15SI Account of Harris. 



table diversity in their appearance. In general they are of small 

 stature ; those individuals who are considered by them as exceed- 

 ing the ordinary size, dnd accordingly designated by the epithet 

 Mor, or Big, seldom exceeding 5 feet 10 inches in height. 

 Scarcely any attain the height of 6 feet ; and many of the males 

 are not higher than 5 feet 3 or 4 inches. They are in general 

 robust, seldom, however, in any degree corpulent, and as sel- 

 dom exhibiting the attenuated and pithless frame so common in 

 large, and especially in manufacturing towns. The women are 

 proportionally shorter, and more robust, than the men. There 

 is nothing very peculiar in the Harrisian physiognomy ; the 

 cheek-bones are rather prominent, and the nose is invariably 

 short ; the space between it and the chin being disproportionate- 

 ly long. The complexion is of all tints. Many individuals are 

 as dark as mulattoes, while others are nearly as fair as Danes. 

 In so far as I have been able to observe, the dark race is supe- 

 rior to the fair in stature and strength. 



It is scarcely possible to conceive a constitution more callous 

 to all sorts of vicissitudes and hardships, than that of the He- 

 bridians in general. A^native of Harris thinks nothing of labour- 

 ing in a cold and boisterous spring-day with his spade, up to 

 the ankles in water, and drenched with rain and sleet. Nor is 

 there to be found a race more patient under privation. A small 

 quantity of coarse oatmeal and cold water will suffice to support 

 him under fatigues that would knock up a pampered English- 

 man or Lowlander. In respect to intellect, they are acute, ac- 

 curate observers of natural phenomena, quick of apprehension, 

 and fluent in speech. In their moral character, they are at least 

 much superior to the population of most of the lowland parishes. 

 Murder and robbery are never heard of among them ; and if 

 petty theft be sometimes practised, it is by no means com- 

 mon. They are of an obliging disposition, hospitable in the 

 highest degree, charitable to their poor. The spirit of inde- 

 pendence, however, which characterizes the Englishman, is un- 

 known among them, and, accordingly, their respect for their 

 superiors degenerates into servility. They are, in general, not 

 a little addicted to flattery and scandal. In their quarrels they 

 are profuse in abusive epithets ; but it is seldom that they come 



