Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1879 — The Shetlanders. [ARTICLE]

The Shetlanders.

In no part of the world will a stranger expect less from the appearance of the country and find it more made up by the civilities of the 'inhabitants. Among all ranks this prevails in a high degree, according to their ability. The gentry are famous for hospitality, which even reigns among the poorest sort. Whenever I came (says a recent traveler) I found all willing to do me every service in their power, either by information or otherwise. Their horses and servants were always ready to attend me, and many gentlemen, as well as clergy, wero so obliging as to attend me in different places, and to point out everything worthy the knowledge of the traveler. In a word, a sense of Shetland humanity is so firmly planted in my mind that it is with the greatest pleasure I thus pay them my acknowledgments in the most public manner. On holidays the people of all ranks appear neat and clean, but plainly dressed, without the ornaments of which they were some years ago so extravagantly fond. All ranks live much on animal food, such as fish, flesh, butter and milk, with little bread, which is supplied in some measure by potatoes. Some are a good deal addicted to dram-drinking, as must be the case in fishing countries. The common drink at table, instead of small beer, is grog, a liquor composed of brandy and water, made to the taste of the drinker, but very disagreeable to a stranger. The diseases most prevalent here are coughs, pains of the breast, the neve—an inveterate kind of itch—fluxes, rheumatisms, scurvy and bald leprosy, obstruction of the menses, and a dreadful disease to be found in Unst and Fetlar. The natives of Shetland marry young and are very prolific; yet it is a question whether they increase or not, owing to their way of life. Many accidents at sea they meet with, and which shorten many of their days. The small-pox of late was peculiarly fatal. As to their make, the Shetlanders are generally robust and healthy, are adventurous in fishing, abstemious while at sea, but lazy when they have an opportunity of being so, as I have had occasion to observe.