some places to the East and in some other to the VVest At the South of Suderoe there is a whirle pool in the midst whereof stands a high Rock called Sumboe Munk neer that Rock there are six others that rise a little above the water on which when one setteth the Compass it turneth round and is so spoiled that it is afterwards of no use for some years ago there came a Ship too near this Sumboe Munk whereupon all the Compasses that were in the Ship as the Master related afterwards to the Inhabitants of Suderoe were spoiled and his Voyage had been so too had not a Seaman of the Ship by chance had a Loadstone wherewith he touched the Compasses anew The ordinary declination of the Loadstone on Feroe is otherwise 13 degrees 19 minutes to the North VVest which Severin Lawson formerly chief Marchant on Feroe a Burger of Copenhagen very expert in the Art of Navigation did mark and reckon out in the year 1659 the 26 of December at Thors Haven on Ferce Since we have described the Land of Feroe especially so that honest Marriners may the better know the Land Marks we will also here comprehend something of the Streams Between these several divided Islands there runneth many strong Currents in several manners according as the necks or points of Land meet against the streams and according to the scituation of the said land which causeth specially in VVinter when there is a storm and the wind bloweth against Tide a terrible and turbulent Sea principally where there is ground neer the surface of the water for where those grounds stretch themselves towards the Land the Sea raiseth it self and tumbleth about against it so that it is terrible to consider yea it breaketh so strengly against the Land that scarce any Ship where it is sufficiently deep can get over them which grounds with breaking waves are called in the Language of Feroe Boffves If there comes any Boats on these Boffves when they break it is presently sunk with men and all It happened for 16 years ago that Mr. John Hanson Hardy Curate of Suderoe on his Voyage to Thors Haven in a Sexâ—ing that is a great Boat rowed by twelve men came on such a Boffve in pretty good weather yet both he and his wife and all his Children with other of his Folks to the number of 21 souls were all drowned And the Boat sunk by the Boffve It happened in that sad accident that amongst these drowned Folks the Curates VVife floated up again eight days after and was found driving in the Current whereof doubtless the cause is that she had greater veins then ordinary as is usual for women to have by the blowing up of which her Corps was brought a Float It is very observable that when the said Boffve breaketh in bad weather it doth so three or seven times together without ceasing and then resteth some time therefore when the Inhabitants come to such a Boffve and must needs over it they lye still untill the Boffve hath broken and then get over it speedily with their Boat Besides the Boffve breaks also in still weather when it is very warm and when there will be Frost or Snow Thirdly when some Boat goeth something near the land over the Boffve that breaks not then but lyeth still it breaketh up unawares of it self and often bringeth people in danger I have been told by an old honest man yet living very expert from his youth both in Currents and Boffves who knew all the Boffves round about the Countrey where he lived that it happened some years since he went with a Boat from the Land whereon he dwelt namely Kolâ—er over to Stromoe to set there a man on land and went into a little Creek of the length of a Boat and half so broad where he set the man on shoar it being then quiet and still all about when against all expectation a Boffve broke upon him so that he and all his folks were in very great danger of their lives having never from his youth nor since that time perceived any Boffve to be there The Inhabitants are in this simple opinion that the Sea is sensible and that the Boffves cannot endure the Iron of the Boat But hereupon these are my reflections that the Boffve breaks up a certain number of times happeneth by the providence of God that hath created all things according to weight measure and number but that the Boffves break either against warm weather or against a North wind and Snow or a so when some Boat goeth over the same must have an occult cause which is hard to be found out and that one may the better understand the cause of it one must consider that there is this order in nature All motion that happeneth between the Elements and other beings that have neither sense nor life doth happen by a Magoetical Sympathy or Antipathy that is a hidden and inward affection in senseless beings whereby some things love eath other and are easily united together some hate one the other and cannot be united whereby there is made a motion in nature as if there were some life in the things which move themselves or suffer themselves to be moved This is perfectly seen in the Loadstone which by Sympathy loveth Iron and turneth it self towards it This is manifest enough amongst Medicaments and specially it is seen and perceived in Antidotes that is Medicines against poyson and in the poisons themselves for when a man hath taken some poison and thereupon taketh in an Antidote the poison is then driven out by the Antidote Chymists do find the same amongst Mettals and Minerals for Gold hateth Brimstone driving it away and contrarywise loveth Salt drawing the same to it self being easily united with it in Operations Silver on the contrary hateth salt drives it away and instead thereof loveth Brimstone There is a natural Sympathy and Antipathy between the Elements and is even so as we have now exprest between Mettals and Minerals for suppose a Circle divided in 4 parts with A. B. C. D. Lâ—t A. be Gold and Earth B. Silver and Water C. Bâ—imstorâ— and Air D Salt and Fire as A. Gold suffereth it self easily to be united and melted together with B. Silver so A. Earth is easily mixt with B. Water attracts it willingly to its self and draweth its fatness from it water also loveth Earth as its proper mansion wherein it resteth Secondly as B. Silver loveth C. Brimstone so B. Water maketh much of its neighbour C. Aire suffers it self easily to be attracted into it and joyns it in operation with it self In the third place as C. Brimstone is united with D. Salt to work with joyned forces on Mettals so the Air C. taketh easily to it self the Fire D. to play with it in Nature the Fire again loveth Air so much that without it it is as dead and hath no force On the otherside the Fire D. adhears to the Earth A. as
