houses and living, whose children were sent abroad to be educated, and returned to adorn functions that reflected the lustre of Paris.
As St. Pierre's wealth had been drawn from finny depths, so it dwindled, not through lack of cod, but through want of small fish to bait them. For without herring upon the hook, what avail the hordes that swim the shallows of the Banks? Newfoundland was the traditional source of dependable bait supply, and Newfoundland, long resentful at having to compete in open market with French codders who benefited by a Government bonus, took her revenge. A law was enacted making it illegal for her fishermen to sell bait to any vessel of a foreign nation. Thus was accomplished the ruin of St. Pierre.
With the local run of bait uncertain, armateurs hesitated to engage and pay the transportation of the sailors from France. Gradually, new methods prevailed. Vessels outfitted in Brittany, secured periwinkle bait on the Banks, shipped their catch in brine direct to France by transports provided for the purpose, and called at St. Pierre only when in need of repairs or minor provisions.
A fleet of one hundred and fifty brigs, brigantines and barkentines now leaves France in normal years for the Banks. Besides, there are twenty trawlers or more which have no need for bait, but like their brothers of the North Sea, trail cornucopia nets behind them.
