in'O- 
 nouiice it excellent. It will rei(uire many years to exhaust the 
 great forest growths along the (Zander River and Lake, and the 
 Terra Nova, Gambo and Exploits and Humber Valleys. Luml)- 
 ■erers are at work already some sixty miles from the sea-board on 
 behalf of the Botwoodville mills. Pine ti'ces fifty to sixty feet 
 high, and two to three feet in diameter, are commonly met Avith. 
 Vast fo]-est areas ai-e still unt(jU(hed. 
 
 FARMINti FACILITIES. 
 
 The lundierer must precede the farjuer in clearing the soil for 
 ■cultivation. As the forest-growths aie cut down settlers will 
 ■occujiy the land, and homesteads will take the place of the pine- 
 iorests. Facilities for colonizing these wildernesses are now 
 i'urnished by the ii'on road. 
 
 A srORTINfi COrNTKY. 
 
 The sjMjrtsnian will reckon this country a ]pai-adise. Deer are 
 there in abundance. It is re])(iitel that from 500 to 1,000 of 
 these noble animals were slaughtered al)out Gandei Lake when 
 swimming across in Xo\end)er, 1893 — a M'anton and barbarous 
 destruction. The North American hare is found in prodigious 
 numbers and ptarnugan are plentiful. The beaver and other 
 fur-bearing animals, bears and wolves are met Avith. Trout and 
 salmon-fishing in the lakes and I'iveis is excellent. All the 
 materials for attracting settlers and i'or i'urnishing openings for 
 vai'ied industries ai'e to be found iu this country to which the 
 all-couipiering locomotixe has now gi\'en access. 
 
 CHAKACTFR OF THK Il.VILAVAY. 
 
 Before giving an account ot the various stations along the line 
 and the physical featuies of the country whose solitudes are now 
 for the first time invaded, it may be well to say something of the
 
 EOADS AND IIAILAVAYS. 61 
 
 .diameter of the railway umU'r constrnctioii. Impartial and 
 competent judges wlio have visited and examined the line are 
 unanimous in piououncing it one of the liest new roads ever laid 
 clown. No rtiiusy work is to he found on it ; all is solid and 
 .calculated to last. Tlie road-ljed is unsnr])assed ; the rails heavy 
 and of excellent material and shape ; the ties or sleepers most 
 .suljstautial ; the bridges and culverts nf granite and steel of 
 supi'rior (|uality. The passenger cars are of the same style as 
 tliose used on the Canadian Pacific line. The trains run so 
 -moothly tliat the traveller has some difficulty in realizing that 
 lie is imssing over a road just carved out of "the forest jirimeval." 
 All avei'age speed of thirty miles an hour could lie safely reached 
 .011 such a road, so that the short-route iiroblem hetween America 
 .and Europe may yet lie solved heiv. It is difficult to fancy an 
 ex])ress train with magnirteent Pullman sleeping and dining 
 .cars, within tMo years from this date, rushing through the very 
 lieart of tliose Terra Nova solitudes, where the deer, the wolf, 
 •the liear and tlie fox were till recently the only dwellers ; yet, 
 by the close of 1895, these fancies will be translated into solid 
 facts. Five hundi'ed and titty miles of railway froui St. John's 
 •to Port-aux-Bas(pie will lie in active operation. A short run of 
 .one liuudi'ed miles aei-oss the Gulf of St. Lawrence, will place 
 traxellers iu connection with the Continental railway-system ; 
 .and Xewfoundland will almost cease to be an island. Such are 
 tlie magical effects of a lailway in a new country. "What the 
 ■Canadian Pacific railway has done for the Dominion, the Xew- 
 foundland Northei^n and Western railway is destined to do for 
 this island in coming years. Its dormant resources will be 
 brought to light an<l its iiathless wildernesses converted into 
 ■"the liap2)y homes of men." 
 
 ROUTE OF KAILAVMY. 
 
 From Placentia Junction, seven miles from "Whitbourne, the 
 new line runs northerly, crossing the istlimus wliicli connects 
 the Peninsula of Avalon with the main body of the island, which 
 yit its narrowest part is but three miles wide. On either side of
 
 62 ROADS AND i;AIL"\VAYS 
 
 the isthmus are the liead.s of tlie great bays of Placentia and 
 Trinity, Still following a nortlierly course, the railway traverses 
 the Terra Nova, Gambo and Gander Valleys, and entei's the great 
 valley of the Exploits at Norris's Arm. From this point it turns 
 ■westerly, following up the Exploits Valley and crossing the river 
 at Bishop's Falls, ten miles from its mouth, on a fine steel l)ridge 
 630 feet in length with granite piers and abutments. From 
 Bishop's Falls the railway crosses over into the valley of the 
 Peter's Arm Brook, (tlie Grand P'alls lieing about one and a half 
 miles from the railway at tlie 222iid mile from Whitbounie), Init 
 returns to the Valley of the Exploits again near Rushy Pond at 
 the 227th mile from Whitbourne. From tlieiicu it follows up 
 the Exploit's Valley to Badger Brook where it iiually leaves the 
 river. From Badger Biook it takes a north-westerly route 
 crossing the White Hill Plains, tlience down the valley of Kitty's 
 Brook to the north-eastern end of Grand Lake. Tlie course is 
 then along the southern side of Deer Lake to Bay of Islands^ 
 thence through the valley of HaiTy's Brook to Bay St. George. 
 From this 2">oint the line passes back of the Anguille range of 
 hills, down tlie valley of llie Codi'oy Eivers to Cape Ray, about 
 nine miles distant from Port-aux-Bas(pie, which is the terminus 
 of the line. 
 
 CHANGKS TO BE KFFKCTED. 
 From this outline of the route it will l»e acen that the new 
 railwav traverses and opens up the lai-gest and most valuable 
 areas of agricultural, forest and mineral lands in the island. In 
 the course of years, l)ranch lines and waggon roads will connect 
 the outlying regions with this Grand Trunk Railway, and thus 
 the various centres of popidation will be linked together and 
 brought under civilizing influences, and new industries pro- 
 moted. A closer glance at the country along the line will fully 
 bear out these statements. 
 
 FIRST FIFTY MII.ES. 
 
 Tilt first thirty or forty miles of the railway run through 
 a wild rugged countr\-, very rocky, especially across the isthmusf
 
 EOADS AND ];AILWAVS. Go 
 
 being interspersed Mitli luurcus ami lakrli-ts. (\iiiic-li\-( 'liaiicr 
 valley, 50 miles from WlntlKUirne, is well Avooilid, and eniitain- 
 laud ■\vliicli -when cleared, will U'pay ( ultivation. It holds good, 
 Iiowever, that the fertile belts aw to be fonnd in tin- valleys ot 
 the lar<;er rivers and ahmg the banks of the 2)rinripal lakes. On 
 the ridges and high lands are generally IVuind marshes and 
 •' Ijarrens,'' the latter of wliieh can be ntili/ed lor sheep and 
 cattle raising. 
 
 GKANITE OUAKKIKS. 
 
 At Eandom, sixty-one miles and at the one hnn<lred and forty- 
 third mile from WhitlKmrne, twx) tine granite ipiarries have been 
 opened, the granite of which compares favorably with the best 
 Scotch article. From these ([uarries the contractor obtain> tlie 
 i?tone used in l)nilding ma.-onry, bridges, etc, on tlie railway. 
 
 TO PORT BI.ANDFOKD, CLODE SOUND. 
 
 At Clarenville and Upper Shoal Harbonr villages the line 
 again reaches the salt water. A small steannr plies here for the 
 conveyance of mails and passengers to and lium the neigldiour- 
 ing settlements. To a limited extent the land here has been 
 brought under cnltivation. Opposite Clarenville on Random 
 Island, Trinity Bay, is a lirick-making estalilishment, where 
 brick of a snperior character are made. On Smith Sonnd, a 
 short distance from Slioal Harl)oni-, are slate de])osits where 
 slate of a snperior (jnality is oljtained. At Shoal Harbour is a 
 small saw-mill, the logs for which are brought down the Shoal 
 Harbour river along which the railway passes to C'lode Sound, 
 an arm of Bonavista Bay, ninety-seven nules from Whitljonrne. 
 Here the scenery is very tine. A growing settlement ha< sprung 
 ujj and the land is being rapidly brought under cidtivation. 
 There is here a beautiful sandy l)each where sea-l)athing can be 
 had in perfection. The salt water is also warmer owing to its 
 distance inland. In the near future Port Blamlford, Clode 
 Sonnd, will be a favourite summer watering-])lace. The streams 
 in the vicinity are Avell stocked with salmon and trout, affording 
 to the angler excellent sjiort. There are also some line mussel
 
 <64 ROADS AND RAILWAYS. 
 
 .and claiu-l)eils ; and if tlie exporiiiient were tried it is iirobable 
 that oysters miglit liere l)e successfully raised. At Port Blaud- 
 ford fogs are of rare occurrence, and irom this point to Cape Ray 
 
 :are practicallv unknown. 
 
 At Terra Nova river, tlie next station, there is a fine saw-mill, 
 
 .ir.vned liv tlie ('aniphell Luml)er (Jonqmiy, with the most ap- 
 ]>rovi'd macliiiicry. in adive operation. The country around is 
 well stocked with game of various kimls ; multitudes of wild 
 geese visit this place each spi-jng. The extent of the Sound is 
 live mile.s in h-ngtli l)y two miles in hreaillh. 
 
 GAMBO KIVElt. 
 
 Tlie fine (Jamho River is ci'osscd liy a steel ))ridge eighty yards 
 long, with piers of solid masonry. Both River and Lake are well 
 tilled with trout and salmon, and tlie surroiniding country 
 altonnds in <leer and other game. Some gooil land is ionnd at 
 >( Jandio, hut as yet little is done in reclaiming it. A luunlsome 
 hotel is in course of erection at this lieautiful spot for tlie accom- 
 modation of visitors, tourists ami sportsmen. 
 
 Fnmi Gamlio to Benton, on Souli's Brook, a tril)Utary of the 
 ■Gander, the line passes through a country over which forest 
 jires swept a nuniher of years ago, Imrniiig vast ([uantities of 
 splendid jiine tive>. At Benton anotlier large saw-mill, having 
 the best machinery, is in o])erati(ni. Here, too, is another granite 
 ,(|uarry, both being operated liy Mr. Reid. 
 
 OANI>ER COUNTRY. 
 
 Tlie railway crosses the Gander River at Gleiiwooil about five 
 miles below the point where it issues from the lake of the same 
 name. The advent of the locomotive into this great valley will 
 
 ."•oiistitute an era in the colonization of the island. Here, when 
 settled and rultivateil, will l)e one of the finest agricidtural 
 regions of Xewfoundland. Hardly anything was known of thiss 
 region till L'^74, when the Geological Survey was extended to the 
 iip])('r learhes of the ri\-ei' and was completed two years later. 
 The total length of the main I'iver is one huiulred miles ; and 
 
 .another branch of it, called the South-west River, also empties
 
 KOADS AND IIAIIAVAY.S. 65 
 
 into the Grcut (laiulcr Lrike, ami is cii^lity iiiik's in leiiytli. Tlu' 
 .area flraincil is lu-arly tluve tlimisaud s(|uarc miles. AltogvtluT, 
 .as .shown in the rcpm-ts of the Gi'ologiral Sui-vcy, tliere air iu 
 this great expanse of coiinti'V, including tlie whole of the Gaudei' 
 River and Lake and the neighbouring ({aniho and Terra Nova 
 valleys, no les.s than seventeen hundred square miles available 
 for settlement. Gander Eiver is approached from the sea at Sir 
 ■Charles Hamilton's Sound by the great inlet of (ilander Bay, the 
 head of which is in latitude 49" 17' north, and longitude 54' 
 29^ west. From this point to tlie lake the river is thirty-three 
 miles in length. The lake is thirty-six miles long. The main 
 branch of the river extends above the lake for a distance of sixty 
 miles. For a small outlay this river could be made navigable for 
 boats of good size, and <lnwn it timl»er could ivadily be floated 
 were some present nlistructions removed. The eastern portion 
 .of the lake stretches away in seipentine form towaids Bona vista 
 Bay, its extremity being separated from that l>ay l)y only nine 
 miles i_)f a le\-el country, owv Avhich a I'oad or tramway could 
 .easily be constructed. Thus, this great valley lias two outlets to 
 the sea, and is now by r;iilway placed in conimunication with the 
 rest of the island. The valley, drained by the South-west River, 
 eighty miles in length, has excellent soil and luxuriant timber 
 ■growths. 
 
 GKOLOGICAI. REPORT OF GANDER VALLEY. 
 
 In the Re[iorts of the Geological Survey of the Gander district 
 it is spoken of iu the following terms :—" The country lying 
 aliove the great lake and forming the valleys of the two river.s 
 presents evejywhere a gently undulating surface, rising to a 
 moderate height in it- mure ele\ated ])arts, ami .sloping gradu- 
 .ally and wit li beautiful regularity down to the river's banks on 
 either side. For a distance of thirty miles above the lake, and 
 .at least twt) miles on the we.stern side of the main and eastern 
 side of the south-we.st rivers, the cK)untry is of this character, 
 giving a block of tliiity mile^ long by ten wid.e, or an area of 
 three hundred sipiare miles, covered with a deep rich yellow
 
 66 EOADS AND JfAILAVAYS. 
 
 sauily loam. Xearly every acre of these tliree liuudreil .square 
 miles is well adajited for agrieultuval purposes, wliile magniticeiit 
 pine, spruce, fir and wliite birch cover the whole. The islands 
 or intervals in the rivers, especially near their outlets, are per- 
 fectly level, and covered with exceedingly deej) and rich alluvial 
 
 soil Tlie soil here, over a very great area, is of 
 
 excellent cpiality and capable of yielding rich harvests. Taking 
 everything into account, there is no more promising country or' 
 
 one more easy of access in British America.'" 
 
 " In all my travels about the island I have no where seen any- 
 thing like the quantity of pine timber to be met with here." 
 
 " There is an area of not less than tive 
 
 hundred square miles worthy of being laid out as timber-limitS' 
 where an immense trade miglit l)c cariicd on successfully." . 
 "Were the tracts surrounding the head-quarters of the Gamlxr 
 and the south-west branch to be taken into accoiint, I have little 
 doubt the area would be extended to a thousand square miles." 
 Mr. Murray, the Chief of the Geological Sur\-ey, calculated that 
 there was sufficient timber here " to yield 02,160,000 feet annu- 
 ally for one lunidred years." The following is Mr. Howley's 
 (tlien Assistant Geologist), estimate of the pine lands here : — 
 
 "Area of pine lands on the lower valley of the Gandei- Eiver 
 and north side of the lake . 
 
 Area of pine lauds on the lower vallfy of the Sq.wa. 
 
 Gander river and north side of the lake ... 200 
 Valleys of the main and south-west rivers ... 800 
 South side of lake and across to Freshwater Bay 200 
 Valley of theGandjo and Triton river and tribu- 
 taries l.')0 
 
 Total 850 
 
 In addition to its agricultural and lumbering capabilities the 
 Gander country gives aljundant promise of being a mining dis- 
 trict. The rocks of the serpentine group having all the charac- 
 teristics of the cop2)er-l)earing formation in Notre Dame Bay are 
 extensively developed in these areas.
 
 Kt)Al>S AM) K'AILWAYS. 67 
 
 SKTTI.K.HKNT. 
 
 «Sucli i> tlu' Oiuiilcr cminlry wliirli tlu' i"iil\vay li;x^ now lapix'il 
 jXiid i-euik'i't'd aceesf;il>lc. Tlic ia])i(l progres.s of tUo lumbering 
 iniUistrv, already desciilx'd, aliundantly sn.stains the statements 
 x)t'tlie Geological Survey as to its forest wealtli. Its tine scenery 
 ;ind capabilities as a sporting ci>unti'y will attract multitudes of 
 tourists when once it is known. As the valley is gradully cleared 
 .of its forest-growths settlement will follow and one day it will be 
 the seat of a large and thriving population. 
 
 (,'i-ossing the (lander River the railway lams to Norris's Arm 
 ;ou the Bay of Exploits and again reaches tide-water. This is 
 .destined to l)e an inipoitant ])lace and here a village is sure to 
 spring up .soon. Tlie .scenery is re])orted to be very tine. A 
 steamer plies from liere on Notre Dame Bay for the conveyance 
 jof mails and passengei's, and roads are iirqjected to connect it 
 with the neighbouring ai'uis of the Bay. At Botwoodville, three 
 and a-lialf miles acro.ss the liay, the Exploits Wood Company 
 have a laige mill at Peter's Arm and are carrying on an ex- 
 tensive trade in deals with llie Englisli market. They have 
 x.>xteusive timber-grants in the Exploits and adjacent valley.s. 
 
 At Burnt Bay, a short distance from Norris's Arm, there is 
 a tine harbour having deep watei- and ample accommodation for 
 the largest steamers. Passengers and mails landing hei'C from 
 England would shorten the distance greatly and get quick trans- 
 ference to Port-aux-Basque. A Iji'anch line, nine miles long, 
 would connect Burnt Bay with the main line. 
 VALLEY OF EXPLOITS. 
 
 As already noted the line takes a westeily direction at Norris's 
 Arm and enters the great Aalley of tlie Exi)loits, where tlie soil 
 is superior to any yet reache.l. Timothy hay is seen growing 
 here to a height of four feet on tlie lumber roads from seeds 
 j^cattered by trains in hauling supi)lies to lumbei- cam2)s. At 
 Bii^hop's and at Grand Falls, fuither up the liver, the scenery i.s 
 exceedingly fine. The line now i-uns through a level country 
 having an ujiward grade which continue.s till the water-shed 
 between the Exjdoits and Grand Lake is reached at the 275tli
 
 G8 liOADS AMI RAILWAYS. 
 
 iiiik' iVoiu "Wliitlidunu'. Situated o\i tlu- watci'-slied are tlic 
 Wliite Hill Plains, " Great Baireiis," -where a splendid raneliiiig 
 fountry is reached i'(|ual, as a cattle and sheep-raising district, 
 to the celebrated Foot Hills of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, 
 <ir to Alberta in Canada. (Janie ol all kinds abound here, and 
 deer are especially numerous. Portions of the valley of Kittv's 
 P>rook are well adapted for I'aniiing and pasturage. 
 
 SOIL AND TIMIJKR OF EXPLOITS. 
 
 The great valley of the Exploits, now opened up by the rail- 
 Avay, presents sncli manifold advantages for farming, lumliering 
 anil other industrial pursuits, that it nuist one day become the 
 seat of a large population. \\'ith a s])lendid ri\er, abundant 
 timber and a fertile soil it will not long remain in its present 
 wilderness condition. The Exploits, which is the largest river 
 in Newfoundlaml, rises in the sonth-western angle of the island, 
 and, after a course of 200 miles, falls into the bay of the same 
 name. It drains an area of 4,000 scpiare miles, of which it is 
 calculated that nearly half are reclaimalile and tit for settlement. 
 It Hows through Red Indian Lake thirty-seven miles in length 
 and distant from the mouth of the river between seventy and 
 eighty miles. The lower valley, l)etween the Red Indian Lake 
 and the sea, is capalile of sustaining many thousand inhabitants. 
 In the report of the Geological Survey it is said, '• The soil is 
 ecpial to the best pai'ts of Lower Cana<la ; there is little swamp ; 
 it is unencumbered Avitli boulders, the hills Avooded to their tops ; 
 the root-crojjs grown l)y the few settlers are excellent ; as a graz- 
 ing and stock-raising country it can haidly be surjiassed." " The 
 tind)er is in many places still abundant, consisting of pine, white- 
 birch, very large sjn'Uce an<l tamarack." .... " The liver 
 anil its tributaries afford water-power to any extent." .... 
 " The country .'=outh of Hodge's Hill and on the southern side of 
 the Exploits presents an uidjroken dense forest in a .series of 
 gentle nndulations as far as the eye can I'each. The country 
 between the Victoria and the head of Red Indian Lake is well 
 timbered throughout." " The quality of the
 
 KOADS AM) RAILWAYS. 69* 
 
 .sj'outaiieoiis ])i(i(luiti(nis aliuiy flu' lower rt^acliL-s ol' the rivi-r' 
 imlicates a iVrlilc >oil." 
 
 CATTM': ItAISlNC;. 
 
 Tlieiv can Ik- little doiilit that llie larilitic-s fuv cattle-raisin.i; 
 ■will speedily atti-aet attention, to this ie,<;ion. Its proximity to- 
 English markets — only six or se\en ihiys" steaming — tlie excel- 
 lent liarltcmr for sliip[)inL; rattle ami the laeilities for ^rowini;- hay 
 and root-crops — the alaindanl ^iipjily of nntritious wild grasses 
 in summer — all conihine to mark out many iioi-tioiis of the Ex- 
 l^loits and other valleys as ranching districts of great promise. 
 With the superior advantages for stock raising the island 
 affords, it seems strange that we should still he importing large 
 quantities of beef (97,600 His. in 1892), some of which i.s hrought 
 from Nevada, a distance of some 4,000 miles ; the cost of carri- 
 age alone being greater than it could bi- raised for here, besides, 
 the grazing grounds are much inferior to our own. 
 
 GKIOAT HIMKKK A AI.LKY. 
 
 After cros.sing the great Barrens the railway runs towards the 
 north-eastern end of Grand Lake and enters the Huml>er Valley. 
 This magnihcent valley, in regard to its soil, timber and scenic 
 beaut}' — its noble river and its hue lake .surpasses anything yet 
 describeth The total area is estimated at 800 square miles. This 
 includes the wide expanse of country around Deer Lake, the 
 narro\\' valleys of the Lower Hund)er and Grand Lake, and also 
 that above Sandy Lake, on the eastern branch. At the head of 
 Deer Lake the valley widens and spreails out in all directions 
 for miles. Its dimensions here are stated to he twenty-five miles 
 in length and twenty in breadth — giving an area of five hun- 
 dred square miles. In the last report of the Geological Survey 
 it is said : " The Avealth of tind)er resources still available on the 
 magnificent Humber Valley, together with the sujjerior ([uality 
 of soil covering so large an area, and capable of being cultivated 
 to advantage, far exceed anything on the eastern side of the 
 island. It may be safely estimated that at least ibur hundred 
 out of the eight hundred s(|uare miles that comprise the entire
 
 ■70 l.'OADS AND KAILWAVS. 
 
 valley are ol" tliis tuADuvalile cliaiacter ; wliile I liave little liesi- 
 tatinii in saying tliat lialf tlic remainder would eomparo favour- 
 ably willi nio^t ol' tlie land eleareil and eultivated on the eastern 
 sealioard.'' "In jioint of scenic lieauty, however, tlie views on 
 the Lower Hunil)er and along the (4rand Lake are mucli to ho 
 ])reterred" (to the Deer Lake <listrict.) "especially those chainiing 
 
 . cascades, of which there are |)rol)al)Iy a hundred or more around 
 the shores of Grand Lake and on the (^reat Island. The beauty 
 and variety oi' the scenery alone is likely to attract many tourists 
 to this region in the near futui'e, so soon as better facilities for 
 reaching it than those at present existing are att'orded." 
 COURSK or THK HUMUKll. 
 The River Humber is al)out one hundred and fourteen miles 
 in length, and falls into Humber Sound, an arm of the Bay of 
 Islands. The liay is sjiacious and easy of access, its length being 
 al)out fifteen miles. The scenery liere is the most magnificent 
 in tile island, ^riie arm known as the Humber Sound extends 
 fidui llie soutli-eastern partof the bay twenty-eight miles easterly 
 into the country, with a width of more than two miles. The 
 Blomidon Hills, from 1,000 to 2,000 feet high, rise to the south 
 
 ..of the Sound. The Humber River, just before falling into the 
 Sound, passes through a narrow gorge nearly three miles in 
 length, having on each side lofty crags ■which in some places 
 shoot up perjicndicularly from the water's edge to the height of 
 a thousand feet. In Mowing through this gorge the river is in 
 some jdaces pent u]) to a chain in width, the current being deep 
 and strong. Three miles from the mouth of the river a sliglit 
 rapid is met, Mhich is easily passed at high spring-tides. Aljove 
 this rajjid the Humber opens out wide, flowing through the 
 beautiful pictures(pic valley till Deer Lake is reached, twenty 
 miles from the mouth oi the river. All round this lake is an 
 expanse of fine country, extending in one direction for several 
 miles. 
 
 A SOLITARY PIONKKR. 
 
 A single settler is the sole occupant — Mr. (tco. Nicholls — who 
 came here many years ago irom Cape Breton. He has now a fine
 
 KOADS AND ItAILWAYS. 71 
 
 piiiducliw laiin in wliidi lu' f^^iows (•r()ps of all kind.-, inclmling 
 \vliuat. The soil is a (l('i'|i sandy loam yielding root-crops wliieli 
 , cannot lie snijiassed. Clover, liuck-wlieat and Hax grow luxu- 
 riantly. Hay is cut Ironi tlie natural grasses, and hops thrive 
 luxuriantly. The nearest neighhour to this solitary ])ioneer is 
 some thii'ty miles otl' The want ot" roads ami markets has 
 hitherto preveuteil the settlement dC this tine distriet, l)Ut the 
 advent of the railway will change all this, and the value of land 
 may lu' exjiected to advance rajjidly. 
 
 BAY OF ISI.A>'L).S. 
 
 The railway reaches the Bay of Islands at Corner Brook, 
 where there is every facility for the ei'ection of good wharves for 
 the ex])ortation of farm-jtroduce, lumhvr, minerals, etc. The 
 tine lierring tishi'ry ol' this hay, which is carried on during the 
 winter, will receive an imjiulse from the railway which, in all 
 prohahility, will lead to a wonderful expansion (jf this industry. 
 It is true that much of the pine along the vi\ev has heeii long 
 .since cut down, yet much good timlier of other kinds is still to 
 be found there in al)undance, and thei-e are still many portions 
 which the lumlier-man has not yet invaded. The shores of 
 (ii'and Lake an- densely timbered with every variety of forest- 
 growth, white pine being abundant. The country l)etween 
 Grand and Sandy Lakes and the banks oi (ifjose Brook, arc 
 regions yet almost untouched, and contain a large proportion of 
 pine. In all these there is ample space for a large lumbering 
 indu.stry for years to come, which will be developed by the 
 railwav. 
 
 MAKBLK BEDS. 
 
 All these, however, do not exhaust the natural resources of the 
 Humber Valley. It has long been famous for its marble deposits, 
 wliicli are of enormous extent, but yet untested. Specimens 
 liave been found of white marble of a very fine grain which 
 
 .apjjears adapted for statuary purposes .should it exist in suffi- 
 ciently massive beds, which is yet undetermined. " The variety 
 of colours disjjlayeil in other specimens is very considerable and 
 
 .often very beautiful.'' Marble (piarries are among the possibili-
 
 72 EOAD.S AM) KAILWAYS. 
 
 ties of the future, ami a large export of this valualile artiele at 
 no distant date. 
 
 THE NEW COAL riEL,I>. 
 
 Still more important is the diseoverv of a new coal Held in the 
 vicinity of the Grand Lake, whieli is now heing tested uiuh-r 
 the orders of Government liy Mi-. Howley, head of tlie (leo- 
 logical Survey. "While the indications are exceedingly hoi)eful, 
 it would be jjromature to say that M'oikal)le coal-seams of any 
 great extent have been fnuiMl. What is (•(.■rtain, howe\-er, is tliat 
 the carbonifei'ons series (A forniatiims ocLU[»y a large aiea of the 
 Hunil)er Valley, indeed, the entiiv jdateau of the valley is al- 
 most exclusively composeil of these rocks. Borings were made 
 in 1879-80 along the side of Sandy Lake, which revealed the 
 existence of at least a portion of the up]ier or true <(ial-l)earing 
 measures, with a few small coal-seams. On tlu- sdulhern side of 
 Grand Lake tlie coal-measures form a deep narrow trough, the 
 best and most extensive exposures of coal-measures being at 
 Aldrey and Coal Brooks. Here borings were made in 1891-'92' 
 with the following resnlts as <letailed in Mr. Howley's report : — 
 "■Altogether eleven actual ontcrops were seen on Goal Brook;, 
 indications of at least six on a small lirook west of it, and* 
 twenty-eight on Aldery Brook. Of course, most of these repre- 
 sented but thin unworkable seams of coal, nften of an infei-ior 
 character. Nos. 4 and 7 of Coal Brook, 6, 7, 15 and 16 of Al- 
 dery Brook, are about the largest and l)est seams. Of these, four 
 average over three feet of coal each, while the fifth and sixth 
 contain a.bout two feet each of a very superior (quality. But,, 
 though most of the seams are of smaller dimensions, yet, I take 
 it, that their peculiar position and attitude in the sections greatly 
 enhances their value as a whole. For instance, in the sections 
 on Aldery Brook, in a horizontal distance of 335 feet across the 
 centre of the troiigh, which in reality represents only 167.7 feet 
 vertical thickness, nine distinct coal-seams are recognized on 
 one side, only two of ^\•hich have as yet been clearly seen 
 and measured on the other side. The remaining seven are 
 also there beyoml question, though not uncovered, yet sufficient
 
 IIOADS AND RAILWAYS. 73 
 
 coal (iL'tritus was uu't witli in fosteaiiiii;.; ti> indicate' tlieir juvs- 
 ence. Heuco, we have at leai^t eighteen layers of coal succeei ling- 
 each other in nearly vertical attitude within a total hori/ontal 
 distance of 33.j feet, lea\ing an average of less than nineteen 
 feet of strata between each layer. Such being the case, it ap- 
 pears to me all these seams could be worked from one opening, 
 especially as they approach eat h other nearer and nearer as they 
 descend." 
 
 PROSPECTS. 
 
 The foregoing report indicates, at least, a strong j^robability 
 that a workable coal-field in this locality, close to the ne^v lino 
 of railway, will be developed. It would be difficult to over-rate 
 the importance of such a discovery should it tui'n out in accord- 
 ance with expectations. It would })rom(ite the settlement and 
 industrial development of this tine reginn to an extent which is 
 now hardly conceivable, especially when llie railway is so close 
 to the coal-field. 
 
 IRON ORE FOUND. 
 
 Even this is not all. Iron ore is i'ound here in abundance as- 
 sociated with coal. Th.e following is an extrait from Mr. 
 Howley's repoi-t : — "The clay iron-stone l)ands interstratified 
 with the coal-measures on Aldery and Coal Brooks are to all ap- 
 pearances sinular to those found in most other coal fiehls. Jn 
 England, this ore has been the principal source of the iron of 
 commerce for wdiich that country has been so far-famed. It has 
 been said that England's greatness Avas chiefly due to her coal 
 and iron. Judging from external appearance, the ore here is of 
 a faiily good tonality, and there can be no question that the de- 
 posits are very extensive. It occurs as usual in the form of ir- 
 regular nodules, nodular bands and compact solid bands, inti- 
 mately associated with the principal coal seams. Its jjrospective 
 value on that account to the future development of large indus- 
 tries in this section of the island can hardly be realized now." 
 SCENERY— KAY OE ISLANDS. 
 
 At Corner Brook, where the railway station Avill be built, 
 Fisher's saw-mill is in operation, the water-}>ower lieing obtained
 
 7-i IJOADS AND liAILWAYS. 
 
 iVoia the brook l.y a wooden sluice ;i qiiarter of a mile in length. 
 Tlie (juaiititv oi' cultivable land here though limited in quantity 
 (jwing to tlie steep hills around, is of excellent (quality. Garden 
 produce of all kinds grow well : fruits, such as greengages, plums, 
 apples, all kinds of lieri-ies, tlirive luxuriantly. To reach the 
 Avide tanning lauds the narrow gorge through which the river 
 flows into the Sound nuist l»e passed. At " The Devil's Dancing 
 Point,'' where the river is narrowed to about one hundred feet, 
 the scenery is most impressive, (jreat marble and limestone 
 cliffs rise almost perpendicularly to the height of a thousand 
 feet. The rushing current has cut a succession of caves in these 
 great marble walls, ])resenting a mtjst pictures(pie apjiearance. 
 The over-hanging locks and tree's, the mountains towering on 
 each hand, the swiftly-Howing l)ut silent rivei-, all condiine to 
 form a scene which could hardly l)e surpassed in any other 
 ^.•ountry. Every year witnesses the arrival of tourists from Eng- 
 land, tlie United States and Canada, in larger numbers, to view 
 tlie hue scenery of the Bay of Islands and the Humlier Valley, 
 an<l to enjoy the troxit and salmon fishing, while the more adven- 
 turous stalk the deer around the shores of Grand Lake. The 
 splendid climate in summer, the air of the jdateau l)eing intoxi- 
 cating, the unrivalled opportunities for sport, the scenic beauty 
 for the artist, must render this region, once the railway is com- 
 plete, the favorite resort for summer visitors. 
 
 FK03I BAY OF ISLANDS TO ST. GICOKOE'S. 
 
 From (Jorner Brook, the railway ascends the hill and jiasses 
 behind Bircliy and Petrie's Cove, the principal settlements on 
 the bay. Between these two jjlaces are the Court House, the 
 English, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, with school- 
 houses belonging to se\'eral ihmominations. Leaving Bay of 
 Islands, the line now turns southward towards the St. George's 
 Bay, passing through a somewhat broken country. Some of the 
 lands on Cook's Brook, Spruce Brook and Harry's Brook, will 
 be found fit for farming and 2)asturage. At Spruce Brook the 
 line comes within four miles of the fine Asbestos mine, leased a 
 short time ago to American capitalists, which is likely to be very
 
 ROADS AND KAIIAVAYS. Ity 
 
 proiluctive. It is also the nearest point on llu- i-ailway to tlie 
 Port-au-Port A.sbestos mines. Tlie great tlrawbaek hitherto in 
 Avorking thi.sand other asbestos mines lias been the -want of roads 
 for the conveyance of supplies for the workers and the transmis- 
 sion of the mineral to the place of shi]iment. The railwax meets 
 all such ditticidties. 
 
 THE GARDEN OF NEWrOUNDLANlJ. 
 
 At St. GeoT'ge's Bay the laihvay enters the finest region in the 
 whole island, all its natural capabilities being taken into account. 
 Here are numerous valleys of fertile land opeiung on the bay, 
 well wooiled with i)ine, jnnii)er or tamarack, fine yellow and 
 white bii'ch, spruce and balsams, the soil capal)le when cleared 
 of yielding excellent crojis. It is found to In- es]>ecially jn'oduc- 
 tiA'e of the richest grasses of \arious kinds, while the climate is 
 very fine. Gypsum of the l)est quality is abundant. Asbestos 
 has been recently discovered at several ])oints, and nunes arc 
 opened at Port-au-Port and elsewhere. Clay tit for lirick-making' 
 has also been found. As a farming, fund )ering ami nuning region 
 its capabilities are very great. Above all, hen- is the great coal- 
 field of NeA\foundland, which the eminent geologi!^t Jukes esti- 
 mated to l)e twenty-five miles Avide and ten in length. Coal 
 seams three and four feet in thickness at the out-ci-op have been 
 found here. It is yet untouched but will not long remain su 
 after the lailway has reached it. At St. George's Bay, opposite 
 Sandy Point, the principal settlement, there is a fine site at the 
 Seal Eocks for a town to grow u[) and to become an inqiortant 
 industrial centre. At the neighliouring Port-au-Port there ai-e 
 large deposits of lead containing a pro]>ortion of silver ore. Iron 
 ore is also rei)orted to be found in the neigliboiirhood of ijie coal 
 seams. 
 
 CULTIVABLE LAXD. 
 
 According to the reports of the Geological survey there are 
 around the shores of St. George's Bay and the valleys Avhich open 
 into the interior, and are traversed by rivei's flowing from the 
 highlands, 1(;4,")06 scprare acres of reclaimalde land tit for sittle- 
 raeut, a large portion of it containing exci'lleut soil.
 
 76 ItOADS AND RAILWAYS. 
 
 CODROY VALLEYS. 
 
 From St. George's Eay the line passes within a mile of the 
 villages on the coast, and, at Crabb's Brook, runs behind the 
 Angiiille range of moimtains down the Codroy Valleys to Cape 
 Kay, and thence a distance of nine miles, to Port-au-Basqiie. 
 The Anguille hills are too high and steej) fur ordinary tillage, 
 but contain the finest, sheep and cattle runs, where immense 
 flocks and herds might Ije fed. The Codroy Valleys have long 
 been celebrated for their fertility and are partially settled. They 
 contain at least seventy thousand acres, much of it fit for settle- 
 ment. They are well wooded with spruce, Ijalsani, fir, yellow 
 and white birch, and tamarack. The islands and flats of the 
 lower part of Great Codroy River yield a luxuriant growth of 
 wild grass, aftbrding an ample su^jply of good fodder i'or cattle. 
 The cattle and sheep reaied on the small farms here jsroduce ex- 
 cellent beef and mutton, and the grass, grain and root-crops 
 testify to the excellence of the soil on which tliey are grown. 
 The dairy produce is of the best description. 
 
 MKSTERX NEWrOUNDLANW. 
 
 If we take the whole tract of country fiom tlie Humliei A'alley 
 (inclusive) to Cape Ray, through which the line passes, Ave have 
 Avhat will undouljtedly be one day the garden of Western Xew- 
 foundland. A])ait from its niineral treasures and forest wealth, 
 the agricultural ca])abilities of this region are such that it should 
 .sujiply all the markets of the island and also be able to export 
 largely to otlit-r countries. 
 
 POKT-AL'X-BASQUE. 
 
 From Cape Ray to Port-aux-Basijue the line passes over nine 
 miles of rocky barrens, but the valleys cutting the barrens con- 
 tain good farming and jjastui-e land and are partly taken up and 
 settled. Sheeji ranching could be carried on here with advan- 
 tage. This port, which forms the terminiis, is large, safe au<l 
 commodious, the largest steamers being aide to enter at all 
 periods of the tide. It is the nearest winter port to the Do- 
 minion of Canada. Once tlie railway is conqdeted connections
 
 liOADS AND RAILWAYS. 77 
 
 Avill 1)e foniic'il bv ;i line of .swift steanier.-*, and the transmission 
 .of ilaily mails will .soon follow. It is not difficult to conceive 
 that at no distant date tliis may become the shortest route be- 
 tween the two liemispheres. By it the ocean i)assage proper 
 jnay be n-dmid to a little over three days — a weighty considera- 
 tion with the majority of traveller.s. 
 
 ASBESTOS MIXING. 
 
 Tlicre is a new industry springing up along the western coast, 
 wliicli is likely lo prove important and renmnerative. The very 
 valuable mineral sulj.stance called asbestos lias been discovered in 
 so many dittVreut places that there can no longer be a douljt that 
 >s'ewtouiidl;nid will become one of the very few sources of .su^jply 
 which at jaesent e.\i<t. Asl)e.stos, as is well known, is one of the 
 scarcest minerals, while its use is extending .so rapidly that the 
 demand is constantly increasing. The Province of Quel)ec is at 
 prc-icnt the chief .source wlieni;c manufacturers on this side of 
 the Atlautie derive tlieii' -uj}i)lies. It is there found in the 
 magiiesiau roiks known as the (^)ueliec (ilrou]). There are im- 
 mense areas in this island covered by the same maguesian rocks; 
 .and in I'ccent years the effoi-ts of prospectors liave been rewarded 
 by the discovery of an excellent (piality of this mineral in several 
 localities. Sf) far thc^e iliscoveries have been chiefly confined to 
 the neighbourhood of Port-au-Port. Here Mr. Jones, an Eng- 
 lish gentleman, author of an excellent work on asbe.«to.s, has been 
 .at work foi- two seasons with very encouraging results. Two 
 .other ile]iosits have been found in the .same locality, and a .still 
 more impoi'taut one between Bay of Islands and Bay St. George 
 near the line of railway, to which reference has already been 
 made. The total absence of roads has greatly retarded progress 
 at these mines. AVhen supplies of food, tools and all equipments 
 ha\-e to be cairied ou men's backs for miles through the woods 
 in order to reach these mines the cost of working l)ecomes enor- 
 mous and cajntalists are discouraged. Eoads in many directions 
 to connect with the railway will soon be found nece.s.'^ary- As 
 the rocks hohliug this mineial are widely developed, Ijoth along 
 the sea coast and in the interior, it is highly probable that
 
 78 KOADS ANT) IfAIIAVAYS. 
 
 asbestos mining will form a valuablf industry of tlie future,, 
 especially as facilities for its prosecution are noAv secured by the 
 new railway. On Sandy Bay, on the west coast, near the Strait's 
 of Belle Isle, discoveries have rL^^ently been made of crude 
 l^etroleum, and if found in any quantity it will prove a valuable 
 addition to the resources of the island. A company has recently 
 been formed to work this claim. 
 
 In conclusion, it is difficult to over-rate tlie beneficial results- 
 likely to How to the counti-y from the new railway which has 
 been thus described in outline. The employment furnished du- 
 ring its construction and afterwards in its maintenance and ope- 
 ration, the large sums disti'ilniteil as wages among the working' 
 classes, will improve the condition of a large number. Many 
 of those working on the line will j^rolxably take np land and 
 become permanent settlers in tlu' interior. All aroiiu<l the shores- 
 are many hundreds of families living in uni'avouraVilc localities,, 
 often in tlu- depth of poverty from tlie failure of the fisheries,, 
 which along the coasts are becoming more and niore precarious. 
 These poverty-stricken j^eople will not continue to cling, to the- 
 naked rocks and starve •when they can find work, gfKnX wages,, 
 land for settlement, fuel for the gathering along the newly-opened 
 line of railway. In fact, there should be no poverty antong the 
 able-bodied. As their material condition improves higilier wants 
 will be experienced and civilizing iufiuences will e-xtenid. Edu- 
 cation will exert its benign intiuenct'. 
 
 There is another aspect in whicli tliis great work ntay lie re'-- 
 garded. America is rapidly filling up. Tlie good lands of the 
 United States are j'retty well all taken up. Restrictions on ini' 
 migration are inci'easing each year. Tlie tide (.)f emigration 
 which has hitherto flowed past these shores may now send some 
 rills that will help to people these solitudes in the interior of 
 this island >\ hicli is now opened up, and whose natural re.-onrces- 
 are so abundant. Its proximity to Euro]>e will prove an attrac- 
 tion to emigrants when contrasted with the thousands of mile.s- 
 to be travelled in order to reach the fixr west of the United States- 
 and Canada. The healthful climate, in which neither the scorch--
 
 ItOADS AND TiATLWAYS. 79"' 
 
 ing heat of American .summeis nor the Uightiiig cold of tlieir 
 Avinters luive to he encountered, will he a weighty considci'ation 
 with those who are changing their lionie;<. 
 
 It i.s also a matter of certainty that a constantly inu-reasiug 
 influx of touri.sts, sportsmen and travellers, w ill tind their way 
 to Newfoundland during the summer months now that its nolde 
 scenery ami attractions for the sportsman are made known and 
 rendered accessihle. The island is really the Norway of tlu^ 
 New Worhl, and comi)ares favouralily with Ireland or Scotland 
 as regards scenery and natural resources ; and were facilities for 
 travel matching those in Norway, provided, hosts of visitors 
 would every year he seeking its shores. All those developments 
 will come in due time now that the grand essential, a trunk rail- 
 way has heen constructed. 
 
 NEWFOUNDLAND RAILAVAY C031PANV. 
 
 Under the careful and skilful management of the Receiver, 
 the Newfoundland Eailway, from St. .lohn's to Harhour Grace,- 
 (83i^ miles) has made most satisfactory ])rogress in the develop- 
 ment of passenger and goods trattic-. The road-hed, track and 
 rolling stock are maintained in excellent condition, and the mad 
 is efHciently and continuously o}»erated. The trains run with 
 remarkahle regularity, winter and summer ; and \\\> to tlie pre- 
 sent time, there have been no serious accidents and very I'ew 
 injuries to jiassengers or employees. 
 
 In order to show the advance which has heen ma<le, we shall 
 take for comjiarison the year 1886, when the line was tirst ope- 
 rated under the present an-angement, and 1893. 
 
 1880. 
 
 In 1880 the gross earnings of the railway were .§'40,772. There 
 were carried over the line during that year 37,649 passengeis, 
 the average distance travelled hy each being 30 1-5 miles, at an 
 average I'ate of fare, including all classes, of two tive hundred 
 and twenty-two-one thousand cents per mile. The total jiassen- 
 ger earnings amounteil to ^29,01U. 
 
 During the same year there were carried over the line 4,996' 
 tons of freight, being an average haul per ton of 51 8-10 miles, at
 
 :80 ROADS AND RAILWAYS. 
 
 .ftu average rate of tliree uinety-two-one liuiidred cents 2)er ton 
 per mile. The total freight earnings were ';^10,156. 
 
 1893. 
 
 In 1893 the gros.s earnings of the railway from all sources were 
 
 .$79,884, being an increase, as compared with those of 1886, of 
 
 .^33,162, or over 70 jjer cent. 
 
 In the same year there were carried over the line 58,791 i)as- 
 
 .sengers, for whicli service the sum of ^48,815 was received. The 
 .earnings per passenger per mile, including both 1st and 2nd 
 
 .classes, were 2.37 cents, and tlie average distance travelled l)y 
 
 .each passenger was thirty-five miles. 
 
 There were, in 1893, 10,181 tons of freight carried, for wliich 
 was received the sum of ^22,294 ; the earnings per ton ])er mile 
 were 4.18 cents ; ami the avei'age distance hauled each ton was 
 
 .52.40 miles. This shoAvs an advance in the freight trattic of 104 
 per cent, as compared with 1886, and an increase in passenger 
 traffic of over fifty per cent. The receipts for mail service be- 
 tween St. John's and H.arbour Grace are ^*7,200 per annum. 
 
 Considerable imjn-ovements on the line were carried out in 
 1892-93, including the substitution of six iron bridges on 
 
 .granite abutments, for trestle Ijridges, and improvements at the 
 
 ■St. John's and Whitbourne stations — the erection of snow 
 fences, etc. The engines and all other rolling stock were main- 
 tained in excellent condition. In September, 1893, a i-eduction 
 
 .of 20 to 25 per cent, on the freight tariff was made. 
 
 All this shows a steady and satisfactory advance, and proves 
 that in Newfoundland, as else\vhere, railways will create a grow- 
 ing traffic for themselves, and when judiciously managed, will 
 give fair returns. The Government sul)sidy of .^45,0u0 per 
 annum, added to the earnings, gives a fail- dividend per annum 
 to the bonddiolders after the exjienses of operation and main- 
 tenance are met.
 
 NOTES. 
 
 A BEMINISCKNCK OF 1878. 
 
 Tlie first public utterances in favour of a railway, of whieli a 
 jecord lias been jtreserved, occurred in a lecture on " This New- 
 foundlauil of Ours," (klivcicil liv tlie Rev. M. Harvey before the 
 St. .John's Athenanuu on Fcl)niarv 11th, 1878, and afterwards 
 jniblishcd. Tlie following are a few sentences from this lecture : 
 "What we want is a grand trunk railway with branches radiating 
 to all the jirincijial districts. My firm conviction is that New- 
 foumlland has reached tliat stage in which a railway has become 
 iin absolute necessity if she is to make further jirogress ; and that 
 we ought to strain every nerve and submit to almost any sacri- 
 fii'e in oi'iler to olitain tliis gi-nnd necessity of moilern civilization. 
 
 Look at our iut el ual condition as suggesting the 
 
 necessity of a railway. What are we going to do with this huge 
 territory of forty-tw(j thousand square miles ? Are we going to 
 leave the interior forever to the wolves and tlie deer ? Are the 
 fine agricultural districts to remain sdlitudes when our own 
 people and the jieojde of other cniintries, who are in need of 
 bread, Avould occupy tliem if they were made accessible, and 
 transform them into smiling farms ? Must our noble forests 
 be left to rot or burn '. Our rn;\] beds and mineral deposits to 
 sleep forever Avlieie bountiful nature has stored them? Shall 
 .our peo^ile cling forever to the rocky shores, and content them- 
 selves ■\\'ith a precarious existence derived from the stormy deep ? 
 Shame on us if we do not rise to a nobler cimception of our des- 
 tiny as a people, and utilize the gifts of a bountiful Providence. 
 
 "To me it seems that the jiresent generation are brought face 
 to face with the task of constructing a railwav across the island, 
 and that they will prove untrue to their duty if tliey do not lay 
 aside all ])arty consideratioiH ami unitedly and valiantly gird 
 themselves for the work. Think for a moment wliat the con- 
 :fitruction of such a railway means 1 It means the opening up
 
 82 ItOADS AND RAILWAYS. 
 
 of this gi'L'at if-land — tlie union of it.s eas^tern and wej^tern .-shores- 
 — the working of its lands, forests and minerals; its connection^ 
 by a rapid means of communication, with the neigliboring con-- 
 tinent. It means the increase of its population ; the conversion 
 of the country into a liive of industry; the coiumencenient of 
 a material and social advance to wliicli at present no limits can 
 be set. It means employment and gofxl Avages for the people^ 
 many of whom, alas I are now very scantily supplied with ther 
 poorest necessaries of life — 'too little to live on and too much 
 to die on.' To St. .T dim's itself a railway means a vast increa.se' 
 of business of all kinds, and an advance in the value of real 
 estate. It means ojjenings of all kinds for the talents and ener- 
 gies of the yo;ing generation. But wanting a railway, none of 
 these benefits will come, and we sliall he siuiply at a stand-still, 
 and all the natural resources of the island must remain unde- 
 veloped. 
 
 "But then it is asked iiow is a poor colouy like this to liuild 
 a railway? We can't afford it. I reply we can"t attbrd to dcv 
 without it. Our poverty is our strongest argument for under- 
 taking it, in order to transform that i)overty into AM-alth. To- 
 me it seems that a railway is perfectly within our reach, if 
 rightly gone about. It is really one of the easiest countries in 
 the world to i)ierce with a railway. AVhat is wanted is that the' 
 people slioidd arouse themselves to the necss>ily of getting a 
 railway and tell their I'epresentatives that it must Ije done, and 
 that if there are difficulties they are sent to the halls of legis-' 
 lation to overcome difficulties an<l to lead the wav in the path 
 of progress. If I were Premiei- of this colony, I would, in 
 Yankee phrase, 'freeze to this railway.' I Avould plot and 
 scheme, and scrape and pare, and revise the tariff, and do 
 everything short of stealing, till I got money enough to build 
 the railway. Ouce it is built, all things are possil)le. Hail I 
 to the great Hereafter, when Newfoundlanders will be making 
 excursions by rail, on their pulilic holidays, to Gander Lake, 
 and holding picnics at the Grand Falls on Exploits Eiver, or 
 dancing parties in the great international hotel in the Hundier
 
 KOADS AND IJAILWAYS. 83 
 
 Valloy; wliili- ivtuni ticki-ts foi- Japan and Cliina ria the Canada 
 Pacific Railway at rhvap rates, will be sold at tlie Saint John's 
 Railway DcpAt. Nul alile to constnict a i-ailway of tliree or 
 four liuiulred miles, with a revenue of iiearlv a iiiillion dollarsll 
 Well iiiiL;ht we ask — 
 
 '• Is our civilization a failure, 
 Or is the Caucasian jilayed out .'" 
 
 The foregoing dreams ot a lecturer are now (1894) seemingly 
 to be soon realized in some fashion ; but sixteen years ago, ^vhen 
 believers in railways were few and far Itetween, it recinired some 
 nei've and moral courage to give utterance to such heretical 
 .opinioirs. Now, liowmer, they are shared bv almost e\eryone, 
 .and the opponents of railways are difiicult to disct)ver. It is 
 the history of all new ideas. They are held at first by a min- 
 .ority of two or thi'ee ; then they gradually spread till the whole 
 inass is leaveneil. 
 
 In the same lecture occurs the following paragraph on roads : 
 ■"Roads are tyjies of civilization. AVhere there are no roads the 
 people are savages. Where roads are few and bad, law is ^-eak 
 and society semi-barbarous. If you Avant to know Avhether a 
 ])eople is stagnant or progressive, look at their roads. Wherever 
 there are mental activity, enterprise and a liberalizing spirit of 
 ;any kind, you Avill st^e their manifestations in the building of 
 roads for travel and intercourse. All the great epochs of civiliza- 
 tion in the world's history were ages of roads. Nothing marked 
 the splendid era of tlie Roman Empire so strikingly as the mag- 
 nifieent system of roads Avhich radiated from the Forum of Rome 
 to the furthest extremities of the most distant provinces. This 
 is, emphatically, the age of roails, not only of stone but of iron, 
 .along which rushes the iron hoi-se Avith heart of tire, mu.scles of 
 steel and breath of steam. Then, we make roads over the ocean 
 Tjy our steamships, and roads for thought by the telegraph wire ; 
 .and the day is not far distant Avheu the world will be one vast 
 seusorium, with nerves of communication to tiie very ends of 
 the earth."
 
 84 ROADS AM) i;ailwavs. 
 
 ASBESTOS. -MK. K. H. JONKS. 
 
 As the new line of railway opens uj) tliat poition o.'' the is- 
 land in whieh asbestos has been ibiind, ami where there is every 
 reason for believing it will Iteeoine a \alual)le branch of onr 
 mining indnstry, the following extracts from a letter which 
 appeared in the Harhimr (,'n(r,' Stamhtnl of May lOth, 1893, 
 from the pen of Mi'. R. H. Jones, will be j'oniid interesting. 
 Mr. .Jones, who is an Englishman, has lieen two years in this 
 country, and has opened an asbesto< mine near Port-au-Poi't. 
 He is an able mineralogist and an expert in asbestos, having 
 Avritten one of the best books on that mint'ral : 
 
 "Asbestos is serpentine, simply ser2)entine in a tibrous form ; 
 bnt when you ask me how it comes to l)e in that peculiar form, 
 yon go a step or two beyond me. No oni' knows how or why 
 this should l)e so. Asl)estos is by no means the only nuneral 
 which assumes this strange form ; we cannot tell you Avhy. In 
 the present state of oui' knowledge, we simply know that it is- 
 so. It is found in this state in every part of the world, but, 
 strange to say, it is not fouml in any two places alike. It varies 
 not only in colour, but in strangely different forms of crystalli- 
 zation, just accordiug to the 2:ilace in which it is found. It is- 
 most usually found in Canada of a light or dark green colour, 
 sometimes andter, at other times it takes a fine golden tint, 
 although really the colour has little to do with its value for 
 commercial purposes ; because, as a matter of fact, when the 
 fine silky fibre is teased out, it is mostly white, whatever shade 
 it may assume in its rockdike foi-ni. In that state it takes the 
 colour of the nu)ther rock, and that varies very much according 
 to local surroundings. In Australia it is frequently of a bluish 
 green, taking exactly the peculiar colour of the foliage of the 
 eucalyptus, that wonderful Australian tree which has such mani- 
 fohl uses ; and in South Africa, near the Orange River, it is 
 found of a dark Prussian blue colour. In many other idaces, 
 in the Pyrenees and the Savoy, for instance, it is of a pure 
 white. The most valuable (juality is found in the Quebec pro- 
 vince of Lower Canada. Here it takes a singularly beautiful
 
 ROADS AND RAILWAYS. 85" 
 
 form, 1)ut little differing in apjiearauce from the in-oduct of the 
 silk\vt)rm ; whilst in America it ii^iiially appears in a woody 
 state, very often exactly like a brown stick. 
 
 "No, there is no ashestos of any value in America; that is, 
 according to our present ideas. It is strange that, in all that 
 great country, none has yet been found of tliat beautiful silky 
 texture we are accustomed to in the proiluct of the Canadian 
 mines. Much valuable asbestos, judging from surface indications, 
 is to be found here in Newfoundland, not only on the West 
 Coast, but in many other pails of the island. I fullv believe 
 that I sliall find it as pure, as silky ami as generally valuable 
 as any that lias yet bt-en fcnuid in Canada. The great difficulty 
 is, that this is a roadless country. It is the business of its rulers 
 to ojien it up by means of roads and Ijridges, and until that is 
 done, but little run be undertaken by private individuals to 
 utilize Newfoundland's great mineral wealth. We mav know 
 where her treasures lie, but the difficulty of reaching them, or 
 of utilizing them when found, in tlie a))sence of such means of 
 communication as an- to be found in every other civilized j^art 
 of the world, is far too great. 
 
 " When did I first come to take an interest in the mineralogy 
 of Newfoundland '. Well, it is very easy to tell you that. On 
 geological grounds I had long been of opinion that tlie peculiar 
 formation in which asliestos in its jmrest form is found in Ca- 
 nada A\as also to be found in Newfoundland. If you will look 
 at a geological map, you will see that the great belt of serpentine 
 which runs through so large a part of Quebec, aj)i)ears and dis- 
 appears frequently, sometimes dijiping under or being overlaid 
 by other rocks, until it finally ci'ops out again and is largelv dis- 
 played in the Peninsula of Gaspe. There it is lost, that is to say, 
 it dips under the sea, but only to reappear again on the western 
 coast of your island. Now, although you may have many hun- 
 dreds of miles of serjientine, it is onlj- here and there and in 
 extremely few places, that any tendency to the fibrous form i>< 
 found. But still, if the formation is the same in that part of 
 Newfoundland where the serpentine is found, then it is only fair
 
 80 TttJADS AND 1;A1LWAYS 
 
 to assume that the same minerals ^\ hic.li occui- in the Canadian 
 part of the belt Avill also be founil in that part of it which lies in 
 XeAvfoundlaml. Tliis I was iletermined to in\'estigate ; but 
 year after year slipped liy without my being able to undertake 
 the journey. In the spring of last year, however, being in Ca- 
 nada, I went to Ottawa to consult my friend, Dr. Selwyn, the 
 Director of the Geological Survey there ; and lo liim I mentioned 
 my i<leas. ' Well,' said he, ' I am convinced of it. I have long 
 l)een of (jpinion that good asliestos would be found in Xewfound- 
 laml. Indeed, foi' years past, Avhenever any one has come to 
 consult me regarding asbestos, I have always said, 'Go to New- 
 foundland, tliat is wliere you will tind it.' Tliat })ractically 
 decided me, and I determined to go. A little later on in the 
 year I came over here, and the result of my investigation was 
 such that I determined t') })ay your island another visit, to con- 
 tinue the investigation, and if 2>ossible to give effect to the 
 discovery. Yes, I intend to set to work at once, and shall leave 
 by the next coastal steamer for the West Coast, Avith men and 
 material ; and if my efforts meet with success, I l^elieve that it 
 will Vie a good thing for Newfoundland, by amongst other things 
 giving employment to her increasing population, whicli cannot, 
 under present conditions, be kept at home, Init has to go abroad 
 in quest of that which its own land is powerless to afford it. The 
 staple trade of the country is fish, of course, fish Ijefore anything ; 
 but a country is generally }irosperous, in proportion as she has 
 some alternative business to fall back xipon. The fishery may 
 be a bad one some seasons, and the Avhole island suffers ; but, if 
 any part of the population is engaged in some other liusiness in 
 addition to the staple trade, the difficulty and consecpient dis- 
 distress are certainly in some measure amelioi-ated. But to give 
 effect to any of tliese things, the country wants opening uji, so as 
 t:> welcome the inti"oduction of capital. At present it is not so. 
 Louk, for instance, at my own case. I have found asbestos on 
 the West Coast, and wish to give effect to the discovery by 
 opening a mine there ; l)ut, to ilo this I have to encounter extra- 
 ordinary ditticulties. If we had oidy a cattle track t(j pass over
 
 KOAltS AND K'All.WAVS. 87 
 
 iit would liL' soiUL'tliiug ; luit uuK'.-> iiu-u (if ciifv^v and peisever- 
 xiuco t-aii Ije found to follow up any disi-ovcrv of this kind, tlvi' 
 great mineral wealth of Xewfoundlaud nii^lit just as well, for 
 iill till! benefit the island can derive from it, l)e in Alaska or 
 Tindnictoo. When I reaeh the (Jraxels, at Poit-au-Port, 1 have 
 jibout tAvelve miles to go ; hut the ciniuliv tiiere is in a primeval 
 .state — tliere is noioad or path, oi' even rattle track, conse<|uently 
 we must go hy watei-. All our goods, too, must go by water, and 
 (the jn-oducls of the mines must also go the same way. The coast 
 line here is rugged in, the extreme, and by water, I believe, the 
 ■distance is about 15 miles. Now. >u gieat is ilie ditticulty of thi.s 
 passage occasioned liy the cross currents and sudden sc|ualls pass- 
 ing over the crest ()f the hills, that I have fre/juently been kept 
 out for twelve hours during the trip ; an<l the landing on the 
 a'ocks is, from the state of the surf on that rocky coast, always 
 jnore or less in the nature of a dupwivck. Twice I have had my 
 •dory smashed up, and twice the men were wrecked, and on one 
 ^)Ccasion 1 -was detained on this inhospitable coa.st for three 
 mortal days before Ave couhl launch a lioat to get off. Such 
 .a state of things is discreditable to the countiy, and nothing 1 
 beliexe 171)1 be found like it in any other jiart of the civilized 
 worhl. Oh, yes] I I'eailily admit that you have got good roads 
 here, .so they liave in St. .John's. You ought to give all honor 
 to Sir Thomas Cochrane for teaching you how to make them and 
 liow to utilize them when made. 
 
 " Well, ^Ir. Editor, I am afraid I ha\-e occupied a great deal 
 of your time without telling you about asbestos after all. I 
 .should like to have spoken about its many valuable and totally 
 dissimilar uses. It is strange that a mineral substance which 
 ■can be utilized for the manufacture of clothing and even of lace- 
 curtains, is the only substance that will effectually close the 
 breaches of the big guns — the 100 or 110 pounders for instance 
 — so as to prevent the escape of gas when the gun is fired. It 
 ^•an also be used as a covering for balloons for use in warfare, in 
 the manufacture of incoudjustible paper and ink, and for pro- 
 tecting the sides of our ironclads. The number ot uses to which, 
 at can be applied is simply incredible." F
 
 88 liOADS ANT) ItAILAVAY.S. 
 
 Writing from Loiulon to a friend in Ne"\\"lbuu(llan(l, niidrr date- 
 January 13tli, 1894, ]\Ir. Jones says : — "I am glad you are in- 
 terested witli tlie Corsican iibre" (asbestos). "You are quite- 
 right in regard to its brittleness ; but, all tlie same, it would be 
 made use of if the islanders were not so pig-lieaded aliout tlieir 
 lands. I had a sami)le of it over two feet long. I enclose a 
 sample of Italian 'siltry' (asbestos). This is a lovely fibre, but 
 has the same fault as the Corsican. Tlicrc is nothing to fovch 
 Canadian Glmisotilc" (asbestos), '■•(im^, ax I n-islt tn sliii/i\ Xciv- 
 fovndland (dxo, for genuine, good, all-round ijualities." " 1 will, 
 ^end you, soon, a s])ecinu'n of Africa ii hhir jilin\''
 
 rii.A I'TEi; IV. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES AND FOREST 
 WEALTH. 
 
 The jn'fvicnis cliiiplc:- l'uiiii,~lics some gpuei-al idea ol' tlie agii- 
 cnltiu'al lands of tlie island \vliicli the new line of railway will 
 open for settlement. These, we liave seen, are of considerahh' 
 extent and valne, and eajiahli- of sustaining a very large pojmla- 
 tion when reelaimed, wliilc at ]iresent tlieir forest wealth is very 
 great and can now lie turm-d to aeeount. A more detailed ac- 
 count, however, is necessary for the information of those who 
 are disposed to invest capital in lands suited for settlement, and 
 also to aid those M"ho arc dc-irmi^ of settling on the unoccupied 
 lands in finding such local iiais as may repay their industrious 
 efforts. 
 
 KXTKNT ()|- AKABLK LANDS. 
 
 To many it will lie a sur[iiisc to find Newfoundland spoken of 
 as an agricultural country. Tlu' prevailing idea, still to some 
 extent prevalent regarding it, is that it is a disnral, Ibg-envehiped 
 country, whose savage climate and jioor soil jireclude all altem]its 
 at agricidture. This is \ery far from being in accordance with 
 facts. It is (juite true that there are wide ti-acts in the island 
 irreclaimably barren ; others unfit for arable purposes, though 
 excellent for grazing ; and dtliers covered with marshes and 
 what the people call "liarrens." Lakes and ponds occujiy a 
 third of the siirface of the whole island. But the same holds 
 good of nu;ch of the United States and Canada, wlierc \ast 
 areas are hopelessly barren and would ne\'er repay cultivation. 
 The agricultural lands of the island lie in belts, and mainly 
 along the valleys through which the jirincipal rivers run, oi' 
 around the heads of the great bays or the margins of the smaller 
 streams. In the aggregate these comprise a very fair projiortion 
 of the whole land area of the island. If we take the whole area
 
 ■90 Ai;i;icri;n-i;Ai. KKsontcios. 
 
 to be 42,000 M)iiai-c iiiilf<, ainl ilriim-t Irnin this dUf-tliird for 
 lakes or ponds, we lia\ c 2S,000 scjiiaic iiiilo, of \v]ii(']i fully ;i 
 Inurtli, or 7,00<) Mjuari- luiK-s, or 4,480,000 acri's, are available for 
 SL'ttlemi'Ut, cither as aialilc land or for ,L;ra/.iii^' purposes, and are 
 eapable of sustaining in cnnifort a vei'v lai'ge nnnd_)er of people. 
 To this must lir added llie lundiering and mineral resources 
 which are cajiable of furnishing employment to many thousands. 
 These are not the random assei-tions of enthusiastic optimists ; 
 they ai-e suslaineil by solid facts whieh cannot be set aside. 
 The evidence in su]i])oi-t of these conclusions is derived mainly 
 from the reports of the (Geological Survey, conducted by scien- 
 tific men who are thoroughly trustworthy ; also from rejiorts of 
 the government surveyors who liave been foi' years engaged in 
 mapping the Crown lan<ls ; as widl as fi-oni tln' accounts given 
 by residents, by intelligent travellers, and olhei-s who have 
 visited various sections of the island. All these, when com 
 bincd, utterly disjjrove the views ix'gardiug the liarrenness of the 
 .soil once entertained and will revolutionize men's ideas regard- 
 ing this neglected and misrepresented islaml. Xt) doubt some 
 writers have erred in the other extreme, and ]tresented accounts 
 too highly coloured. No lasting good can result from exaggera- 
 tions on such a subject, and great injury may be done by 
 awakening unwanantable expectations. The aim ol' the jiresent 
 Avriter is to be guided by facts and to attirm only what is war- 
 ranted l)y these, in the views which he i)resents regarding the 
 jiresent condition and prospects of the country. 
 
 IVESTERX XEWFOUNWLAM). 
 
 The Avestern portion of the island, in an agricultural point of 
 A'iew, is by far the most important, having, in addition to a large 
 extent of fertile soil, valual)le forests, coal-tieLls, marble, gy])sum 
 and lime-stone beds and mineral deposits. It is the carbonifer- 
 ous section of the country, the rocks of this formation always 
 underlying gooil soil. Its climate, too, is by many degrees 
 superior to that of tlie eastern or southern slioivs, lieing entiixdy 
 out of the range of fogs, \\liile tlie cold eastei'ly winds blowing
 
 ACRICII.Tl'KAL IM-'.SDIIM'HS. 91 
 
 over tliL' AlliUitii- arc lumlitird Ik-Ioi'c rcadiiii'^ llic wc-t coast. 
 Now, that it is ojh'Ui'iI up li\' tlir railway, il seems destiueil in 
 tilt' near future tn lieiinni. the ^eat ol' a lar^'e agrieultural iiidus- 
 trv. To tlii.> will he aihleil cattle ami slice] i-iviisiuj;- on an ex- 
 tensive scale, as well a> iiiiniiiL;' ainl luiiiheriu!.;', to .-ay nothinj^' ot" 
 tisliing. The coal heils will not remain much l()ii;j;er umvorked 
 when the lailway louclu's them, 'i'his yraml desideratum is at 
 length seeureil, and western Xewt'oiindland hecomes accessible 
 from lioth east and west, and ]iresent< a w ide tlidd for enteri)rise. 
 It is of inijioi iani-c, thend'on', to ascertain what is the idiarai'tei' 
 of its soil and wliat aie its gx.neral capahilitio. 
 