before and at the same time that huge floud which striketh up high in the Air against the Land We might also discern that by the Suns effect on the Earth for it shineth hotter in the afternoon then before Mid-day not that its heat is then in it self greater then before but because the Sun must in the forenoon drive away the cold from the Horizon but in the afternoon produceth its heat without any hinderance This explication doth very well agree with the name which Seamen give to that time of the Tide calling it Spring as if it sprung by its own force and would not be directed by the Moon Secondly it is plainly proved that the Moon governeth the Sea by the Quadruple motion of it twice to the West and twice to the East in 24 hours and 48. min. according to the course of the Moon though our Master Herbinius will not grant that not thinking there is such a thing in nature as that the Moon by Antipathy could now in 6 hours and 12 min. drive the Sea from it self and afterwards by a Sympathy in six other hours attract that again whilest nothing of all this happeneth by Antipathy in the opinion of Herbinius For according to these principles the Sea is in a perpetual motion to and fro as water in a Vessel between its limits against which if it beats it cannot get over but must appease its proud waves and fall back again which will last as long as the world continues But the God of order that has created and ordained all things according to weight measure and number hath made the Moon to govern thereover not only as a moving cause with the rest in the manner aforesaid but also regulateth its motion according to its own seasons and the Moon having two Motions the one from East to West together with the Sun and other Planets and Stars the other from West to East by which it moveth every day usually 12 degrees from and to the Sun which maketh 48 min. of time so there can be no Antipathy between the Moon and the Motion of the Sea to what side soever it turneth it self And God having made the distance so broad between the Continents that it can be six hours falling back from one Land to another which it would perhaps perform a great deal sooner if it might follow its own propension nay it might well in its fury and rapidity overwhelm the whole Globe of the Earth by reason of the aforesaid causes therefore the Moon is made to hold back by its course that of the Sea that it may not perfect its motion from one Coast to another in six hours or less but in six hours 12 m. which maketh in the four Tides of a day 48. m. so that the Moon governeth the Sea as a man doth a running Horse sometimes putting him forwards sometimes making him go slowly at other times giving him the Bitt and sometimes keeping him back and notwithstanding maketh him so run that it cometh to his Stage at the appointed time This is my poor opinion concerning Ebb and Floud grounded upon my own experience and dilligent enquiry whereby having written it in our Danish Tongue I would specially give Seamen occasion to enquire into nature wheresoever they come after this manuduction which if they do I doubt not but they shall make such observations that this explication will thereby be so confirmed that it will not be easily refuted We will here transport us from the salt Sea to the fresh Water on Land God can never be sufficiently praised that hath so wonderfully and abundantly blessed that Country with well tasting and wholesome Fountain Water Springing some Fathoms high on the top of the highest Mountains which in the greatest drought runneth constantly almost every where so that there is scarce a Cottage but there runneth along a little Spring water or a great Brook gathered of many such Rivelets whose water is generally colder in Summer then in Winter though they have there no healing Fountain for many diseases as in other Countreys except one in Osteroe near Gote which yet is not much made use of this water is of that nature that it is much warmer in Winter then other Water and if one will keep it a whole year it continueth without corruption One might it seems reasonably conclude that since Brimstone is hot and keepeth Wine from corruption that there may be Brimstone in the rock through which the water floweth whereby it is tinged with this quality and therefore there is doubtless a great vertue hidden in that water for the use of man if it were as convenient to come to as it is discomodious Since all what seemeth strange in the beings that God hath created when reason cannot comprehend it is presently taken for a miracle though it be an effect of nature one may also justly hold this for admirable that God by his wonderful wisdome and power hath so ordained it that the mortal body aggravates the soul and the earthly Tabernacle oppresseth the wandering senses so that they scarce reach the things which are on earth and hardly perceive what it hath under hand as the wise man speaketh in the ninth Chapter of his Book of Wisdome whence cometh that many of the Sons of Men that will not trouble their Brains with such deep thoughts do meerly consider such effects of nature as wonders others give themselves no thoughts at all about them making use of them as unreasonable creatures others to whom God and nature hath given more light of understanding do not persist in searching the secrets of nature so as to tire themselves therewith Amongst these secrets of nature there are not the least but the most in water namely its course and its ascent to the top of hills and its flowing down from thence The strange stream between Boetia and the Island of Negropont called Euripe which runneth in and out 7 times in a day troubled so much that accute Philosopher Aristotle in his deep Speculations to comprehend the cause thereof that he as Historians believe took his Death thereupon The said Aristotle hath also taken great pains to understand the natural cause of the Springing of Fountains but he hath been deceived in the invention of his reasoning Scaliger having long since refuted him But the Wise King Solomon in Eccles 1. 7. teacheth us whence the water Springs come and what is their natural cause all waters saith he flow to the Sea from whence they flow again but he teacheth us not the manner how it happeneth nor the cause whereby the water can Ascend from the Sea some hundreds of Fathoms high through the Mountains as it doth generally here on Feroe Magirus in his Physilogia lib. 4 c. 6. bringeth in the opinion of Scaliger in this manner although we know not the cause of this natural thing yet we judge that the water doth not mount up in a direct line but through many turnings and there
