ment, may furnish, in the
nineteenth century, illustrations of uncivilized life, equally picturesque
and striking with those which Tacitus has recorded in his day as familiar
among the inhabitants of Pagan Germany.

"This colony, from time immemorial, has been ruled by one of
their own body, periodically elected, who somewhat resembled the
Brughaid or head village of ancient times, when every clan
resided in its hereditary canton. This individual, who is
decorated with the title of mayor, in imitation of the city,
regulates the community according to their own peculiar customs
and laws, and settles all fishery disputes. His decisions are so
decisive, and so much respected, that the parties are seldom
known to carry their differences before a legal tribunal, or to
trouble the civil magistrate. They neither understand nor trouble
themselves about politics, consequently, in the most turbulent
times, their loyalty has never been questioned. Their mayor is no
way distinguished from other villagers, except that his boat is
decorated with a white sail, and may be seen when at sea, at
which time he acts as admiral, with colours flying at the
masthead, gliding through their fleet with some appearance of
authority.... When on shore, they employ themselves in repairing
their boats, sails, rigging, and cordage, in making, drying, and
repairing their nets and spillets, in which latter part they are
assisted by the women, who spin the hemp and yarn for their nets.
In consequence of their strict attention to these particulars,
very few accidents happen at sea, and lives are seldom lost.
Whatever time remains after these avocations, they spend in
regaling with whisky, and assembling in groups to discuss their
maritime affairs, on which occasions they arrange their fishing
excursions. When preparing for sea, hundreds of their women and
children for days before crowd the strand, seeking for worms to
bait the hooks. The men carry in their boats, potatoes, oaten
cakes, fuel, and water, but never admit any spirituous liquors.
Thus equipped, they depart for their fishing ground, and
sometimes remain away several days. Their return is joyfully
hailed by their wives and children, who meet them on the shore.
The fish instantly becomes the property of the women, (the men,
after landing, never troubling themselv