L E T T E R XII.
To Chevalier I h r e .
Of Fijhing, Fozuling, and the Breed o f
Cattle, in Iceland,
Stockholm, 061. 3, 1774.
inhabitants who live near the
X coafts employ themfelves almoft
the whole year in fiiiiing ; and even
thofe who live in the inland parts o f
the country come to the fea-ihore at
certain feafons, Every mafter o f a
family has a particular fiihing-dreis,
and is obliged to furnifti one to his fer-
vant as foon as he puts to fea. They are
made o f iheep or calves ikins, which,
in manufaduring, are frequently rubbed
over with train-oil. They coniift
o f the following articles : Leiftrahrakur
are breeches and ftockings all in a
piece, that come up pretty high above
the hips, and are laced on very t igh t ;
ftacknr.
•ti'
ftackur, a wide jacket faftened round
the neck and the middle o f the waift ;
taatillar, or coarfe ftockings, o f ftiff
worfted ; and fiojkor, or water-ihoes,
o f thick leather.
Their boats are commonly fmall,
and only contain from one to four
men, with thefe they fifti near the
iliore; but with their larger boats,
which are made to contain from
twelve to iixteen men, and are provided
with fails, they frequently venture
from four to eight miles on
fea.
In thefe veftels they always carry a
man extraordinary, whom they call
formann. He fits at the helm ; and
the others, who are called haafeters,
obey his commands. At his call they
all aflemble at an appointed time near
the veflel, provided with knives, fifti-
ing-lines, and other proper tackle:
they make ufe o f Ihells, and fometimes
the fleih o f quadrupeds and birds for
baits.
As foon as the boat is from iliore,
they all take off their hats and caps,
pray for good fuccefs, and recommend
them-
.1:
lift
ft l:-b: ft-,-,I It"