Persons The Provincial Judge giveth the sentence having under him 36 men established by Law six for every division and the sworn Recorder that Registreth what is done and judged as long as the Court is kept all the Clergy being there also the Service of God is celebrated every day in the forenoon with Preaching and Singing in the Church and in the afternoon when the Bell rings the Court is kept The first day they sit all the Priests are called together and when the Court is sate there is only considered that day of what concerns the common good in general and all causes and other controversies being the other days brought to an end and the Court being then ready to be dissolv'd the Clergy is called again into the Court to know if any general matter is yet to be considered of and when all things are come to an end the Provost of the Churches doth declare on which day St. Michael's days of Prayers begin to be observ'd as also if there be any other particular day of prayers appointed by his Majesty as also what space there is between Christmas and Shrovetide After all this the Provincial Judge ariseth and dismisseth the Court pronouncing peace upon all them that go from the Court to their houses declaring also a peaceable possession of all proprieties and freeholds in the Land promising our Gracious Lord and King Tribute as antiently and then for a sign of consent every boby that is present clap their hands the Bell being afterwards rung that every body may know the Court is dissolv'd The same day in the evening both Ecclesiastical and Civil gather themselves in the Sessions-house to Feast and be merry together where according to an antient custome they drink the healths of his Majesty of the Queen and of the Prince the Counsels their Governours and other principal healths with the following particular Ceremony and Speech First one of the eldest Priests begins a verse of a Psalm which they sing out together after which the same Priest alone sings it in Latine according to the antient manner and the guests answer singing in Latine as followeth The Priest sings 1. Omnis Speritus 2. Benedicamus Dominâ— 3. Benedicite The people answers 1. Laudet Dominum 2. Deo gratias 3. Domino Afterwards the Elder of the company ariseth and mentions the health that is to be drunk with the following Speech which being old Language and very remarkable the Interpreter hath thought fit to put it here both in Danish and English Gud vere med vor allernaadigsie Nerre oc Ronning Presium oc Alerctum Leigum oc Lerdum for sin Blessen-Sang oc fauffver formaale baade her oc huert â—itne Ner er Nederligt Minde begyndt som er vor allernaadigsie Nerris oc Ronnings c. Stuble veer saa fare med samme Minde som det sommer oc se der allumgodum Mannum veer stullum helle aâ—munne dricte giore vel oc icte biude dem som stiencte for end vel er affdructen den stal veere Gud fierisi som meest driâ—â—er oc mindst sparer See! det er Billie min Nerre Rongis At Biâ—â—â—n Jogden Laugmaâ—d Presier â—ldermend Gild-Brodre oc Gild-Sostre Gicster oc Neime-mend sâ—ulle alle vere Gud oc velâ—ommene Thus Englished God be with our most Gracious Lord and King Priests and Clerks Layes and Learned for his blessed sake and fair promise now and for ever Here is begun an honourable health which is that of our most Gracious Lord and King c. one must proceed as far with the said health as suits and becomes every good-man every one must 〈◊〉 it to his mouth drink 〈…〉 give it again to him 〈…〉 till it be drunk out he â—hall â—e best beloved of God that drinketh most and spareth teast behold it is the will of the King my Master that the Bishop the Bayliff the provincial Judge the Aldermen the Brothers and Sisters of the Feast the Guests and Hosts should be all welcome thereupon they all arise and drink the health of one another This ceremony is used at every remarkable health that is drunk when every one is satisfied with drink they return to their Lodgings and the next day to their houses not seeing one another together again till the same time the next year They have no particular law as in Island but govern themselves after the law of Norway Those of Feroe have a particular Law that determines how one must deal with sheep called Soid-Brevet or Sheep Ordinance and having made some mention of it above to the Histories better explanation for the satisfaction of the curious Reader and profit of the Inhabitants I have thought fit to insert here the said Ordinance word by word which is thus CHristian the Fourth by the Grace of God King of Deamark and Norway of the Vandals and Gothes Duke of Sleswig Holstein Stormarn and Dytmersk Count of Oldenburgh and Delmanhorst c. Be it known unto all men That whereas many of our beloved Subjects of our Land of Feroe have humbly desired that we would graciously confirm and ratifie unto them an Ordinance concerning their sheep which the late King of Norway gave them the tenor of which is word for word as followeth HAgen by the Grace of God Duke of Norway Son to King Magnus Crowned sends all men that shall see or hear this Patent the blessing of God and also our spiritual and dear friend Mr. Eliender Bishop of Feroe and Mr. Sifvort Provincial Judge of Hetland which we have sent you to end the Controversie amongst the commonalty about the Points which they wanted in the Ordinance for profitable Houskeeping and therefore we have let stitch together these four leaves concerning the Affair and the Sheep business which we have with the counsel of our Principal men prepared as we know shall be most profitable for the Commonalty But for the Ordinance of Christianity we cannot for the present alter it but it must remain as our Lord and Father the Crowned caused it to be collected and delivered it in the hands of Mr. Ellender the Bishop as the Country Records themselves do manifest It is our absclute Command and true will that every one do exactly and well observe this Ordinance about sheep that neither we nor our Successors come in disrespect for it till with the counsel of our principal men we make another Ordinance which God grant may be for the best advantage of the Commonalty In witnesâ— whereof we have sealed this Ordinance Given in Opslo on Saturday next after St. John's week last past from the hour of Jesus Christ's birth One Thousand and Forty Winters that is in the year 1040. and of our Dukedom the 19th Lord Achis the Chancellor sealed Sr. Theyter dictated this Law and Baardue Peterson the Notary writ the Patent ARTICLE I. To know Sheep WE have been informed of a bad custom that hath been in the Land more than it should about sheep neither ought we to have suffered it so but
