en
he lands, and he could conveniently intimate his subject then, if he has
any breath left in his body. The Fair Isle possesses a church organ and
a non-surpliced choir. The islanders have a great appetite for sermons,
as the following story, told by Mr. Russell, amply proves. "The minister
of Dunrossness went one summer to dispense the communion in the Fair
Isle, and a storm came on which detained him there for about eight days.
The weather also prevented the boats from going to the fishing. As the
people had no pressing work to do at the time, and as it was only on
rare occasions that they enjoyed the presence of the parish minister,
they were anxious to avail themselves of his services while he was among
them. _Accordingly, at their desire, he preached every day during his
stay. In all, he preached thirteen times._ He had taken the precaution
of bringing a good stock of sermons with him. Before this was exhausted,
the weather providentially improved, so that he was able to get
home."[26]

The cherished legends of one's youth get sorely demolished in the course
of travel and investigation. The school-books used to say that the
Shetlanders were taught to knit by Spanish women saved from the wreck of
the Armada. The islanders stoutly deny any indebtedness, and declare
that there never was the slightest friendship between their ancestors
and the crews of King Philip's galleons.

[26] The prayers of as many righteous men as possible are
requested for the inspectors of schools who have to examine and
report on the state of education in the Orkneys and Shetlands. I
had the pleasure of conversing with one of these hard-worked
officials in November, 1906. He spoke very warmly of the improved
educational benefit of the libraries that have been sent from
Paisley to the isles and skerries. This gentleman inspects the
Fair Isle school once every two years. On the occasion of his
last visit, he was rowed from Lerwick in a "sixern," and had a
most tempestuous time going through the _roost_. Two of his
oarsmen sickened, and were helpless. On getting ashore at last,
he forgot all his sorrows and soaking, when he heard heartsome
strains of welcome being played on the _insular pianola_.

THE FISHING SEASON.

To Lerwick, during the fishing season, thousands of women come from the
island of Lewis to gut the myriad herring that are daily brought into
the bay. There is an extempor