OSLA'S WEDDING. 329 



handed round, and sparingly partaken of; indeed, 

 there was nothing approaching to the slightest excess 

 throughout the wedding festivities. But Shetlanders, 

 I am proud to say, have always been an eminently 

 temperate people; and at the many weddings I have 

 been a guest, I have never seen any one forget him- 

 self by over-indulgence in drink. 



Dinner over, the tables and their contents were 

 quickly cleared away, the floor swept, and dancing 

 commenced in the but-end. Trsedie, the best fiddler 

 in the island — and as I have said when discoursing 

 of " Yule time " a first-rate one he was, genial 

 withal, a prime favourite, and always in great request 

 at weddings or other merrymakings — had, as a 

 matter of course, been invited. On the top of a huge 

 seaman's chest in a corner, a chair was set, and here 

 Fraedie took his place. Before commencing the hot 

 and highly fatiguing work of the evening, the men 

 disencumbered themselves of their coats, and the ball 

 began with what is termed a " sixum reel," which is 

 made up of three couples. This is always the most 

 common and popular dance amongst Shetlanders. The 

 figure of the reel is somewhat peculiar, but simple and 

 graceful. As to proper " steps," when the dancers set to 

 their partners, they were conspicuous by their absence ; 

 each dancer had a style and steps of his or her own. 

 Sixum, foursum, and threesum reels, and an occasional 

 country-dance, were engaged in with unflagging energy 

 and enthusiasm till tea-time. Eound-dances were 

 utterly unknown. Tea was served about seven 



