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SKETCH OF SHETLAND.

(By a Resident.)

SEVERAL years since, a young gentleman from the Shetland Islands proceeded to London, for the purpose of prosecuting the profession to which he was destined. He was invited one day, soon after his arrival, to dine with a party, at the house of an attached friend of his family. The youth had never before been absent from his home; public life, with all its forms and turmoils, was new to him, and it cannot be wondered at that he was reserved, and somewhat sad.

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After the cloth had been removed, his kind hostess endeavored to amuse and interest him, by asking questions of his islandhome. When he had replied to them, a general in the army who was present, and who had attended to the slight conversation, addressed him politely. Pray, sir, where is Shetland ?" The colour mounted to the cheek and brow of the sensitive young stranger. He was taken quite by surprise, and asked himself, was this question put by way of sneer or banter? The perfect gentlemanlike benevolence of the querist would not permit such a suspicion; his beloved rocky father-land was therefore, quite unknown to this gentleman of rank and education. The youth's embarrassment was but momentary; yet a slight shade of surprise and formality might be detected mingling with the gentle suavity of his general demeanour, as he replied, "Shetland is a name given to a group of islands in the northern Atlantic, a hundred and fifty miles north of Scotland."

We trust, there are few of our readers who require this piece of information in the present day. Yet still we believe Shetland is but little known; its very name is apt to be mistaken. Sir Walter Scott rendered Zetland the classical orthography, and in this form it now gives title to an earldom. But Zetland is a corruption of a comparatively modern vulgar Scotch, or rather Dutch name- -Yetland-Z being sounded as Y; in proper names especially. "Shetland" is the more ancient name; it is also the vernacular pronunciation, and is by the natives universally and very properly preferred. Should the antiquity of a name give it a preferable title, Healtland can boast this superiority, as in this form it is to be found in the Icelandic Sagas.

The appearance, manners, and customs, of these islands are so different from aught that the generality of our readers see around them, that we trust a brief sketch, tending to describe and illustrate these, will not be unwelcome, nor inconsistent with the character of this magazine.

The first thing that strikes a stranger on landing in Shetland is the total absence of trees. Without doubt there have been woods here once, for decayed trunks are found in the bogs; but whether they can now be raised is a question which, though frequently proposed, is too often answered in the negative; thus taking for granted what has never been proved by experiments deserving the name. A few gentlemen have succeeded in rearing trees of respectable size in their gardens. It is not the cold or frosts that injure vegetation in these islands; for the temperature is more equable than in many other situations in Britain, but it is the attenuated sea spray, which, from its insular position is carried over the whole surface of the land, except a few sheltered valleys, by every storm that blows, and these are frequent, even in the summer months. After a high wind, especially from the west, when it has wreaked its fury on the wide Atlantic, every green leaf and blade, as well as the hair on the horses and sheep which browze the commons, is impregnated with salt spray, and vegetation is thus checked, and the leaves blackened, ofttimes at Midsummer. Can it be wondered at, that the enthusiasm of the lovers of trees and flowers is sore tested, when one day they are exulting in the blossoms they have fostered and coaxed into the sunshine, and on the next, every leaf and bud of hope is drooping, blackened, and scorched, as if a withering fire had passed over it; and this is what the Shetlanders are almost yearly doomed to witness.

The geological formation of the Shetland islands is what is called primitive. Most of the hills in the most northerly isle consist of serpentine; and here is found a rare and beautiful mineral called hydrate of magnesia, and also what is of more importance, and has been a source of comparative wealth to many of the proprietors of the soil, the ore called chromate of iron. It is grey and very heavy; is used in arts and manufactures, chiefly as a yellow dye or pigment, and fetches the price of several pounds sterling per ton. The hills are covered with a

very thin stratum of soil, on which grows a coarse and scanty herbage; and even on the low arable fields the soil is excessively thin and poor.

The botany of Shetland has been minutely surveyed and described by a youthful native, and several plants, mosses, and seaweeds, not previously met with in Britain, have been found by him.

The domestic animals are all of small size and distinct breeds; the ponies are well known for hardihood, spirit, and docility, and run in a semi-wild state on the commons, all the year round.

In some of the islands, mice will not live; and many of them are still free from the annoyance of rats, or any other ground vermin. Rabbits, however, are numerous, and hares have been lately introduced, and are increasing.

Shetland contains 33,000 inhabitants, scattered over the islands, in hamlets and isolated dwellings; but there is only one small town with a population of 3000.

