198 THE LABRADOE PENINSULA. chap, xxxiii. 



destruction of Brest, have been consecrated by a Bishop 

 of the Church of England ? 



The Enghsh employed upwards of 100 whalers and 

 sealers prior to 1775 on the coast of Labrador. In 1829, 

 609 vessels were employed on the coast ; in 1831, 700 ; 

 and in 1851, upwards of 1,000 sea-going vessels. The 

 resources of the sea are sufficient to support three times 

 that number ; and the fate of nations may yet be deter- 

 mined by tlie fishermen sailors nurtured on those seas, 

 which have been until recently utterly neglected by the 

 people who ought to cherish them most. 



In 1861 the Bishop of Newfoundland started on his 

 annual visitation from St. John's, on June 27, in the 

 Church Ship. The Bishop visited in succession Battle 

 Harbour, St. Francis Harbour, Square Islands, Dead 

 Islands, Venison Tickle, Seal Island, Ship Harbour, Fox 

 Harbour, and Cape Charles. There is a consecrated church 

 at Battle Harbour and St. Francis Harbour, and at Seal 

 Island a store is used as a church, but at all places service 

 was performed on board the well-named Church Ship. 



The change and improvement among the resident in- 

 habitants are in several cases already very perceptible. At 

 Fox Harbour there is a small settlement of Esquimaux, who 

 are now orderly and industrious Christian people, fruits 

 of the faithful labours of the missionary at Battle Harbour, 

 who has resided eight years on the coast. At Forteau 

 Bay the late Bishop of Quebec met the Bishop of 

 Newfoundland (July 23) just on the confines of their 

 extensive dioceses. The Bishop of Quebec had been 

 engaged for some Aveeks in passing from settlement to 

 settlement along the Canadian north shore of the Gulf in 

 such boats and vessels as he could procure at each resting- 