rather let every one be contented with his own as it belongeth to him according to Law Now it is so that if two men or more have sheep in one close and both will kill their sheep each taketh what he can get that is not marked with dogs or otherwise whether it be lamb or old sheep and whether it belong to him or no now of this it seemeth unto us and other good men that it ought not to be so and that nothing unlawful be begun in the Land we therefore make this Ordinance thereupon That if any will take out his lambs and old sheep that are unmark'd he must produce two impartial witnesses that they are his sheep and that they know their dam if he wants such witnesses let him be as owning nothing therein II. Now if a man goeth into another man's field or close and drives away his sheep to his damage so that it be worth half a mark he must answer the full price to him that owneth the close as he is able and to the King half a mark of siver and restore the sheep as good as they were and if a man accuseth another that he hath been in his close or field and done him damage let him pay the damage if there be witnesses according to the Sentence of lawful Judges or deny it by lawful Oath which 6 understanding men shall declare good and let those to whom the sheep and close belongeth be warned and summoned three days before to the common pound that is the inclosure wherein they use to drive their sheep let him that doth not appear lose his cause and be fin'd to the King two Ortes of silver now let every man know that if any own close and sheep together they must not have more dogs than honest men will judge fit and if no dogs are agreed upon let them be for their equal advantage III. Of putting off Sheep that feed unlawfully Item If the fields are scituated together and two men have each their close or fields and sheep goe from the ones close into the others being wont thereunto and going therein always and he that owneth the close will not suffer it but speaks about it he that owneth the sheep must take them out and carry them all into his own close but if the same sheep run into the same close a second and third time those sheep shall belong no more to him that owneth them except he that owneth the close will let out the field whereupon the sheep feed for a Gilder but if he will take no hire he that owneth the sheep may proffer to sell him half part of them and if he will neither buy them nor let out his ground let him that owneth the sheep take them out at his convencie within the space of twelve months but if he that owneth the sheep will not proffer any hire nor sell the half flock to him that owneth the close let him forfeit his flock which men should drive into the pound where they feed and each hold the pound open according as he hath part in the sheep If it be done otherwise let them be fined 3 Ortes of silver to the King and damage paid to him that receiveth damage according to the Law If men are together in a common pound that is the inclosure wherein they drive sheep together let each one mark his lambs according as the dam belongeth to him and look how many there be that have two lambs and if there be any strange sheep in that pound the shepherds must take notice how many have lambs and mark the lambs of every one as many as have lambs and are not gelded but if any mark sheep false let him have his sheep that owneth it when it is well known or the equivalent for he forfeits nothing that marketh amiss in the same pound IV. Of wild sheep Item If men own wild sheep together in one close and some will make their sheep â—ame and others will not let them chuse that will have their sheep tame and bid a price to the rest that will play for them both and let him rule his sheep that owneth tame sheep and if there cometh wild amongst them let him hinder it and not let wild sheep come amongst the tame but if he slips wild sheep amongst the others tame ones let him therefore undergo the Law and pay the Adversaries fine according to Law and 3 Ortes of silver to the King and then let every one make tame his sheep which are left in the close V. If any goeth alone in another mans Close If any man goeth in a close without sending word or warning him that hath Sheep in the same Close and marks the Sheep or Lambs of any putting his mark upon them that were not marked before without telling the owner of it he hath marked in secret Therefore let him pay to him that owneth according to sentence and to the King 3 Ortes of Silver if it be worth Ortes but if it be less let him be declared a dishonest man Furthermore if he marketh Sheep that were marked before and puts his mark upon the mark of him that owneth them then he is a Thief VI. Of Dogs If any man taketh along with him in the Fields or Closes any Dog that bites other mens Sheep let him give the owner as good Sheep again but if he biteth oftner let him pay as if he had killed it but if the Dogs that are consented to indamage any Sheep let the man whom the Dog followeth give as good Sheep again and have afterwards a good care of his Dog They are pernicious Dogs that bite Sheep more then once and some go out of themselves to kill Sheep there ought to be as many sheep in a Close as there hath been formerly except one can see that the Close can feed more then let as many be put in as will be agreed upon and no more in each Field neither Sheep nor Kine then one knoweth to be just and keep them in ones own Close and not in another mans or answer for it according to Law VII Of Interdiction concerning Sheep If a man lets his Sheep Feed or grow in another mans Close or Field and will not cease though he that owneth the close will not suffer it the owner must make interdiction thereupon Whereof the first forbidding must be from St. Olaus week till St. Andrews day and if the Sheep be not then taken out of forfeiture the proprietary thereof shall have a third part in the said Sheep The second Interdiction is from St. Andrews day till Lent if the Sheep be not then taken out of forfeiture the proprietary of the Close is then to have two parts in the said Sheep The third interdiction is from Lent to St. Olaus week if the Sheep be not then taken out of forfeiture let the proptietary of the Close keep all the Sheep except there hath been great distress so that he could not take out
