ous active chieftains to lead the movement, if they saw there was the slightest chance of recovering their independence; and once in possession of the Crimean peninsula, the whole force of Moscovy would not be able to dislodge them.

Finally, we may be assured it is highly expedient that some decisive blow should be struck in the Crimea before the campaign of 1854 is at an end, otherwise Russia will have time during the winter to make preparations for recommencing the war in the ensuing spring, when we shall find ourselves in a worse position than ever. Hitherto the fortune of war has been in favour of Russia in the East, and this we fear will continue, unless the Circassians are publicly declared independent by Turkey and the Western Powers, which will have the effect of drawing to our standard a host of the bravest warriors of any country, besides exciting to arms the other nationalities of the Caucasus, who are only held in subjection by terror; at the same time Persia, a power that has already suffered so much at the hands of Russia, would be certain to join the coalition, and add another enemy to Russian aggression.

THE RECIPROCITY TREATY AND BRITISH AMERICA.

THE Senate of the United States passed, on the 28th of July, 1851, the following resolution, which, at the present moment, when the socalled Reciprocity Treaty may be regarded as an accomplished fact, is not without interest:

"That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to communicate to the Senate, as early as possible in the next session, full and complete statements of the trade and commerce of the British North American Colonies with the United States and other parts of the world, on land and by sea, in the years 1850 and 1851, with such information as he can procure of the trade of the great lakes."

The task of procuring the information desired was undertaken by Israel D. Andrews, Consul of the United States for Canada and New Brunswick. The result of his labours we have now before us, in a work containing very valuable information carefully and lucidly arranged.

Of the deep-sea fisheries in the bay of Fundy, and along the Grand Bank of Newfoundland, as connected with our own particular interests, we shall speak first. By the Convention of 1818, it was decreed that, excepting near certain portions of the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, and around the Magdalen Islands, the Americans were not to fish, save at a distance of three marine miles from the land. These terms were accepted; but all parties concerned did not agree in interpreting them. The provincial authorities were of opinion that the three miles should be measured from headland to headland, and not from the bays or indents of the coast. The English Government modified the construction put upon the original conditions; still the Americans are not satisfied. But as there are several sides to a

question, our transatlantic friends ought to remember that the advantages after which they long, may not, perhaps, be attained without loss to the Canadians. The American fishermen are allowed to land on the west coast of Newfoundland and on the coast of Labrador, for the purpose of salting and drying their fish. Of this privilege they do not avail themselves, not finding it of any practical advantage. They wish for a right to fish within three miles of the land, wheresoever they please, together with permission to land anywhere they like, and to establish fishing stations on the coast, paying the owner, of course, for the use of the ground. These desires are very natural; but whether they are quite reasonable, is another question. That the American, fishing on the Newfoundland coast, is under disadvantages, there can be doubt; but the most welcome guest could scarcely expect to be invested with the command of his host's house. The codfish caught in the Gulf of St. Lawrence by the natives of the United States, are pickle-salted in the first instance, and afterwards dried and cured when the vessels return home. This is a disadvantage arising from the want of fishing-stations on the coast, for the fish caught in the commencement of the voyage, is, of necessity, left four months in salt; that taken at the close of the trip remains in salt one month. When the fish is unladen it is of a dull, ashy colour, with neither taste nor smell but that imparted by the salt. Besides this, it is so brittle as scarcely to bear handling. It is unnecessary to add, that the home consumption of such an article is every year diminishing, whilst the fish is wholly unfit for the foreign markets.

Nor does it appear that the mackerel fishing thrives better than that of the cod. When the fish is plenty, it sometimes happens that a full fare is made in four or five days. The vessel is then obliged to leave the fishing, to make a long voyage to her port of return in the northern States. The chances are, that before she can return, the fish have taken their departure, or the season is over. We perceive all the disadvantages that the fishers of the United States have to contend with; but the Canadians, being in the inverse of the position in which the frogs of old found themselves, might say: What's death to you is sport to us." However this may be, it is quite clear that the right to fish within three miles of the land is very important, as regards the mackerel fishery, as the best and fattest fish are found close to the shore. Nor is this right less important with regard to the cod and herrings. Every spring, as soon as the ice disappears in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the herrings approach the shore in great quantities, in order to deposit their spawn. The cod, which prey upon the herrings, follow them, and in the early part of May are found in abundance within half a mile of the land in very shoal water, where they may be taken with perfect ease.

