FISH 193 



was still decorated with flakes, and even to-day flakes still 



lend their peculiar poetry and fragrance to Quidi Vidi and the 



smaller out-ports. Cod-fish, alive or dead, wet or dry, have 



exercised an all-pervading influence over the destiny of 



Newfoundland. 



Until lately ^ cod-fish were never caught in winter, but the w/iu/i only 



whole ' unsown harvest of the sea ' was reaped and gathered ^<^^^/^ 



summer^ 

 in between May and October. If, then, all Newfoundlanders and there- 



were codders, why should not they learn a lesson from ihtff^^f^^^^i^' 



•' -' ly suggested 



cod, and absent themselves from an island where they were an annual 



not wanted for six months in the year ? This was the un- P^^^^^^^^^^ 



■' repassing 



answerable question which was asked again and again by of the 

 advocates of the old English policy, which encouraged ^^^^^^^^^> 

 a fishing-fleet to ply between Newfoundland and England 

 every year. Again, if residents never did anything seriously 

 except fish for cod, were they not like fish out of water in 

 winter ? Might they not become idlers, drinkers, or paupers ? 

 At all events, they would be happier and better employed in 

 England. This view was at the bottom of the old policy 

 which discouraged residents. The political ideal of keeping 

 England provided with hosts of men and ocean sailors, and 

 with wooden walls, like those which repelled the Spanish 

 Armada, only reinforced a position which was after all 

 founded upon a study of man and cod. 



But common sense replied to these arguments of common hut also 

 sense by arguments which were conclusive as far as they went, ^^fsfdent 

 although they did not go far. caretakers; 



Ever since Cabot and his successors caught cod by letting neverthe- 

 down hampers from their decks into the sea, all cod, including i^^^^^ ^^^^^ 

 those that were caught on the high seas, were caught in rowing- little more 

 boats. It would be the height of absurdity to bring the same ^i^^e^T 

 boats from England or to build new boats in Newfoundland 

 each year, but boats could not be left in the island without some 

 one to mind and mend them. Ever since the time of Guy 

 1 Post^ p. 213 



VOL. V. PT. IV Q 