beats the harder upon such ground as ariseth within Botthen which is perceived likewise in the streight near the Isle of Alland where because the grounds lye shallow here is heard a terrible noise which Mr. Herbinius affirms in his Dissertation to have himself experimented believing not before that such things were in nature As Whirle pools have hitherto given much to think to many so streight Currents have not busied the thoughts of a lesser number to explicate fundamentally their true cause ground and manner and though they did invent some causes they have not yet found the true Form and Modell My intention is not to set up my self against such eminent Philosophers but only to write down what I have experimented and discerned in nature if I can thereby bring any light to natural History I hope it will not displease the Ingenious Reader First here is set down the inward cause namely the secret Magnetick Sympathetical and Antipathetical vertue proved and explicated above by which Nature worketh between the Elements and bringeth them into moâ—ion Secondly there are found two other active external causes the one is the inward warmth of the Earth the other the heat of the Sun and Stars The warmth of the Earth is not as some wrongfully think a subterranean fire for then the Sea should be most moved near Island Italy and Sâ—icily since there are seen visible signs of it near them namely burning fires in the Mountains of Hecla Vesuvio and Aetna But there is a natural warmth in the Earth by vertue whereof Grass Herbs and Trees have their growing motion which â—s proved by this that the Sea hath principally in the Spring in March and April its chiefest motion and greatest Ebb and Floud in Feroe when warmth gets the upper hand and the Earth openeth it self for Plants to break out of it which motion with its Ebb and Floud doth not come as Cartesius supposeth from the the Earths Conjunction with the Moon in the Collure of the Solstice The Earth being removed under the Eqnator or the Line and the Moon under the Ecliptick meeting together in Aries and in Libra where the Aequator divideth the Zodiack and therefore the Sea and Stream are strongest in the Spring and in Autumn We will not enter here into the dispute about the motion of the Earth but only say against it that if it were so the Flouds should be greatest and the Streams most rapid both in the Spring and Autumn as Cortesius himself affirmeth though notwithstanding Ebb and Floud is greatest in the Spring and almost least of all in Autumn as is known to all the Inhabitants of Feroe besides which it would also follow that in Summer when the Moon and the Sun are in Cancer or in Winter when they are in Capricorn or in the Collure of the Solsticies the floods should be least and the streams weakest whereas in the middest of Summer the Floud is found to be greatest and the stream almost strongest one may therefore reasonably attribute it to the cause which hath then most force namely the warmth of Earth which then ascends and produceth its vertue Reason might well perswade it to be impossible that such a great and deep water should be altered thereby such a warmth being very moderate my reason would also dictate to me the same if the Magnetical Sympathy whereby this warmth is so qualified in the Water were not in nature There is neither but a mean warmth in a mans stomach which when it is hottest of all cannot be compared with the heat of fire yet in a short time it Cooks and Digests Meat to such an alteration by its natural vertue that the greatest fire could not do the like with any meat in a Kettle or boyling Pot. It is also proved that the heat of the Sun and Stars moveth the Water by this that when the warmth of the Earth is ascended in Plants and there is Rain and Cold Weather the Stream is then moderate but when the Sun shineth hot and it is Calm weather not only the Water is moved and the Boffves break out as is said before but the streams also are then very rapid and the Ebb and Floud higher then ordinary specially during the Dogdays when the Canicule together with the Sun are hottest but when the Dogdays are past and the Sun advanceth to the South the force of the Streams is weakned more and more untill Winter during which season it is but half as strong as in summer Besides this there is an other extraordinary cause of the increase of the waters motion in Winter which iâ— the hardness of the frost and having spoken of it above the Reader is referr'd thereunto God having thus created nature the Sea in the beginning was brought into a motion which will last as long as the world doth exist The form or manner of this Ebb and Floud hath most of all perplexed Philosophers every one having invented an Hypothesis to Explicate it God is wonderful in all his works and what seems hardest and difficultest of all to our understanding is often most plain and easie so this wonderful augmentation and diminution of the water doth consist in a meer motion to and fro between the Continents from East to West and from West to East and that in great waves as will be proved by the following arguments First the whole may be known by its parts seeing that the drops of water are of a round figure one may conclude that water is round Likewise as one seeth the Superficies of the water to be moved by the wind into waves one may also assuredly conclude that the motion of the great Ocean is made in Wayes so the Boffves whether it be by heat or cold forming themselves into waves the larger Sea doth the like also Secondly this is proved by experience in Nature Those of Feroe by this experience call this manner of Ebb and Floud East and West-fall East-fall is that which with