52 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



He then, referred to certain manners and customs of the people, 

 particularly to the gambols of Christmas-tide, which, long since dead 

 in England, nourished in Newfoundland until about twenty years 

 ago. He gave statistics showing the progress of total abstinence, 

 and described the chief agencies in the movement as well as the 

 lineage and religion of the inhabitants of the island. It seems that 

 the first colony permanently settled in Newfoundland was that 

 of John Guy, who acted as manager for a company in which Lord 

 Bacon was a shareholder. Colonies were also formed by Lord Balti- 

 more in 1623, and several by the French and Portuguese. 



The main industries were described as the summer and spring fish- 

 eries ; the first of cod, salmon and herring, the second of seals. The fish 

 caught was valued at from ten to twelve million dollars, the number 

 of seals reckoned at a yearly average of 600,000. The condition of 

 the fishermen, which had been almost hopeless from the crushing 

 weight upon them of the supply system, was improving. Education 

 was doing something for them, facilities of communication more. 

 Their great need was a home market, at least a market nearer than 

 Brazil, Spain or Italy. Formerly Newfoundland's surplus wealth 

 was drawn to the West of England, the shores of the Mersey and 

 Clyde, but is now adorning her own capital and spreading a spirit 

 of enterprise among her people. They look to Canada and the 

 West rather than to Britain and the East. The question of Con- 

 federation, he said, is with Newfoundland one of terms, and may 

 be expected to be answered in the affirmative in the near future. 



In the discussion which followed Mr. J. M. Buchan, Mr. 

 Fred. Phillips, Mr. James Bain, jun., Mr. Geo. E. Shaw, Mr. 

 John Notman, and Mr. B. B. Hughes took part. 