 TIU: t ODltOV V.VI.LKYS THlilll COXl'ItiVU.VTrOX. 
 
 Western Newfoundlaiiil, hecimiiiiL; at l*oit-aux-l>as(pie, com- 
 prises the ("odroy \'alleys, St. George's Bay, I'ori-a-Port, Bay of 
 Islands, Bonne Bay, and the coast of the great northern ]ieninsula 
 to the Straits of Belle Isle, — some four humlred miles in extent. 
 The (ii-eat and Little ( 'odroy ]!i\-eis, which ha\e hut short courses, 
 fall into the sea ahout sixteen miles north of ('a])e IJay and .-ix 
 miles south-easterly from ( 'ape Anguille. Theii- mouths are but 
 a few miles a]iarl. The valley which they drain, ihough of no 
 great (.■xtent coui]iarati\ cd\', is one of the liiiot aui-icidtural dis- 
 tricts in the island, il is hounded on the iioitli-east hy the Cape 
 Bay mountains, rising, rugged and barren, to a height of :^,000 
 feet. The Cape Anguille i-mge forms its northern boundai-y ; 
 " these,'' says the (icological re]iorl, ''present a soft and gentle 
 outline, while the higher idevations attain an altitmh' of 1,000 to- 
 1,200 feet, richly coverel hy forest trees nearlv to the summits." 
 The lowei ]iarl of this valley, between the two langes of hills, 
 gives an ex|ianse ol law Hat land, the breadtli of tln' \alley being 
 about tweh'e miles. Ill the upper jiart of the valley the hill- 
 ranges converge towanls each other, and ••the xalley gradually 
 becomes more and more contracted in widih until shut in nearly 
 altogether where the main stream at the end ol' the siiiA'cy be- 
 comes split up among the mountains of the Long Bangc into a 
 succession of small tuibulent mountain lirooks.''
 
 •92 AGRICULTUItAL IIKSQI-KCES. 
 
 KXTEXT OF <;0<)1) l.AN'I>. 
 
 TliesL' Coihuv valleys avo alxnit inity miles in lengtli, Avitli ;i 
 ■width of fioiii ten to twelve miles. 'J'here are some marshes and 
 .some i^ortions covered with boulders, Ijut for the most part the 
 soil is cxrellent, and there is nothing to imjjede farming oj^era- 
 tions (lu an extensive scale. The following extract from the 
 Geological rejxirt will convey some idea nf the character of thi 
 region : — " The area occupied hy Im-el or gently undulating laud 
 in the valley amounts, by ruugli nn'asui'cmeut on the plan, 
 about seventy-tive sij^uare miles, (ir 48,000 scpiare acres, a verj 
 large pro[)ortion of which is availalde fur settlement. For th 
 most i)art the country is well Avooded witli stout mixed timber 
 consisting i-hietly of spruce, balsam tirs, ydlow biich, frecpiently 
 of large size, white birch and tamarack. The islands and flats 
 of the lower ]«irt of the Great Codi'oy lv.i\'er yield a luxuriant 
 growth of wild grass, affording an ample su])ply of admirable 
 I'oddei- for cattle. Along the sea-coast, lu'tween Tranvain Brook 
 and the little village of Codroy, the counti-y is partially settleil 
 all the way, the attention of the settlei-s being about equally 
 divided between the cultivation of the land and fishing opera- 
 tions ; but uj) the Great Codroy l!i\e]-, whicli is more or less 
 occiipied on either side of the estuary, the calling of the inliabi- 
 tantsa])])ears to be more jnirely agricultural, and it may be faii'ly 
 stated that, notwithstanding the very lude ju'ocess by which the 
 land is cultivated, the crops produced — of grass, grain and roots 
 — higldy testify to the excellence of the soil in which they are 
 grown. Cattle and sheep are raised upon most of these small 
 farms, producing most excellent beef and mutton, besides dairy 
 l?roduce of the Aery best description. The greater jmi't of the 
 Anguille Range and some of the lower slopes of the Cape Eange 
 are also capable of improvement, ;uid, if cleared of timber and 
 sown in grass, would afford grazing land not easily surpassed iu 
 any country.' 
 
 THK I.ATEST SllJVKV. 
 
 A hitei- and moi-e coni])lete topograjihical survey states that the 
 juiiidjer of farm lots in actual jiossession on the coast line and
 
 ACRICULTUKAL RESOURCES'. 93 
 
 ■sliori'-; of the estuary of Grand River, located and laid off, was 
 93 in all, Iiaving an average of over 1G3 acres, or a total of 15,204 
 acres ; and that a further amount of 2,121 acres had been applied 
 for. On tlie Little Codroy River about 8,860 acres were occupied 
 ■or held in ]iussessiou. About 13,421 acics ^vere available in the 
 upper and uii()((Mi])i('d ])orti(jn of the Codi'uy Valley. The total 
 .area of cullivalili' l;niil in the valleys was 56,802 acres. 
 
 A SmVEYOR'S KErORT. 
 
 Tlie i-t]Miit nf a ( iovcrnment Surveyor General, made many 
 years ago, stairs tlial the soil in these, valleys consists of a " rich 
 loam capalile of llu- highest degree of cultivation, and fit for the 
 2n-oduction of any ili'scrijition of crojx" . . . " Ljang to the 
 nort.liward of the xabiablc tract of laud I'd'eiTcd to is found a 
 range of liilly gronud aihaiialdy adapted for grazing, its natural 
 productions consisting of herliage, which early in the sTinimer 
 .attains a height of lictween two and three feet." . . . "It 
 would be (litticulf ii imagine a niore beantiful or picture.sc|ne 
 .scene than the whole [H'e.scnts ; anil whether with reference to 
 the soil around it, to its lisheries or to its geographical situation, 
 forming as it does part of tlie Xorthern Head, and therefore com- 
 jnanding tlu- entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a more 
 ■desiral)le or iniporlant place for a settlement could scarcely be 
 found." 
 
 A Ti:.\VEI^LEK"S OIJSERA.YTIONS. 
 
 A traveller fiom (,'ape Breton, who visited this regicm, wrote 
 of it in the following terms : "The lan<l is hardly surpas,sed by 
 any in the Lower Provinces of Canada for its fertilitj". "We 
 travidled about 24 miles along this beautiful and romantic river. 
 There is a range of good upland extending some nine miles above 
 the settlement. This is studded with l)irch, spruce and fir. Then 
 commences what is called the " Big Interval."' This great tract 
 of rich land I travelled for about 15 miles either side of the river, 
 some places extending over a mile in width. The extent and 
 appearance of this .splendid "interval" struck me so forcibly 
 that I stopped to examine carefull}- tlie natui'e of the soil. I
 
 94 A<;i;i('ri;i'ri;A[> iihsoiuces. 
 
 could ^-ce along tlic luniks tlia1 thf soil Mas cxrcrdinglv j^-ood aiuf 
 four feft in deptli ; while the grass, hal-aiii, ami balm nf gilcad 
 trees and tall alders ga\ e ju'oot' of its surpassing fertility. " 
 
 JX'OXOMIC MATEKIAI.S. 
 
 Tlie Geological Ivepurt fuillier states that "the coal rdck?- 
 were perceived to he ilistrihuted along the hase of the Cajie Ray 
 mountains." "(iyjisuni too is lai-gely ile\e1ope<l on tlie coast 
 near Codroy and in ]5ay St. George. The \ast masses whirh 
 come out in tlie cliti's helweeu Codroy Islam! and the great Goil- 
 roy Eiver can hanlly fail to ]irove s(.)iiie day of gi-eat value and 
 importance. Admiral ile huilding stone is found on Codroy 
 Island and on the great Codroy River." Limestone too is- 
 abundant. 
 
 Such then is tliis line region whose valless, liy the close of 
 next year, Avill be traversed in their I'Utire length by tlie new 
 railway in its route to Port-aux-Basque. The \alue of all its 
 natural resources will be vastly enhanceil liy the railway Avhich 
 will furnish an outlet for its various products, aud stimulate 
 a variety of iudusti'ies now undreamt of. The great <li'awbaclv 
 to its progress — the want of roads and a market for its agri- 
 cultural and niineial piodnctions, — will now be removed. 
 Although the diuu'Usious of these vallevs are liuuleil, their 
 natui-al capabilities are eouijiaratividy great, and tlioe will 
 noAv be turned to account. Having a favourable climate, fertile 
 soil, enormous development of gypsum and limestone, almridance 
 of tindjer and iiidications of coal and nnnerals, it is evident that 
 the valley is rieli in all lliat ean miiuster to man's romlorl and 
 material progress. Al h'asl ten or twelve thousauil i)eojile unght 
 find a comfortable home here. The ceirsus of 18!Jl gives the 
 population as 508. 
 
 ST. <;k;()kc;e's ijay— its iMtosrixxs. 
 
 About 3."; miles lo the north of Codroy is the tine Bay of St, 
 George. More jirojieily it nnght lie called a gulf, lieing 40jui!es- 
 ■wide at its entrance an<l .")() miles in length. It is long and 
 tapering, and receives al its liead and along its southern shore
 
 A(ii;iCLj;rri;AL KivSoriiCKs. i).r 
 
 nnmerous sti'L'anis ami rivers. A iDug low toiiyiu- (if laml luii^ 
 out at tlu' south >iiK' of I lie head ol' lliu liay, foriiiiuL;- an cmiIKmiI 
 liarbour. No-w tliat it is iimii1<m'(m1 aicc^>ilili' hy a i-ailway, IIumt 
 can be no lion) )1 thai the rc^^ioii anuiinl this l)ay is ilc-liinMl, iu 
 the near I'litmc, lo Ihtohu. the sral of a largx' a^nriiaillurah min- 
 ing and liuiiln'riiii;' popuhitioii. When \vc lake into arcoiuit the- 
 oxtensive li'acts of fiTtih- lamls aionml the shores, tln' (|iianlity 
 and exeellenee of the timhei', tlie minerals and coal-lieils. indi- 
 cations of wliirli are aliundanl, and add to this the sujierior 
 climate it enjoys, it .-eems e\ciy way likelv it will yet heeome 
 the garden of Newfoundland. Towns and \illai;es \\ ill yet dot 
 its shores, and a ]iro>|iei'ous ]io]iulation will oeia!]iy its vallov.-i 
 and liills. Tlioe are not tln' \isious of an enthusiast, Imt views- 
 which rest on an ai'ray of sober facts. 
 
 After ri'Jieated .--Ul-Veys, the (leoloeiral lieports stale the extent 
 of land available for settlement at oliO s([uai-e miles. The smith 
 side of 8t. George's l-iay was, in JSSo, laid out in ten lowiishijis 
 containing 340 s(|uare miles, of which it was calculate<l I'llO wei'e 
 capable of a high degice of culti\'ation. The geological forma- 
 tion is cliielly carlionifei'ons, which really means that the soil is 
 of the besi iu the c(iuutry. The same formation in ( 'anada 
 affords the nRi>t \abiable agriculluial land. The soil is so good, 
 t<ay.s the rejiort, that the settlers ha\'e, iu some cases, worked the 
 same ground for twenty years iu succession without the use f)f 
 manure. The district is well Avatered. The rivers ( 'rabl), I'^ishebs, 
 Barachois, IJobinsonV, and Flat liay all How west from the Long 
 Range Mountains into St. George's Bay. Though shallo\\- they 
 are smooth-Howiug exce])t at the heads, and are Avell stocked with 
 fish. They all run through excellent land which is co\i-i'ed with 
 large timber, principally birch, spruce, tii' ami ])oplar. Grabb's 
 River region is especially gooil. it is the northern boundiary of 
 a settlement of Gape Breton Scotchnu-n who ]ia\-e enngrated to 
 the coast between it and the Anguille Range of mountains dm ing 
 the last i.") year>. These Scotch ]H'o]ile are vei'V thrift\-, and 
 luive here car\"ed (ait comhirtable homes for themselves. Tlu'V 
 have looms, and \\ea\'e I'rom wnol of their oA\'n yrowiuL;' all the"
 
 OG AGKICULTURAL EESOUKCES. 
 
 Elotliiug lliey uwd ov u.se. North of tliciii, :uul extending to th 
 Baracliois, is a large settlement of Englislimeii wlio came chiefly 
 .from tJie ssoiith coast of the island. 
 
 CiEOLOGICAI. SURVEY RErORT. 
 
 Here are a fe^^' extracts from the Geological Survey Reijorts 
 which present this region in a very favonrahle light : " North - 
 eastward from the terminating point nf tlie Cape AnguilLi 
 mountains, the whole country between the coast and the Long 
 Range is of a flat or undulatory characlcr, densely coA'ered with 
 forest trees, except in such parts as ha\(' liccn swept by fire, or 
 occasional tracts of marsh. The trees of this i'orest consist of 
 ■white and bellow birch, spruce and lialsam, iir, poplar, tama- 
 rack or larcli. Much of the timber of this gi^at plateau is very 
 large. Trees of yellow and white lurch are frei|neutly met with, 
 and ])artieu]arly on the river flats, ha\-iug a diameter of three 
 feet, anil even more, many of which are la.ll and straight, re- 
 sembling the hardwood forests of Cajiada. Spruce, balsam, 
 poplars and tamaracks also reach a maximum size and seem to 
 be of excellent ([uality." . . . "These valleys and much of 
 the higher lands, now primeval ^\•ihlel■ness, a})pear to be nearly 
 in every respect well adapted for agricultural settlement. By 
 deducting the tract occu^jied by the Auguille Range of hills, 
 amounting to 256 square miles, which is too high and too steep 
 for ordinary tillage, although well-suited as runs for sheep or 
 cattle, tlu' reuuiinder of the block, ^iz., oCO si[uare luiles, is 
 certainly to a large entent reclaimable ; and tliere can be but 
 little doulit lliat the construction of roads, which must necessa- 
 rily be the conserpience of occupation, together Avith the clearing 
 of the foi-est, will lead to mineral discoveries of vast imjiortance 
 to the Colony. . . . Tracts of considerable extent upon tlie 
 coast, and nearly all tlie valleys of tlie ])rinci2)al streams, bear a 
 soil of the most fertile description, which is even already shown 
 by the few and rudely cultivated sjiots here and there where the 
 produce in grass, green crops, and even cereals are all first class 
 both in (quantity and ([uality. The richness of the soil at this 
 part of tlie coast is jiroliably due to the calcareous material
 
 AOlilCULTUItAL IJKSOritCES. 97 
 
 ■Jerived from llic ailj'aceut nioiiutaiiis, logotlier witli the disinte- 
 gration of the trai>i)ean rocks of \vlii(.-li the sub-soil is conqiosed.' 
 
 KIVIERE BLANCHE. 
 
 Of Riviere l^lauche a river falling into St. George's Bay near 
 Indian Head, the Ei'port says : — " This I'ivur was measured about 
 six miles up its course. A block of rich Hat land, sujoported on 
 members of the carboniferous series, is shut in, as it were, by the 
 :Silurian mountains on the nm-tli and west, and by the Indian 
 Head Range on tlic cast, whicli is chietly (h-ained by the Riviere 
 Blanche and Roniain's or Kippen's brook. The area of the block 
 is between 30 ami 40 scpiare miles or about 22,400 acres. The 
 whole of this area (cxee]iting the small (dearings at the mouths 
 •of the streams) is dcnscdy covered witli forests of large and vigor* 
 ous growth, with aljundance of yellow bircli, spruce, fir and 
 other trees, but scarcely any pine " 
 
 HAKRY'S liKOOK VALLEY. 
 
 "The valley of Harry's Brook, al)ove the western fork, is rug- 
 ged and barren for the greater part, and much of it is hilly and 
 mountainous. Below the junction of Spruce Brook jiatches of 
 good land begin tn ajipear, chietly on the right bank ; and back 
 from the lower reaches, on the same side, there is a broad tract 
 of very good country. The islands and low banks near the out- 
 let are of the Ijest soil for grass meadows. To the south-east ot 
 Spruce Brook nearly the whole c(.)iinti'v is s])read over by vast 
 marshes which extend u]> to the Hanks of the hills on the south- 
 west side (jf the (rraml Lake.'' 
 
 TEXINSULA OF rOKT-A-1'ORT. 
 
 Xoilh of St. (Jeorge's Bay extends the small peninsida of Tort- 
 a-Port, between it and the Bay (4' L-lands. The mineral indi- 
 cations are of the most i)romising ehai-acter and warrant the 
 expectation that it will one day l)e a mining centre. A lead 
 mine was opened here manv years ago, but ov.-ing to the jealousies 
 ■of the Fi'cnch, who have lishing riglits on tliis coast, the Imperial 
 Autlun'ities ordered operations to be susjicnded. Such orders, 
 howevei-, would not be issued now. Cojiper and asbestos have
 
 98 AGiarr];m;AL UKsoriaKs. 
 
 iilso l)et'ii fuiniil li(')i_'. Its agTirultur.il caiialiilitic.-, Imwi-w-i-, aiv 
 i'ar I'rounk'sjiicalilc. The (leoloo-iral Ifrpin-l states thai there ari' 
 nearly 100 .s[Uare iiiih-s iu the pi'uiiisiUa avaihiUe I'ur at^rieul- 
 tural i)ur2)0ses. A luxuriant grass grows in certain ]ilai.'es ; -while 
 the timber in sdiiie portions is ol' good (|nality t(jnsisting of -white 
 spruce, balsam, hr, and vellow liirch (eommonly known as witch- 
 hazel). The \-iilh'y of Benoit's lirook contains an area of ('Af 
 square miles, at least one-half of wliicli could lie reclaimeih The 
 whole area of the valley of Serpentine IJivei- is aliout oS scpiare 
 miles, mucli of the lowei- lands being of gooil soil. Here loo, are 
 found ])ine and tamarack trees of large size. The recent dis-- 
 covery of asbestos here is niost promising. 
 
 ST. OKOltOK'S COAT. VlKTAt. 
 
 In addition to the resources of tins i-egion already enumerated 
 it should be I'lanendiered that St. Georges Bay contains a large 
 coal-field, not less than twenty miles in width and ten in length, 
 awaiting develo]iment. The discovereil seams are four feet, thi-ee 
 and a half and one and a half fe(-t thick ivsjiecti\ely. ( 'ompeteut 
 authorities lia\'e cahulated thai if shipments ut :^.")0,00O tons ]ier 
 year were maih' the coal-beds of St. Cie(a-,ue's Bay would not lie 
 exhausted in a century. Further acctamt i- reser\-ed for the 
 (diapter on the ndneral weahh of the islam'. 
 
 oTiiKit ix<)No:>ii(' ijKsoi i:ci:s. 
 
 Tlie Rejiort already i[Uoted contains the following: — "Tin' 
 innuense gy]>sum deposits, so frei[Uently met with thi-oughout 
 this region cannot fail to become of con-iderabK- economic im- 
 poitance in tlie future, esjiecially as mucli of it ]iartakes of the 
 character known as alabastio-. It^ value a> a lertilizer w hen tlie 
 country becomes settled witli an agricultural populalion, can 
 hardly be o\'er-eslimaled. ]\lany substances of udiior inqioitance, 
 such as liuilding stones, linn'stones, brick-clays, grindstoiu^s, whet- 
 stones, etc., occui' in abundance. The Laureutian hills in the 
 rear give promise of considerable deposits of ii-on ores, liouhlei-s 
 and fragments n|' which are i'ound plenlilully di.-tributeil along 
 the beds of the ininciiial sti'eani^. These and other less known
 
 Ai:i;i(ri,Tri;Ai. itKsoiKcKs. 90 
 
 j'esoiii-ci's, coiiiliiin'il witli ilif ui'<'all.v >u])ci'i(ii- eliaracter of llie 
 -ioil, must in time ri-inlcr the ilistrict of St. (icorge's Bay oin- of 
 llif most tloiirisliiui;- au'l |ii-iis]iciims in the i.-laml of Xcwfoiiiul- 
 Jand." 
 
 .lIONSKiNOK SKAllS' OPIXIOX. 
 
 Till' latr Very ]\v\. ]^Joiisigiinr Si-ars, \vlio s]K'iit many yi^ars in 
 ^t. Ck'orgi'"s Bay, wrote (if it as follows : — "As tlic snil here is 
 .surpassingly piodurtivi-, c.sjje.-ially in tlic growth of various 
 grasses, 1 lielievc tlirrc is no country in our latitude to .surijas^s it 
 for grazing .sliui-p or lattlc \Micrc'Vcr tlio tn-cs are I'eiuoved by 
 tire, wind or other lauscs, a sjiontaneous growth of grass S2)rings 
 u]).' He ti'lls of nie.nldw.- wliirh he has known giving hay for 
 llie last nineteen vears, and "the nineteenth erop better than the 
 first." "The wood is almndant and of e.xcellent (piality, especi- 
 jiUy the hircli foi fuel and s]iipl)uildiug. 
 
 UK. JOHN IJKLI. ON ST. GEOK<ifS. 
 
 So fai' hack as ]87(), ])r. John Bell, M. A., M. I)., of Montreal, 
 s]ient ])art of a suunner on tin- "West Coast, and afterwards ]>uli- 
 lished an account of liis visit in tlie Canailian Xdtii.ralist. The 
 following is an extraet from one of his papers : — "Along the river 
 Hats, in the valleys and oji the 'barrens' when these are draine<l 
 au'l the country is a little more i leared, there "will be room for 
 thousands of fainis, and tlie hills will afford walks for iiumensc 
 flocks of sheeji, and pasture for countless herds of cattle, the. 
 surplus of which will hud a ready market at the ports and fishing 
 stations, at the lumljering, manufacturing and mining establish- 
 nients, which ere long will inake this oLl and neglected colony 
 j)ne vast scene of active and pi'ofitaljle industry. The climate of 
 the island is favoural)le to tlie develojjments of its agricultural 
 resources of every kind. Instead of the cold foggy atmosphere 
 which is generally supposed to hang over the island, quite the 
 revei'se ivS the case. The air is (dear and warm, and the temjiera- 
 ture iluring the year remarkably erpiable, the mercury iu winter 
 siddom falling below zero of Fahrenheit's scale, or in summer 
 rising above 80 degrees. I never saw finer Aveather than duriu''
 
 100 AGTiTCi^TTTrjjAr. iiE.sorKCK.s. 
 
 tlie two moutlis I was on tin.- i.-laiid. It is only on Ihc sdiitli- 
 west corner tliat fogs jnwail to any exti.'nt, tVoni tlic [noxiniity 
 of that jmrt to the Gnlf Stream.'' 
 
 All this natural weahli lias liitlierto remained dormant and un- 
 developed from tlu- want of a railway ti» 0])en U]) tile country. 
 The advent of this great agent of civilization will create anew 
 era in the history of tliis region. Its fi.s]a'rie8, too, will receive 
 anew impulse fiom the same cause. St. George's ]',ay is one 
 of the great seats of the lienang fishery. The tinest herrings 
 are taken here in aluindance ; hut hithei'to this tlsh(-ry has Ijcen 
 prosecuted with little enei-gy or siu'cess. Cod, salmon and smelts 
 are also ahundant. 
 
 15AY OF ISLANDS. 
 
 About 50 miles from the north head of St. George's Bay the 
 Bay of Islands ojiens, famous for its magniticent scenery. Its 
 entrance, which is fifteen nnles in width, is stud(h-d with lofty 
 islands. This fine region, only second to St. ( leorge's Bay in re- 
 gard fo its lands, tindn r and mineral wealth, contains as yi-t 1)Ut 
 a small jiopulation. There are several arms extending from its 
 eastern side, hut the most imi)ortant is that known as the Hum- 
 ber Soimd, 28 miles in length, which receives at its head the 
 Humher River, the .second largest in the i.sland. To the south 
 of this Sound rises the fine Blomidon hill-range, some of whose 
 summits are from 1,000 to 1,500 feet in height. On apjjroach- 
 ing the Hundier their height and abruptness gradually level 
 down until on the banks they do not rise higher than three hun- 
 <lred feet, while they present to the eye a rich clothing of the 
 most varied foliage, whii-h goes down to the water's edge. This, 
 liowever, does not hold good on the first or lower course of the 
 river, which passes through a narrow gorge nearly three miles in 
 length, shut in by precipitous rocks whicli shoot up several 
 hundred feet perj)endicularly and present a scene of marvellous 
 grandeur. At the termination of this gorge the Humber river 
 widens, the hills recede, and tlu' stream flows throTigh a fine 
 valley from three fo se\en miles widi' till the lower end of Deer 
 Lake is reached, twelve miles from the Sound. In the report of
 
 AtililCULlUItAL liE.SOUECES. lOl 
 
 tlie Geological Sur\ey it is .stated that the rise I'rctin tlie sea to' 
 the level of Deer Lake is only ten feet. Deer Lake tlironj;li 
 which the Huniber Hows is fifteen miles in leiii^tli ami three in 
 breadth. Around it, es])e('ially to the eastward and n<irUiward, 
 is a fine expanse ni' Hat rolling country, rearliiiig i\^\■■<\v in tlie 
 former dii'ection towai-ds (Iraml Lake. 
 
 The reader is referred lo the previous chapter, nn tlie new 
 line of railway, for an acronnt of tlie agiicidturnl, hiinliering 
 and mineral resources of the Great Humber Valley and the Bay 
 of Island.s. Tliere it is >liown tliat the area of the Hundjer 
 Valley is 800 S(piare iiiile>, of whicli fully oni'dialf contains soil 
 of a superior chaiacter, capalile of lieing cultivated to ailvantage. 
 The forest wealth is al-o great ; wliile half (d' the reiiiaiiiiug 400 
 Sf[uare miles coni}iare la\()uraVily with most of the laud cleared 
 and cultivated on the eastern sea-board Oue sliiking feature of 
 this region is the new cnal tield recently disco\ered iu the 
 vicinity of Grand Lake, ;iud whicli is now being tested. The 
 .splendid herring ti she ly of Lay of Islands will be greatly bene- 
 fited by the opeiung of till' railway and will speedily develojie 
 into very large pro[iortion.--. 
 
 C<):\ll'AKATIVE KKl'OKT. 
 
 The Eeport of tlu' (ieological Survey remarks: — '-Thousands 
 of scj^uare miles have been laid out in townshij)s, and already 
 h-ettled, in Canada, eitlui' for the purjjose of lundx'iing or farm- 
 ing, on tlie northern shores of Lake Huron and many parts of 
 the Lower Provinces, far inferior in most respects to this I'cgion 
 of Newfoundland, which tliere can scarcely be a dr)ubt is cap- 
 able of sujiporting a very large population." In this valley of 
 the Humber many thousands might find employment iu agiicul- 
 ture, while those living on the lower reaches of the riser and on 
 the banks of the Sound could comlnne fishing, lundjering and 
 ship-building Avitli faiiuing. 
 
 IJO>Ts'E BAY. 
 
 North of the Lay of Islands another fine bay opens named 
 Eonne Bay, the sceneiy of which is verv fine. It has not vet
 
 102 Aia'Jcrr.TI-llAL KESOl-JtCKS, 
 
 lieeu f^ui'wveil and i> lint ]i;ii-tially known. .Indi^iiii^- liy the re- 
 ports of those wlio ivsidc in tliis lijiy, there is aronnd its shores 
 .;l vei'V eonsi(k^ralih' extent of tfood hind, giving excelkait crops 
 wlien riiltivrtted, and a still larger area suitahle for grazing pur- 
 poses. The herring tishcrx of Boinu- Bay has long been cele- 
 brated, the (quality of llic hen-ing taken here, as A\(dl as in tlie 
 Bay of Islands, being (■(|ual to thr liest Labrador ailicle. 
 
 NOHTHKKN I'KXIXSULA. 
 
 In regard to the liay> fnrther north little is known ; bnt casual 
 visitors concur in declaring that at the heads of nearly all these 
 north-westein and nortlu'rii b,iys theiv are laigv stretches of good 
 land: so that farming could be conibim'd with fishing, by sett- 
 lers, with great adxantage. 
 
 XtRKAT PLAIN ACROSS THK ISLAND— HU^niKR AALLKY TO 
 HALL'S BAY. 
 
 From the Hundjer district to Hall's Bay, an arm of Notre 
 Dame Bay, on the northeastern coast, a level plain extends across 
 the island, the greatest height of land betMeen these two points 
 not exceeding 200 feet. From Humber Sound to HallV Bay the 
 .distance is 100 miles. In this jdain the land is in many places 
 excellent and of considerable extent, the tind)er abundant and 
 ^jf large size, and the mineral indications at several points of a 
 very promising character. At one time it was designed to cou- 
 struct a common road along this plain, and a survey Avas made 
 in 1878, but the project was not carried out. The surveyor's re- 
 port furnislietl full information regarding tlie soil, timber, mine- 
 rals and other features of this great jdain, from which it appeared 
 that from 5,000 to 8,000 jjcople could settle here with every 
 prospect of making comfortable homes for themselves, as farmers, 
 1uml)ernuii or niiiu-i's. Ere long, it may be safely athrnied, a 
 liran(di line of railway will connect this region with the grand 
 ti'mdc line, and so op'.'U U]> the great plain for settlement. A 
 jdiain of small lakes with rivers flowing from them, extends 
 from Hall's Bav to the shores of Grand Lake, with onlv one 
 
 HJi-taLTc a mile in width. From (irand Lake the route lies
 
 A(ii!rrri.Tii;AL i;i:s( »i lii Ks. 10;> 
 
 .afi'dss ;i ])oita^f nine miles wide, ami lln- Humlicr i-iwr is 
 ivaclu'd. Till' scenery alony this |ilain, csiiccially at tlic l^)irrliv 
 Ponds, is vfi-y Ijeautit'ul, and sr\cial places riiiii|)aic imt un- 
 }Vvonial»]y witli tlie lake sccnciN <>[' the Jiritisji Isles. iJanie of 
 vai-ions kinds is almndant, and ilci r aie met with in large nnm- 
 1>ers. The snrvevor said in his ic|iiirt thai the Indian Brook 
 Valley, which opens into Hall- Hay, cunlains "jU s^nare miles or 
 32,000 acres oi' land availahh- i'nv larming jmrposes Avliicli would 
 give 80 acres each to 400 lamilics ; and that the aiea of timber- 
 hearing land is not less than loo sipiari' miles. The timber is 
 principally white pine, white ami lilaek s|)rnce, white birch ancl 
 tir. The pines vary IVum one i'nnt to three and a half feet in 
 
 ■ diameter at the butt. I'ldbrtunatidy, the tindjei- in Indian 
 Brook Valley lias been swejit nxry by tire, and although left 
 standing, it gives the country a desolate ajipearance. "• Tlie soil 
 is of a rich, sandy loam, easily worked." "There is still a con- 
 siderable ([uantity of timlier available foi- lumberers, and a very 
 large ([uantity suitable for farmers and Imilders." 
 
 MINKKALS. 
 
 "Tliei'e is a jirobabilitv that (■o[)per may be fouml in the 
 
 ■ eastern section of the jilain. The chloritic slates, which are .so 
 rich in cojJper on the sea-coast, are found in several localities 
 
 ■ on this route, and traces of copjier and iron jiyrites are observ- 
 able at a point about two nules in from the south-Avest arm of 
 Notre Dame Bay; also about four miles in, and at the east and 
 west extremities of Indian Pond." "There are several marshes 
 which are not deep, having a .-olid bottom at the depth of two 
 
 or three feet, and these if drained Avoidd make very good mea- 
 dow land. On both sides of Slioal Pond the soil is of a ri<-li 
 sandy loam." 
 
 THF GREAT A ALLKV OK THK EXPLOITS. 
 
 Reference has been made in the ])receding chapter to the 
 Valley of the E.xploits, through a ])ortion of which the new 
 line of railway runs. The bay of Exploits forms a deep) l)ighfc 
 on the south coast of the gu-at bav of Xotre Dame. It has
 
 104 AOrJCULTL'KAL I!KS()ri;( KS. 
 
 luuaeruus arms, tlu' f^reatcst ln'iiig tin- inlet wliirh k-ails to the' 
 entrance of tlie Exploits River. There are se\ci'al islands in 
 this arm, the princi])al being Tlnvart Island on the eastern side. 
 The water is <leep, and there is no impediment to navigation 
 for wssels of any si/e until reaching Peter's Arm, where there 
 i*< good anchorage. The entrance to the Hxjiloits L*i\er is at 
 Wigwam Point, in lat. 49 .")" N., long. .")") 19" \V. Immediately 
 opl>osite this entrance is Xorris's Arm, stretching for alxmt six 
 miles a little north of east, with an avei-ige width rarely exceed- 
 ing half a mile, at the head of which another consideralde 
 .stream falls in from the eastward. The Ivvploits River takes 
 its rise near the south-western angle of llu- island, within a 
 moderate distance of St. (reorge'-s Bay. A\'ith its nunievous- 
 tributaries it drains an area of 4000 sipiare miles, and reaches- 
 the sea after a course of 200 miles. 
 
 The valley may be divided into two sections — the lower ex- 
 tending from Red Indian Lake to the sea, a distance of seventy 
 to eighty miles ; and the u]>per from this lake to the sources of 
 
 the- river. 
 
 LOAVKK KXPLOITS A'ALLEY. 
 
 In its course from Red Indian Lake downwards the Ex^doits 
 receives the waters of eight tributaries, the largest being Great 
 Battling Brook, Chute, Sandy and Badger Brooks, while foui' 
 large streams disch;uge into the lake itself. The smaller tribu- 
 taries are very numerous. 
 
 The following extract from the Geological report will give 
 eome idea of the soil and timber : — " The main river valley^ 
 from Red Indian Lake downwards, is nearly for the whole dis- 
 tance a level or gently nnditlating country, broken only Ijy oc- 
 casional abrupt hills or locky eminences, and densely wooded 
 
 for many miles l)ack from either bank of the stream 
 
 The forests of the Exploits Valley consist of pine, spruce, balsam, 
 fir, tamarack, white Inrcli and i)02)lar. The (quality of the sjion- 
 taneons productions may fairly be taken as indicative of a fer- 
 tile soil. The^Avidth of this fertile belt of land varies at different 
 parts of the rivc^r ; but taking its avei'age about t^\■o miles on
 
 A(;i;i(i i.Tri;Ai. i;KSori!(Es. IOr»- 
 
 / 
 titlier side (;iiul it }iii>!iaM\ i> iinuli more), tliciv would l.c uii 
 area of reclainiaLlc counlry of -280 square miles, or 179,200 
 acres." The report ai Ms : "At tlie iiioiitli of the river the re- 
 claimahle laud extends In the unrtlnvard for almiit five iiiih-s, 
 terunuatiu<T Avitli the northern arm; and there are large tracts 
 aljout Xorris'.s Arm and in tin- valley of the Great Eattling 
 Brook which are ca]>alile of cullivatiou. The fertility of the 
 soil at this part of the region is amjily testifietl wherever culti- 
 vation has heeu attenqited. ]irniluring roots, potatoes, grass and 
 other crop.s of the tine.-t de.-rriptinu ; while as a grazing or stock- 
 raising country it can liaidly tie .-nrpassed. The surface soil is 
 generally of sand or sandy loam, which at the upjjer end of the 
 Aiilley is underlaid hy a di-ift of day and gravel, while at the 
 lower parts the subsoil is tenaiious, Iduish, or diah-coloured clay 
 Avhicli is occasionally slightly calcareous." . . . " Xo ohser- 
 vaut jierson A'isiting the valley of tde Exploits could fail to he 
 impressed with the manifohl advantages it presents for the jn'ose- 
 cution of industrial i)Uisnits, such as lumbering and agriculture. 
 With a sjilendid ri\ei', almudaul timber and a fertile soil, the 
 region that is now a w ilderne>s might, by energy and enterprise, 
 be soon converted inln a tliriving settlement, maintaining a large 
 population." 
 
 UPi'Ki: i:xri.<)iT.s' ^'^\XLEY. 
 
 Above Red Indian Lake the river is divided into two Ijranches 
 — the main river, or Exjiloits 2)roper, and the Victoria branch. 
 The former rises not more than twelve miles from the sea-coast, 
 Hows through. George TV. Lake and several smaller ponds. From 
 this lake the course of the river is remarkably straight, in a 
 north-easterly direction, till it joins the Red Indian Lake at the 
 end of upwards of forty miles. The Red Indian Lake is four 
 hundred and sixty-eight feet aliove the level of the sea. The 
 Victoria branch of the Exploits takes its origin between the 
 AVhite Bear and Grandy"s Brook waters, which interlock each 
 other, and the eastern bi;-,nch of the La Poile, and it flows gene- 
 rally nearly parallel Avith the main river to its junction with the 
 Red Indian Lake, about four miles above the inlet. South-west
 
 lOG AiiRicn.Tri.'Ai. iiksources. 
 
 IVoiu tliat junction, at tin' end nf Idt-f y-.^even miles, tlie liver ex- 
 painls into a niagniticent slu-ct ol' water caileil Victoria Lake, 
 whicli is sixteen miles long liv an average lireadth of tliree- 
 (^uarters of a mile. Tlie diaiacier of the country tlirougU whicli 
 these streams How is Aaried. Sonlli of King George IV. Lake 
 " the country is one va>t desolation of liare rock with marshes 
 interspersed." On the lelt Kank of the Victoria there are areas 
 of well-timbered land, aveiagin- tive miles in width, ami rich 
 "interval lands'" lietween Lloyds Tond and Kc(l Indian Lake. 
 " Sixteen miles u}) the A'icloria River the country greatly im- 
 proves, and a huge tract, widl wooded, generally level an<l 
 •covered by a good soil, ]ire\ails lusirly up to Victoria Lake. 
 This level and recLiimable laml sei-ms to ext-nd eastward, with 
 .a few interruptions, to thi- < heat Rattling Brook." 
 
 HAI>F A >IILL,IOX Af'HICS I^T FOR SETTLEMENT. 
 
 The conclusion of the (reological Surveyor is that there are, 
 upon the Exploits alone, 800 sipiaic miles, or 512,000 square 
 -acres, more or less capable of sup[iorting settlement, including 
 arable and pasture lands. "'I'lie ])ine timber, sjiruce, tamarack 
 and birch over extensive ai'cas, are of excellent quality and 
 vigorous growth.'" 
 
 THE VAT.LEV Ol" THE <iAXI>EK. 
 
 The next great agricidtiiial ana is the Gander Valley, which 
 .surpas.ses even that of the Exjildits. Including the neighbour- 
 ing Gambo and Terra No\a valleys, there is here an area of 
 1,700 square miles, or ], 088,000 s(piare acres, available for settle- 
 ment according to the estimate of the ({eological Survey. The 
 to]iogra])hy of this region has been alrea<ly otitlined in the pre- 
 ceding chapter, as mcII as the rharai-lei' of its soil and tindn-r. 
 Here we have the finest liiiidieiing section in the island. In 
 addition to the extracts fiom the (leological reports already 
 i,dven, the following will be found <if interest : — "Of this great 
 expanse of country a aii\ laige projiortion, particularly east- 
 ward from the main rivei-, is of licli and fertile soil, as amply 
 testified lo by its indigenous produce, which to a great extent
 
 AOrjCTLTUUAL liKSOUKCES. 107 
 
 consist of 2)iue ami sjnuce of a sui>erior size and description * * 
 Witli the almost ;iniivaled ca])aliilities tlie country possesses for 
 grass growing, breeding ami rearing oF stock can liai-dly fail to 
 become one of the givat future imlustrics of the province-. "- * * 
 Nowhere else in the island is there seen anything like tlie ([uan- 
 tity of jiine timber, to be met witli Iiere ; and although the soil 
 on the western side of the island is rirher in some 2')laces, this 
 country, taking all its advantages intn (■(insi(h-ration, offers more 
 immediate inducement to settlers."' (TJiis -was Avritten liefore 
 the railway leached western Xewrnuudlaud.) 
 THE GAMliO COUNTliY. 
 
 The Rejiort states as follows :-—" 'Jlu' tindu-i' on the Cambo, 
 especially in the valley of tlie Triton IJiver, i> nl-iv tine. Pine 
 is abundant, and though m)t so large as that of tlie (iander, is of 
 excellent ([uality. The white In'rcli, spruce and tir, along the 
 banks of the river, are ]-euiark;il)ly tine ; indeed I have seldom 
 ."^een finer in any part of the island. The land a\ailalile for 
 general agriculture in the \-alley of the (Jandio is not extensive, 
 being chietly confined to the alhn ial Hats on either side of the 
 river. These, howevei', are iVe([Uently lirhly luxuriant, as testi- 
 fied by the indigenous vegetati<in, especially in the \alley of the 
 Triton River where they are geui-rally u]i\vaiiN of a udle in 
 width." 
 
 TOPOGKAriiV OF THK GAMIJO. 
 
 "The Gamlio Kiver is approaclied from the sea by a long, 
 naiaow arm of the great bay of 15ona\ista, wliirh stretches in- 
 land some twenty miles from the o]n'n water of tlie latter, bearing 
 generally south-west by \\est, and north-east bv east. The livei- 
 enters at its exti'enie head, its mouth being >iluated in lat. 
 48° 46' 5" and long. 54° li' 32". Two ndles ami Ihree-ijunrters 
 from its outlet, it exjiands into a long narrow lake, known to the 
 lumber-men as the First or Lower (Jambo Pond. It then con- 
 tracts at a place called the Straits Ibi' a little over a nnle, and 
 expands again into the Second oi- l'p])er (Jaudio I'dud, nearlv 
 equal in length to the first, but suniewhat wider. '
 
 108 AGRICULTri.ML RKSOUltCES. 
 
 SMALLER AGKICT LTUi: AL SECTIONS. 
 
 Wu have now gone over tlie great agricultural regions on the 
 Avestern ami eastern divisions u[' tlie islands, and shown the ex- 
 tent and character of the lands suited for settlement in those 
 regions, as well as their chief topograjjhical features. Tlie 
 smaller ti'aets of land fitted for agricultural operations are too 
 numerous to admit of a iletailed account. They are found along 
 the hanks of the smaller .-^treain^ and around the heads of all tlie 
 great bays. In many places they are in small and detached 
 jiatclies, witli large stretclies of swampy, rocky, or huulder- 
 eovered land between ; but uniti'd, they constitute a large area of 
 valualile land. The principal of these minor farming districts 
 are in Bonavista Bay, arouud thi' >lHircs and arms of wliicli there 
 is much fertile soil ; the nortli si(h' of Smitli's Sound, Trinity 
 l>ay, Placentia Bay, St. Mary's Pcnin-ula, and esjiecially the 
 f^alnionier Arm of that bay. Thuugh much of the great Penin- 
 .sula of Avalon consist of a ]>nL)r, roiky, swampy or absolutely 
 barren soil ; yet tlu-re are, hei>' and there, wide area^ of soil 
 wliich a<lmit of ju-ofitable cultivation, and which when duly 
 treated with manure, yield excrUent root-crops of all kinds, as 
 Avell as oats, liarley and luxuriant grass-crojw. The gardens and 
 cultivated areas in the neighbourhood of nearly all the settlements 
 in Avalon l)ear witness to this ; and the neat and comfortable 
 farmsteads along the various I'oads testify to the industry of the 
 people. Avalon, liowi'vei', is specially adapted to becouu' a cattle 
 and shee])-raising region. lis rather thin soil furnishes ad- 
 mirable grazing ground, au'l extensive areas of it miglit be thus 
 turned to protitable account. 
 
 A TOWNSHIP SUltVEY. 
 
 That ]iait of Ax'alon, whicli lic-s between ('once[)tion and 
 Trinity Bays, and tliiough which llie j'ailway i'rom St. John's to 
 Harbour Grace runs, has bei^n laid out in towushijis, in order to 
 promote settlement, and witli satisfactory I'esults. The town- 
 ships are each >ix mih's scpiare, and tlius contain thirty-six 
 .s(j[uare miles, 'i'hey are sul)-ilivided into S(piare mile blocks,
 
 A(:;ki('Ultui;al itEsourtCES. 100 
 
 ^aeli having its own imiuber, the numbers ranging from one to 
 thirty-six, and are arranged on a maji. Eacli square mile again 
 Is snb-divided into four equal parts, each containing one hun- 
 ^Ired and sixty acrt's, wliich constitute a farm. This township 
 survey lias made known many valuable tracts of land where 
 previously none was su])posed to exist. The proximity of the 
 railway has greatly enhanced their value. The land reclaimed 
 iiud cultivated in thi' neighbourhood of Whitl)ourne, where a 
 pretty \ illage is growing up, is an illustration of the revolution 
 wrought liy tin- introduction of a railway. A large quantity of 
 gooil timbei- li:is lieen cut along portions of this locality, and 
 niore remains to be utilized. The total area of reclaimable land 
 evQii in this unpromising section of the counti-y is far greater 
 than might be suj)posed, so that numljers of farms might be 
 located here at no great distance from the railway. The eight 
 townships laid out lure contain seventy s(piai'e miles, or 48,800 
 iicres, of fairly gill Milam I. This wouhl give four hundred and 
 forty-eight farms nf nue hundred acres each. 
 
 TKST13IONY OF COMPETENT 3IEX. 
 
 In corroboration of the reports of professional and scientific 
 jnen, it may not be amiss to rite the opinions of some other com- 
 petent jtidges in regard to the agricultural capabilities of the 
 island. Sir .b)lin Haivey was appointed Governor of New- 
 founilland in 1842. He \\as a man of much intelligence and 
 energy, and was well actpiainted with Canada and the Lower 
 Provinces. In one of his s])eeches at the opening of the Legis- 
 lature, he used the following words: — "And here I will not 
 deny niyself the satisfaction of recording this public declaration 
 ■of my conviction, deri\-ed from such observation and information 
 as a residence in the island for np^'ards of a yi'ar has enabled 
 me to acquire, that, both as regards climate and agricultural 
 capabilities, Newfoundland in many respects need not shrink 
 from a comparison with the most favoured provinces of Xorth 
 America. Its summers, though short, enjoy an extraordinary 
 degree of vegetative power, which only recpiires to be duly taken 
 advantage of ; its winters are neither unu.-ually long nor severe ;
 
 no AGRrf'iLTri.'Ar, i;Ksf»ri;cES. 
 
 and its autumnal seasons aic as opi-n .unl Hm- as those of any of 
 the neiglilxmring colonic--. In jxiinl <>{' liili natural grasses, na 
 ])art of British Xoi'tli Anu-riia ])i(>iluees greater abundance. — 
 Newfoundland, in fact, a])pears to uw calculated to become es-- 
 sentially a rich grazing count ly, ami its varied agricultural 
 resources appear only to re([uirc roads and settlements to force 
 them into highly remunerative (U'\clopinent."' It should be re- 
 membered that lie spoke in the>c terms of the island, being 
 ac(|uainted only with the jioorest jiortions around a ])ortion of 
 the eastern coast and bays. Tlic very existence of the fine 
 valleys descrilied in the prccc(ling pages was unknown in his 
 day. 
 
 SIK It. BONNYCASTI.E. 
 
 Sir Eicharil Bonnycastle, a military officer of distinct ioiL who- 
 s]ient some years in the island, and has written one of the best 
 books on the country, was strongly impressed with its agricul- 
 tural resoui'ces. His work bears the date of 1842, and in it lie- 
 earnestly advocates colonization and agricultui'al development. 
 He speaks of Newfoundland as " possessing a climatt' of extra- 
 ordinary salubrity," ami jaedicted that if opened up for settle- 
 ment it Avould "take its rank amongst the more flourishing 
 colonies of the neighlinuring continent." He enumerated among 
 the vegetable productions which he saw groAving and thriving 
 admiral ily, cucumbei'S, melons, cabbages, cauliflowers, l)roccoli, 
 parsnips, carrots, peas, potatoes. "The garden straw! lerry and 
 raspberry of every variety thriw without more than the usual 
 care. Potatoes, oats, turni2>s and all the necessary \('getables 
 can readily l)e reared, even on the very wor.-t portions of such a 
 wilderness as that of the littoral." . . . "The veiy worst 
 portion of the soil is that in the neighbourhood ot St. .John's,. 
 and yet here, in all directions, the jilough speeds and the ancient 
 forest has vanished." 
 
 Bonnycastle's reference to the soil in the neighbourhood of St. 
 .lohn's is correct. It is among.st the poorest in the island. More- 
 H\'er, as this is the most easterly projection of the coast, it is that 
 {m which the effects of the Arctic current are most felt and the
 
 AGEICULTinAL I^ESOlTvCES. Ill 
 
 harsli easterly wiiul.- aiv most diilly, and yet in cvi'iy ilircrtiou 
 for miles around tile city arc wcU-cuItivateil, proiUutivc larms, 
 and a considerable i'arminc- ]Mi|nilati<jn. Oats and luirlcv of the 
 best quality are grown, and even wluat has been tried with suc- 
 cess, as an exjieriment. " The disiric t t>l' St. John's," says Bouuy- 
 castle, "is especially well adapted for a grazing country, and the 
 imi^orted and home-raised catlU' look as plumj) and as sleek as 
 those of any other part of the world : and I have seen cows at 
 some of the farms which wnuM nol discredit the dairies of 
 Devon." 
 
 AGRICLI.Tl UAI. .SHOAV. 
 
 Since Bonnycastle's day farming around St. John's lias jnade ' 
 great advances, and a superior stock of cattle and sheep has been 
 introduced. The annual agricultural shows held in the city 
 would not discredit any country. The exhibits of root crops and 
 grain, the products of the dairy, the cattli' and shee]), all bear 
 witness to the industry of the ]ie(iple and the jiniductiveness of 
 the soil when duly cultivated. What then mav we not antici- 
 pate when the deep soil of the sheltered valleys in the warmer 
 interior and the more favoured Avest coast are brimght under 
 cultivation. 
 
 SIR STKPHEX Hll.r. 
 
 Sir Stephen Hill, who was C4overnor in 1873, says in one of 
 liis despatches that "the agricidtural cajiahilities of the island 
 are far greater than are usually assigned to it, and that large 
 portions of it are capable of a high cultivation. The area of the 
 fertile portions, added together, amount to many millions of 
 acres. With respect to the jjroducts of the colony, potatoes, 
 turnips, cabbages, peas, beans and indeed all vegetables which 
 grow in England, arrive at the highest state of ]ierfection in 
 Newfoundland. Of cereals, its Parley and oats will not suffer 
 by comparison with the ]iiddiice of \o\a Scotia ; and even 
 wheat can be ripened in spots, tliougli as a rule not as a profit- 
 able crop. As regards fruit, cunvints, -tiawberries, gooseberries 
 and cherries, with other fruit, gi-ow in the gardens ; and count-
 
 112 AGRICULTUEAL JiESOUECES. 
 
 Jess f<])ecit's (if berries are fouml in great profusion tlirongliout 
 the couiilrv.'' 
 
 KEPOET OF THE JOINT C03IMITTEE. 
 
 lu 1880 a Joint Committee of the Council and House of As- 
 sembly, appointed to consider the i[Uestion of constructing a 
 railway in the island, prescuti'il a report of -which the folhjwing 
 are extracts : — " Our agi'icidtural industry, thougli prosccutetl to 
 a vahialilc extent, is yet susreptil^e of very enharged develop- 
 ment. Vast stretclies of agricultural hand, extending from 
 Ti'inily ]^>ay nortli, ahing the heads of Bonavista Bay, Gander 
 Bay, and Exploits Eiver, as Avell as on the west coast, m-ed only 
 the emjdoyment of well-directed Lilioui' to convert them into 
 means of independi'ut sujiport for ihousands of the ]ioiiulation.'' 
 . . . " The incpury is furtlu-r suggested whether this colony 
 bhouM niit lierome an e'xportei' of live stock : and wt- liave little 
 diliiculty in atlirming this position. For grazing purjioses we 
 have large ti"icts that we believe ciiiiiiol be surjtassed in Biiti.sh 
 Xorth America ; and when Ave regard our proximity to Englaml, 
 and the all-important consideration of a short voyage for live 
 stock, the advantages which we possess in this connection are too 
 manih'st to be the sul)ject of question or ai'gument." 
 fSlK HEXKY BLAKE'S OPINION. 
 
 .Sir Henry Blake, now Coveiaior of Jamaica, was (iovernor of 
 Newfoundland in 1887, and was one of the ablest and most 
 tMiergetic rulers the i.sland has seeu. In opening the annual agri- 
 cultural exhibition at St. .lolm's, in that year, he said : — '' That 
 a society of lietween 40 and .")() members should get up such an 
 agricultui'al sliow as this, in wln'cli j>rizes to the amount of $^500 
 and .$'600 are offered, besides the two handsome silver cups, pre- 
 .sented for competition, is highly <reditable to the members of 
 till! .'^ociefy. As I went around tlie show-yard, if I had not 
 already formed an opinion a< to tlie capal)ilities of the soil from 
 what I have s(!en since my advent to the Colony, I should have 
 been sur])iase,ii, as I am gratified, to see such exhibits in every 
 branch of the faiinei's imlusti-v. You have demonstrated that
 
 AGTtlCULTUKAL ItESOURCES. Ho 
 
 ■even in tliis reuin^iula of Avaldii, wliicli is i|uotL'd Ijy all au- 
 thorities as the Imst proihictive jiortiou ut' the ishiuJ, you van 
 produce ]i\-e-stock, root-crops aud i'\-eu cereals worthy of a phice 
 in exhibitions of far greater jjretensions." His Excellency then 
 referred to a visit he had recently paid to Placentia, and gave it 
 as liis opinion that "the encouragement of agriculture was of 
 cardinal importance," and dwelt on " the facilities presented here 
 for stock-raising, and general cultiAation of the soil ami the vast 
 additions to the prosperity of the country that Avere thus possi- 
 ble." At this exhibition were 656 entries for produce and 304 
 for stock. In addition to fine specimens of horses, cattle, .sheep, 
 dairy cows, poultry, geese, turkeys, etc., .-specimens of root-crops 
 were exhibited which would compare favourably with those of 
 any other country. There were cabliages weighing each fmiu 
 ■30 to 40 lbs. ; turnips — 20 of which tilled a barrel, and splendid 
 beet, carrots and parsnips. The butter, cheese and cream exhi- 
 Inted were s])ecially good. The potatoes could not be surpassed, 
 
 PKODUCTS OF CUI^TIVATKI) LANI>. 
 
 Pei-haps the best answer to those who are incredulous i-cgard- 
 ing the agricultural capabilities of Newfoundland, is to show 
 what has been accom])Ushed already in the cultivation of the 
 soil, and the rearing of farm-stock. Owing to the causes already 
 enumerated —the early pi'ohiliition of settleuient, the want of 
 roads and railways to a com])aratively recent date, so that the 
 larger tracts of good laud were inaccessible ; and the aluiost ex- 
 clusive em})loyment (jf the ])eople in the fishing industry, — the 
 progress of agriculture has been very slow. Still, with all these 
 drawbacks, it is marvcdlous to fiud how great are the results of 
 the liuiited industry as yet devoted to farmiug. The cultivation 
 of land is coufiued to the neighbourhood of the settlements and 
 towns, and the jiortions opened up by the roads which c(jnnect 
 them. There are l)Ut few farms more than three or four miles 
 from the sea-coast ; so that ouly the poorest portions of the soil 
 have yet been brought under culture, aud in the regions least 
 favoured in regard to climate, — the ca>ti'rn shore.
 
 114 AGl'JCULTriiAL i;KS< XKCES. 
 
 CENSUS OF 1891— AGKIClI.TIlJ.Vr, I'KODUCTS. 
 
 Tlie Census for 1891 eiial)k's tis to Inriii a correct estimate of 
 tlie condition of agricniture at tlic jiresi-nt time. According to 
 tlie returns of the census, tlieiv are 179,21") acres of land occu- 
 ]ii(Ml ; 04,494 acres of imjirovcd lau<l ; •20,')2i acres in pasture ; 
 i?l,sl3 acres in gardens ; and G,:^44 acres of improved land un- 
 used. At tlie low estimate of Sr)0 per ai're, tlic land under 
 culture is therefore Morth -$'3,224,700. The Census of 1884 gave 
 the quantity of improved land as 4G,498 acres ; so that in 
 8eveu years tlie increase has heeii 17,498 acres — a i)ri)of that 
 a favouralile impulse has heen given to farming hy \arious legal 
 enactments, the extension of roads and the Inrmation of agricul- 
 tural societies. Wherever farming is cond>ined with tishing the 
 people are jirospcrous and the cases of want very few. 
 
 The following talde shows approximately the value of the ani- 
 mals, and also of the annual farm produce I'm- the year 1891 : — 
 
 (),138 Horses, value.l at ^40 each .... ^•24.3,520' 
 10,863 ]Milch Cows, valued at .$-30 each . . . 325,89a 
 12,959 Other Horned Cattle, valued at .!s'20 each . 259,180- 
 60,840 Sheep, valued at ^4 each .... 243,360' 
 
 32,011 Swine, valued at ,^3 each .... 96,033 
 
 8,715 Goats, valued at ^'2 each 17,430' 
 
 Total $1,189,413- 
 
 FARM rilODK i:. 
 
 The farm produce for 1891 amounted to — 
 
 491 Bushels of Wheat and Barlev, at -S'l per Inidi. 8491 
 
 12,900 Bushels of Oats, at 50 cents per hush. . . 6,450 
 
 36,032 Tons of Hav, at .J^20 per ton . . . 720,640 
 
 481,024 Barrels of Potatoes, at -S'l ]>er lul. . . 481,024 
 
 60,235 Barrels of Turnii)s, at -Ji'l l»-i' hrl. . . 60,235 
 
 86,411 Barrels of other roots, at S'l per Inl. . . 86,411 
 
 401,716 Lbs. Butter, at 20 cents per 11.. . . . 80,343 
 
 Milk and Green Vegetables, (-timated at . 96,000' 
 
 154,021 Lbs. Wool, at 20 cents per lb. . . . 30.804 
 
 Total ^1,562,398-
 
 A(;i;1(Ii;iti;ai, UKSontcEs. 115 
 
 Till,' tnllnwiiiL; lalilc slinws liy (■(iiupiirisou with till' 2>ivei-ili]iiT 
 tabli' tl]i- aih.iii.'c ill till' l^•allill^ ])r()(lucts emuuei-atcil aliovc. iu 
 .seven yciu-s— IVdiii 1884 till 18!)] : — 
 
 Ci-Nsrs 1884. 
 4(J2 Bu.-li.'ls ..r Wlu'ul ainl ISarley. 
 5,393 Biislu'ls of Oats. 
 28,312 Tons of Hay. 
 ;302,649 Barrels of Potatoes. 
 24,006 Barn-Is of Turnips. 
 21,144 BaiTi'ls of otlR-r root .i-ops. 
 5,534 Horses. 
 8,040 Milch ( 'ows. 
 11,844 Other Horucl ("attic 
 40,326 Sheej.. 
 21,555 Swine. 
 7,934 (^oats. 
 :247,064 Ll>s. Butter. 
 
 ANXUAI. IXCO-AIl'] IK<)>I CATTI.K, KTC. 
 
 There is an addition to l>e made to the value of the farm ])ro- 
 •ducts in 1891 in order to an i\c at the real annual value of the 
 .cultivated land. It will he seen tliat the Cen.sus does not iic»te 
 the annual income derived IVoiu rattle, sheej), sAvine and goats, 
 which must reach a large amount. Only an approximate calcu- 
 lation can l)e made ; l)ut if Me take the number of calves and 
 'lambs produced during thr year 1891, and the products of 21,555 
 swine, the value of the wlioh' could not be less than -$'520,000. 
 When we add to this the annual jiroducts of 6,138 horses ; of 
 -8,715 goats; of 127,420 fowl ;■ togethei with fruits (including 
 -wild berries), vegetables, etc., .$'212,000 would not bean exce.ssi\e 
 .estimate of their value ; so that we arrive at a total of $732,000 
 •derivable from these sources, which being added to the value of 
 the growing crops as already stated ($1,562,398) gives a total of 
 ^2,295,398 as the agricuUund ]M-.)diicts of the island in 1891. 
 
 Let us now look at the aiuoiuit of agricultural jiroducts and 
 ;animals imported into Xewfoundlaiid, all, or nearly all, of which'
 
 11(5 
 
 At;r;icuLTri;AL i;Esorj;CEs. 
 
 could Iv laisfd in tli • cotiiitiv, if our agriLultnio 
 on a more exteusi\e ^cale ami with greater skill 
 table shows tlie iiii]>orts of such products in the 
 2,512 Oxen and Cows, valued at 
 118 Pigs and Calves, valued at 
 3,48o Sheep, valued at ... . 
 
 230 Horses, valued at . 
 2,071 Cwts. Baci^n and Hams, valued at . 
 13,971 Brls. Beef and Pigs Heads, valued at 
 14,510 Cwts. Butter and Oleomargarine, valued 
 
 1,384 Cwst. Cheese, valued at . 
 39,288 Lbs. Feathers, valued at . 
 367,978 Lbs. Fresh Meat and Poultry, valued at 
 7,459 Brls. Indian Meal, valuetl at . 
 Indian Corn, valued at . 
 20,867 Bushels Oats, Aalue;! at . 
 3,009 Brls. Oatmeal, valued at 
 6,642 Brls. Pea<e, valued at . 
 19,982 Brls. Pork, valued at . . . 
 88,542 Calil-ages, \alued at ... 
 
 54,531 Bushels Potatoes, valued at 
 6,758 Bushels Turnii)s, valued at 
 
 Eggs, Aalued at ... . 
 
 Tallow, valued at . 
 
 Onions, valiu'd at . 
 
 Yarn, valued at ... . 
 
 Barley, valuetl at .... 
 
 Hay and Straw, valued at . . 
 
 Beans, valued at . 
 
 Lard, valued at ... . 
 
 Meat (cannt'il), valued at . 
 
 Total 
 
 rARMING IN THE Fl TLIIK. 
 
 If we sui)pope this amount of produce raised i 
 -ivhich, in the near future, may be the case, now 
 
 were 
 
 The 
 
 ear 1 
 
 conducted 
 
 I'ol lowing 
 
 891 :— 
 
 •S-101,480 
 
 590' 
 
 10,455 
 
 16,100 
 
 20,923 
 
 167,652 
 
 217,650 
 
 19,370 
 
 3,829' 
 
 36,787 
 
 22,377 
 
 5,050 
 
 8,346 
 
 12,036 
 
 26,568 
 
 259,766^ 
 
 4,427 
 
 10,906 
 
 1,351 
 
 1,748 
 
 3,608 
 
 5,530 
 
 19,530 
 
 2,642 
 
 10,530 
 
 4,189 
 
 3,376 
 
 10,179 
 
 .S'924,940 
 
 n the country, 
 that a railwav
 
 A(;i;[(Ii;iti;a[. i;E.sorRCEs. 117' 
 
 La-i (ipi'iu-d up tlic IVnilc l.tinU. tlu-u nearly a inilliini i|n|lai> 
 Avliicli arc anmially smt nut nf iln> (•omiti-v lo pay ihc aL;i-i(iil- 
 turists of (itlu'i- lamls, wuiiM Iji- ntaiuL-d to bcni-fit XcMioiiinllanil 
 farmers ami I'uruisli iucrca^i-il employment to the ]ieo|ile. it' 
 liome manufactures are wmtliy of encouragement, still more so- 
 are food factories in the siia]>e of farms. It is evident iVom the 
 foregoing return^ tliat, for- >niiie time to come, the produce of 
 the farm and the dair>', and th<' raising of stock will tind a re- 
 munerative market in the i>land itself, apart altogethei- fi-i m 
 exportation. ]\Iui'h (an he done to promote agiiculture liy the 
 e.stablisliment of nioih'l firm-: the increase of agriiiill inal 
 societies; the introduction of iiii]iroved breeding stock ; the 
 impartation to the young of a knowledge of the elements o|' agri- 
 culture by means of a good texidiook to be used in the scIkkjIs 
 and colleges. Now that the iild tradition.- about the barrenness 
 of the soil are largely di.~>ipated. and that we begin to have ciai- 
 fidence in the capabilities of the country it becomes evident that 
 the progress ami prosperty of the colon}' depend very laigely cm 
 the employment of the people in agricultural pursuits. There 
 is room for thousmd- o|' emigrants from other countries ; Imt 
 lueantime our suriilu- population, wdio cannot tind subsistence 
 from sea-farming, should lie drafted to the land and along the 
 liues of railway, fhc long a minister of Agriculture will be- 
 come a necessity, and hi- dejiartment will become the most useful 
 iu connection with the jiublic ser\ice. 
 
 PROBABLK INtlJKASK Ol I'lUCES OF FARM ri:<»I)l CTS. 
 
 There is another considei'ation — the pi-oximity of this islan<l 
 to the Old World from A\hich the stream of emigration chiefly 
 fiow's. Six days' steaming lands the emigrant here, at a trilling 
 cost and -without incurring tin- danger and fatigue of a long 
 journey to the far \Ve>t of the United States or the Xorth-west 
 of Canada. In the I'liited States the good wheat-growing lands 
 iire nearly all occupied ; there are no more fertile regions to con- 
 quer. The big farms, where most of the labour is done by 
 macliinery and hoi-ses, are no hniger found to lie lionanzas owing
 
 118 AGKi('i:i.Tri;Ai. uHsorHcEs. 
 
 to the low ]irice of wlicat, and tlic teiidfiicy now is to small 
 I'arnis. In tlie United Stales a niillinn a year are added to the 
 population: so tliat, eve lon<<', cnnsunqilion will overtake ]n-o- 
 , dnction, and the jirice- i.f lanii ]irnduce will rise, and small 
 foi'ms of one liundre(l acres will uixc a eomfortable living to a 
 family. As population imicases here the value of farm yvo- 
 duets will he increased and laiaii-life will l)erome more at- 
 tractive. The small-farm system, I'ur which Newfoundland is 
 iidmii'ably adajited, is now superseding the large food-factories of 
 the we^it, where the aim is to (diminati- the hand of man bj' 
 machinery, to the destruction of social life in the country. Bet- 
 ter times for our ])eoplc are not far off. Xewfoundlaud has at 
 last a chance for turning to account her long-neglected fertile 
 lands. 
 
 CATTI^K AXI> SHKKP RAISING. 
 
 With small farms the raising of cattle and sheep on a large 
 scale, as has been already stated, could be carried (m over manj' 
 thousands of acres -which ai'c admiralily adapted for ranching 
 ])urposes. Cattle thus raised could lie i I'ansjwi-ted in six or seven 
 ilavs to England, and would arrive in excellent comlition, and 
 would compete, at a great adxautage, in the market over animals 
 that after a railway journey of Imndi-eds of miles have to undergo 
 a sea-voyage of twelve or fouileen days, arriving in a deteriorated 
 condition after many losses. 
 
 FREEZIX*; rilOt KSSKS KOK >IEAT. 
 
