MISCELLANEOUS. 1159 



fixa, on the map, and the island of Newfoundland, are identical, be- 

 cause the codfish is called stock-fish in the northern languages. 



The English resorted to Iceland* for the cod, previous to the year 

 1415, but there is no account of their fishing at Newfoundland prior 

 to 1517. Some writers suggest that the French commenced at the 

 same time. But the fact, generally admitted, that ships from Eng- 

 land, France, Spain, and Portugal, to the number of fifty, were em- 

 ployed in 1517, is alone sufficient to show that the fishing grounds had 

 been visited for several years. Indeed, to consider that the French 

 went to Newfoundland for the first time in 1504, and that in thirteen 



*The Icelanders, at the present time, derive their chief subsistence and profit from 

 the sea. They live principally on the shores and harbors, where fish are plentiful. 

 The fishing season commences in February, and closes in May. The fishermen wear 

 a dress of leather, rubbed over with train-oil until it is nearly impervious to water. 

 They fish with line and hooks, baited with shell-fish, or pieces of flesh. They have 

 lately become acquainted with nets, and use them in the herring fishery. When they 

 leave the shore they take off their hats, and offer up a petition for success, and recom- 

 mend themselves to the Divine protection in a prayer or hymn. They then row to 

 the fishing grounds, and continue there all day. In 1804 the total number of boats 

 employed was twenty-one hundred and sixty-three, namely: 208, with eight and ten 

 oars; 1,068, with four and six oars; and 887 of smaller size. Bessestaar is the seat of 

 a good academy, with a collection (in 1826) of fifteen hundred volumes, which, says 

 Malte Brun, "is no doubt the most northern library in the world." Iceland, he 

 observes, "produces no salt; but the water of the surrounding sea is fully as saline as 

 that of the Mediterranean. The salt which the Icelanders obtain from it gives a bluish 

 tint to fish." 



Reikiavik, according to another writer, was selected as the seat of government "for 

 the convenience of its harbor, and for the gravel beach a thing of rare occurrence in 

 Iceland." The exports of fish from Reikiavik, in 1806, were much larger than from 

 any other place. 



The Dutch cod-fishery is of importance. 



[Translation.] 

 STATE PAPER OP THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS. 



No. 13. Act of 6th March, 1818, for the encouragement of the Iceland cod-fishery. 



We, William, by the grace of God King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange Nassau, 

 Grand Duke of Luxembourg, &c. 



Be it known to all those who shall see these presents, or hear them read, greeting: 



Considering that the little, or Iceland, cod-fishery has been continually supported 

 and encouraged by premiums put of the public treasury in behalf of those who carry 

 on this branch of industry, so important to the prosperity of the country; 



And that the reasons which, in former times, pleaded for the allowance of those 

 premiums, have still, at the present time, their full force and weight: 



We have therefore heard our council of state, and, with the advice of the States 

 General, do hereby decree and direct: 



ARTICLE I. There shall be paid out of the public treasury a premium of five hun- 

 dred guilders for every voyage of each ship, which, for account of our subjects, is fitted 

 out in this kingdom, and shall sail from one of its ports during the years 1818, 1819, 

 and 1820, for Iceland to carry on the little fishery that is, the cod-fishery between 

 the sixty-fifth and sixty-seventh degrees of north latitude. 



ART. II. In cases where particular circumstances have occurred during the voyage, 

 we reserve to ourselves the regulation of the premium in such a manner as those cir- 

 cumstances may deem to require. 



We order and command that the present shall be inserted in the State paper, and 

 that all ministerial departments and authorities, colleges and officers, are charged 

 with the due execution of these presents. 



Given in Gravenhague, (Hague,) the 6th March, in the year 1818, in the fifth of our 

 reign. 



WILLIAM. 

 By the King: A. R. Falk. 



