52 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 
He then referred to certain manners and customs of the people, 
particularly to the gambols of Christmas-tide, which, long since dead 
in England, flourished in Newfoundland until about twenty years 
ago. He gave statistics showing the progress of total abstinence, 
and described the chief agencies in the movement as well as the 
lineage and religion of the inhabitants of the island. It seems that 
the first colony permanently settled in Newfoundland was that 
of John Guy, who acted as manager for a company in which Lord 
Bacon was a shareholder, Colonies were also formed by Lord Balti- 
more in 1623, and several by the French and Portuguese. 
The main industries were described as the summer and spring fish- 
eries; the first of cod,salmon and herring, the second of seals. The fish 
caught was valued at from ten to twelve million dollars, the number 
of seals reckoned at a yearly average of 600,000. The condition of 
the fishermen, which had been almost hopeless from the crushing 
weight upon them of the supply system, was improving. Education 
was doing something for them, facilities of communication more. 
Their great need was a home market, at least a market nearer than 
Brazil, Spain or Italy. Formerly Newfoundland’s surplus wealth 
was drawn to the West of England, the shores of the Mersey and 
Clyde, but is now adorning her own eapital and spreading a spirit 
of enterprise among her people. They look to Canada and the 
West rather than to Britain and the East. The question of Con- 
federation, he said, is with Newfoundland one of terms, and may 
be expected to be answered in the affirmative in the near future. 
In the discussion which followed Mr. J. M. Buchan, Mr. 
Fred. Phillips, Mr. James Bain, jun., Mr. Geo. E. Shaw, Mr. 
John Notman, and Mr. B. B. Hughes took part. 