 Science has made great strides, in recent years, in the different 
 methods of preserving meats in a IVesh state, so that the super- 
 rtuity of one country can be transpoi-ted to another, where it is 
 scarce and costly. Millions of tins of canned meats are now sent 
 to all the great markets ol Kuro]>e, and the increase in this trade 
 every year is enorniou-. 'i'he free/ing process for the j'l'cser- 
 vation of meat of all kimls, game, p(jultry and fish, has now 
 reached such a state of jierfection tliat it is no longer necessary 
 to ])i-cserve them with salt, in oi(h'i- that they may " ci'oss the 
 Jine'" when sent from Australia ir India to England. In cold
 
 A(;i;uLi;i'ri;.\i, iiKsorucEs'. ]]!> 
 
 -couutrii's, sucli as Russia or ( 'aiiada, wIr'U tin.' season of uniu- 
 teiTupted cold arrives, animals an- slaughtered and lid/en by the 
 icj'' hand ol' nature, and arc thus jnescrved fresh I'or long jieriods'. 
 If frozen on ice, oi- kept in contact with ice, the llavoui- will he 
 greatly damaged ; hut, if dry-li'o/en and ke])t in an icy atmos- 
 phere, the llavoni and ap])earance do not suffer, and tlie meat is 
 fonnd very easy of digestion. Onee frozen, howevei-, it should 
 never be aHowed to thaw until il is alxjut to lie cooked, other- 
 wise it will sjioil with great rapidity. The reason of this is that. 
 as water e.\]iauds in freezing, the watery tluid, comliine(l with 
 the museulai- Hhre, Imi-.-ts the .^uii'ounding niendn-aneous tubes, 
 .and ■when thawed it is in a condiiion to undergo ra]iid chendcal 
 changes. 
 
 TK.VXSl't)i:T (>l^ lUOZKN ^IK.VT, KTf. 
 
 Should Newfoundland lieconu', a cattle and sheep raising coun- 
 try, not oidy does its geograiihical iiosition furnish important 
 facilities for the transportation of live stock, but the cohlness of 
 its climate in wintei' would be favouivilile for a frozitu meat 
 trade. Once the steady winter's cold sets in meats of all kinds, 
 venison, game — such as ptarnugair —could be frozen, and iu re- 
 frigerating apartments on board transported to other countries. 
 
 roiJKST WKAI.TH OV THE ISLAND. 
 
 The old tradition Avhicli represented the island as incapable of 
 pioducing trees, except of \ei'y small size, and declared that 
 ■ only a wivtched stunted growth was to bi' met with, is not yet 
 • ipiite extinit. . How entirely contrary to fact are such I'eports 
 has Ix'cn ali'cady shown in the foregoing chajiters. It is i|uite 
 true that, from time to lime, foi'est-fircs have destroyed some 
 sections of the heavily-timbered districts ; but tlie standing 
 ti'ces are not seriously injured in these biu-nt districts, and most 
 of them could still be turned to ])rofitable account, though the 
 .appearance presented In' their Ideached trunks and leafless arms 
 is sutticiently ghastly. The forest wealth, however, still remain- 
 ing unutilized is immense. As already stated, these forests an* 
 fciund cliiellv ia the valh'vs of the m-eat rivers and alomr the
 
 120 AGRIcri/IIKAI, KKSOIKCES, 
 
 l)ank.< (if their tiiluitaiifs ; also in tlie couutiv aiound SI. Guorge's- 
 Bay. TIr- i)iiiiri])al vaiictii-s of tlic nnligviinus foivst growths 
 are -whilf ]iiin-, white ami hlark >]>riii-c, lainarack nr larrh, fir, 
 vt'lhiw and wliitc hiri'li. The yt-llow liirdi, whidi ahomuls 
 largely in St. (ieorge"s Bay, i- said to hi- (-(jual in dviral)ility to- 
 Eiiglisli oak, and, witli the spnue.- and huvhcs, is adiiiirahly 
 adajited for shiii-l)nildiiig ]mr])OS('s. 
 
 Thi' lumhi-r Irailc ah'i'ady ih^vedoju'd ly tlic portion of tlie 
 
 new railway which lia> hecii coiiq^k-ti'd and oociated as far as- 
 
 Exjiloits, furnislie-s anipU^ proof of tlic foic^t resonrcrs of tlie 
 
 country, and gives good promise for the fntnic. — (Sir clmji. III.)- 
 
 TIMIJKK OF THK OANDEK DISTRICT. 
 
 The great vaUey of tlie (ianih-r is (h-stined to he tlie most ini- 
 jjortant Inndiering regifHi in tlie island. Its topography, soil and 
 tbrest growths have been alreaily touehed on in ('hai)tei- III. on 
 Beads and Bailways. The ( ieologieal report contains the fol- 
 lowing: — "Excejit where partially denuded hy fire, the whole 
 valley of the rivei', the shores of the lake and the Ijanks of the 
 tributaries are all denstdy clad by fVa-est, among the most con- 
 t>2)icuous trees of Avhich are pines, to all ai>pearance of the finest 
 description. Upon the sonth-west arm, and at various ]iarts of 
 the lake, groves of jjine may Ijc .seen where the average girth of 
 the trees is not much, if anything, less than nine feet. On about 
 one acre of Ptirface I measured 15 or 20 trees, the diameter of 
 ■which varied from two and a-lialf to four an<l a-half feet ; and 
 these, moreoA'er, wei'e straight, tall and sound, with stems run- 
 ning up symmetrically for upwards of fifty feet Avithout a lu-anch 
 or knot.-' The report estimated tlie available pine limits here at 
 850 square nules, including the valley of the ( lambo and Triton 
 river and the country along tin- south side of the lake and across 
 to Freshwater Bay. " 3fost, if not all, the pine here referi'cd to 
 is of the Avliite vaiiety, — I'iiuis >itrolnis, — proliably the most valu- 
 able S2)ecies for the juanniactnre of lumljer. Fires swejit over 
 many portions of this district, but the pine, though scorclied, 
 does not appear to l)e much injitrcd so long as it lemains 
 ^tandim:."
 
 A(ii;[cri;iTi;Ai. UKsoriicKs. liM 
 
 THK FOKKSTS Ol" THK KXPLOITS. 
 
 Next in I 111 Ici' as a luinlici-hit^' country is tlie Explnils Vallc-y. 
 wliieh contains a very larg'c tinantity of jnne ami otlu-r valualile 
 timber, to whieli refei-ence has already Leeu made. The report 
 already i| noted says: "Between the Grand Falls and Badger 
 Brook, at many ]iarts on lioth sides of the main river, pine 
 nourishes luxuriantly, uuk Ii of MJiicli ajipears to Ik- of excellent 
 quality, heing often oi' fail- diameter, straight and tall. These 
 reaches also display a tine growth of other A'arieties of (iniher ; 
 and at some i)arts, es])ecially ahove tlie forks of Sandy Brook, 
 white birch often attains a \ery large size. About Red Indian 
 Lake there i> a sii]hi1i growtli of pine, and spruce of large size, 
 straight and tall. . . . '• The southern side of the Exploits 
 jH'esents an unbnikiu dense forest, in a series of gentle undula- 
 tions, far as the eye can reach. From the Victoria Ttiver to the 
 lieail of the Ited Indian Lake, the country i- well-tiiiiliere(l 
 throughoul." . . . " Witli a splendid river, almiidaiit timber 
 and a feilile soil, tliis reginn is marked out hn- a prosperous 
 
 settlement.'" 
 
 THK m>IIJKK FORESTS. 
 
 The valli'V of the Humljer is another district lidily wooded, 
 where lumlicring operations have been carried on for many years 
 on an extensive scale. " Tamarack or juniper is not rare ; yellow 
 birch of large dimensions are abundant ; white pine ami spiiice 
 grow in the greatest profusion, frequently of a size and ([uality 
 not greatly inferior, if not eipial to the best that is now brought 
 to market into (rasjie and other parts of the Lower I'loviiice of 
 Canada." 
 
 Mr. McLeod, a Canadian civil engineer, said in his Report of 
 1875 : — " To give a rough estimate of the extent of tine timbered 
 land from the mouth of the Humber to the Grand Lake Brook, 
 I should say that in all there is not less than 20 s(piare miles, 
 ■which would on the average yield live trees of from 1,000 to 
 2,500 superficial feet each to the acre. This would give 3,200 
 trees to the square mile, which at an average board measurement 
 of say 1,500 feet, gives per square mile 4,800,000 sipiare feet.
 
 122 A(;i;ii'ri;rii;Ai, iiKsoriicES. 
 
 'This multii.]iL-(l l.\ 20 t;ivrs !)f;,000,0()0 l\-vX as tlic ([uautity of 
 standing pine on tin- Huniber/' The (quality of the pine lie pro- 
 nonnced "ahovc llie oi'dinavv market run.'' 
 
 ST. <;K()U(iK'S BAY I.U3IUKK. 
 
 Tlie.se are tin- princijial luniliering regioirs ; luit, as already 
 stated, the valleys around St. (xcorge'.s Bay and the Codroy Val- 
 leys rontaiu a hue growth of mixed fore.st timher — spruee, pine, 
 liirrh and tir. ()n most of the .smaller streams there are also 
 groves of pine and various othei- trees, while the .same hohls good 
 regarding the heads uf many of the Ijays. From all this it 1;^ 
 evident that "in regard to forest wealth and huuhering capa- 
 bilities, Newfoundland lioMs a very important plaee.'
 
 CHAPTER A'. 
 MINERAL RESOURCES. 
 
 THE FIRST MIXES. 
 
 It wa.'^ not till a comparatively recent date tliat Xewfoundlantl 
 Avas known to contain mineral treasures of immense value. Tlie 
 late Mr. C. F. Bennett was the pioui-er of mining enterj)rise. 
 Mr. Smitli McKay was the tirst discoverer of copper ore at a 
 small fisliing-hamlet called Tilt Cove, in the year 1857. Here a 
 mine was 02)ened in 18G4 under the joint management of Messrs. 
 Bennett and McKay. During the following tifteen years Tilt 
 Cove mine yielded about 50,000 tons of copper uw, valued at 
 31,572,154; and nickel ore worth §-32,740. It continues to l)e 
 worked till the present date and now gives em[iliiyineut to some 
 500 miners, and the village cuntains over a thousand inhaliitants. 
 In 1875 another cojij^er mine was opened at P.etts Cove, about 
 a dozen miles south of Tilt Cove. In four years the ([uantity of 
 ore exi:)orted from it amounted to 122,556 tons, valueil at $'2,982,- 
 836. In 1878 a still richer depo.-it of copper (irc was opened at 
 Little Bay, at no great distance from Bett"s Cove. Up to 1879 
 the total quantity of ores exported frnm all the mines reached in 
 value ^4,629,889 or nearly a million jwunds sterling. This placed 
 Newfoundland sixth among the copper-producing countries of 
 the world. 
 
 VAI.IE OF 3IIXEKAI. EXI'OIITS AT IMtJCSENT. 
 
 That it still maintains its character as a mining cnuntrv ap- 
 pears from the Customs Returns for 1891 and 1892. In the 
 former year the value of all the ores exporte(l was .5'G24,750 ; in 
 1892 the value rose to ^1,006,592. Thus, at the present time, 
 mining constitutes one of the leading industries nf the country ; 
 though it may be safely aftirmed tliat it is yet in its infancy, and 
 the near future -will witness great advances when the lailway has 
 opened the country.
 
 124 ^riNEKAL JtESOritCES. 
 
 METALLIIKKOUS ZOXE. 
 
 TliL' verdict of scii'iice warrants sucli an expectation. The 
 larg-e ilevelojjment of tlie serjientine rocks in tlie island is a fact 
 of iiriniary importance. These serpentines l^elong to what in 
 Canadian Geology is termed the (^)ue1)ec Group of the Lower 
 Silurian Series, and to the middle or Lau/.on division of that 
 .■series. "The Lanzon division," says Sir William Logan, "is the 
 metalliferous zone of the Lower Silurian in North America. It 
 is rich in co])per ores, chieHy as interstratitied cupriferous slates, 
 and is accompanied l)y silver, gohl, nickel and chromium ores." 
 This Lauzon division is the one which is develoj)ed in Newfound- 
 land, and in which all the copper mines are situated. It is of 
 importance therefore to ascertain wliat is tlie extent of these ser- 
 l)entine niineral-l)earing rocks in the island. Tlie Geological 
 Survey's Re])ort gives the following tnistwoithy t'stiuiate of the 
 .ser^K'ntines : — 
 
 ]jetween Hare and Pistulel Days 
 
 North from Bonne Bay 
 
 South from Hare Bay 
 
 South fri)m B>i)une Bay 
 
 South f)-om B)ay of Islands 
 
 Surrounding Notre Dame I'ay 
 
 Gander Lake and River ciunitry 
 
 Bay d'Est River .... 
 
 Total . . . 0,097 " 
 
 KXTENT OV DEPOSITS. 
 
 Tiu' whole shoi'es of the (xreat Bay of Notre Dame, where 
 copper was first found, are of the sei'pentine formation, and so 
 are its numerous clusters of islands. On the opjiosite shores, on 
 the West Coast, at Bonne liay and Bay of Islands, there are large 
 developments of the ser]unitine ; and there are strong reasons 
 for believing that ihe serpentine foi'matiou runs across the 
 island, between these two ]ioints, and prol)aMy comes to the 
 surface at many jdaces far inland. The new line of railwav will 
 greatly facilitate the exploration :)f this I'egion with the view of 
 
 , :^30 
 
 Sq. ii}S. 
 
 . 350 
 
 
 , ITo 
 
 
 . 150 
 
 
 , 182 
 
 
 1,400 
 
 
 2,310 
 
 
 300 

 
 MINERAL KESOURCES. 125 
 
 turning to aeeouut its mineral deposits. It must he remembered 
 too, tliat these remarks apply to copper mining alone ; but, as 
 has been already sliown, otlier ores, sucli as asbestos, nickel, iron 
 pyrites, lead and iron, are found, and give promise of profitable 
 developments. Tlie coal-beds too, await examination and work- 
 ing. All these considerations seem to mark out the island as one 
 of the world's mining centres, in the near future. While the 
 ^reat beds of serpentine liohl the copper treasures, present indi- 
 cations warrant the belief that tlie Huronian and Lower Silurian 
 rocks contain lead in workable quantities, in many localities, 
 liaving a jiercentage of silver, while indications of gold are not 
 wanting. The whole island, therefore, may be fairly regarded as 
 more or less metalliferous, while coal-areas on the western coa.st 
 increase the value of the whole mineral resources. Quite re- 
 cently too, ]ietroleum lias been discovered on the western coast, 
 but whether it is present in workable <|uantities has yet to be 
 detei-mined. A company has been formed to turn it to account, 
 iind an analysis shows that the ipiality of the oil is excellent. 
 
 OPIXIOXS OF PKOFESSOR STEWART. 
 
 Pi'ofessor Stewart, an eminent American mining exj^ert, visited 
 the island a few years ago, and made a careful examination of 
 .the mining region. In his report he said, among other things, 
 " the cojijier ore of Newfoundland is a beautiful yellow sulphuret, 
 free from arsenic or any undesirable ingredient, with a little iron, 
 and containing from eight to twelve per cent, of pure copper. 
 Finer co2)per ore is no where found. The character of the rocks 
 in which it occurred gives an absolute assurance of perpetuity in 
 the working. The rocks are metamorjihosed and laminated ; and 
 the extent of mineral indications over extensive areas renders 
 exhaustion in the working a 2:)ractical impossibility." 
 
 LEAD ORE: 
 
 Lead ore was first discovered at La ]\Ianche, near the north- 
 .eastern extremity of Placentia Bay, ■\^•here for several years 
 workings were carrieil on. The quality of the ore found here is 
 veiy fine. It produces 82 per cent, of metallic lead, and also
 
 12G MiNEitAL ];Ksori;('Hs. 
 
 contaiu^s a 2>ercentage of sihcr. In rmt-aii-l'drt, on tlie western 
 sliore, a rich deposit of lead ore \vas discovered in 1875, and Avas 
 worked for a short time witli A^ery promising results ; but on the 
 protest of the French, avIio alleged that the working of a mine 
 here was an infringement of tlu'ir treaty-rights, the Imperial 
 authorities ordered tlie work to he sto])]>ed. 
 
 Magnetic iron ore has been found in large quantities in St, 
 George's Bay, and the Lanrentian hills contain indications of it. 
 
 GYPSUM AND JIAKBLES. 
 
 The Geological Survey's report states that "gypsum is distri- 
 buted more profusely and in greater volume in the carljoniferous 
 districts than in any part of the American Continent of the same 
 extent." In St. (ieorge's Bay and Codrov tlie de\elopment3 of 
 gypsum are immense. Marbles, too, of almost every shade of 
 colour, have been produced fi'om various parts of the coast, on 
 Itoth the eastern and Avestern shores. The development at Bay 
 of Islands is extensi\-e. ({ranite of the fine.-t ([uality, building 
 .stone.s, Avhet-stones and lime-stones are in ample pi'ofusion. — 
 Eoofing-slate can al-o be supplied in aljundance. 
 
 Before passing from the mineral resources of the island it may 
 l)e well to make s})ecial reference to the Iron Pyrites' Mine in. 
 Pilley's Island, Notre Dame Bay. This uuue lias been Avorked 
 for eight or ten years, and is at present one of the most A"aluable 
 and profitable mines in the country. The (piality of the pyrites 
 which it yields is .said to be the finest in the Avorld, containing 
 fifty-tAvo ])er cent, of sulphur, and gi^■ing a j'esidutim of iron, 
 after the suljihiii' is extracted, Avhich is manufactured into the 
 finest steel. Tlu' ]iyrites is shipped at the rate of from 30,000 to 
 40,000 tons annually to the United States, Avhert' it is used for 
 the manufacture of sulphuric acid, copjieras, etc. A visit to this 
 noAV celebrated mine Avill be found most interesting. The Avork- 
 ings are evtensive and are carried on Avith the most improved 
 luachinery and under scientific direction. Adjoining it is an- 
 other dejKjsit of iron pyrites of the same (piality, which is re- 
 ])orterl to l)e vei'y I'xteusive and Avill prolialily be sliiortly worked^
 
 MTNKIJAI. KESOrnCES, 127 
 
 fis the tests apjilifi] tn it, umlcr tlic diicction of miiiiiii;' i-xiuTts, • 
 are said to be very satisfactory. Tin- I'acilitics for \\()j-kiii;4 if 
 are all tliat could be dt'sircd. The a]i[ilication of capital and 
 enterprise is alone neeiled to convei't if into a piodactive mine. 
 There Is an excellent liarlionr close to the dei>osit, having deep ' 
 Avater vithin a few feet of the shoic The demand foi- this 
 mineral is steadily increasing. 
 
 PILtEVS ISr.AND— IKON rVKITKS— TOTAT. KXPOIITS 
 or OIIK. 
 
 Returns of the (piantities of iron pyrites shipped in 1893,- 
 compiled hy T. X. Mollo\', Esq., American Consul, apj^eared in 
 The Trade Review of Jilarcli 10th, 1894. These returns show that 
 in that year there were exported to the United States 38,214 tons 
 of iron pyrites from the Pilley's Island nune, the aggregate value 
 of which was ^195,780. The mine shows no signs of exhaus- 
 tion ; and the adjoining deposit, above referred to, is reported to 
 contain a much larger c|uantity of the same mineral. A few 
 years ago the mine whidi is now worked was sold for .*if300,000, 
 and wouhl now probably bring a much higher price. Copper 
 ore is also shipjjed to the Uuiteil States from Tilt Cove in con- 
 siderable f[uantities. 
 
 In 1893, according to ]\Ir. Molloy's returns, 23,097 tons of co])- 
 per ore were thus shipped, the value of which was $'68,G04 ; so 
 that the shipments of ore from Pilley's Island and Tilt Cove, that 
 year, aggregated 58,311 tons, the value of which was 3-G4,384. 
 
 In a valuable little pamphlet on "The Mineral Eesources of 
 Newfoundland," by J. P. Howley, F.CS., head of the Geological 
 Survey, published in 1892, statistics are given, com^'iled from 
 the Customs' Returns, showing the exports of the various ores 
 since the mines were first opened. According to these Returns 
 the value of copper ore, regulus and ingots exported from 18G4 
 to the end of 1891, was no less than -^9,193,790. The value of 
 iron i\vrites exported from 1886 to the end of 1891 was .S'247,087. 
 To this must Ix' addeil the value of ])yrites exported in 1892, 
 (Customs' Returns), -S'31G,.")84 ; ami that of 1893, $195,780— 
 making a total of $'759,451 , as the value of the exports of pyrites
 
 128 MINERAL ItESOURCES. 
 
 since 1886. All the exijoits of other minerals, such as lead, 
 nickel, etc., according to Mr. Howley's table, when added to the 
 value of the copi)er and pyrites ex2)orts, .sliow an aggregate value 
 of $'9,594,714 for the total ex])orts of ore till the end of 1891. 
 Adding to this amount the Aalue of cojiper ore and jiyrites ex- 
 ported 1892, (§1,006,592,) and the value of pyrites exj-orted 1893, 
 Ave get an aggregati- of $10,777,080 as llu- value of all the min- 
 . erals exixnled from 1864 to tlie end of 1893. 
 
 KCOXO:>IIC .SUBSTAXCKS. 
 
 In addition to the ores already named, Mr. Howley enumerates 
 molylidenite, antimonite, iron ores, manganese, lead, asbestos, 
 silver, gold, as occurring in vai'ious places, and sometimes in 
 promising quantities. Building and ornamental materials, such 
 as granites, syenites, sandstones, limestones, marbles, serjjentines, 
 slates, as well as a variety of mineral substanci's ajiplicable to the 
 tine arts and ornamental purposes, ari- also mentioned. Mr. 
 Howley very justly remarks tliat "Tlie possession of so many 
 useful minerals and economic substances in this island (the oldest 
 and nearest British-American jjossession to Europe) should i)oint 
 to Xewfoundland as a country most favourably situated for min- 
 ing and manufacturing industries, second indeed to niiue of tin- 
 other British-American possessions. The construction of main 
 lines of railway through the island, now lieing vigorously j)ushed 
 forward, must in tlie near future result in bringing alaout a 
 greater activity in this direction. Already, although the im- 
 mediate coast-line only is accessible to mining ca])italists, 
 Xewfoundland ranks as one of tlie chief copper-producing coun- 
 tries of the glolie. Yet even this industry may be sjiid to be 
 merely in its infancy." 
 
 I'KOSPKCTS OF MIXIXO ASBESTOS. 
 
 Ml'. Howlev, iu tlie ]>aiii])hlet referred to, speaks of the re- 
 
 , cently discovered asbestos deposits in the following terms: — 
 
 "Asbestos, or chrysotile, deserves special mention, as it is likely 
 
 to prove of very considerable economic importance ere long. 
 
 This mineral has been recognized amongst the serjientine de-
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES. 129 
 
 •jDOsits of tlie island in many localities. It occurs in strings and 
 threads of tine silky texture, tiaversing the masses of serpentine 
 in all directions. Not until i|uite recently, however, was the 
 iittention of capitalists called tn its existence here, and fairly 
 unlisted in its development. The comparative scarcity of good 
 material in America, and llie not distant prospect of the Canadian 
 ■deposits of this valuable uiiiu-ial giving out, led to the large 
 'manufacturing firms of Clialmers, Spence & Co., of Boston, and 
 •the John's Co., of New York, sending ]iersons to prospect in this 
 ^^ountry. Certain ]u-operties known to contain asbestos, in the 
 vieinity of Port-au-Port and Bay of Islands, were leased by them 
 and (iperations connnenced by costeaning the surface, laying bare 
 tile (le]i<)<its, and I'unning oi)en cuts into the side nf the serpen- 
 tine ridges. A good deal of I'xcellent tibre was obtained thereby, 
 though the de])Osit is exci^edingly irregular. The filire varies 
 fi-iiin less than half to about five inches in length, averaging 
 about two iuches. So far as <piality goes, it is, I Ijelieve, all that 
 is requisite for ordinary use. Other parties opened up deposits 
 of serpentine nearer the shore, showing abundance of short tibre, 
 in numerous small veins. Some of this is tvo to two and a half 
 inches long, and is of a beautiful fine and silky texture, ap- 
 proaching amianthus in purity. Its greatly enhanceil value of 
 late years, and its comparative scarcity in the market, render it 
 an object much sought after. Serpentines and their associated 
 I'ocks, identical in character with those holding the material in 
 < 'anada, occur abundantly in many parts of Xewfoundland, 
 which is already regai'deil in Canada as, in all probability, 
 •' Queliec's greatest rival,'' in the near future, in the [>roduction of 
 .this valualtle connnodity.'' 
 
 Mu. wiiAAi^'s r.vri:K ox asrkstos. 
 
 A pajier was read before the Mining Society of Nova Scotia 
 Decern) ler 3rd, 1893, on ''Tlie Asl)estos Fields of Port-au-Port, 
 Newfoundland," by Mr. C. E. Willis, a high authority on the 
 subject. A few extracts ai-e subjoined : " Tlie metamorphic rocks 
 find serpentines of the Eastern Townships of (Quebec and the
 
 130 MIXERAf. l!E.SOrR('ES. 
 
 -Ciaspe Peninsula, in ■wliicli tlic {'aiiailiau aslit-stos, or more pro- 
 ]ierly .speaking cluysotile, is Inuml, ilip umler the (Inlf of St. 
 Lawrence, ajipear again on tlie \ve>t cdast of Xewfoundlaiul and 
 extend many mile.s inland, proljaMy entirely across the island, 
 thongli in places, specially the gieat elevated central plateau, 
 they are capped with granite rocks, and seemingly liave disa])- 
 ])eared. Tliis entire area, extendin^L; aliout 100 miles nortli and 
 south, and the entire width of tlie island east and west, can be 
 safely called a serpentine country, and contains, according to Mi\ 
 James P. HoAvley's estimate, 5,097 srpiare miles of serpentine 
 rocks. 
 
 "The serjientines, with the granulite dykes whicli everywhere 
 intersect them, contain ^ast deposits of minerals, and are to-day 
 nearly virgin fields, except on the immediate coast line, for the 
 prospector or miner, and certain to become, in the immediate 
 future, the seat of great mining o]ierations. 
 
 " That the country has not long ere this taken a hrst rank as 
 a mineral producer, is due to its former isolated ]>(isiti()n, ditti- 
 culty of access, except in small sailing vessels, and other ulterior 
 causes ; Ijut now, with regular and lVe(|uent steam conununi- 
 cation, the prospector and engineer aiv forcing their way intO' 
 the country, and soon it Avill be the scene of prosperous mining 
 cam])s and a large mining industry. 
 
 "The minerals met with are copper, whirli is found every- 
 wliere, magnetic, hematite, chiomic and spi-cnlar iron ores, coal 
 and petroleum, gold, sil\H-r and lead, nickel, iron pyriles, anti- 
 mony, marbles, gypsum, mica and asbestos. 
 
 " The existence of asbestos in this great belt of serpentine has 
 long been known or supjjosed, and several well-known geologists, 
 in their writings, as far bark as ten and fifteen yeai's ago, have 
 predicted that it wor.ld be discovered in (piantities sutlieiently 
 large tv be of econonuc value ; but it is oidy within the past 
 three years that the attention of the miner has been turned in 
 this direction, and is now attracting much interest in the island, 
 
 " On the eastern coast of Port-au-Port, rising cmt of the sea to- 
 a nearly vertical height of 1,800 feet, is a mountain known as
 
 .MINKKAT. ItKSOUlv'CKS, l.'M 
 
 'Ijlurt" Heail. Tlii- imiuiitaiu iU'li'iiuiiK'> ilic soutlierii liouiidai-v 
 .(if tliL' scTpeiitim^s. 
 
 " It was liere tin- a-ln-stos tii->I attrarte'il imu'li notice. Blnll' 
 Hi'ail was long k 111 )\\ II Id ilu- lisln-riiuMi of tlic m-igliliourliood as 
 ■'Cotton Ro(;k;' ami it raiiic in tin- kiuiwii'.lgc of tlic Hon. Pliiliii 
 ^'Icai-y, of 8t. JolinV, who, sonit* tliree- years ago, equippeil a 
 sniall e\]RMlition to ilo some j^i'ospecting woi'k in the neiglil)oui-- 
 IkhiI. The .succes.s nut v. ith was so ininieiliate and mai'ked that 
 ■iithei- claims were immediately secured, till in a sliort time tliirty 
 -ijuare miles Nvere taken uji l)y jirospectors and specnlators, and 
 the ])ast sunnner lia< witnessed a large amount of development 
 work. Much of tlii- work has lieen of the must satisfactory 
 natui-e til the owner-, and }ii-oves the field lo he a hirge and 
 valualile one." 
 
 The ]ia[iei- then ,uoes on to descrilie the operations of the 
 ■••Halifax Asliestos ('n.'" in tin's region, which ajipear to he (if 
 .;r very ]iromising character, al-o thdse of the "Newfoundland 
 Mineral Syndicate" — an English Co., — and the Cleary claims, 
 j\ll of which show satisfactory results. Tiie writer close.s in the 
 following terms: — "Lahdiu- i- lioth almndant and cheap, and 
 sujuilies can he readily olitaiiied and lande(l from a vessel within 
 ii short distance of the mines. With water transportation at 
 liand for the jiroduct, cheap lahour, and heing much nearer the. 
 European markets than the dlher sources of supply will enable 
 the operators to compete successfully with miiu's in othei- 
 countries."' 
 
 COAL ARKAS. 
 
 Reference has already lieen made in the 3rd chapter lo the 
 coal beds of St. George's Bay, whi(di is the principal caboniferous 
 region in the island. Fifty years have ela])sed smce the dis- 
 covery of coal there by the sulisequently distinguished geologist, 
 Mr. .T. B. Jnkes, who was for many years ]3irector of the Irish 
 (leological Survey. "When a young man he spent twelve months 
 in the island and afterwards published a most interesting book 
 on the results of his survey. He found a coal seam, three feet in 
 thickness, containing caunel coal of excellent q^uality cropping
 
 lo2 .AriXEKAL liESOUliCES. 
 
 out on till' liglit bank of tliu ^liddlt- Baiaclidis Biuuk, on the- 
 south 8i(lc of St. Geoigt'V Bay. lu liis ivpuit ^Ir. Jukt-s savs : — 
 '' There is no (loul)t of tlieiv liriiig mon- ln'ils in tlii^. vicinity, 
 and of the inobability of all the icntic (if this Inw district being 
 occupied liy a jn-oductivi- cr>al-tii-id.'" FiMin lair data Mr. Jidces 
 calculated the extent of this small |i(irtiou of the inal-basin of 
 Xewfoumlland at about :2.j miles wide liy 10 miles in len_L;lli. 
 
 Mr. Murray, formerly Director of the Geolo<^ical Survey, alter 
 a careful exploration of this region, mapped it out, and calculated 
 that the ]ilau of one seam tliere drawn as three feet in tliickness, 
 and occu])ying an area of 38 s(|uare miles, rontaius .")4,720,O0O 
 chaldrons of coal, a vei-y considerable iinitinn of whieli he lie- 
 lieved may be found witliin workalde depths. 
 
 MK. HOWI.KY'S COAT. SKAMS. 
 
 In 1873, another seaui of coal was disco\ered by Mr. J. V. 
 Howley, F. (jT. S., at present Directoi' of the (_n-ological Survey, 
 on Robinson's Brook, al>oru nine miles from its moutli, its thick- 
 ne.s.s being four feet. It is a very liituniinous caking coal, emitting 
 much gas rmder combustion, ami 1 aiming freely. A second seam 
 occurs in the .same section, one foot five inches in thickness. The 
 three seams give a tliickness of eight feet of coal. None of these 
 seams has yet been woi-ked ; but the advent of the railway will 
 pioneer the way for their develoiiiueut. In 1S91 the im])ortation 
 of coal, maiidv from ("a]ie Ih-eton, amouideil to 97,327 tons, 
 A^alue $'243,310. A\'ere the coal mines in St. (leorge's Bay 
 Avorked, there is no reason ^^hy the whole of this large con- 
 sumption shciuld not Ix' supidied froui these local depo.sits. Its 
 transportation by the i-ailway or l)v sea Avould Ije easy, and the 
 price to consumers woulil no doubt be lowered. The money now 
 sent out of tlie country would lie emjdoyed in 2>;wing the wages 
 of miners, and carrying on the mining ojierations : and thus a 
 great im2)ulse would be given to' trade in all its branches. The 
 coal requiied for working the mines and operating the railway 
 could be su2iplied fnim this soiu'ce at a reduced cost.
 
 :mi\ki;ai. kksoiiices. 
 
 i:j3 
 
 I.ATKNT SLJtVKV. 
 
 Ill 188!J, a uinrr tlmrnugli cxaiiiinatidu ot'lliis ccal ili>tiirl was 
 oanii-il out liy llic stall' of tin- Cu-ologicnl Siu-vt-y. Tliu result 
 is tlius (lescrilx-(l hy Mi-. Huwk'v : — " Si-veial soaius of i^ood coal 
 were found wliidi wvw uucovi-n-d at tlicii- outcroits, and liaccd 
 for sonic distance, so as to obtain accurate and n-liaMe mea>ui-e- 
 nieiits, and good average specimens of tlie i[uality of llie mineral. 
 Referring to tlie rejioit of tliat year it sliows that altogether four- 
 teen seaiiis of coal, of a varying thickness, from a few inclies up 
 to six feet weic uncovered on one small 1 nook ; three .-eam- on 
 another, two miles distant, and four small seams on a lidrd lirook, 
 -till farther ea.-t ward some two anil a half miles. . . . ''These 
 witli some smaller ones aggregate a thickness of 27 feet of coal in 
 the section which is repeated by being brought again to the siir- 
 fa3e on tlie other side of the synclinal trough. There is leason to 
 believe that the-e do not represent all the seams in this section. 
 
 "In the central carlioniferous trough which wa- llie object of 
 special investigation la>l season, several seams of coal were found 
 in the region of the (Jraiul Lake, occupying another long, narrow 
 synclinal trough. Two sections cross this trough, ami at two 
 miles distant from each other on tlie strike, were measured with 
 the result that, in the first one, .sixteen outcrops of coal were ob- 
 served, and in tlie secoml, twenty-eight outcioiKs. Tliese are not 
 separate and distinct seams, Imt the same seams repeated by tlie 
 doubling up of tlie strata. Xone of the seams are large ; only 
 a few averaging three feet of coal each. Many of the smaller 
 seams of good coal are so close together, being divided only liy 
 five or six feet of loose shaly .strata, and all in vertical position,— 
 that I believe several of tliese could be worked as (me seam by 
 a single <lrift along the strike. All the coal as yet disco\ered in 
 this island is of the soft bituminous variety ; some of it ap- 
 proaches cannel coal.''
 
 CHAPTKR VI. 
 THE CROWN LANDS' ACTS. 
 
 COXSOI.IDATKD 1891. 
 
 The law wliirli n'gnlatos IIk' sale or loasing of ( 'i-owii Lands, 
 foi' a<,n-icultuval, liimlH'riiig or iniiiiiii; i)Ui'i)os(.'s, is of the mo.st 
 lilicral cliaractcr, and well calrnlatcil 1o proinoti' the settlement 
 .of tlie country and the devcloimu'ut of its natural resources. 
 
 The Crown Lands Acts, Consolidated 1891, (a copy of which 
 may he olttained l)y apjjlication at the office of the Surveyor 
 • General) amend all former Land Acts, and consolidate all former 
 statements I'elatinj^r to Crown Lands into one elahorate and com- 
 ]iendious enartnicnt. 
 
 TOAVNSHir SI:RVKYS. 
 
 Thest' Acts first provide lor tlic laying olf of Crown Lands as 
 fai' as practicalile, in (niadiilaleral townships, containing thirty- 
 six sections of one mile s(piai(' each. Each section is to be 
 divided into ([uarter seriions of l(jO acres. Provision is ahso 
 made for grants of a half-quarter section, or eighty acres, and of 
 a ijuarter-(|nartei' section, or forty acres. 
 
 OKBIN AKY rURCHASK AXD SALK OF I.AND. 
 
 Section 12th ])rovides that unapju'opriated Crown Lands, the 
 surveys of which have liccn duly made, shall be ojien for pur- 
 . chase, in entire sub-di vision of sections, or in lots, at an Tipset 
 ]trice to be tixed by the ( iovernoi' in Council, according to the 
 location and value of such lands, the upset })rice in no case to be 
 less than thirty cents per acre. Every such grant to be upon the 
 condition that the grantee shall, within five years from the date 
 of the grant, buna fide clear and rultivate ten aci-es for every one 
 hundi'ed acres comprised in the grant, and in the same proportion 
 for any less (piantHy.
 
 CKOAVN [>AN1)S. 135 
 
 I.ICEXSKS OF OCClirATION OF CROWN LAND. 
 
 Tiic IStli Stctiou pi'ovidcs lui' the issue of licenses of occupa- 
 -liuu of uiuijipropriated Crown Land, on payment of a fee of five 
 -dolliirs for eaeli one liumlreil and sixty acres, and for not more 
 than (1,400 acres, suhject to tlie condition that tlie licensee shall, 
 ^vitliin two years, settle upon tlie land one family for eacli 160 
 .acres, and for a period of live years cause to he cleai'ed at least; 
 two acres per year for every 100 acres so licensed, and continue 
 -the same under cultivation, and continue the same families 
 thereon, or others in lieu thereof, for a period of ten years from 
 the exiiiivitiun of tlie said five years ; u]>on th / performance of 
 which conditions the licensee shall be entitled to a grant in fee 
 ,of the said land. 
 
 HCENSKS KNTITI.ING TO GRANTS. 
 
 The IGtli section provides for the issue of licenses of occupation 
 of areas of 5,000 acres, which licenses shall entitle the hohler to 
 .grants in fee on performance of the following terms and condi- 
 tions : that the holder of the license shall, within two years from 
 the date of the license, clear an<l have ready i'or crop at least one 
 per cent, of the area comprised in the license ; within three years 
 .two per cent. ; within four years, foiu- per cent. ; within five 
 years, seven ])er cent. ; within six years, ten jier cent. ; within 
 .seven years, thirteen per cent. ; within eight years, sixteen per 
 cent. ; within nine years, twenty per cent. ; \\ithin ten years, 
 .twenty-five per cent. ; and shall settle upon the land at least one 
 family for CAcry 320 aci'es. 
 
 FIFTY ACKKS' LICENSES. 
 
 The 17th section provides for the issue of licenses of occupation 
 i'or t|uantilies not exceeding lifty acres, entitling to a grant in 
 fee persons who shall continuously occnpy for five years anil 
 shall have culti\-ated within that period two acres oi the said 
 land. 
 
 WATER rOAV'ER LEASES. 
 The 18th section provides for leasing the water power of lakes 
 and rivers, guarded with conditions for preventing the water 
 lieing reduced helow certain levels or being rendered noxious or 
 deleterious.
 
 136 CROWN LANDS. 
 
 LICKXSK FOK FISH-BRKKDIXG. 
 
 T]ie lOtli !<eftioii iiroviiles for leasing for a ti'im oi' years the- 
 use of any pond or river, and sucli quantity of land ailjoining as- 
 jiiay be necessary for such 2)uri)Ose8, suliject to such terms and 
 conditions as may be deemed necessary. 
 
 HOMESTEAD LAW— (36tli VICTORIA.) 
 
 Sections 24 to 48, inclusive, provide for Homestead Estates 
 and Homestead rights. Any person who shall settle on any of 
 the wilderness lauds of the colony and cultivate and improve 
 the same, and erect a (hvelling-house thereon, shall lie entitled 
 to an estate of homestead therein not exceeing twenty acres, and 
 xuch homestead, and all right and title therein, shall l>e exempt 
 from attachment, le\y, or execution, sale for the payment of his 
 tlebts or othei- purposes, and from the laws of conveyance, dis- 
 tribution, anil devise or bequest, except as further provided in 
 
 the Act. 
 
 GRAXT IN FEE FOR HOMESTEAD. 
 
 Any head of a family, or male of tlu' age of eighteen, may, 
 hy paying a fee of S'lO, obtain a location ticket for any ([uantity 
 not exceeding one humlred and sixty acres for the purpose of 
 securing a homestead right. To secure a grant in fee of such 
 homestead, the holder of the location ticket must commence 
 clearing within six months after its date ; must build a house tit 
 for habitation of not less dimensions than twenty feet by sixteen, 
 iind clear and cultivate not less than three acres within two 
 years, six acres within three years, and continuously cultivate 
 all the land cleared during sucli three years, and reside con- 
 tinuously upon such land for the term of three years next suc- 
 ceeding such date, and thence up to the issue of the grai^t. 
 
 A person holding a location ticket for a homestead right shall 
 be entitled, on payment of a fee of ten dollars, to receive a license 
 to occupy an adjoining one hundred and sixty acres, or less, 
 quantity of Crown land then unreclaimed ; and, at tlie expira- 
 tion of the period of three years, he shall be entitled to a grant 
 of tlie said land so licensed at the Government ]iriiH' of thiity 
 cents an acre.
 
 n;i»v.x LAN! IS. 1.37 
 
 IM3IIGKANTS IX C031MI NITIKS. 
 
 Tlic 40tli st'ctimi makes provision for tlie M'ttlfiuuiit of iiuiui- 
 grauts in coiiniiuuitie.s, ami of lionic-twul settlers in groups of 
 not less tlian twenty families, should sudi desire to st.4tle to- 
 gether ill liamlets or villa<;es. In snch cases the Governor in 
 Council may, at discretion, vary the requii'ements as to rtsi- 
 dence, but not as to cultivation of each separate quarter section 
 as a homestead. 
 
 TIMBEK AND TIMBKK LANDS. 
 
 Sections 54 to 65, inclusive, regulate the lea.sing of tiniLer 
 lands, aul)ject to such reservations as are necessary for tlie pur- 
 poses of the fisheries. 
 
 LICENSES TO CUT TIMBER. 
 
 After one month's notice in the Roijnl (j(c:i-ftc the Governor in 
 Council may grant licenses to cut timl)er on the ungranted 
 Crown lands for a period not exceeding twenty-one years ; the 
 lessee to erect a saw-mill or mills of a certain caj^acity, and com- 
 mence work within two years from the date of said license ; 
 also to pay, ill addition to the Ixuius, an annual ground-rent of 
 two dollars 2)er stpiare mile, and further, a royalty at the rate of 
 fifty cents per 1,000 feet, board measure, on the trees cut down. 
 For the other conditions attached to timber licenses the Acti 
 itself must be consulted. 
 
 PAPER PULP ACT. 
 
 The Governor in Council may, after one montlfs notice in the 
 Royal (rKrcettc, grant licenses to cut timber on ungranted Crown 
 lands, in extent not less than five or more than one hundred and 
 fifty square miles, which shall be in one parcel or block, for the 
 jnirpose of manufacturing paper or jiaper pulp, for a period not 
 exceeding ninety-nine years, and containing the following con- 
 ditions : The licensee, on the issue of his license, to pay at the 
 rate of twenty dollars for each sf[uare mile of land included in 
 liis license : and, at the end of twenty-five years of the said term, 
 a further sum at the rate of twenty dollars for each square mile ; 
 and, at the end of fifty years a similar sum, and at the end of
 
 I.jS crdwx lands. 
 
 sev(-'iity-livc wars a t'lutlier saiu of iIil' saiuf aniouiit for each 
 ,s([uari' mile'. Also, tlic licfiHL'e shall, witliiu five years al'ter the 
 (late o[ his li(_v'iise, l'X]>l'1ii1 a smu of nut less than ^1,000 for eacli 
 sciuare mile on the ei-eetiou of l>uil(lin<>'s and machiuery for ^aitl 
 manufaeture, said exj>en litnre to commence within two years 
 of the date of license. See the Act itself for other ciMiditions. 
 
 MINKRAL, LAND. 
 
 "When any p,'rs(jn shall discover a vein, lode or depo-it of 
 mineral, and desires to ohtain a lease, lie shall mark the land by 
 foiii- lioundary posts or cairns, the extent of enclosed land not to 
 exceed one s(piaiv mile, and shall, a-i soon as possible, apply to 
 the Snrveyor ( reneral for a license, and deposit a lee of twenty 
 dollars ; the first notice Hied to give in-iority of claim. The first 
 license shall be i'or a year ; a payment of thirty dollars shall 
 entitle to a liceir>e for another year ; and a further sum of fifty 
 <lollars to an extension for another year. During the second 
 year the licensee must expend the sum of two hundred dollars, 
 or its et[uivalent in labour, in exploring and developing the 
 minerals in the saiil mining location ; during the third year four 
 hundred dollars must be spent in further development. At any 
 time during the continuance of said license, oi' renewals thereof, 
 the lii'eiisee may apply for a lease of the location, de2)0siting with 
 ihe Sui'veyoi- (ieneral the sum of fifty dollars, when the Gover- 
 nor in Council may issue a mining lease and a lease of fifty 
 acres of unoccui)ied surface land within such mining location^ 
 for the term of five years from the date of application therefoi'. 
 Ijut such lease shall lie subject to the condition that the lessee 
 .shall expen<l in and about the working of such nniies and nune- 
 rals, diu'ing each of the first four jears from the date of the 
 lease, the sum of eight hundred dollars, and during the fifth 
 year two thousand eight hundi'e(l dollars. 
 
 GOLD. 
 
 Sub-se'.'!ions of Section Tlsf ]irovide that licenses of search for 
 gold over an aica not exceeding one-half sipiare mile, may be 
 issued foi' a pericjd of one year on payment of a fee of ^25 ; re-
 
 CIIOWX LANDS. 139" 
 
 lu'walili' for auotlier yi-ai- on payment of a fee of S'')0. Leases to 
 iiiiue ami work gold, over an area not exceeiling one-(|narter of 
 a sijiiare mile may be issneil for a ])erio(l of 21 year.-, sulijcrt tn a 
 Iloyalty of 3 per rent, on the gold mined. 
 
 AGKICUI.TUllAL ACT- .->-J VICTOKIA. 
 
 This Act i)rovide.s for the ai>i)ointment, hiennially, of a Boanl 
 of Agriculture of nine jjersons, nominated hy the (Juvernoriu 
 Couneil, of whom the Surveyor Geneiul is to he one. This 
 Boaid is to promote the formation of agricultural societies 
 throughout the Colony ; to acquii'e and ditfusc infoiiiiation 
 about the rei[uiremeuts of agricultuiv ; to introduce improved 
 hreeils of animals, new varieties of grain seeils, ])lants, etc.; to 
 supervise and conduct a Stock or Model Fai'in ; to hold exhibi- 
 tions of agricultui'al ]>roducts, animals and domestic manufac- 
 tures, etc. The sum of $?5,000 per annum is apj)ropriated for 
 the use of this Boaid. An Agricultural Society may be formed 
 in any locality when 25 persons lieconie members, each jjaying 
 not less than SI annually to the funds thereof; eaidi societv is 
 entitled to draw from the grant to the Central Board an amount 
 equal to double the amount of the subscriptions of the nu-mbers 
 so raised and paid. 
 
 SHKEP FARMING. 
 
 The 104th section provides for granting licenses of occupation 
 upon ungranted Crown Lands for the purpose of shee})-i'arming 
 to the extent of three square miles for each license (such licenses 
 not to exceed ten in number), for a period of ten years, subject 
 to such tei'uis ami conditions as the Governor in Council mav 
 determine. The lessee will become entitled to a grant in fee 
 of the land so licensed, jirovided he maintains on the land so 
 licensed a Hock of at least 500 sheep for a period t)f ten consecu- 
 tive years. An oft'er is made of a bounty of .S'4G0 to be paid to 
 the first two persons or companies, nr to any one of them, who- 
 shall actually establish, stock with 500 sheep, and work sheep- 
 i'ju'ms in the island, in accordance with the terms ol' tlie Act.
 
 chaptj:r VII. 
 
 THE FISHERIES. 
 
 The tislieries of Ncwfouudlauil cmistituU' the graiul staple in- 
 <lu>tr\' of the couutiy. The gathering in of tlie sea-liarvest ha^ 
 been and will long continue to he the chief employment of its 
 jieople. On the exj^ort of the p)ro(lucts of the fi.sheries the trade 
 of tlie colony mainly depends. Other induslries are developing 
 a.s years roll on ; luit as yet thest- do not compare with the tisli- 
 ing interests. Tliis appears very clearly tiom the census returns 
 of 1891 which show that out of a po])ulatiun of 202,000 thei'e are 
 54,775 engaged in catching and curing fish ; while 825 aie en- 
 gaged in lumbering ; 1,258 in mining and 1,058 in factories and 
 Avorkshops, and 8,Gfi8 in otliei- employments. The products of 
 till' fisheries constitute about four-fifths of the entire e.xjjorts. 
 AVKKA(}K EXPORT OF FI.SHERY PRODUCTS. 
 
 The following tal)le comjiiled from the Customs' Returns for 
 the year 1891, the latest reliable returns which are available, 
 >sliows tlie value of the exports of fishery i)ro(lucts for that year : 
 
 Codfish, (dried) $4,032,201 
 
 " (boneless) 20,000 
 
 "• (green) 7,240 
 
 Oil, (cod) • 227,892 
 
 " (cod-liver) 3,798 
 
 " (Herring) 360 
 
 " (Seal) 414,584 
 
 " (Wliale) 3,600 
 
 Salmon (Pickled) 78,553 
 
 (Preserved) 1,758 
 
 Skins (Seal) 364,854 
 
 Sounds and Tongues . . . . 460 
 
 Loljsters 429,681 
 
 H.-rring (Frozen 21,539 
 
 " "(Pickled) 188,905 
 
 Total . . . $-5,794,925
 
 THE FISHERIES. 141 
 
 KXPORTEU FROM I.AIJKADOR. 
 
 'Co.Ifi^li (Dried) ^832,324 
 
 Heiriiig 12,ir)3 
 
 .Salmon 13,034 
 
 Cod Oil r),852 
 
 Seal Oil 1,242 
 
 .Sealskins 127 
 
 Tiv.ut 228 
 
 .(hvL-nHsli 806 
 
 Total . . . -^865,766 
 Total ('>:|)i)rts lislu'rv ]>roilucts IVom Niid. 
 
 and Lal.radoi- ,^^(;,GG0,691 
 
 The foregoing may lie regarded as fairly representing the mean 
 annual yield of the tishcries in recent yeais. AVhen to this we 
 add the value of Ihe tish con.sumed hy the people in the country, 
 estimated at .$'400,000, we obtain ^7,060,691 a.s the average an- 
 nual value of the whole fisheries of the country. 
 lANADIAN FISHERIES. 
 
 In 1891, the total value of the Canadian fisheries, including 
 the salt water, lake and I'iver fisheries, was -$'18,978,078. 
 
 KINDS OF FISHES, 
 
 The iirinci])al commercial food fishes taken in Newfoundland 
 waters are the cod, the heia-ing, the salmon and the lol).?ter. The 
 seals are ta'ken amid the ice-fields off the north-eastern shore of 
 the island,, and also in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, off the south- 
 western and western coasts. 
 
 NUMBERS OF FISHERMEN. 
 
 The cod, salmon, herring and lobster fisheries are prosecuted 
 on the shores and in the hays of the island ; the cod fishery i.s 
 .also carried on upon the Great Bank and on the coast of Labra- 
 dor. The number of men engaged in the bank fishery in 1891 
 was 3,269, hut there has been a decrease in the numlier of men 
 and vessels employed since that date. In 1891, 199 vessels, with 
 :a tonnage af 11,520 tons, took part in the bank fishery. The
 
 142 THE FISTIKIHES. 
 
 t)tal numliei' nf vt'>rels eiiiiilciVL'il din'ctly in tlic fi^lierios iii; 
 1891 M-as l,24i' ; tlicir tonnage, ."■)0,04l ton.^. Tlie nmnVii.'r of 
 vessels engageil in the Labiador tislieiy that yeav was 859, with 
 a tonnage *of 33,634. In the lobster factories the number of men 
 employed thatjyear \\as 3,427 ami 1,380 women. Twenty-two 
 stenn vessels took part in the seal tishery of 1893 ; their creAVs 
 nuniliered 4,962 men. Tliose wlio engage in tlie seal hsliery,- 
 which commences Mairli lOtli, afterwaids are employed in the 
 otlier fislieries during the remainder of the year. 
 
 COD FISHEEV. 
 
 The cod fislieries of Newfoundland greatly exceed those of any 
 otlier country in the world. The annual average expoit of cod 
 is about 1,350,000 (piintals of 112 lbs. weight. The Dominion 
 of Canada exjjorts an average of 450,000 quintals, and Norway 
 about 751,000 quintals. The whole Norwegian catch averages 
 50,000,000 codfish. The aggregate annual catch of cdd in North 
 American waters, (including the fisheries on flie 1 tanks), by 
 French, American, Canadian and Newfoundland fishermen, is 
 estimated at 3,700,000 ([uintals. The nundter ol' coilfish cap- 
 tured to make up this weight of dried fish, allo-wing fifty to a 
 ({Uintal, would be 18."),000,00U. This enormous anniial draft on- 
 these extensive fisliing grounds has lieeu going on iVir centuries- 
 without exhausting the supply, so prolific ai'e the codfish in 
 these waters. 
 
 EVOLUTION OF THIO COI> FIS^HKKY. 
 
 For nearly four hirndred yeai's this fishery has lieen i)rosecntcd.- 
 It ])egan a few years after Cabot's discoveries in 1497. The 
 Bas(|ue, Normandy and Brittany fishermen led the way, and for 
 a considerable time had these newly-discovered coil-kingdoms to 
 tlieniselve.-. In the name Port-aux-Basque, the westei-n tei'minus 
 of the new line of railway, and Harbour Bieton, these fishermen 
 have left relics of themselves in Newfoundland ; while the island 
 of Ca^ie Bieton obtaint'd its name lidui these anciiMit mariners. 
 The English Avere at this time maiidy occupied with a lucrative 
 fishery on the coasts of Iceland ; and though Newfoundland waS'
 
 THE FISHERIES. 14o' 
 
 <liscovei'e(l by tlieii- own explorers, tliey at lirst took no pait in 
 tl)e prosecution of its ricli tislicries. Tlieiv i^ a cuiidiis li-tter 
 preserved in " Purclias's Pilgrims." Tlie writer was a certain 
 John Rut, master of an English vessel Avhicli, liy some chance, 
 fnuml its way to the Harhour of St. John's, wlieri- he addressed 
 this letter to King Henry VIII. It liears tlie (hUc of August 
 3rd, 1.127. Among other things tlie Avriter inf'oi-nieil His Majesty 
 tliat he found in the Harbour of St. JnhiTs eleven vessels from 
 Normandy, one from Brittany and two from Portugal, all en- 
 gage;! in fishing, but no English vessels, which honest John 
 considered a shame, seeing that the island belonged to England, 
 and that other nationalities were profiting liy these valuable 
 fisheries. "Whether the hint thus conveyed had any etfect or 
 not, we tind that a dozen years later, A^essels from London, 
 Bristol, Bideford, and Barnsta])le were engaged in lishing on the 
 Banks of Newfoundland. In 1578 fifty English vessels were en- 
 gaged. in the fi.shery on the Banks or along the .shores ; and when 
 Sir Humi)hrey C4illiert arrived in 1.583, he found thirty-six .ships 
 in St. John's Harbour of which .sixteen were English. Even at 
 that early pei'iod, so well were the extent and value of these 
 fisheries understood, tliat Lord Bacon declared " they contained 
 richer treasures than the mines of Mexico and Peru"" — a i-emark 
 ■which time has amjily verified. 
 
 KNGI.ISH FISHKKMEN. 
 
 The merchants and traders of the western countie.-- of England 
 speedily discovered the importance of the Ne\\foundland fish- 
 eries, and embarked exten.sively in their prosecution. They 
 established fishing stations along the eastei-n coa.st of the island, 
 sending out large numbers of tishernien in the spring who re- 
 turned at the close of each season. AVhen Captain Whitliourne 
 arrived in 161."), he found 170 English \-essels emiiloyed in fish- 
 ing ; and in 1626 Devon.sliire alone sent loO vessels to engage 
 in this industry. The French too, had greatly extended their 
 iishing ojierations, and founded a settlement named Plaisance oi> 
 the shore of Placentia Bav. Permanent settlements of English
 
 144 THE FISHERIES. 
 
 l)L'gaii to take root in various liarboui's on the eastern and south- 
 ern shores, ami these continued to grow in spite of all ditticulties 
 and discouragements. 
 
 STRUOGI.E OF KESIUEXT FISHERMEN. 
 
 Tlien began the long and melancholy struggle, described in 
 the Historical Sketch, lietween "the mercliant a<lventurer.s" who 
 wanted to hold a monopcjly of the fisheries and prevent a set- 
 tlement of the island, and tlie constantly increasing resident 
 pojjulation, which after a century and a lialf terminated in 
 a complete triumph for the latter. So early as 1698, no le.ss 
 than 265,198 (piintals of dried codfish were exixirted, nearly half 
 of -wiiich (juantity was taken by tlie resident population. The 
 cod and other fisheries conlinued to ex])and and extended to 
 Labradoi'. Tlie population increased from year to year, and 
 a corresponding increase in the catcli of fish took place. In 1764 
 the resident population was 13,112, and the (piantity of codfish 
 exported was 470,118 (piintals. In 1789, the population was 
 19,106 ; tlie export of cod 649,092. In 181."), for the first tinier, 
 the export exceeded a million (piintals. The following table 
 s]iow.s how the export has fluctuated siuc(' that date, sometimes 
 exceeding a million and a half (piintals, and occasionally falling 
 IicIdw a million : — 
 
 Ye;u-. Qtls. exported. 
 
 1815 1,086,266 
 
 1825 973,464 
 
 1835 712,588 
 
 1845 1,000,233 
 
 1850 1,089,182 
 
 1854 774,117 
 
 1860 1,379,804 
 
 1863 1,012,321 
 
 1870 . ■. . . . 1,164,535 
 
 1872 1,221,156 
 
 1873 .. . . 1,369,205 
 
 1874 . . . 1,609,724
 
 THK FISHEKIES. 14.") 
 
 IBTf) 1,136,235 
 
 1876 1,364,068 
 
 1877 1,029,064 
 
 1878 1,074,646 
 
 1879 1,387,770 
 
 1880 1,583,132 
 
 1881 1,463,439 
 
 1882 1,231,607 
 
 1883 1,642,037 
 
 1884 1,397,637 
 
 1885 1,284,710 
 
 1886 1,344,180 
 
 1887 1,080,024 
 
 1888 1,175,720 
 
 1889 1,076,507 
 
 1890 1,040,916 ■ 
 
 1891 1,244,834 
 
 1892 (Returns iiupfi-fect ; some destroyed 
 
 in great tire.) 
 
 1893 (Retunis not yet published.) 
 
 INFEKENCES. 
 
 The foregoing figures clearly indicate that the cod fishery, the 
 .ffrand staple industry of Xewfoimdland, is declining. Since 
 1825 the i)opulation has considerably more than trebled, so that 
 there are three times as many hand.s engaged in taking fish from 
 the ^\•ater now as hi the year named, and three times as many 
 iiKjuths to be fed. Moreover, the apparatus for taking fish is 
 vastly inci-easi-d and tar more etlicieiit than ibianerlv. Cod- 
 traps, huge seines, nets, ludtows, jiggers, have all been intro- 
 duced in modern days, and the primitive hook-and-line of earlier 
 times is u-ed by a comparatively small number of fishermen. 
 But -w ith all these, the catch has not, increa-ed ; and though fresli 
 fidiiug grounds have b-cn found on Labrador and (tur fishermen 
 liave been extending their oi)jration- tarther and firther noi'th, 
 .on that stoi'm-b,'aten coast, yeai' after year, yet the whole catch of
 
 14G 'J'HE FISHEUIE?;. 
 
 cod docs not exceed that of 30 or 40 years ago. This is a signal' 
 of " rocks ahead." The supply even of tlie prolific cod is falling 
 off. There are far fewen- cod in the waters than formerly, as all 
 the older fishermen declare. The most serioiis signs of exhaus- 
 tion are in tlie shore fishery, though even ou tlie Banks there are 
 unfavourable indications, in recent years. In some of the bays 
 where formerly cod were abundant the (juantity now taken is 
 very small, and the fishermen whose fathers u-ed to fill their 
 boats with the n(jl)le coil within sight of their own doors, have 
 now, with great increase of toil and hardshijis, to seareli fur them 
 along the grim shores of Labi-ailoi-. 
 
 CAUSES OF DECLINE IN COD FISHEKV. 
 
 The causes of this decline are not ditticult to discovei'. Eeek- 
 less and destructive modes of fishing, unrestrained by any legal 
 enactments, or proper rules and regulations, have gone on for 
 generations. Lnmature fish, in countless myriads, have been 
 destroyed before "repeating the story of their liirth." Imple- 
 ments of a deadly and destruetive nature have been used — some 
 of these taking the gravid nu)ther-tish in vast numbers and 
 others, such as nets with very small meshes, have recklessly de- 
 stroyed the young fish before reaching their reproductive age,, 
 and at a time when they are almost useless as articles of food. 
 The observance of "close seasons,"" when the tish are spawning, 
 was neglected. There was no minister or department of tisheries 
 charged with the duty of sujiervision, and of establishing and 
 enforcing wise rules and regulatitais. Laws wei-e passed by nu;n 
 who were groping in the dark, being utterly unacquainted \\ith 
 fish-life, in any scientific sense, and such laws soon beranu- merely 
 dead letters, no provision for enforcement Ijeiug ma'le. 
 
 REMEDIES APPLIED. 
 
 It is not wonderful to find that under such a system, the fish- 
 eries of cod, herring, salmon and lobsters have been showing 
 alarming signs of decline, and in some places of utter exhaustion. 
 Five years ago the remedy was a])plied, and not a moment too- 
 soon. A Fisheries Commission was api)ointed, and this became
 
 THE FISIlEliTES. 147 
 
 ;a Department of Fislierii's in 1893. At the head of it i.s a Com- 
 missioner of Fisheries, and a skill'nl scic'iititic Superintendent of 
 Fisheries in charge of the practical work. Well-considered rule.s 
 .and regulations, liaving legislative sanction, designed for the 
 jji-otection and re.storation of tlie fisheries, are now strictly en- 
 forced. Farther on in this volume an account of the means 
 adopted to secure tliese ends will he given. It may he fairly 
 anticipated that, under tliis cnliglitened plan, not only will the 
 pre>ent decay of the fisheries be arrested, hut that in due time, 
 the exhausted \\aters will he rejdenished, and former abundance 
 ii'estored. The methods of curing fish of all kinds, and preparing 
 .andjiacking them foi market, will be impioved, and eonsequ-nit- 
 ly tlu' value of the various proilucts enhanced. 
 
 THE FUTURE OF THE COD FISHERY. 
 
 Thus, under the better regulations now introduce<l, the Xew- 
 foundland fisheries have a bi-jghti'r future befoi-e them and will 
 become incieasingly a source of wealth to the country. The 
 demand for our noble codfish is not likely to fall ofi". Catholic 
 .countries alone, in connection with the sea-ou of Lent and the 
 Aveekly fast on Fridays, s2)end annually nearly a million sterling 
 ■in the purchase of cod taken in North Ameiican seas. So far 
 from declining in value, the jjrice of Newfoundland cod has ail- 
 ■vanced from fifty to seventy-five ])er cent, within the last (juarter 
 <jf a century. While there is a difiiculty, very often, in finding 
 a market for English manufiictured goods, the demand fcu" cod 
 never fails ; and under the new and im2)roved methods of cure 
 and lacking, as in the article known as "lioneless codfish," its 
 use is ra})idly extending, while every portion of the fish is now 
 turned to some purpose of 2)ractical utility. The impro^■ed 
 method of manufacturing cod-liver oil has greatly enhanced its 
 value in a medicinal point of view. The finest glue is made 
 from the skin of the cod ; and from the bones and head a valu- 
 alile fertilizei'. Railways, in cod-consuming countries such as 
 Brazil, Spain and the Mediterranean coinitries, have cheapened 
 its transport into their interior, and increased its consumption ;
 
 14vS THE l-JSHKiJIES. 
 
 and a- tlic railway systi^iu cxte'iuls tlie demand is likely to grow.- 
 To tilt' iulialntants of warm enuntries the diieil vod i'uvnislK'.s 
 a i)alatalile article of food, and many of them regartl it as indis- 
 pensalile. Since the days of Cervantes and Don Quixote, the 
 ilried cod, nnder the nld l!a>([Ur name of 6«crrt/((o or nim(UU<i has 
 lieen in use, and i.- now more appreciated than ever. Thus a 
 cod-pi'oducing country, like Newfoundland, possesses in tliis iu- 
 dustrv, a .source of pvo>pi-rity that can never fail, and which the 
 fluctuations of trade, tn- the raprice.s of fashion cannot seriously 
 affect. Let Xewfouudland only cherish and develope her great- 
 coil fishery, and in it her peojije have a mainstay that will ever 
 ])rove a source of national wealth. 
 
 THE AKCTIC CIJRKKNT LIVING SLIMK IT CAIililKS. 
 
 There is another consideration which empha.sizes the .secvuity 
 and permanence of this cod fishery. The Arctic Current, which 
 washes the .shores of Lahrador and Newfoundland, is laden with 
 the food on which the commercial fishes live and thrive, and 
 l)rings with it a ne\er-failing sui)ply for their sustenance. 80 
 far from being unfavourahle to tlie production of life, the Arctic 
 .seas and the great iiver> which they send forth ai'e swarming 
 with minute forms of life, constituting, in many places, " a living 
 mass, a vast ocean of living slime."' Swarms of minute crusta- 
 ceans, annelids and mollusca feed on this " .slime," and in their 
 turn become the tooil c>f larger marine animals, even up to the 
 giant whale. Curiously I'nough this ocean .slime is most abun- 
 dant in the coldest waters, and esjjecially in the neighbourhood 
 of ice-fields and ice-bergs. Thus, then, the great ice-laden "river 
 in the ocean" which rushes out of Baffin's Bay, carrying on its 
 bo.som myriads of ice-bergs, and washing the shores of Lal)rador 
 and Newfoundland, is swarming with the mim;te forms of marine 
 life, from the diatom to the minute cru.stacean, and the crab and 
 prawn, together with the molluscous animals and starfish in vast 
 profusion, which contribute to the support of the great schools of 
 cod which also find tlieir home there. Very wonderful are these 
 great processes of nature. These vast battalions of ice-bergs, the
 
 THE FISPIKItfES. 149 ' 
 
 terror of mariners, si.iiliii<i majestiailly pa-t these sliores, ami 
 often grouudiiig along Lal)iad()r and in tlie 1>ays of Xewfound- 
 land — bring with tlieia tlie " slinie-iood" on whicli the almost 
 microscopic crustaceans live. These in tuin furnish food for tlio. 
 caplin, the squid and the hciiing whicli, with multitudes of other 
 forms, are devoured liy tlit- cod. Wlicu tin- end is assimilated 
 by man, this great circle of nature i> complete. So long then as 
 the Arctic cuirent flows the existence of the cod-tishery of New- 
 foundland is assured. 
 
 For the natural history of the cod, its distribution, movements, 
 .spawning, modes of its capture ami cure, etc., the reader is re- 
 ferred to " Hatton and Harvey's Newfoundland — the 01de>t 
 British Colony." 
 
 THK SKAL FISHEKV. 
 
 Next to the i-od tishery tlie most valuable of tlie Newfoundland 
 fi.sheries is that of the seal. While the cod fi.shery has been pro- 
 secuted for almost four hundred years, the seal tishery is not 
 more than ninety years old. It would aii[)ear tliat the attention 
 of the people was so aljsorljed in capturing and curing cod that 
 they neglected the oleaginous treasures which the vast ice-fields 
 every year brought within their reach ; and the great seal-herds, 
 were left to bring forth their young amid the icy solitudes, un- 
 disturbed by the murderons gun, club and knife of tlie .seal 
 hunter. But this paradisaical condition of the seal was not to 
 la.st forever. The day at length came when the hunters forced 
 their way through the crystal I'amparts by which nature had so 
 long guarded these heli)les.s innocents. The nursery of countless 
 mother seals was ti-ansfornied into a slaughterhouse, red with the 
 blood of their murdered darlings, slain in their icy cradles ; and 
 it became a .scene of horror and deatli. Such is the seal hunt of 
 to-day, involving each year a vast destruction of old and young- 
 seal life for the benefit of man. 
 
 EVOLUTION OF THE SEAL FISHERY. 
 
