WHALE FISHERIES. 295 



vision ships, the cargoes of which were landed at Smeeren- 

 berg, which abounded, during the busy season, with well- 

 furnished shops, good wines, &c., so that many of the con- 

 veniences and enjoyments of Amsterdam were found within 

 about eleven degrees of the Pole. 



Yes; it is thought worthy of particular mention that the 

 sailors and others were supplied with what a Dutchman 

 regards as a great luxury hot rolls for breakfast. 



MRS. F. 



Batavia and Smeerenberg were founded nearly afcthe same 

 period, and it was for a considerable time doubted whether 

 the latter was not the more important establishment of the 

 two. 



ESTHER. 



What was the cause of its decline? 



MRS. F. 



The same which had destroyed the fishery of the Biscayans, 

 namely, the absence of fish; w r hales gradually became less 

 common and more difficult to catch. They retreated first to 

 the open seas, and then to the great banks of ice on the east- 

 ern coast of Greenland. When the site of the fishery had 

 thus been removed to a very great distance from Spitzbergen, 

 it was found to be the more economical plan to send the 

 blubber to Holland; Smeerenberg was in consequence to- 

 tally deserted, and its position is now with difficulty dis- 

 covered. 



ESTHER. 



Is the Dutch fishery at present of any extent? 



MRS. F. 



No; it was entirely ruined by the war. and all attempts to 

 revive it have proved ineffectual; the Dutch having, during 



