THE ISLAND OF FOULA. 
ordinary contrast to the state of Fair Isle. Nor does the 
contrast end there. In Fair Isle, the natives are in general 
half-starved and ill-clothed, seem squalid and unhealthy, 
and have a look of savage apathy. In Foula, the reverse 
is the case: in every respect the inhabitants seem to be 
much at their ease, are decently clothed, and are of a cheer- 
ful, inquisitive character. Indeed, I met no peasantry in 
Shetland that equal them. Their frank, free disposition, 
simple primitive manners, render them a very amiable 
people. It seems difficult to account for the diiference be- 
tween the inhabitants of two small islands so near, and in 
every respect so similarly situate. The difficulty entirely 
ceases, however, when it is known that the Fair Islanders 
live principally by smuggling, and the Foulaese by fish- 
ing: much may also be due to the exertions of the pro- 
prietor of the island, Mr Scott. 
Our arrival in Foula, to carry on there the operations of 
the Trigonometrical Survey, excited the wonder of the 
Foulaese very much; they never ceased to express their 
admiration of the marquees and tents, and other objects of 
novelty. But when they understood our intention of carry- 
ing our baggage to the summit of the Snuke, and living 
among the bonxies, they considered the attempt would be 
fruitless and rash. An elderly man, looking at the great 
theodolite in its case, exclaimed, " It's a bonny box ; but 
ifs no in the poor o' man to take that up the Snuke."" 
When, however, they saw our lusty artillerymen set off 
with heavy packages up the steep ascent of Snifield, a kind 
of emulation seized them, and we were enabled to hire 
about twenty of them, on easy terms, to assist ; and the 
same evening we had an encampment of eight tents on the 
Snuke. A respectable old woman, who seemed to pay great 
respect to the Hill Trows, gave us her blessing at parting, 
assured, that if we were really going to live among the 