 The value of the seal for human nses and the right method of 
 capturing it in these regions were slowly learnul. At first, seals
 
 150 THE FISHERIKS. 
 
 were taken iu nets, Avliich were placeil between llie shore and 
 some islaml m- roek iit uu great distance. In their luigratorv 
 movements, in tlie early part ot" winter, tlie seals move south 
 along the shore ; and hy means of nets, in these narrow pas- 
 sages, a certain niunljer were captured. The next step was 
 shooting them IVmii large boats, amid the ice-Hoes. These Ijoats 
 sailed aliout the middle of Api-il, after the ice liail broken up ; 
 and, as at that date tiie yonng seals had left their icy cradles and 
 taken to tlie water, only a few could be reached by the gnns ot" 
 the huntei-s. As late as 1795 the Mhole catch of seals only 
 amounted to OjOOO per annum. 
 
 SKALING SCHOONEKS. 
 
 At length an im[iortant step in advance was taken liy fitting 
 
 . out small schooners of from thirty to fifty tons, and cavryiiig 
 from twehe to eighteen men, the outfit of each ^'essel costing 
 about three Inindivd dollars. The vessels were strongly built 
 
 , and had apjilianees for encountering ice. At first they did not 
 leave i»nrt till after the 21st of March, in order to avoid the 
 
 .equinoctial gales, or '' St. Patrick's brush,'"' as they were called. 
 Soon, however, tliev learneil by experience the advantage of 
 making an earlier start, in order to reach the young harps before 
 the\ had taken to the watei'. The first of March at length be- 
 
 .came the usual time for starting on the seal hunt. In tlu'se 
 little schooners the men speedily acquired hardihood and daring 
 and became ex})erl in Ijattling with the floes. The people oi 
 
 .^Conception Bay led the way in this new enterprise, and Car- 
 bonear, Harlior (irace, Bay Roberts, Cupi<ls and Brigus became 
 the centres of the sealing industry. The skippers of these seal- 
 ing vessels, some of which wei-e one hundred tons, became 
 "mighty hunters'' of seals, and many of them ac(ptired con- 
 siderable wealth. St. John's, the capital, followed, ami had soon 
 one hundre<l vessels engaged in taking seals. In those days seals 
 M'ere murh more iiumeronsand ^\•ere taken neaiei- tlie shore than 
 at the ])resent time. So remunei'ative was the new industry 
 iound to lie tliat its growth was wonderfully i"i]iid. In 1805
 
 THK nsJIElMKS. 151 
 
 -.tlu" uuiuljer of swds taken was 81,000; in 1815, 120,31."); in 
 1821, 227,193 ; in 1829, 357,523 ; in 1830, 558,942 ; in 1831, 
 .686,836 ; in 1833, 350,155 ; in 1840, 631,385. 
 
 These were the palmy days of tlie i^eal flsheiy to whicli the 
 .seal hunteis of to-day h)ok back Avitli sad regrets as " the good 
 .old times" tliat can never i-etuiii. I"]) till 1857 some four liitu- 
 dred vessels, of from sixty t(j two liundreil tons, their nniteil 
 .crews numliering thirteen thousand ni;'n, took pail in the tisli- 
 .eiy. After 1850 a decline seenrs to have set in. There wei'e 
 more failures and fewer succes-ful seasons. Occasionally the 
 .catch approaclicd lialf a million, and, as in 1858, somewhat ex- 
 .ceeded that numlu-i-. Wlidlicr the falling oif arose from an 
 actual diminution in the numlier of seals, or the unfavourahle 
 .condition of the ice and tlie winds, which jjrevented the vess(ds 
 fiom reaching them, or from lioih causes, cannot now he de- 
 termined. 
 
 SKALING STKAMEKS. 
 
 In 18G3 the great innovator, steam, entered the held aiid the 
 fir.st .steanu-r look jiait in this tishery. The value (jf steam in 
 .connection with Aritic exploi-ations had lieeu jireviously demon- 
 strated : and ere long its introduction c^tmpletely revolutionizeil 
 the seal hshery. It was soon found that steamers strongly l)uilt 
 .and sheathed for encountering ice, jiossessed a great superiority 
 over the old sailing vessels. They could cleave their way through 
 ice in which the sailing vessel would he powerless ; they couM 
 hold on to a "seal ^xxtch" when the other wouhl be blown ott" ; 
 and carrying larger crews, could bring in immen.se loads of pelts 
 when the seals were met with in abundance. In consequence, 
 the nitndaer of steamers rapidly increased, and sailing vessels 
 still more rapi<Ily diminished. 
 
 In 1866, there were 177 .sailing vessels and five steamers ; in 
 1873 there were eighteen steamers, and in 1882 twenty-tive 
 steanu'rs. At present there are twenty-two steamers. They are 
 from 350 to 500 ton* burthen and each carries from 200 to 300 
 men. The larger class can In-ing in from 30,000 to 40,000 seals, 
 jvhen thev obtain a full load. In one instance 41,900 seals were
 
 152 THE riSIlICIMKS 
 
 brought in by a .-iiigk' steamer tlie Xcphiiu-, tin- wi-iglit of fat 
 being 874 tuns ; A'alue §103,750. Cajjtaiu Hlanilfnid was cinu- 
 nianiler. In 1885 the steamer J'r.-iolntr brought in 34,628 st-als,- 
 the gross v.eiglit being 772 tons ; tlie averagr weight of tlie [)elts ^ 
 (fat ami skin) being 50 lbs. In llic sanu' yc-ai, ihc sir. Hmnji'r' 
 took 30,112 seals, the gross -wiMglil luMug 75.") tons ; ilu' average 
 weight of seal 47 ll)s. WJicu they i-ntereil poll tlic (k'l'ks of 
 these heavily laden vessels v.L-re hardly twelve inrlie.- abo\c water' 
 at nuil-ships. Every nook and ciaiiuy was iilleil with ]ielts. 
 The men's berths were tilled ; luo.-l of the coal had lieeii ihrown 
 (iverb(_iai'd to make room for the juvrioiis lal : and the decks were' 
 ])iled with }ielts, one of them having 7,100 on hei' <leck. These,- 
 of course, are rare instance- of success. Not infrei[Uent]y, how- 
 ever, a steamer I'eturus to port ''clean." In had years the catclp 
 may not exceed 200,000. In 1892 it was 348,024 ; a fair voyage.- 
 3'.ut in 1893 it fell to 129,001— tlie ]>oorest retuiii on ri'cord.- 
 The cause an as, not the sc:ircity of senls Imt the unfavourable" 
 condition of the ici' which \\"as A"ei y hea\y, and jammed togetlu'r' 
 in huge massi's which nevei- ojiened. In 1894, it is eslimaled 
 that the united catch of all the steamers (22 in number) will not 
 exceed 142,000 .seals ; but the strong easterly winds which "[lacked 
 the ice on the .shores and tilled nj) the liays, brought the young 
 seals within reach of the people on shoiv who took about 120,000. 
 Su(di are the uui'ertainties attending this jiei'ilous industry, 
 ■which is dei>endent on the winds and wa\es ami the movements . 
 id' the great ice-tields, annd which ihe young seals are born and 
 nin-tured, ami Avhere they must be sought. There can be no 
 doubt, however, that the intioduction of steamers has, at least 
 I'or the present, been injurious to the interests of the ]ioor seal* 
 liuuters. As in. all similar cases, the introiluctiou of machinery' 
 tends to eliminate man. The work is done by far i'ewei- h;uids,- 
 and those who are thus thrown idle have to seek i'or emjiloy- 
 ment elsewhere, and, in too many cases, can at first find none. 
 The gathering in of the seal harvest is now done wilh less than 
 half the nundier of hands emjiloyed in the days of .sailing ve>;- 
 i+el.?, and every year large nuinliers are unable to oV)tain berth?
 
 Tin: KISIIKRIES. I."."/ 
 
 on lioanl tlie ft^'aiiu-i^, wlm^i- uiiilcil cie\v.- do ikiI cxrcL-il 'i,C>0(). 
 The (•()>t of titting out a ■^caliiiL; >leamev is \a-i-y giral, aii'l il may 
 In- iliiiilitcil wIh'Iir-i', ouc Vi-ar willi anollu'!-, tin- caiiitalist- fiini 
 it a very jnofitalilc iii\ e-.-tiiuiil. The pi-izi^s, liowt-viT, aio .-<r 
 ciKuaiinii- tliat, in spitr <it' tailuii-.- aiul disappointments, tlie seal 
 tislii-rv will continue to attract enterpri/ing capitalists. The 
 losses of one or t\^'o sea-nn- are expected to be made good by the 
 success oF a tlui'd. At all e\ euls it is idle to expect that steanier.s^ 
 will ever be withdrawn IVom tlii> industry and the old sailing- 
 vessels re-iiitrodiu;eil. As well look for the abolition of railways 
 and the restoration of stage coaches. Men and affairs will adju.-t 
 themselves, in dui- time, to the change ; but a certain amount of 
 sittfering, in the tran>iti(in >tage, is inevitable, as in all similar 
 revolutions in estaldi-ln-il indu>trie>. 
 
 THE Fl'Tl ICi: OF THK SKAI. FISHKItY. 
 
 Tlu-i'e is no reason why the seal tishery slamld not long con- 
 tinue to lie a source ol wealtli tn the country. Wise restrictinns 
 have ln'cn, by legislative enactment, recently jilaced on tlie pro- 
 secution of this indu-try. Formerly every one '"did what was- 
 right in his own eyes."' The [)ursait of the old breeding seals 
 was followed up, after a heavy draft had been made on tin- 
 young, in the earlier part of the season, and thousands on thou- 
 sands of these mature seals, on which the maintenance of the 
 species depended, wia-e ruthlessly slaughtered. This, in the end, 
 would have exterminated the seal. Steamers are now j^rohibiteil 
 from making second trii)s, and no seals are to be killed after 
 April 20th. This Avill, to a large extent, prevent the destruction 
 of oLl seals ; furthei', no .-teamer is allowed to leave ]iort for the 
 seal tishery till March litli, and no seals can be killed till IMarch 
 14th. This prevents the taking of seals that aie immature. 
 These regulations, which arc rigidly enforced, will tend to the 
 conservation of this industry, the value of which to the colony 
 may be estimated at half a million to three-quarters of a million 
 dollars. Its value is enhanced by the consideration that it can 
 be jirosecuted at a time when othei' northern countries are locked
 
 154 'I'lIK FlSHERIE^l. 
 
 ill icy fetti'i-s auil tlicir ])eople idle. Al)()ut tlie iniildle of Mairli 
 the haidy Newluunillainl seal lumtei-s da^li out into the eiasliiiig 
 ice-Hoes, aud in a c.)niile of iiioiitlis the work is done, and a 
 ndllion dollar.- I'.-aliscd. It intertV-res with no other indnstry, 
 .and the men who take jurt in it can follow up the summer 
 lishery or engage in the cultivation of the soil. Formerly the 
 aveiage annual value of this tislu-ry was over a million dollars, 
 lint the }iric'_- of seal oil has seiionsly declined. 
 
 HOW SKALS AKK TAKKN. 
 
 The young seals are born on the ice which the Arctic current 
 carries i)ast the.se shores, fiom the 15th to the 20th of February ; 
 and as they grow lapidly and yield a much tiner quality of oil 
 than the old ones, the (object of the hunters is to reach them in 
 their babyhood, while \ et fed by their mothers' milk, and Avheii 
 they are powerle.ss to escape. So rapidly do they grow that by the 
 IGth of Mari'h tliey ai-e in the best condition to be taken. By the 
 1st of April they begin to take to the water and can no longer be 
 easily captureil. Sumewhere amid these \ast iey wildeines.ses 
 the seals nuv'^t be .-(Uight. When the x'es.sel reaches an icefield 
 Avhere the seals are visilile, the men eagerly bound on the ice 
 nnd the work of destruction begins. A blow on the nose kills 
 the young seal. Instantly the " sctdping knife ' of the hunter is 
 at work and the skin, with the fat adhering, is detached from the 
 caicass, which is left on the ice : the pelts are dragged over the 
 ice to the vessel whieh conveys them to pnit. The fat and .skins 
 are then separate<l, the former l)eing salted foi exportation, aud 
 the latter manufactured into oil by a ])rocess in which steam is 
 largely used. St. .Inhn's and Harbour ( Ji'ace are the jilaci's where 
 all the seal oil is manufactured. 
 
 The reader is ii-ferred to " Hatton ami Harvi'y's Newfound- 
 land "' or to the ailicle ''Seal Fisheiies of the AVorld,'' by Rev. 
 M. Har\'ey, in the latest edition of the Ein-ijilDpunUii llritannicH' 
 1'or lull details regarding the natural history of the seal and the 
 mode in which the fi.shery is conducted. 
 
 The following ligTii-e's show the nundx'r of seals taken in the 
 ^•(•ars named : —
 
 THE FISHERIES. 
 
 155 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 
 
 Xo. seals taken 
 
 I8.-)8 507,624 
 
 18r)9 
 
 
 
 
 . 329,202 
 
 1860 
 
 
 
 
 . 375,282 
 
 1861 
 
 
 
 
 . 375,282 
 
 1862 
 
 
 
 
 . 268,426 
 
 I860 
 
 
 
 
 . 359,821 
 
 1871 
 
 
 
 
 . 537,084 
 
 1872 
 
 
 
 
 . 278,372 
 
 1874 
 
 
 
 
 . 398,366 
 
 1876 
 
 
 
 
 . 500,000 
 
 1877 
 
 
 
 
 . 451,678 
 
 1878 
 
 
 
 
 . 409,658 
 
 1879 
 
 
 
 
 . 457,855 
 
 1880 
 
 
 
 
 . 223,793 
 
 1881 
 
 
 
 
 . 447,903 
 
 1882 
 
 
 
 
 . 200,-500 
 
 1883 
 
 
 
 
 . 322,603 
 
 1884 
 
 
 
 
 . 266,290 
 
 1885 
 
 
 
 
 . 238,586 
 
 1886 
 
 
 
 
 . 272,656 
 
 1888 
 
 
 
 
 . 230,525 
 
 1888 
 
 
 
 
 . 286,464 
 
 1880 
 
 
 
 
 . 207,084 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 
 . 220,321 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 . 364,854 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 . 390,174 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 . 129,061 
 
 1894 (t 
 
 lose taken from tlu' >lioic 
 
 
 ncliK 
 
 led) ( 
 
 'stiniiited 
 
 . 262,885 
 
 The following figures show the 
 Seal Fishery since 1885 ; oil and 
 
 1885 . 
 
 1886 , 
 
 1887 . 
 
 value of tlie products of the 
 kins heing included : — 
 
 . .S-558,863 
 . 529,766 
 . 458,853
 
 156 THE FISHKItlES. 
 
 1888 .-)73,984 
 
 1889 075,38 1 
 
 1890 r.55,031 
 
 1891 779,438 
 
 1892 865,784 
 
 Total ill eight .wars ..S'4,997,]Ui 
 SALMON riSHKKY. 
 
 Tile ox])i)it of pfe8er\'eil salmon iVoiii XcwrouiuUaiiil does not. 
 constitute a large or important item, seldom reaching in \'aliu' 
 ^^100,000 per annum. It is either jiiekled or put in hermeti- 
 •cally sealed tins. The (piality of the salmon is excellent. Ic is 
 taken for the mo-t pai4 in nets in tlie co\i-s, liays and at ihe 
 mouths of the rivers. Tlie season fi>r taking it is lu'ief, not ex- 
 ceeding six or si'Vi'ii weeks, c(_immencing g(Mi(_'ral]y in the end of 
 May. It is often s(j plentiful in St. John's during this hrief sea- 
 son, that it scdls for five or six cents jier ])oun(l, wliile at the same 
 time it is selling in Loudon and New York for one shilling and 
 sixpence and two shilling steiding ]ier pound. 
 
 SALMON RIVKKS ItriXKD. 
 
 There are naturally no finer salmon rivers than those of Xew- 
 founclland. Hnw comes it then that thi- Minrre of \vealtli is so 
 imperfectly turned to account ? Why are ihe eountless luooks 
 and streams around two thousand miles of coast of so little 
 value as salmon rivers ? The answer is, that the proper ])reser- 
 vation of the salmon streams has heeii, for generations, neglected, 
 and human ignorance and the greed of immediate gain have 
 ■wasted and partially destroyed what at this niiniient might he 
 one of the valuahle resources of tlie country. "Barring" the 
 rivers and brooks with nets at the time when tlie fish are ascend- 
 ing to spawn ; constructing weirs, livips and dams ; sweejiing the 
 pools in the rivers with .seine nets, and uight-spearing, have heeu 
 carried on f(jr long periods liy ignoiant and reckless jiersons, till 
 at jiresent, in many rivers, the salmnii are almost exterminated, 
 and in others only grilse of four or live pounds weight are fouml.
 
 THE FISHERIES. 157 
 
 KIVKK AVAKDENS APPOINTED. 
 
 Four or live ycar.s ago tlie Fisheries' Commission, on its aji- 
 |)ointment, t(K)k the matter np and phiced the principal rivers 
 umler wardens diarged witli the stringent enforcement of the 
 ruh's ami re-ulalions of tliis tislierv. Tlie I'esult is that the 
 i-ivi'r> liavi" linii clran-d ,<[ tlie old "liarring" obstructions; 
 j(ollutii)n> iif ilu' >treaui> from saw-dust is prevented, and already 
 .a marked imjirovement is reported. Tlie salnnm are returning 
 to their olil haunts, and in a few years satisfactory ])rogress will 
 he made in tin- it-storatiou of the salmon riviis and a vast in- 
 .creasc in the ipiantity of salmon taken may he anticipated. 
 
 The hest saliunu tislu'ries at present aic in Bouavista Bay, 
 .Gander and Kxploits Bays, and on the west coast. 
 
 THE HEKKIXG FISHERY. 
 
 Till' helling tisheiy of Xewfoinidland ha> hei-n sadly neglected. 
 Had it hccu jirosecuted with skill and energy — had care been 
 lH->to\\cd on the cure and packing and had it been placed, years 
 ,ago, uiidci- projier ifgulati(jii>, it niiglit to-day have approached 
 the eod-lislii'iv in xahie. AA'ith Jue care it may still do so. 
 
 The chief scats oi' the heiiing fishery are Fortune, Placentia, 
 ,St. (ieorgc's and Bay of Islands, Avliile on the whole coast of 
 Laljiudor till- tiiust iR-riiugs are taken. During the last few 
 years the Lalirador lieiring fishery has been unremunerati\-e. 
 
 Fortune Bay is the centre of a productive winter herring tish- 
 .ery, eomiiiciicing generally aljoiit the first ^\eek in December. 
 St. (ileurge's is a spring herring fishery, a small quantity being 
 also taken in August and Sej^tend^ier. The Bay of Islands fi.shery 
 is the nu)st \aluable next to Labrador, but in recent years it has 
 proved a failure. The fish there are the Bank or Labrador her- 
 ring, and of the finest quality. Bonne Bay herrings are equally 
 good. The value of the herrings exi)orted in 1891 was .S'lRi'^,905. 
 
 EFFECTS OF NEGEIGEXCE, 
 
 The effect of negligence and ignorance in connection with this 
 fishery has been that the Xewfoundland herrings have lost char- 
 .acter' in foreign markets and ilcpreciateil in value. Tlie cure
 
 158 
 
 THE fisheries;. 
 
 was slovenly and they were shipped in liadly constructed LaiTels.- 
 Natnrally, they compare favourably with the herrings of any 
 other country, and they ajipear in inexlianstihle quantities. The" 
 Department of Fisheries is now taking active measures for re- 
 medying past negligences and putting an end to reckless methods-' 
 of carrying on this industry. Tliey are ditl'using information as 
 to the proper method of cure and packing ; and enforcing rules 
 for its proper prosecution. A great change for the better has- 
 commenced. 
 
 rOISSTKR FISHKRY. 
 
 The loljster fishery i> comparatively of recent origin, the' 
 packing for export or tinning of these valualile crustaceans^ 
 having commenced in 1873. 
 
 The following figures show how this industiy has advancef? 
 .'-ince that date : — 
 
 EXPORT OF LOBSTERS. 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 
 Ll.s. 
 
 1874 25,814 
 
 1875 .... 
 
 
 
 144,723 
 
 1876 
 
 
 
 290,208 
 
 1879 
 
 
 
 1,168,808 
 
 1880 
 
 
 
 1,124,580' 
 
 1881 
 
 
 
 1,299,812 
 
 1882 
 
 
 
 1,265,224 
 
 1883 
 
 
 
 862,528 
 
 1884 
 
 
 
 531,226- 
 
 1885 
 
 
 
 824,064 
 
 1886 
 
 
 
 1,454,912" 
 
 1887 
 
 
 
 2,097,092 
 
 1888 
 
 
 
 3,360,672 
 
 1889 
 
 
 
 3,658,368 
 
 1880 
 
 
 
 3,338,512' 
 
 1891 .... 
 
 
 
 2,749,968 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 . 1,560,288- 
 
 1893 (estimated) . 
 
 
 
 1,950,360'
 
 THE FisirEKiKs. 159 ' 
 
 According to tlic Cen.su.s of 1891 tluic wcie thou 340 lobster 
 factories ; L-iiiployiiig 4,807 persons. 
 
 The Report of tlie Department of Fi>heries for 1893 states that 
 licenses were issue(l to 284 packers operating loljster factories be- 
 tween Cape St. John and Cajje Ray. Their return.s .showed that 
 the total lobster traps employed amounted to 87,720 ; the num- 
 ber of tishermeu employed being 1,448 ; 113 smackmen ; 603 
 shorehands (males), and 756 females ; and tiiat tliey caught 
 5,054,462 lobsters, from which number 26,214 cases of lobsters 
 (each case containing 48 one-iiound tin>) were ])acked. These 
 returns apply only to the licensed lobstt-r factories ; there were 
 besides a considerable number of unlicensed factories such as 
 those on the French Shore. The weather of 1893 was, in many 
 localities, very unfavourable for taking lobsters. 
 
 The folhjwing figures show the value of the exports of lobsters 
 in the years named : — 
 
 Years. Value. 
 
 1888 .$-385,077 
 
 1889 472,524 
 
 1890 520,078 
 
 1891 429,681 
 
 1892 260,048 
 
 Total value of lobster exports in 5 years §'2,067,408 
 
 THE DEPARTIVIENT OF FISHERIES. 
 
 Reference has already been made to the " Fisheries Commis- 
 sion," now named the " De]>artment of Fisheries." Without a 
 fuller account of its objects ami methtxls of working, the descrip- 
 tion of the fi.sheries would be incomplete ; as it may fairly be 
 regarded as the most important organization connected with 
 the.se industries. 
 
 XEGI^ECTEI> FISHKKIES. 
 
 It is curious to find that in Newfoundland, one of the greatest 
 fishing countries in the woihl, hardly any attention was given to 
 the supervision and regulation of the tiNheries on which the great
 
 160 THE FISHERIES 
 
 mass of its people avoiv (.Icpuudent for tlicir breail, until about 
 five years ago. In point of fact, these industries were left to take 
 eare of themselves. There was a popular ludief (hat the fisheries 
 were inexhaustible ; that all which man cduld take from the 
 waters would make in) imjiri'ssiim on their swai-ming h>h-life, 
 '<iood and bad scasmis might (■(inic and gn, but tliese wci'c be- 
 lieved to be jmrely ]iriividentia!, and i|iiite ln-yond human 
 control. Nothing tliat man eiadd do \\(iuld have any ell'ect, 
 either to hel]i or mar the 1i>lieries. Fish were considereil to be 
 too pr-olific to permit the supposition that tlieii- luimber could l.te 
 ]icrce]»tilily diminished by human means. 
 
 COD FISHKIJIKS DKtXIXINti. 
 
 These proved to be the dreams of ignorance which tlie stern 
 logic of events af length dissipated. Fisheries began to fail, 
 
 .especially around the shore. Sevcal of ihe large bays, where 
 cod were once abundant, such as ('once]ition Bay, no longer 
 yiehled enough ti>h to rejtay the toils of the tishermen or give 
 tlu'in bread : and they wei-e <lri\en to seek new tishing-groumls 
 fai- from their homes. The waters were liecoming de])leti-d in 
 many localities, mid the catcli in others was greatly re(hi<'ed. 
 
 -The number of tho>e engaged in tishing had douliled, am! i)u- 
 pi'oved implements oi all kinds had Ijeen inlioduced ; and still 
 no more fish was taken than foruierly. 
 
 HOX. A. AV. H.VKVKVS G001> AVOKK, 
 
 These alarming facts began to im]>ress the unuds of thoughtful 
 men, and to suggest the nei'essity of taking iTompl and eiieigetic 
 measures to meettlu^ evil and to protect and ii'>tore the li.-heries. 
 In this connection it is but just to reler to the able and praise 
 worthy lal)oui-s of the Hon. A. W. Harvey, a meiulter of the 
 Legislative ('ouucil. He had made an intt'Iligeut study of the 
 tisheries, and becauie profoundly iui|ire»ed with the dangers 
 which beset these intlu>tries, from the causes ali'cady referi'cd to, 
 and with the neces-ity for eneigetii- action, iu his place in the 
 <'ouncil he had for inauy years kept the luatter ludbi'e that body 
 ami tlie general public. In able and e.\hausti\e speeches, he
 
 tup: FISIIEHIES. 161 
 
 ;ii;;iiii ;in(l aL;aiii iirgvil du llu' ( lovL-i-niiK'nt the vital importance 
 -of securiii<;- a tliordugh iuvi'stii^-atiou of tlie tislien-ies:, and of estab- 
 lisliiiig a Bui-cau for llicii' siiiiiTvision. He ])ointed ont that 
 Avhilu all other tishiui^- countries had found it necessary to or- 
 ganize departments for tlie collection of information regarding 
 lish and fisheries, with a \-ie\v to their conservation and super- 
 vision Ijy wise legal enactments, we were in utter ignorance of 
 till- pidjii'r means fur jnoterliiig them and turning them to a 
 mure ]iruhtahh' ariount ; wliile we had no scientitic knowledge 
 whicli wmdil lUaMi' u.- to a'^i-ci1aiu the causes of their decline 
 anil a[)[)ly the pi(i]KT remedies. He advocated strongly the 
 .artificial ])rn])agation of tisli for restocking exhausted salt-water 
 area- and i-i\ci'-. Tuo iiiucli ])raise cannot be accorded this gen- 
 tleman fur ilie cai-uestuess and aliilily with which he urged these 
 views on the Lcgislaliire and the countiy. In due time his 
 l;il)ours l)rought forth fruit, ami he took an active part in the 
 jH-actical application of his views. 
 
 The aulhoi- of tlii> volume may be jiermitted, without incur- 
 ring tlic (■liar,L;e of egotism, to say that he had long taken an 
 interest in matters bearing on the ti.dieries, and that he had 
 wrtten extensively in sup])ort of the same views, having given 
 <cou.-iilerable attention to the study of tish-life and the prosecution 
 .of the tisheries ill Newfounilland. He too had urged the neces- 
 sity of a Fishi-ries' ( '(Uiimission and the a[)plication of science to 
 the tisheries. 
 
 C'<)M>riS.SIOX APrOIXTKD. 
 
 At leiigtl:, ill b^«8, the Legislature sanctioned the nomination 
 <of a " Fishei'ies' Commission" to make iiKpiiries into the consti- 
 tution and woiking of Fisheries Departments in other countries, 
 with the \ie\v to the establishment of a similar Department in 
 Newfoundland. The Hon. A. "W. Harvey was rerpiested to act 
 ;;is chfiirman of the ( 'ommission, an.l the ]iresent writer became 
 its secretary. 
 
 WOUK IJKOIN. 
 
 The first step taken by the ("ommission was to issue a circular 
 .-asking for information, which was sent to the Department ot
 
 162 THE FISIIEKIES. 
 
 Fisheries in the Dominion of Canada, in the United States, in 
 England and Norway. To these conrteousreiilies were received, 
 embodying mnah valualile information. Tlie Commission pre- 
 sented their first report to tlie Legishiture in March, 1888 ; and 
 in June, 1889, an Act was passed constituting a Fisheries. Com^ 
 niis.sion, with the same otticials at its liead, and defining their 
 powers and duties. Tlie Legislature also granted a sum of money, 
 to be expended by the Connaission in carryini;- c>n their o[)era-- 
 tions. 
 
 SUPKRIN'TKXDKNT OF FISHKltlES. 
 
 Tile first step taken by the Commission was the ai)pointment 
 of a properly qualified Superintendent of Fisheries. They were 
 fortunate enough to secure tlie services of Mr. Adolph Nielsen, 
 Assistant Inspector of Norwegian Fisheries, a gentleman of higli 
 character, who possessed a thorough scientific and practical know- 
 ledge of fish and fisheries, and was fiimiliar with the whole i^ro-- 
 cess of the artificial projiagation of fish. Since his arrival in 
 Newfoundland, he has devoted himself to the arduous duties of 
 his office M'ith a zeal, energy and ability wliieh merit the highest 
 commendation, and Avhich have won the entire confidence of the 
 Commission, and of those most deeply interested in the fisheries/ 
 His tact, good sense and kindness have done much to overcome 
 the i^rejudices of the fishermen which they nnt unnaturally en- 
 tertained towards new ideas and methods wliith threatened tc 
 upset their time-honoured traditions. They are now beginning 
 to regard him as their Ijeiiefactor. Mr. Neilsen became, of course, 
 the right arm of the Commission ; and the great value of his 
 services is now universally admitted, ffe devoted himself to a 
 thorough investigation of all departments of our fisheries, with 
 the view of ascertaining the causes of their decline, where such 
 had taken place, and applying the proper correctives. He also- 
 devoted much attention to the im]ierfect niethoils of cure and 
 packing which were too often practised, iiointing out and urging' 
 improvements. He divw up a jtaper on "The Cure of Codfish 
 and Herrings," which the Commission imblished and circulated 
 Avidely among the fishermen. Its value may In- judged of fron>
 
 TIIR FISIIKIME^;. 16o 
 
 -tlio I'iict tli-it tlio Irisli Depai'tiiHMit of Fislieries askt-d and oli- 
 taiiiL' 1 permission to rf-])rint it, for the ini'orniation of llie. Irish 
 tislii-rnien ; ami that tlie' French at St. Pit'i-rc' liave tran>hitc<l and 
 published it. Tlic annual reports ot tlie Conunis.siun which are 
 printed and wid(dv eiiculateil cadi yeai-, furnish ampk> iletails of 
 the work <h)ne and eni1)ody all the valuable inforniaticn regard- 
 ing the hsherie-; whicli has l)een collected. 
 
 AVHAT THK C0M:>IISSI0N HA.S DONE. 
 
 What are the result- of the lahoui-s of the ("oniniissinn which 
 lias now l)een in o]icration for live years;' It would he impos- 
 sil)lH, ill a work >uch a- this, to ih) more than indicate very biieHy 
 what has Ijeeii accomplished. Fii-st of all, it has been the aim of 
 .the Conimission, as their in\e,-tigations ])i-oceeded and accurate 
 infoi'iuation accumulateil, to diaw u\> a code of rules and regu- 
 lations Avhicli would cDii-erve and improve the fisheries, and 
 jireveiit injurious and destructive methods of fishing, and to 
 make due pro\-ision for the enforcement of such regulations. 
 This was a task of great ditticulty and re(piii-ing much cand'ul 
 .consideration. Though not yer completed, and though the rules 
 still rei[uire amendments, it- may be safely attirmed that already 
 the fisheries of Xewloundland are as well regulated as tho.se of 
 .any other country. The tishermeii are gradually learning that 
 these rules are devise^l for their l)eneht, ami that of future gene- 
 rations ; and are increasingly giving them a willing obedience. 
 Wardens are appointed whose duty it is to enforce these rule.s 
 .and to bring offenders to justice. 
 
 AKTinCIAL PKOPAGATION Of COD AND LOBSTERS. 
 
 The Commissiim, however, <lid not conline their efforts to such 
 inve-^tigations. They entered from the very outset on the arti- 
 ficial proiiagation of codfish and lobsters with the view of 
 re-stocking wdiolly or ]iartially exhausted sea-areas, and of 
 sustaining the stock where it was declining under adver.se in- 
 fluences. This was a most importantjleparture ami far-reaching 
 in its consequences, if successful. If by artificial means the 
 fishing grounds, which are more or less depleted of cod or othei-
 
 1G4 THE I-TSIIEl.'lKS. 
 
 food-tiflies, can bo vestni-fd dr lunri' llian i-iv-lmcil to llicir furiiu'i' 
 productiveness, and if it is p!)->ililc to (iiuntfriiri tlic 1.HV11I- (if 
 heavy drafts, by brei'ding salt-water a> wi-ll a- frr.-li-\vati'r H>lies,. 
 on a lar^'e scale, then a nio.-t inqioitant voik i- d(nic, tin- \aliie 
 oi which it would be ditlicidt to o\cr-e-tiiiiate. Tlini sca-fana- 
 ing lieconies a science, and tin- >tock of (■(umiiei'cial tishcs may 
 be incivasc'd indefinitely with as or^at cerlaiuty as cattle and 
 sheep can be increased on land. Pisciculture pmiuisesto accom- 
 plish this ; and in Xewfoumlland, tiie ureal cxjieriment, on a 
 gigantic scale, is pi'oceeding. Other ti.-hiiig cnuntries are en- 
 gaged in the same ex}n'riments ; but in some res]>ects, this 
 country has taken the lead and maintains a .supremacy. 
 1)II.1>0 HATCHKKY. 
 The first ste]i taken in the new dep;uturc was the erection of a 
 Cod Hatchery at Dildo Island in Trinity ISay, in which also the 
 artificial ])ropagation of loli.-ter.- was carried on. 'idiis eslabli.-h- 
 ment was titted up by ^Ii'. Xi(dsL-n with all moilern inipio\-emeiits 
 and nothing was h'ft undone to secure succi->s. ,Man\" ilitficulties 
 were encountered, and many ob-tides overcome. The following 
 figures show the nundjer of cod ova hatched at Dildo and planted 
 in the waters of Trinity Bay, during the four years in which the 
 hatchery has been in opei-ation : — 
 
 Years. No. ol'coillisli liatclieil. 
 
 1890 ]7,000,UU() 
 
 1891 39,550,000 
 
 1892 105,254,000 
 
 1893 201,-135,000 
 
 Total j.lauted . . 423,439,000 
 
 The following figures show the nnnd)er of lobsters hatched in 
 the same establishment during five years : — 
 
 Years. Lobster o\'a liatcliud. 
 
 1889 . . • . . . 4,039,000 
 
 1890 15,070,800 
 
 1891 10,274,200 
 
 1892 2.500,000 
 
 1893 h095,00a 
 
 Total .... 32,889,000
 
 ■[•]]]■: FISIIKKIKS. 1()5" 
 
 rKOATl.\'<; I\< I'BATOItS. 
 
 It is, lio\vc\rr, ill liatcliiii^- lolisttTs liy lucaiis of Hnatiiiy incu- 
 bator.-', wiiii'li were iiivfiiti'<l liy ]\lr. Xril.-cn, tliat tlic <;i-L'atC'.-t 
 s>uci'C's.s has lifcu acliievcil. ''Jliis wdinlfi-riil imciitidii., w liirli is 
 ^iiu])k-, iiii-x])i'iisivc', ami easily wni-kcil, lias |ilacf(l Xewf'uinu!- 
 laiid far alicail <>[ all oIIkt rmiiitrics in the artiticial ]iropagatii>n 
 of tlii'sc \alualiK' cruslaceaiis wliicli an' cv crywiu-n- l)C'C()niing 
 scarcer, year after year, and in some lnUster-produring countries 
 are tlireateiied wirli t-xtinctimi. Fnr fmir years Xeilsen's floating 
 inculiutor> liave lieeii workeil under the Fisheries ' 'oniniis^idii, 
 in nearly all the large bays nf the island. The l()!h>\ving lalde 
 shows the i-esults : — 
 
 Years. Xo. of lol)sters liati-lieil and plautei,], 
 
 18!J0 390,934,000 
 
 1991 541,19.j,000 
 
 189:i 427,28:),00O 
 
 1883 517,303,000 
 
 Total . . 1,886,767,000 
 
 S.VVINfi OF THK I.OBSTKK OVA. 
 
 It is to he oh.-erved that this enoi'iiioiTs nuinlier of hih.-ters 
 ■\vere hatehed from ova collected at the varions lofister factoiies 
 where they M'onld otherwise have hcen (h'stroyed. The precious 
 life-germs are saveil, placed in the incubators, brought to life, 
 and after a time liberated in the waters. The invention is of 
 immense value not only to Xewfonndland but to every country 
 vliere lobsters are found. To this colony it will be wrnih many 
 millions of dollars. 
 
 EESLLTS. 
 
 Time is re([nired to thoroughly test and deleimine the value 
 of cod and lobster jifoiwigation, as the young cod re<[uiies three 
 or four years to come to maturity ; and the lobster from five to 
 seven years. It may lie mentioneil, howeverj that in Trinity Bay 
 large shoals of small codfish and fry have been seen bv the fish- 
 ermen in ])laces where they were never seen before and in siich 
 abundance that they must be the prf)duce pf the hatchery.
 
 "166 THE FISHERIES. 
 
 Similarly, vast mimlicrs of small lobsters, Irnm \\\i) to fiw 
 inches in length, ]ia\e ln-i-n i)l)serve(l in the iieighliDiirliooil of 
 the hatching incul)at()rs, ;up1 evidently the results of tlieir ojiera- 
 tions. These are hupcful signs in regard to tlie ultimate success 
 of these important e.\[ieriments. 
 
 ClTllK OF HKKKIXGS. 
 
 It may l)e nienlidueil ihat the C-ommissidn (h'Mileil much at- 
 tention to the imjirovcment nf the cure of heiriugs, as the article 
 sent to foreign mai'kels had deteriorated in i|ualily and in many 
 cases ceases to bring I'emunerative prices. Cuih'r ^Mr. Neilsen's 
 supervision, a few hundred barrels Avere cuicd and packed ac- 
 cording to his own method, and then shijiped l)otli td European 
 and American markets. In every instance they brought \'ery 
 satisfactory prices, gieatly in advance of tliosc foijueily obtained, 
 thus demonstrating what rare and skill can do in culiancing the 
 value of this industi-y. He also erected a smoke-house in Pla- 
 centia Bay, and turned out kippered, bloaters, and snu^ked 
 herrings of the tint'>1 (juality which liroughl excidh'nt jinces. 
 The impnlse thus gi\-eu to tlie jierring industi-y will gi-eatly 
 enhance its value. 
 
 THK rUEKZIXG BARKEL. 
 
 One other impoi-taut imjn-ovement introduiHMl liy Mi'. Neil.sen 
 may be mentioned. (^)uite recently he exhibited a freezing bar- 
 rel to a number (if our ti-lietmen and "planters'" in St. John's,. 
 Harbour Grace and ('aibouear, designed for tlie freezing ami 
 preservation of bait in tlic ]iro.secution of the cod lisliery. One 
 of the greatest ditliiulties ihr fisherman has to cncnunter is the 
 ■\\ant of Ijait. At limes it is jilentiful, and at other times the 
 bait fishe.s, such as herrings, caplin and stpiids, disappear and the 
 tisherman is idle a-liore from tlie want of bail. The codfi.sh are 
 plentiful in the wati'r,-. lait there is no bait. It often happi.'ns 
 that a third of tin; lishing season is lost in tliis way. If then 
 when bait are plentiful they could be frozen and preserved for 
 times of scarcity, it is (•\idcnt lliat the .season's catch would le 
 greatly increa.sed. Tlie IVce/iug barrel accomplishes this object
 
 THE FISHEPJES. 167 
 
 ■luo.st etFectually. It is ho siuipK; tliat any iislicnnaii, liaviiig seen 
 it in operation, can easily tit u]) one for liis own use. All that 
 is needed is an ovdinai-y Ueriin.g or })ovk liai-rei, some ice clioppecl 
 small and coarst' salt. Four -wooilcn flanges an- plaeed insidi' the 
 barrel, in an oliliqne direction, so as to nii.x and rotate the articles 
 to he frozen witli the ice and salt, when the barrel is jiut in mo- 
 tion. Tlie ban-el is half filled with alternate layers of ice and 
 salt, the pro]ioi-tions being three parts of ice to one of salt. Theji 
 the other half of the Ijarrel is tilled "with fresh herrings or any 
 other bait tlshcs ; the head is fastened tightly and the barrel is 
 placed on its side and rolled back and forward,, at a certain S2ieed, 
 for aljont iifteen nunutes. When the he;id is removed the tisli 
 are found to be frozen as hard as a block of wood. They are 
 then placeil in sawdust or dry mould and can be preserved for 
 a month or longei-, and used when reipiired. The fisherman 
 need never be without bait and the cost is trilling. The inven- 
 tion is a most valuable one, and will, when generally used, 
 greatly increase the annual catch of codhsh. Those who wit- 
 nessed it in o])eration were much grattiicd and pronounced it 
 a complete success. Of course this liari'el can lie used for freez- 
 ing any animal substance, such as meals, poulty, game, etc. On 
 an enlarged scale it could be apjdied to the preservation of ireslx 
 fish for use or exi)ortation. 
 
 REFRIGERATORS. 
 
 In addition to the freezing liarrel, MV. Xielsen, last year, 
 erected at Burin and Pres(|ue two refrigerating houses for freez- 
 ing bait on a large scale, and preserving it in this condition for 
 the use of the fishermen. In the freezing chamber twenty-four 
 degrees of frost are obtained, which is sufiicient for freezing any 
 kind of bait. Complete success was reached, the "bait being 
 i'rozen as hard almost as rock, and can be kept for any length of 
 time. These are intended as model refrigerating houses, which 
 capitalists engaged in the fisheries may re-proditce all round the 
 coast and at each of the large fishing centres. With these and 
 the freezing 1 larrel, when both are brought into general use, the
 
 1G8 THE FISIIEKIES. 
 
 poorest fisherman need neA^er be without bait. Herein '^^•e hays' 
 another illustration of what science can do for the improvement 
 of the fisheries. When, in addition to these inventions, we take 
 into account the possible developments of pisciculture Ave see 
 that ac^uaculture may yet become only second to agriculture in 
 increasing the supplies of human food. 
 
 Since the foregoing was Avritten regarding the hatching of cod- 
 fish, the following appeared, under date June 19th, 1894, in the 
 daily newspapers of St. John's, and greatly strengthens the hope 
 of a successful issue in this new departure : — 
 
 ♦'MII.I.IONS OF CODFISH— GKEAT SUCCESS OF COD 
 HATCHING AT DILDO. 
 
 " The grand experiment of re-stocking the Avaters of Trinity 
 Bay by the artificial propagation of codfish, Avhich has been 
 going on for four years, has resulted in a magnificent success. 
 All doubts and fears are at length dissii:iated, and cavillers may 
 noAA' hide their diminished heads. The ncAvs from Dildo is of 
 the most gratifying description. Codfish, one, two and three 
 years old, are in immense numbers ; and older fish are visible 
 among them. Yesterday morning the Avater Avas A^ery calm, and 
 the fishermen could see [them at the bottom in a solid, thick 
 mass all around and outside the island. The oldest fishermen 
 declare tliey never, in all their lives, saAV so nuich fish in the 
 bay. One man, named John Pretty, had his cod-trap at Dildo . 
 Island. He overhauls]^it three times a day, and brings in a skiff- 
 load every ^time, in addition to AA'liat the hatchery takes from 
 him of spaAvning fish. He says he could haul it every hour and 
 have just as much fish in it every time. Mr. Nielsen has been 
 only tAVO days at Avork and already he has four hundred and fifty 
 fine spaAvning fish in the pond, Avith every prospect of soon gett- 
 ing enough fish to fill every available space in the hatchery Avith 
 ova. It may^be imagined Avith Avhat delight he finds his toils 
 and anxieties so nobly reAvarded. What has been done in Trinity 
 Bay can be done in^^CA'ery bay in the island. The depleted Avatcrs 
 can be restored to their former abundance, and, as in the "good
 
 TIFK FISHEUIE.S. 169' 
 
 old times," the tislu-nai'ii will In- able to load theii' lioats within 
 sight of their own dooi>. Ihe long, every liay will have one or 
 two cod hatcherie.s in operation. Lobster hatching is e(|ually 
 successful. The freezing barrel, which Mr. Nielsen lately ex- 
 hibited, if generally introduced, will be worth millions to the 
 country. No fisherman need ever be without bait." 
 
 Later accounts ,sa\' the hshernien of the place are delighted 
 ■with the success, and declare they can catch as much fish as they 
 like. Mr. Nielsen has 2,000 spawners in his pond and can fill 
 every available space in the hatchery ■with ova. He hojjes tO' 
 plant three hundred millions this year.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 INTERNATIONAL TREATIES. 
 
 THE TRENCH SHOKE (QUESTION. 
 
 It does not full williin llic' scope oC a Handbook to discuss at 
 ixny great length the " ne\'er-ending, still beginning" " French 
 Shore Qnestion."' Only a few of the salient points connected 
 with it can Ije referred to viM'y brietly. It has been so long and 
 so often debated that the subject is worn thread-bare. 
 TREATY RIGHTS OF THE FRENCH. 
 
 Among Great Britain's forty (polonies the position of Xew- 
 foundland is in one respect uniipie. The sovereignty of the 
 •entire teriitory belongs exclusively to Britain ; Init the French, 
 since the year 1713, have had the right of fishing along more 
 than half the entire shores of the island, and of using that por- 
 tion of the coasts for such pur[)Oscs as may be necessary in the 
 prosecntion of their fishery. In addition to this important 
 privilege, the French have hail ceded to theui possession of the 
 two small islands of St. Pierre and ^liipielon, at the entrance of 
 Fortune Bay, " as a shelter for their fishermen," the only condi- 
 tion attached to the possession of them being that no fortifications- 
 should be erected, and only such buildings as are necessary iu 
 carrying on the fishery. The line of coast to which these treaty 
 lights apply extends froui Cape Ray, at the soutli-A\'estern ex- 
 tremity of the island, around the western, northern and north- 
 eastern shores, as far south as Cape St. John, being fully half 
 the entire coast of the island, and that by far the most fertile and 
 valuable portion. The French have no right to occupy i)er- 
 manently or settle any portion (if this shore, or to erect any 
 buildings except such huts and scafiblds as may be necessary for 
 curing and drying their fish. Their fishermen are not allowed 
 to M'inter in the island.
 
 INTERXATTOXAL TREATIES. 171 
 
 TREATIES NOW ANTIQUATED. 
 
 At the time wlieu the French ol'tained tliese treaty priviU-ges,. 
 the population of the whole island ^vas very small, and but few 
 British subjects had settled on this portion of the- coast. It was 
 also believed then that this section of the country was worthless, 
 as far as its soil was concerned, and that it contained nothing 
 valualile. These notions jiroved to be unfounded. As years 
 rolled on it was found that this half of the island, with a co;i>l- 
 line of 790 miles, contained large tracts of fertile land, valuable 
 forests, coal beds and rich mineral deposits. The climate (.if the 
 western coast is also superior to that of the eastern and southern, 
 being free from fogs and the influence of the Arctic Current, so 
 that it is much more favourable for colonization. Circximstances 
 have entirely altered since these ancient treaties were made, and 
 they are no longer applicalile to the condition of the colony. 
 Their abrogation or moditicition is ui'gently needed. 
 TREATY OF UTRECHT. 
 
 These concessions were first made to tlie French by the Treaty 
 of Utrecht, in the year 1713. It stipulated that " The Island of 
 Newfoundland, Avith the adjacent islands, shordd lielong of right 
 wholly to Great Britain ;" that it shall be allowed to the subjects 
 of France "to catcli fish and dry them on land on that part only 
 of the coast" defined in the treaty; and that "it shall not be 
 lawful for the subjects of France to fortify any jilace in tlie said 
 island of Xewfoundland, or to erect any Ituildings there l)esides 
 stages made of boards, and huts necessary and usual for drying 
 of fish, 01' to resort to the saitl island beyon<l the time necessary 
 for fisliing and drying of fish." 
 
 TREATY OF 1703. 
 
 The next treaty dealing witli this matter was that of Paris,. 
 1763. It renewed and confirmed the previous treaty, and added 
 the following article : — "The King of Great Britain cedes the 
 islands of St. Pierre and ]\Ii(pielon, in full right to His Most 
 Christian Majesty, to sor\e as a shelter to Fiench fishermen ; 
 and His Most Christian ^lajesty engages not to fortify the saitl
 
 172 INTERXATIOXAL TKEATIES. 
 
 islands, to erect no buildings iqiun tlieni liut merely for tlie con- 
 Tenience of the fisliery, and to keep upon tlieni a guard of fifty 
 men only for the police." These conditions have l)een entirely 
 disregarded l)y the French who have made St. Pierre a Colony 
 and erected buildings of all kinds. 
 
 TREATY OF VERSAILLES. 
 
 The Treaty of Versailles, 1783, confirnieil the jn'evious treaties. 
 Further : a Declaration was attachetl to this treaty in which His 
 Britannic Majesty "in order that the tisliermen of the two na- 
 tions might not give cause for daily (piarrels" engaged to "take 
 the most positive measures for preventing his subjects from 
 interrupting in any manner, by their competition, the fisher} of 
 the French during the temporary exercise of it which is granted 
 to them, upon the coast of the island of Newfoundland ; but he 
 will for this purpose cause the fixed settlements which shall be 
 formed there to be removed." 
 
 The Treaty of Paris, 1815, confirmed the previous arrange- 
 ments, and no modification or alteration lias since been made." 
 
 INJURIES CAUSED RY TREATIES. 
 
 The line of coast to which these treaties apply extends, as 
 already stated, from Cape Ray, at tlie soutli-western extremity 
 of the island, aixjund the western, nortliern and north-eastern 
 shores to Cape St. John. This is, in regard to its soil, climate 
 and forest and mineral wealth, incomparably su]:)erior to tlie rest 
 of the island. Had it not been by these treaties practically 
 locked up, it would long since have been colonized, and the 
 western coast Avould have been occupied by a fishing, farming, 
 lumbering and mining population, and thriving towns and vill- 
 ages would have sprung uji along its entire extent. To the 
 ■colony these unfortunate concessions have been most injurious 
 and have retarded its progi-ess more than all other causes put 
 together. The practical effect has been to exclude the i-)eople 
 from the fairest lialf of their OAvn territory ; to jirevent the in- 
 vestment there of capital in industrial enterjirises ; so that, for 
 the most jiart, it has remained in the condition of a primeval
 
 IXTEllNATIOXAL TREATIES. 173 
 
 wilderness, and the population have been cooped up in the more 
 barren and least desirable half of the island. Of all their " his- 
 toric misfortunes" this has been incomparably the greatest. Of 
 all grievances of whicli the people have had reason to complain, 
 this is the one which most loudly calls for redress. 
 
 EXCLUSIVE OF CONCURRENT RIGHTS. 
 
 Had tlie just and fair interpretation of the language of those 
 treaties been insisted on and carried into practical effect from the 
 outset by the Imperial Government, and had the unreasonable 
 demands of the French, which were unwarranted by the terms 
 ■of these docimients, l)een promptly and steadily repudiated, the 
 colony would not liave been called upon to endi;re such hard- 
 ships and losses, although the legitimate treaty-rights of the 
 French would still have been felt as an embarrassment and a 
 hindrance in the development of the natural resources of the 
 island. It is true that the French have no territorial rights, 
 and are prohibited from forming any fixed settlements ; it is 
 ■also true that their right of fishing along the line of coast is not 
 exclusive but concurrent, and that their claim to an exclusive 
 fishery has never been recognized by England, and has been and 
 continues to be most emphatically repudiated by the colony 
 itself. Still the French have so pertinaciously and unweariedly 
 endeavoured to exercise exclusive fishing rights, and have sho^\^l 
 such jealousy regarding them, that they have succeeded in prac- 
 tically preventing Xewfoundland fishermen from exercising the 
 concurrent right \\-hich the treaties warrant, and which they 
 justly claim, by fishing within the treaty bounds. Here it is 
 that England has failed in her duty to her colonial offshoot. 
 Her statesmen have always recognized this concurrent right of 
 fishing and utterly refused to admit of an exclusive right on the 
 part of the French ; yet, dreading the results of quarrels arising 
 between the fi.shermen of the two nations when prosecuting their 
 calling in the same waters, they have discountenanced all at- 
 tempts at fishing on the part of Newfoundland fishermen along 
 Ihat portion of the shore on which the French have treaty rights.
 
 174 INTEEXATIOXAL TREATIES. 
 
 The consequence has been that the concurrent riglit fell into' 
 abeyance, and for fisliing purposes that portion of the coast was 
 practically closed against the 2>eople to \\hom the soil of the 
 island belonged. 
 
 EXTRAVAGANT CI.AIM8. 
 
 This was not all. The French ]iot only claimed and tried to- 
 enforce an exclusive right to the fishery, but they 2:)referred more 
 extravagant claims to pievent tlie inliabitants of Xewfonndland 
 from occupying the land witliin tlie limits defined liy the trea- 
 ties, whether for agi'icultural, mining or other purposes, thns 
 virtually exercising sovereignty over half the island. It is true 
 they did not jDretend to occupy the land themselves, except for 
 fishery purposes ; but they pursueil only too successfully the 
 " dog in the manger" jJolicy, of jireventing anyone else from 
 doing so. They preferred this claim on the ground that the 
 occu})ation of the land by tlie people of the island would be an 
 infringement of their fishery privileges. Here again the Imjje- 
 rial authorities inflicted a cruel wrong upon the colony by tem- 
 porizing with these unfounded claims, and refusing for a long 
 time to permit the local government to issue land grants in the 
 disputed district, while at the same time they repudiated the 
 French claims and declared the sovereignty of the territory to be 
 vested solely in England. 
 
 BRITISH SKTTLERS INCREASE. 
 
 Meantime, however, in spite of all dilhcultius and discourage- 
 ments a numerous population settled on this shore. Tliey now 
 number nearly 12,000 people. Their condition was for a long 
 period very miserable. They were in the position of squatters, 
 having no title to their property ; were living without the 
 guardianship of law ; hail no roads, scliools, magistrates to pun- 
 ish crimes, or any of the ordinary appliances of civilization^ 
 They became increasingly a source of anxiety to the local govern- 
 ment. At length, in 1881, the representations and remonstrances 
 of the local legislature were listened to ; the local government 
 Avas emj^owered to make grants of land ; but these were made
 
 IXTEKXATIOXAL TREATIE.S. 175 
 
 subject to the treaty rights of the Freiu'li ; magistrates were ap- 
 pointed ; custom liouses erected, and provision made ibr the 
 representation of tlie residents, \vlio were to send two memljers 
 to the Ljcal parliament. This was a consideraljle step in advance. 
 Law and order were e.-^tahlished ; tlie reijiou became an integral 
 part of Newfoundhind ; and the Government was empowered to 
 exercise territorial jurisdiction over tlie whole, subject of course 
 to existing treaty riglits. The boon should liave been giauled 
 fifty years before. 
 
 PERILS OF THK SITIATIOX. 
 
 The vexed question, however, of concurrent or exclusive fishing 
 rights remains, and is as far as over from settlement. The French 
 endeavour to enforce their claims to an exclusive fishery as j^^-'i'ti- 
 naciously as ever ; and the peace of the two nations is constantly 
 in i^eril in consequence of these conilicting views regarding the 
 2)ro visions of the treaties. England, and her subjects in the 
 Colony, maintain that they have a concurrent right to these 
 fisheries, provided they do not " interrupt" the operations of the 
 French fishermen. The Crown lawyers of England have de- 
 clared that there is nothing in the treaties to prevent British 
 subjects from taking fish at any places not actually occupied liy 
 French fishermen, and provided they do not disturb Frenchmen 
 in tlieir bona fide fishing operaticms. 
 
 VIEAVS OF IJKITISH STATES3IEN. 
 
 The ablest British statesmen of former times, sucli as Lord 
 Palmerston in his famous despatch of July lOtli, 1838, have re- 
 fused to acknowledge that the treaties convej-ed any exclusive 
 right to the French, and declared that had such been the inten- 
 tion terms far more definite and exact would ha-\e lieen used. 
 In 1886 the French Govej'nment once more put forward their 
 claims to exclusive rights, threatening to coniiscatc tlie gear of 
 any who were foun<l fishing on that part of the coast ; to disre- 
 gard the jurisdiction of local magistrates ; to prevent the working 
 of mines, and to protect Frencli fishermen in taking salmon and 
 lobsters as well as cod. To these preposterous claims and threats
 
 1V6 INTERNATIONAL TREATIES. 
 
 Lord RoseLei'v, wlio was then Foreign Minister, replied in firm 
 .-.and dignified terms. The following is an extract from his 
 xlespatch : " I have no desire to re-open the discussion on the 
 numerous points in dispute ; but I cannot rel'rain from de- 
 precating more particularly the claim put forward by your 
 government to ignore, during the fisliin^ season the territorial 
 jurisdiction fiowing from the sovereign rights of the British 
 Crown over the whole of the Island of Newfoundland, expressly 
 conferred by the terms of the 13th article of the Treaty of 
 Utrecht ; nor can I pass in silence the reiterated assertion, in 
 your note, of an exclusive right of fishing on the part of the coast 
 ,on which the French treaty rights exist. There can be no doubt 
 that the inhabitants must not ' interrupt by their competition' 
 the French fishermen ; but Her Majesty's Government can 
 hardly believe that the French Government could intend to 
 fipply to them the term ' foreigner ;' or to question the right of 
 the colonists to procure the means of subsistence by fishing on 
 their own coast, so long as they do not interfere wdth the Treaty 
 Rights of the French fishermen. Such a claim has no precedent 
 in history, and would be not only repugnant to reason, but op- 
 posed to the jiractice of years, and to the actual terms of the 
 Declaration of Versailles, which ]3rovide that the old methods of 
 fishing 'shall not be deviated from by either party,' showing 
 conclusively that the French right to the fishery is not an 
 exclusive one." 
 
 THE LOBSTER DISPUTE. 
 
 In 1889 a new and very serious complication arose in connec- 
 tion with the French-shore question, which "made confusion 
 worse confounded." On the treaty shore the British residents 
 had several years before commenced the new industry of canning 
 lobsters. It prospered so well that by 1889 some forty lobster 
 factories had l)een erected on the shore. Tlien it suddenly oc- 
 .curred to the French that they had a right to share in this indus- 
 try, and tliey erected a small number of factories. Their views 
 .expanded rajiidly, and speedily they preferred an exclusive claim
 
 INTERNATIONAL TKEATIES. 177 
 
 -to the lobster tisliery and began to use active measures for tlie 
 removal of British lobster factories, claiming that they were an 
 interference with their treaty rights and that they required the 
 places occupied liy them for their own uses. This preposterous 
 claim, so entirely unwarranted by the letter or spirit of the 
 treaties, proved to be the "last straw" in the case of tlie patient, 
 long-suffering Newfoundlanders. Public feeling was aroused 
 and soon reached fever heat. Mass meetings were held in the 
 capital and elsewhere, and delegates were despatched in 1890 to 
 ■Canada and England to apj)eal to the people of both countries 
 for sympathy and assistance in their struggle to get rid of these 
 French claims. Tlie agitation was not confined to the lobster 
 ■ipiestion. Tlie Avhole bearing of these antiquated treaties, which 
 for a century and a-half had been an incubus on the colony, re- 
 tarding it? progress, was now discussed in the light of recent 
 events. Tlie grievances of years had now become intolerable ; 
 and it is not wonderful to find that a deeper conviction than ever 
 before took hold of the minds of the people that these French 
 rights in NeAvfoundland were incompatiljle with the prosperity 
 and progress of the colony and that they must be terminated, 
 not by a violation of the treaties, but by an equitable purchase 
 or compensation, or exchange of territory, as might be agreed on. 
 
 COLONISTS APPEAL TO ENGLAND. 
 
 To the Parliament and people of England the colonists ap- 
 pealed for justice. England had originally made these treaties 
 and she alone could solve the difficidties. This coast had really 
 become of little or no value to the French. Their fishery had 
 declined till now only seven or eight fishing vessels, manned by 
 three or four hundred iiicii, visited tlie coast annually. For the 
 sake of this handful of fishermen this half of the island, licli in 
 .a variety of resources — agricultural, luml)ering and mining- 
 must be locked up. While useless to the French, these resources 
 were invaluable to the people of the colony. This was such a 
 manifest grievance to the colonists, and such a preposterous ab- 
 surdity in an economical point of view, that the appeals of the 
 ilelegates both in Canada and Enylaud met with a warm svm-
 
 178 IXTERXATIONAL TREATIES. 
 
 pathetic response, and tlie press ol liotli countries sustained tlieir 
 claims. It seemed but simisle justice that the coh^nists slioukl be 
 masters in their own territory and live to develope its resources. 
 
 LOBSTERS NOT I>X'LUDEI> IN TREATIES. 
 
 But the French had to lie reckoned with and they refused tc 
 yiehl an inch on the lobster ([uestion. In Aain did the British 
 diplomatists remonstrate and point out tliat Avhen the treaties 
 were made and gave the French the liberty ot" " taking and dry- 
 ing tish," lobster canning was unknown, and lobsters could not 
 have been included ; that only cod-fisliing could have been in 
 view when " taking and drying tish " was specified, lobsters not 
 being fish, and cainiing a very different process frour "drying ;" 
 that lobster factories are not the "temporary huts and stages" 
 allowed in the treaties, biit permanent buildings which the 
 Frencli wore forbidden to erect. The French still obstinately 
 clung to their claim ; and probalily wearied with their perti- 
 nacity, the British Government offered to sul)mit tlie lobster 
 question to arbitration. This temporizing jjolic}' 2>avcd the way 
 for tJie host of troubles which speedily followed. 
 
 MODUS TIVENDI. 
 
 The Frencli accepted arbitration ; and without suljuiitting the 
 matter to the local legislatuie, the British Government arranged 
 Avith the French a modus vivendi pending the results of the arbi- 
 tration. As soon as this was made known popular indignation 
 burst forth afresh. The Legislature in the Session which opened 
 March 6th, 1890, unanimously adojjted resolutions condemning 
 the inodiis vivendi; and mass meetings of the jjeople followed 
 denouncing it in the strongest terms. It was too late, however, 
 the Britisli Government having been committed to the arrange- 
 ment ; so that the ovodits virandi went into 02)eration and tlie 
 naval officers engaged in the protection of the fisheries received 
 instructions to enforce it. 
 
 MODUS VIVENDI 015JECTI0NABLE. 
 
 The most objectionable feature in this ?/;o(?«.s rinndi was that 
 it gave formal permission to the French to erect loli>ter iactories
 
 IXTEKNATIOXAI. TKKATIKS. 1,0 
 
 on certain conditions, tliu.s apparently iuliuilting ilicir claims, 
 and casting a donbt on the cxdiuivr rights of tln^ cuhmists to all 
 the lobsters on the French shore, as to which no donht -whatever 
 existed in the minds of British statesmen and lawyers. This 
 was done, moreovei-, withont the knowledge or consent of the 
 .colonists, and in opjiosition to the jjosition taken previously by 
 the British Government. It had the appearance of conceding to 
 the French certain territorial rights which they never enjoyed 
 before, as lobster factories were permanent establishments. The 
 modm allowed all lobster factories in existence on July 1st, 
 1889, both French and British, to continue, pending an arbitra- 
 tion, ]jut prohibited all new erections, unless by joint consent of 
 the eommandeis of British and French naval stations. 
 STRANGE DISCOVERY. 
 
 The unpalatable arrangement, however, had to be enforced by 
 the naval officers o\\ the station. Ere loiig a strange and start- 
 ling discovery was made, namely, that the Act of Parliament 
 .enalding British Governments to enforce these treaties, by orders 
 issued to naval olricers, had expired by virtue of one of its own 
 ])rovisions in the year 1834, and ha<l never been renewed ; so 
 that from that time till the present no legal authority had existed 
 for the enforcement of Her Majesty's instructions to na\al com- 
 niamlers upon the coast of Newfoundland. 
 
 MR. JAMES BAIRD VERSUS SIR BAEUWIX ^VAI^KER. 
 
 It was an unjdea-^ant surprise to the British (government to be 
 reminded of this fact, and told that their illegal enforcements 
 had been going on for 56 years. But to make such a discovery, 
 which no one at first credited or even noticed when announced, 
 ^\•as one thing ; and to work it out practi(!ally for the benefit of 
 the colony, was (pite another thing. ^Ir. James Bainl, a mer- 
 chant of St. John's, who was embued with a large amount of 
 public spirit, resolved to bring the matter to a practical issue. 
 One of his lobster factories on the French shore had been seized, 
 as he believed, illegally, irnder the provisions of the inodasvivendi, 
 and operations were ordered to be discontirnied. Mr. Baiul at
 
 180 IXTEKXATIOXAL TREATIES. 
 
 once took an action against tlic British naval otticer — Sir Baldwin 
 Walker — who issued the order, estimating his damages at ^5,000^ 
 The case was argued at great length and with much legal acumen 
 before the Supreme Court of Xewfoundland, with the result that 
 ■judgment was given in favour of Mr. Baird. The officer had 
 no legal authority to confiscate the factory. 
 
 COERCION BILL, IN THE HOUSE OF LOKDS. 
 
 The British Clovernment then, for the hrst time, realized that 
 they had no legal authority for the orders issued to the naval 
 commanders for the enforcement of these treaties. The treaties, 
 however, were binding, and nothing remained but to ask Par- 
 liament for power to enforce them. Accordingly a Bill was' 
 introduced into the House of Lords for this piirpose. It was a 
 re-enactment of the provisions of an old Act 5, Geo. TV., with 
 a new applicati<jn. 
 
 DELEGATION TO PARLIAMENT. 
 
 As soon as its nature and scojje were made kno\\'u popular' 
 feeling was aroused afresh in tlie Colony. The Legislature of 
 Newfoundland at once despatched a joint delegation composed 
 of members of both Chambers, to present a remonstrance to the 
 British Parliament ^\■ith the view of arresting an obnoxious 
 coercive measure which was regarded as an interference with the 
 rights and liberties of the peojjle of the Colony. The names of 
 these delegates deserve to be placed on record as they discharged 
 their duties ably and fought the battle of their country bravely. 
 The following is a list of these deputies :— From the Legislative 
 Council — Hon. A. "VV. Harvey and Hon. M. Monroe ; From the 
 House of Assembly — Sir William Y. White way, Premier ; 
 Hon. Sjieaker Emerson, and Mr. A. B. Morine, Leader of the 
 Opposition. 
 
 DELEGATES AT THE BAR OF THE LORDS. 
 
 The delegation claimed to be heard at the Bar of the House of 
 Lords, and this rare privilege was granted. Then occurred that 
 memorable historic scene when the representatives of England's 
 oldest Colony stood before the most noble and august assembly
 
 iNTEKXATioxAL ti;p:aties. 181 
 
 in the world, ami in a document marked liy liigli a1>ility, mo- 
 deration and wisdom, set forth the long array of their country's 
 wrongs and grievances, in words Avhich made a deeji inqiression 
 on that great assemblage. The House of Lords was crowded to 
 an extent rarely witnessed before. The appeal of the delegates 
 was listened to with deep sympathetic interest ; and generous 
 applause was given to it by .speakers of both political parties. 
 The pre.ss of England joined in approval of the dignified and 
 judicious position assumed by the delegation. They wisely 
 offered, on behalf of the Legislature by whom they had been 
 accredited, to pass the necessary enactments to enable England 
 to fulfil her treaty obligations. The obnoxious measure before 
 the House was then withdrawn, arrangements were made for ar- 
 riving at an agreement between the British Government and the 
 delegates as to the nature of the enactment which the Colonial 
 Legislature would be asked to sanction for the enforcement of 
 the treaties. In regard to what followed it is only necessary to 
 say that misunderstandings arose. A comjjlete and satisfactory 
 enactment has not yet been passed by the local legislature ; but 
 such an understanding has been reached as has removed manj- 
 difficulties out of the way, and leaves little doubt that a measure 
 will ere long receive the sanction of the Imperial authorities and 
 the local legislature, -which will secure the objects in view. 
 Meantime, the modus vivendi has been continued, by local enact- 
 ment, till the close of 1895. This will give time for further 
 negotiations. 
 
