Cape Breton Island enters the narrative as a point in the maritime and imperial calculations surrounding England’s rise: amid anticipated French concessions, Louis XIV would have welcomed England’s tolerance of French cod fishing there. The reference presents the island not through a local scene but through the strategic stakes attached to access to its fisheries.

Maritime and Imperial Context

The island is named during a survey of England’s expanding strength. The account describes England as pressing its advantage over France and anticipating that Louis XIV might relinquish claims or influence elsewhere, including in Acadia, St. Christopher, and Newfoundland. In this setting, continued French cod fishing at Cape Breton Island appears as something the French king might hope to secure from England.

Fisheries and Political Leverage

The passage links Cape Breton Island to cod fishing rather than to a narrated occupation, battle, or settlement. Its significance lies in the contrast between the retreat attributed to France and the limited concession Louis XIV would have been glad to obtain: permission to fish. The wording marks this as a hoped-for arrangement, not evidence that England actually granted it.

Narrative Significance

Cape Breton Island is one element in a catalogue of England’s growing international reach. Its brief appearance gives the account a concrete maritime dimension: imperial power is measured not only by military victories and territorial gains, but also by the ability to determine whether a rival may continue fishing. The novel supplies no further description of the island or of events there.