EAST TARBEKT. CASTLE. 



Ill 



five hundred herrings, and selling for about ten shillings. In casting their nets, 

 the fishermen observe the supposed injunction of our Saviour to St. Peter, 

 always casting them on the right, or starboard side of the boat. In like manner 

 the time of sailing is regulated by many superstitious observances ; but a cloudy 

 evening, as already mentioned, is considered the most propitious. Once under 

 weigh, and weather permitting, they light their fire and prepare supper, consisting 

 of fish, potatoes, oat cakes, porridge, and molasses ; from the latter a very 

 pleasant liquor is brewed in various parts of Scotland, called treacle-beer. If 

 the night be stormy, the repast is deferred ; but for which compensation is made 

 by a moderate allowance of whisky, of which there is always a small " reservoir" 

 on board ; for, " let the world sink or swim, the Tarbert man must have his 

 dram." It is very rarely, however, that this habit is carried to excess. The 

 paternal vigilance and exhortations of their pastors have been very successful 

 in checking a vice to which so many other fishermen have become irrecoverably 

 addicted ; and it is worthy of remark, that, among this humble class, the practice 

 of family worship is not uncommon. When out on the deep, watching their nets, 

 the fishermen, after supper, not unfrequently kneel down in united prayer, 

 concluding their devotions by singing a hymn. This excellent and pious habit 

 is also kept up in the same form when ashore, and, as Martin informs us, is 

 the invariable practice among the rude fishermen of St. Kilda. Of their respect 

 for the sabbath in Tarbert, some idea may be formed by their refusing to carry the 

 luggage of a neighbouring proprietor across the isthmus on that holy day. If any 

 dispute arises among them, it is adjusted by arbitration, for which three seniors 

 are appointed, and thus the too often ruinous process of litigation is prevented. 

 The same happy method of settling differences is practised among the primitive 

 Christians of the Alps the Waldenses and also, in some instances, among the 

 miners of Cornwall. " On one occasion," says an observer, " I found the 

 harbour of East Tarbert in a state of much excitement. The people were all 

 standing at their doors with smiling countenances, whilst a perpetual discharge 

 of fire-arms from different parts of the harbour greeted the ear. Soon after, 

 a procession, headed by the national music of the bagpipe, descended the hill, 

 some of whom returned from their muskets the martial salute of their fellow- 

 townsmen. It was a wedding party ; a young fisherman was the bridegroom, 

 and the whole procession moved on to the church, where the minister offered 

 up a prayer on behalf of the young couple, followed by a suitable exhortation 

 both in the Gaelic tongue. The friend of the bridegroom took off his glove, 

 a young girl performed the same office for the bride, and the marriage cere- 

 mony concluded according to the simple form of the Scottish Church. There 