 HARDSHIPS OF TBEATIES. 
 
 It is very clear from the foregoing narrative of events, that this 
 " French Shore Question" is about as far as ever from a solution. 
 What the people of XcMfoundland want is to be made masters 
 in their own territory, and to get rid of these French claims. 
 They have no wish to disturb the French in their possession of 
 St. Pierre and Micjuelon, or to interfere with their fishery on the 
 Banks for which these i.«lands furnish a basis. But they keenly 
 feel the injustice of slnitting up half of an island larger than
 
 1S2 IXTEIIXATIOXAL TKEA'I'IKS. 
 
 Ii'L-land in onk'i- lliat -ix or seven small French tisliing vessels 
 may use it for drying tlieir tish for three months in the year. 
 THK FKKXCH KKFU8K COMPKOMISES. 
 
 It is necessary, however, to look existing facts in the face. 
 France has again ami again declared, througli the mouth of her 
 foremost statesmen, that she will not accejjt a money compen- 
 sation or even a territorial exchange for lier treaty lights in 
 Xewfoundland. They say no Frencli Govennnent dare propose 
 any such arrangement in face of the i)opular indignation it 
 ■would kindle. The national sentiment will not allow them to 
 listen to such a proposal as giving u[) the last relic of French 
 Empire in the Xew AVurld. The maintenance of the French 
 navy is somehow immovaldy associated in the Gallic mind with 
 the nursery for her seamen which France holds in these waters. 
 It may lie too that her statesmen look ujjon these treaty rights as 
 iift'ording them a fine vantage ground in dealing with England 
 on the Egyptian fj^uestion, or other disputed sulijects. 
 DIFFICULTIES OF SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Whatever may be the explanation, France will not relax her 
 hold on Newfoundland ; and further, except by going to war, 
 which no one desires and all parties shrink from, England has 
 no power to compel her. The pnblished correspondence between 
 the two Governments shows that English statesmen have spared 
 no efforts to Ijring aliout a settlement of this old dispute favour- 
 able to the colony ; but ha\e laboui'ed in vain. France is im- 
 practicable, and will concede nothing. Both England and the 
 colonists are willing to submit the whole (piestions connected 
 with the treaties to arbitration ; but France will accept arljitra- 
 tion only on the lobster claim. This does not indicate that she 
 has full confidence in the justice of her demands on other points, 
 or in her own interpretation of the treaties. 'W'hli all his diplo- 
 matic skill, Lord Salisbin-v has failed to bring her to reason. 
 He lias been met at all points by a wm pos-'^iiwus. 
 
 CO-OPEKATION WITH ENGL AND. 
 
 What is the wisest policy for Xewfoundlami to adopt in the 
 present crisis in her affairs ? The colonist's have amjily vindi-
 
 INTERNATIONAL TKEATIES. 1S3 
 
 .L'atctl tlicir riglils as t'lveiiu'ii liy iiiakiiiL;' kuoun tlicii' grit-vauces 
 ami wi-DiiL^s, ami tlii-v liavi' won the synqiatliy of England ami 
 the iT'spcct of her leading statesmen of both injlitieal j'lU'ties. 
 'They may vest assured, tlierefore, that as soon a- opportunity 
 presents itsidf theii- wi-ongs will he righteih But England ean- 
 mjt aeeoni])lish ini])nssil)ilities. She cannot disreganl her treaty 
 .obligations, and sjie has no jiower to (■onipe] France to forego her 
 treaty rights. England is in ]ion(.iin- 1)ound to t-nlorce observance 
 in Xewi'onndland of her treaty engagements, whatever they may 
 l)e. The despatch received from Lord Ripon, Seci'etary of State 
 for the Colonies, in March last, indicates an earnest desire to 
 .adopt conciliatory measures, and to make such conces.sioUH in 
 regard to the provisions of an Act to be submitted to the local 
 Legislature, as will smooth the way i'or it.s acce])tanee. Under 
 such circumstances, it will be evident to most thinking men tliat 
 the duty and interest of the colony lie in co-operation with the 
 Imperial authorities, lioth in sccui-ing a 2)roper nu^asure for the 
 .enfoi'cement of the treaties and also in the settlement of the 
 whole (.juestiou in the future. Tlie jiresent time calls for mode- 
 I'ation, .self-conti'ol, and the exercise of that gooil sense which 
 will look facts in the face calndy, and not indulge in ]iy.-;terical 
 .demands for the immediate alirogation of all Frencli rights, re- 
 ifusing ever\ coni))romise which falls short of this. Xothing can 
 be gained by shrieking for such extreme measures as tearing u[> 
 the treatie'?, and the immeiliate withdrawal of the French. 
 
 SKLF-EESTKAINT AND PATIKNCK. 
 
 Whatever may have been the conduct of the Imperial Mother 
 towards the lirst-born of her colonies, in tiie rough da\'s of the 
 past, she has now notlung but the kindest intentions and the 
 most sincere good will. She has every desire to at(_)ne for the 
 harshnesses and negligence of the past, and to help us in our 
 hour of need. We may learn a lesson from the conduct of Ca- 
 nada in dealing with the Beliring Sea trouble. She trusted the 
 Imperial Authorities and coulially co-o]ierated with tlieni, in a 
 .spirit of " sweet reasonableness ;" and tlie result has liecu au
 
 184 IXTEKXATIOXAL TliEATIES. 
 
 arbitration wliicli secures for Canada all that could l)e fairly ex- 
 pecteil. If the colonists are patient and wise, while firmly hold- 
 ing on to their rights, the day may not be distant when all pre- 
 sent difficulties may admit of an easy solution. 
 
 >KAV KAII.WAY AS A FACTOK. 
 
 To the present writer it seems that the new line of railway is- 
 destined to be an important factor in the settlement of the 
 French Shore Question. Once those solitudes are people<l by a 
 busy thriving po}>ulation — farming, mining, lumbering, manu- 
 facturing, — (ince the smoke of homesteads fills the air anil the 
 whistle of the locomotive is heard amid the " forests primeval," 
 our French iishing friends will find that there is no room for 
 them ; and the last pale ghosts of the old treaties will vanish for' 
 ever. It may l)e found that the great innovator — the raihvay 
 — ^is destined to make Newfoundlanders masters in their oavu 
 house. 
 
 Before chjsing this chapter it may be well to allude t(j another 
 serious evil inflicted on the colony by the concessions already 
 described. St. Pierre, which at the nearest point is but fifteen 
 miles from the Newfoundland shores, has long been a smuggling 
 centre, very large quantities of wine, brandy, rum, tobacco, tea, 
 sugar, drapery and other goods, are every year smuggled into- 
 the southern and Avestern portion of the island. The reA-enue is 
 is thus defrauded ; the honest traders are jdaced at a disad^'an- 
 tage ; and the worst of all, the jseople are demoralized. So many 
 small vessels are constantly running to St. Pierre, carrying bait 
 for the French Bankers, and bringing back contraband goods,, 
 that it is found to be cpiite impossible to preA'ent smiiggling on a 
 large scale. The evil might be checked by a British Consul re- 
 silient at St. Pierre ; but though asked for, again and again, the 
 Fi-ench steadily refuse to jjermit a consul to exercise his func- 
 tions on their island. Doubtless the French traders find it profit- 
 able to supply the smugglers, and do not Avant to be disturbed. 
 This gi'ievance has long been felt, but no redress has ever been 
 attempted. Taking into account the Avholc effects of these trea-
 
 INTERN ATIOXAL TliEATIE.S. 1S5' 
 
 ties, it is not woikKtIu] lluit llie colonists sliould liii\(/ at times 
 discovered impatience, and always clieiislied an irritaljU' discon- 
 tent with tlieir hard lot. 
 
 THE WESTMINSTKK REVIEW ON THE SITUATION. 
 
 Snbjoined are a few extracts from an able article in tlie TP'est- 
 minster Review for April, 1892. The wiiter, Mr. E. R. Spearman, 
 is thoroughly in syniimtliy with Newfoundlanders in their hard 
 struggles : — ^" It behoves Englishmen to make themselves masters 
 of the whole story of tlie Newfoundland difficulty, and to be 
 thus prejjared to deal with it intelligently whenever the crisis 
 comes. To begin with, it must be understood by Englishmen 
 that the great bulk of Frenchmen do not care two straws about 
 Newloundland itself, but do care a great deal about other sore 
 subjects of controversy with England's empire elsewhere, and so 
 seize on any available grievance like Newfoundland to manifest 
 international ill-will whenever tlie Gallic cock desires to give the 
 English lion a prod with 1 lis angry spurs." * * * "Though 
 enough physical mists sTUTound Newfoundland, there is still no 
 real reason why any political mists should envelope it, so far as 
 Englishmen are concerned. Every verse in the great epic of 
 Newfoundland should be fresh in every Englishman's brain, for 
 it is that ejjic which marks his race's march to world-wide em- 
 pire and glories unequalled in the record of mankind." 
 
 ENGIiAND'S NEGLECT AND CRUELTY. 
 
 "England is a cruel mother. Most of her colonial children 
 have been born against her will, and she has often tried to 
 strangle them, both before and after bii-th. Though thus be- 
 gotton, they strangely enough have invariably regarded their 
 parent with imcpicuchable love, seeking her favour with rich 
 gifts and valuable seivices, only to be insulted and jilundered. 
 Fostering care of her colonies has never been the rule of the 
 greatest colonizing nation the world has ever seen. On the con- 
 trary, the colonists have generally been such as have tied from 
 England in bitterness of spirit, and the dominant policy of Eng- 
 land has alwaj's been to treat these exiles as a herd of condennied
 
 180 IXTKUXATIOXAL TIJEATIES. 
 
 .-pirits, who must not lie allowed to esca|ie torture l)y shifting 
 their ([uarters, liut In- harasseil without remorse. Hard as has 
 Ijeeii the lueasure meted to all her eoluuies hy England, to none 
 lias she been a more unnatural paivnt than to the tirst-born, the 
 ■chihl of lier youthful maternity as a liree(ler of otlier common- 
 Avealths from the liosom of her (jwn, and a ehihl, too, who lias 
 paid a tribute for nearly foui- hundred years fai' exceeding 'the 
 Avealtli of Ormu/ or (jf Ind,' — the liarve^t of the sea, more 
 precious to our inland than the dianninds of (.iolconda or the 
 gohl of Peru. 
 
 TOILKKS OF THK SEA. 
 
 " Xo English Homer has y,^.t arisen to tell the tale of Xew- 
 foundland, shrouded in mystei-y and romance ; the daring 
 invasion and \icissituiles of those exhaustless tisjieries ; the 
 battle of life in that seething cauldi'on of the North Atlantic — - 
 "the Western Ocean'' as the sailors say witli a shi\-ev and a 
 shrug — where the swelling billows ne\-er rest, liut cross and 
 ■criss-cross in I'oaring rivalries, anil the hurricane only slumbers 
 to bring forth the worse dangers of the fog-bank and the iceberg. 
 Eierce as have been during the four centuries the tight for the 
 fisheries by European rivals, their 2>etty racial (quarrels sink into 
 insignificance before the general struggle for the harvest. The 
 Atlantic I'oar hides all minoi- ju'pings. The bi-eed of iisher-folk 
 from tlu'se deep-sea voyagings 'onsist f)f the toughest specimens 
 •of human endurance. All other dangers whieli lure men to 
 venture everything for excitement, or for fortune, the torrid 
 beat or Arctic cold, the battle against man or l)east, the desert or 
 the jungle, all land adventurers are nothing conijiared to the 
 <laring of the hourly existence of tlie heroic souls whose lives are 
 cast U]Kin the Banks of Newfoundland. The tishermeu may 
 seem Avild and reckless, rough auil illitei-ite, Init supreme danger 
 and superlative sacrifice breed noble ([ualitios ; and beneath the 
 rough exterioi of the lisheiman you ^vill never fail to find n iiudi, 
 Ho cheap imitation of the genuine article. None but a man can 
 Jace, for the second lime, the fi'own of the Atlantic — that exhi-
 
 IXTEltXATIOXAL TIJEATIES. 187 
 
 bitiou of mighty all-cousuiuiiig power, liesitli- tlu' sober reality of 
 which all the ecstaciesof poets and of jiaintings are puny failures. 
 
 NEWFOUNDrANI) THE >l'IISERY OF ENGLAND'S NAVY. 
 
 "Among these heroic children of the sea England's sons have- 
 always been foi'emost. AVe sliDuld exj^ect England to be espe- 
 cially proud of such offspring, familiar witli their struggles, and 
 ever heedful of theii- wellare, lending an ear to their claims or 
 complaints before all other suitors. Strange to say it has always 
 l)een the e.xact reverse. In the great fisheries, England, from 
 her position and the nature of her peojde, has taken the leading 
 part. Thi' fidii'rii-.s <if Xi'irfiiiinilhind hare h-in tin- (irujin of all, 
 our iiwi^t chcritihni frtiiiDplix. From K<-vf<iiiiiiJliniil Ims lici-v imrsi'd 
 the irhole of tliat iiuvy, mercantile or icarUlc, irliidi moljcs nn iiiii.'<- 
 ters of the -swf.s. From Xevfoimdlawl has xjinimi tlu n-Jmlr iiisjii- 
 ration whicJi h((x h'<l fh'- Eiitjlish empire fn I'uD'r thr (jhilir. 
 
 " It was pre-eminently the New Found Land — the first gai-ner 
 of English discovery. It was in 1497 that the Anglo- Venetian, 
 John (Jabot, with his genuine English sons, 
 '■ Saileit away, 
 J^-oiii Bristol Bay " 
 to find more gems for the concpieror of Bosworth Field to add to 
 his diadem, .lolin Cabot's voyage was the fir.-t of many Bristol 
 exjjeditions ; ami the "West Counti'v men came to consider the 
 Banks of Newfoundland as almost their watery homestead. 
 
 CAPABILITIES OF THE ISL.\NI>. 
 
 "Bearing these facts in mind, one Avenild expect Englishmen to 
 take a most lively interest in a possession next to Ireland in 
 proximity, larger than Ireland in area, and far exceeding Ireland 
 in potential jjrodnct. Besides the fisheries (which themselves 
 must ever remain Tuiri vailed as a national inheritance, and were 
 the most important gift furnished to Europe by tlie discovery of 
 the New World) Newfoundland also possesses a pei'fect treasure- 
 house of minerals, — almost all the metals, and coal and petro- 
 lenm. In fact there is every reason to ex]iect that the fanu^ of 
 Newfoundland as a mining field wduld be world-wide, were
 
 188 INTERNATIONAL TREATIES. 
 
 ;atteution given to develoiiing the resources of tlie island ; but 
 everyone hitherto has considered tisliing as the object of their 
 existence ; and England has so treated her colony as to prevent 
 the growth of a pojiulation extensive enougli to attend to all in- 
 dustries ojiened to man in such a favoured ^pot. At the jsresent 
 crisis, one of the chief hardships suffered by the Newfoundland- 
 ers is interference with any attempt at mining oijerations by the 
 French patrols, who have in feet, if not in theory, the power 
 foolishly conceded by England, of ]iractically nobbling all in- 
 dustry for about a thousand miles of coast line. In fact the 
 monstrosity of the French case, in this resjiect, would be ludi- 
 •crous in its audacity were it not so exasperating." 
 
 * * * ■=x- * * * 
 
 NEWFOUNDLAND ALAVAY8 BKLONGED TO ENGLAND. 
 
 ''Degenerate indeed must be the Englislnnen who read the 
 record and fail to claim the absolute supremacy of English rights 
 in Newfoundland in all particulars. For Ije it lemembered that 
 this early possession has been fortifii'(l by uninterrupted occu- 
 pancy " to make assurance doubly sure." Tlie island has been 
 invaded by the French and others in war-time, but never con- 
 qitered; and such invasions give no slired of title in time of peace. 
 The French visitoi'S have been from the first (as all other foreign- 
 ers, even from the start,) merely guests on the shores of New- 
 foundland ; and if they V>ecome obnoxious, England has every 
 right, moral and legal, to refuse them further hospitality." 
 
 AKKANGEMENT OF 1885. 
 
 " Tlie French have undoul)ted claims in Newfoundland ; but 
 experience has shown that a continuance of the exercise of these 
 ■claims is impracticable. Tliey should l)e Ijought out in the in- 
 terests of peace." 
 
 * * -x- * * * * 
 
 "It is well to understaud tliat tlie Newfoundlanders have 
 always been most patient and reasonable. Ignornant people 
 liave often called the islanders otherwise, Ijecause such i)eople
 
 IXTERNATIOXAL TREATIES. 189 
 
 never reflect that the XewfouucUanders, being on the spot, have 
 the best means of judging of the merits of tlie disjiute. Thus 
 the Newfoundlanders have been abused by 'inspired' pens and 
 high officials in England for refusing to accept the treaty of 
 1885, alleged to be so favourable to the island. The true reason 
 for such a rejection Avas this : France had, from time immemorial, 
 had more clever surveyors and negotiators tlian England in those 
 parts. Thus her accomplished French surveyors made a plan 
 vhicli looks delightful on paper to the uninitiated. The English 
 settlers were surrendered parts of the disputed coast ; but, here 
 a bit and there a bit was reserved absolutely to France. Now, 
 these bits happened to include all the good harbours of the 
 coast. All settlement and mining ventures would be impossi- 
 ble. No wonder Newfoundlanders rose in wrath against such 
 a sacrifice."' 
 
 THE END OF THE MATTER. 
 
 "Newfoundlanders must be absolutely masters in their own 
 land, and for this hajtpy release they will doul)tless be both 
 willing and able to pay a sufficient price. Way back to Edward 
 VI., an Act of Parliament declared the Newfoundland fisheries 
 an unlicensed i)rivilege of every Englishman. We practically 
 allow the said fisheries to l)e to-day the unlicensed privilege of 
 all mankind. But Newfoundland itself is our own, our eldest 
 born. AVe should deserve to be wiped away from the list of 
 honourable nations if we do not stand by the island in this hour 
 of her distress." 
 
 TREATY OF UTRECHT. 
 
 Thirteenth clause of the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) jn-esents in 
 clear and brief terms the whole matters in dispute, and those 
 who wish to understand the French Shore fpiestion should never 
 lose sight of it. This treaty was drawn up in English am.1 
 French and then translated into Latin, in which language it was 
 signed, so that this version is official and authoritati\-e. Here is 
 a correct translation of the 13th clause from the Latin text : — 
 
 " The Island called Newfoundland, with the adjacent islands, 
 shall from this time forward Ijelong wholly to Great Britain ;
 
 190 IXTEUXATIOXAf, TREATIES. 
 
 and to that end the town and fortress of Placentia, and whatever 
 other places in the said island are in the possession of the French,- 
 shall be yielded and given up ■within seven months from the 
 ratifications of this treaty, or sooner if possible, by tlie Most 
 Christian King, his heirs and snccessors, to those who have a 
 commission from the Queen of Great Britain for that purpose. 
 Xor shall the Most Christian King, his heirs or s;;ccessors, or jiny 
 o'f their subjects, at any time hereafter lay claim to any right to- 
 the said island and islands, or any part of it or tliem. Moreover 
 it shall not be lawfid for tlic subjects of France to fortify any 
 place in the said Island of Newfoundland, or to erect any build- 
 ings there besides stages made of boards and huts necessary and 
 usual for drying of fish, or to resort to the said island beyond the 
 time necessary for fishing and drying of fish. But it shall be 
 allowed to the subjects of France to catch fish and to dry thenr 
 on land, on that ^Jai't only wliich stretches from tlie ])lace called 
 Cape Bonavista to the nortliern point of the said island, and 
 thence running down by her western side, reaches as far as the- 
 place called Pointe Riche. But the island called Cape Breton, 
 as also others both in the mouth of the River St. Lawrence, and 
 in the Gulf of the same nanu-, shall hereafter belong of right to 
 the French, and the Most Christian King shall have all manner 
 of liberty to fortify any place or places there."' 
 
 nSHEKV TREATIES BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND 
 THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 The treaties between Great Britain and tlu' United States,- 
 bearing on the fisheries in British-American waters — Newfound- 
 land included — have been the subject of lengthened disputes and 
 A-ohrminous diplomatic correspondence, and the difference in 
 opinion regarding their projjer construction has given rise to- 
 mucli irritation and international jealousy. The treaty of 1783, 
 Avhich recognized American Independence, in its third article 
 conferred upon the people of the United States the right to take 
 fish of every kind on the Grand Bank and all the other Banks of 
 Newfoundland ; also in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and on such 
 jiartof the coast of Newfoundland as British fishermen shall use ;■
 
 INTERN ATIOX AT. TREATIKS. 191 
 
 but not to ilrv nr cure the same on tlmt island, and al-o en tlir 
 coast, bays and creeks of all ntliev of His Britannie ]Maje>ty'.-^ 
 dominions in Ameiica ; also lilierty to dry and cure fisli in any 
 of the unsettled bays, harbours and ci'eeks of Nova Si'otia, ^big- 
 dalen Islands and Labi'ador, so long as they remain unsettled. 
 CONVENTION OF 1818. 
 The rights guaranteed by this article Avere enjoyed to the Avar" 
 of 1812 Avhich terminated tlie Treaty of 1783. The Treaty of 
 Glient contained no reference to the irsheries, and disputes having 
 arisen between tlie fishermen of the two nations, the Convention 
 of 1818 was agreed on. Its first article provided that "The in- 
 liabitants of the United States shall have for ever, in common 
 with the subjects of His Britannic Majesty, tlie liberty to take." 
 fish of every kind on that part of the southern coast of Xew- 
 foundland, from the said Cixpe Ray to the Ramean Islands ; on 
 the western and northern coasts of Newfoundland, from the said 
 Cajie Ray to the Quirpon Islands, and on the shores of the Mag-' 
 dalen Islands" — also on Labrador; also that, "The American 
 fishermen shall have liberty for ever to dry and cure tisli in any 
 of the unsettled bays, harbours and creeks of the southern part 
 of the coast of Newfoundland here above described, and of the 
 coast of Labrador," such right to terminate when any portions- 
 become settled. Further : the United States in this artic le agreed 
 to "renounce any liberty heretofore enjoyed or claimed by 
 the inhabitants thereof to take, dry or cure tish on or within 
 three marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks or harbours 
 of His Britannic Majesty's dominions in America ;" and Avere 
 only to enter such bays or harliours for shelter, or to olitain 
 wood or water. 
 
 RECIPKOCITY TREATY, 1854. 
 
 This convention did not work satisfactorily, and in 1854 a' 
 Reciprocity Treaty was agreed on. By the tei'ius of this agree- 
 ment the entire sea fishery was thrown open to Americans, as' 
 Avell as certain rights to land and cure their fish. The Ameri- 
 cans in turn gave British s\ibjects reciprocal privileges on theiv
 
 192 INTERNATIONAL TREATIES. 
 
 eastern coasts. This treaty was to continue for twelve years. 
 At the end of that jperiod it was terminated in 1880 at the in- 
 stance of the American Government. In 1871 the Treaty of 
 Washington -was concluded. It dealt with the complications 
 .arising out of the " Alabama Claims," and also with the fishery 
 rights of both nations. It threw oi:)en the fisheries to the Amer- 
 icans in ahnost the precise terms of the Recijirocity Treaty. It 
 was further agreed that commissioners should determine the re- 
 :Spective value of the fishery i:)rivileges mutually granted. When 
 these commissioners met in Haliftix, five and a-half million dol- 
 lars were awarded to the Dominion of Canada and Newfound- 
 land as compensation for the concessions made by them to the 
 Americans, in throwing open to them fisheries of greater value 
 than those conceded by the United States to Britisli fishermen. 
 .Of this sum Newfoundland received one million dollars. 
 
 Tlie Americans were dissatisfied with the award and the treaty 
 was terminated, at their. instance, in twelve years, ending in 1883. 
 ;Since then the Convention of 1818 has been in force. Several 
 .attempts have been made to establish another Fishery Treaty 
 between the United States and Canada, but without success. 
 Newfoundland endeavoured to make a separate treaty with the 
 United States, and tlie Bond-Blaine CouA-ention Avas the result. 
 Hitherto the British Goveiumeut have failed to sanction this 
 arrangement.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE— THE CLASSES 
 AND THE MASSES. 
 
 MERCHANTS AND THE SUPPLYING SYSTEM. 
 
 We come now to glance at the characteristics and general 
 (^nalities and endowments of the people who have to fight life's 
 lialtle on this sea-girt isle, and l>y whom its destinies must be 
 largely determined. 
 
 IMPORTANCE OF RACE. 
 
 There is a great deal in race. Climate, modes of life, general 
 environments, may do much to modify racial characteristics and 
 tendencies, but can never wholly efface them, That a peojjle or 
 an individual should be descended from a sound, good stock, is 
 a matter of vast importance. "Blood" must ever count for 
 much. The people who are doing the A\ork of to-day are the 
 epitome of their respective long lines of ancestry— the summing 
 up of whole generations whose labours and moral and intellec- 
 tual attainments have culminated in tliemselves and made them 
 what they are. "Can tlie Ethi()])ian change his skin or the leo- 
 IDard his spots ?" "We can no moie throw aside our race pecu- 
 liarities and characteristics than we can get clear of our own 
 shadows. The ci-ossing and intermingling of races may go a 
 certain length in effecting changes in the resulting progeny ; but 
 the "Ethiopian" cuticle is ineffaceable and will re-appear in 
 spite of all superficial varnishings. Ancestry is an important 
 factor in shaping the destinies of a peoid:\ 
 A GOOD STCCK. 
 
 Xow the two hundred tliousand people who at present consti- 
 tute the whole population of Newfoundland — an island much 
 larger than Ireland — are come of a good stock, or rather stocks,
 
 194 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE rEOI'LE. 
 
 for tlu'V are derived entirely from the Saxon and Celtic races;/ 
 ]Moreover, the blood, in this isolated region, has been kept pure 
 from any undesirable intermixtuies ; and, so far, this filended 
 race has been developed under favourable circumstances. The 
 intei-mingling of Saxon strength, energy, endurance arid capacity 
 for " toiling terribly," with Celtic swiftness, brilliancy, imagina- 
 tiveness and emotional activity, ought to produce a superior race, 
 having the best ipialities of the .-locks fiom which they oiiginated, 
 
 SAXOX A]NI> CJKLTIC ELEMENTS. 
 
 Newfoundland enjoys the distinction of being Great Britain's 
 oldest Colony. This was the tirst i)ortiou of the western world 
 on which the Saxon set his foot. It '\\as here that the nation 
 which was destined to discover the Xorth-West Passage and the 
 .sources of the Nile, and to plant American, Indian and Austra- 
 lian Empires tirst raised its Hag in the west and tried its tirst 
 exijeriment in colonization. And the lir.-t colonists who settled 
 here were not men who were forced to "leave their country for' 
 their country's good." Some of them were men born in the 
 "Spacious times of great Elizabeth" — men l)rave, enterprising, 
 true sea-kings who could fearlessly " lay their hands on ocean's 
 mane." Many of them were Devonshire men — the country that 
 produced Sir Walter Raleigh and his half-brother Sir Humphrey 
 Gilbert, and Drake and Hawkins, and many another old English 
 woi'th)'. To these were added, at a later date, some of Ireland's- 
 best blood ; for the men ^\•ho Mere l)rought liere by Sir George 
 Calvert, Viscount Falkland and Sir David Kirke from Ireland, 
 were of the right stamp for colonists ; while tiie Irish emigrants 
 ■who arrived at a later date Avere those wlio sought new homes- 
 beyond the Atlantic, in order to escape from persecution and 
 evil days in their native land. TIius, on the soil of Newfound- 
 land, the tough enduring Saxon and the nidri' lively, versatile 
 Celt have met, in ])roportions not far from equal ; and from tliis 
 wholesome amalgamation of races have sprung the stalwart men 
 and comely matrons and maids whom the travellei' of to-day 
 looks on with admiration. Tlie race has taken kiudlv to the
 
 ('HAKACTERISTICS OK TlIK I'EorLE. 197) 
 
 toil timl UiriMMi. l-Jcareil iu one ol' llie most saliiln-ioiis cliniatt-s 
 ill tlu' wiiiM. liicatliiug an invigorating atniosplifiv, ciigageil 
 largely iu (i]ieii-aii- I'liqiloviiu'iits, — many of them constantly 
 iiattling with the hillows, — a lianly, energetic race ha- growu^ 
 nji, in whom the red corpuscles ol' the lilooil predominate ami 
 who are well titteil for the world's rough work. In the historical 
 sketch the early settler- were dejiicled and the hardships they 
 liad to euconntei', — Hghting cold and hunger in their "tilts,"' 
 battling with the ice-tloes, drawing a scanty subsistence from the 
 stormy dceau, and pursuing their ill-ieiiiunerated lahnurs amid 
 sore discouragements of all kinds, llut in the struggle with 
 ditticulties they gained energy, courage, self-reliance, all that 
 constitutes true manliood ; and they transmitted these as an in- 
 lieritauce to their jiosterity who lia\'e now "entered into their 
 labours," and find their lot cast amid happier surroundings. — 
 They and their fathei's have buti'eted the lullows and drunk in 
 ■the health-giving sea-breezes, and now we find the present gene- 
 ration of Newfoundlanders, in their general physicjue, a ]>ower- 
 fuUy built, loliust and hardy race. The noblest nations of the 
 earth, past and present, were not nurtured amid the flowers of 
 the South, but in tlie cold and stern North, where nature had to 
 be coiKpiered liy sweat of brow, and where the barren wilder- 
 jiess had to be transformed liy hard toil into the fruitful tichl. 
 
 3IKNTAL KNDOW>IKXTS. 
 
 It is (juite true that the intellectual develo[)meut of the people 
 in the past was not cared for as, under happier au.spices, it miglit 
 have been. When men are "living from hand to mouth," ami 
 sti'Uggling for the daily bread, mental jiursuits are imj)ossible 
 ami education is little considered. A great change for the better, 
 liowever, has taken place within the last quarter of a century. 
 The people are learning to appreciate the value and imi)ortance 
 of education, for which State pirovision is now made and in 
 which great imjiroveiuenls have been elfected. Many have now 
 attaineil a position of comfort ami even wealth ; so that leisure 
 is secured for the cultivation of the miml an:l attention to re-
 
 19G cha];actei!Isti('8 of the people. 
 
 finements in tante and habits of life. AVlieu young Newfound- 
 landers go to other countiies for the jjrofes.sional training not 
 yet attainable at liome, they are able, in many instances, to com- 
 pete successfully with other youths and to win honours at school 
 and college. Indeed, anyone wlio comes into contact with the 
 masses of the people cannot fail to be struck with their mental 
 quickness and general intelligence. Let education do its work 
 and it will be found that here is a people who, when duly cul- 
 tured, will j^lay ]io unwortliy part in the world of the future, 
 and will compete -witli tlie l)rain-^vorkers of the coming age in 
 all departments of lii'e. 
 
 MOKAt, QUALITIES. 
 
 It is admitted on all hands that a more moral, ordeily and' 
 law-abiding people cannot be found elsewhere. Serious crime is 
 rare and the proportion of offenders against the law to the whole 
 population is very small. Temperance has made great progress 
 among them, and on the whole they are a sober people. Their 
 kindness and hospitality to strangers who visit the country are 
 proverlnal. A traveller finds himself at once at home in New- 
 foundland whether in the capital or the more distant settlements,, 
 and all vie with eacli other in showing him attention and kind- 
 ness. Quiet, orderly, church-going, attached to their religious 
 faith, the people live j^eaceably among themselves, and outbreaks 
 of l)igotr3' or fanaticism are noAV almost unknown. Kindness to 
 the poor and indigent is a marked feature in the character of the 
 people ; and when through failure of the precarious fisheries, dis- 
 tress occurs, the fishermen help each other to the full extent of 
 their mean^, and often share to the last morsel with those who 
 are more destitute than themselves. Charitable societies for the 
 relief of the poor arc organized in the capital and the chief towns. 
 In no other country is there a more generous liberality shown to 
 sufferers when oveitaken by calamity or misfortune. 
 
 Sm II. liONNYCASTLE'S OPINION. 
 
 Sir Richard Bonnycastle, who resided for some time in New- 
 foundland, and knew the country and people well, in his book
 
 CHAKACTEItlSTirS OF THE rEOPI.K. 197 
 
 entitled " NewfoundliUid in 1842," hears the following testimony 
 to the character of the people : — " I declare, and I am snre I 
 shall be borne out by e\-ery class of people in this country, and 
 l)y all those whose domicile is meiely a transient one, that a more 
 |)eaceable, resjjectable, loyal, or kinder-hearted race than the 
 Newfoundland Englisli and Irish, whether emigrant or native- 
 born, I never met with. All they want, now that temperance 
 has so beneficially operated upon them, is education, agriculture, 
 roads, and the quiet which a firm, decided and imjjartial govern- 
 ment promises to hiiw in store for them." Many similar eulo- 
 gies might? be quoted, did sjjace permit, for all writers agree in 
 admiring and commending the natural (qualities of Newfound- 
 landers. 
 
 THK Uri'EK CLASSES. 
 
 There is, of course, no distinction of ranks other than that 
 arising from wealth, education or official or professional position. 
 The U2>per class is composed of the officials of the Government, 
 members of the Legislature, judges, clergy, merchants, doctors, 
 lawyers, and wealthy individuals who have retired from busi- 
 ness. The middle class is composed of the newer merchants, 
 importers, commission agents, shop-keepers, tradesmen, farmers, 
 and that large class who l)y industry and economy liave acquired 
 a modest competence. This middle class, well nameil " the 
 shield of society," is steadily increasing, and is making its in- 
 fluence for good felt extensively. On its growth and jJermanence 
 largely depends the future of the country ; and one of the most 
 hoi:)eful signs of the present time is that its ranks are swelling. 
 The middle class who look to Newfoundland as their home and 
 that of their children, must be regarded as the mainstay of the 
 country. It is among them that the sentiment of jn-ogress has 
 taken deepest root ; and that a strong desire for the development 
 of the resources of the island is most keenly felt. The fishermen 
 and the working classes generally welcome the prospect of new 
 industries for the support of themselves and their children, feel- 
 ing that the fisheries alone are insufficient for their increasing 
 numbers.
 
 '^98 CIIAIJAI TKKISTICS OF THK PEOPLE. 
 
 Tlic capitalists ot" the cuiiutrv are the iin'irliauts, muuerically 
 .a small class, liut \-itally iiii})ortant to the interests of the com- 
 munity and the prosecution of the staple imlustries on which the 
 1>ulk of the people ilepend for a suhsistence. They collect, ex- 
 ])ort and dispose of the A-arious products of the lisheries ; and 
 import the supplies of all kinds, food, clothing, tishing gear, etc., 
 i-e(|uired hy the tisherinen. Their vessels carry tlie dried fish, 
 .oil, etc., t(j the con-uniing countries, such as Brazil, Spain, 
 Portugal and Italv. They own most of the large steamers 
 which prosecute the seal fishery. Thei'e aie now liut aliout ten 
 .of the' large mercantile tirm< engaged in tlu' exporting husine.s.s, 
 all hut one having their e>tahlishments in St. John's. There are 
 a numl)er of other firms wlio give out supplies to the fi.shermen 
 at the beginning of each season, and take the products of their 
 ;laljour.s in return, hut who .sell the fish thus collected to the large 
 exporting firms. These import their own goods, hut do not gen- 
 .erally engage in the e.xjtort trade. 
 
 THK C'KKDIT SYSTEM. 
 
 In the historical sketch, the evils of the long contest between 
 the " merchant-adventurers'" of the olden times ^vho claimed a 
 .mono]»oly of the fi.shei'ies and caia-ied them on from England and 
 the resident tishei'men wlio had settled in the country are de- 
 picted. The latter had nnudi to bear, and were cruelly wronged 
 .and trampled on. The conflict was long and bitter, and it is not 
 Avonderful that the fishermen regarded the merchants as tyrants 
 and oppressors and reckoned them, for generations, as their natural 
 enemies. The antagonism between the two clas.ses was \iolent ; 
 and the nu-mories of what their forefathers sutf'ered lung rankled 
 in the minds of the sturdy settlers. Traditions of the "bad old 
 times" were handed down from generation to generation. The 
 .cidonists at length won the day ami gained their liberties. 
 The migratoiv fishery from England ceased, and all monopolies 
 at length ended. 
 
 CAPITALISTS NKKDKI). 
 
 Still capitalists wei-e found to be indisjiensable. The lisheries
 
 CIIAKACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE. 199 
 
 could not Ije ran-icil on witliunt tlu-m. Sliips were needed to 
 carry the fi.'^li to market ; Ijoats, coasting vessels, fishing gear, 
 must he procured. Tlie fishermen wei'C poor and most of them 
 i-e(|uired advances in food and clotliing at the connnencement of 
 each fishing seas(ju. Labour mu.st l)e organized or the fishermen 
 Avould starve. Capital wa.s needed to put the wheels of industry 
 in motion. Thus a new race of merchants sprung up. Many of 
 them were men wlio by their superior energies, skill and perse- 
 verance, rose from the ranks, and accumulated ANealth which 
 they used in the business of the country. Otliers were men who 
 represented business firms in tlie old country and invested their 
 capital in the fisheries. Tlius grew up the " credit " or " supply- 
 ing system" as it was called. The merchants made advances in 
 tlie necessaries of life, and at the close of the fishing season re- 
 reived the products of the fishermen's labours in payment. It 
 is a system frauglit willi many evils ; Init under such circum- 
 i^tances, its growtli and ramifications were iuevitalile. It was 
 injurious to the industries of the 2)eople. Many l)ecame hope- 
 lessly plunged in debt, and men so circumstanced lost heart and 
 hope, and became <lependent, anil too often indolent, careless as 
 to the cure of tlieir fish, and inditt'ei'ent as to the payment of 
 tlieir advances. On the otlier hand the cajjitalists liaving great 
 risks to run, and bail debts and precarious fisheries to reckon on, 
 are compelled to charge higher rates tlian tliose of the ordinary 
 market, otherwise he would speedily become bankrupt. The 
 "supplying system '' is cpiite as Ijad for the merchant as the fish- 
 .erman ; and it is a great mistake to sujipose that tlie merchants 
 are accumulating large fortunes in this line of l)usiness, which is 
 as bad for him who gives as for him who takes. In fact the 
 merchants have done much in recent years to"curtail the " credit 
 system ''" and keep it within the narrowest possilde bounds. Its 
 extinction, however, must be a matter'of time. To attempt to 
 terminate it abruptly would cioate wide-sjHcad misery, and 
 derange the whole business of the country. 
 
 C'OXSERA^4TISM OF THE OLDER SCHOOI. OF 3XEKCHANTS. 
 
 "What is needed now is to promote a good understanding be-
 
 200 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 tween capital and laboui' — between emploj'er and employecu 
 Twenty-five or tliirty years ago most of tlie capitalist class were" 
 non-resident. Many of them came here to make money and 
 then to return to their liomes in the old comitry to enjoy it. — ■ 
 Their interest in the peojile and in the advancement and pros- 
 perity of the country could not bo the same as in the case of 
 those who regarded it as their permanent abode and the home 
 of their children. In many cases the wealth they amassed did 
 not remain as capital to extend industries and develope the re- 
 sources of the island, but went to enrich other lands. This older 
 order of merchants looked i;pon the island as solely a fishing 
 country, and were more or less opposed to all changes and inno- 
 vations, or the promotion of other forms of industry. Hence' 
 the working class regarded them very much in the light of ab- 
 sentee landlords, wliose interests were not identical with their 
 own. An unfriendly relation between capital and labour thus 
 groAv up. 
 
 NE^V SCHOOL OF ]VIEKCHA>T,S. 
 
 The last quarter of a century, however, has witnessed a won- 
 derful change. Not onh has the middle class increased in num- 
 bers and wealth, but the ideas and position of the merchant class 
 have Ijeen entirely altered. jNIore and more they are becoming 
 permanent residents in the country and are looking to it as their 
 home. They are erecting tasteful and costly residences. The 
 present generation of merchants and capitalists are thoroughly 
 convinced of the necessity of turning to account the rich natu- 
 ral resources of the country and opening up new industries for 
 the employment of the people, for whose support the fisheries 
 are insufficient. They are men of intelligence, energy anil pro- 
 gressive views, and jarepared to do their part in advancing the 
 interests of the country and opening it by railways. They iden- . 
 tify themselves with the people, and their help and guidance 
 will be valuable. The old prejudices and the spirit of antago- 
 nism on the part of the working classes towards the merchants 
 — the 23roduct of former times and of old memories and tradi- 
 tions — will disappear when they are found doing tlieir duty,,
 
 CHARACTEUISTICS OF THE ]'P:()I'LE. 201 
 
 and coufidcncu iiml l'iieu<lly relations 1h.4wcl-u tlie " classes ami 
 the masses" will be restoreil. But, tliat lliis mav Ije realised, a 
 kindly and friendly interest must lie manifested in the avuII- 
 being of the jjoor toiling fishermen, -whose lot has been hard 
 enough ; and no efforts must be spared to improve their condi- 
 tion and raise them to a higher level. They are naturally a 
 warm-hearted })eople, who will respond to kindness. Their 
 faults of character, it must be remembered, are chiefly the re- 
 sults of their surroundings and the hard and harsh struggles 
 through which they have been obliged to pass. Let the uijjier 
 classes show that they have the welfare of the peojile at heart 
 and do their part in a patriotic spirit in promoting the advance- 
 ment of the Colony, and friendly relations between cajjital and 
 labour, which is especially desirable here, need not be disturbed. 
 
 THE PLANTERS. 
 
 There is another class of smaller capitalists, called " planters," 
 to be found in all the principal fishing centres. This term car- 
 ries us back to the days when all colonies were " plantations," 
 anil the colonists were "planters." The "survival" of the name 
 here is curious, for it does not at all indicate a man who plants 
 or cultivates anything, but simply a sort of middle-man who 
 stands between the merchant and the fisherman. He takes his 
 sujjplies of goods and fishing requisites direct from the merchant, 
 to whom he is accountable, and distributes them among a num- 
 ber of fishermen who look to him for advances ; and at the close 
 of the fishing season they hand over the proceeds of their labour 
 as payment. The j^rice of fish is, of course, determined by the 
 demand in foreign markets, and by the quantity taken. The 
 larger the sea-harvest here and in Norway, the great rival of 
 Newfoundland, as a rule, the lower the price. The j^lanter again 
 passes on the fish he has collected to the siij)plying merchant. 
 Many of the planters are independent and pay cash for their 
 supplies. Others have but small means, and are simply more 
 enterprising fishermen who own a " fishing-room" with a few 
 boats and seines. They engage a number of hands for the season 
 and the fish are made on their own premises.
 
 202 CHARACTEKISTICS OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 THE F1SHEKME>\ 
 
 111 tlie lieiglit of tliL' lishiiig season, if fisli ave almndant tlie 
 labours of the iislieiineu are severe and incessant ; but during 
 the long winter, the bulk of them are in a state of enforced idle- 
 ness. In the fall of (lie year, after the fish are dispo-ed of, there 
 are boats, nets, etc., to repair, stages and tlakes to look after, and 
 fuel to lie cut in tlie woods and hauled over the snow. Much of 
 the work of handling and drying tish is done by women and girls, 
 whose work is ol'teii veiy heavy. If the tishery has proved suc- 
 cessful, the fisherman has a snug Ijalance coming to him, after 
 paying for his summer supplies and is enabled tu lay in a stock 
 ■of provisions for the winter. Should the fisheries prove a failure, 
 the poor fisherman aftei' all his toil has perhaps only a lew quin- 
 tals of fish to haufl over in payment of his advances. He is then 
 dependent on the lil)erality of the merchant oi' planter for a sup- 
 l^ly of the necessaries of life to carry him through the winter. 
 Should he have done his best, and acted honestly, such supplies 
 are rarely refused. The merchant or sui)})lier has to take the 
 risks of the voyage as well as the fisherman, and in Viad seasons 
 his losses are often very heavy. Shouhl a second or third Imd 
 .season follow on the back of the first, the unfortunate fisherman 
 too often becomes hopelessly involved in debt. The merchant 
 finds himself at the end of the year with a long list of bad or 
 very doulitful delits in his ledger, and sutt'ers (juite as much as 
 the fisherman. It is easy to see that the business of supijlying 
 for the fisheries is far from being a bonanza. One liad season 
 may sweep away the gains of several good ones. The more the 
 credit system is curtailed the better for both parties. The mer- 
 chants would be ghul to abolish credit and jiay the fishermen in 
 cash for their fish when taken ; but the practice is deeply en- 
 grained, during by-gone generations, in the habits and ideas of 
 the peoi)le, and the bulk of them are too jioor to dispense with 
 advances. The more distant fisheries, such as on Labrador and the 
 Banks, could not at present be carried on without large outlay of 
 ca})ital. To \vithdraw advances suddenly wouhl be to entail 
 .starvation on thousands. The jireseut class of merchants and
 
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEORLE. 20:^^ 
 
 capitalists are not accountable for a system which originated 
 when the fisheries were first worked and is the growth of many 
 generations. Tliey can only get rid of it by slow degrees. 
 
 nSHIiSG POPULATION IMPllOVING. 
 
 Late years, howe\'er, have witnessed a niarl^ed improvement in 
 the condition of the fishermen. They are beconung more provi- 
 dent and thrifty ; and i'ar larger ninnbers tlian formerly can now 
 aftbrd to dispense with supplies on credit, and pay in cash for 
 what they require. There is every reason to hope that this will 
 be a steadily increasing class, as education spreads. Tliose wim 
 combine farming with fishing are invariably the most inde- 
 pendent and comfortable oi their class. On the wliole tlie 
 fishermen of Newfoundland, though they have not much of this 
 world's goods, compare not unfavourably, as to their condition, 
 with the labouring classes of other countries. It tliey have pri- 
 vations and hardships they have many compensations for these, 
 ill their free o^jen-air life, tlieir robust health, their capabilities 
 of enjoying simple pleasures. There is jierhapsas mucli genuine 
 happiness among them as among any similar nundjer who toil 
 for the daily bread. Compared with tlie pale factory workers, 
 the toilers in the great cities of Europe and America who breathe 
 a iiestifei'ous atmosphere in crowded tenements, too often ainid 
 foul conditions that depres.s the spirits and shorten life, the con- 
 dition of these hardy fisliermen is an enviable one. Their 
 23assionate attachment to the land of their l)irth, their love for it 
 when settled in other lands and their frequent longings to retuni, 
 — all indicate that their life has been on the whole a liap[iy one. 
 SOCIAL, ENJOYMENTS. 
 
 Winter is tha fishermen's season for enjoyment. In their 
 homes, however jioor, life vindicates its right to gladness and re- 
 laxation. The season for "fireside enjoyments, home-born liap- 
 j)iness " is welcomed. They have their social 2>leasures, oxitdoor 
 sports, games, shooting, hunting, trajjping, etc. Dancing is a 
 favoarite winter amusement among tlie lisln-nnen and their 
 families ; and to the music of the fiddle, tlie tlute or fife, or in 
 the absence of any other instrument, the .lew's Hari>, they dance
 
 204 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 for hours with a vigoui- and lionest lieartiness which brings them 
 more real pleasure than is experienced in the refined and artifi- 
 eial entertainments of more advanced loinniunities. Weddings 
 in particular are celel)rated with an auiouut of gaiety and festi- 
 vity whicli at once imlicates exubei'ance of animal spirits, and a 
 kintlly sympathy with the " liappy couple." Winter is also the 
 .season for tea festi\'als, religious and secular sijirees, lectures, con- 
 certs, readings with music, &c. St. John's, the capital, of course, 
 takes the lead in such matters, and there winter is considered by 
 far tlie joleasantest season. A taste for theatricals and concerts 
 has been develojied among its people ; clubs, reading rooms, 
 libraries, furnish social and intellectual enjoyments. With balls, 
 .skating rinks, snow-shoeing, tobogganing, sleighing, tlie winter 
 passes pleasantly among the Avell-to-do classes. In tlie larger 
 towns and villages similar social enjoyments, on a smaller scale 
 and of a simpler character, are multijdying ; and newspapers, 
 liooks, periodicals, now find their way among the lonely "dwell- 
 ers by the sea " where formerly they were entirely unknown, 
 and are stirring intellectual life among the toilers of the sea. 
 
 If it be true, as some one has stated it, tliat "the law of the 
 world's progress is an advance from the warmer to the colder 
 latitudes," — from the enervating heat of the tropical and semi- 
 tropical lands to the invigorating climes of the bracing north, 
 Ave may ask whether the day is not coming when these stalwart 
 islanders, nurtured amidst storms and grim north-easters, l)at- 
 lling with the billows amid ice-la<len seas, will take a liigh place 
 among the world's workers and leaders, and outstrip the less 
 capalile iidiabitants of warmer regions. The most flourishing 
 and densely peopled jmrts of New England States and Canada 
 were, two centuries ago, looked upon, from outside, very much 
 as those regions of Newfoundland we have l)een describing, are 
 now regarded liy the outside world. If the latent possibilities of 
 the former have develo])ed so marvellously, in a few generations, 
 may Ave not regard such an advance as a prece<lent for the i>ro- 
 gressive capabilities, at present dormant, in the comparatively 
 .small population who occujjy this island.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 POPULATION— RATE OF INCREASE. 
 
 CENSUS OF 1891. 
 
 The earliest e.^timato of the resident population of the island 
 -was made in 1654, %\heu it was ascertained that about 350 fami- 
 lies were scattered in the different harbours. Allowing an ave- 
 rage of five persons to each family, the total population was, at 
 that date, 1,750. In 1680, the commanders of the convoy friga- 
 tes, on duty in connection witli the fisheries, collected statistics 
 of the population which gave 2,280 as the number of residents. 
 "The West Country merchants, who cai'ried on the fisheries from 
 England, had in the same year nearly 4,000 men employed in 
 ihe various fishing ^Jorts of the island, who all returned to Eng- 
 land at the close of the season. They had 97 ships of the burden 
 of 9,305 tons ; 793 boats ; 133 stages. Besides they had 99 ships 
 .of 8,123 tons, navigated by 1,157 seamen and employed in carry- 
 ing the produce of the fisheries to Europe, the West Indies and 
 South America. Their annual take was 133,910 quintals of dried 
 .codfish, and 1,053 hog.sheads of train-oil. In 1698, the resident 
 j^opulation reached 2,640, who that year caught 101,152 quintals 
 of fish. 
 
 Tlie following table .shows the resident pojjulation in the years 
 named : — 
 
 ~^'ear. Poimlation. 
 
 1654 
 
 . 1,750 
 
 1680 
 
 . 2,280 
 
 169S 
 
 . 2,640 
 
 1763 
 
 . 7,000 
 
 1780 
 
 . 8,000 
 
 1785 
 
 . 10,000
 
 206 
 
 
 
 POPULATION. 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 
 Po]nilation 
 
 1804 
 
 
 . 
 
 20,380 
 
 1825 
 
 
 
 55,719 
 
 1827 
 
 
 . 
 
 59,571 
 
 1832 
 
 
 
 60,000 
 
 1836 
 
 
 . 
 
 75,094 
 
 1845 
 
 
 
 98.703 
 
 1857 
 
 (La1 
 
 >ra(.lor iiicludoil) 
 
 124,288 
 
 1869 
 
 
 u 
 
 146,536 
 
 1874 
 
 
 (( 
 
 161,374 
 
 1884 
 
 
 u 
 
 197,589 
 
 1891 
 
 
 u 
 
 202,040 
 
 RETURNS OF THE RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 
 
 It was not till 1845 that the different religions denominations- 
 Avere distinguished in the censns returns. Tlie following table 
 shows the respective numhers of the two k-ading divisions of 
 Roman Catholics and Protestants in the years named, according 
 to the census returns : — 
 
 Year. 
 
 1845 . 
 
 1857 . 
 
 1869 . 
 
 1874 . 
 
 1884 . 
 1891 (Labrador inc.) 127,94 
 
 The following table gives, in detail, the numerical strength of 
 the different denominations at the various periods named : — 
 
 Protestants. 
 
 Roman Catlioli 
 
 49,505 
 
 46,983 
 
 67,743 
 
 57,214 
 
 85,496 
 
 61,040 
 
 97,057 
 
 65,317 
 
 122,259 
 
 75,330 
 
 ) 127,947 
 
 72,696 
 
 1845. 
 
 
 Chui'cli of Rome 
 
 . 46,983 
 
 Church of England . 
 
 . 34,294 
 
 Methodists 
 
 . 14,239 
 
 Presbyterians 
 
 478 
 
 Congregational ists 
 
 539 
 
 Remainder iinknown. 

 
 roruLATiox. 
 
 
 
 lS5r. 
 
 
 Churcli of Roiae 
 
 
 . 57,214 
 
 Cluu-ch of England 
 
 
 . 44,285' 
 
 Metliodists 
 
 
 . 20,229' 
 
 Presbyterians 
 
 
 83S 
 
 Conf^^regationalists 
 
 
 347 
 
 Baptists and otliers 
 
 1869. 
 
 44 
 
 Cliurcli of Eome 
 
 
 . 61,040 
 
 Cluircli of England 
 
 
 . 55,184 
 
 Methodists 
 
 
 . 28,990' 
 
 Presbj'terians 
 
 
 974 
 
 Congregationalists 
 
 
 338 
 
 Baptists 
 
 1874. 
 
 10' 
 
 Clmrcli of Eome 
 
 
 . 64,317 
 
 Cliurcli of England 
 
 
 . 59,561 
 
 Methodists 
 
 
 . 35,702 
 
 Presbyterians 
 
 
 . 1,168 
 
 Congregationalists 
 
 
 461 
 
 Baptists and others 
 
 1884. 
 
 165 
 
 Church of Eome 
 
 
 . 75,330 
 
 Church of England 
 
 
 . 69,646 
 
 Methodists 
 
 . 
 
 . 48,943 
 
 Presb^'terians 
 
 
 . 1,478 
 
 Congregationalists 
 
 
 768 
 
 Baptists and others 
 
 1891. 
 
 65 
 
 Church of Rome 
 
 
 . 72,696' 
 
 Church of England 
 
 
 . 69,824 
 
 Reformed Church o 
 
 f En-land 
 
 487 
 
 Methodists 
 
 , , 
 
 . 5,3,276 
 
 Presbyterians 
 
 . 
 
 . 1,449' 
 
 207
 
 ■208 
 
 POPULATION'. 
 
 Congregationalists .... 782 
 
 Salvation Army .... 2,092 
 
 Baptists and others .... 37 
 
 Moravians on Labrador . . . 1,397 
 The last iiamed returns include Labrador. 
 
 The total poi)ulation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1884 
 was 197,335. The census of 1891 gives 202,040 as the population 
 of both ; showing an increase of 4,705 in seven years, or at the 
 rate of 2.38 per cent, in that time, or at the rate of 3.40 per cent, 
 in ten years. From 1874 to 1884 the increase was 36,209, or at 
 the rate of 22.4 per cent, in ten years. The falling off in in- 
 . crease from 1884 to 1891 was caused by emigration to the United 
 States and Canada, oAving to deficient fislieries. The emigration 
 has almost ceased during the last two or three years, so that pro- 
 bably the increase of pojnilation lias now resumed its normal 
 proportions. 
 
 The Labrador population in 1891 stood as follows in regard to 
 • denomination : — 
 
 Church of England 
 
 . 1,749 
 
 Church of Eome 
 
 354 
 
 Methodists 
 
 604 
 
 Presbyterians 
 
 2 
 
 Moravians 
 
 . 1,397 
 
 INIicmac Indians . 
 
 20 
 
 The Moravians are christianized E 
 
 squimaux.
 
 POPULATION. 
 
 209 
 
 The following taljle shows the population of Newfoundland 
 according to denomination, census of 1891 : — 
 
 POPULATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND ACCORDING TO DENO- 
 MINATION, CENSUS OF 1891. 
 
 District. 
 
 
 Church of Eng- ' ' 
 land. j! 
 
 . il 
 
 6 
 
 Wesleyan. 
 
 Presbyterian. 
 
 Other Denomi- 
 nations. 
 
 1 
 
 St. Bailie 
 
 
 3,362 
 
 1,784 
 
 1,627 
 
 14 
 
 3 
 
 Twilliugate ... 
 
 
 3,916 
 
 2,449 
 
 9,661 
 
 58 
 
 696 
 
 Fogo ..^ 
 
 
 2,829 
 
 1,174 
 
 2,692 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 Bonavista 
 
 
 8,550 
 
 3,069 
 
 6,045 
 
 14 
 
 171 
 
 Trinity 
 
 ... 9,947 
 
 1,613 
 
 6,888 
 
 11 
 
 413 
 
 Bav-de- Verde 
 
 506 
 ... 1,011 
 
 2,135 
 1,896 
 
 7,062 
 2,734 
 
 
 5 
 
 Carbonear ... 
 
 10 
 
 114 
 
 Harbor Grace 
 
 
 8,033 
 
 5,494 
 
 1,964 
 
 157 
 
 233 
 
 Port-de-C4rave 
 
 
 2,999 
 
 1,991 
 
 2,722 
 
 1 
 
 273 
 
 Harbor Main 
 
 ... 
 
 2,157 
 
 6,814 
 
 218 
 
 
 
 
 St. John's East 
 
 ... 
 
 5,376 
 
 11,644 
 
 2,767 
 
 652 
 
 337 
 
 St. .John's West 
 
 ... 
 
 3,174 
 
 9,112 
 
 2,368 
 
 378 
 
 219 
 
 Ferryland 
 
 
 169 
 
 5,673 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 Placentia 
 
 
 1 ,643 
 
 10,614 
 
 527 
 
 13 
 
 5 
 
 Burin 
 
 
 1,797 
 
 2,930 
 
 3,845 
 
 2 
 
 485 
 
 Fortune 
 
 
 5,292 
 
 1,817 
 
 120 
 
 4 
 
 438 
 
 Burgeo and La 
 
 Poile". 
 
 5,162 
 
 138 
 
 1,166 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 St. George ... 
 
 
 2,252 
 
 3,995 
 
 261 
 
 121 
 
 3 
 
 Labrador 
 
 
 1,749 
 
 354 
 
 604 
 
 2 
 
 1,397 
 
 Total ... 
 
 
 69,834 
 
 72,696 
 
 53,276 
 
 1,449 
 
 4,795 
 
 Factories, mills, &c., in New 
 
 bundlan 
 
 d, Censu 
 
 3 of 1891 
 
 : — 
 
 No. of 
 
 a 
 
 Saw Mills . 
 Tanneries 
 
 
 
 . 53 
 . 3 
 
 
 a 
 
 Breweries and 
 
 Distillei 
 
 ies 
 
 2 
 
 
 a 
 
 4( 
 
 Iron Foundeii 
 Bakeries 
 
 es . 
 
 
 . 2 
 . 4 
 
 
 u 
 
 Furni 
 
 ture Fac 
 
 Lories 
 
 
 . 4 

 
 210 POrULATIOX. 
 
 
 
 Value of Other Factories 
 
 . 24 
 
 
 Value of above Factories 
 
 . $893,860 
 
 
 " Goods ^'reduced 
 
 $1,450,456 
 
 
 No. of hands employed . 
 
 1,209 
 
 
 " Lobster Factories . 
 
 340 
 
 
 " persons employed . 
 
 4,807 
 
 
 Value of Lobster Factories 
 
 . $179,288 
 
 
 No. cases Lobsters, 1890 . 
 
 . 77,580 
 
 
 Agricultural Slock and Produce, &c., in Newfoundland, 
 
 Censu 
 
 of 1891 :— 
 
 
 
 Acres Improved Land 
 
 . 64,494 
 
 
 " in Pasture 
 
 . 20,524 
 
 
 "Wheat and Barley —liushels 
 
 491 
 
 
 Oats — bushels . 
 
 . 12,900 
 
 
 Hay — tons 
 
 . 36,032 
 
 
 Potatoes — l)rls. . 
 
 . 481,024 
 
 
 Turnips — l)rls. . 
 
 . 60,235 
 
 
 Horses .... 
 
 . 6,138 
 
 
 Milch Cows 
 
 . 10,863 
 
 
 Otlier Horned Cattle . ' . 
 
 . 12,959 
 
 
 Sheep .... 
 
 . 60,840 
 
 
 Swine .... 
 
 . 32,011 
 
 
 Fowl .... 
 
 . 127,420 
 
 
 Professional men — Census 1891 : — 
 
 
 
 Clergymen 
 
 180 
 
 
 Teachers .... 
 
 601 
 
 
 Lawyers .... 
 
 43 
 
 
 Doctors .... 
 
 62 
 
 
 Government officials . 
 
 608 
 
 
 Census 1891 — According to emiiloym 
 
 ent :— 
 
 
 Merchants and Traders 
 
 767 
 
 
 Clerks and shop hands 
 
 . 1,948 
 
 
 Mechanics 
 
 . 2,681 
 
 
 Factory hands . 
 
 . 1,058- 
 
 
 Lumberers and ]\Iiners 
 
 . 1,923 
 
 
 Engaged in curing fisli 
 
 . 53,502 
 
 
 Farming .... 
 
 1,545" 

 
 1'01'ULATIOX. 
 
 211 
 
 According l(.) place of Ijiitli : — 
 
 
 Natives ..... 
 
 . 193,353 
 
 Foreign 
 
 
 Britisli 
 
 . 3,049 
 
 Colonies 
 
 . 1,163 
 
 Other countries 
 
 369 
 
 .Census of 1891 sliows that there are of 
 
 
 Deaf . . . ... 
 
 . 159 
 
 Deaf and Dunili . . . . 
 
 . 136 
 
 Blind 
 
 . 187 
 
 Crippled and Disabled Paupers 
 
 . 2,485 
 
 Lunatics 
 
 . 280 
 
 Orphans . . . . . 
 
 . 690 
 
 The Sexi's .stand to each (jther thus : — 
 
 
 :yiaies 
 
 . 100,684 
 
 Females ..... 
 
 . 97,259 
 
 AOF. 
 
 
 There are from 65 to 70 vears of age 
 
 1,536 males. 
 
 " 65 to 70 " " 
 
 1,486 females. 
 
 " 70 to 75 " 
 
 1,062 males. 
 
 " 70 to 75 
 
 983 females. 
 
 " 75 to 80 
 
 008 males. 
 
 " 75 to 80 " 
 
 587 females. 
 
 Upwards of 80 
 
 376 males. 
 
 Upwanls of 80 " 
 
 468 females. 
 
 The foUowfng are a few more items of interest which appear 
 in census of 1891. In the twelve months preceding the census 
 year there were 6,599 births ; 4,362 deaths ; 894 marriages. The 
 number of males engaged in curing fish 35,931 ; of females eu- 
 gage<l in curing fish 17,571. Xiunber of males who can read, 
 47,077 ; of females who cfin read, 47,803 ; of males who can 
 write, 36,877 ; of females who can write, 36,273. There are 
 31,983 married males ; and 38,098 married females ; 2,973 widow- 
 ers ; and 5,800 widows. There are 33,644 inhabited houses and 
 37,299 families. 
 
 The number of churches is as follows : — 
 
 Church of England . . . .156 
 
 Church of Rome 131 
 
 Methodists 128 
 
 Other Denominations . . . .12
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 MODE OF GOVERNMENT. 
 
 REVENUE, TKADE, PUBLIC EIXAXCES. 
 
 In 1832 the boon of Representative Government was granted' 
 to Newfonndland. In 1855, in compliance -witli the strongly 
 expressed desire of the people, what is commonly known as 
 "Responsible Government" was, after a lengthened agitation, 
 conceded to the Colony. This was simply the application of the 
 principles of the Britisli Constitution to the government of the 
 island. It provided tliat " the country should be governed ac- 
 cording to the well-understood A\'islies of the people." The j^arty 
 who aie sustained by a majority in the Legislature have at their 
 disposal the apj)ointments to the principal offices in the Colony. 
 They also select the Executive Council. The House of Assembly 
 is elected by the peojjle ; the Legislative Council is nominated 
 by " the Governor in Council." 
 
 CONSTITUTIOX. 
 
 This form of government consists of a Governor who is aji- 
 pointed by the Crown, liis salary of (^12,000 a year being paid liy 
 the Colony ; an Executive Council chosen by the i^arty com- 
 manding a majority in the Legislature, and consisting of seven 
 members ; a Legislative Council of lifteen members nominated 
 by the Governor in Council, and holding office for life ; and a 
 House of Assembly at present consisting of 3t) members, elected 
 every four years by the votes of the jjeople. In the governing 
 body thus consisting of the Governor, reijresenting the Queen, 
 the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly, is vested 
 collectively the legislative power. They have alse exclusive 
 jurisdiction over- such matters as the public debt and property ; 
 raising money on the credit of the Colony by loan, taxation,
 
 IMODE OF GOVEIiX.MENT. 
 
 213" 
 
 postal sei'vici', trade, commerce, fislieries, etc. Tlie (General Gov- 
 ernment is also tlie custodian of the piililic lands, fmm wliich 
 are disburseil the expenses of the public sers'ice. There are 18 
 electoral districts sending 36 members to the House of Assembly, 
 as follows : — 
 
 
 
 
 IVJ 
 
 embers 
 
 Bay-de-Ycrds 2 
 
 Bona^-ista 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Burgeo and La Poile 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Burin 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 Carbonear . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Ferryland . 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 Fogo 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Fortune Bay 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Harbour (xrace . 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Harbour Main . 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 Placentia and St. Mar 
 
 y'^ 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Port-de-Gra\'e . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 St. Barbe . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 St. George 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 St. John's East . 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 St. John's West . 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Trinity 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Twillingate 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Total . 
 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. 
 
 The members of the House of Assembly are now elected by 
 ballot. All males, on reaching the age of 21, are entitled to vote. 
 The members of both branches of the Legislature are paid. 
 Members of the House of Assembly, if resident in St. John's, 
 receive ^194 per session ; if resident elsewhere ^291 per session. 
 The members of the Legislative Council receive ^120 per session ; 
 the President $240. The Speaker of the House of Assembly re- 
 ceives $1,000 per session.
 
 ■21-1 MODE OF GOVEEXMEXT. 
 
 POWERS OF THK GOVKKNOK. 
 
 The Governor wlio is also Coiuniauder-iu-Chief iu and over 
 the Colony ami its (lependencies, has the jjower, in the Queen's 
 name, to commute the sentenj?e of a court of justice; to summon, 
 xjpen, jirorogue and on occasions dissolve the local Parliament ; 
 to give or -withliold assent to, or reserve for tlie Eoyal considera- 
 tion all hills -which liave passed ]yjt]i Chambers. 
 
 THE EEGISIiATURE. 
 
 The Legislature must meet once a year, and is usually sum- 
 moned "for the despatch of business" in the mouth of February. 
 Thus the Colony is jsractically self-governing. Its history shows 
 the steady growth of government Ijy the people. The electors, 
 in reality, govern the country, as they choose the meml^ers of 
 the Assembly who by their votes maintain in office or overthrow 
 the Government of the day. Xewfoundland, like England, en- 
 joys " Responsil)le Government;" that is, each government is 
 resjxmsible to the people, through the members of the Legislature 
 tliey elect, to carry out tiieir wislies. 
 
 SUPREME COURT. 
 
