VOYAGE TO SPITZBEItGEN. 37 



here. They bring with them fish, fowl, eggs, &c. 

 for which they get beef, pork, flour, meal, or such 

 provisions as they may wish to have. They choose 

 rather to barter than sell for money, probably for 

 this reason, that they generally get more than the 

 value of their commodities ; at least, they do not 

 fail to ask plenty, and have cunning enough to lay 

 down their case as very deplorable, which tends to 

 excite in the breasts of commanders of vessels that 

 sympathy which is so peculiar to sailors. The 

 Shetlanders, by these means, find a Very good 

 market for such things as they have to dispose of, 

 and generally get as much meat and drink as they 

 can take while on board. 



The Shetland Isles are divided into twelve pa- 

 rishes, in which are placed twelve ministers, the 

 office of some of whom is very laborious, there be- 

 ing different small islands in one parish : besides, 

 the paths are remarkably bad, and the people so 

 wretchedly poor, that they cannot afford to accom- 

 modate their pastor in times of public examina- 

 tions, visitations, &c. insomuch, that unless he 

 carry with him, on those occasions, some store 

 of viaticum, he must content himself with the 

 soothing hope of a hearty meal on his return- 

 home. 



