CHAKACTEItlSTirS OF THE rEOPI.K. 197 



entitled " NewfoundliUid in 1842," hears the following testimony 

 to the character of the people : — " I declare, and I am snre I 

 shall be borne out by e\-ery class of people in this country, and 

 l)y all those whose domicile is meiely a transient one, that a more 

 |)eaceable, resjjectable, loyal, or kinder-hearted race than the 

 Newfoundland Englisli and Irish, whether emigrant or native- 

 born, I never met with. All they want, now that temperance 

 has so beneficially operated upon them, is education, agriculture, 

 roads, and the quiet which a firm, decided and imjjartial govern- 

 ment promises to hiiw in store for them." Many similar eulo- 

 gies might? be quoted, did sjjace permit, for all writers agree in 

 admiring and commending the natural (qualities of Newfound- 

 landers. 



THK Uri'EK CLASSES. 



There is, of course, no distinction of ranks other than that 

 arising from wealth, education or official or professional position. 

 The U2>per class is composed of the officials of the Government, 

 members of the Legislature, judges, clergy, merchants, doctors, 

 lawyers, and wealthy individuals who have retired from busi- 

 ness. The middle class is composed of the newer merchants, 

 importers, commission agents, shop-keepers, tradesmen, farmers, 

 and that large class who l)y industry and economy liave acquired 

 a modest competence. This middle class, well nameil " the 

 shield of society," is steadily increasing, and is making its in- 

 fluence for good felt extensively. On its growth and jJermanence 

 largely depends the future of the country ; and one of the most 

 hoi:)eful signs of the present time is that its ranks are swelling. 

 The middle class who look to Newfoundland as their home and 

 that of their children, must be regarded as the mainstay of the 

 country. It is among them that the sentiment of jn-ogress has 

 taken deepest root ; and that a strong desire for the development 

 of the resources of the island is most keenly felt. The fishermen 

 and the working classes generally welcome the prospect of new 

 industries for the support of themselves and their children, feel- 

 ing that the fisheries alone are insufficient for their increasing 

 numbers. 



