36 VOYAGE TO SFITZBERGEN. 



the window tax, as they have only a small hole be- 

 sides that of the chimney, on which is a door to shut 

 and open occasionally. 



The office-houses (where there are any) are 

 truly despicable. These the tenants build at their 

 own expense, and in the cheapest manner they 

 can, on account of the uncertainty of their te- 

 nure. 



Here are few inclosures, so that the land lies 

 almost wholly in open fields ; and by this breach of 

 agricultural economy their crops are exposed to the 

 ravages of the numerous sheep, cattle, &c. which 

 feed on the commons without herdsmen. 



These islanders trade chiefly to Leith, London, 

 and Hamburgh ; and with Dutch fishermen, and 

 such ships as visit their coasts. The chief exports 

 are linen and woollen yarn, rugs, stockings, butter, 

 dried fish, herrings, oil, feathers, skins of various 

 kinds, and kelp ; the manufacture of which was 

 first commenced in 1780. The commodities im- 

 ported are corn, oatmeal, spirits, tobacco, lines and 

 hooks, salt, &c 



Here the Greenland ships are frequently served 

 with mittens, night-caps, comforters, wigs, &c. 



The inhabitants are sure to come with their 

 boats alongside such ships as happen to call in 



