them; a ministry should recollect that if they want to sit firm, it must be by upholding the immense domestic and colonial industry of England, which seems now abandoned for fallacious doctrines of free trade with France and other countries, while maxims, that if carried into operation, would speedily ruin a private mercantile establishment, are absurdly supposed to be the surest guides for promoting and securing the business and welfare of a commercial empire. RELIGION, EDUCATION AND THE PRESS.-There has usually existed a very commendable harmony of religious feeling between the different persuasions,-the Wesleyans, Roman Catholics, Congregationists, and Dissenters generally, being more numerous than the Episcopalian Church, over which there is an archdeacon; the Romish Church has a bishop. Since the introduction of a local legislature, the clergy unhappily have taken an active part in the elections, by which course they have distracted the community; but it is to be hoped the excitement will gradually subside, and things will assume their former tone. As regards the Press, there are no less than five newspapers published at St. John's weekly, namely, the "Royal Gazette," " Public Ledger," (twice a week,)" Newfoundlander," "Times," and "Patriot;" their politics are various, but the latter is most distinguished by the peculiarity of its character, which is furiously radical, and at variance with the sentiments of a vast majority of the population, though edited with much industry and some talent. At Harbour Grace they publish the "Conception Bay Mercury," and at Carbonear the Star," also weekly, both respectable journals. Of late years, the taste for 66 literature has greatly increased, and it is but due to VALUE OF PROPERTY. 331 NATURE and VALUE of PROPERTY annually created in Newfoundland', and if not consumed, converted into Moveable or Immoveable Property:— Animal food for 80,000 mouths, at 200 lbs. each £266,666 per annum, at 4d. per pound Fish for 80,000 mouths, at 150 lbs. each per annum, at ld. per pound.... 50,000 Bread and other vegetables for 80,000 mouths, at 3d. per day for each 365,000 Butter, milk, cheese, and eggs, for 80,000 mouths, at 1d. per day for each Luxuries-viz. wines, spirits, ale, tea, coffee, sugar, &c. for 80,000 mouths, at 3d. each per day...... Food for horses, cows, &c. 40,000, at 17. each Clothes and furniture worn out, for 80,000 mouths, at 17. each... Domestic produce Income from business, or profits on professions Total annual production of property VALUE OF MOVEABLE PROPERTY. 120,166 365,000 ...... 40,000 80,000 500,000 ... 100,000 10,000 House furniture, &c. 15,000 houses, at 107. each.. 150,000 Clothing and equipage, 80,000 mouths, at 57. each 1 The statistics of the island are so vague, that a very imperfect estimate can only be made of property; an estimate is however given for the purpose of promoting further inquiry. VALUE OF IMMOVEABLE PROPERTY. Houses, 15,000, at 10%. each £150,000 Warehouses, mills, &c. 100,000 Arable land, 100,000 acres, at 5l. per acre ...... 500,000 Land granted, but untilled, 200,000 acres, at 17. per acre 200,000 Land not granted, fit for use, 1,000,000 acres, at 5s. per acre... 250,000 Roads, canals, dykes, bridges, wharfs, &c. Total immoveable property.. Total moveable and immoveable SOCIAL STATE.—On this head there are not many remarks necessary, even did space permit; the inhabitants are principally divided into fishermen, traders, and merchants: the population is of a shifting nature; but under the fostering care of a local legislature will probably become more stationary. Agriculture is extending annually, and in general it has rewarded the toil and labour of the careful and industrious husbandman. The land might be made extensively useful in grazing farms; and as potatoes can be raised with much facility, hogs may be fed with success after the country is more opened and cleared.- It has been suggested the new government house, erected at an enormous expense, and quite disproportioned to the salary of the governor, might readily be converted into apartments for the legislative council and assembly to hold their sessions. At St. John's they have a Commercial Society, out of which a Chamber 7 of Commerce is chosen annually, to watch over and promote the trade and fisheries. There is a branch of the Bank of British North America now open at St. John's. The capital has a Benevolent Irish Society, and two Benefit Societies, under the denomination of the "Association of Fishermen and Shoremen," and a "Mechanics' Institution." There is also a Benevolent Irish Society in Conception Bay. |