272 BIPORTANCE OF DISKO 



curious circumstance attends even a temporary residence 

 in those regions. Any person who has once visited those 

 places feels an unaccountable desire to see them again, 

 until frequent visits render it almost habitual. For this 

 reason, I am inclined to think that, were a British colony 

 settled there, enjoying the superior comforts which they 

 could command every year by the return of the whalers, 

 in a few years the people would be not only reconciled to 

 their situation, but even attached to the place. 



If well provided, and properly trained for the purpose, 

 the colonists might, in the latter season, kill so many 

 whales as would enable them to amass large fortunes, 

 when, if they chose, and the necessary regulations would 

 permit, they might return to spend the rest of their life 

 in affluence and ease. This is by no means an idle specu- 

 lation, as I am certain many of the persons now engaged 

 in the whale trade would be found ready to embrace such 

 a proposal, and furnish active and skilful hands to take 

 ^advantage of the after season, if secure and comfortable 

 accommodations during winter were provided. 



Ships going out in the spring could convey the necessary 

 materials of wood and other articles for building, by way 

 of ballast, and carry also such clothing and provisions as 

 would be wanted at the colony, taking back the produce 

 of the whale in return. Or were Newfoundland made an 

 entrepot between the colony and home, more than one 



