6 VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 



making any remarks previous to our landing in 

 Shetland. 



On the 25th at noon, we cast anchor in Bressay 

 Sound, opposite Lerwick, the capital of the Shet- 

 land Isles. 



This town is situated in Mainland, so called 

 from its being the principal of these Isles. It is 

 about half a mile long, and is irregularly built ; 

 but contains some good houses, and is inhabited by 

 about one thousand eight hundred persons. It is 

 the seat of the courts held by the Sheriff-depute, 

 or Stewart-depute. Two packets, or traders, hav- 

 ing good cabins, and tolerable accommodation for 

 passengers, sail occasionally between this and 

 Leith. 



Lerwick derives its chief support from the courts 

 of law, and from the vessels employed in the whale- 

 fishery making this harbour their rendezvous. 



Near the north end of the town stands Fort Char- 

 lotte, a small fortification mounting eighteen lanre 

 guns, from eighteen to thirty pounders, besides se- 

 veral very large field pieces. It commands the 

 north entry to Bressay Sound, and is garrisoned by 

 a small detachment of invalids. 



In the neighbourhood of this town there is a cha- 

 lybeate spring, but it is<not much esteemed for its 

 medical virtues. 



