fifty or four hundred in a day, but not often so many; for it is very fatiguing work, both on account of the weightiness of the fish, and the cold that reigns about the bank. When the heads of the fish are cut off, their bellies opened, and the entrails taken out, the salter (on whose ability and care the success of the voyage chiefly depends) ranges them in the bottom of the vessel, and, having made a layer thereof a fathom or two square, he covers it with salt; over this he lays another, and covers it as before; and thus he disposes all the fish of one day, taking care never to mix the fish of different days together. When the cod have thus lain to drain for three or four days, they are moved into another part of the vessel, and salted a second time; and this is all the preparation. these green fish undergo..

The principal fishery for cod intended to be dried is along the southern coast of Newfoundland, where there are several commodious ports to carry the fish ashore and though the fish are smaller here than at the bank, on that account they are the fitter to keep, as the salt penetrates them the better. As cod are only to be dried in the sun, the European vessels are obliged to put to sea in March or April, in order to have the benefit of the summer for drying. Some vessels indeed are sent in June and July, but those only purchase fish already prepared by the English settled in Newfoundland, giving them meal, brandy, biscuit, pulse, linen, &c. in exchange.-When the ships arrive in the spring, and have fixed upon a station, some of the crew build a stage or scaffold on shore, whilst the rest are a fishing, and as fast as they catch their fish they land them, open them, and salt them, on moveable benches; but the principal salting is

performed on the scaffold. As soon as the fish have taken salt they wash them, and then lay them in piles to drain. When drained, they range them on hurdles, head to tail, and whilst they lie thus they turn them four times every four and twenty hours. As they begin to dry, they lay them in heaps, of ten or twelve each; and continue to enlarge the heaps every day, till they are double their first bulk. At length they join two of these heaps together, and turn them.every day, as before. Lastly, they salt them over again, beginning with those that have been salted first, and then lay them in huge piles as big as hay-stacks. Thus they remain till they are carried on board, where they are laid on branches of trees, disposed for that purpose at the bottom of the vessel, with mats all round, to prevent their contracting any moisture.-Besides the fish itself there are other commodities obtained from it, viz. the tripes and tongues, which are salted at the same time with the fish, and put up in barrels; the roes or eggs, which, being salted and barrelled up, are of use to cast into the sea to draw fish together, particularly pilchards; and the oil, which is drawn from the livers, and used in dressing of leather,

NEW DISCOVERIES.

'CHAP. I.

OF THE OTAHEITEAN ISLANDS.

Historical Account of the Discovery.

NEAR fifteen centuries elapsed before the exist

ence of the western continent was known to the inhabitants of the eastern; but the exertions of the great Columbus, and the advantages resulting from his discoveries, stimulated others to imitate his example; and that quarter and its appendages were more fully explored.

Amid these discoveries, however, which were carried on with considerable ardour, the islands of Otaheitee remained concealed in their insulated dwelling for about two centuries longer. Some indeed have imagined, that this part of the world was visited in the year 1606; but this opinion mingles with those of dubious evidence.

Declining, therefore, to enter the regions of conjecture, we proceed to observe, that Otaheitee and its adjacent isles were discovered in 1767, by Captain Wallis, who had received a commission from his Britannic majesty to sail with the Dolphin, the Swallow, and Prince Frederick, in quest of new regions. After the necessary preparations, Captain Wallis commenced his voyage; and, having visited different island's, and endured a variety

of hardships, he at length arrived off Otaheitee, on the 18th of June, 1767.

On the morning of that day, discovering land at the distance of four or five leagues, and sailing towards it, he deemed it prudent to cast anchor in consequence of a thick fog. When the fog dispersed, he was much surprised to find his ship surrounded with a number of canoes full of people, who seemed overwhelmed with astonishment; and, with the most violent emotions, conversed together concerning the uncommon object before them. Some trifles were shown them, and signs were made to come on board. After a general consultation among themselves, they came round the ship, with apparent signs of friendship; and one delivered an oration, holding a branch of a plantain-tree in his hand, which, at the conclusion, he threw into the sea. Then a young native, more courageous than his 'companions, ventured on board. The captain offered him some presents, but he declined accepting them until the canoes, coming along-side, threw into the ship some branches of the plantain-tree. Some ventured on board, but none by the proper ascent. Wandering upon deck, and gazing on the surrounding wonders, a goat belonging to the ship ran against one of them, who instantly leaped over the ship's side, and was followed by all his companions. When their terror had subsided, however, they returned to the ship; and some sheep, hogs, and poultry being shown them, they intimated that they were acquainted with the two latter. The Captain rave them some nails and other trifles, and signified at he wanted hogs, fruits, and fowls; but they not appear to understand his request. In this st interview, they were detected of several at

tempts to pilfer; and one of them in particular snatched a laced hat from one of the officers, and jumped over-board with it.

The captain having sent the boats to sound a bay which promised safe anchorage, the canoes surrounded them: and perceiving that their designs were hostile, he made a signal for them to return, and in the mean time fired a gun over their heads. The report at first alarmed them, but they attempted to prevent the return of the boats. With great reluctance the English were constrained to fire a musket, which, wounding the man who made the first attack, constrained the rest to flee with the utmost precipitation. Upon the return of the boats, the ship hastened to depart; but a large canoe was seen making towards it with great speed. The captain resolved to wait her arrival, on which, one of them, addressing the English in a formal oration, threw a branch of a plantain-tree on board, as the signal of peace, which signal was returned from the ship. To ratify the bond of proffered friendship, some small presents were given, with which they appeared highly satisfied, and so departed.

The Dolphin now set sail, and found herself next morning off a neck of land, crowded with natives. She anchored, and was quickly visited by some canoes, bringing fruit, fowls; and hogs; which were quickly bartered for a few nails and small toys.

The boats were again sent to sound along the shore for a safe anchorage, and were anew attacked by three large double canoes. The crew being constrained to defend themselves, they fired, and killed one and wounded another: both dropped into the sea, and their companions instantly dived, and, bringing them up, placed them in the canoe.