The land is generally low, sloping to the shore every where, with the exception of a few precipitous headlands of no great height. Brown and mossy hills and bleak moorlands are all that meet the traveller's eye. In the interior, occasionally, he finds a little valley, at the bottom of which reposes, in unbroken solitude, a very small fresh water lake. Along the banks of the numerous inland friths it is that the land is cultivated and the population reside. The cottages are low, covered with turf, and then scantily thatched with straw: they are divided into two parts; the outer and larger apartment is used for all common family purposes; the fire-place, without a chimney, is at one end; and several beds or sleeping places, each enclosed like a cupboard, at the other; these beds serve as a partition from a small snugly panelled apartment, where the heads of the family repose, and which also serves as a parlour for guests, and a closet. It has a window and chimney, but no grate; peat or bog-turf being the only fuel used, burns much better and more cheerfully on the ample and well-swept hearth.

MERCY AND MISERY.

"MERCY in God, and misery in man, are relatives; and happy is that person who hath them well married and matched together."

A FEW WORDS TO YOUTH.

(To the Readers of the Youth's Magazine.)

BELOVED YOUNG FRIENDS. Much is thought and said in the present day of the duty of visiting amongst the poor, and of the responsibility attaching to those in the higher ranks of life, to use all the influence which their station confers for the benefit, both temporal and spiritual, of their fellow-men. Many, very many, I would fondly hope of the readers of this magazine, are actively proving their conviction of the urgency of the claims of the poor, by devoting much of their time, and strength, and youthful vigour, to the delightful task of "visiting the fatherless and widow, in their afflictions:" and are welcomed by many a suffering child of want, not only as the alleviator of their temporal distresses, but still more as the minister to their eternal welfare. Dear young friends, far be it from me to dissuade you from such pursuits, or to damp one particle of the enjoyment which must result from these labors of love but will you suffer a word of warning? It comes from one who has felt the temptations from which she would guard you-who still feels them—and would willingly make herself an example, if by that means she might lead others to go forth more cautiously, more strengthened by the mighty power of prayer, to resist the dangers by which she has been assaulted, and too frequently overcome.

And first, dear young friends, if your visits are periodical, there is great need for watchfulness, lest formality should deaden all your efforts; lest they should become too entirely a businessmatter, and you forget that to each visit, a solemn responsibility attaches, that for each you must give an account at the bar of God, who has commanded that "whatever we do must be to His glory." When we go forth in a cold and lifeless spirit, can we expect a blessing? do we even desire it? Is it not a solemn mockery, to profess to be seeking the glory of God, when we do not even feel its importance, and have not besought His aid, without whom we can do nothing? I would recommend that before each period of intercourse with those whose interests we profess to have at heart, some short time should be devoted to earnest prayer, that we may be enabled that day to say or read something which may be remembered with joy throughout

eternity: Oh! if this solemn conviction of the awful responsibility of our situation, when attempting to benefit others were constantly before us, how tremblingly, and cautiously, and yet earnestly, would our duties be performed; and surely, too, it would make us very humble, and very dependant on the teaching and guidance of our Heavenly Father. We should often be tempted to despair at the comparison of our own unfitness with the importance of the work; but this would lead us to cling more closely to the arm which cannot fail-to lean more constantly to that strength which is Almighty, and to trust more implictly the word of Him who has promised to all who are sincerely anxious to work for Him, "It shall be given you that same hour what ye shall speak; for it is not you that speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."

Another great danger lies in mistaking the rational, and by no means condemnable love of the gratitude of others, and pleasure in promoting their happiness; in fact, the delightful consciousness that "it is more blessed to give than to receive;" for a simple desire to advance the glory of God. It is so sweet to sympathize with others, so refreshing to the heart to meet with the warm gushings of gratitude, which the visitor amongst the poor will often receive, in return for a very small degree of interest expressed in their concerns; so delightful to be welcomed by a beaming eye, where once all was cold and forbidding, and to find reserve give way to the trustful confidence with which the poor will almost alway repay those who they see really care for them; that it is not surprising we should feel the highest pleasure in such occupation. But let us not mistake this, for zeal in the service of God. It is true both may be united, but it requires caution, lest, whilst our hearts are thus cheered, spiritual pride may not be fostered, and we fondly imagine ourselves anxious to promote our Master's cause, whilst in reality we are only gratifying self; lest we beguile ourselves into the belief that we are desirous to work in His vineyard, when we are but employing ourselves in plucking the grapes which grow there so luxuriantly. Let us ask ourselves, whether we cheerfully enter the abodes of the most dirty and wretched, discontented and unthankful; or if we do not rather shun them; and when we do occasionally visit them, whether it is not reluctantly, and anxious to escape as soon

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