Browne — The Ethnography of Gammna and Lettermullen. 245 



people of these islands are not idle or lazy. They could not live if they 

 were, as life is one long struggle to them. 



As parents they are kind and indulgent. They object strongly to 

 children being caned at school, as they do not usually punish tliem 

 corporally themselves, or, if they beat them at all, only make a pretence 

 of chastisement, using a bit of straw rope or sometliing of that sort. 

 Pumily affection is a very marked trait in their character. They are 

 very devout in the practices of their religion. 



As might be expected from the nature of their occupations and 

 environment they have a strong faith in the supernatural, and their 

 folk-lore is rich and varied. As boatmen and fishermen they are 

 skilful, hardy, and courageous. With strangers they are at first shy 

 and taciturn, but this is largely due to slight knowledge of English. 

 Once they get over the first suspicion of the stranger they are very 

 communicative as far as the language difficulty will allow. Curiosity 

 and anxiety for news are very marked characters. On the whole the 

 people are decidedly pleasant and attractive, once the first difficulties 

 of acquaintance are got over. 



5. Folk-Names. — The following list (on pp. 246-247) comprises 

 all the surnames at present to be met with on the islands. 



Double surnames, i.e. the use of one name when speaking Irish, 

 and another, often a translation or supposed translation, when speaking 

 English, are not known in this district, though common in some other 

 parts of Ireland. 



The custom prevails here, as elsewhere, of distinguishing between 

 people of the same Christian name and surname by affixing to the 

 latter the Christian name of the person's father, e.g. Tom M'Donogh 

 (Simon). 