its waves falleth on the East of Norway West-fall is when the Sea is moved and falleth back with its waves to the VVest part of Greenland The East-fall giveth in Feroe Ebb or lowest water falling to the East of Norway and making there highest water West-fall maketh highest water or Floud in Feroe because when the Floud falleth back from the West of Norway the Waves rise and form themselves higher and higher against Feroe according to the nature of Waves which is plainly proved by this that at East of Feroe the Water riseth but three Fathoms and at West seven Fathoms the distance whereof is but forty miles in Longitude Yea one may easily perceive the Sea to arise higher at West of Suderoe then at East though the Land where it is broadest be not above eight miles broad On the contrary Galilaeus Galilaei teacheth that it is the nature of water to lift up it self towards its extremities and run Horizontally between the Latitude whereunto it is answered that when
divided into two parts or branches whereof the one runneth Northward between England and Norway and on both sides fills up all their Havens The other runneth towards the East between Norway and Jutland towards Sweden and endeth there its working running back again six hours after from thence to the Channel joyning it self to the general motion of the Ocean at the West of America where then it maketh highest water about this particular Stream and its Ebb and Floud are these following points to be considered First that it is caused by the general motion of the Ocean and therefore the noting of the time thereof cannot contribute to the explanatioâ— of this Phaenomenon but the time oâ— the floud without the Channel ought only to be considered and from thence learn the motion of the Ocean all what is within turning it self according to the ends and points of Land by a meer Flux and re-flux as the Ocean falleth sometimes on the East and sometimes on the west part thereof Secondly it is observed that on the East side of England and Scotland as also over against it under Norway there cannot be a strong Current nor great Ebb and Flood by reason that the wave which the Ocean drives into the Channel is diminished by the many Inlets and Havens that are at the south end of England and in the reach of Land between high Sand to the Elbe and the stream running afterwards partly Northward and the North Sea between England and Norway not being perfectly moved because of its narrowness here and there at East and West that little stream according to its proportion filleth both sides whence it comes that one perceiveth no great stream in Norway till one cometh pretty well North where the Ocean â—loweth without hinderance and it is even so under the remote part of Norway and other neighbouring places In the third place it is to be doubted whether this Flood and Stream which comes in through the Channel and runneth against Gottenborough runneth not through the Catigate into the East Sea and maketh there an ordinary stream of Ebb and Floud in six hours as in the Ocean Our Herbinius denyeth the East Sea all this and for ought I could learn of our Seamen they are almost all in the same opinion not knowing any other thing of a Stream there then what a constant Wind can cause either out or in through the Sound Nevertheless the Stream which comes from the Channel runneth into the East Sea and out again though inperceptibly and all the East Sea though it cannot easily be observ'd hath its ordinary ebb and sâ—oud which is not only proved by the stream of Botthen above mentioned but can also be easily perceived by the little Current running between Faâ—ster and Zealand which orderly runneth East and West absolving its Ebb and Floud in six hours as I have newly been informed and have experimented we have also the like examples in Feroe at North of Nolsoe Stream between Stromoe and Osteroe there is no stream perceived neither ebb nor floud that can be discerned because of the depth of the ground though it be there nevertheless as is proved by the strong stream at North of Stromoe in the streight between the Islands over the high grounds described and explained above which hath its course with the Stream of Nolsoes Inlet The third proof of the manner in which ebb and floud is effected depends of the Moon which God hath created as an assistant to the motion of the Sea in exercising two offices by helping the motion thereof and by directing it That the Moon contributeth to its motion is plainly seen because the stream is in general during the whoâ—e year according to the propriety of every season strongest and ebb and floud greatest in New and Full Moon increasing and diminishing according as the Moon increaseth or diminisheth its light wherefore such a thing happeneth I humbly conceive to be this warmth being a principal cause to the motion of water in general and the Moon being of a cold and moist nature when the same receiveth its light from the Sun it groweth warm thereby and by this warmth moveth the water Now since it is most warm when it is in Conjunction or Opposition with the Sun because then it darts its beams directly upon the Moon The Moon is then therefore most able to move the water when it is New or at Full. Now the Moon generally retiring every day from the beginning of the New Moon twelve degrees from the Sun or coming every day after full Moon twelve degrees nearer it so as it retireth or cometh nearer the Sun it shooteth its beams awry on the Moon and the more byassing the Suns light is distributed the less warmth doth the Moon receive and therefore moveth the Sea as its warmth diminisheth or is increased and therefore the motion of the Sea with its floud and ebb is greatest not only when it is new or full Moon but also three days before and after and is least when the Moon is in the Quadrate or first and last quarter but because the Moon being in the Perigeum or in Conjunction with the Sun is then nearer both Sun and Earth it seemeth then to have the greatest warmth of the Sun and to be able to exercise its overture on the Sea better then when it is in the Apogeum furthest from the Sun and Earth in its opposition or filling The operation of the Moon is nevertheless equal both when it beginneth to be new and when it is filled for the Moon having greater warmth and force at new Moon it is thought to act by reflecting its light