 The Sui^reme Court was instituted in 1826 by the promulga- 
 tion of a Royal Charter. To it and to magistrates Ijelong the 
 correct interpretation and proper enforcement of the laws of the 
 lountry. It is composed of a Chief Justice and two Assistant 
 Judges. It holds tv.o terms or sessions each year, on the 20th of 
 May, and the 20th of November. There are circuits of the 
 Supreme Court lield in the northern, southern and western dis- 
 tricts of the island, at such times and jilaces as may be fixed by 
 the jiroclamatiou of the Governoi'. These are presided over by 
 (]!hief Justice or one of the Assistant Judges, in rotation. The 
 .'^alary of the Chief Justice is ^5,000 ; of each Assistant Judge, 
 $4,000. They hold their appointments for life. 
 
 COURT or LAKRADOK. 
 
 The Court of Labrador has civil and criminal jurisiliction over 
 such parts of Labrador as lie' within the jurisdiction of New-
 
 MODE OF GOVEliXMEXT. 215 
 
 •foiuidlaud. It is presided over by a judge wlio is uoniinatod by 
 the Governor in Council. His salary is -$'1,154. 
 
 CKXTKAL UISTKICT COURT. 
 
 The Central District Court is a C^'ourt of Record, held in St. 
 John's, for the said district, for the ailjudication of civil causes, 
 and sits \vheut?ver Imsiness requires. There are two Judges ap- 
 pointetl by tile Governor in Council. There is also a District 
 Court in Harbour Grace with jurisdiction over the electoral dis- 
 tricts of Conception Bay. It is presided over by a Judge, who 
 is e:c officio a justice of the peace. There is a sheriff for each 
 judicial district of the island who is appointed by the Governor 
 in Council. 
 
 OUAKTEK SESSIONS. 
 
 Courts of general and quarter sessions are liehl in the island, 
 in such places as may lie determined by the proclamation ot the 
 (Tovernor. They are presided over by the stipemliary magis- 
 trates or justices of the peace. 
 
 T.AAV SOCIETY. 
 
 " The Law Society of Newfoundland " is constituted by statute, 
 ami is under the inspection of the Judges of the Sujn'eme Court 
 for the time being. "No person is admitted by the Sujjrenie 
 Court to practice as an Attorney unless upon actual service of 
 live years with some practising Attorney of the island ; or, if a 
 regular graduate of any college in Her Majesty's Douiinions of 
 four years ; or who, having been entered on the books of ' The 
 Law Society' as a studeut-at-law, shall have been subsequently 
 called to the Bar in England, Scotland or Ireland, or any of Her 
 Majesty's Colonies." Any person who has been called to the 
 Bar in England Scotland or Ireland, or any of the colonies, upon 
 producing evidence thereof, and undergoing a satisfactory ex- 
 amination, may be called by tlie Law Societ}' to the degree of 
 l^arrister.
 
 216 
 
 MODE OF GOVEEXMEXT. 
 
 reve>t;e, trade, publ,ic finances, shipping. 
 
 The following table shows the revenue anil the vahiii c>f the 
 exports and imports for tlie last twenty years : — 
 
 
 
 
 Exports, 
 
 Imports, 
 
 Year. 
 
 Eevence. 
 
 Value. 
 
 Value. 
 
 1872 
 
 
 ^812,752 
 
 87,166,443 
 
 $6,716,068 
 
 1873 
 
 
 
 801,412 
 
 7,700,739 
 
 6,766,603 
 
 1874 
 
 
 
 841,588 
 
 8,569,960 
 
 7,354,689 
 
 1875 
 
 
 
 830,219 
 
 8,214,768 
 
 7,058,372 
 
 1876 
 
 
 
 855,228 
 
 8,168,540 
 
 7,205,907 
 
 1877 
 
 
 
 872.913 
 
 7,625,441 
 
 7,363,634 
 
 1878 
 
 
 
 839,640 
 
 6,594,807 
 
 6,868,723 
 
 1879 
 
 
 
 962,921 
 
 7,168,924 
 
 7,261,002 
 
 1880 
 
 
 
 897,474 
 
 7,131,095 
 
 6,966,243 
 
 1881 
 
 
 
 1,003,803 
 
 7,648,574 
 
 6,86.3,708 
 
 1882 
 
 
 
 1,119,385 
 
 8,228,291 
 
 8,350,222 
 
 1883 
 
 
 
 1,262,702 
 
 7,058,738 
 
 9,131,464 
 
 1884 
 
 
 
 1,209,316 
 
 6,567,1.35 
 
 8,075,792 
 
 1885 
 
 
 
 1,009,222 
 
 4,726,608 
 
 6,698,500' 
 
 1886 
 
 
 
 1,042,424 
 
 4,862,951 
 
 6,020,036 
 
 1887 
 
 
 
 1,272,660 
 
 5,676,720 
 
 5,397,408 
 
 1888 
 
 
 
 1,370,029 
 
 6,582,013 
 
 7,420,400' 
 
 1889 
 
 
 
 1,362,893 
 
 6,607,500 
 
 6,122,985 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 1,454,536 
 
 6,099,686 
 
 6,368,835 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 1,824,206 
 
 7,437,158 
 
 6,869,458 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 1,88.3,790 
 
 Records destroy 
 
 ed in great fire. 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 1,764,791 
 
 Not yet 
 
 published. 
 
 The f( 
 
 )ll0AV 
 
 ing table shows the 
 
 public <k'l)t of the Colony : — 
 
 
 Yeai 
 
 
 Debt. 
 
 
 188: 
 
 I . . . 
 
 . $1,498,777 
 
 
 1883 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,549,313 
 
 
 1884 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,149,153 
 
 
 1885 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,149,597 
 
 
 1886 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,287,391 
 
 
 1887 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3,005,040 
 
 
 1888 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3,335,589 
 
 
 1889 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 4,133,202 
 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4,138,627 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5,223,363 
 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 6,383,367 
 
 
 189; 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 
 
 
 8,( 
 
 )53,127
 
 MODE OF GOYERXMEXT. 217 
 
 INCREASK OF DEBT. 
 
 The increase of the i)ublic debt within the last ten years lias 
 arisen mainly fi'om the building of aliout 31 1 miles of railway 
 now completed and in operation ; and which, in the future, by 
 the development of the resources of the Colony, will yield ample 
 returns, and increase the revenue. The debt is represented bv 
 these lines of raihvays, and also by the St. .John's Drv Dock 
 which cost over .§600,000 ; the new Post Office, a very creditable 
 building, and other public works such as light houses and break- 
 waters. The remarkable expansion of the public revenue gives 
 ample assurance that in the construction of jjublic works the 
 Colony has not gone beyond its means and can well afford to 
 l^ay the interest on its debt without any undue strain. The in- 
 A-estment in railway biiilding, without which the rich natural 
 resources of the Colony must remain dormant, has been alreadv 
 fully justified. Within twenty years the revenue has doubled ; 
 and is now quite sufficient for the maintenance of the civil ser- 
 ■vdce and payment of the interest on the jjublic debt. Judging 
 from the experience of the past there is every reason to anticipate 
 a further steady increase of revenue. These imblic works, while 
 in progress, distribute money in the shaj^e of wages ; and by 
 increasing the imports add to the revenue. If we take the gross 
 debt of .$'8,053,127 it amounts to nearly ^40 per head for the 
 entire population. The gross debt of the Dominion of Canada is 
 $'205,333,000, and the amount per head is $'60. In Belgium the 
 public debt is .^63 j)er head ; in France $146 per head ; in Italy 
 $75 per head ; United Kingdom $86 ; New South Wales $225 
 South Australia $330 ; and New Zealand $292 per head of the 
 entire population. 
 
 TAXATION. 
 
 If Ave take the revenue of last year at $1,764,791 this shows 
 a taxation of $8 per head for the entire population. But it must 
 be taken into account that there are no direct taxes in New- 
 foundland, except in St. John's which is now under a Municipal 
 Council. The local taxation for AA'ater, sewerage and street 
 improvements is small. The greater part of the revenue is
 
 "218 MODE OF (i(nEi;\.MEXT. 
 
 <leiived ii-oiu Custoni.s' Duties on impoi-ts ; so that .^8 per head 
 lepresents nearly the wlrole amount of taxation. In the United 
 Kingdom the taxation is ^6-62 per liead ; in Victoria the taxa- 
 tion is $15-35 per head ; in New SoTith Wales §'12 ; in "Western 
 Australia $22 ; in New Zealand .5'16-91 ; in Canada ^5-81. In 
 all these countries tliere are direct taxes in addition, whicli 
 greatly swell the amount paid. 
 
 If you take the revenues for 1889, 1890 and 1891, the average 
 amount is -§1,580,545, which wouhl give a little over seven 
 dollars per head for taxation. This cannot he reckoned exces- 
 sive when it represents almost the entire yav capita taxation. 
 The duties are partly ad valorem and partly specitic, but only to 
 a slight extent differential, the tariff being designed for revenue 
 purposes only, not for protection. All expenses for making and 
 repairing roads, streets, bridges, breakv/aters, public wharves, 
 etc., are defrayed out of the general revenue, the Board of Works 
 having charge of that department The provision for the poor, 
 for education, for the maintenance of a police force, and for the 
 whole Civil Service is also chargeable on the genei'al revenue. 
 The Crown lands and the postal service are the only other 
 .sources of revenue besides the Customs duties. In 1891 the 
 M-hole voluuie of trade amounted in value to $14,306,616'. 
 
 The following table shows the principal countries with which 
 trade is carried on, and the amount in each case, in year 1891 : 
 
 /-. Value of Imports Value of Exports 
 
 ' ' therefrom. thereto. 
 
 United Kingdom 
 
 §•2.341,706 
 
 $1,930,991 
 
 Dominion of Canada 
 
 2,499,945 
 
 779,634 
 
 British West Iirdies . 
 
 319,560 
 
 377,301 
 
 Italy . . . . 
 
 9,258 
 
 450,047 
 
 Spain . . . . 
 
 104,708 
 
 718,591 
 
 Portugal . . . . 
 
 30,044 
 
 1,051,8.39 
 
 St. Pierre . . . . 
 
 12,027 
 
 10,115 
 
 United States . 
 
 1,526,674 
 
 568,540 
 
 Brazil . . . . 
 
 
 1,102,995
 
 ■MODE OF OOVERX-MEXT. 
 
 219 
 
 SHIPPING, 1890. 
 
 NiualuT of Steamers owneil iu the Colony . . . 3") 
 
 Tonnage 6,178 
 
 Number of Sailing Vessels, 20 to 60 tons . . . 1,421 
 
 Number of Sailing Vessels, 60 tons and up^^•arll . . 271 
 
 Tonnage 25,740 
 
 Niimber of Boats from 4 to 30 quintals .... 20,452 
 
 Number of Vessels built in 1890 52 
 
 Tonnage ......... 1,812 
 
 Number of Vessels engaged in Bank tisliery . . . 199 
 
 Tonnage 11,520 
 
 Number of Vessels engaged in Labrador fishery . . 859 
 
 Tonnage 93,634
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 It was not till witliin the last lifty yuar.s that any serious 
 .attention was given to the cause of education in the Colony, or 
 any aid granted from the public funds towards the establishment 
 and maintenance of schools and academies. The circumstances 
 under which the colonization of the country was carried out, as 
 described in former chaj^ters, siifficiently account for this neglect 
 in regard to the means of education. "When the people were 
 poor and engaged in a hard struggle for the daily bread, and 
 Avhen settlements were small and widely separated, physical 
 Avants were too pressing to jiermit much attention being given 
 to educational claims. As a conseijuence, in those early days 
 many of the young grew up ignorant of tlie very rudiments of 
 knowledge, especially in the smaller and moi'e distant settle- 
 ments. 
 
 COLONIAt, AND CONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY. 
 
 The beginning of common school education dates from 1823, 
 Avhen "The Newfoundland School Society" was founded in 
 London by Samuel Codner, a Newfoundland merchant. Its 
 name was afterwards changed to "The Colonial and Continental 
 •Church Society." The sshools it planted were maintained 
 mainly by the liberality of the uieuibei's of the society, aided 
 at a later date by a grant from the }tul)lic funds of the Colony. 
 It has still about twenty schools in operation. Its Central 
 School, in St. John's, is used by the Church of England Boards 
 of Education as a training school for their teachers. This So- 
 ciety has done excellent work in the cause of education. 
 
 ACADEMIES AND COLLEGES. 
 
 It was not till 1843 that tlie local Legislature granted the 
 annual sum of £'5,100 for the promotion of common school
 
 EDUCATIOX. 221 
 
 .education. In the same year tlie Legislature made a provision 
 for the higher education by establishing an Academy in Saint 
 John's. This institution did not .succeed and Avas discontinued 
 in 1850. In its room three Academies were founded on th.e 
 denominational principle, and a fourth -was added at a later date. 
 These tour institutions, which are connected respectively with 
 the different religious denominations, have expanded and greatly 
 elevated the standard of education. They are conducted by 
 teachers of ability and high character, and give an excellent 
 training to the pupils. They have now obtained the designation 
 of " Colleges,"' and are known as the Roman Catholic, Church of 
 England, Methodist, and Presbyterian Colleges. The two last- 
 named lost their buildings in the great fire of 1892 ; but the 
 Methodist Buildings are restored and will soon be ready for use ; 
 ;and tliey are more spacious and better built than those destroyed 
 in the general conflagration, and do much credit to the body to 
 which they belong. The Presbyterian College has also resumed 
 operations in a new building having excellent class-rooms. 
 
 PUFII. TEACHEKS— LONDON UNIVERSITY CENTRE. 
 
 The training of pupil teachers is carried out at the Colleges. 
 After going through a course of education, these teachers must 
 pass examinations, and are graded according to merit, before 
 thej"- are eligible to take charge of schools. Pupils are also pre- 
 pared for the Universities at most of tlie Colleges. St. .John's 
 has been made a centre of the London University, so that pupils 
 .can here j^repare for and j^ass the matriculation examinations. 
 Openings are thus provided for the more talented and a.spiring 
 of the young to attain distinction and fit themselves for the 
 higher j)osts of duty. 
 
 jriJILEE SCHOLARSHIP. 
 
 As a further encouragement to those who aspire after the 
 higher education, "The Xewfoundland Jubilee Scholarship" has 
 been founded. The Governor in Council appropriates the annual 
 sum of $480, " for the institution of a scholarship in the London 
 Universitv to be given and awarded to the student who shall
 
 222 EDUCATIOX. 
 
 take the highest place among conipetitori^ in and from this 
 Colony, at the matriculation examination holden in June and 
 January of any year ; and -where tliere shall be no competition, 
 then such scholarship shall be awarded to the student who shall 
 pass in the first division in such examination : Provided that 
 such student shall be a native of this Colony, oi' shall have re- 
 resided in it for five years preceding such examination ; and 
 shall have studied under masters of the Board Schools or colleges 
 of this Colony ; and provided that such student shall, for two 
 years thereafter, prosecute his or her studies at some British 
 University. Such scholarship shall be tenal)le for only two years 
 by the student winning the same." 
 
 COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION. 
 
 In 1893, an Act was passed to Provide for Higher Education.- 
 This Act makes pro\-ision for the appointment of a Council of 
 Higher Education, with the view of promoting a higher standard 
 of education throughout the Colony by the holding of examina- 
 tions and tlie awarding of prizes and diplomas and scholarships 
 to successful candidates. The Council is to consist of 23 mem- 
 bers ; and tlie Sujierintendents of Education and Headmasters of 
 Colleges are members ex officio. The sum of $4000 annually is 
 approjjriated for the purposes of this Act ; and the Jubilee 
 Scholarship is made subject to the regulations of the Council. 
 
 EDUCATION DENOMINATIONAL. 
 
 The whole educational system is carried on upon the denomi- 
 national principle, each religious denomination receiving a grant 
 for education from the public funds, in proportion to its nnmljers. 
 Separate boards of edii cation in the different districts have charge 
 of the elementary schools. Four Superintendents of Education 
 are appointed Ijy Government — for Roman Catholic, Cliurch of 
 England, Methodist and Presbyterian schools and colleges re- 
 spectively. In recent years, the progress made in education has 
 been of a very satisfactory character, though, of course, much yet 
 remains to Ije done, especially in the more distant settlements. 
 It may be alleged that this plan of separate education is attended
 
 EDUCATIOX. 223' 
 
 witli iiiucli waste of lueaiis and power : and no douLt tliis is true. • 
 A united education, it' practicalile, would possess many adA-antages. 
 It may be doubted, liowever, in the present state of denomina- 
 tional feeling, whether united education is possible. Denomi- 
 national zeal perhaps furnishes a stimulus to educational effort 
 which Avould otherwise l)e wanting. United education may come 
 in the future when denominational interests occupy men's minds 
 to a less extent; but the best policy surely is to accejit the system 
 now established and try to make the most and the best of it. It 
 must be admitted that very considerable improvements have 
 taken place in recent years, and that a far greater amount of zeal 
 and interest in tlii cause of education than formerly is felt and 
 manifested. That the separate system is much more costly must 
 be alloAved ; but as things now stand, it jirobably gives the best 
 results that could be at present attained. The recent aj^point- 
 ment of a "Council of Higher Education," composed of the 
 representatives of all denominations, is a step in the light 
 direction, and will tend to promote greatei- unity of action in 
 connection with the higher branches of education. It will also' 
 bring together men from all parties who take an interest in edu- 
 cation, and lead them to feel that here is a common ground on 
 which they can meet and act for the good of all. The necessity 
 of educating the masses who through universal suffrage are made 
 "the masters," should l)e more keenly felt by those who have the 
 direction of public affairs and by whom the destinies of the futui'e 
 are, to some extent, shaped. When, by law, every man on reach- 
 ing the age of twenty-one, is entitled to vote in the election of 
 members of the House of Assembly, the safety and well-being 
 of the commonwealth require that such a power should not be 
 exercised by an uneducated people. More than ever the thorough 
 education of the whole is now called for, as their votes are to 
 control the government of the country. It is no doubt true that 
 "Tlu' ci'owiung fact, 
 
 Tlie kingliest act 
 
 Of Fi'ftMlom is a Freeman's vote." 
 
 It is, however, ecpiallv true that it is all-impoi'tant that the 
 voters should l)e men of intelligence and integrity, who will not
 
 -224 
 
 EDUCATIOX. 
 
 'be inttueucetl liy low and ba.se considemtions, if tliey are to 
 wisely control and jH'otect the liberties and the life of the coun- 
 try. Freedom should be combined Avith intelligence and a sense 
 of moral responsibility, and then the " kingliest act " — the cast- 
 ing of tlie ballot — will he regarded as a sacred trust and will be 
 at once safely and Ijeneficially performed The call for univer- 
 sal education, of a wise and elevating kind, is emphatized by the 
 boon of universal suffrage. 
 
 The following taljle sliows tlie provision made by the Legisla- 
 ture for education ? — 
 
 Legislative grant in 1893 lor Colleges, (.xrammar 
 
 Schools and Elementary Schools . . ^151,89122 
 Amount jxr capita for the entire population of 
 
 202,040 ...... To. 17 cents. 
 
 Legislati\'e grant for Elementary Schools . . '3'97,753 15 
 
 " " Pupil Teachers . . 5,610 84 
 
 " " Encouragement of Teachers . 25,297 87 
 
 " " Inspection . . . 6,060 00 
 
 Legislative grant for Colleges : — 
 
 Church of England . 
 Church of Rome . , 
 
 Methodist .... 
 Presl)yterian .... 
 Grannuar and Superior Schools 
 
 Number of Elementary Schools in 1893 
 
 Church of England 
 Church of Eome 
 Methodist 
 Presbyterian 
 Others 
 
 . $-3,328 
 
 53 
 
 . 3,465 
 
 49 
 
 . 2,539 
 
 72 
 
 990 
 
 00 
 
 . 7,604 
 
 07 
 
 . 194 
 
 
 . 200 
 
 
 . 144 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 . 10 
 
 
 Total 
 
 549
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 225 
 
 Number of Pujjils attemling Elemoiitary Schools in 1893 : — 
 
 Cliurcli of England 
 
 11,808 
 
 Churcli of Eonie 
 
 10,205 
 
 Methodist 
 
 8,405 
 
 Presl\yterian, Congregational and 
 
 
 others 
 
 296 
 
 Total 
 
 33,834 
 
 Xuniljer of Pupils attending Colleges, 1893 : — 
 
 Church of England . . . 141 
 
 Church of Eonie . . . 250 
 
 Methodist ... . .252 
 
 Presbvterian . . . .80 
 
 Total 
 
 23 
 
 Grand total of pupils attending Colleges 
 
 and Schools . . . 34,557
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CONSTABULARY. 
 
 LIGHT HOUSES, BANKS, NEWSPAPER 
 
 PRESS. 
 
 POST OFFICE DEPAKT3IENT. 
 
 Postal communication between St. .Jolin's, the United King- 
 dom and Eurojiean countries, the United States and Canada, i» 
 maintained by the Allan Line of steamers ; the Canadian and 
 Newfoundland Line, whose steamers " Barcelona," " Monica " and 
 "Ulunda" touch at St. John's in their outward and homeward 
 trips ; by the steamers of The Bed, Cross Line, plying between 
 New York and St. John's via Halifax ; also by tlie steamer " St. 
 Pierre," plying between Placentia and other western ports in 
 Newfoundland and Halifax ria St. Pierre, and by the steamer 
 " Harlaw " plying fortnightly bet^\'een Halifax and the west 
 coast of Newfoundland, calling at ports in Cape Breton. 
 
 Full information as to the sailings of these steamers will be 
 found in a subsecjuent chapter containing directions for tourists. 
 By all these lines of steamers mail communication with the out- 
 side world is regular and frecpient during the summer months. 
 During three winter months the Allan .steamers do not call at 
 St. John's, but go direct to Halifax. A fortnightly steamer dur- 
 ing those months runs between St. John's and Halifax carrying 
 mails and passengers ; but the steamers of the Canadian and 
 Newfoundland Line call at St. John's, on both their outward 
 and homeward voyages, throughout the winter moutlis. The 
 "St. Pierre" makes fortnightly trips between Halifax and Pla- 
 centia during winter months. 
 
 Local postal communication between St. John's and the vari- 
 ous towns, villages and settlements, is maintained by railways^ 
 coastal steamers and steam-launches, vehicles and couriers.
 
 I'OST OFFICE DEl'AUT.MEXT. Tl i 
 
 Tlie lailway to Harbour Grace conveys the mails for the towns 
 . uul settleiiient.s of Concoptiou Bay, Bay de Verde District, ami 
 tlie south sliore of Trinity Bay. Tlie Placentia railway carries 
 tlie mails for Placentia ami St. Mary's Bays to Placentia, whence 
 they are distrilnited by the s. s. Alvrt which plies round the Bay, 
 her route extending to Grand Bank in Fortune Bay. The Xor- 
 thei'n ami AVestern Railway carries the mails for the northern 
 districts, ^\•hich at various points are transmitted to their desti- 
 nation either by steam-launches or couriers. 
 
 The coastal steamer on the northern route carries mails fort- 
 nightly to all the i)oits of call ; and in summer as far as Red 
 Bay, Lai) rador, where it connects with the Labrador mail steamer 
 which plies on that coast during the fishing season. 
 
 The coastal steamer plyini;: on the western route conveys mails 
 to all the ports of call as far as Bonne Bay during the sunnner 
 months and as far as Channel in winter. For the sailings of 
 these steamers see the chapter for tourists. 
 
 The postal service, rinder the direction of the present energetic 
 Postmaster-general, J. 0. Fraser, Es(j[., has been brought to a 
 .condition of great efficiency, and compares not unfavourably with 
 that of any other British colony. The Post office is litted up 
 with all modern improvements, and the building itself with its 
 various arrangements is creditable to the colony. A parcels post 
 with the Laiited Kingdom, the L'nited States and Canada, is of 
 very great advantage to the whole connnunity. There is also an 
 inland parcels post. Tlie book post, post cards, stamps, post 
 office boxes, branch offices and pillar boxes throughout the city, 
 money orders, letter carriers, delivery, present every facility that 
 could be reasonably desired, and j^rove that this service is mana- 
 ged with a view to meet the Avants of the genei\al public. The 
 improvements introduced in recent years have been of great 
 value. 
 
 The total number of post offices in the colony is 846. The 
 nunil)ei of postmasters or mistresses being the same. 
 
 Postal rates are as follows : — Inland postage : letters not over 
 one ounce in weight, three cents ; for city delivery, one cent.
 
 228 COXSTABULAIJY. 
 
 Newspapers, local and foreign, i'lee, il' under four ounces ; if over 
 tliey are charged at book-rate. Books, i;)amplilets, magazines^ 
 are charged one cent per two ounces. Post cards (local) one 
 cent ; for foreign countries, two cents ; return cards, four cents. 
 
 Letters — for England, and most European countries, and the 
 United States, 5 cents if not over half ounce in Aveight. To 
 Canada the letter rate is three cents per ounce. 
 
 During the summer months mails are despatched direct to 
 Liverpool on alternate Saturdays by steamers of the Allan Line, 
 and liy the steamers Ulunda., Mornca and Barcelona when con- 
 venient. 
 
 CONSTABUI.AEY. 
 
 The Constabulary consists of an Inspector and General Super- 
 intendent ; a Sub- Inspector ; a clerk and store-keeper ; three 
 head constables ; foui teen sergeants ; six acting sergeants ; ninety- 
 five constables, and nine mounted police. The total force num- 
 bers 129 ; of which 61 constitute the St. Jolin's staff, the rest 
 being in outports. 
 
 STATIONS. 
 
 The force is organized, ecpiipped and disciplined in every re- 
 spect similar to the Royal Irish Constabulary ; and properly 
 speaking it is a military as well as a civil force, being tho]"oughly 
 drilled in the use of arms, etc. The force was first organized 
 after the withdrawal of the military in 1871, and is a fine body 
 of men, thoroughly drilled and instructed in their A'arious police 
 duties at Fort Townsend, the head-cpiarters, the best and most 
 efficient men being always selected for the outport stations. 
 
 LIGHT HOUSES. 
 
 The coast of the island is well lighted and almost every year 
 witnesses an increase of light-houses and other means of securing 
 the safety of its large sea-faring population. At present there 
 are thirty-nine light-houses and beacons erected and maintained 
 by the Xewfoundland Government, and nine by the Government 
 of Canada. There are three fog-signals, one whistling buoy and 
 one bell buoy at the most dangerous points around the coast,
 
 LiciiT HOUSES. 229' 
 
 luider the Xewfuiiudlauil Goveninieiit, .ind seven fug-signals at 
 the Canadian light-stations. The erection of nearly all these 
 light-houses has l)een the woik of the last lifty years. 
 
 In 1813 a light-house was placed at Fort Amherst, at the en- 
 trance of St. John's Harliour. Xo further effort was made to 
 light the coast till 1835, when the local Legislature passed an 
 Act for the erection of a light-house at Cape Spear, five miles 
 south of St. John's, and for another at Harbour Grace Island in 
 1836. Cape Bonavista light-house was built in 1843; Cape Pine 
 in 1851 ; Cape Eace in 1856, (now under the Government of 
 Canada) ; Baccalieu in 1859 ; Cape St. Mary, 1860 ; Fort Point, 
 Trinitv, 1874 ; Carbonear Island, 1878 ; Cape St. Francis, 1867 ; 
 Long Point, Twillingate, 1876 ; Cabot Island, Bonavista Bay, 
 1880 ; Gull Island, (Cape St. John), 1884 ; Brigus Head, 1885 ; 
 Penguin Island, 1890 ; King'.s Cove Head, 1893. 
 
 In 1872 a ten-inch steam whistle was placed at Cape Race, and 
 in thick weather is sounded for ten seconds with intervals of 
 silence of fifty seconds in each minute. At Cape Ray, in 1877, 
 a steam fog horn was erected, giving a blast of ten seconds every 
 minute; in 1884 a steam fog horn Avas placed at Cape Bauld, 
 and another at Cai)e Norman in 1890. At Belle Isle, in the 
 Straits of the same name, a fog-bomb was placed in 1891, Avhich 
 fires cotton-powder signals every twenty mnintes from a 2)oint 
 near the irpper light, 400 feet above the sea, in thick weather. 
 In 1877 a Siren trumpet was placed at Cape St. Francis, and at 
 Fort Amherst a three-pound charge from a 32-poiinder gun is 
 discharged every hour and on the stroke of the hour, during 
 daylight or when Cape Spear is enveloped in fog. Here also is 
 placed a mechanical fog horn. At Cape Spear, in 1878, a Com- 
 pressed Air Trumpet was placed ; at Powles' Head (near Tre- 
 passey) a Courtnay automatic whistling biroy was placed ; and in 
 1890 a bell buoy at Port-au-Bas(|ue. 
 
 To sustain the light-house and alarm system light-dues arc 
 collected to the extent of one shilling per ton on all vessels en- 
 tering any port or harbour of the Colon}-, except coasting, seal- 
 ing or fishing vessels, but not to be levied more than once a year.
 
 230 BANKS IN XEWFOUNliLANJ), 
 
 .Sealing and coasting vessels pa}' six pence per ton on I'egistered 
 vessels of forty tons and upwards ; vessels under forty tons jmy 
 fifteen shillings per ton. No greater sum tliiin £25 can be levied 
 in any year on any steamer or vessel entering any port of the 
 
 ■ Colony ; and no steanu'r plying Ix'twcen Europe and an\' port 
 of Xortli Amt'i'lea, and entering any poi't of the Colony as a 
 port of call, is lialde to pay any light-dues (ir any port charges 
 
 . except pilotage. 
 
 A sum of aliout iS45,000 annually is re(|uircd to maintain the 
 .system, of which about §'30,000 ai'e collected as light-dui's. 
 BANKS IN NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 The Savings' Baidc is a Government estaldishmeut, and it is 
 .enacted by statute that "the general revenue of the Colony 
 is liable for all moneys deposited in the bank and all interests 
 payable thereon."' This gix'cs abs(dute security to depositors. 
 Being thus a Colonial institution, the (Governor in Council ap- 
 points the Cashier ami eight go\ernois, hve of whom are selected 
 from the members of the House of Assembly and three from the 
 Legislative Council. Three directors are annually elected by 
 
 ■ these governors from among themselves, and l)y them the affairs of 
 the bank are superintended. Depositors of any amount over four 
 dollars for a period of not less than six nronths, receive interest 
 
 , at the rate of three per cent, per annum. By an Act of the 
 Legislature the reserve fuiul is constituted a sinking fund for the 
 li(piidation of the jniblic debt of the Colony, the annual profits 
 
 . of the Savings' Bank being added to this fund from year to year. 
 Already this fund has Aviped out no less than »5'350,942 of the 
 Public Debt. This has lieen the work of the last fifteen years — • 
 a fact which speaks volumes for the excellent management of the 
 
 , Savings' Bank. 
 
 On the 31st December, 1893, the amount of deposits in the 
 Savings' Bank was -S'3,068,288. The profits for the year were 
 $20,337. There are at present 6,620 accounts and the same 
 number of depositors. Tliere are Branch Baidcs in Harbour 
 
 • Grace, Heart's Content and Placentia. Tluurs of luisiness from 
 10.30 a. m., to 3 p. m.
 
 r.ANKs IX xEWForxr»i.ANr). 
 
 231 
 
 The fullowiiig tigiux's sliow the drpusits in the Savings' Bank 
 in tlie vi'ais named : — 
 
 Year. 
 
 1878 
 
 1879 
 
 1880 
 
 1881 
 
 1882 
 
 1883 
 
 1884 
 
 1885 
 
 188P 
 
 1887 
 
 1888 
 
 1889 
 
 1890 
 
 1891 
 
 1892 
 
 1893 
 
 Dejiosits. 
 .^1,092,659 
 1,134,555 
 1,219,787 
 1,291,162 
 1,429,428 
 1,544,547 
 1,660,492 
 1,787,554 
 1;749,616 
 1,860,968 
 2,028,033 
 2,184,723 
 2,292,076 
 2,460,663 
 . 3,033,356 
 . 3,068,288 
 
 It \vill lie seen IV(.)ni tlie foregoing tal)le tliat in the L\st sixteen 
 years the deposits in the Savings' Bank have increa.sed by nearly 
 two millions of dollars, or in tlie period named are not very far 
 short of having increased three-fohh As the great majority of 
 depositors belong to tlie middle and working classes, this shows a 
 gratifying advance among them of thrifty, economic hal»its, and 
 a substantial increase in their means of subsistence. It also 
 proves that the Colony is steadily advancing along the path of 
 progress, and that the policy adopted of developing the natural 
 resources of the country, by railway construction and other 
 means, is improving its material condition. There is no better 
 test of progress than the amount deposited in the Savings' Bank 
 from year to year. 
 
 It must be remembered also that the other two banks have 
 large amounts on deposit at 3 per cent., — probably together as 
 large as those in the Savings' Bank.
 
 232 THE NEWSPAPER PEESS. 
 
 THE Uj^ION BANK OF NEAVFOUNDLAND. 
 
 Hours of biisiness from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Discount days — 
 Mondays and Tliursdays. 
 
 The Union Bank is a jn'osperous and Avell-managed institution. 
 It M'as established in 1854. During the first 18 years it paid an 
 average dividend and bonus of IH per cent, per annum. The 
 reserve fund -was tlien so large that the Directors declared a 
 special l)Ouus of 50 per cent., wliich was taken by the share- 
 holders in paid up shares. On this increaseil capital the dividends 
 and lionuses were for many years twenty per cent, per annum, or 
 to original shareholders equivalent to twenty-seven per cent, on 
 their investment. 
 
 At the close of 1893 the stock of this Bank was $'456,000 in 
 shares of $100 ; Reserve, ^300,000 ; Dividend and bonus for 
 last complete year was 15 per cent. Notes in circulation 31st 
 May, 1893, ^606, 1G2. 
 
 COMMEKCIAL BANK OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 
 Hours of business from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Discount days — 
 Tuesdays and Fridays. The Commercial Bank is also a very 
 prosperous and Avell-conducted establishment. It was established 
 in 1847. 
 
 At the close of 1893 its Stock Avas $306,000, in shares of $200 ; 
 Reserve, $100,000. The dividend for last complete year wa? 
 10 per cent. Xotes in circulation 30th June, 1892, §550,717. 
 
 THE NEWSPAPER PEESS. 
 
 The following newspaj^ers are published in St. .lolin's •.—The 
 Boyal Grt.^effe— weekly ; The Tiwics— bi-weekly ; The Evening 
 Telegram — daily ; The Evening Herald— dailj ; The Daily Neus 
 — daily, and also a weekly issue ; The Trade Review — fortnightly. 
 
 The following papers are published elsewhere : — The Harbour 
 Ch-ace Standard — bi-weekly ; The Twillingate ,S'»h— weekly ; The 
 Trinity Record — weekly ; Weekly News, Carbonear — ^veekly.
 
 CHAPTER XIY 
 SCENERY. 
 
 ATTEACTIONS FOR TRAVELLEKS AND TOURISTS. 
 
 Not many years liavi- elapsed since the disc'overy was nuule 
 by the outside world that Newfoundland contains some of the . 
 grandest and most picturesque scenerj- in all this beautiful Morld. 
 Formerly the idea of associating " the land of fog and codfisli " 
 with the sublime and beautiful in nature would have been scofl'ed' 
 at. All that was known about the island was summed up iu 
 Burns' lines in his " T\\a Dogs'" : — 
 
 '' Some place far abroad 
 Where sailors gang to tisli for cod." 
 The prevalent idea was that it M-as mostly shrouded by a curtain 
 of fog, and that the interior -was a region of dismal swamps, grim 
 repulsive rocks and strips of land covered at intervals with a 
 stunted forest growth. Gradually, these mistaken ideas were 
 dispelled ; and now every year witnesses an increasing number 
 of visitors from the outside world — tourists in search of the 
 picturesque — travellers, explorers, health-seekers, sportsmen — 
 who carry back with them glowing reports of the wonderful 
 attractions of this "gem of the western world." Now that rail- 
 ways and steamships are affording easy access to its shores, fiords, 
 rivers and lakes, an increasing throng of sucli visitors, especially 
 from the United States and Canada, will find their way to this 
 newly-found land, to revel in its unique scenic beauties, and 
 drink in its health-giving breezes laden with the breath of ocean. 
 No traveller or tourist ever returns disappointed ; but on the 
 contrary they declare " the half lias not been told." 
 
 LIKENESS TO NORAVAY. 
 
 Newfoundland has well been named the "Norway of the New 
 AVorld." In many points it strikingly resembles that country
 
 234 SCEXEKY. 
 
 to wliicli tourists now fiock IVoni all lands. Its doeji fiords, 
 ■wliicli indent the sliores everywhere, gnanled by lol'ty cliffs 
 whose forms are reflected in the clear Ijright waters of the hays, 
 have a reniarkalde resend)lance to tliose of Norway, and are often 
 not less magnificent in their scenery. Many of these great 
 watery ravines, running inland for eighty or ninety miles, and 
 Aixhiljiting a wonderful variety of scenery along the great arms 
 which they project in all directions; and in the islands which 
 stud their hosouis, are on a much grander scale than the fauKnrs 
 Norwegian fiords. The two great liays of Trinity and Placentia, 
 Avhich almost cut the island in two, have no parallel in respect 
 of size, among the fiords of Norway. Then, in their short hut 
 heantiful summers, their l)riglit skies, their exhilarating atmo- 
 sphere, their pojiulation (jf fisliermen, so aliundant in insular 
 peculiarities and primitive characteristics, hidden away in nooks 
 remote from all the outer world, quaint in manners, gracious to 
 strangers, the two countries resemble each other very strikingly. 
 Norway was once as little known as Newfoundland, and its 
 beauties as little appreciated. Now it is the resort, each suni- 
 luer, of many huudreils of travellers, and Ijy its fine system of 
 roads, it has l)e^'n rendered everywhere accessilde. The turn of 
 the Norway of the New Woi-Id lia> come at length. The artist 
 and the photographer have been at work ; and pictorial illustra- 
 tions of its scenery — about which there can be no deception — are 
 making it widely known, and thus the .stream of visitors is swel- 
 ling. Till Sir Walter Scott, in his 2)oetry and romances, raised 
 the curtain, and made known tlie marvellous beauties of the 
 Highlands of Scotland, who thouglit of penetrating those un- 
 known wilds I Now many thousands annually find piire and 
 elevated enjoyment and add to the happiness of their lives by 
 rambling among the romantic scenes of the Scottish Highlands. 
 
 NEWFOUNDLAND AS A HKAI.TH KESOKT. 
 
 To tlie millions of the United- States and Canada, in the near 
 future, Newfoundland will become what Norway and the High- 
 lands of Scotland now are to Eurojiean nations. In this sea-girt
 
 SCEXEKV. 235' 
 
 iAe AiiR'i-icans will timl a welcome escape fruiu the burning heat 
 of their own siuuiiiers ; scenery novel and attractive ; and a 
 bracing exhilarating air that imparts new vigour to the frame 
 and sends back the smoke-dried denizens of the great cities with 
 the tide of health coursing through their veins, and life made in- 
 comparably better worth living. As a sanitarium — a pleasant 
 health-resort — Newfoundland is destined to take a high place, 
 when the accommodation and comforts which travellers or in- 
 valids re(|uire are provided — as unquestionably they will be — at 
 the most desiivable places, throughout the island. In fine sum- 
 mer days the heat is never oppressive, and nights are always cool, 
 so that after the day's ramble, sleep comes sweet and refreshing. 
 There is something peculiarly balmy, soothing and yet invigor- 
 ating, in the summer breezes, whether on sea or land, cooling the 
 fevered brain and smoothing the Mrinkled brow of care. After 
 a few weeks near the coast, inhaling the salt-sea breezes and ex- 
 posed to the life-giving sun's rays, the invalid who has come 
 with shattered nerves and fluttering pulse, returns with a new 
 supply of iron in his blood and a sense of well-being which 
 makes it a luxury to live. To escape from the sweltering sum- 
 mer heats of New York, Boston or Chicago, and after a jjleasant 
 sea-voyage, to breathe the jiure air of Terra Nova ; to climb its 
 rocky heights, or wander over its plains and " barrens" bright 
 with wild flowers ; to ply the angler's rod or bend the oar in the 
 clear \\ater of its countless lakes ; or to explore one of the great 
 fiords which stretch their arms far inland, amid the Avildest and 
 grandest scenery, — all this is like passing into a new and better 
 state of existence and enjoying for a time a purer and better life. 
 
 THE rEOPLK FKIKXDLY. 
 
 One thing the tourist may safely reckon on is the sensation of 
 novelty. Not only ai-e the aspects of nature, indeed the whole 
 character of the scenery, such as are not to be met with elsewhere, 
 but here the traveller finds himself among a " peculiar i)eople" 
 — the hardy fisher-folk, quaint in their manners, having their 
 own wavs of lookin" at tinners ; — unattected bv the fashions and
 
 236 SCENERY. 
 
 <:oiiventionalities of tlie outside world ; primitive in tlieir modes 
 of living, kindly, ft^arless, friendly. Tiavellers will find sucli a 
 people alnnidantly interesting and worthy of a careful study. 
 They are not dull, commonplace repetitions of the people among 
 whom travellers are accustomed to meet, but original, quaint, 
 unique. While they are friendly to all comers to their shores, to 
 none do the hospitable Newfoundlanders, of all grades, extend 
 a heartier welcome than to tlie citizens of the Great Repulic. A 
 traveller has only to say "I am an American" and every door 
 is open to him and every hospitality is placeil at his disposal. 
 This kindly feeling towards tlie Stars and Stripes is not caused 
 by any Anti-British sentiment, fur the people are thoroughly 
 loyal to the Crown of Englaml and have no desire to renounce 
 their allegiance to the Mother-Country — but arises mainly 
 from ailmiratiou for the people of the United States and their 
 free institutions, and partly also from the fact that a large 
 number of Xewfoundlanders have, from time to time, found 
 a home in the Western Republic, aird tlius there is a con- 
 stantly increasing communication between this island and the 
 States. Tlie mails from the United States are larger than i'rom 
 any other country ; and a largo number of families have re- 
 jDresentatives or connections living under " the Star-Sj)angletl 
 Banner." To many of the young generation the United States is 
 the land of j^romise. A large amount of Ijusiness lies with the 
 States, and the commercial union is steadily extending. Thus, 
 among the people, Americans lind themselves thoroughly at 
 home, not only in the capital but throughout the island. 
 
 PROFESSOR ALBERT BICKMORE. 
 
 A distinguished American professor — Albert S. Bickmore — of 
 the American ^luseum of Natural Histoi-y, New York, spent 
 a feAv weeks, in 1891, in Newfoundland and on the coast of 
 Lalirador. He said, after his extensive toiir, " In regard to 
 beauty and grandeur of scenery, health-giving climate and gen- 
 eral attractiveness for those Avhose energies have been lowered by 
 city life, and who seek to recuperate, few countries could surpass
 
 SCENERY. 237 
 
 Newfounillaud. But it is not sufficiently known. Few know 
 even the way of reaching it. A guide-book setting forth its at- 
 tractions, should be published, giving such information as tourists 
 require in order to see the country to advantage. ]\Iany hun- 
 dreds of Americans would every year find their way here were 
 the country only known. In the future, if proper steps are 
 taken, Newfoundland may become one of the most popular sum- 
 ■mev resorts. In addition to the scenery and pure air, you have 
 salmon and trout-fishing to an unlimited extent ; and in the fall 
 snipe, curlew, and ptarmigan shooting, as well as deer-stalking. 
 Boating on the lakes, driving or walking over your breezy hills ; 
 pic-nicing in such places as Petty Harbour, Middle Cove or 
 Topsail ; sketching or pliotographing your rare scenery, drink- 
 ing in the oxygen of an atmosphere wliich at every breath 
 quickens the jiulses and puts colour in the cheek — what more 
 .could the heart of man or woman tourist ask for ?" 
 
 PROFESSOR HYATT'S EXPERIENCE, 
 
 Another eminent scientific man, — Professor Hyatt, of Boston, 
 — spent the summer of 1885 on the West coast of the island. 
 With a numlier of other scientists, he was engaged in collecting 
 fossils and studying the geology of the district. He wrote of his 
 excursion in the following terms : — " Certainly one can rarely 
 see in this world more remarkable and picturesque villages than 
 those of Burin, Burgeo and Rose Blanche. The eff"ect of the 
 pond-like ]iarl)ours, surrounded l)y rugged hills, often of con- 
 siderable height, is rendered exceedingly 2>leasing, often lovely, 
 by the habit of Ijuilding the cottages anj^where and everywhere, 
 according to the fancy or fortune of the owner. Burgeo was 
 especially remarkable, and an artist could spend many summers 
 on this coast and become its pictorial historian with great gain to 
 himself." The Professor found Port-au-Port a geological paradise, 
 rare and curious fossils being abundant. " I have one endoceras" 
 he wrote " two feet six inches long and with the living chambers 
 nearly perfect — one of the finest things I have ever seen in any 
 collection, not even excepting Hall's or Barrande's. AVo also
 
 238 SCEXKRY. 
 
 foxind almndance of fossils at Ingoniacliois Bay, -where tlie fossil 
 cephalopoils are marvellous in size and ninnlier. "We have revelled 
 for ten days with hammer and chisel in digging out these." 
 
 HIS OPIXIOXS OF THK SCEXJERY. 
 
 In regard to the weather and scenery on the West Coast the 
 Professor said : — " The Aveather favoured us while in Xewfound- 
 land. "We were not detained by fogs and had very few adverse 
 winds. TliP. scenery irres- siLperh, and has made all the countries 
 we have passed through since secHi tame cuul tm2)ictHresque, except 
 indeed the steej) mountainous cliffs of Cape North and the 
 vicinity, in Cape Breton. I never expect to yet so much pleasure 
 comhined v:ith intellectual profit out of any fat v,re trip. Port-au- 
 Port is a paradise for the artist as well as for the geologist ; and 
 the same may be said of Bonne Baj^ and Bay of Islands. From 
 Cape Ray to St. John's Island, for the space of 250 miles on the 
 western coast of Xewfoundland, the principal mountain ranges 
 whose general course is north-east south-west, approach the sea 
 more or less closely. They are so arranged that they present 
 their ends to the sea on the south coast, and are seen more from 
 the side on the west coast. From St. George's Bay to St. John's 
 Island, on the western coast, they form a series of steep cliffs, 
 cones and domes, which also greatly enhance the beauty of the 
 deep and branching fiords of Bay of Islands and Bonne Bay. 
 The climate, vegetation and lovely harbours made the trip along 
 this part of the route a series of delightful surprises." 
 GEOLOGIZING. 
 
 At the close of his trip at Anse-au-Loup, the Professor M-rote : 
 "The collection now on board contains many large and remark- 
 able specimens of the fossils of the Quebec group, more especially 
 the cephalopods. Some of them are certainly unifpie and could 
 not be re-placed from the same localities. We have used a method 
 of cutting out which has enabled us to remove slabs two and 
 three feet long and six inches to a foot broad from the face of 
 the solid rock. "We have often failed in getting specimens of 
 larce size out whole ; but in many cases Ave have entire ortho
 
 scEXEr.v 239 
 
 ceratites, piloceratite?;, eiidoceratites ami ormoceratites of Inige 
 size, from a foot to over two feet in lengtli. The coiled nauta- 
 loids have also been collected in considerable numljers ; and the 
 materials on hand will enable me to work out many obscure 
 points in the structure and relations of these forms. Our collec- 
 tions are also rich in other fossils wliicli we have collected as 
 opportunity served." One of the Professor]s party took photo- 
 graphic views of the most striking scenery as they passed along 
 the coast. These form a series of most beautiful jiictures of 
 scenes which wei-e never before photographed. 
 
 COM3IANDER KENNEDY, K. N. 
 
 Captain Kennedy, R. X., commander of H. M. S. DnnJ, who 
 spent several years in Xewfoundland engaged in the Fisheries' 
 Protection Service, and who knows the island thoroughly, piib- 
 lished aboiit ten years ago " Sporting Notes on Newfoundland." 
 The following extract from this interesting work will show liis 
 opinion of the climate and scenery : — " To one who, like the 
 writer, has had the opportunity of seeing the country, of ming- 
 ling with its Avarm-hearted inhabitants, of penetrating into the 
 vast and almost unknow n interior in quest of sport, Newfound- 
 land presents a deeply interesting aspect, whether it be from a 
 spoiling, an artistic or a social point of view." 
 
 THE WEATHEK. 
 
 " The fogs on the east and south coast seldom if ever penetrate 
 inland ; and I have no hesitation in saying that for four or five 
 months in the year, nameh , from June to October, inclusive, the 
 climate is far superior to that of Great Britain, while the winters 
 are undoubtedly milder than those of Nova Scotia, Canada or 
 New Brunswick. During the months of July, August, September, 
 and part of October, the weather is magnificent, the thermometer 
 ranging occasionally as high as 85'. At this time the country 
 presents a most beautiful appearance, resembling in parts the 
 Highlands of Scotland. The mountains are clothed to their tops 
 with many kinds of woods, conspicuoiis among which are the fir,- 
 tlie pine, maj)le, birch and hazel. The " barrens " are covered
 
 ■240 SCEXFEY. 
 
 ■witli a rich carpet of mo^s of every shade and colour, and abound 
 in all sorts of wild berries, pleasing both to the eye and taste. 
 The l^anks of the rivers are also at this time fringed with wild 
 stra^^•berries, raspberries, currants, blue-berries, and adorned with 
 many kinds of lovely ferns and wild flowers ; while foaming tor- 
 rents and tumbling cascades complete a jjicture delightful to the 
 .eye of the artist and the salmon-fisher. The scenery of the south 
 .coast is of the grandest description ; deep gorges in the coast-line 
 lead through narrow entrances, with precipitous clifl's on either 
 hand, to magnificent harbours ^^■llere the navies of Europe may 
 float secure from every gale.'' " In the interior of the islands 
 .are thousands, aye, millions of acres of good land, suitable for 
 growing crojis, or raising cattle or sheep, as shown by the mag- 
 nificent wild grass which grows in all the swamps, and upon 
 which the deer feed unmolested, save when the solitary hunter 
 intrudes upon their sanctuary.'' "As regards salubrity of cli- 
 mate, Xewfoundland has no equal. On our visits round the 
 .coast the doctor's duties were al^solutely nil.'' "I believe that 
 few countries have such advantages as are possessed by New- 
 foundland, with her magnificent harbours and her boundless 
 stores of wealth ; but no country lias ever yet progressed without 
 railroads, or even roads. With the completion of the railway to 
 Hall's Bay and the probability of its ultimate extension to the 
 west coast ; with copper mines in full blast along her shores, and 
 .other industries in like activity, the proud boast of every New- 
 foundlander, " This Newfoundland of Ours," will be no idle one, 
 and tlie sovereignty of the island will be assured, not only in 
 name but in reality." (The foregoing was written eleven years 
 ago. Captain Kennedy's anticipations are receiving rapid reali- 
 zation.) 
 
 AX ARCHBISHOP'S OPINION. 
 
 Tlie late Roman Catholic Archbishop of Halifax, N. S., — a 
 gentleman of high attainments and culture — paid a visit ta 
 Newfixmdland some years ago. On his return he published an 
 account of his trip in which he spoke in rapturous terms of the 
 .country, its scenery and its people. The following are the open-
 
 SC'EXEKY. 241 
 
 ing paragraphs of his paper : — " It is strange how ignorant we 
 .often are of the beauties and attractions of places near our shores, 
 while thoroughly conversant witli the lesser grandeur of historic 
 lands far away. Thousands from the United States and many 
 from Canada yearly Hock to Europe, and write rapturous ac- 
 counts of the scenes over whicli poetiy or fiction lias thrown a 
 glamour. For a trifling outlay, and without the discomforts of 
 a long sea voyage, they could, by visiting Newfoundland, enjt)y a 
 .cool and healthy summer, and revel in all the wild grandeur of 
 Alpine scenery, or dream away the hours by lakes and bays 
 compared with which Killarney and Loch Katrine are but tame 
 and uninviting pools. 
 
 COUNTRY EASY OF ACCE.SS. 
 
 " It Avas my good fortune to pay a short visit to that romantic 
 land, and to enjoy tlie hospitality of its most hospitable people. 
 Tlie countiy is now easy of access, either by the Allan steamers 
 plying Ijetween Baltimore, Halifax and St. John's ; or by boats 
 from Montreal, Pictou and Charlottetown, or by those of a line 
 between New York and St. John's. By any of these routes you 
 .can enjoy just a taste of the great Atlantic, and then you find 
 yourself in a land where the virgin forest still fringes the nolilest 
 bays in the worhl ; where codfi.sh actually swim within a yard 
 .of the shore, and salmon bask on the ledges of secluded inlets. 
 Yet it must not be tliought that the country is a howling wild- 
 .erncss, devoid alike of civilizing influences and local refinement. 
 You have all tliesu ; Ijut tlie populatfon is so small compared 
 with the vast extent of the island, that primitive nature still 
 holds sway over hundreds (jf miles of countiy." 
 
 THE "LONDON TI3IES" ON NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 
 Some fourteen years ago, when Newfoundland was less known 
 than at present, and its attractions for tourists and travellers less 
 favourably presented, tlie London Times, after a visit to the 
 island of one of its ablest correspondents, in a leading article, 
 ga\-e utterance to some kindly words regarding the ohlest of 
 England's colonial brood. Here are a few extracts: — "An
 
 242 SCENERY. 
 
 Englishman from Middlesex or Yorkshire, set down in Kew-- 
 foundland, wouhl, for the method of thought and the ^vay of 
 regarding things which he would discover in those aboiit him, be 
 conscious of little difference between the society he had left and 
 that on which he had been engrafted. It is to be regretted tliat 
 more from these shores do not make the experiment, at any rate 
 for a time. Newfoundlanders can doiibtless exist very comfortably 
 without the constant intercoui'se of Englishmen. But they not 
 unnaturally take a little umbrage at being set down, in ])ure 
 ignorance, through being left out of the track of British tourists, 
 as a po])ulation resembling, in locality and habits, the Esqui- 
 maux. Canada and the Cape and Natal, and even the seques- 
 tered Shetlands, have each, for its especial class of taste and 
 imagination, its traits of peculiar interest and fascination. They 
 have at all times had their delights and graces remarked. Xew-- 
 foundland alone has been left to the cliance of one or another of 
 its people caring to expatiate on its merits and being so impor- 
 tunate or skilliil as to gain an audience. Were but a single trial 
 given, to borrow the language of advertisers, the British public 
 is assured that Newfoundland would soon become a favoured 
 resort. It is guarded l\v as many terrors and obstructions as if 
 it Avere the cave of a dragon and his treasure. Yet behind the 
 barrier of cloud and ice lies a land of pleasant airs and I'adiant 
 sunshine. There are woods and meadows and flowers. There 
 are cathedrals, concert rooms and libraries, with all the luxury 
 attendant u^^on dwellers in villas. 
 
 * -i'r * -5^ -H- -X- 
 
 " Newfoundland as a Colony is dwarfed liy its relation to two 
 continents as a central fish-market. For itself it has promising 
 mines which would reward capital an;l enterprise, Avere not liotli 
 monopolized by tlie hereditary jtursuit. It has fertile belts 
 Avhicli Avill bear Avheat in i>rofusi()n. It has vast expanses of 
 practicable pastures. EaihA^ays Avould o])en up tracts of agri- 
 cultural territory Avhich are noAv presumed to be irreclaimalde 
 marshes and Avildernesses. In the meantime there is hunting a*
 
 SCEXEKY. 243 
 
 ^00(1 as in the great American Nortli-We.st, without the distance 
 to travel, and with hospitality and friendly Englisli fellow-citizens 
 to welcome the sportsman. Wliat is wanted is just a little sun- 
 shine and countenance fi-om the Mother Country, to stir the 
 islanders themselves to develop Newfoundland for Xewfound- 
 landers. Life is easy yet not too easy. Nature affords a sutH- 
 ciency of opportunities without eueivating the population by 
 doing its ^\•ork herself. Travellers who have the courage to 
 penetrate the veil of fog and winter, and tlie more obstinate 
 barrier (jf discouraging presumption of perennial gloom, will 
 iliscover that life is well woilli living among Newfoundland 
 balsam jioplars ; and that the oldest English Colony has with 
 .age only deepened and intensified its English characteristics." 
 
 After fourteen years, it is pleasant to know that the antici- 
 pations of the great Englisli journal have been iully veritieil. 
 Newfoundland, every year, attracts greater attention and the 
 stream of travellers di-awn to its shores is constantly swcdling. 
 The railways built and in course of construction will greatly in- 
 .crease among the <iutsidc world the desire to know more ot this 
 mis-known country, and to make acquaintance with its novel, 
 2">ictures([ne scenery. Its coast scenery is of course better known 
 than that of the interior. Many voyagers have seen, in passing, 
 its dark frowning clitfs, its miles on miles uf rocky walls, three 
 to four hundred feet in height, its l)old inomontories and head- 
 lamls, seulptui-ed into grim fantastic forms l)y the blows of At- 
 lantic billows — shapes massive and awe-inspiring in their stern 
 grandeur. These external lamparts engaged in ceaseless conffict 
 with the watery battalions which are ever rushing on them, are 
 apt at first sight to be repellant to the traveller. But \\ithin 
 these rockj'' outworks, up the great fiords, with their countless 
 branches, along the banks of the livers and brooks, among the 
 rolling hills and great barrens are scenes of rarest 1)eauty, and 
 over all a sky blue and serene as that of Italy and more 
 varied in its changing aspects. No element of nature's sub- 
 limity and beauty is wanting. In drives or rambles along 
 the shores of bays, the roads now scale the lofty hills, then dip
 
 244 SCENERY. 
 
 down into silent dells, and ever and anon break ont to the sea 
 through Avood-skirted ravines. Tliere, in the distance, are the 
 glittering icebergs sailing majestically past ; or here, aground in 
 some quiet cove, lies one of the white wanderers, the waves 
 gently laving its sides, while cascades are pouring from its top 
 as it melts under the tierce rays of the summer's sun. Every- 
 where the eye is greeted with some new, fantastic form of clitt, 
 or rich coloirring of jjorj^hyry rock ; while the softness of deli- 
 cate mosses contrasts at intervals with the ruggedness of bare 
 rocks on which the gnawing tooth of time has been oi^erating for 
 countless ages. At almost every turn of the I'oad little gem-like 
 lakes Hash into view, their waters clear as crystal, many of theui 
 with moss-clad islets sleeping in their bosoms. Such a drive, in 
 a bright summer's day, around these great sea-arms, is some- 
 thin" to be remembered till the close of life.
 
 CHAPTER XY. 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 HOIV TO SEE THE COUNTRY— ROUTES OF TRAVEL. 
 
 Xewfocxdlaxd is now easy of access to the outside Morld, 
 whetlier from the United States, Canada or Europe. Tliret fine 
 steamers of the AHan Line — the Corean, Siberian and Carthaginian 
 — under contract with tlie Government for the conveyance of 
 mails — ply between Glasgow, Liverpool, and Philadelphia, call- 
 ing on their westward trips, fortnightly, at St. John's and Hali- 
 fax, ami on their eastward trips at St. John's only. Fares from 
 Liverpool to St. John's — saloon, ^48; second cabin, ^28-30; 
 steerage, -§19-20 ; from St. John's to Halifax, ^20. They leave 
 Liverpool and Philadelphia fortnightly. The accommodation 
 for passengers on board the Allan steamers is excellent. The 
 average pa.ssage from Liverpool to St. Jolin's is seven days. 
 Messrs. Shea & Co., Agents in St. John's ; Allan & Co., Liver- 
 l^ool. For list of sailing see advertising pages. 
 
 CANADIAN AND NEWFOUNDLAND STEAMSHIP CO. 
 
 The steamers of Canadian and Nev:foundland Stearasliip Co. 
 also sail between Liverpool and Halifax, calling at St. John's. 
 A steamer of this line leaves Liverpool and Haliftix every ten 
 days, touching at St. John's on both the outward and liomeM-ard 
 trips. The Moruca, Barcelona and Ulunda are excellent steamers, 
 and every attention is paid to the comfort of passengers. Fares 
 — saloon, from Liverpool to St. John's, $48 ; from St. John's to 
 Halifax, saloon, $15 ; steerage, $9. Agents — St. John's, J. & W. 
 Pitts ; Liverpool, J. J. Langley, Bank Chambers, Cook Street ; 
 London, Tlios. Ronaldson & Co., 37 Leaden Hall St. ; Glasgow, 
 Donaldson Bros., 165 St. Vincent Street ; Halifax, James Hall, 
 P.O. box 215. These steamers usuailv reach St. John's from
 
 246 DIKECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 Liverpool iii seven or eight daj-s, and Halifax in two days from 
 St. John's. They carry mails. 
 
 RED CROSS LINE. 
 
 The steamers ot" this line — the Portia and Stflna — ply between 
 New York and St. John's, calling at Halifax each trij). The 
 usual passage from New York to St. John's is five to hve and a 
 half days, Avitli a "stop-over" of a day or lialf a day at Halilax. 
 They sail every ten days. Fares: from New York to St. John's, 
 saloon ^34, steerage §18 ; from St. John's to Halifax, saloon f 18 ; 
 steerage S9. Agents in St. John's, Harvey & Co.; in Halifax, 
 Corbett & Co.; in New York, Bowring & Archibald, 9 Stone St. 
 They usually carry mails lietween Halifax and St. John's. The 
 %/c/rt, in tlie summer season, goes to Pilley's Island (280 miles 
 from St. Jolm's) tor a cargo of ore, taking passengers who wish to 
 make the round trip, which usually is very pleasant and enables 
 them to see an interesting part of the coast scenery. The Portia 
 does not go further than St. John's. The Sijlvia calls at St. 
 John's on her return from Pilley's Island. The Red Cross 
 steamers are favouiites with the travelling public, and are well 
 managed. 
 
 ST. JOHN'S AND MONTREAL. 
 
 From Montreal St. John's is reache<l in four days (1070 miles) 
 Ijy steamers of the Black Diamond Line — P)Oimrida and Cohan 
 — sailing fortnightly. Tliey are safe and comfortable. Fares: 
 $30 saloon, $15 steerage. Agents— St. John's, Harvey & Co.; 
 Montreal, Kingman, Brown & Co., 14 Palais Royal. 
 
 Also by steamers of the Ross Line — Thames^ Gredhinil>< and 
 i-'o/i/(o— sailing weekly from Montreal and St. John's during 
 the season, from April till the close of navigation. Fares, ^25 
 saloon. The S. S. Tiher also plies between Montreal and Saint 
 John's. Agents for all four, St. John's, Shea & Co.; Montreal, 
 •Dobell & Co. The accommodation for passengers is fairly good. 
 
 STEAMERS ST. PIERRE AND HARLAW — WESTERN COAST. 
 
 The s. s. St. Pierre plies between Halifax, Sydney, (C. B.), 
 (Channel and Placentia, calling at Trepassey, St. Mary's, Placen-
 
 DiiiECTioxs Foi; ToriJisTS. L'47 
 
 :tiii, Burin, St. Liiwrciice', Laiualiiic, Fortune, (Tmiul l^ank, St. 
 
 ..TacquL's ami Belloiaiu alternately ; Harl)or Briton, (laultois, 
 Hermitage Cove and Puslitlirougli alternately ; Baniea, Burgeo, 
 La Poile, Rose Blanche, Channel, Bonne Bay. The St. Pierre 
 
 .also touches at the port of St. Pierre, Ijoth going from and le- 
 turning to Halifax. Her sailings are fortnightly. She carries 
 mails. 
 
 The s. s. Harhtir plies Ix'tweeii Halifa.v and the principal wes- 
 
 ■tern ports of Newfoundland, making fortnightly tj'i[)s. 
 
 Both the St. I'icrrc and the Harluv are well fitted up, .safe and 
 
 .comfortalile. Travellers s])eak in high terms of both. Tourists 
 who wish to see the magnificent scenery of the western coast and 
 
 .enjoy its didicions summer, would find it advantageous to take 
 
 ,eithei of these hoats at Halifa.x, and they will thus get a glimpse 
 
 ,of St. Pieri'e and of the nohle sceuci-y of St, CJeorge's Bay, Bay 
 
 ,of Islands and Bonne Bay. This is now liecoming a favourite 
 route, and is i-apturou.sly spoken of hy tliose who have taken the 
 
 ^round trip. When the new railway is completed to Bay of 
 Islands, which \\\]\ jirobaldy lie the case hy the end of ■ 1894, 
 travellers wIk.i voyage liy these boats can land at Bay of Islands, 
 
 .and take the railway for Si. John's, making a stay at any of the 
 intermediate jilaces ; and thus greatly enhance the pleasures of 
 their tiip, and enjoy any amount of trout and .salmon tl.shing, or 
 .shooting in the proper season. (See chapter on Boads and Rail- 
 Avays. 
 
 CO.V.STAL STK.VMKK.S. 
 
 The steamers (ininil Ldli' and Vlnjinia. Lub/, of the Xew- 
 foundland Coastal Co., leave St. John'* fortnightly, one taking 
 
 •the southern and western route to Bonne Bay and calling at 
 intermediate ports to laud and receive mails and jiasseiigers ; the 
 
 .other running north to Battle Harbour, Labrador, thei-e connect- 
 ing with the Labi-ador mail steamer, and calling at all inter- 
 mediate ports to land and receive mails and pas.sengers. These 
 steamers are strongly built, well oHicered, and the food ami 
 
 .accommodation are very gooiL (For their sailings see advertise-
 
 24S DIRECTIONS FOi; TOUmSTS, 
 
 meiit at the end of this vohuue ; also trips liy them suhseqnently 
 given.) 
 
 ST. JOHN'S— FINE KNTKAMCE TO ITS HAKBOUK. 
 
 For pictures(j^ueness of situation tliere is no otlier city in North 
 America to compare with St. J(jlin's, tlie capital of the island. 
 All travellers who visit it admire the striking ai)proacli to the 
 harltour, and the fine view on entering its waters. As tlie 
 voyager, coming northward from Cape Race, sails along the grim,- 
 iron-bound coast wliose rocks, two to four hundred feet high, 
 fling back in defiance the great Atlantic rollers, the steamer 
 suddeidy turns her prow shoreward as if to dash herself againt^t 
 the dark cliffs. In a few minutes a nariow opening in the rocky 
 wall is seen, as if, by some convulsion of nature, the great ram- 
 part had been rent asunder and the sea liad rushed in. As tlie 
 vessel glides through this cleft the ii-avdler looks up, not with- 
 out a touch of awe, at the great cliffs of dark red sandstone piled 
 in broken masses on a foundation of gray slate rock. On liis 
 right he sees an almost perpendicular precipice, 300 feet in 
 height, above which rises, with almost equal steepness, the crest 
 of Signal Hill, 520 fpet above tlie level of the sea, on which 
 stands the "Block House" for signalling vessels as they approach 
 the harbour. On the left, the rugged hill attains a height of 600' 
 feet. From its base a rocky promontory juts out, forming the 
 entrance of the Narrows on one side. On the summit of this 
 projection is Fort Amherst Light-house, where is heard tlie 
 hoarse music of the restless Atlantic whose waves break on the 
 rocks lieneath. The scene is grand and impressi\-e. 
 
 THE NAllKOWS. 
 
 Formerly batteries, armed witli ibrmidable Armstrong guns, 
 rose one over the other, on the projecting shoulders and narrow 
 platforms of the surrounding clilfs ; but years ago the small 
 garrison was withdrawn, and the cannon removed. The Nar- 
 rows, or channel leading to the harbour, is nearly half a mile in 
 length ; and it is not till two-thirds of it are passed that the city 
 itself opens to view. At the termination of the Narrows the
 
 DIHECTIONS FOR TOUIUSTS. 249 
 
 harbour trends suildeuly to tlie west, thus rumpletely shutting 
 out the swell iVdui the ocean. In ten minutes at'ter leaving the 
 Atlantic the steamer is saf'el\' moored at the wharf, in the still 
 waters of a perfectly land-locked harhour. Ve-sels of the largest 
 tonnage can enter at all ])eriods of the tide, the rise of whicli 
 does not exceed four feet. Between Signal Hill and Fort Am- 
 herst, at the entrance, the Narrows are al)0ut 1,400 feet in 
 width ; but at th.e nan-owest jiart Ijetween Pancake and Chain 
 Rocks, the channel is not more than 600 feet Avide. The har- 
 bour is al)out a mile in length, and half a mile in width. It is 
 deep with a mud bottom, and in the centre it is said to be 90 feet 
 in depth. Of its size, it would be ditiicidt to tind a finer harliour, 
 
 STKEKTS, ETC. 
 
