146 NEWFOUNDLAND . hardships to which a fisherman's life is subjected, more of them attain to longevity.* During the summer months, the days and nights are, with few exceptions, very pleasant. The tem¬ perature of the atmosphere is indeed frequently hot about mid-day, and often oppressively so ; but in the mornings and evenings, and at night, exceedingly agreeable. As there are nearly five degrees of latitude between the southern and northern points of Newfoundland, it follows that there is a considerable difference in the duration and severity of winter. The climate of may probably be considered as pos¬ sessing the mean temperature of the island. The most disagreeable periods are the setting in and breaking up of winter, and especially at the time when the large fields of ice, that are formed in the hyperborean regions, are carried along the coast by the northerly winds and currents. In comparing Newfoundland with any other coun¬ try, I consider that the of Scotland bear a striking resemblance to many parts of it; and * There was last year (1829), and probably is still, living on the island of , , a man named Martin Galten, more than 100 years old, in excellent health, and who caught that year, in a boat with his brother, ninety quintals of cod-fish. He piloted Captain Cook into about seventy years ago. There are many extraordinary instances of longevity in the same place ; among whom, Nancy Tibeau is the mother of four living generations; and a MrsTait, who died in 1819, was 125 years old, and was along with her third husband at the siege of Quebec . The above information was given me by a very intelligent gentleman residing at .