144 
LETTERS FROM HIGH LATITUDES. 
fermentation takes place, curds, and skier—a very 
peculiar clieese unlike any I ever tasted, a little 
mutton, and rye bread. As might be expected, this 
meagre fare is not very conducive to health; scurvy, 
leprosy, elephantiasis, and all cutaneous disorders, 
are very common, while the practice of mothers to leave 
off nursing their children at the end of three days, 
feeding them with cows’ milk instead, results in a 
frightful mortality among the babies. 
Land is held either in fee-simple, or let by the 
Crown to tenants on what may almost be considered 
perpetual leases. The rent is calculated partly on the 
number of acres occupied, partly on the head of cattle 
the farm is fit to support, and is paid in kind, either 
in fish or farm produce. Tenants in easy circumstances 
generally employ two or three labourers, who in 
addition to their board and lodging—receive from ten 
to twelve dollars a year of wages. No property can 
be entailed, and if any one dies intestate, what he 
leaves is distributed among his children—in equal 
shares to the sons, in half shares to the daughters. 
The public revenue arising from Crown lands, com¬ 
mercial charges, and a small tax on the transference of 
