Page:Irish In America.djvu/197

Rh them, and he asserts that religion, education, civilization, are all suffering from this curse of dogs, worse than all the plagues of Egypt to this unfortunate country. The lec tures from which these strong passages are quoted were delivered in 1860 ; but I am not aware how far he was successful in turning the public sentiment in favour of sheep and against their implacable enemy, the noble Newfoundland. The reader will perceive that this Irish Bishop is as vigorous as a reformer of abuse and promoter of material improvement, as he is energetic as a founder of religious and educational institutions, and builder of cathe drals. There is a genuine ring in this comprehensive coun sel : My earnest advice would be, kill the dogs, introduce settlers, encourage domestic manufactures, home-made linen and home-spun cloth, and Newfoundland will be come the Paradise of the working man. The mineral capabilities of the country are now attract ing attention, and promise to prove an important element in its resources. A mineralogical survey, instituted by the Government, is in progress, and the results already estab lished justify considerable expectations. A copper mine is in successful operation ; and besides copper, lead and coals are known to exist in several parts of the island. The Government afford every encouragement to mining enter prise. For a fine of 51. any one may obtain a licence of search over three square miles, and at any time within two years he can select from the tract over which his licence extends one square mile, for which he becomes entitled to a grant in fee, the only further charge being a royalty of 2J per cent, for the first five years working. With such liberal terms on the part of the Government, aided by the valuable information which their survey is likely to diffuse, it may fairly be expected that the latent mineral wealth of Newfoundland may ere long afford employment to many thousands of its population. The Irish portion of the colonists are not in any respect