CHAPTER II. 



PHYSIOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF NEW- 

 FOUNDLAND. 



GENERAI. OUTLINE. 



A larief account of the physical conditions of the island, its 

 soil, climate, under-earth, configuration and relation to the 

 neighbouring land-masses seems to lie desirable at the outset of 

 any attempt to present an intelligilde picture of the country. 



GEOGKAPHICAI. POSITION. 



Its geographical position is unicpie and singularly important 

 and commanding. Anchored at no great distance off tlie North 

 Amei-ican Continent, and stretching right across the entrance of 

 the Gulf of St. La^vrence, to which it affords access at botli its 

 northern and southern extremities, it might l)e regarded as a 

 jjlace of arms and defence ; for the power which possesses it holds 

 the key of the St. Lawrence. Its south-western extremity is 

 within sixty miles of Cape Breton, which is substantially the 

 eastern point of Nova Scotia ; while its most eastern projection 

 is but 1640 miles distant from Ireland. Tlius it is adapted by 

 nature to serve the peaceful interests of commerce, and to iacili- 

 tate intercourse between the Old World and the New, being a 

 step])ing stone between them. 



DEEP BAYS. 



In another respect the hand of nature has marked the island 

 as a centre of commercial activity. A glance at the map shows 

 that its coasts are j^ic'icetl by numerous magnificent bays, run- 

 ning in some instances eighty or ninety miles inland, and throw- 

 ing out smaller ai-ms in all directions. lu these de p bays, whose 

 entrances are sentinelled by jutting headlands, are some of the 

 finest harbours in the world, as well as countless co\-es, creeks 