 The city is Imilt on the northern side of the harbour, on a 
 site which coidd hardly be surpassed. From the water's edge 
 the ground rises with a slope till the summit is reached, where 
 there is a large level space. Along the face of this slo})e the 
 main streets run, and the city is rapidly extending itself in all 
 directions. An excellent system of sewerage is laid out, which- 
 ■when completed will render the sanitary condition of the city 
 superior to that of any other jau the Atlantic seaboard. Already 
 it is a very healthy city. Three principal streets — Water, Dusk- 
 worth and Gower Streets — run parallel with the harbour and 
 with one another, and are intersected by a number of cross- 
 streets, running nortli and south. The former follow the sinu- 
 osities of the harliour, so that they are irregular and winding. 
 The new part built since the great fire of 1892 is considerably 
 improved, and the large shops and stores in the eastern half 
 of Water Street are a great advance on those destroyed liy 
 the tire. Duckworth Street has also been better laid out ami 
 much improved. 
 
 HOUSES, VILLAS, ETC. 
 
 On the south side of the harbour the hills spring so aliruptly 
 from the water that little more than a sufficient site for a range 
 of warehouses and oil factories could be scooped out. From the
 
 '2o0 DIIiECTIOXS FOl! TOUKLSTS 
 
 \vrtU'rf< of the liarliour the city jireseiits a fine aiipeaniiK.'e, cliiub- 
 iiig tliL' slope of the hill which i.s crowned b\ the Rouiau Catliolic 
 'Cathedi'al, a noble structure which overlook.s tlie whole. There 
 is ample space in every direction for expansion. Ali'eady the 
 tendency is to build dwelling houses in the suburbs, or on the 
 summits of the rising gi-ounds overlooking the harlwui', and to 
 leave the large stores and shops solely for. business ])uri)oses, in- 
 stead of having as formerly residences over them. Many of the 
 new houses erected outside the city on the higher giounds are 
 ■of a superior descrijition, and these as they increase will form 
 s(piares and crescents, and become the fashionable quarters. 
 The leading roads in all dii'cctions, to the distance of two mile.s 
 from the city, are getting lined with handsome villas, the resi- 
 <lences of the wealthier classes. Water Street, the principal 
 business street, i)resents a very substantial appearance, the 
 liouses being of stone oi- brick. The shops, stoi'es and counting- 
 houses occai)y the ground tloors, while some of the merchants 
 .and many of the slio])-kee[)ers still reside in the upper stoi'evs. 
 Fish-stores and other warehouses jiroject from the rt^ar on the 
 side next the harbour. Many of the shops, especially in the re- 
 cently re-built part of rVater Stittt, present a \eiy handsome 
 appearance, and comjiare not unfavourably with similar estab- 
 lishments in the large cities of Canada and the United States, 
 In other [»arts of the city the bulk of the houses are built of 
 "wood, anil many of the streets are exceedingly dingy and com- 
 monplace. 
 
 VUliE WATEK— FIKE BRIGADE. 
 
 St. Jolm's has the innnense advantage of possessing an abun- 
 <lant supply of the purest water which is obtained tVom Windsor 
 Lake, four and a-half miles from the city and standing at a 
 lieight of 4:00 feet aliove the sea-level. The pressure is thus so 
 great that water can be thrown frbm the hydrants to a height of 
 fifty feet, or 150 feet ahnig a street. Taught by sad experience, 
 the ( Jovernment and Muni(,'i])al Council are now organizing a 
 fire bi'igade of a liighly etticient m'der, equipped with all modern
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS 251 
 
 improveiiieuts, wliicli will render the recurrence of a great firCy 
 like that of 1846 or 1892, an improliable event. 
 
 DISTANC-ES FROM OTHER CITIES. 
 
 The city is situated on the east side of the peninsula of Avalon,. 
 which presents a wide frontage to the sea, and on tla- portion of 
 American land Avhich approaches nearest to the Olil World. It 
 is 60 miles north of Cajje Race ; 600 miles from Halifax ; 1,170' 
 miles from Montreal; 1200 miles from New York; and 1700 miles 
 from Queenstown — being 1,000 miles neai'er it than New York- 
 It is in 47° 33' 33" N. latitude, and 52' 4.")' 10' W. longitudt^. 
 
 OBJECTS OF INTEREST IN ST. .JOHN'S WORTHY THE 
 ATTENTION OF TOURISTS AN1> VISITORS. 
 
 A walk along Water sti'eet, the main Imsiness thcronghfarey 
 about a mile in length, will enalde a strangei' to form an idea of 
 the style of business and the mode of conducting it. Handsome 
 shop-fronts, tastefully " dressed " and exliilnting all kinds of 
 fancy goods and more substantial articles, ai'e everywhere con- 
 spicuous. The visitor will be specially struck with tlie lieauty 
 and soliditv of the new l>lorks erected since the tiiv — such as 
 Baird's Building ; Marshall and Rodger's ; Ayre and kSous ; (Gar- 
 land's ; Goodfellow's Buildings. These, in architecture and gene- 
 ral arrangements, do not suffer by compaiison with similar estab- 
 lishments in any other city of the sauie size. The thronged 
 shops, crowded streets, and general liustle and activity show that 
 a large business is done heiv. Tliis is especially the ca.se in the 
 early summer and in the Fall. 
 
 FISH STORES, ETC. 
 
 A glance at one of the large tish-stoi'es — such as Baine .Tohn- 
 stone's. Job's, Monroe's or Tliorl>urn and Tessier's — is interesting 
 as showing how tlie dried cod-fish are sorteil, stacked in huge 
 piles, and made u]) in " drums" for foreign markets. To see the 
 process of manufacturing the fish-oils and the complicated machi- 
 nery used, it is necessary to cross tlie harbour in a boat, and 
 walk through one of the great oil-factories on the South Side, 
 where the seal oil is refined and jirepared ibr market.
 
 lO'l DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 OFFICES— MUSEUM. 
 
 In the Excliange Building, netxr the foot of McBj'ide's Hill, 
 the Anglo-American Telegraph Co. ha\e recently opened a new 
 office Avhicli is well arranged and creditable to the Company. 
 Hours of business from 8.30 a. m to 9 p. m. There is a branch 
 office in the eastern end of the city, and also in the Post office. 
 The Post office, already referred to, is a fine building towards 
 the western eml of Water street. Its arrangements for the ac- 
 commodation of the public are all that could be desired. The 
 upper portion of it is devoted to the purposes of a Public Museum 
 Avhicli will well re^jay a virsit. Here are arranged specimens of 
 all the minerals and coal found in the island, together with spe- 
 cimens of the Iniilding-stone, marbles, granites, etc., and of the 
 timber. The geologist can here study the fo.ssils found in the 
 various formations of the country which are named and classi- 
 fied. The antiquarian will find here a most interesting collec- 
 tion of tlie relics of the extinct aboriginal mliabitants of the 
 island. Here are .skulls, bones, almost entire skeletons of the 
 unfortunate lost tribes of Beothiks. The skeleton of a boy found 
 in a grave in Pilley's Island, with the skin and nails iierfectly 
 l^reserved, is regarded as a great curiosity. Their stone imple- 
 ments, arrow-heads, gouges, hatchets, etc., are objects of much 
 interest. Local objects of natural history are in great profusion 
 — such as stutfed specimens of caribou, bears, seals, birds, fishes. 
 There is also a collection of the mollusca of the island. Here too 
 is preserved an arm of the now celebrated " Devil Fish" or 
 gigantic Cuttle Fish — named after its discoverer, the present 
 Avriter, Archefuthis Harveyi. When first discovered, in 1873, it 
 made a sensation in the scientific world. Its body was ten feet 
 in length, and its longest arms each thirty feet. (For full particu- 
 lars of this Giant Cuttle see '■'■Hatton and Harv(nJA Xewfoundland," 
 or article " Newfoumlland" in the Em-ycloprcdui Britannica.) A 
 forenoon spent in the Museum will well reward the tourist. 
 
 WKY DOCK. 
 
 Continuing the walk westward along Water Street, the Long 
 3i'idge is reached, near the head of the haibour, where is the
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 2o6 
 
 •Dry Dock, built of wood and oi)ene;l in 1884. It is 600 feet 
 long, 83 feet broad, with a depth of 25 feet on its sill at low 
 water. It i.s thus able to accommodate all but the very largest 
 steamers atioat. It cost $550,000. 
 
 LUXATIC ASYLUM. 
 
 Three uiilfs further out, on the "Waterford Bridge Road, is the 
 Lunatic Asylum, a handsome structure, beautifully situated and 
 .excellently managed. Visitors are admitted by an order from 
 the doctors in charge of the institution. The walk or drive to 
 it along the Castor's Valley, as the little brook is called, is very 
 pleasant. Victoria Park is passed on the right. 
 
 CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL. 
 
 There are many more objects of interest in the city. The 
 imost conspicuous building is the Roman Catholic Cathedral, 
 which occu])ies a commanding site on the summit of the hill 
 on which the city is built. It is in the form of a Latin Cross, 
 237 feet in length, and 180 fent wide across the transepts, with 
 two towers 138 feet in height. It is richly ornamented with 
 statuary, the iinest being " The Dead Christ," by Hogan, under 
 the altar, and tliose of St. .Jolm the Baptist and of the Virgin, 
 in front of the Cathedral. The view from the Cathedral grounds 
 is specially fine. Adjacent to it are the Bishoj)'s Palace, Saint 
 Bonaventure's College and a Convent. The whole group of 
 buihlings cost about $500,000. The general appearance is very 
 fine. 
 
 CHURCH OF EXGLAXD CATHEDRAL. 
 
 The Church of England Cathedral, about half way up the 
 slope, will wlieu completed be one of the finest ecclesiastical 
 buildings in British America. It was designed by Sir Gilbert 
 Scott, ami is in the early English style. Unfortunately it was 
 terribly injured in the great fire of 1892, only the bare walls 
 Ijeing left. The walls of the transept were not seriously injured 
 "but the arches were ruined. This portion of the Cathedral has 
 Xiow been roofed and the arches i-e.^tored, and it soon will be
 
 254 DIKECTIONS FOR TOUDLSTr^. 
 
 available for services : l)ut the nave -wliich snffereil more is stilf 
 in ruins. Its entire restoriitiun is most desirable. 
 
 On Military Eoad running along tlie crest of the ridge stands- 
 the Colonial Building or House of Parliament, containing cham- 
 bers for the two branches of the Legislature, and most of the 
 public offices. It is 110 feet long and 85 feet wide and was Iniilt 
 in 1847 at a cost of £100,000. Its Ionic imrtico is borne by six 
 massive columns, 30 feet high. Near it is Government House, 
 an unpretentious but substantial and comfortaljle abode, Avhere 
 the representative of Royalty reside.s. It is surrounded by well- 
 kejjt grounds. The Imjierial Government erected it in 1828 at 
 a cost of £30,000. 
 
 ATHEN^UM AND OTHEK BUILDINGS. 
 
 The Atheuieum was a handsome building near tlie Union Bank 
 in Duckworth Street. It was totally destroyed, with its fine 
 public library, music hall, reading room and the Savings' Bank 
 in the tire of 1892, and is now in ruins, awaiting restoration. A 
 line building for the accommodation of the Savings' Bank is to- 
 be erected opposite the Athenanun, on tlie site of St. Andrew's 
 Presbyteiian Cliurcli which is in course of re-erection on a moi-e 
 commanding site higher nji the slope, where the Masonic Temple 
 stood fjcfore the fire. The last named building is to occupy a 
 fine site a little above the new Savings' Bank. The Athenanini 
 reading-room and library are in Tobin's Building toward the 
 eastern end of Duckworth Street. They are open to stranger.'? 
 on the introduction of a mend)er. The I'enitentiary, a solid 
 granite building, and the Public Hospital, an excellent institu- 
 tion remarkably well cared for, are on the Quidi Tidi road, on 
 the outskirts of the city. Both w ill repay a visit. 
 
 INDUSTRIES. 
 
 Altliough the chief business interests of St. John's are in the 
 exportation of the grand staple, the codfish, and its seal-oil re- 
 fineries, yet in recent years there has been a wonderful develop-- 
 ment of local industries of various kinds. Tliere is now a large' 
 and well-e(pupped Bope Walk at Mundy Pond, half a mile from^
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. ZiUY 
 
 the city, -whicli gives employment to al)OiTt 400 persons, and is 
 equal in all respects to any other estahlishment of the kintl in 
 British Ameiica or the United States. There are also thi-ee iron 
 foumlries, nail foundry, machine shops, railway woi'k-shops, two' 
 1)iscuit hakeries of a superior description, hreweries, taujieries, 
 furniture, tohacco, soap and l)utterine factories — all of which 
 give employment to a lai-ge numher of hands. 
 
 NATIVE BEItKIES. 
 
 One recently introduced native industry deserves special men-' 
 tion — the preserving, on a large scale, for exportation, of the 
 delicious wild berries -which grow in uidimited quantities all 
 over the island. Only one tirni has yet taken a pi'ominent part 
 in this new and jti^omising industry — Mr. W. H. Davidson, 
 Grocer, Water Street, to wlium the credit of introducing it 
 belongs. If generally carried out, thousands of idle hands — 
 especially women and young ^Jcr.'^ons, — might be profitably en- 
 gaged in gathering the wild .straw-berries, rasp-beri'ies, capillaire, 
 partridge-berries, bake-fipples, "hurt/'' oi' 1 due-berries, which 
 cover hundreds of thousands of acres and can be gathered in the 
 vicinity of every settleiuent. Tlie article produced by Mr. 
 Davidson is delicious. Some two years ago he sent a jjackage of 
 these i^reserved berries to the Queen who was pleased to accept 
 the .same, and to expres.s her great satisfactiim witli the contents,- 
 To make this industry a success, a drawback on the sugar used 
 should be allowed liy tlie Government, as the duty on that article 
 is nearly 100 per cent., greatly interfering with the success of 
 such an enterpiise. 
 
 DRIVES AND AVALK.S IN THP: VICINITY OF .ST. JOHN'S, 
 
 By making St. John's headquarters, the tourist can enjoy 
 many delightful excursions by vehicle, or for short distances 
 on foot. Cabs can Iil- hired fcyi' the day or half day at the rate 
 of four dollars per day, or eighty cents per houi". Shoit drives 
 through the city cost from thirty to fifty cents, according to dis-- 
 tance. There are numerous lakes an<l ponds at moderate dis-- 
 tances from the citv where excellent trout fishing can l)e had;-
 
 256 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 but there is no good salmon stream nearer tljan Salmonier, at 
 a distance of fifty miles. It is readied l)y rail to Holyrood, 
 thence by vehicle. In the season the salmon fishing there is ex- 
 cellent. 
 
 • VIKAV FK03I SIGNAL, HILL. 
 
 All visitors sjjcedily find their way to the top of Signal Hill 
 overlooking the narrows, where a magnificent View is obtained. 
 It can be reached bj^ a walk of half an hour, or Ijy a short car- 
 riage drive. The road leading to it starts from the eastern end 
 of Duckworth Street. At the height of 350 feet two small and 
 deep lakes are passed. When the summit is reached, if the day 
 be clear, a noble view is enjoyed. On the one side is the broad 
 Atlantic "with all its terror and mystery" — not a rock or shoal 
 in the gieat expanse till the Irish coast is reached. Looking 
 northward we see Svnar Loaf, Loijic Baif, TorJinij Hmd and tlie 
 serrated range of hills on tlie south side of Conception Bay. 
 The dark per2)endicular sea-wall, A\ith numerous indentations, 
 runs up to Cape St. Francis. A tine sweep of country, dotted 
 with numerous glittering lakelets and farm-houses and fringed 
 witli sombre groves of fir, stretches away to the noi'th-west. 
 The great chasm which forms the entrance to tlie harljour is 
 seen below, guarded by precipitous rock-masses. Tlie remains 
 of the l)atteries which once commanded the narrow entrance 
 are visiljle on their rocky platforms. Fort Amherst and Cape 
 Spear lighthouses and Freshwater Bay, with its fishermen's 
 cottages, are seen to the south. A bird's-eye view is presented 
 of tlie harbour and its shipping, with the whole city lying along 
 tho northern slope, crowned liy the Roman Catholic Cathedral. 
 A lower peak called Gallows Hill stands out j^rominently. — 
 Here, in tlie olden time, criminals were hanged in sight of the 
 whole city. 
 
 BATTLE OF SIGNAL HILL, 1762. 
 
 In 1762 Signal Hill was the scene of a brief but Idoody 
 struggle. For tlie third time in sixty-six years the French had 
 got jiossession of St. .John's. Lord Colville was sent from Hali-
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 257 
 
 fax with a squadron to drive theiu out. Colonel Amlierst landed 
 a force from the ileet at Torliay, and marched overland to Saint 
 John's. Up the rugged heights from Quidi Vidi the English 
 soldiers charged to capture Signal Hill, the key of the position. 
 The French fought desperately, and having a great advantage 
 from their position, succeeded several times in repulsing their 
 foes. At length Captain ]\IacI)onald, leading a company of 
 Higidanders with Hxed hayonet^, daslied up the height and 
 swept all T)efore them. Tlie hrave leader and his lieutenant 
 were both severely, hut not mortally wounded. Signal Hill 
 being won, the French saw that all was lost. Their fleet man- 
 aged to escape by creeping out of the harbour in a thick fog. 
 The English lost twenty men; the French loss was heavy, but 
 the number is unknown. St. John's never again fell into the 
 hands of the French. 
 
 GEOLOGY OF THE HII,I>. 
 
 Looking around tlie summit of the liill it is seen to be capped 
 liy dark red sandstone lielonging to tlie Huronian system of 
 rocks, corresponding to the English Cambrian which is developed 
 .all over the peninsula of Avalon. The hill itself is strewed with 
 lai'ge boulders liolding jasper and other water-worn pebl)les, 
 showing tliat they once formed the margin of an old Silurian 
 sea, and tliat by foldings and various earth-movements, the sea- 
 bottom has become a liill of Tn'O feet al)Ove the level of the water, 
 Hei-e too are seen striations on tlie rock-surfaces, showing that at 
 .a later period they were under glacial action. Goologists tell us 
 tliat the whole island was once, during long ages, in the same 
 condition in which Greenland now is — under a great ice-cap 
 many hundreds of feet in thickness. Most travellers allo\y that 
 the view from Signal Hill is rarely surpassed elsewhere. 
 OUIDI VIDI. 
 
 A second interesting walk is to the picturesque fishing village 
 £)f Quidi Vidi, half a mile from the city. The road to it leads 
 past the Penitentiary and Hosj)ital, along the margin of the 
 pretty little Quidi Lake, on which an annual regatta is held.
 
 258 DIKECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 The village is a typical fisliing-village where can he seen in per- 
 fection the ^;tages projecting over the water of the little harbour,, 
 at -which the fishermen laml their tish, and the "flakes" on- 
 which the cod are dried. During tlie fishing season, the whole 
 process of "splitting," "heading" and salting can be seen. The' 
 small harbour is connected with the ocean by a narrow gut only 
 wide and deep enongli for fishing boats. All around rise steep' 
 reil clitt's in fantastic shajies. Very fre([Uently an iceberg or two 
 are grounded close by the mouth of the little harl)nur — their 
 dazzlingly white pinnacles and spires contrasting .strikingly with 
 the dark frowning rocks. These, with the fishing boats, stages 
 and Hakes make a strikingly characteristic iiictiire. Artists are" 
 strongly attracted to this spot. A little river fio^\■ing through 
 the lake forms a pretty cascade as it tundjles over the rocks inter 
 the harbour. Visitors will enjoy calling at some cottages of the 
 fishermen, a\ here they Avill leceive a waiiii welcome, and can 
 have a pleasant chat with the sturdy fishermen ami their wives 
 whose oddities of speech and quaint views of things form an 
 interesting study. A walk over the White Hills from the vil- 
 hige, for two miles, Tuings the visitor to the beautiful Yii'ginia 
 AVater. 
 
 TO TORBAY, ETC. 
 
 Another delightful di'ive is to Torbay, a tillage si.x: or seven 
 miles from St. John's. The road runs to the north, passing near' 
 Virginia Water, a ]n'etty little lake end)ossomed in woods, and 
 abeunding in fine trout. Then Logie Bay (four miles) is reached, 
 famous for its grand coast scenery. Outer ami nnddle Cove, two' 
 miles farther on, are scarcely less remarkable for rocky scenery, 
 Torbay is a thriving village picturesque in situation, having a 
 handsome Eoman Catholic church, a Convent, excellent school- 
 rooms and a large puVdic hall. The drive may be extendeil a 
 few miles further on the I'oad to Pouch Cove. Along this coast, 
 up to Cajie St. Francis, are no pebbly Ijeaches on which the sum- 
 mer Avaves gently break, Init there is the massive grandeur of 
 periH'udicidar clitfs, often sculptured into forms of stern beauty,-
 
 liIKKCTKJNS FOK ToriJISTS. 259 
 
 TO rOKTlGAI. C'OVK. 
 
 Piiituj^Ml Covf, nine iiiih's noitli-wcst I'loiu St. John's, is a spot 
 -vsliicli no tourist sliould omit visiting. The road is excellent aiul 
 for the tirst four miles presents a continual ascent ; but when the 
 :i^ummit or "height of land" is reached, if the day be clear, a 
 splendid j)anorama presents itself. Away in the distance, on the 
 light, is the grand old ocean, lieaving gently, under the summer 
 breeze, like " the bosom of an infant asleep." A white sail or 
 two are visible, or perhap- half a dozen lonely wanderers ol' the 
 deeji that were born of (Greenland glaciers and are now as tower- 
 ing icebergs sailing past to meet their doom in the waini waters 
 .of the Gulf Stream. Tlie whole range of dark cliffs and lieail- 
 lands from Cape Spear to the entrance of CVmcjeption Bay, i.s 
 visilde from this eminence. Two miles further Windsor Lake 
 is pas.sed, from which the city is supplied with Avater. Then 
 .comes a gradual descent, liy a winding road, through a little 
 valley of rare beauty with a brook flowing at the foot of its eu- 
 jiompassing rocks, till at a sudden turn ot tlie road, Conception 
 Bay in all its l<eauty Ijursts into view. The whole scene can be 
 taken in at a glance — Belle Isle (d miles long) ; the whole range 
 .of the northern shore of the bay, 30 miles distant, and the lonely 
 rocky isle of Baccalieu, dindy visible in the distance at the mouth 
 ,of this noble sheet of water. On the south shore is the quaint 
 fishing village of Portugal Cove, with its wooden houses nestling 
 .amid the clefts of the rocks, and its little water-fall tumbling 
 .over the cliffs into the sea. The bold navigator Cortereal dis- 
 •covered this bay in 1501, and named the roadstead after, his 
 country. Half a day may be pleasantly spent here admiring the 
 great over-hanging cliffs, the huge boulders scattered all around, 
 the rugged hills ; and chatting with the primitive people who 
 here fight life's battle. The sea has been the grave of many of 
 their kindred ; but is it not too, with all its wild restlessness, 
 -their bountiful mother from whose prolific bosom they derive 
 their means of subsistence I The return to St. John's is best 
 made vi(( Broad Cove, by the Thorburn Road, which affords a 
 .change of scene and many delightful views. A visit to Portugal 
 Cove is a matter that will be remembered.
 
 260 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 PKTTY HAKBOUK. 
 
 Perhaps even a finer drive from the city is to Pettj' Harlioiu' 
 (7 miles distant). It lies south of St. John's. The road runs 
 via Waterford Bridge past the Lunatic Asylum, and for most of 
 the distance is within sight of tlie Atlantic. Countless little 
 lakes are passed on the way, each more beautiful and charming' 
 than the last, and at length Petty Hailjour with a 2>opuIation of 
 about a thousand, is reached. It is situated at the mouth of a 
 deep ravine through Avhicli Hows a clear stream falling into the 
 snug little harbour, fringed all around with fish-Hakes, and shut 
 in by towering precij^iccs. This is a scene for the artist or pho- 
 tographer. The drive by the old road, returning by the more 
 modern road, througli the Goulds, is one of the most charming 
 in the neighbourhood of the city. At a short distance south of 
 Petty Harbour is " The Spoilt" — a funnel-shaped opening from 
 above into a cavern which tlie sea has scooped out. In storjny 
 weather the sea, rushing into this cavern, hurls the sjjray and 
 foam aloft through this opening, presenting to the eye of the- 
 traveller a most curious sight, visible at times for miles around. 
 
 A LONOEK EXCURSION— ST. JOHN'S TO RENEAVS. 
 
 Tourists who are inclined for a more exteiuled excursion may 
 make arrangements for a drive from the Capital to Renews, 54 
 miles south of St. Joliu's. It is possible to reach Renews by 
 getting a seat in the inail-conveyance which leaves St. John's 
 twice a week — on Mondays and Fridays ; — but a better plan 
 would be to hire a carriage (fare al)out <^'4 j^er day) and make the 
 journey one day returning the next. As the hotel accommoda- 
 tion is someAvhat primitive, it would be advisable to start Avith 
 a well-filled luncheon-basket. The drive will amply reward the 
 tourists. The road is excellent, and at many points the views 
 are superb. The "barrens" along the route are famous for 
 ptarmigan shooting, (willow grouse) ; and after Sejitember loth, 
 when this sport begins, is much frequented by sportsmen. Count- 
 less lakelets and trout-brooks are passed, in which fine trout are 
 abundant. Striking views of the ocean are obtained at various
 
 DIRECTIONS FOK TonUSTS. 261 
 
 points oil the way, ami the coast scenery is magnificent, the hills 
 having a strong leseniTilance to the Conlilleia peaks. The load 
 first winds through a pretty, well-cnltivated little ^-alley, over 
 Waterford Bridge, passing near Blackhead (i'our miles I'lom St. 
 Jolm's) from which Cape Spear can be reached — the most eastern 
 point of Xorth Anieiica, the summit, crowned by its lighthouse, 
 being 264 feet above the seadevel. Petty Harbour, already re- 
 ferred to (population 9;')3) is next passed and Bay of Bulls (20 
 miles from St. Johii'.s) is reachetl. The name is supposed to be 
 a corruption of the French Baie de Bois (Bay of the woods). The 
 poi^ulation is aboiit 700, nearly all fishermen. Bay of Bidls is a 
 harbour of I'efuge vrheie vessels find shelter when the ice or 
 stormy winds render it impossible to double Cape Spear and 
 reach the Capital. It was the scene of several skirmishes in the 
 olden days when English and French fought for supremacy in 
 the island. The last of these was in 1796 wdien a French 
 squadron appeared off the harbour of St. John's ; Init finding 
 that a hot reception was prepared for them, they passed on with- 
 out challenging a shot. They avenged themselves, however, by 
 burning the defenceless settlement of Bay of Bulls, and after this 
 small exploit disapj)eared. This was the last attempt made by 
 the French to get a hold on Newfoundland. At an earlier date 
 (1696) the French were more successful. Brouillan, (;rovernor of 
 Placentia, with a squadron attacked Ferryland. On his Avay he 
 met a solitary Englisli man-of-war which he chased into Bay of 
 Bulls. Captain Cleasby, its Commander, determined to defend 
 his vessel to the last. The gallant captain placed all his guns on 
 the broad-side next the enemy and fought furiously till his vessel 
 took fire, when he escaped to the shore. The French followed 
 him, and he and his men had to suii'ender. Ferryland was de- 
 stroyed by Brouillan. The fiimous French Commander D'lber- 
 ville joined him and St. John's, then defended l)y a feeljle 
 garrison, was captured and burned. 
 
 The next settlement on this route, two miles further, is "Witless 
 Bay (population 866). Then in succession come the small vil- 
 lages of Mobile, Toad's Cove, La Manche, Brigus, Cape Broyle
 
 :2G2 DiitECTioxs fou tourists. 
 
 .([)(j])ulati(m .111), ami Fi'irvlaiid, forty-four iiiiler? fioni St. John's, 
 (l)o[)iilatioii 5 49). Fcrrvland is a liistoric spot. Here in 1624, 
 
 .(see Historical Sketcli), Sir (Ttorge Calvert, afterwards Lord 
 Baltimore, planteil a eoluiiy, Imilt a fort and a tine mansion, in 
 Avliich he resided with his family for a number of ^ears. Here 
 too Sir David Kirke took up his resi<lence in 1G38, armed Avith 
 the powers of a Count Palatine over the whole island. These 
 famous leaders and warriors have long since vanished, " like the 
 snow-Hake <n\ the river'; but the curious traveller can still 
 trace the ]-emains n[' the fiat and houses. Continuing this sou- 
 thern route, Aquaforte and PVrmeuse ([lopulation 037) with its 
 
 .deep and safe harbour, are reached. Three miles further comes 
 Renews, iifty-four miles from St. John's, (population 5.38). The 
 scenery around these harbours is most picturesi|ue. At Renews 
 are the tall rugged hills callad the Butter])0ts, the range running 
 thirty miles north to H(jlyrood at the head of Concejition Bay 
 Avhere is another hill named Butter])ot. Ten miles further south 
 is Cape Race, but the road or tiack lieyond Renews is not pass- 
 alile for a carriage. Round the grim rocks of Cape Race (a cor- 
 ruption from the Portuguese name Capo Razo, or Bare Cape), 
 swift condicting currents circle ; dark fogs in summer and autinnn 
 often brood for weeks togethei', so that the navigator has to shape 
 his course mainly by the soundings. In recent years the dangers 
 
 .of this spot, where many a ship has been dashed to pieces, have 
 been greatly lessened by the erection of a powerful fog- whistle. 
 
 EXCUKSIONS BY SEA. 
 
 Two trips from St. John's by steamer can be recommended to 
 those who enjoy the sea, and wish to make ac(|uaintance with 
 the various localities and to view the grand coast scenery which 
 is unsurpassed elsewhere. The tine steanier.s of the Coastal 
 .steani-sliip Company — tlie Grand Lalce and Virijinia Lale — make 
 fortnightly trips, during summer and autumn, the formei' taking 
 tlie southern andwestei-n I'oute, and the latter the northern route 
 to Battle Harbour, Laln-ador, touching at the various inlerme- 
 .diate ports. Those wIk; do not class themselves as invalids, but
 
 i»ii;e( rioxs yon totkists. 2G3 
 
 >wlii) want to lireatlu' tlic Ijmciiig sea-air and lieuftit by tlif sti- 
 i:nulu< ill ipait I'll to niiiul ami liody by constant cliange uf scene, 
 •will find either or both ui' these ti-ijis, in the Coastal steamers, 
 ■enjoyable and beneticial. The aeeonimodation Tor tiavellers, 
 .especially in the Grand Lahe, is excellent ; the ta1)le good, and 
 •the captains and ofticer.s are experienced carel'iil men, noted for 
 •their attention and rourtesy to trawllers. Almost the entire 
 j-oiind ol' the island can be made in these steamers. Those who 
 do not care to make the whole ronnd can land at any of the in- 
 iermediate i)orts where there are sutiicient attractions, and spend 
 a few days fishing, shooting, sketching,' and photographing, await- 
 ing the return of the .steamers, thus greatly enhancing the 
 plea.sni'es of the trip anil securing the oi)portuuity of making 
 .a closer aciiuaintance with the country and its people. After 
 ^•eacliing Battle Harbour, the tourist can extend his trip along 
 itlie wliole coast of Laluador as tar as Xain, as the Labrador mail 
 steamer connects there. 
 
 THK AVK.STEKX ItOUTE PEIt " GK.V>'I> I.AKK " — ST. JOHN'S 
 TO BONNK BAY DIST VNCK 6.51 MILES. 
 
 From St. John's to Bonne Bay the fare for cabin passage is 
 j^lo — meals included, — the .same rate in returning ; for inter- 
 iniediate jtorts the rate is proportional according to distance. 
 From St. John's to Battle Harbour the fare for cal)in is $'12. On 
 the Lal)rador steamer §2 per day. On each route there are about 
 24 ports of call, .so that ample opportunity of viewing the scenery 
 iind obtaining an ielea of the country is attbrded. 
 
 POINTS OF CALL— WESTERN KOUTE. 
 
 After leaving St. John'.s the steamer makes her fir.st call at 
 Ferryland, and rounding Cape Kace she passes (25 miles farther) 
 ^t. Shotts, where niauy a mariner has gone down, " urdcnelled, 
 iincottined and unknown," and enters the line liarlnjur of Tre- 
 passey. Her course theuce is up St. Mary'.s Bay, 25 miles wide 
 .at the mouth, and 35 miles in length. St. Mary's, the port of 
 £all, (518 inhabitants) is a busy (ishing village and somewhat of a 
 farming district. PJac.eijtia Bay, the lai-gest in the island, being
 
 204 i)ii;ECTir).\s roi; tourists. 
 
 90 luik's ill leiigtli ami o.") miles wide at its moutli, is next 
 reaclie(l. It contains clusters n\' isL^inl-, one of tlieni, (4reat 
 Merasheeu Island, lieing 21 miles long. The scenerv of this hay 
 is very tine. Tlie steamer makes four calls here — at Placentia, 
 St. Lawrence, Lanialine and IJurin. Burin is a very prosperous 
 place, having extensive fisheries and a lai'ge trade with St. Pierre 
 Its land-locked harhour is one of the finest in the island. Fortune 
 Bay is next reached, noteil for its fine herring fishery and is a 
 great resort for American fishing ves.-els. Tlie French Islands of 
 St. Piei're and Micpielon are visilde, in tlie month of the Bay, 
 Fortune, Grand I'ank, Belleoram, St. Jacques, Harliour Briton 
 are touched at in succession. The scenery of Bay D'Espoir 
 (corrupted into Bay Despair') and of Hermitage Bay, arms of 
 Fortune Bay, is pronounced hy many travellers to be the nu)st 
 magnificent in the island. Burin, Harliour Briton, Burgeo ami 
 Rose Blanche are most picturesipie in situation. Artists will 
 lieie find the most striking materials on which to work, and 
 might spend here with 2)rofit many weeks studying nature's 
 varied forms. 
 
 lOKTlINK TO CAPE KAV. 
 
 From Fortune Bay tliere is a straight line of coast 100 miles- 
 in length, terminating at Cape Bay. It is indented with num- 
 bers of small bays and harbours, the most important being 
 La Poile and Rose Blanclie Bays. Numerous clusters of islaiul'^ 
 are seen in passing, such as the Penguin Islands and the Burgeo 
 Islands. From the largest of the latter Captain James Cook, the 
 celebrated naAngator, observed an eclipse of the sun in 1765. 
 Ptnl-au-Basfpie, a s})lendid harliour, deep, and perfectly shel- 
 tered, is destined to be a place of gieat importance as the western 
 terminus of the trans-insular i-aihvay now in course of construc- 
 tion. Close to it is (Channel, a thriving place, with a ]io}mlation 
 of 723. 
 
 CAPE KAY TO POUT-AU-POKT. 
 
 Rounding Cape Ray (105 inhabitants) the steamer now i^asses 
 along what is 2)opularly known as the French Shore. Opposite" 
 Cape Ray, on the Cape Breton shore, is Cape North, the two
 
 DIRECTIOXS FOR TOUUISTS, 2G5 
 
 capes sentinelling' the entiancc of tlie (lull' of St. L.iwivnci'. Fioni 
 Cape Kay to Cape Anguille (lie coast is singularly luggvilanil iu- 
 liospitable. The Great and Little Coilroy liivers discharge their 
 ■waters between these two jmints alter llowiiig thnnigh a fertile 
 valley oO nules in length. Tlie noble liay nf St. (leorge's Bay, 
 51(5 miles iVom St. John's, now oj)ens, having accoi'ding to the 
 Census of ISUl a })opulation of (),G32. Its fertile shores, as we 
 have already .seen, are ricli in forest and nnni'ral wealth. Tlie 
 steamer makes a short stay at Samly Point, then rounds the 
 2)eninsula of Port-au-Port famous for its fossils, and latterly for 
 its asbestos mines. The ])acking of lobsters is here carried on 
 extensively. Geologists come here to chisel the great cephalopods 
 out of its rocks. 
 
 BAY OF ISLANDS. 
 Ninety-Jour miles farther north the Bay of Islands (population 
 1,500) is reached. As the name indicates it has numerous islands. 
 It has three great arnrs running twenty miles inland, one of 
 ■which I'eceives the Humber, the second largest river in the 
 island. The scenery of this bay is siioktu of by all travellers in 
 rapturous terms. A paper contributed by Mr. G. S. Benjamin 
 to the Century Ma(ja:dne, giving an account of hi.s trip to this 
 region, contains the folowing : — "The day was superli as if this 
 noble bay wished to ti.K a favoural)le impression upon the memoiy 
 of the voyagers who had come so far to see it. Blonudon soared 
 inaje.stically above us, the monarch of that mountain land, 
 crowned ^\'itll a wreath of roseate clouds, and the surrounding- 
 isles were suffused with the glow of a peaceful sunset. The 
 water of the Bay of Islands is as blue as that of the Mediterra- 
 nean. In this case it cannot Ije dTie to a larger ])roportion of salt 
 Avhich is the cause of the intense blue of the sea in warm climates, 
 so it must be attributed to the greater depth of the Newfound- 
 land Bay. As I gazed entranced at the lovely scene before nn; 
 I was able for the first time to realize, by the aid of the gohlen 
 haze veiling the long slopes and tumbling steeps the grandeur of 
 the sierras which enclosed the Bay of Islands. Tlie silence was 
 intensified by the silvery waterfalls dropping from crag to crag
 
 "2(JG DIKECTIOX-^ I'OIt TorillSTS. 
 
 jiiany Innuhed tV-i't willi an etlierial motion uiid yut giviiii; lortli 
 
 nf) eclio or .^oiuil of tladr da-^liing, so distant wei-e tliey from 
 
 ■our sliip.'' 
 
 BONNE liAY. 
 
 Forty miles farther north Bonne Bay is entered. Another 
 traveller says o! it, "if anything it is even more magniticent in 
 natural liv^auty than the Bay of Islands. A lovelier scene cannot 
 be imagined. Great hills in tlie foregronnds and beyond ; monn- 
 tains peeping over each others' shoulders ; and away up in the 
 blue skv the .snow sparkled (m the higher storm-lashed peaks 
 which reared their heads far inland, all rolted in a beautiful 
 transparent atmosphere utterly unknown elsewhere. To the 
 iioith the hills were bare, rnggeil, precii)itous ; but on that par- 
 ticular morning the glorious sunsliine made them lose half their 
 -desolate bleakness. We climbed tlie nearest hill, liut only for a 
 short distance. Cliffs towered above us on every hand, over 
 •which poured cascades of melting ice (the time was early May) 
 thundering in the deep chasms below. The hoarse roar of water- 
 falls came from far and near. Tlie heat was almo-t unbearable 
 — and this in a land known only for its fogs I I We left Bonne 
 
 Bav with regret." 
 
 RETURN. 
 
 The Grand Lake at Bonne Bay is Gol miles from St. John's 
 
 And usually reaches it on the fourth or fifth day after starting 
 
 from the capital, returning by the same route and calling at the 
 
 ..same j^orts as on the out\\ard triji. The round trip is usually 
 
 made in nine or ten days. 
 
 RETURN BY RAIL. 
 
 When the Xorthern and Western Railway reaches Bay of 
 Islands, proljably l}y the close of the present year (1894) tourists 
 can land there and enjoy the railwav journey l)ack to St. John's, 
 thus obtaining greater variety. This will probably become a 
 favourite route for visitors. 
 
 NORTH :::UN ROUTl — iT. JOHN'S TO IJ.VTTUE HARBOUR, 
 I.ABR.\.I>OR. 
 
 Di.stanc3 about 500 miles. Cabin fare (meals included), '§'12 ;
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 267 
 
 same amount returning. Tlie Virginia Lake, of the Coastal 
 Steamship Co., leaves St. John's fortnightly, during the .summer 
 and autumn montlis, for Battle Harliour, Laljrador, calling at 
 intermediate ports to land and receive mails and passengers. In 
 .some respects the trip i.s even more enjoyable than that pre- 
 viou.sly described. The .sea-beeeze.s are more Ijiacing ; the at- 
 mo.sphere clear from the entiie aUsence of fog. The bright .sun- 
 Bhine, the impressive coast scenery, the frequent stoppages at the 
 various harbours breaking the monotony of the voyage, and 
 affording glimpses of the people and tlifir ways of living ; the 
 great bays across which the steamer ])loughs her way — all com- 
 bine to render the excursion stimulating and pleasant. Tlien 
 should the trip include the Labrador coast, a strange wild land 
 is reached, and a new expei'ience is gained amid its icebergs and 
 towering cliffs, its hardy fisher-folk gathering in the sea liarvest 
 and battling with the billows. There is something entirely oiit 
 of the ordinary track of travellers in such an excursion. All is- 
 fresh, awakening, " bracing Ijrain and sinew." 
 
 ST. JOHN'S TO TKINITY— HATTON'S "UNDER THE 
 GREAT .SEAL." 
 
 After clearing St. John'^ Narrows the Vinjinia Lair. j)asses 
 Toibay Head, Cape St. Francis with its restless waves Ijreaking 
 iipon the "Brandies," as the outlying rocks are called ; the mouth 
 of Conception Bay ; the grim cliffs of Baccalieu Island, the resort 
 of iny)'iads of sea-fowl ; and Grate's Point. It then enters the 
 noble Ijay of Trinity, seventy miles in length ; and after touch- 
 ing at Old Perlican on the southern shoi-e (forty-seven miles 
 from St. John's) it crosses to Trinity (sixty-eight miles) one of 
 the finest and most beautiful harbours in the Moild. Round the 
 shores of Trinity Bay more than 18,000 people are clustered, 
 nearly all engaged in the fisheries ; many of them spend the 
 summer on Labradoi'. At the head of this bay, the first Atlantic 
 Cable was landed in 18.58 ; and tlie caliles, now in ojieiation^ 
 emerge from the ocean at Heart's Content, on its southern shore^ 
 after traversing the great submarine plain of 1,600 miles Ijetween 
 Newfoundland and the coast of Ireland. A few miles farther
 
 '268 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 np tlie liay is Heart's Delight, a small fishing village, having 
 430 iiiliahitants, now ianiuus as the scene of Mr. Joseph Hatton's 
 popular novel " Under the Great Seal." This accomplisheil 
 novelist has depicted in his exciting story the magnificent sce- 
 nery of Heart's Delight and Heart's Content, and the ways and 
 speech of the fisher-folk, with marvellous accuracy and touching 
 effect. All who wish to realise wliat Newfoundland was in the 
 days of the Fishing Admirals shouhl read this fine tale, rich in 
 pathos and dramatic eft'ects. 
 
 CATALINA TO TWILLINGATE. 
 
 The next call of thi steamer is made at Catalina (87 miles) — 
 i\ harbour of i-efuge at the north entrance of Trinity Bay — (o\'er 
 1,000 inhabitants). The name Catalina, like Kathleen in Irish, 
 is the musical Spanish term for Kate or St. Catherine, after 
 wlmm it is named. Bonavista Bay is now entered, having around 
 its shores a pojiulatiou of 17,849. Its largest town, (Bonavista), 
 (107 miles) lias a population of 3,550, l)eing a thriving phice. 
 Around the bay is much excellent land ; a large (juantity being 
 under culture. King's Cove (116 miles) is next touched at (popu- 
 lation 589). Then a call is made at Greenspond (148 miles) on 
 an island with fine fi.shing grounds around it, (population 1,317). 
 The steamer's course is then shaped for Fogo (815 inhabitants), a 
 liarbour on an island of the same name in Notre Dame Bay. 
 The j)ros2)erous town of Twillingate (French TouluKjnet) also on 
 an island, having a population of 3,585, is next reached, (distance 
 from St. .John's 232 miles.) 
 
 THK MINING REGION. 
 
 TJie vovagei' is now in the famous cojiper-miuiug region, 
 ('alls are ma<le at Exjiloits, Pilley's Island, (population 411), 
 noted i'or its splendiil iron-jiyrites mine (see chapter on Mineial 
 Besources), the ore being pronounceil the finest in the world for 
 the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Little Bay Island, Little 
 liay, Ni]iper's Harbour, BetL's Cove, Tilt Cove — 317 miles — 
 <1,004 inhaliitants).
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 269 
 
 TII.T COVE TO BATTLE HAKBOUK. 
 
 Proceeding on her nortlierii route the .steamer now approaches 
 an important landmark — Cape St. John — the northern headland 
 of Xotre Dame Bay, and the north-eastern terminus of the French 
 Shore. From this point she glides along a vast wall of rock 400 
 to 500 feet high and six miles in length, the summits presenting 
 every inimaginahle shajte into which rocks can be torn or sculjj- 
 tured. The ports touched at after passing Cape St. John are 
 Coachman's Cove (349 miles from St. John's) ; Conche (399 miles), 
 St. Anthony (43.") miles), Gricjuet (450 miles), Great Kirpon (450 
 miles). Cape Bauld and Cape Norman, dreary and desolate spots, 
 the most northern points of the island are then jiassed. Here at 
 times a great procession of stately icebergs maj^ l)e seen moving 
 to tlie soutli through the Straits of Belle Isle, across whose east- 
 ern entrance tlie sti-ami'r now shapes lier course, passing Belle 
 Isle, a treeless, bairen little island nine miles long and three 
 miles broad. Early mariners called it the " Isle of Demons," 
 imagining tliat they heard liere "a great clamour of men's voices, 
 confused and inarticulate, such as you liear from a crowd at a 
 fair or market-place." The grinding of the ice-tloes and the crash 
 of the lofty bergs during a gale would lie tprite sufficient to give 
 rise to these superstitious fancies. After passing Belle Isle the 
 steamer soon reaches her terminus at Battle Harbour, 495 miles 
 from St. John's. Battle Harliour is a sheltered roadstead, be- 
 tween Battle Island and Great Caribou Island. It is a great 
 fishing centre i'or Labiador vessels, and during the season is 
 crowded with craft of all sorts, presenting a very lively scene. 
 
 L VBKADOK TRIP. 
 
 From Red Bay or Battle Harbour to Nain, Freestone Island 
 and Ramah — distance about 450 miles fare on board the Lab- 
 rador steamer $2 per day. 
 
 To those who do not fear to rough it a little, a trip in the 
 Labrador mail steamer JVindsor Lake can be recommended. The 
 ■invigorating atmosphere, the sternly grand scenery, the wild but 
 •novel surrojiiidings render this excursion attractive to all who
 
 270 DIRECTIONS FOI! TOURISTS. 
 
 can dispense for a little with tlie mere luxurie.s of civilization,^ 
 and who are not over squeamish as to " what they eat, drink and 
 avoid" and are content with jilain wholesome fare. Admirers of 
 icebergs will revel in a scene where tliey can at times be cmniteci 
 in hundreds. This " great and teiril)le wilderness" — to use an' 
 Old Testament phrase — stretches for more than a thousand miles- 
 to Cape Chidleigh, at the entrance of Hudson's Straits. The 
 coast is indented by countless fiords, one of them, Hamilton 
 Inlet, is 30 iniles wide at its mouth, while its head is 150 miles- 
 from the sea. Fortunately, on this gi'iiu stonu-l>eaten coast,- 
 there are numerous and safe harbours. It is under the jurisdic- 
 tion of Newfoundland along its Atlantic coast line ; but ther 
 interior and the Gulf Side of the coast from Blanc Sal don are 
 iTuder Canada. 
 
 Formerly the St. John's mail steamer connected at Battle" 
 Harljour with the Labraihn- steamer, but a change has been maile 
 this year, the southern terminus of the Lal>rador steamer's route 
 being Red Bay where connection is made. The route is also ex-- 
 tended beyond Nain to Ramah, the most northern of tlie Mora-- 
 vian Mission stations. A-^, however, the JFimlsor Lake calls at 
 Battle Harbour on lioth lier northei-n and southern trips, no* 
 difficulty will be experienced in joining her there ; but it is at 
 Red Bay the steamers meet for connection. Only two trips in 
 the season are made to Nain and Ramah, on whicli occasions- 
 Battle Harbour is the southern terminus. 
 
 LABRAKOIl POKTS OF CALL, 
 
 The principal ports of call in Labrador are Francis Harbour,- 
 Square Island, Dead Island, Venison Islaml, Punch Bowl, Bat- 
 teau, Uomino, Indian Tickle, Grady, Pack's Harbour, Indian^ 
 Harbour, Emily Harbour, Cape Harrison, Ragged Islands, Turna- 
 vick Islands, Windsor's Harbour, Hopedale, Nain, and Ramah.- 
 The last three are stations of the Moi-avian missions. Tlie mis- 
 sionaries stationed here are Germans, but njost of them s])eak 
 English, and all are well educated, and excellent men. They 
 willingly recei\-e and entertain strangers. A fortnight may be
 
 PTRECTIONS FOR TOURLSTS. 271" 
 
 agreeably spent at HopeJale or Nain awaiting the i-eturn of tlie' 
 steamer. An 02>portnnity is att'orded of seeing the clnistianiziid 
 Eskimo who live aronnd these stations and have been tauglit liy 
 the missionaries not only in a knowledge of Christianit}', Imt in' 
 useful industrious arts. Visitors usually retui'U laden with 
 Eskimo curicjsities made from tusks of the walrus, and also' 
 articles of clothing made fi'om the skins of seals and reindeer. 
 All visitors are favourably impressed witli tlie nolde self-denying 
 labours of the Moiavian Missionaries. 
 
 MEDICAL, AID FOR THK FISHEKMEN: MISSION TO DEEP 
 SEA FISHERMEN— DK. GRENFELl,. 
 
 The IVindsor Lake carries a doctor who is paid by the Govern- 
 ment and supplied with medicines. He brings medical and 
 surgical aid to the fishermen, at the different ports of call, in 
 cases of sickness and accident. Wlien it is taken into account 
 that in the fishing season there are from 20,000 to 25,000 persons, 
 many of them women and children, living foi- three and a half or' 
 four months in rude temporary huts on shoi'e, or on board the' 
 floating fishing crafts going far north, exposed to the vicissitudes 
 of the weatlier and in constant jieril, it will be seen hdw little' 
 one medical man, moving up and down the coast in the mail 
 steamer, and having but an hour at eacli port, could do to help' 
 such a multitude in cases of sickness. Some benevolent persons 
 brought under the notice of the Managers of the Mission to Deep' 
 Sea FisJiermen in England the hardships and suffei'ings of the 
 Labrador fisher-folk, and their great need of medical and surgical 
 assistance, and in many instances of warm clothing. The j-esult 
 was that the Mission Ship Albert was sent tliere in 1892, iu' 
 charge of Dr. Grenfelh His rejtort leil to her return in 1893. 
 With assistance obtained here and in England two excellent 
 hospitals, fully efpiipped, were erected, one at Battle Harl)our' 
 and one at Indian Harljour much furtlier north. A doctor and 
 a trained nuurse were placed in chaige of each. The Albert 
 cruised along the coast during the fishing season, Dr. Grenfell 
 ministering to the sick and relieving the poor with donations of 
 clothing, and in some cases of food. The severe cases were car--
 
 •LM! DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 ried to tlie liospitak. A large amount of good was accomplish ed. 
 No less than 2,493 cases, medical and sui-gical, were treated. 
 
 The benevolent and liberal Sir Donald Smith, of Montreal, 
 was so impressed witli the value of these services that he pre- 
 sented this year to the Labrador Mission a beautiful steam yacht 
 80 feet long, to be emjjloyed in visiting the different fishing 
 stations, in charge of Dr. Grenfell, and carrying to them medical 
 and otlier relief, and conveying the sick to the hospitals. With 
 such a vessel the good work will Ije greatly enlarged. 
 
 THK GRAND FALLS OF HAMILTON KIYEK, LABRADOR. 
 
 Rigolet is the only port of call for the steamer in Hamilton 
 Inlet. Hamilton Ri\'er, which flows from the interior of Labra- 
 dor, discharges its waters into the head of this inh4. The Grand 
 FalU on this river were re-discovei'ed in August 1891 liy Mr. 
 Henry G. Bryant, of Philadelphia, a noted traveller, and Prof. 
 Kenaston, of Washington. These explorers, after a most perilous 
 and toilsome joui'uey of 2.50 miles up the river, in a boat, j'eached 
 the Falls. Mr. Bryant has described his experience (hiring this 
 journey in an article contributed to The ('ratunj Miujadne, and 
 beautifully illustrated Ijy pictures taken from his photographs of 
 the various scenes. Recently he has published a small volume 
 describing their adventures, and tlie appearance of the falls 
 which is also illustrated. He describes the spectacle as most 
 magniticent, amply rewarding the long and <lifficult journey. 
 The river leaps iiom a rocky jilatform intu a huge chasm. 
 The roar can be heard at a distance of twenty miles. An im- 
 mense column of mist rises to a great height, showing a beauti- 
 ful rainbow. The height of the falls was found, on accurate 
 measurement, to be 316 ft., that of Niagara being 1.50 tolG4ft. The 
 .canon into which the river plunges below the falls is 2"} nules in 
 length, the cliffs along its banks being 400 to 500 feet high at the 
 entrance. At a short distance above the falls the ri\er is of con- 
 sitlei'able width, but the Ijanks gradually narrow till where it 
 makes its final plunge the stream is not more than 200 feet across, 
 the water l)eing jient up and forming an arch and rusliing on
 
 DIIJECTIOXK FOR TOURISTS. 273 
 
 with extraordinary swiftness. The first white man who saw 
 tliese falls, 30 years before, was a Scotchman named McLean, an 
 official of the Hndson Bay Company. No one is known to have 
 visited them since that time. IMythical stories regarding them 
 were in cii'culation, and some writers represented them to be 
 2,000 feet liigli, so that sober-minded persons began to qnestion 
 their existence. Xotliing would induce a Labrador Indian to ap- 
 proach the falls which they believe are haunted by evil spirits of 
 .extraordinary malignity, bent on the destruction of all intruders. 
 A halt-ln-eed Indian who had the temerity to approacli them, 
 told Mr. Bryant that under the ialls are witches constantly en- 
 eaued in wasliin"-, and that he saw their long white arms and 
 streaming hair as they tried to grasp and drag him into the 
 foaming al)yss. G(jld he said \\'ould not induce him to go near 
 tliem a second time. Ordinary touiists are not likely to visit the 
 C4rand Falls till a more practicable route is opened. A party 
 lead l.iy officials of the Canadian Geological Sui'vey crossed Lab- 
 rador last winter coming out at Hudson's Bay, and this summer 
 tliey are traversing the great peninsula in another direction and 
 will visit the Graml Falls. They found the country far better 
 timbei-ed than was ])reviously believed, and much richer in 
 animal life, especially reindeer. 
 
 It may Ije mentioned that Mr. Bryant, the discoverer of the 
 ■Clrand Falls, is now engaged in Arctic Avork, in connection with 
 IVary's Greenland Expedition. He left St. .lohn's on July 7th, 
 1S94, in the steamer Falcon, as leader of the Peary Auxiliary 
 Expedition, to bring home Peary and Ids party. He had it in 
 view to spend a month in exploring and charting 350 miles of 
 unknown coast in Jones's Sound jirevious to the return of the 
 •Greenland Exp^'ditinn. 
 
 KXCUltSIONS BY RAILWAY. 
 
 St. John's to Harl)our C^race : distance, 83^ miles ; time, five 
 hours. First class fare, 8^.50 ; second class, $!1.70 ; one through 
 train daily. During the smnmer montlis the regular daily train 
 leaves St. John's at 10 a. m. and Harl)our (irace at 11 a. m. There
 
 274 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 are extra trains running for shorter distances during summer, and 
 frequent excursion trains. See time-tal)]e for information re^ 
 garding "round trip tickets," excursion ])arties," " extra trains,"' 
 etc. For fares and distances to intei'mediate stations see adver- 
 tisements at tlie end of the volume. 
 
 Tlie Newfoundland Railway Station is in the east end of St.- 
 John's. It is far fi'om being an imposing structure ; but in (bie 
 time a more creditable and convenient station will take its place. 
 The train runs at first towards the west and soon reaches Toi)sail 
 (15 miles) -where Conception Bay with its islands (Great and 
 Little Belle Isle and Kelley's Island^ and its beautiful scenery, 
 comes into full vieA\' as the train reaches the station. Topsail is 
 a pretty village — "the Brighton of Newfoundland" — a favourite 
 summer and bathing resort for the peojile of St. Jolin's, where' 
 comfortable boarding houses can Ije found, and the air is pure 
 and health-giving. The scenery, as the train winds along the' 
 .shores of the bay, in a bright summer's day, is rarely surpassed.- 
 Holyroo<l, at the head of the bay, presents some striking scenery,- 
 especially along the sea-arms which extend inland for some dis- 
 tance. After rounding the head of the bay the line runs inland, 
 and Brigus Junction (47i miles), the station for the thriving 
 little town of Brigus (1,541 population), seven miles distant, oip 
 the north .shore of Concei)tion Bay, is then reached. 
 
 WHITBOUItXK. 
 
 At iVliitbourne (named in honour of the brave Ca2)taiif 
 Whitboitrne, see page 14), a fine thriving village has .^jirung up, 
 having saw-mills, railway woik-shops and other industries. The 
 lan<l liere is excellent, and farming operations are extending. 
 There is a I'aiily good hotel. More and more Whitbourne is be- 
 coming a favourite resort foi- excursion parties ; and as the 
 numeious ponds in the neighbourhood are sAvarming with the 
 finest trout, anglers make it tlieir head-quartei's. 
 
 HAIJOUK GKACE. 
 
 Harbo\ir Givxce (83i niiles), the terminus of the line, ((3,46G' 
 poimlation) is a clean well laid out town. Its site is excellent ;•
 
 DlK'ECTiOXS FOll TOrKISTS. 2V0 
 
 fliKi a walk ({•wii tlif shore eastward, or over the liills l)eliin(1, 
 \vliere l>eautii'ul views oF t]ie Ijay ai'e nljtained, is charming-. All 
 visitors are nnuli j)leaseil witli Harliour (iiare, ami its kiiully 
 liospitalile iuhaliitauts. Its supply ut' the juii-est water from a 
 neighbouring like is alminlant. It is deeply inteivste 1 in the 
 Labrador tisheries to which laige numbers of its people as well 
 ,a.s of the \arious towns and villages on the north shore of the 
 ))ay, resort in su'ainier. The huge fishing establishment of John 
 Munn & (,\). i.~ well worthy of a visit. Here are .seen the im- 
 nieiise stores where diaed codfish are ])iled and prepai-ed for 
 x'\p(ji1ation ; and the machinery for the mannfactui-e of seal oil. 
 The process of ])reparing ami ])acking the "boneless coilfish" 
 tinning caplin ; manutacturing the finest glue from the skins of 
 i;odfisli, and guano from their bones and other refuse ; and of 
 juaking refined coddi\er oil liy the freezing process (an immense 
 improvement) can be seen here in full operation. In all these 
 iiew de]iartments thi-i enterprising firm have led the wav. The 
 firm of John Patterson & Co. is aiKJther supjdying house doing 
 A large tr.ide. 
 
 In 1889, the IxMUtiful Roman Catholic Cathedral was un- 
 liapi)ily destroyed liy fire. It was a gem of architecture, and au 
 /jrnament of the town. Its I'estoT'ation is now api>roaching com- 
 pletion undei' the zealous and skilful supervision of Bishop 
 McDonald. 
 
 No visitor should fail to make a trip by railwa} to Harbour 
 *(irace. Comfortable accommodation can be had at The Gordon 
 flotisc, (fare 'S'1.20 per ilay), and in other boarding house.*. 
 
 HAllBOUK GK.4€K TO HL:AUT'.S CONTENT. 
 
 The trip to Harbour Grace may Ije profitably completed by 
 A carriage drive of 16 miles to Heail's Content via Carbonear, 
 It can easily be accomplished in one day, leaving several hour.s 
 to be spent in the world-famous western terminus of the Anglo- 
 American Telegraidi Co. The drive itself, in a tine day, over 
 the l)reezy hills, is enjoyable ; and the village of Heart's Content, 
 ivitli its surrounding scenery, is peculiarly striking. The spaci-
 
 270 DIRECTIONS roi; TOUKIST.S 
 
 ous Imililiiig iisL'd for t(.4fgia])liiL' jmrposes cannot 1a' mistaken,- 
 as it luonis up like a (Jolossns over tlie low thvellings ot' tiie ti>li- 
 ennen. The visitor may reckon on receiving a cordial welcome. 
 The officials of the Company are most courteous ami attentive to 
 strangers, and ready to explain all the mystei-ie> of telegiviphy. 
 The eye is at first Itewildered looking at the complicated appa- 
 ratus by which cable messages are sent or received. Kevs, key- 
 boards, jars, wires, wheels ami other telegi-aphic parajjhernalia 
 seem to the uninitiated a mass of inexti'icable confusion. But 
 the operator now seats himself bef(j';e the "Eecorder," the famous 
 instrument invented by Sir William Thompson, which has (piite 
 superseded the older instrument kn(jwn as the '' lletlector,'' and 
 made a new era in sub-marine telegraphy. He in([uires of the 
 operator at Valencia, Ireland, 1,700 miles away, what kind of 
 weather they have. The last movement in .sending the message 
 Las hardly ceased when the l)ras.s rollers begin to move and the 
 reply commences to lie received. As the pajier tajie passes pei'pen- 
 diculai'ly between the rollers, a delicate syphon, hung in a little" 
 i-eservoir of electrified iidc, is seen marking it ; and the marks are 
 the record of the message which has started from Valencia. The 
 characters are traced on the tape about as fast as a slow penman 
 copies a letter, and are read off at once by the jiractised eye of 
 the operator. A small magnetic coil whicli is positively or nega- 
 tively electrified by the working of two keys manipulated b}- the 
 sender of the mes.sage, swings the syphon point now to one side,- 
 now to the other, along the tape, marking out a delicate line, 
 ■which, to the irninitiated, looks like a minature tracing of the 
 summits of a monntain range. Here is a high elevation on the 
 line, theie a depression ; then a single notch, or two or three 
 notches are traced. The keen eye of the telegrapher glances 
 along this waving line, and every peak, dej^ression or elevation 
 is to him an alphabeti(;al symbol. The curves correspond with 
 letters and numerals, and thns he rai)idly translates them into 
 ^vords. This is the wonderful "Recorder" — a machine of the 
 most delicate fineness and flexibility, so as to minimize to the 
 utmost the electric strain needed for working the cable. What
 
 DIRECTIONS roi; TOUIJISTS. 277 
 
 a w'firlil i)f llmugiit must liave ln'i'ii expeiuleil in the construction 
 of sucli an instrument, wliicli with the little wire wliicli unites 
 two hemi-plieres, has made the cry>;tal ilome of the Atlantic a 
 whispering gallery between the Old "World and the New. 
 HOW BREAKS AUK DETECTKD. 
 Another wonderful instrument shown to the visitor is the 
 delicate machine In whicli a hreak or flaw in the cahle is ([uickly 
 located, and accurately determined within a lew yards. Tin' 
 following explanation will convey some idea of the method hy 
 wdiich this \\(jnderful i'eat is peri'ormed : "The whole electric 
 potency of the cahle, when fully charged is known ; and the 
 same can be (inickly ascertained of the two parts created liy a 
 break. A delicate instrument, adjusted to the nicest tractions,, 
 discloses the electric units or "ohms" in ea(di part ; and as the 
 number of ohms to the mile is known, the nuh's ami fractions of 
 miles iu both parts can lie found ont at each end of the cable. 
 In the case of a clean lueak the locating of it takes about fifteen 
 minutes. But a very angular break, or a Haw makes perturba- 
 tions of the measurement wliich it, now and then, takes some' 
 hours to rectify." 
 
 FEAT OF THE S. S. " MINIA." 
 
 Almost as wonderfu is the process Ijy which the broken ends 
 of the cable are ]>icketl up with ease and certainty and the injury 
 repaired. The famous cable sliip Minia, Captain Ti-ott, a few 
 j'ears ago, picked ii]) an injured cable of the Anglo-American 
 Company, without trouble, at a depth of two and a quarter miles- 
 near the middle of the Atlantic. 
 
 NEAV CABLE OF 1894. 
 
 Wonderful im])rovements in the manufacture of the modern 
 cable have been made ; and each new cable seems to surjtass its 
 2:)redecessors. The dujjlex system of sending or receiving messages 
 doubles the capacity of every new cable that is laid. The work- 
 ing life of a cable is now about ^0 years. While this page is 
 going through the press, the laying of a new cable by the Anglo- 
 American Company has connnenced at Heart's Content. It in
 
 •1278 DIRECTIONS FOI! TOUKISTS. 
 
 .<lesci-il)e(l as iai sui-passing any itruviously laid. It is claiiiieil 
 for this new cable that it will ])ossess twice the capacity ot any 
 .existing cable, its couductor being 1200 lbs. per mile ; tlie ave- 
 rage uf other caliles being less than half this weight. The pre- 
 sent cables at Heart's Content, — four in number — tiansniit about 
 twenty woi-ds per minute in each direction, on the duplex 
 principle, or forty in all. Tlie new cable is expected to tr;ins- 
 niit 1:?0 woi'<ls ])er minute. The "Recorder" is to lie super- 
 seik'd by the " Wlieatstone Automatic " instrument, which will 
 .surpass the " Eecordcr" as far as it surpassed the now obsolete 
 " Eetlector.'" Such are the rapid strides made in ocean tele- 
 grapl;y. 
 
 THK OFFICIAI. STAFF. 
 
 The station at Heart's Content gives emjiloyment to between 
 ;30 and 40 persons. The conuuunity made uj) of the electricians 
 an<l ojierators, many of whom are married, constitutes a i)leasant, 
 refined society. They are ])icked men in their i)rofession, well 
 ^educated, intelligent and courteous. Superior talent is needed, 
 and the salaries ])aid are lilieral. Such compensation for the 
 lonely isolated life jiassed in this ictired s^jot is sui-ely called for. 
 
 There is a romantic interest attaching to this spot where the 
 possiViility of wedding two hemispheres in electric bonds was 
 first demonstrated. Mr. Frederick N. Gisborne has the high 
 honour of being the originator and the first practical prime mover 
 in the great enterprise which first established telegraphic com- 
 munication between the Old AVorld and the New. But it was 
 the heroic perse\'erance, the dauntless coxxrage and indomitable 
 xMiergy of Mr. (Jyrus Field that, after thirteen loug years of effort, 
 won the final triumph in 1866, and completed the work. The 
 services rendeied to tlie cause of civilization by these two men 
 are incalculable, From that date till the present hour thought 
 lias been flying on the lightning's pinions between east and west. 
 In this secluded spot these men carry on the work, summer and 
 winter, day and night, interpreting the mystic hieroglyphics 
 .sci'awlccl on the slender strip of paper. The messages make a
 
 DIKKCTIONS FOlt TOUHISTS. 1^70 
 
 Jirief i)ause hen', and are. tlieix flashed to theii (h'stination east 
 and \ve>t. What tales of joy and woe; ot'"liattle, imirder and 
 sudden dealli ;" of tlie eiash of empires ; of the triumph or <lo\vn- 
 i'all of statesmen ; of tempest and sliipwri'ck ; of fortunes won 
 or lost ; of events tliat rend the heart with grief, or l>rigliten the 
 eye with gladness, ]ia\'e l)een n-rurded on this papei' ta[)e as it 
 rolls on laden with its liuiden of world Instoiy. ]jut of the con- 
 tents these operators ai-e as silent as the recording syphon it-elf. 
 
 niLDO COIJ HATCHKKV. 
 
