CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEORLE. 20:^^ 



capitalists are not accountable for a system which originated 

 when the fisheries were first worked and is the growth of many 

 generations. Tliey can only get rid of it by slow degrees. 



nSHIiSG POPULATION IMPllOVING. 



Late years, howe\'er, have witnessed a niarl^ed improvement in 

 the condition of the fishermen. They are beconung more provi- 

 dent and thrifty ; and i'ar larger ninnbers tlian formerly can now 

 aftbrd to dispense with supplies on credit, and pay in cash for 

 what they require. There is every reason to hope that this will 

 be a steadily increasing class, as education spreads. Tliose wim 

 combine farming with fishing are invariably the most inde- 

 pendent and comfortable oi their class. On the wliole tlie 

 fishermen of Newfoundland, though they have not much of this 

 world's goods, compare not unfavourably, as to their condition, 

 with the labouring classes of other countries. It tliey have pri- 

 vations and hardships they have many compensations for these, 

 ill their free o^jen-air life, tlieir robust health, their capabilities 

 of enjoying simple pleasures. There is jierhapsas mucli genuine 

 happiness among them as among any similar nundjer who toil 

 for the daily bread. Compared with tlie pale factory workers, 

 the toilers in the great cities of Europe and America who breathe 

 a iiestifei'ous atmosphere in crowded tenements, too often ainid 

 foul conditions that depres.s the spirits and shorten life, the con- 

 dition of these hardy fisliermen is an enviable one. Their 

 23assionate attachment to the land of their l)irth, their love for it 

 when settled in other lands and their frequent longings to retuni, 

 — all indicate that their life has been on the whole a liap[iy one. 

 SOCIAL, ENJOYMENTS. 



Winter is tha fishermen's season for enjoyment. In their 

 homes, however jioor, life vindicates its right to gladness and re- 

 laxation. The season for "fireside enjoyments, home-born liap- 

 j)iness " is welcomed. They have their social 2>leasures, oxitdoor 

 sports, games, shooting, hunting, trajjping, etc. Dancing is a 

 favoarite winter amusement among tlie lisln-nnen and their 

 families ; and to the music of the fiddle, tlie tlute or fife, or in 

 the absence of any other instrument, the .lew's Hari>, they dance 