Permission to establish permanent fishing-stations within the Gulf of St. Lawrence, would not alone secure to the Americans great pecuniary advantages, but may be also the means of preventing those terrible accidents, involving loss of life, which are so frequent on these coasts. This last consideration has most weight with us. Though admitting, to the fullest extent, the principles of free-trade, we feel

that there are privileges of ownership that are inalienable. The terrible loss of life and property that occurred in the October of 1850, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, may possibly have been averted, were there stations on shore to which the crews of the ships could resort, and where they may find employment during the continuance of the bad weather at sea. The Americans also complain that the navigation of the St. Lawrence is not open to them, for which reason they are obliged to send their fish home by a long and dangerous route round Nova Scotia. Without entering into a discussion of the grievances of one party and the rights of another, we shall content ourselves by saying, with the good Sir Roger, "Much may be said on both sides."

Now, let us see how the French manage their fisheries at Newfoundland. It appears that each Frenchman engaged in these fisheries received large bounties from Government. The laws which regulated these bounties having expired, the subject was discussed by the National Assembly, on the 20th of December, 1850. From the reports then brought forward, it was shown that France had paid in bounties for the cod-fishing alone, from the years 1841 to 1850 inclusive, the annual sum of 3,900,000 francs; the number of men employed annually being on an average 11,500, making the annual expense for each man 338 francs. The French Government willingly incur this expense, believing that, by this means, hardy seamen are trained for the navy, and that the cost of such training would be much more on board vessels of war. Notwithstanding the large bounties that had been given by the French, previous to 1850, it was found by the reports then brought forward, that the fisheries were languishing. Their remoteness from the seat of Government was supposed to be one of the chief causes of this decay. To stimulate exertion, it was recommended that the bounties should be increased. This was acceded to, and a new law was passed, on the 22d of June, 1851. The rate of bounties then fixed on, and which is to continue in force until 1861, is very large. Each of the crew employed in the cod-fishing, with drying, on the coast of Newfoundland, or on the Grand Bank, is to have 50 francs.

Each man employed in the fisheries in the seas surrounding Iceland, without drying, is entitled to 50 francs.

Each man employed in the cod fishing on the Grand Bank, without drying, 50 francs.

For each man employed in the fishery on the Dogger Bank, 15 francs.

Besides these bounties to the crew, the French also give bounties on the produce of the fisheries.

For dried cod, of French catch, exported directly from the place where the same is caught, or from the warehouse in France, to French colonies in America or India, or to the French establishments on the west coast of Africa, or to transatlantic countries, provided the same are landed at a port where there is a French consul, per quintal metrique (equal to 220 lbs. avoirdupois), 20 francs.

Dried cod, of French catch, exported either direct from the place

where caught, or from ports in France, to European countries, or foreign States, within the Mediterranean, except Sardinia and Algeria, per quintal metrique, 16 francs.

Dried cod, of French catch, exported either to French colonies in America or India, or to transatlantic countries, from ports in France, without being warehoused, per quintal metrique, 16 francs.

Dried cod, of French catch, exported direct from the place where caught, or from the ports of France, to Sardinia or Algeria, per quin- . tal metrique, 12 francs.

Besides these enumerated, there is a bounty of 20 francs per quintal metrique, upon cod liver, brought by French vessels into France, as the product of their fishery.

The French fisherman receives a bounty equal, or very nearly equal, to the price that the American can obtain for his fish in the home market. This presents a serious competition. Every encouragement is afforded by the French Government; high bounties are given, and the duty taken off all salt used at Newfoundland. The treaty signed at Paris, in 1824, restored the fisheries at Newfoundland to the French. They soon took possession of the west and north-east coast; and, stimulated by the high bounties offered by the Government, the French fishermen competed successfully with the British in the foreign markets.

