Notice regarding the Isles of St Hilda. lb? 
peculiarity of accent by which they are readily distinguished 
j* from the other islanders. In regard to disposition, they are 
accused of duplicity, and are possessed of cunning in a higher 
degree than might be imagined from their circumstances They 
are peaceable, however, among themselves, and the exercise of 
a vindictive temper, or a sudden burst of passion, has never 
been known to produce fatal effects among them, and scarcely 
even the more ordinary application of violence. 
In respect to food and clothing, the natives of St Kilda are 
in a much better condition than the poor people of some of the 
nearest islands. They cultivate bear or bigg, cats, and pota- 
toes, which thrive pretty well, especially the former. Their 
system of agriculture is the same as that which prevails over 
the Outer Hebrides in general, the caschrom or crooked spade 
being the principal implement employed for turning the soil. 
Black cattle and sheep they possess in considerable abundance, 
especially the latter. They have also a few horses, but these 
animals are of little comparative value to them. Their cattle, 
in general, are small, more particularly the sheep, the wool of 
which is of various colours, a light reddish-brown being very 
prevalent. Of food they also procure a very considerable sup- 
ply at the expence of their visitors the sea-birds, robbing them 
not only of their eggs in vast quantities, but also of their lives. 
The eggs of sea-fowl, in general, it is well known, are excellent 
food, and the St Kildians find their flesh not less delectable, 
especially that of the young of the solan-goose and fulmar, 
which they salt for winter provision. The sea abounds in fish 
of various sorts, particularly cod and ling, of which, many years 
ago, some Dutch crews availed themselves ; but, as the natives 
do not venture to sea, excepting on their visits to Bore ray, and 
occasionally to the Hebrides, their supply of fish is confined to 
that procured from the rocks, by the rod or hand-line, and even 
this is considerable. 
Their huts are constructed of stone and turf, and thatched, 
like the huts of the other Hebridians. The walls being thick, 
consisting of two facings of stone, with the interval filled up 
with earth, they form recesses in them, covered above with 
slabs, on which they sleep. The windows and chimneys are 
simple apertures in the roof. The fire is placed in the middle 
