Near the south-eastern extremity of Labrador is the island of
_Newfoundland_; which, at present, constitutes an important station, for
the British cod-fisheries. It is of triangular form, and about three
hundred miles in circuit; and, though it lies between the same parallels
of latitude as the south of France, its climate is very severe. In
winter the rivers are frozen to the thickness of several feet; and,
during this season, the earth is covered with snow, and the cold is so
intense that the power of vegetation is destroyed. The coasts abound in
creeks, roads, and harbours; and the interior of the island is full of
steep rocks, woody hills, and sandy valleys; and of plains, interspersed
with rocks, lakes, and marshes. A very small portion of it is at present
cultivated; for neither the soil nor the climate is favourable to
productions necessary to the support of human life. _St. John's_, the
chief town of the island, is a mean and ill-built place, with narrow and
dirty streets. It is situated on the south-eastern part of the coast,
and has a considerable harbour.
This island formerly belonged to the French; but, in 1713, it was ceded
to the English, to whom it still belongs. Its chief importance is
derived from its vicinity to an immense bank, beneath the surface of the
ocean, which is frequented by myriads of cod-fish. On this bank there
are annually employed more than two thousand fishing-vessels; and four
hundred merchant-ships, in conveying the fish to different parts of the
world. All the fish are caught by lines; and they are conveyed to the
shores of Newfoundland, to be salted and dried, or otherwise prepared
for exportation. The Newfoundland fishery usually commences about the
middle of May, and continues till the end of September.