Newfoundland in 1897 - Rumbolt

vi PREFACE.
Thus it has coine to pass that in this Jubilee Year a
strong
desire for closer union discovers itself unmis-
takably. If the Colonial children have been growing
in affection, it is not less true that England has also
been moving nearer to them in parental feeling and
thought; and now from both of them comes the cry,
" We are one."
The illustrious reign of our beloved Queen may, and
I trust will, be rendered still more glorious by the
initiation of a movement towards the grand consum-
mation of the Federation of the Colonies with the
mother-land ; by which they may become integral parts
of one great whole, linked by ties that coming years
will render stronger and stronger.
In this year, when the Colonies will be worthily
represented in the pomp and pageantry which the great
celebration calls for, and when, doubtless, they will be
much in men's thoughts and in their speech, it seems
not inopportune to present some account of England's
first Colony, of which so little is known, but in which
the feeling of . loyal attachment to the throne and
empire is, and has ever been, true and strong.
The story of Newfoundland, in many ways,
is one
of unique interest. Here England achieved her first
success in maritime discovery. Here her first attempt
at planting a Colony was made. In prosecuting the
fisheries of Newfoundland, English sailors first learned
how to rule the waves. The wealth derived from these
fisheries helped largely to build up England's com-
mercial greatness. For many years
its fisheries were
the best nursery for her seamen ; and they ultimately