[s. E. DAWSON] 



THE VOYAGES OF THE CABOTS 



171 



ail documents may be redrawn to suit the theories of any writer. Such 

 heroic treatment is, in etïect, making the documents to suit the theory, 

 not the theory to suit the documents. If we are not to take docu- 

 ments, such as maps, in a series, and use one to throw light on the other 

 — use them to show the gradual development of the contour lines of a 

 coast and the gradual evolution of the correct cartography of lands 

 gradually discovered — then there can be no such thing as scientific geo- 



Fig. 6.— Canting Map, 1501-2. 



Fig. 7.— Canerio Map, 1502. 



Fig. 8.— King Map, 1502. 



c f^^rog-*'»' 



Fig. 9.— Ruysch Map, 1508. 



graphy, and theorizing will take the place of patient investigation of 

 truth. Such a line of procedure is opposed to the entire course of modem 

 methods of investigation, and is without a precedent in the history of 

 cartographical research. In reasoning, the true course is from the 

 premises to the conclusion ; but this is from the conclusion to the pre- 

 mises and the whole character of the map is changed and its unity is 

 broken. If the Cavo de Ynglaterra be Cape Chidley, the whole of Hud- 

 son's bay and strait is opened up one hundred and ten years before Henry 



