Newfoundland in 1897 - Rumbolt

30 NEWFOUNDLAND :
coast of Labrador as far north as Hudson's Strait.
Thus to Sebastian Cabot must be accorded the honour
of pioneering the way in Arctic exploration,
and of
kindling in the bosoms of Englishmen that passion
for Arctic discovery in which they have surpassed
all others, and put on record deeds of heroic bravery
which have won imperishable renown. Sebastian
Cabot led the way, and a long line of Arctic heroes
followed, the latest being the gallant Nansen. When
compelled to turn back by the ice and intense cold,
he sailed south as far as 38 N., thus discovering
the whole coast of North America, from Hudson's
Strait to Florida an event, as we have seen, of the
first magnitude in connection with the settlement of
the continent.
Some time after his return to England he was
invited by Ferdinand of Spain to enter his service.
He had no reason to consider himself under any
obligations to England. His discoveries had not yet
been understood or appreciated by the English, and
no objections were raised to his transference of his
services in 1512 to Spain. Ferdinand gave him an
honourable position and a salary of 50,000 maravedis
per annum. He wanted to turn to account Sebastian's
knowledge of the Baccalaos, or New Fish Lands, which
was considered of little or no value in England. Who
could blame him, under such circumstances, for removing
to Spain and accepting an office of honour and
emolument that of Grand Pilot of Spain and Head
at Seville ? This
of the Department of Cartography
office he held with credit to himself till 1546, both