INTRODUCTION. xxi 



but the former being a skilful and sagacious seaman, we pro- 

 ceeded with confidence, and after passing a group of fishing 

 boats, the occupiers of many of which we had known at Bast- 

 port, we were at length safely anchored in the basin named 

 " American Harbour," where we found several vessels taking 

 in cured fish. 



But few days had elapsed, when, one morning, we saw a 

 vessel making towards our anchorage, with the gallant flag of 

 England waving in the breeze, and as she was moored within a 

 cable-length of the Ripley, I soon paid my respects to her com- 

 mander, Captain Bayfield of the Royal Navy. The polite- 

 ness of British Naval officers is proverbial, and from the truly 

 frank and cordial reception of this gentleman and his brave 

 " companions in arms," I feel more than ever assured of the 

 truth of this opinion. On board the " Gulnare," there was also 

 an amiable and talented surgeon, who was a proficient in botany. 

 We afterwards met with the vessel in several other harbours. 



Of the country of Labrador you will find many detached 

 sketches in this volume, so that for the present it is enough 

 for me to say that having passed the summer there, we sailed 

 on our return for the United States, touched at Newfound- 

 land, explored some of its woods and rivers, and landed at Pic- 

 tou in Nova Scotia, where we left the Ripley, which pro- 

 ceeded to Eastport with our collections. While at Pictou, we 

 called upon Professor MacCulloch of the University, who 

 received us in the most cordial manner, shewed us his superb 

 collections of Northern Birds, and had the goodness to present 

 me with specimens of skins, eggs, and nests. He did more still, 

 for he travelled forty miles with us, to introduce us to some per- 

 sons of high station in the Province, who gave us letters fcr 