 In returning to St. John's hy the Newfoundland railway, the 
 tourist ran leave the i-ail\vay at liroad (Jove Station, and a drive 
 of three miles will take him to Dildo, on Trinity Bay, now 
 famous for its Cod and Lohster Hatcliery, whieh has achieved 
 such triumphant success. It is on an island ahout half a mile 
 tVom the shore. Should it he the hatching season ^Ir. Nielson, 
 Superintendent of Fishei'ies, will he found there, and the visitor 
 may calculate on a warm and coinleous welcome. The arrange- 
 ments for hatching the cod and lohster ova ; the different stages 
 .of the growth of the young fry, and the process of " planting,'' 
 are full of interot. A visit heie will he well re[)aid. 
 
 •ST. .lOHN'S TO ri.ACKNTIA BY K.\ILWAY. 
 
 Distance, S4i miles; time, 4 hours; fare, 1st class, $3. No 
 tourist should fail to pay a visit to Placentia — the old French 
 capital — one of the most interesting places in the island, not 
 only on account ot its historic associations, Imt for the e.xipiisite 
 beauty of its scenery, es])ecially along the arms of the sea, one 
 of which )-uns ten miles inland aiul the other si.\ miles. In July 
 they abound in sea-trout of the finest ([uality, vvhi(di help to 
 make the place a paradise to the angler. In addition, there are 
 countles.s streams and lakelets in the neighbourhood, where he 
 will find abundant ojipoi'tunities of pursuing his favourite sport. 
 The walks and drives around to places of interest are <lelightful. 
 The artist will tind much to interest him in the scenic beauty of 
 jnany spots. Placentia is one of those place.s of which all visi-
 
 280 DIRECTIONS FOI! TOURISTS, 
 
 tors speak well, and from which no one returns (lisappointeJr 
 A week can be s^ient here very pleasantly. 
 
 OBJECTS OF INTEREST IN PLACENTIA. 
 
 The route is the same as to Harlior Grace as i'ar as Whitljourne" 
 Junction (574 miles). The Placentia Brancli is 27 miles in length. 
 Leaving St. John's at 10 a. m. the traveller arrives at 2 p. m. 
 There are four hotels — Bradshaw's (near the station), Yerran's,- 
 Ryan's and Sinnot's in the town on the 023posite side of the har- 
 bour. They are though unpretending clean and comfortable.- 
 The town (563 inhabitants) has a quaint appearance, being built 
 along a shingly beach. It was founded and fortified by the' 
 French, and hehl by tliem till 1713 (see Historical Sketch).- 
 Objects of interest are the Eonian Catholic church — a hand- 
 some structure, and the remains of the oldest Protestant church- 
 (Church of England) in the island, but in a most dilapidated 
 and neglected condition. "William lY., — the "Sailor King," — 
 visited Placentia when in conimand of the Pega.'ius (a ship at- 
 tached to Nelson's fleet in the West Indies), and afterwards pre- 
 sented to this church a handsome silver communion service of 
 five i^ieces, which is carefully preserved and is shown to visitors 
 at the house of Mr. Bradshaw who has charge of it. It liears 
 the inscription, " Given by His Ptoyal Highness Prince William 
 Henry to the Protestant Chapel at Placentia, Newfoundland,^ 
 1787." There ai'e strong reasons for believing that this churcli 
 was built soon after the treaty of Utrecht (1713), so that this 
 humlde wooden structure has braA'ed the storms of probably 
 170 years. It merits more care and attention than it has yet 
 received. 
 
 OLD TOMBSTONES. 
 
 The ground around it was used as a l)urying ground long 
 before the erection of the Church, tlie dates on the ancient tomb- 
 stones plainly i^roving this. Most of these stones have been 
 broken across and are now placed within the church for preserva- 
 tion. The most interesting is one with the following inscription : 
 "Dahemen Hilai— , May 1st, 1676." Two letters are effaced, sO'
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 281 
 
 that the name of the occupant of the grave probably was " Dalie- 
 meu Hilaire." Then came words which have completely puzzled 
 antiquarians ; " Canus de Tale le Araus anno nenego Seniea." A 
 copy of tliis inscription was sent to the late Professor Eobertsou 
 Smith, of Cambridge, one of the Editors of tlie Encyclopaedia 
 Britannica, who jironounced some of the words to be Basque. 
 Curiously enough the inscription is on both sides of the stone. 
 The next oldest stone (1694) is that of a captain of a French 
 King's frigate who rejoiced in the Bieton name of "Johannes de 
 Sulgaraichipi." He was good enough, however, to shorten it 
 into "Croisic" for every day use. Anothei' stone records the de- 
 parture of a certain Richard Walsh in 1770, ''who carried on a 
 most extensive trade in this harbour with the greatest credit, 
 and died in the oSrd year of his age feelingly lamented by his 
 Planters and Dealers," — which in those days was not often the 
 case with deceased merchants. Some ©ne has scratched on the 
 stone " May he rest in Pace." At the top is a rude carving, in 
 relief, of the cross, of the crucifiction, with all the attendant 
 symbols, including the nails, 2>incei-s, sponge, dice. 
 
 CURIOSITIES AND EEI.ICS. 
 
 On a door inside the church is the escutcheon of George III. ;• 
 and in the quaint old Court House, which is close by, is the 
 baton of office, bearing the quarterings of the House of Hanover, 
 It is curious to find these relics of Basques, Bretons, French and 
 the House of Hanover in such a sjiot on the shores of Newfound- 
 land. Many interesting relics of the French occujoation are 
 preserved among the people. One of these is an old French 
 brevet signed by Louis XIV., and counter-signed by his prime 
 minister, Phelypeaux, granting to Le Sieur de Costebello the 
 ownership of the small peninsula of Point Verte near Placentia. 
 The brevet is dated 1709, and is written on parchment in the 
 most crabbed of old French. Many other grants are preserved 
 bearing the autograph of the Grand Monarque. An oLl French 
 china bowl has been found and preserved, in which, no doubt 
 many a goodly measure of punch had been brewed.
 
 282 DIKFXTIOXS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 SITUATION OF PI.ACEXTIA. 
 
 The situation of Placeutia is most picturesque, nestling low on 
 a sea-i'ornieil iK^acli, encircled by hills on all sides except towards 
 the bay. Castle Hill is an object of interest. On it the French 
 built a t'orniidable fortress which rose (jver the narrow entrance 
 of the splendi<l harl)0ur, and so completely commanded it that 
 the English were never able to capture the town, though repeated 
 .attempts were ma le. On tlie ojjposite side is Flagstaff or Signal 
 Hill. Its first name Mas Plaisance afterwards tivinsforrned into 
 Placeutia. Point de Verde is three miles distant. Lilly White 
 Pond, famous for its trout, is live miles distant. On the shores 
 .<jf the Bay are La Manclie Lead and Silver Mine, also Silver 
 < "liff Mine. A small mail steamer plies on the bay. In tine 
 weatlier charming trips can be male in hn- around the shores of 
 this noble bay. A most beautifnl drive to Salmonier — an arm 
 of St. Mary's Bay, some 25 miles distant — affords many varied 
 and ]iictures(pu' \'iews. In the season, excellent salmon fishing 
 can be had at Salminier. There is there fair accommodation 
 for travellers 
 
 THK FUTURE OF PL.\CENTIA. 
 
 Though the ancient glories of Placentia have departed, brighter 
 l)rospects await it in future days. It is now a thriving little town, 
 liaving an air of comfort. No signs of poverty meet the eye. It 
 is one of the liest centres for the Bank fishery. It is a port of 
 call for two mail steamers and has become a trade centre for the 
 southern and western shore. Now that the railway has reached 
 it and lirought it within four liours of the capital, and that the 
 new line of railway will make it, when finished, accessible from 
 Poi't-anx-Bas(pu', multitudes of tourist and visitors fi'om the 
 United States and ( lanada, will make it a summer resort to enjoy 
 its splendid scenery and health-giving air, and to ]ily the rod in 
 its lakes, rivers ami sea-ai-ms. It has only to be known to be 
 api)reciated. 
 
 RICHARD r.ltOTHEK.S— THK MAD PROPHET. 
 
 There is another memory connected with Placentia which has 
 i\ curious interest. It is the birth-place of a singular personage
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 28;r 
 
 called Eicliiinl Brothers — ;i religious fanatic — who created no 
 small stir in London move tlian a century ago. He laid claim to 
 the gift of prophecy, had visions and revelations, and scatteied 
 his predictions broadcast. His followers were numl)ere(l hy 
 thousands, and some of them were learned men and many moved 
 in fashionable circles. He announced himself as being of Jewish 
 descent, though separated from that race by 1500 years, and that 
 he had come to restore the Jews which event was to take place 
 in the year 1798. He was, he declared, of the tribe of Judah and 
 a descendant of King David. On several of his more distingu- 
 ished followers and patrons he conferred a similar distinction, 
 and assured them he had learned by special revelation that they 
 were Heljrews, one in particular being a descendant of Aaron, the- 
 High Priest. 
 
 HE KEACHKS NOTORIETY. 
 
 It seems scarcely credible to us in these days that such absui-d 
 ravings made a profound impression no longer ago than the reign 
 of George TIL, and that in fashionable circles in London the ex- 
 citement about tlie new Prophet Brothers Avas intense. " His 
 house" Ave are told " was daily filled with persons of quality and 
 'fortune of both sexes ; while the street A\as crowded -with the 
 great folks' carriages. Leai-ned divines entei'ed the tield as his 
 opponents. Scores of pious enthusiasts wildly testihed in his 
 favour. Thousands trembled at his denunciations of Avoe." One 
 distinguished Oriental scholar named Hallied, Avho Avas also a 
 member of Parliament, defended him in learned dissertations in 
 the press, and also in parliamentary speeches. 
 
 BKOTHEKS' GREATEST AVORK. 
 
 Exactly a hundred years ago (in 1794) Brothei's published his 
 greatest Avork entitled "A Revealed Knowledge of the Prophecies 
 and Times." It is uoav ranked among the rare books, and its 
 name ajipears occasionally in tlie catalogues of old books at a high 
 price. It is said to be a tissue of the Avildest ravings ; once it 
 Avas admired as an inspired production. Among other things he 
 inlormed George III. that he would shortlv luxA'e to surrender
 
 -84 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS, 
 
 liis Crown to himself as Prince of Israel and Governor-General 
 of the -world. 
 
 SAD END OF THK PROPHET. 
 
 Tlie madness of poor Brothers now became more prononnced. 
 He went to the Honse of Conrmons to prophesy to its members 
 of coming wars ami convulsions, but was snnnnarilv ejected. 
 Soon after he was i)laced in a Lunatic Asylum where he ended 
 his days. Numbers still believed in him and regarded him as a 
 martyr, for 
 
 "Faith, fanatic faith, once M-eililed fast 
 To some dear falsehoo<l hugs it to the last." * 
 
 BKOTHERS'S EARLY LIFE. 
 
 It is somewhat of a sliock to find that tliis announced descen- 
 dant of King David was the son of an Irisliman who came oat 
 i'roni the old land to lietter his condition ; settled in Placentia ; 
 married a Harbour Giace lady named Jewer, Ijy whom he had 
 lour sons, this Richard being the eldest. By some means or 
 other his father managed to get him a place as midshipman on 
 board a British man-of-war where he rose to be a lieutenant. 
 On a reduction of the navy taking place he was retired on a pen- 
 sion of three shillings a day, and went to live in London where 
 lie developed into a prophet. There are numbers of the de- 
 scendants of the Brothers's family now living in Newfoundland 
 —industrious respectable people— who all cherish proudly the 
 memory of their learned and distinguished relative, who attained 
 greatness in sucli a lemarkaljle way. It seems he did not forget 
 his Newfoundland, relatives. He sent £100 at one time to be 
 <livided among his brothers ; also the present of an enormous 
 <iheese— the recollections of wliich are still vivid among those of 
 the family who partook of it. A niece of the Prophet — Mrs. 
 Mary Young, ox-er seventy years of age— is, or was lately, living 
 in Upper Island Cove, Conception Bay. There are also several 
 other nieces and nephews— some in Fermeuse. Richard was not 
 ;i conscious imposter ; he was an honest enthusiast and a believer 
 in his own prophecies. He must have had considerable ability
 
 DIRECTIONS FOK TOUEISTS, 285 
 
 ;.ancl some learning. "A bee in liis Lonnet" did the rest; but 
 Placentia will hardly erect a monument to the memory of her 
 -only pro2)het. That such a man should only 100 years ago have 
 set fashioiialile London in a blaze with his delusions, and won a 
 llarge following, having among them shrewd, intelligent and 
 educated men, is a remarkable phenomenon even in tlie history 
 .of religious fanaticisms. 
 
 FROM ST. JOHN'S TO EXPLOITS BY THE NORTHERN AND 
 WESTERN RAILWAY— DISTANCE 257J MILES. 
 
 By far the most interesting railway excursion is Ijy the North- 
 ern and Western Railway now under construction and which has 
 been completed and is now operated to the Exploits River, a 
 distance from the capital of 257^ miles. No tourist will omit 
 •this trip to Exploits which affords a view of the interior ; of its 
 largest rivers and lakes ; of its best lands and forests ; and some 
 of its finest scenery. Along this line, at different points, salmon 
 and trout fishing to any extent can be had ; and after September 
 15th ptarmigan (willow grouse) and deer shooting. Some of the 
 finest localities for deer-stalking can be reached by this line. 
 J>I^on-residents of the Colony, however, have to pay §100 for a 
 license to kill deer, and not more than five stags and three does 
 can be killed per season. A stop can be made at any of the in- 
 termediate stations for sport or for artistic purposes. The scenery 
 is fresh and novel. At all the principal stations hotel accommo- 
 .dation either has been or will be provided shortly. The carriages 
 are most comfortable, and the road admirably built. There are 
 as yet only two through trains weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays. 
 Leaving St. John's on these mornings at 10 o'clock, by the 
 ordinary train, Whitbourne is reached in three hours, where 
 .connection is made by the N. & W. Train which reaches its 
 destination at Exploits in about 12 hours. Fare to Exploits from 
 Whitbourne — 1st clast, .$6 ; 2nd class, .^4. For a full account of 
 •this railway — the stations, character of the country, scenery, 
 ifishing, etc., see page Gl to 76. The time-table will be found 
 ;among the advertisements. The following is a Table of Dis- 
 vtances for this railway when completed to Port-aux-Basque : —
 
 28G 
 
 DIRECTIONS Ff)i; TOrillSTS. 
 
 TABLE OF DISTANCES — NEWFOUNDtiAXD NORTHERN AND' 
 WESTERN RAILWAY,— MILEAGE APPROXIMATE, 
 
 FiJOJi St. John's to From St. John's to 
 
 Whitboiiriie ... 
 Placeiitia Junction .. 
 Chapel Arm and Long Har. 
 Tickle Har. and Pinch Gut 
 Ranteni 
 La Manclie 
 Arnold'.s Cove 
 Conie-By-Chance 
 Northern Bight 
 Clarenville 
 Slioal Harbour 
 Thorljurn Lake 
 Port Blandford, Clode Soui 
 Terra Nova ... 
 Alexander Bay Staticu 
 Gand:)0... 
 
 Benton, Soulis Broolc 
 Glenwood, Gamier RiN'er 
 
 Burnt Bay 
 
 Ouinette, Norris' Arm 
 Bislioii'.s Falls 
 Opposite Grand Falls 
 
 HOTELS IN ST. JOHN'S. 
 
 TIr' l)est time for tonrist.s to reacli St. Jolin's is the middle of 
 June. This will give them three months of the best .summer 
 ■weather. Custom House Otticeis are in attendance on the ar- 
 rival of each steamer to examine and pass the passengers' luggage. 
 Cabs also meet the steamers. Fare to the hotels, luggage in- 
 cluded, 50 cents. 
 
 " The City Hotel," Duckworth Street, near Prescott Street, 
 has been recently enlarged and improved, and now contains from 
 35 to 40 rooms. It is well managed, clean and comfortable ; table 
 excellent ; attendance good. From the balcony in front a fine 
 view of tlie havliour and city is ol>taineil. Charges : — for a front 
 room with board, ^2 per day ; for other rooms, $1.50 per day. 
 Travellers speak highly of tlie City Hotel. (See advertisement.) 
 
 ... o7h 
 
 Badger Brook 
 
 ... 2961 
 
 ... 6U, 
 
 Lake Bond 
 
 ... 304 
 
 . . 77i 
 
 Skull Hill Lake 
 
 ... 3091 
 
 . S2i 
 
 Mary March River ... 
 
 ... -323 
 
 ... 89A 
 
 Sumnut White Hill Plain ... 330^ 
 
 ... 9U 
 
 Falls, Kitty's Brook 
 
 ... 3491 
 
 ... m 
 
 Grand Lake, Sandy Pon 
 
 (IRr. 362 
 
 ... 107A 
 
 Junction Brook 
 
 ... 3661 
 
 ... im 
 
 Head of Deer Lake ... 
 
 ... 377 
 
 ... im 
 
 Fort 
 
 ... 3921 
 
 ... L361 
 
 Riverhead, Bay of Islands... 40;')^ 
 
 ... 1464 
 
 Corner Brook 
 
 ... 408 
 
 lid 154 
 
 Birchy Cove 
 
 ... 4111 
 
 ... 167i 
 
 Spruce B'k, St. George's 
 
 Pond 429 
 
 ... 1S41 
 
 Seal Rocks, St. George's 
 
 1 Bay 463 
 
 ... 192^ 
 
 Robinson's Head 
 
 ... 48i; 
 
 ... 207l 
 
 Crabb's 
 
 ... 486 
 
 ... 233 
 
 Falsh Gulch 
 
 ... 496 
 
 ... 24.') 
 
 Codroy River 
 
 ... 5261 
 
 ... 2r>7h 
 
 Little Codroy River 
 
 ... f.301 
 
 ... 2tJSi 
 
 Cape Ray 
 
 ... 5424 
 
 ... 279 
 
 Port-aux-Basques 
 
 ... 5501
 
 DIIIECTION.S FOR TOURISTS. 28T 
 
 "Tremont Hotel," 293 Water Street, lias 19 rooms, i.* cen- 
 trally situated and very comfortably fitted \ip. Tra\ellers will 
 find excellent accommodation here, every attention lieing paid to 
 their comforts. Charges, from f 1 to $2 per day acccording to the 
 room occupied. (See advertisement.) 
 
 "The (JENTR.u, Hotel," Water Street, Avas destroyed in the 
 great fire of 1892. The jjroprietor, Mr. Crosbie, secured tempo- 
 rary premises in George's Street, wliich though unpretentious in 
 apjiearance are always well tilled with guests— a proof of his at- 
 tentions to their comforts. He is now erecting a large new hotel 
 to be opened in November next, in Duckworth Street, a little 
 west of Prescott St. The site is excellent. (Sec advertisement.) 
 
 " The Atlantic Hotel," a large and very fine building, was 
 Ijurned in the fire of 1892. It has heen rebuilt on a smaller scale, 
 but is not as yet opened. 
 
 "The Globe Hotel," 454 Water Street West, has 18 rooms,- 
 and is well conducted. Fare, from -$1 to ^2 ]ier day. 
 
 Those who prefer private lodgings and board can readily 
 obtain such. 
 
 CONSULS IN ST. JOHN'S. 
 
 German Empire — Eol)ert H. Prowse ; Italy — Gonsul-General 
 for Newfoundland and Canada — W. J. Fisher ; United States — 
 T. N. Molloy; Brazil— A. 0. Hayward ; Portugal— T. R. Smith ; 
 Spain — Don Antonio Singala ; Sweden and Norway — Robert H. 
 Prowse ; Belgium — H. E. Hayward. 
 
 CURRENCY. 
 
 An Act of the Legislature passed in 1887 renders it imperative 
 that all accounts be kept and all moneys paid and received in 
 dollars and cents ; and provides that silver shall be a legal tender 
 up to ^10. It legalizes as current coin of the Colony, British and 
 foreign coins, viz. : the British Sovereign and all its nudtii)les, 
 which shall pass current ibr ^4.80 ; the (jold Eagle of the United 
 States and all its multiples, which shall pass current for 5'9.8r) ;■ 
 British silver coins after the rate lixed for British gold coins.
 
 288 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 ST. PIERKE AND MIQUELON-TRAVEL ROUTES. 
 
 The French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon can be reached 
 ^from Halifax fortnightly h}^ the steamer Fro Patria, carrying the 
 mails. Agents in Halifax — Cunningham & Curren. This steamer 
 does not call at any Newfoundland jjort. 
 
 The steamer St. Pierre, as already stated, plies fortnightly be- 
 tween Halifax and Placentia, calling at St. Pierre, and sailing 
 through the beautiful Bras d' Or Lakes, C.B. Tourists who wish 
 to visit St. Pierre can go by this route from Placentia and spend 
 a week in St. Pierre ; or from Halifax can reach St. Pierre, and 
 after a short stay land at Placentia. The steamer Harlaiv from 
 Halifax also calls at St. Pierre, and afterwards at ports on the 
 •western coast of Newfoundland. 
 
 POSITION OF THE ISLANDS. 
 
 "We have seen already under what circumstances these islands 
 Avere ceded to France " as a shelter for her fishermen," in 1 763. 
 They are situated at the mouth of Fortune Bay, about 13 miles 
 from the peninsula of Burin the nearest point of Newfoundland, 
 and about equi-distant (135 miles) from Cape Race and Cape Ray. 
 The Island of St. Pierre is seven and a half miles long, five and 
 a half miles wide, and 26 miles in circumference. It contains 
 several lakes, the largest of which is Savoyard, a mile in length. 
 It has several small islands dependent on it, the principal being 
 Isle an Chiens, at the mouth of St. Pierre harbour, on which the 
 fish merchants have built their establishments. Owing to its 
 rocky surface there is but little cultivation. There are a few 
 farms of an inferior grade on the south coast ; but its excellent 
 harljour where the cajiital is built rendex-s it by far the most im- 
 portant of the two islands. 
 
 DIMENSIONS. 
 
 Grand Miipielon, about 12 miles in length, was formerly sepa- 
 rated from Petite Miquelon, or Langlade (commonly Langley) ; 
 h\it of late years a sand liar has formed between them and has 
 ;been the scene of many shipwrecks. The latter is more adapted
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 289 
 
 for farming, ami lias 13 farms in a fiiir state of cultivation ; but 
 neither lias a safe harbour. 
 
 I3IPOKTAXCE TO FKANCE. 
 
 These islands are of immense importance to France as the 
 basis of her great Bank Fishery. The resident population has 
 increased considerably. The census taken in November, 1892, 
 showed the population of St. Pierre to be 5,10Z ; that of I\Iiquelon 
 544 ; total 6,247. Of these 3,195 are males and 3,052 females. 
 
 The average export of fish for eight years ending 1 892 was : 
 Dried cod, 6,504,429 kilos ; green cod, 24,766,014 kilos. 
 
 The following figures show the rapid increase in the trade of 
 ,St. Pierre :— 
 
 Value of Exports. 
 
 S976,113 . 
 
 770,755 . 
 
 1,718,037 . 
 
 2,121,442 . 
 
 . 3,375,986 . 
 
 iivnojisis of shijiping for 1887 : 
 
 No. Vessels. 
 From France . . 802 , 
 Provincial ports . 225 . 
 
 Date. 
 1847 
 1857 
 1867 
 1877 
 1887 
 
 Value of Imports, 
 8509,092 
 699,293 
 1,462,521 
 1,661,383 
 2,545,654 
 
 Tomiage. 
 
 . 124,447 
 
 15,807 
 
 Total 
 
 1027 
 
 . 140,254 
 
 The town of St. Pierre lies on the east side of the island. It 
 is the seat of the Governor of the Islands. Two Atlantic cables 
 are landed here. During the fishing season it presents a very 
 busy aspect ; its roadstead often containing hundreds of fishing 
 vessels, while thousands are temi^oraily added to its usual popu- 
 lation. The cliief Ijuildings are the Governor's House ; the 
 Court of Justice ; a large Church, Convent and schools, the 
 Treasury, Post Oflice, Government Provision Store, and Printing 
 office. There are also some handsome private dwellings. The 
 jiotels are the Joiiiville, Pension Hacala, and International House.
 
 290 DIRECTIONS FOR TOURISTS. 
 
 Tliei'e i.-^ a Cullege, three t^cliools taught by the Brothers, and a 
 girls' school taught by nuns. The sisters are of the Order of St- 
 Joseph of Cluny, a Xursiiig and Educational Order. All the 
 hospital nursing is under their charge. 
 
 Altogether St. Pierre is a highly interesting little town — unique 
 in character, and the tourist will find much to attract liini, not 
 only in the place itself but in tlie customs and manners of the 
 residents and the fishermen.
 
 CHAPTKR XVI. 
 SPORT IN NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 
 A GOOD FIELD FOR SPOK.S3IEN. 
 
 It is nut necfssaiy, tor the piui)Oses of this book, to (liscourse 
 .at auv ureat k-ngtli on Sport in NL-wfoiuulIaml, l)eyon(I wliat has 
 ItefU already said incidentally in jjrevious chapters. 
 
 That Newfoundland presents to the lovers of sport attractions 
 such as lew otlier countries possess is admitted Ijy all who have 
 given it a trial. Its countless lake.s and lakelets abound with 
 trout of the finest ilescription, and are the abodes of the v, ild 
 goose, the wild duck and other fresh water fowl. The willow 
 grouse or ])tarniigau {Lafjopus alhmi) the rock ptarmigan, the 
 x;urlew, the plover, the snipe are found, in the proper sea.^ou, all 
 jjver the i.slaud, on the great " barrens," or in the marshy grouiid.s 
 ill immense numbers. The sea - pigeons and guiriemots, or 
 "murrs" or "turrs" as they are called in the vernacular are .seen 
 .all around the shores and islands. The large Arctic hare, and 
 the North-American hare, called erroneously by the natives a 
 " rabbit," are to be met with, — especially the latter — in great 
 alnuidance. The American hare i.s not indigenous, Init some 
 twenty years ago, a few pair were brought from Nova Scotia and 
 let loose. They have thriven and spread to such a wonderful 
 extent that they have reached nearly ever}- part of the island, 
 and in the fall and winter form an important item in the food of 
 the working classes. Above all, the noble caribou or deer, in 
 vast herds, traverse the island in periodical migrations fioiu 
 south to north, and furnisli the highest prize-s for the .sportsman. 
 Finer salmon streams than those of the island naturally are — or 
 rather were — could not be found elsewhere ; Init as described in 
 the chapter on the fisheries, they have been left unprotecteil, and 
 ignorant and reckless greed has almost destroyed rivers that once
 
 292 SPORT IX NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 
 abounded in the "Monarch of tlie brook." Already, under tlic 
 restorative measures introduced by the Department of Fisheries 
 and the protective rules and regulations enforced by wardens, a 
 marked improvement has taken place, and in a few years the 
 streams will recover their former abundance. Even now there 
 are places where the salmon-fisher may find excellent sport. For 
 more adventurous sportsmen there are the black bear and the 
 wolf in the interior ; while the beaver and otter are found there 
 around the lonely lakes and ponds. Xow that these sjiorting 
 regions are rendered accessible to some extent Ijy raihvays, sports- 
 men are arriving in increasing numbers from other lands. 
 
 PTARMIGAN ABUNDANT. 
 
 The finest sport perhaps is ptarmigan — shooting which com- 
 mences September 15th — -Ijefore which date it is illegal, and 
 terminates January 12th. These fine birds are quite equal to 
 the Scotch grouse, and resemble them so closely that it is difii- 
 cult to make out any specific difference between the red grouse, 
 gorcock or moorcock of Scotland and those of Newfoundland. 
 As a table bird they are unsurpassed in richness and delicacy of 
 flavour. Ill September, after feeding on the wild berries, they 
 ai'e in excellent condition. In certain localities, and at some 
 distance from settlements, they are very plentiful. In winter 
 they become pure white. 
 
 WILD GEKSE AND DUCKS, CUKLEW, ETC. 
 
 The wild goose breeds in the most secluded ponds and brings 
 lier young ones down the brooks early in July, when they are 
 full grown. Tlie Idack duck, the finest of all table birds, is- 
 abundant in certain localities. The plover and curlew ai'e so 
 j)lentiful that sportsmen only fire at them when a shot at a flock 
 can be obtained. They are bred on the shores of Labrador, and 
 after feeding on the wild berries they arrive in Newfoundland- 
 almost balls of fat and in flavour peculiarly delicious. The wild 
 goose is a remarkably fine bird, easily domesticated but does not 
 breed when tamed. It crosses readily with the tame goose, the 
 result being the mongrel goose so esteemed by ej)icures.
 
 SrOKT L\ NEWFOUNDLAND. 29o- 
 
 DEEK STALKING. 
 
 The caribou or reindeer are finer tliaii those of .wliich Norway 
 and Lapland can boast, being niucli hirger and carrying far finer 
 antlers. Stags have been often shot which weighed from 500 to 
 600 lbs. The antlers of the stag are pahnated, sweeping back- 
 ward and of magnificent projjortions, the brow antlers meeting 
 over the nose, like a pair of hands clasped in the attitude of 
 prayer. These horns are shed in Xovendjer. Their migrations 
 are as regular as the seasons, from the south where they pass the 
 winter to the north-western portions of the island where they 
 feed and bring forth their young. When the October frost begin 
 to nip the vegetation they turn toward the south and repeat their 
 long march. September and Octoljer are the months for deer- 
 shooting. Some knowledge of the country and the assistance of 
 Mic-Mac Indians are requisite. There are favourite hunting 
 grounds known to the initiated and to the Indian guides, where 
 deer stalking can be enjoyed to perfection. One of the best of 
 these is the "barrens" overlooking Grand Lake, opposite the 
 northern end of the island. Here tliev collect in large heixls 
 before setting out on their southern -migration. The "White 
 Hills" in the neighbourhood of Hall's Bay, an arm of Notre 
 Dame Bay, is another favoiu-ite stalk ing-grouud. Inland from 
 various settlements on the southern shore, in the late autumn 
 and early winter, great numbers of deer are slain. At times the 
 St. John's market is over-stocked in winter with carcases of 
 venison brought by the steamer from this quarter. The cpiarters 
 are often sold for five to ten cents per pound. Formeidy deer- 
 stalking was expensive sport as it was ditficult to reach the 
 interior ; but railways as they open up the country will aid the 
 sportsman in reaching the desired locality and lessen the expense. 
 Indians are almost indispensable in these excursions. 
 
 I.ORD DUNKAVEN. 
 
 Lord Dunraven in " The Nineteenth Centiiry for January, 
 1881," gave an account of a deer-shooting excursion he made in 
 this island. He found it " a good field for exploration and sport." 
 He said "the caribou are plentiful, and the Newfoundland stags
 
 294 KPORT IX NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 
 are finti- l»y far tliau any to be found in any portion of the Xortli- 
 Anierican Continent/' "Fur is ])retty j^lentil'ul ; wild fowl and 
 grouse abundant ; and tlie creeks and rivers are full of salmon 
 and trout.'' In "Forest Life in Acadia," by Captain Hardy, R. A., 
 the author s-ays : — " I know of no country so near England which 
 .offers the same amount of inducement to the explorer, naturalist 
 or sportsman as Newfoundland. To one who combines the ad- 
 vantages of a good in'actical knowledge of geoloL!;y with the love 
 ..of .sport the interior of this great island, much of which is (piite 
 unknown, may indeed pi'o\"e a field of valualjle and remunera- 
 tive discovery, for its mineral i'e.sources are unquestionably of 
 vast importance." " The caribou are scattered more or less 
 abundantly over an area of some 25,000 s(|uare miles of un- 
 bi'oken wilderness."
 
 APPENDIX No. 1. 
 
 ERRATUM. 
 
 Pago 27S, line 3, lof " 1,200 Hi-. ri)]i]n'r to tlie iiiiK; in tliu new 
 Anglo-American Cal lie," read " 050 Uis." The nnniliei- <it' word:^ 
 iier minute transmissible over this ealjle has yet to be determined 
 liy actual exiK-rimeiit. While some anticiiiate 120 words on the 
 duplex principle, oi' 00 each way, the less sanguine reckon on 
 90 ])er minute, duplex, or 45 each way ]ier minute. The latter 
 calcvdation is more likely to jimve cdrrect. The cost of the imw 
 caVile is about half a million of dollars. 
 
 STOCK EXt'HANGKfS. 
 
 Perhaps tie most wonderful feat yet jierfornied on the A^glo- 
 American Cables is the transmission of intelligence between the 
 Stock Exchanges of New York and Loudon while business i;-; 
 proceeding. A special cable is appropriated to tlieii- use 'luring 
 tive hours each day. The prices of stock are flashed l.iotli ways, 
 so that a broker in New York can liuy stock in London a~ jvadily 
 as if he were one of the shouting crowd in the Exchange, and 
 vice versa. Answers are received in from two to four miinitcs, 
 .so that instruction.s to lu-okers on either side are tr.insmitted in 
 this brief interval, while the auction is jiroceeding, and fortune:j 
 won or lost in a few seccjuds. Xiue-teiiths of this exchange busi- 
 ness is transacted over the Anglo-American caltles, — a fact which 
 sutticiently atte.sts their superioi- accura(.'y and speed. 
 THE IMPROVED GRAVNEL. 
 
 A grapnel is now in u.se on board the Cable Ship Miiiui, Capt. 
 Trott, for picking up cables re<|uiring repairs, which would seem 
 to be endowed with almo.-t human intelligence. The monieiit the
 
 296 APPENDIX. 
 
 cal)le is caught tlie grapnel ring.-; a l.iellou 1)uaril the .-liiji, intimat- 
 ing " I have got him." At the same time, ^^^ an ingenious airange- 
 iiient, it cuts the cable and firmly gra.sps tli,e end tliJit is wanted, 
 leaving the other to l)e picked up at'terwai'ds. Tlien the hauling 
 in process begins, and from the depth it may lie of two miles, 
 the grapnel soon appears at the surface of the water, holding in 
 its death-like grip the end of tlie cable. Armed with such an 
 imjdenient Captain Trott the ablest cal)le engineer now living, is 
 aide to perform marvellous feats. 
 
 LENGTHS OF CABLES. 
 
 The following figures show the length.s of the caliles : — 
 
 The Anolo-Americax Co's Cables. 
 Laid. Between. Nl. lus. 
 
 1873 — Ireland and Newfoundland .... 1,881 
 " — Newfoundland, rid St. Pierre & Cape Breton 293 
 
 2,-174 
 
 1874— Ireland and Newfoundland .... 1,840 
 1873— Newfoundland and Sydney, C. B. . . 343 
 
 2,183 
 
 1880— Ireland and Newfoundland .... 1,886 
 " — Newfoundland, ria St. Pierre & Cape Breton 360 
 
 2,246 
 
 1869— France and St. Pierre 2,648 
 
 « _St. Pierre and Massachu.setts, U. S. . . 759 
 
 3,407 
 
 The Direct Uxited States Co'.s Cables. 
 1874— Ireland and Nova Scotia .... 2,423 
 " — Nova Scotia and New Hampshire, V. S. . 560 
 
 2,983 
 
 Compagnie Fraxcai.se Paris a New York Cables. 
 
 1879— France and St. Pierre 2,242 
 
 » _St. Pierre and Cape Breton .... 188 
 " — St. Pierre and Massachussets, U. S. . . 827 
 
 3,25r
 
 A1'J"KNI>IX. 297 
 
 The Westehx Union Co's Carles. 
 
 1881— England nu.l Nova Scotia .... 2,531 
 
 1882— England and Xova Scotia .... 2,576 
 
 The ("ommerciai. Go's Cables. 
 
 1884— Ireland and Xova Scotia .... 2,350 
 " —Xova Scotia and New York, U. S. . . 841 
 
 3,181 
 
 " — Ireland and Xova Scotia .... 2,388 
 1885 — Xova Scotia and Ma.s-acli assets, U. S. . . 519 
 
 2,907 
 
 1894 — Conimeicial Cal>le : l)n])licate of the previous one. 
 
 Sliare — Capital of Companies. 
 Anglo- American . . S35,000,000— Each lino . $'8,750,000 
 Direct United States . 6,400,000 " " . 6,400,000 
 Conipagnie Fran^aise . 8,400,000 " " . 8,400,000 
 "Western Union . . 14,000,000 " " . 7,000,000 
 Commercial . . . 8,00u,000 " " . 4,000,000 
 
 APPEXDIX Xo. II. 
 
 SCEIVERY OF THE KAY OJP ISLAINTDS. 
 
 A lady tourist who last year vi.'^ited the Bay of Islands in the 
 8. .s. Harlav.\ wrote as follows of the scenery : — "As we approach 
 this romantic bay, the magnificent scenery of the coast caix 
 scarcely be described in terms to do even faint justice to its 
 merits. Great cliffs tower up above the ship, which the deep 
 soundings allow to approach ami steam for hours not a cable's 
 length from the shore. Hundreds of small bays indent the 
 coast, Avhile some take a majestic sweep inland, unveiling in- 
 nuruerablc i>les ami lovely beaches. Hour after hour we pass
 
 lM)8 
 
 AI'I'ENDi: 
 
 fi 'flies iiinl lain Iscaj H's wliicli giailiuilly iiiitolded tliemst-lve? to 
 our dcliglited xisioii as ven-y gliiii])ses of fairv-lainl ; but tliere 
 
 wcri' grauik'i- to coun'. Eaily next iiioniiiig we were on deck, 
 and wonls cannut desrriln' the gl(ji-i()Us sight ]ireseuted. Before 
 iH was the Bay of IsUuids i-ohcd in all tlie magic colouring of an 
 early snniinei- inoining— a \ista of mountains capi)ed with snow, 
 fantastic peaks, ditf on clitf rising .sheer from 2,000 to 2,500 
 feet, great chasms hetweeii columns of rocks wliicli looked like 
 the walls of some vast temple. From some of the precipices 
 waterlalls, formed hy tlie melting snow away up, tumliled in 
 i'liaming beauty down the steep.''
 
 A dvertise^nenfs. 
 
 jljIl JiL ..A \ A 
 
 )-)) 
 
 I 
 
 
 \J9 
 
 
 WHOLESALE AND RETAIL 
 
 lirP©KTEES 
 
 DEY GOODS, 
 
 BOOT S S' SHOES , 
 
 GEO C FRIES, 
 
 PROMSIO^S, 
 
 and HARDWARE. 
 
 T T 7"?] keep one of the largest stocks iu the Iskiul and can 
 V V always suljniit a good assortment. Our prices are low 
 and cannot be beaten. Visitors and travcdlcrs will find it advan- 
 tageous to purchast' from us. 
 
 Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods 
 
 0-0<K>-C>-0-0-0-0-0-<>-0 c 
 
 ^Gti^I? ^S^^^^^i; -^^^^ -^ 
 
 %-6, 
 
 )hTi^Q, 
 
 EVERY ONE KNOWS WHERE.
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 VJ 
 
 
 ii 
 
 
 IMPORTER AND DEALER IN 
 
 ^ r, 
 
 Provisions, Groceries, 
 
 Fish and Oil. 
 
 Our Special Lines 
 
 CHOICE BO.YELESS BEEF, 
 CHOICE BEEF CUTTLXGS, 
 CHOICE FAMILY FLOUR. 
 
 Wonderful Value in Teas! 
 
 Orders by Letter have careful and prompt 
 attention. 
 
 379, 381, and 383, WATER-ST., 
 
 ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND.
 
 Adrn-fisfj/inif>: 
 
 JOB BROS. & CO., 
 
 GENERAL IMPORTERS, 
 
 Water-St, St. John's, N.F, 
 
 DEPARTMENTS : 
 
 Dry Goods, Groceries, 
 Hard\vare, Store Goods, 
 
 And Naval Stores. 
 
 Exporters of Fish, Cod a /id Seal Oil^ 
 
 Seal Skins, Lohsters, 
 
 AjYB GEjYEBAL pboduce. 
 
 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 
 
 Apiits " Royal" Iflsiiraiice CoiiipEy, 
 
 (OF LIVERPOOL), 
 ipimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip 
 
 JOB BROTHERS. 
 
 Mersey Chambers, Old Churchyard, Liverpool. 
 
 J
 
 Advertisement^^. 
 
 COL-IN R. CAMPBELL. GEORGE SMITH. 
 
 CiPBELL & IITH, 
 
 (Foii.MKKi.v McDoL'fi.M.r, & t'.\Mi r.Kr.i.), 
 
 BROKERS. COMMISSION MER- 
 CHMTS& AUCTIONEERS, 
 
 Si J(iliii\ - - Nfwfiiiiiii 
 
 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 
 
 >Special atteiitiou paid to slapping 
 and fo /•war ding Goods of all liinds. 
 Sale and purchase of Bread, Stuffs 
 and Provisions. 
 
 ^^IFRUITS-Dry and Greeri'- 1^ 
 
 Codfish and Oils, LoJjstei's, Salmon 
 
 Herring, Etc., etc. 
 
 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 
 
 H 
 
 ^U 
 
 H, V 
 
 and all kinds of P.E.I. Produce.
 
 Adcertisements. 
 
 LTj 
 
 General Coinmission 
 Merchants 
 
 Steamship Agents, 
 
 ACCENTS F(3K 
 
 '^Uan Line §l;eaiiierc 
 
 -Mr 
 
 SAILIMf EVEIIY FOIlTNiGHT BETWEEN 
 THIS FORT AND BRITAIN. 
 
 AGENTS FOU 
 
 Ross & Dobeil Lines Steamers, 
 
 SAII.fXd THRiiUimnUT THE HEAXoX BETWEEN 
 
 MoXTllEAL, i'HAHLOTTETOlVN, P. E. I., 
 
 ANT) THIS PORT.
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 Iw !il, Nlli, and Ha 
 
 STEAMSHIP COMPANY. 
 
 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir 
 
 Red Cross Line 
 
 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 
 
 S, S, SILVIA, S, S, PORTIA, 
 
 lllllllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIII! 
 
 Sailing at intervals of about ten days from 
 New York, calling at Halifax, St John's, Nfld., 
 and occasionally, Pilley's Island, Ntld. 
 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimii 
 
 Attractive Toiuist Route! 
 First Glass Passeucfer Acconmioclatiou. 
 
 I III 11 II III III 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 n 1 1 III 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 II I nil 1 1 1 n I III 1 1 III I III ill 1 1 1 1 1 II 
 
 For iuforniatinn regaiMling freight or passage, apply to 
 
 ■C. F. BOirRIXG S Co Liverpool. 
 
 BOWRL\Cr <§. :dRCHIB::iLD,Xew York, 
 
 F. D. CORBETT & Co. Halifax. 
 
 H.^lPiJFY & Co. ^y. John's. .Mfd. 
 
 BOU'RIXa BIW^S. .... Sr. John's, XJld.
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 STEAMERS: 
 
 Bonavista, 
 Cob an, 
 
 Loiiisburg, 
 Cacoima, 
 
 Cape Breton. 
 
 QTE.^MEBS of this Line sail from Mon- 
 treal at iutercals of a iveek, caUinc/ (it 
 Cliarlottetowiu P.E. Jslaii(L Siidneij, C.B., 
 and St. Jo/in's, X. F. The St. Lawrenee 
 route affords tourists one of t/ie most de- 
 lightful trips in the ivorld. While euJo//iur/ 
 the advantages of a sea voj/age. the traveller 
 is out of sight of land onlij a few hours be- 
 tween Montreal and St. John's, X.F. 
 
 For inlbnnatioii i-i'ganliiig freight or pnspage, apply to 
 PEAKE, BROTHERS & Co., Charlottetown, P. E. I. 
 
 DOMINION COAL COMPANY, Sydney, C. B. 
 
 HARVEY & Co., St. John's, Newfoundland.
 
 Adccrtisfmcnt>. 
 
 I.F.('§iislalSli'iiiiislii|i('(i., 
 
 (LIMITED). 
 
 H. S. " GRAM) LAKE," 
 
 S. 8. " VIRGINIA LAKE," 
 S. S. "WINDSOR LAKE," 
 
 Under Contract with the Government for the Conveyance 
 of Mails. 
 
 s'. Vu-fn,la 1 
 
 .-'> ,1- u 
 
 ill ih 
 
 I. '!.- irill /,' 
 fu- Xnrtir', 
 
 ' ■•■■ s:. .1 
 
 „',„■, 
 
 '-^"'"' 
 
 I't <. 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 April 
 
 24 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 May 
 
 8 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 May 
 
 22 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 June 
 
 5 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 June 
 
 19 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 July 
 
 3 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 July 
 
 17 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 July 
 
 31 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Aug. 
 
 14 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Aug:. 
 
 28 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Sept. 
 
 11 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Sept. 
 
 25 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Octr. 
 
 9 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Oct. 
 
 23 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Nov. 
 
 6 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Nov. 
 
 20 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Dec. 
 
 4 
 
 Tuesday, 
 
 Dec. 
 
 18 
 
 Monday, 
 
 Dec. 
 
 31 
 
 oo 
 
 s'. N. CiiuiiJ hdr irill /rt(;v 
 
 St. Jiihn's for ]Vi:-<tt<ni 
 
 (Intjiiirtf. 
 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday; 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 Saturday, 
 
 April 21. 
 May 5. 
 May 19. 
 June 2. 
 June 16. 
 June 30. 
 July 14. 
 July 28. 
 Aug-. 11. 
 Aug-. 25. 
 Sept. 8. 
 Sept. 22. 
 Oct. 6. 
 Oct. 20. 
 Nov. 3. 
 Nov. 17. 
 Dec. 1. 
 Dec. 15. 
 Dec. 29. 
 
 ■" On these trips the Steamer goes as f-ir as Battle Harlior, lOiiiie^tiiig 
 with Labrador Steamer.
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 NEWFOUNDLAND KAILWA\-STATION8 AND FAKKS. 
 
 8t. John's to Dmni.siiiere ... 7 H)iles...lst Class 
 
 .s0 3'....2nd Class 
 
 .?0 20 
 
 
 Irvine ... 10 " ... " 
 
 50... 
 
 30 
 
 
 Tojisail ... 15 " ... " 
 
 0(30... 
 
 4;-. 
 
 
 ISEaiiuels ... IS " ... 
 
 70... 
 
 50 
 
 
 Kelligrews ... 2i " ... " 
 
 OtiO... 
 
 60 
 
 
 Seal Cove ... "27 " ... " 
 
 1 00... 
 
 75 
 
 
 Durs ... 2^ '• ... 
 
 1 00... 
 
 75 
 
 
 Holvrood ... 33 •' .. " 
 
 1 20... 
 
 90 
 
 
 Woo.lfonl ... 3o " ... 
 
 1 3o... 
 
 1 00 
 
 
 Salmon Cove ... SSi " ... '• 
 
 1 .^.0... 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 Brigus.Jnnetiou.47i " ... " 
 
 180... 
 
 130 
 
 
 Hodge Water " ... " 
 
 1 90 . " 
 
 1 40 
 
 
 Whitboiiriie ... ■")7i '" ... " 
 
 2 00... 
 
 ] 50 
 
 
 Blaketown ... ti2 " ... " 
 
 2 2,1... 
 
 1 65 
 
 
 Broail Cove ... 66A " ... " 
 
 2.o0... 
 
 1 70 
 
 
 SpaiiM's Bay R'd 7t> " ... " 
 
 2.o0... 
 
 1 70 
 
 
 Triton ' ... 79 '•' ... " 
 
 2.50... 
 
 1 70 
 
 
 Harbor Grace ...83^ " ... " 
 
 2 .-,0... 
 
 1 70 
 
 Chi 
 
 Idren under 12, half-priee ; ■diildren under 
 
 't (one L-hild onl; 
 
 >• and 
 
 ill anus 
 
 ), with jiarent or servant, free. 
 
 
 
 E.^c 
 
 •ursion rates : one single tirst-elass fare. 
 
 
 
 NEWFOUNDLAND NOKTHEIJN AND WESTEKN RAILWAY— 
 .STATION. S AND FAIIE.S. 
 
 Whithourue to Plaeentia .J'etion 7 miles .1st Cla.ss i<Q 40 .2nd Class -SO -30 
 
 " . " 60. " 40 
 
 " . " 75. " 55 
 
 " . " 100. " 70 
 
 " . " 1 05 . " 75 
 
 " . "1 25 . " 80 
 
 ''■ . "1 50 . " 1 00 
 
 '• . " 185. " 120 
 
 2 25 . " 1 .''.0 
 
 " . "2 35 . " 1 55 
 
 " . " 2 65. " 175 
 
 " . " 2 90. " 190 
 
 " . " 3 30. " 2 20 
 
 " . " 3 80. " 2.50 
 
 " . "4 05 . " 2 70 
 
 " . " 4 47 . " 2 98 
 
 " . >' 5 25. " 3 50 
 
 " . " 5 70 . " 3 80 
 
 6 00. " 4 00 
 
 ehildren under 5 (one ehild only and 
 in arms), with parent or servant, Iree. 
 
 PLACENTIA RAILWAY— STATIONS AND FAKES. 
 
 Wliitboiirue to I'la 'eiitia .J'etion 7 miles .1st Class .SO 40 .2nd Class -SO 30 
 Ville Marie ... 7 " . '' 70. " 60 
 
 Dunnville " . "1 00 . " 75 
 
 I'laeentia ... 27 " . " 1 00 . " 75 
 
 Children under 12,- half-priee ; children under 5 (one child only and 
 
 in arms), with parent or servant, free. 
 
 
 Long Harl.)or . 
 
 .. 14 
 
 
 Tickle Harbor. 
 
 .. 25 
 
 
 Rantem 
 
 .. 32 
 
 
 La Manche 
 
 .. 34 
 
 
 Arnold's Cove . 
 
 .. 42 
 
 
 Come-by -chanc 
 
 e 50 
 
 
 Northern Bight 
 
 . 62 
 
 
 Clarenville 
 
 .. 75 
 
 
 Shoal Harbor .. 
 
 .79 
 
 
 Thorburn Lake 
 
 . 89 
 
 
 Clode Sound .. 
 
 .87 
 
 
 Terra Nova .. 
 
 .110 
 
 
 Alexander Bay 
 
 .127 
 
 
 Ganibo 
 
 .135 
 
 
 Benton 
 
 .149 
 
 
 Gander River . 
 
 .175 
 
 
 Ouinette 
 
 .190 
 
 " 
 
 E.\]iloits 
 
 200 
 
 Children 
 
 under 12, half-jiriee ;
 
 AdrrrtisemcntH. 
 
 ANCLO-AIIIICIN TELECIUFII fO'I. 
 
 OFFICE JlOl'ItS : S.;')0 A M. TO P. M. 
 
 SXAXIONS. 
 
 yt. Jolm'.s. CVutral Station : Foran's E\-chan;j;t.- Buililiiis^s. 
 Fnst Ottice Station. 
 " Hnvlestown Station. 
 
 LOCAL, TARIFF, 
 
 Bay Bulls, 
 Ca]ie Broyli', 
 F(?rrylanil, 
 Ca]>liii Bay, 
 Renews, 
 Fernieuse, 
 Trei)assey, 
 Brigus, 
 
 Blade River, 
 Long Haalior, 
 Conn River, 
 Bay-du-Noni, 
 White Bear Bay, 
 Biirgeo, 
 
 ill 
 
 Bay Rol>erts, 
 
 Harl)or Grace, 
 
 Carbonear, 
 
 Heart's Content, 
 
 Wliitbourne, 
 
 Plaeentia, 
 
 Ranteni, 
 
 Rose Blanc 
 
 La Poile, 
 
 Channel, 
 
 Trinity, 
 
 Catalina, 
 
 Bonavista, 
 
 if 
 
 FOREIGN TARIFF. 
 
 Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 
 
 Ontario and Quebec 
 
 Maine ... 
 
 New England States, P. E. I. and New York City . 
 
 Great Britain and France 
 
 Germany 
 
 Spain (Barcelona via France and Marseilles Cable). 
 
 Spain fall other places) ... 
 
 Portugal 
 
 Italy, Sicily, Sardinia ... 
 
 Norway 
 
 Pernanibuco 
 
 Rio de Janeiro ... 
 
 Bahia 
 
 10 words. Aildl word. 
 i'T 00 ami 9 cts. 
 1 or, " 10 cts 
 1 15 " 11 cts. 
 
 1 
 
 2.5 " 11 cts. 
 
 'i5 cts. per word. 
 
 •25 " 
 
 38 " 
 
 40 " 
 
 -39 " 
 
 32 " 
 
 35 " 
 
 55 " '•' 
 
 66 " " 
 
 66 " " 
 
 To calcnlate the cost of a message to Barbadoes, multiply ^2.21 by 
 number of words, and add 75 to total. If over ten words, add eight cent's 
 to the 75 for each word over the ten. 
 
 Ni>TK, — Words over ten letters count as two words.
 
 Adcciii^^cmcnts. 
 
 Union Bank of Newfoundland, 
 
 T 
 
 FORTIETH ANNUAL REPORT. 
 HE Directors have ]ileasiire in siibiiiittiug to tlii' Propiietors the Fortieth 
 Annual Report ami the Alistraet Statement of the affairs of the Bank, 
 for the year ending :Jlst May, 1S!)4. 
 
 The net Profits for the year, alter all deductions for ex]ieiises of man- 
 agement, reljate on local bills discounted not yet <lue, comjiuted interest 
 on deiiosit receipts oiitstamling, and allowing for all bad and doulitful 
 debts, arc $8(5,475.16 ; making, witli *9,-244.B:J balance at credit of Profit 
 and Loss Account last year, a total for ilistril)ution of ■S'!)r),719-7!', which 
 your Directors have a|i]>ro])riateil as follows, viz. : — 
 For Diviilend of G ]ier cent, paid in Decemi)er last ... ... •'S27,3ri0 00 
 
 For Dividend of ti per cent, to be i>aid on "^Oth instant ... 27,3fiO 00 
 
 For a Bonus of -S'S per share to be jjaid on "iOth instant ... 13,680 00 
 
 To Reserve Fund -20,000 00 
 
 Leaving a Ijalant'e at credit of Profit and Loss A'-count of ... 7,319 79 
 
 •'?9.".,719 79 
 
 GENERAL STATEMENT. 
 I>I.\BILITIKS. 
 
 I'o Proprietors' capital ... 
 
 •' Reserve Fund 
 
 " Profit and Loss (undivided ]irotit) ... 
 
 " Bank Notes in cii'culation ... 
 
 " Due by Bank, including deposits at interest, jiayable iu 
 
 .Jan'y and July only on receiving 1.') (Uiys' notice ... 
 " Dividend No. 78, of (i ])er I'ent. for half-vear 
 
 ending 30th November, 1893 ... '...$27,360 00 
 " Diviilend No. 79, of ti ))er cent, for half-vear 
 
 ending 31st May, 1894 ' ... 27,360 00 
 
 " Bonus No. 36, of ■S'3 jier share, for half-vt'ar 
 
 ending .31.st Mav, 1894 ' ... 13,680 00 
 
 $4.16,000 00 
 
 320,000 00 
 
 7,319 79 
 
 616,080 00 
 
 3,01."., 30.') .59 
 
 •'>^6S,400 00 
 Less Dividend to 30th Novcndjcr la.st paid . 27,360 00- 
 
 ASSETS. 
 l^y Specie, in Vault of flic Bank 
 
 " Notes of other Baulks 
 
 " Bills disi-ounted, loans, X'c. 
 
 " Balances due by Banks and funds availalile in 1.") 
 • " Bank pruniises, iron safes and fiii'nitnrc ... 
 
 41,040 00 
 .$4, 4. v.. 74.". 38 
 
 .sl9ii,974 82 
 
 517 00 
 
 2,881,671 72 
 
 1,360,.-.81 84 
 
 16,000 00 
 
 .$4,4.-'.:. 745 38 
 
 St .lolm's, 31.st -May, 1894. 
 
 (\ s. i'i\si:\r, y
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 C ottuucvcirtl Paul; of ^Iflil 
 
 ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND. 
 
 Established 1857. [Incorporated 1858. 
 
 Capital - - - %jo6,ooo 
 
 (In Shares of $200 each.). 
 
 Reserve - - - $110,000 
 [/nap. to Ci'. of P, & L. 12,1 16 
 
 Collections made on favorable terms. 
 
 AfiENTS :- — London — The Lomlon an<l Westniinstci' Bank, (Ltd). 
 Liverpool — The Bank of Liverpool, (Limiteil). Ntiv York — The 
 National Bank of the Republic ; Bo.sfon — The Atlas National 
 Bank ; Montreal — The Merchant's Bank of Canaila ; Quebec — Tlie 
 Merchant's Bank of Canada; Halifnx — The Union Bank of 
 Halifax ; St. Pierre., MrV^?(c/o?i— Banijue des lies. 
 
 HENRY COOKE, - - - Manager. 
 
 H, D. CARTER, - - Chief Accountant, 
 
 V
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 WILLIAM J. CLOUSTON, 
 
 [East Corner Market House Hill] 
 
 WATER STREET, 
 
 ST. JOHN'S, N. F. 
 
 MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN 
 
 All kinds of Tinware, Iron, Stoves, Enamelled Wares, (Stc. 
 
 JOBBING PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. 
 
 Commission Merchants 
 
 AND WHOLESALE DEALERS 
 
 IN PROVISIONS AND SPIRITS. 
 
 -AGENTS FOR- 
 
 COLGATE'S STERLING SOAP. 
 
 AND MANUFACTURERS 
 
 RIIVJEST 
 
 QUALITY 
 
 BUTXERIIVJE.
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 (tmltal 
 
 iiiiiiiiii!iiij|iiii!iiiiiii;ijiiii!i!iii:iiiiiiiii!iiiiiii;iiiiijiiii[|jiiiiiiiiii;i:ijin:iiiiiiiin 
 
 Oeors^ street, 
 
 (Near the General Post Office). 
 
 G. G. CROSBIE, - - - Proprietor, 
 
 iiiiii;ii!iiiiiiiiiiiililiiiiiiiii:iiJiij;iiiiiiiiiiiil<iii!i;i;i!iiiiliiii!lilil!liiiiii!n 
 
 EXCELLENT accommodation to travellers guaranteed, and 
 the utmost attention paid to their comforts. Rooms well 
 fuinished and commodious. Near the busiest part of the 
 city, i^^ The New Central Hotel, Duckworth-St., near 
 Prescott-St., is in course of erection, and will be the largest and 
 finest Hotel in St. John's. 
 
 IIJI1llll!lllllllllllllllllll!l!l!IJI11lii:iIliiillililJ!l!l!llll|[|;iililllllllllllllii;illli:i!i!|[MIIIII^^ 
 
 DUCKWORTH STREET, ST. JOHN'S. 
 
 Mrs. G. WALSH, - Proprietress. 
 
 iiiiiiiii!iii!iii!iiiiiiiiii:niiiiiiiiii[ifiii;iiiiiiiiiiiin!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii;iiiiiii!iiiii!iin^ 
 
 THIS Hotel has been enlarged and refitted, and is now con- 
 sidered the best in Newfoundland. It is lighted by elec- 
 tricity ; with hot and cold water baths ; smoking and 
 reading rooms ; is near the business places ; and commands a 
 picturesque view all over the city. It is within three minutes 
 walk of all Passenger Steamships. Tlie " City" is known as the 
 " House " (jf Comuiercial Travellers. Gentlemen visiting St. 
 John's would do Avell to stay at this Hotel. A brancli of the 
 General Post Office is also kept in the same building.
 
 AdvertisemeTits. 
 
 cj Dum 
 
 ^ 
 J 
 
 GENERAL MERCHANT, 
 
 St. John's, - Newfoimdland. 
 
 All descriptions of British, Amer- 
 ican and Foreign 
 
 kept in stock in our various depart- 
 ments. 
 
 Codfisli, Cod Oil, 
 
 Sahnoit, Herring, 
 
 Lobsters, &€., &c., 
 
 PURCHASED AT HIGHEST CURRENT RATES. 
 
 INSUEANCE : 
 

 
 Advertisements . 
 
 Telephone Address : " L,EDINGHAM." 
 
 Terra Nova Foundry, Engine 
 and Boiler Works. 
 
 WATER STREET EAST. 
 
 pKG-IKEB and Boilers, of all descrip- 
 tions, for marine and land purposes, 
 on stock and made to order. 
 
 Heavij smith -work executed loith powerful 
 Steam Hammers. Castings of all descrip- 
 tions, in Iron or Brass, got up on the shortest 
 notice. Mill work of cdcry description exe- 
 cuted. Shafting, Pulleys, Rangers, Leather 
 and BuMer Beltings, Iron Piping, and Fit- 
 tings in Iron or Brass, kept in stock. Public 
 and Private Buildings heated by Steam or 
 Hot Water. Bepairs to Hulls and Machi- 
 nery of disabled Steamers a speciality — 
 executed afloat or on Dry Dock, to which 
 the Subscribers has full access for such 
 work. 
 
 liS=^ Competent Engineers, Boilermakers 
 and Coppersmitlis, always on hand to at- 
 tend Steamship, Mill and Factory Bepairs.
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 WlG.Rendell, 
 
 Water Street, St. John's, Newf oundl'd. 
 
 IP^topett^ anb Commis^ 
 sion Hgents, 
 
 -AGENTS FOE THE- 
 
 OF LONDON. 
 
 Importers of, and Dealers In, all 
 descriptions of 
 
 Paints, Oils, &, Roofing Material.
 
 Adfertisements. 
 
 West End Drug Store! 
 
 M. Connors, Proprietor. 
 
 A lai'ge ;ui(l varied stock of 
 Drugs, Medicines and Perfumery, Paints, Oils, Varnishes, &c., 
 constantly on hand. 
 
 Newest Garden Seeds in Stock. 
 
 Prescriptions carefully compoundefl, and their prejiaration re- 
 ceives personal and prompt attention. Medicine Chests supplied 
 and re-fitted at shortest notice. 
 
 358 - WATER STREET WEST. - 358 
 
 WILLIAM COOK, 
 
 278 AVATKK STIIKET, ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND. 278 
 
 HOUSE AND SHIP BUTCHER. 
 
 Vegetables, Meats, and Ships' Stores. 
 
 \* Ships' letters addressed to my care 
 delivered immediately on arrival. 
 
 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. 
 
 z. cox, 
 
 347 . Water Street, St. John's, Newfoundland. - 347 
 
 GENERAL IMPORTER of Provisions, Groceries, etc.— 
 FLOUR, BEEF, PORK, TEAS, JAMS, BISCUITS, 
 SYRUPS and FANCY GROCERIES ; FRUITS and 
 VEGETABLES, when in season. 
 
 OUTFOKT OKDEKS RECEIVE PROMPT ATTENTION,
 
 Advertisements. 
 
 GENERAL IMPORTER. 
 
 |!III1llllll111llll11l!li;illlllil1ill11ll1IIIII1llll111ITi:iTlllil1IIII1llil1!nil!IIIIHII!lli 
 
 Largest importer of Ready-iiiade 
 Garments in tlie Colony. 
 
 iiiiriiiii I ill 1 1 1 1 1 1 III 1 1 III 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 III 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 iiiiiiiiiiii III 1 1 III HI! 
 
 s-e>^ T^ e:gii t^p e<S--<i- li>3 ©<^n2) &q)^ 
 
 The Universal Provider to theWork- 
 ingmen of the City and Fishermen 
 of the Country, the great Bargain 
 House of St. John's. 
 
 iiiiiii I mill I iiiii III 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 iiiii 1 1 1 1 1 1 II I II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 II I II 1 1 1 1 1 1 ill 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 III 1 1 111 II 
 
 Ki/Ier of Big Profits! 
 
 iiiriiiiiiiiiiLiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin^^^^^^^ 
 
 Dry Goods, Groceries & Provisions. 
 
 i 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 11 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 ill 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 i 1 1 1 ill 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 II li i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 III I iiiiiiiii 
 
 371 - Water Street - 371 
 
 ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND,
 
 Aifrfrfiiifinenf.s. 
 
 tTremont Ibotcl! 
 
 <Km>«-(>^<-0-«-<>^-»-0-<>-0-*<-0-«-9-0-»-9-^«-0-0-Ch><<k><-<>«^<^^ 
 
 WATER-ST., - ST. JOHN'S, N.F. 
 
 (O'DWVEH'S BLOCK). 
 
 Mrs. McGRATH, - Proprietress. 
 
 TRANSIENT and pei'iuaneut boank'is accuiuiiioilated upon 
 reasonable terms. The Tremont House ccjiitains large 
 well-ventilated, nicely t'urnished rooms, also commodious 
 bath-rooms, and is centrally situated, being near tlie business 
 places of the city. The patronage of the tiavelling ])ub]ic is 
 i-espectfuUy solicited. Every satisfaction guaranteed, and all 
 oi'ilers attended to at the most i-easonable rates. 
 
 •S^^-
 
 "NEWFOUNDLAND: THE OLDEST BRITISH COLONY • 
 
 I'rire S^.oH. - pp. ^'JIJ. 
 
 Bv Joseph Hatton and Rev. M. Harvky, LL. D. 
 
 London : Cliapnian and Hall, 1883. 
 
 .All .■uliiiirabk' arconnt of the oldest British Colony. — Fnrtnighthi 
 Ueciev). 
 
 No more interesting work has ever come under our notice than this. 
 — Knropean Mail. 
 
 By far the most fOm])lete ac-^ouiit of Newfoundland that has yet 
 .•i]>l)eared. — fA'tirl'm Daily Xewft. 
 
 The story of Newfoundland is told so attrai-tively and completely 
 tliat we doubt if it will ever require retelling. It may be supplemented 
 lint not su]3erseded. — Land and Water. 
 
 An adnnrable book. — Londnn Academi/. 
 
 X\\ interesting ami well-written work. — Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 Tlie best account of Newfoundland ever printed. — NeAV Yorl: Herald. 
 
 "TEXT-BOOK OF NEWFOUNDLAND HISTORY. ' 
 
 Price Fifty -five cents. 
 
 By Rev. M. Harvey, LL.D. 
 
 (Second Edition.) 
 
 London and Glasgow : W. Collins & Co., 1890. 
 
 "WHERE ARE WE AND WHITHER TENDING?' 
 
 Price Fifty cents. 
 
 By Rev. M. Harvey, LL.D. 
 
 London : Trubner & Co., 1886. 
 
 While admitting that the pessimist can readily find a certain justifi- 
 cation of his views in the many dark and discouraging facts of human 
 existence, the author still believes that there are ample grounds for hold 
 ing human progress to be a grand reality. —Westminster Revievx 
 
 Cheerful in tone and iiO])nlar in style. — Saturday Review. 
 
 The questitui is discussed with much point and acumen. — Scotsman. 
 
 The author is the happy possessor of a well-furni.shed nund. He ilis- 
 plays an acquaintance with ancient and modern history, with literature 
 anil philosoph}', with science and .statistics, which would be creditable in 
 a,ny man. and is somewhat surprising in a citizen of St. John's, New- 
 foundland. The result is an eminently readable book. — Olasgovj Herahl. 
 
 A fresh \igorously written book. — Uyiited Presbyterian Magazine. 
 
 The lectures well rejiay jicrusal. — Liverpool Courier. 
 
 The work displays great scholarship. — Kirkndbright Advertiser. 
 
 The lectures are brilliantlv w-ritten. — New York Churchman. 
 
 "UNDER THE GREAT SEAL." 
 
 .\ thrilling History of Newfoundland in the days of the Fishing Adndrals. 
 
 By Joseph Hatton ; 
 
 Author of ^' By Orde)- of the Czar," " Clytic," etc. 
 
 London : Hntcheson k Co., 1893.
 
 Printed by J. W. Withers, Queen's Printer, 
 At St. John's, Newfoundland.
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 AA 000 928 666 7