towards the Sun the dark and cola part being turned to the Earth yet having less warmth and force when it is full it can nevertheless more conveniently and better pour down what it hath on the Sea by turning its splendid aspect directly upon it But it is very remarkable that two or three days after the beginning of the new or full Moon the Stream increaseth at Floud and doth not diminish which seems to contradict and destroy our demonstration whereunto we must seek another cause then the Moon which in my opinion is this whatsoever is heavy and is brought into motion by some violent force doth not straight ways diminish its said motion when the cause hath lost its force but rather augments it it is even so in this case The Moon hath some difficulty to augment the course of the stream when it is weakest in its first and last quarter but when it is grown rapid in new and full Moon it cannot so still it self again but increaseth naturally specially the Mover having lost in two days time something of its force This is plainly seen in the Sea for when it hath been moved by a great Storm it is more unquiet the next day when the storm is appeased then it was whilest it lasted for then cometh that terrible Alde which we have described
stony Rocks and high Steep Mountains through which the Water can find no passage and because of their steepness must presently run down nevertheless the water floweth more abundantly from the Springs when it raineth in Feroe and less when it is corystan drought some of the Springs growing then wholly dry which cometh from the harmony that is between the Air and the Earth For it happeneth constantly and naturally that when the Air is resolv'd into moisture the Earth also produceth then its humidity as may be seen on the Stones of Walls and when the Air is a long time dry the earth is so likewise and when the Earth is moistened by the Air it sucketh from the Sea Water nothing but the Salt but when the Earth is dry it thirsteth and therefore sncketh in not only the Salt but also the water whence it comes that little Springs are dryed up in long droughts but where there are great veins as there is also difference amongst Conduits the water is indeed diminished but not wholly dry'd up for we have sometimes great droughts in Feroe so that the Earth splits it self to the very Rock Water is then wanting in some places but in some other never Fire and Water being almost the two chiefest necessaries of mankind nature having denied this Land Trees so that there grows here none except some little Junipers that grow in some few places near the Earth nature hath recompensed that defect with abundance of Turf whereof though the Earth be fast there are found many sorts excellent good in several places so that some of them are made use of by Smiths to work Iron with instead of Sea-coals which is not found here except in one place of Suderoe unto which yet a man can hardly come The Air of these Islands of Feroe is no less considerable then the Water In Summer it is temperately warm not very hot at any time neither is the Winter very cold though the Land lyeth under 62 degrees of Northern Latitude it freezeth seldome a moneth together neither is the Frost then so hard as to produce Ice in the open Inlets wherefore all Horse and Sheep go into the Fields during the whole Winter and never come under shelter the cause of such mild eir is the Salt Sea wherewith the Island is embraced round about which being warm both by its saline nature and perpetual motion produceth ever a warm vapour which tempers th e Air and taketh away the rigour of its coldness and together causeth a moist air so that there falleth most melted Snow miâ—ling and rain in the Valleys though it freezeth upon the Mountains from this moist air and watery Clouds is produced much storm and terrible winds which sometimes tear up the stones from the ground turn up the Earthen crust from the Rocks and rowle it together as one might rowle a piece of Lead and those stormy winds are very variable according as the Gapps are between the tops of the high Mountains betwixt which the winds gather and throng themselves through with a wonderful force when sometimes it is amongst the Folks that dwell in the Valleys under these Mountains during such a storm so still that one may goe from one house to another with a light burning and then afterwards it cometh again so terribly by Gusts as if the the Hills would be torn to pieces and it is worth consideration that before the said impetuous wind cometh or is perceived the houses crack and make a noise as if they would streight fall down which afterwards though not much moved being low built and on all sides well defended with thick Walls made of green Turff and Stones Otherwise there being such high Hills so that the wind cannot blow straight forwards but now hitts against one corner then against another and so against a third one of those strong winds thus meeteth another and as it were begin a Fight together whereby are caused terrible Whirle-winds which having a long time stormed about between the hills come down over the Inlets and whirling round about run again through them some whereof are above three miles lone a great way into the Sea and then it is very dangerous for Boats that are met thereby which must presently let fall their Sails or else they are overturned men and all it also happeneth often though the Sail be not up that the Whirle-wind overturneth the Boat and the people as many examples do witness and as Boats are in danger by such Whirle-winds so ships have sometimes no less cause to fear those Gusts from the Mountains when they fail in greatest security for they in the like manner fall down from the Mountains when it is still weather as hath been expressed of several contrary Stormy Winds which Forreign Marriners that come with their Ships between these Lands must well observe or else they may possibly come in danger thereby Specially it is to be noted about these Whirle-winds that sometimes on Land between these Rocks when it is pretty good weather and there is no danger one of them will come on a sudden so furious that it beateth a man down from his Horse yea beareth down Man and Horse as also striketh down those that are going on Foot sometimes hurting them wherefore those that are used to the Countrey can easily perceive its coming for it is heard