CXVIII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



thai this island does not appear on map? nntil more than 100 years later. 

 As, however, he practically admits that he set out to prove Prince 

 Edward Island was not Cabot's St. John, a very unfavourable mental 

 attitude for a dispassionate consideration of historic evidence, we may be 

 excused if we differ from his conclusion. Indeed, several of the maps 

 which he has reproduced, notably Verrazauo's (1529), Gaspar Yie<i;o's, 

 one from Ivretschmer, Eotz's and the Dauphin map, all clearly show 

 Prince Edward Island, not alwaj's in its correct position, but as nearly so 

 as numerous other places. Mercator's map (1569) has Prince Edward 

 leland most accurately given. Many other maps, the authors whereof 

 knew that the island of St. John was near the island of Cape Breton, but 

 who had no certain knowledge of the g'ulf, j^laco the island outside of it. 

 It is extraordinary that men who, like Dr. S. E. Dawson, Pope, Ganong 

 and Bishop Howley, know the gulf and know how it Avas frequented by 

 tishermen from the time of Cabot's voj'age, could think it possible Prince 

 Edward Island should remain unknown. Every one entering the gulf 

 naturally turned west or south, and would necessarily make it. What 

 more secure fishing ground than the waters between East Point and the 

 shores of Cape Breton and Xova Scotia ? Shelter within easy reach 

 from any wind, fuel and water in abundance, and excellent beaches for 

 curing fish, would not the fishermen almost by instinct frequent such a 

 place ? The rocks of the Magdalen group could have no attraction for 

 them. They were in a more stormy jDart of the gulf, afforded but indiff- 

 erent shelter, and their approaches w^ere dangerous. As Jacques Cartier 

 first entered the gulf by the Straits of Belle Isle, and subsequentl}' always 

 steered for the north, he did not recognize St. John as an island. lience 

 the maps of the Cartier group, do not, as a rule, show it. The Dauphin 

 map, hoAvever, does, but reverses its position. Dr. S. E. DaAvson, Pope 

 and Ganong say it is one of the Magdalen group ; as though an island 

 tAventy miles long Avould be drawn such a size. Moreover, the Magdalens 

 are seen elsewhere, and in their true proportions. Bvit to bolster up a 

 preconceiA'^ed theory Ave have serious men identifying the island named 

 Alezaj^ on the Dauphin map, to the north of Avhat they call the "Greater 

 Magdalen," but Avhich is Prince EdAvard Island, Avith Deadmen's Island, 

 a small rock scarcely Aisible a mile away. "We can account for Alezay. 

 I haA^e before me a French map reprinted as late as 1755, on which 

 Prince Edward Island, Avhilst correctly placed, bears a striking resem- 

 blance to the Sara Joam of Kretschmer, and shows the North Cape as an 

 island. Its position to the main island and its I'clatiA^e size prOA'c it to bo 

 the Alezay of the Dauphin map. 



Lastly, Ave say it would be impossible for a A'essel to enter the gulf 

 through the Sti'aits of Canso, and go north to the Magdalens, Avithout 

 sighting Pi'ince Edward Island ; in fact, a north course by the compass 

 would inevitabl}" Avreck the shi]) on the East Point. To sail true north 



