64 



utters similar sentiments. His renowned hero, "Sam Slick," the Yan- 

 kee clockmaker, in the course of his " sayings," thus speaks of the 

 people of Nova Scotia, and of their advantages : "They do nothing in 

 these parts," says Sam, " but eat, drink, smoke, sleep, ride about, 

 lounge at taverns. * * * They are a most idle set of folks, I tell 

 you. * * * They are in the midst of fisheries, squire ; all sorts of 

 fisheries, too. River fisheries of shad, salmon, gasperause and herring; 

 shore fishery of mackerel and cod; bank fishery, and Labradore fish- 

 ery. Oh dear ! it beats all ; and they don't do nothin with 'em, but 

 leave 'em to us. * * * I never seed nor heerd tell of a country 

 that had so many natural privileges as this. Why, there are twice as 

 many harbors and water-powers as ice have all the way from Eastport 

 to New Orleans. They have all they can ax, and more than they de- 

 sarve. * * * You've heerd tell of a man who couldn't see London 

 for the houses ; I tell you, if we had this country you couldn't see the 

 harbors for the shipping." 



The cod-fishery of the shores differs so little from the shore fisheries 

 Qt Newfoundland, St. Pierre, and iNIiquelon, already spoken of, that we 

 shall not here give an account of it. The vessel fishery, both on the 

 coasts of Nova Scotia and at Labradore,* is also so nearly like our own, 

 that a description of it may be omitted to avoid repetition. 



The herring fishery will detain us but a moment. The export of 

 smoked-herring has declined very much. Towards the close of the 

 last century the quantity shipped was from 50,000 to 60,000 boxes 

 annuall3^ In some years, too, previous to 1S19, the export was even 

 more, and from 80,000 to 100,000 boxes. At present the average is 

 less than half the quantity of either period. The natural advantages 

 possessed by the colonists of the shores of "Annapolis basin" are 

 unequalled in the whole world. Digby and Clements should be the 



* A Halifax paper, in the spring of 1852, indulged in the following course of remark : " We 

 learn that no less than twenty-five vessels cleared at this port for the Labrador fishery on Sat- 

 urday last. We have been much gratified with the improved appearance of the schooners 

 comprising our fishing fleet this season. The class of Nova Scotiamen at present engaged in 

 the fisheries would do credit to any country in the world, our enterprisiug and energetic neigh- 

 bors, the Americans, not excepted. Where all are desei^ving of praise, it would appear almost 

 invidious to particularize ; but we must not omit to chronicle a very superior craft which we 

 observe receiving her supply of salt alongside the brig 'Wellington,' at Oxley's wharf, called 

 the ' Ocean Wave.' This fine vessel was recently launched at Lunenburg by a Mr. Young, 

 end was built expressly for the fishing business. She appears to have been most carefully 

 constructed, . ud her outfit is after the most approved fashion. There is a reasonable proba- 

 bility of this most important branch of provincial iuelustry proving eminently successful during 

 the present season; aud we can only hope that the desideratum may be realized to its fullest 

 extent. Our fishing friends cannot be too careful in curing their catch. The markets for 

 their valuable products are extending on every hand. It is essential that the character of this, 

 oui staple article of export, should be established beyond the shadow of a doubt. Due atten 

 tion to this matter will repay our fishennen a hundred fold for any extra time, labor, or 

 attention bestowed on the making of their fish. Let all interested look to this all-important 

 matter, and a rich harvest may be reaped in the future. It is satisfactory to know that the 

 parties who have this season fitted out for the fisheries are, many of them, both forehanded 

 aud intelligent qualifications indispensable in the successful prosecution of this valuable branch 

 of industry." 



In August, 1852, it was again said that, " We are enabled to record the gratifjdng intelli- 

 gouce, that v»f twenty-seven vessels fitted out from ports in Limeuburg county for the Labra- 

 dor, twenty-.six have returned well fished — one vessel bringing home the handsome fare of 

 1 ,100 (puuvals. This almost unprecedented success is perhaps, in a great measure, attributa- 

 ble to the vigilance of the revenue cutters stationed on the coast by the Canadian government 

 ,or the prelection of the fisheries." 



