Besides, As In The Months Of June,
July, August And September, The Heat Is Somewhat More Than In England
At Those Seasons:
So men remaining upon the south parts near unto Cape
Race, until after holland-tide (All-hallow-tide - November 1), have not
found the cold so extreme, nor much differing from the temperature of
England.
Those which have arrived there after November and December
have found the snow exceeding deep, whereat no marvel, considering the
ground upon the coast is rough and uneven, and the snow is driven into
the places most declining, as the like is to be seen with us. The like
depth of snow happily shall not be found within land upon the plainer
countries, which also are defended by the mountains, breaking off the
violence of winds and weather. But admitting extraordinary cold in
those south parts, above that with us here, it cannot be so great as
in Swedeland, much less in Moscovia or Russia: yet are the same
countries very populous, and the rigour of cold is dispensed with by
the commodity of stoves, warm clothing, meats and drinks: all of which
need not be wanting in the Newfoundland, if we had intent there to
inhabit.
In the south parts we found no inhabitants, which by all likelihood
have abandoned those coasts, the same being so much frequented by
Christians; but in the north are savages altogether harmless. Touching
the commodities of this country, serving either for sustentation of
inhabitants or for maintenance of traffic, there are and may be made
divers; so that it seemeth that nature hath recompensed that only
defect and incommodity of some sharp cold, by many benefits; namely,
with incredible quantity, and no less variety, of kinds of fish in the
sea and fresh waters, as trouts, salmons, and other fish to us
unknown; also cod, which alone draweth many nations thither, and is
become the most famous fishing of the world; abundance of whales, for
which also is a very great trade in the bays of Placentia and the
Grand Bay, where is made train oil of the whale; herring, the largest
that have been heard of, and exceeding the Marstrand herring of
Norway; but hitherto was never benefit taken of the herring fishing.
There are sundry other fish very delicate, namely, the bonito,
lobsters, turbot, with others infinite not sought after; oysters
having pearl but not orient in colour; I took it, by reason they were
not gathered in season.
Concerning the inland commodities, as well to be drawn from this land,
as from the exceeding large countries adjoining, there is nothing
which our east and northerly countries of Europe do yield, but the
like also may be made in them as plentifully, by time and industry;
namely, resin, pitch, tar, soap-ashes, deal-board, masts for ships,
hides, furs, flax, hemp, corn, cables, cordage, linen cloth, metals,
and many more. All which the countries will afford, and the soil is
apt to yield. The trees for the most in those south parts are fir-
trees, pine, and cypress, all yielding gum and turpentine.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 16 of 28
Words from 8184 to 8702
of 14986
