444 DEPARTURE OF THE SEALERS. 



great centres from which they depart on their expeditions, 

 and to which they bring back their spoil, is Newfound- 

 land ; and the seal-fishery is, in fact, an important ele- 

 ment in the prosperity of that fog-bound island-colony. 

 It is carried on both by sailing-vessels and screw- 

 steamers ; the former varying from 50 to 200 tons, and 

 the latter from 350 to 700 tons gross measurement. 

 The former muster crews of from 20 to 80 or 90 men, 

 and the latter of from 120 to 250. The former begin 

 their lucrative toil not earlier than the 5th, and the 

 latter not earlier than the 10th of March; a restriction 

 enforced by the Colonial Legislature with the view of 

 checking the indiscriminate slaughter of the young seals. 

 A graphic writer* tells us that for some days before 

 the departure of the sealers, the principal sea-ports where 

 their ships are fitting out present a very lively and re- 

 markable aspect. The shops and stores of the purveyors 

 are thronged with noisy mariners, laying in their 

 necessary outfit of clothes, boots, tobacco, and a private 

 stock of tea, coffee, and sugar. About and on board 

 the vessels the uninitiated eye sees nothing but " chaos 

 come again ; " a chaos of provisions, coals, punts, spare 

 rudders, oars, gaffs, and sailing gear of all kinds and of 

 unintelligible names. The yards are crowded with men, 

 who are busily engaged in bending sails and overhauling 

 rigging. And so the work goes on until the lawful sail- 

 ing-day arrives ; and ,then all hands are summoned on 

 board anchors are weighed canvas is spread, or steam 

 got up and away speeds the adventurous flotilla, manned 

 by gallant hearts accustomed to the perils of the arctic 

 seas. Their course lies to the north or north-east until 



* In the Scotsman of August 25, 1874. 



