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by providence to preserve the species from being entirely destroyed by any accidents or enemies whatsoever!

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The gulf of St. Lawrence, and the coasts of Nova Scotia, and Cape Breton, as well as those of Newfoundland, abound with these inexhaustible treasures, these rich mines, which are of greater value, and cheaper wrought, than those of Peru and Mexico: for, besides the great profit which particular persons make of this fishery, considering the seamen it breeds, the tradesmen it maintains, and the shipping it requires, the increase of the national stock arising from thence is almost incredible. A ship of a hundred tons, with the charge only of victuals, wages, and fishing-tackle for twenty hands, shall carry to market in Portugal, Spain, or Italy, three thousand pounds worth of fish, by which the proprietors shall gain at least two thousand; so that a hundred and fifty such ships will clear three hundred thousand pounds annually, and consequently so much will the public and private stock be increased.

It is to be observed, that there are two sorts of salt cod, the one called green or white, the other dried or cured; but they are both the same fish, only differently prepared. The best, largest, and fattest cod are those taken on the south side of the great bank; and the best season is from the beginning of February to the end of April, for then the cod, which during the winter had retired to the deepest parts of the sea, return to the bank, aud grow very fat. Those caught from March to June keep tolerably well; which cannot be said of those taken in July, August, and September. An experienced fisherman, though he only takes one fish at a time, will catch three hundred and

fifty or four hundred in a day, but not often so many; for it is very fatiguing work, both on account of the weightiness of the fish, and the cold that reigns about the bank. When the heads of the fish are cut off, their bellies opened, and the entrails taken out, the salter (on whose ability and care the success of the voyage chiefly depends) ranges them in the bottom of the vessel, and, having made a layer thereof a fathom or two square, he covers it with salt; over this he lays another, and covers it as before; and thus he disposes all the fish of one day, taking care never to mix the fish of different days together. When the cod have thus lain to drain for three or four days, they are moved into another part of the vessel, and salted a second time; and this is all the preparation these green fish undergo.

The principal fishery for cod intended to be dried is along the southern coast of Newfoundland, where there are several commodious ports to carry the fish ashore: and though the fish are smaller here than at the bank, on that account they are the fitter to keep, as the salt penetrates them the better. As cod are only to be dried in the sun, the European vessels are obliged to put to sea in March or April, in order to have the benefit of the summer for drying. Some vessels indeed are sent in June and July, but those only purchase fish already prepared by the English settled in Newfoundland, giving them meal, brandy, biscuit, pulse, linen, &c. in exchange. When the ships arrive in the spring, and have fixed upon a station, some of the crew build a stage or scaffold on shore, whilst the rest are a fishing, and as fast as they catch their fish they land them, open them, and salt them, on moveable benches; but the principal salting is

performed on the scaffold. As soon as the fish have taken salt they wash them, and then lay them in piles to drain. When drained, they range them on hurdles, head to tail, and whilst they lie thus they turn them four times every four and twenty hours. As they begin to dry, they lay them in heaps, of ten or twelve each; and continue to enlarge the heaps every day, till they are double their first bulk. At length they join two of these heaps together, and turn them every day, as before. Lastly, they salt them over again, beginning with those that have been salted first, and then lay them in huge piles as big as hay-stacks. Thus they remain, till they are carried on board, where they are laid on branches of trees, disposed for that purpose at the bottom of the vessel, with mats all round, to prevent their contracting any moisture.-Besides the fish itself there are other commodities obtained from it, viz. the tripes and tongues, which are salt. ed at the same time with the fish, and put up in barrels; the roes or eggs, which, being salted and barrelled up, are of use to cast into the sea to draw. fish together, particularly pilchards; and the oil, which is drawn from the livers, and used in dressing of leather,

NEW DISCOVERIES.

CHAP. I.

OF THE OTAHEITEAN ISLANDS.

Historical Account of the Discovery.

NEAR fifteen centuries elapsed before the exist

ence of the western continent was known to the inhabitants of the eastern; but the exertions of the great Columbus, and the advantages resulting from his discoveries, stimulated others to imitate his example; and that quarter and its appendages were more fully explored.

Amid these discoveries, however, which were carried on with considerable ardour, the islands of Otaheitee remained concealed in their insulated dwelling for about two centuries longer. Some indeed have imagined, that this part of the world was visited in the year 1606; but this opinion mingles with those of dubious evidence.

Declining, therefore, to enter the regions of conjecture, we proceed to observe, that Otaheitee and its adjacent isles were discovered in 1767, by Captain Wallis, who had received a commission from his Britannic majesty to sail with the Dolphin, the Swallow, and Prince Frederick, in quest of new regions. After the necessary preparations, Captain Wallis commenced his voyage; and, having visited different islands, and endured a variety

of hardships, he at length arrived off Otaheitee, on the 18th of June, 1767.

On the morning of that day, discovering land at the distance of four or five leagues, and sailing towards it, he deemed it prudent to cast anchor in consequence of a thick fog. When the fog dispersed, he was much surprised to find his ship surrounded with a number of canoes full of people, who seemed overwhelmed with astonishment; and, with the most violent emotions, conversed together concerning the uncommon object before them. Some,trifles were shown them, and signs were made to come on board. After a general consultation among themselves, they came round the ship, with apparent signs of friendship; and one delivered an oration, holding a branch of a plantain-tree in his hand, which, at the conclusion, he threw into the sea. Then a young native, more courageous than his companions, ventured on board. The captain offered him some presents, but he declined accepting them until the canoes, coming along-side, threw into the ship some branches of the plantain-tree. Some ventured on board, but none by the proper ascent. Wandering upon deck, and gazing on the surrounding wonders, a goat belonging to the ship ran against one of them, who instantly leaped over the ship's side, and was followed by all his companions. When their terror had subsided, however, they returned to the ship; and some sheep, hogs, and poultry being shown them, they intimated that they were acquainted with the two latter. The Captain gave them some nails and other trifles, and signified that he wanted hogs, fruits, and fowls; but they' did not appear to understand his request. In this first interview, they were detected of several at

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