ST. KILDA.
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPE0EATOE.") SIR,—The Scotsman of yesterday's date contains a paragraph, which is printed in the smallest type, and at the bottom of a column, where it is apt to escape the eye, but which I think is worthy of appearing in the largest type and in a conspicuous position, as it intimates that a revolution is about to occur in
a British island that has stood still, comparatively speaking,. since it was first inhabited, centuries ago. Perhaps you will have the goodness to give a more prominent place to the para- graph referred to :—
"Fisimic AT ST. KILDA.—On Saturday last, Messrs. James Methvert and Co., fish-carers, despatched from Stornoway to St. Kilda one of the steamers they have employed in their fish business, with four fishing-boats and all necessary material for the prosecution of the cod and ling fishing at St. Kilda. Messrs. Methven have selected four- crews of active Lewsmen for the enterprise."
For upwards of four years now, I have been playing a game'
upon the small board of St. Kilda, which I call "Freedom or Feudalism." I have had little assistance from friends, who have-
in general stood passive, or have advised me to give up the- game, or to hand over the board to them ; and I have had to.
contend with a host of opponents, to whom the word "honour' is an empty sound. Perhaps, in these circumstances, I may be pardoned for indulging in a triumphant chuckle at the
prospect of success. Whether that fishing enterprise prosper or not, it will revolutionise St. Kilda. The natives will get their- eyes opened, and see their true position, which is that of serfs,. imprisoned upon a rock, where there is neither law, postal ser- vice, nor means of education for old or young, and where they- labour for the benefit of a factor, who has a monopoly of the- trade. That such a state of things should have been allowed to- exist in any British island, near the end of the nineteentlb century, will create astonishment some day.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Bankhead, Tranent, May 26th. J. SANDS.
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