The importance of Newfoundland as a fishery cannot be overrated, though neither the climate nor the soil presents inducements that would make it an agreeable residence. Situated on the northern side of the entrance of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, whose waters separate it from Canada, its southern point approaches within about 46 miles of Cape Breton; the straits of Belleisle separate the island on the north and north-west from Labrador, whilst the mighty Atlantic washes the eastern side. The sea-coast of Newfoundland, nearly a thousand miles in extent, is indented with numerous bays, harbours, creeks, and estuaries. The aspect of Newfoundland from the sea is wild and sterile, but offers nothing either majestic or sublime; the hills never rise into mountains, the valleys never expand into plains. The undulations of hill and valley give to the landscape the character of roughness, but not of grandeur; though the summits of the hills and the sides of the valleys are often thickly-wooded. The sea-cliffs, bold and steep, rise almost perpendicularly from the shore, where deep water flows round their base. Newfoundland is well-wooded, and where the axe has not intruded, trees of fair girth and height may be found; but most of the wood is of small and stunted growth, consisting chiefly of fir trees, from twenty to thirty feet in height, and about three or four inches in diameter. These trees are so thick set, that their branches are often interlaced from top to bottom, forming an impenetrable thicket.

The vegetation of Newfoundland is classified under three heads, known as woods, marshes, and barrens. The marshes are not always low lands; they are often a considerable height above the sea; nor is the surface always level. Sometimes embosomed in the woods, the marshes are covered with a soft, green, spongy mass, bound together

by straggling grass, and various marsh plants. As the surface is generally very uneven, the moss upon the more elevated parts becomes dry and crisp; and occasionally a small rock protrudes, covered with red or white lichens. These varieties in colour, contrast charmingly with the dark, velvety green of the wet moss, giving the whole a peculiarly rich appearance. The moss which covers the marshes, seems like a great sponge spread over the country; and when in spring the snow dissolves, this grassy covering becomes saturated with water, which it long retains, and which, increased by every fresh shower of rain, keeps the marshes constantly wet. But for the spongy nature of the moss, these places would be comparatively dry; the slope of the ground being sufficient for surface drainage.

The "barrens," is a designation given to the summits of hills and ridges, where a scanty vegetation of dwarf shrubs and berry-bearing plants is found. Neither the "woods," "marshes," nor "barrens," are of great extent, as in a single day's journey the traveller may pass over many of each.

Another feature in Newfoundland scenery, is the immense number of lakes, which, however varying in extent, are indiscriminately called "ponds." Some of these ponds are thirty miles in length; others do not present a diameter of more than fifty yards. Though these lakes are so numerous, that the number of those two miles in extent, must be nearly two hundred, whilst those of smaller dimensions are absolutely countless, it is a striking circumstance, that there is not in the whole island, a river that may be called navigable. That there are no great rivers, may be attributable to the broken and undulating character of the ground; besides which, each set of ponds pours its waters into the small adjacent valley, through which they take the nearest course to the sea. But the thick covering of moss which overlays the country, is the chief cause, both of the scantiness of the brooks and the number of the ponds. This great sponge absorbs nearly all the moisture afforded either by rain or the melting of the snow; the surplus fills the ponds, and supplies the scanty brooks that drivel to the sea. The area of Newfoundland, is estimated at 23,040,000 acres. Of this ground, one-third is supposed to be covered with fresh water.

Labrador, which was re-annexed to the government of Newfoundland in 1808, has a sea-coast of about one hundred miles. The population, including the Esquimaux and Moravians, amount to about 10,000 souls; though the country is in extent equal to France, Spain, and Germany. In these dreary regions, even in the month of June, the coast is ice-bound; and the cold of September is sufficient to form the first winter ice. Cold, barren, and gloomy, this land would never be touched by the foot of man, were it not for the riches of animal life contained in the sea around. Furs and fish constitute the staple commodity of trade of Labrador. There is, besides, considerable traffic carried on in what is called the "egging business." The eggs most esteemed are those of puffins, gannets, gulls, eider ducks, and cormorants, which have a good sale in Halifax and Boston.

The fisheries of Newfoundland are of too much importance not to