before with a terrible boistering between the Clifts when the weather is also very quiet wherefore the Rider alighteth from his Horse and layeth himself on the ground holding fast to the Grass or to a Stone as he thinks himself securest That sort of Whirle-wind happeneth but seldome and is doubtless of that sort which naturalist call Exnephia that are caused by the Clouds on the top of the Mountains as Kircherus relateth that it happeneth on the Mountain called Table Mount at the Cape of good Hope on which Mountain there is perceived by the people a little cloud before whence is caused such terrible and unlooked for whirl-winds which Cloud when they see on the Hill they run amain to their Ships Lanch from the Land and so preserve themselves and their Shipping There is told a strange Story which is said to have happened in this Countrey by reason of a Whirle-wind which the most part of those that read it will perhaps not believe though it be true It happened a pretty long time since that a Priest of Suderoe called Broder Anderson travelled to one of his Parishes namely Sumboe and when he came in those parts in a place called Sumboe Horse which is a very high Clift above 200 Fathoms high and hath several points by reason of which besides the height of the Mountain whether the wind bloweth from the Land or to the Land there may be caused a strong Whirlewind and the high way being very near the edge of the promontory where there is always a pretty storm though it be still weather every where below which happeneth by reason of the
promontories height and hinderance of the Airs free passage happened that the Priest coming that way towards Sumboe Horse there came a strong Whirlewind that took away the Priest and Horse together and carried him beyond the edge of the Promontory and another whirlewind coming directly against it threw him again on the Land without any hurt Though this seems incredible to many it is nevertheless told for a truth by many worthy of belief I have my self been at and visited the place according to the Scituation whereof it seems that it might naturally happen a stronger whirlwind having overcome that coming from the Land it may then according to the nature of a whirlewind have driven both the weaker wind and the man to Land again which I do not only grant might naturally be but believe also that God by his Omnipotency and the Protection of his Angels hath contributed thereunto others may believe hereof what best pleaseth them Otherwise the ordinary winds that blow here are for the most part West and South West specially in the Spring and Harvest these Winds being very moist and it happeneth usually that on the side of the Land where the wind bloweth there is Rain and bad weather whilest on the other side it is fair and clear which cometh by reason of the Lands great height Here being no very hot Summer neither is there any thunder heard during that season but only in Winter when there is a great Storm and there falleth Rain which is the more terrible all being then turbulent By reason of the Premises there flowing almost by every mans house a running stream washing away all impurities that might infect the air and the salt vapour of the Sea keeping it from corruption as salt keepeth bodies from rotting and though finally some poisenous vapours might ascend into it it is nevertheless continually cleansed by the perpetual Strong Wind and Thunder that happeneth usually in Autumn Winter and Spring there is usually in Feroe a wholesome Air free from Pestilence Infection and Contagious Diseases which do never range here except they be brought in by other sick people Neither are any here troubled with Agues but it is experimented that they who had it and could not be quit of it in other places by the use of Medicaments have been freed of it coming hither by the Lands nature without using any other Medicine whence it comes that the people live longer here then usually in other places Neither are children here plagued with the Small Pox as else where this sickness not being known here except it be brought from Forreign parts and then here is seen a great misery Men and Women Children and Servants old and young lying then at once in bed of that sickness so that none of them can help the other and the Sound shunning the Infected as death it self In the Year 1651. when I arrived first into this Countrey there came a young man the same Summer from Denmark to Thors-Haven who had been sick of the Small Pox and had brought along with him the Shirt he lay in unwashed which he gave a Woman to wash that was straight ways infected by the damp of the said Shirt and by her again others that did not know the Disease at first wherefore when I came to that place there was a great calamity almost every one both old and young lying a bed of the Small Pox it being a great misery not only by reason of the Disease it self that took away old and young but also because the Sound shunned the sick and refused to bury the dead the Peasants durst not come to Thors-Haven to buy their necessaries and though they all so much shunned the sickness they were nevertheless Infected with it till it had spread it self over the whoâ—e Countrey even over Suderoe that lyeth most out of the way Though the Air as aforesaid be wholesome the land nevertheless is not therefore free from Sickness but this Country as well as other hath its particular Diseases for the air being first cold and moist whereby Flegme is dayly augmented the Inhabitants are almost all troubled twice a year with a strong Rhume which they call Kriim in the Spring and after Harvest for it falleth at once on the Nose and Lungs with a strong Cough and Spitting head ach and pain in the Limbs so that many must lye a long time in bed and some dye of it Against this Sickness they drink sower Whey as hot as they can suffer it but this sickness is a wholesome Sickness to them for nature in its fittest time doth purge the body of all impurity contracted by the cold moisture of the Air which might otherwise cause many and great Diseases Secondly of this cold moisture is caused though not every year a hot sickness called Landfarsoett because it bareth over the Land not unlike to the hot Sickness which Souldiers are taken with in cold and moist Leaguers in Winter for that disease is very hot with accute pain of the Head and Distractions with Flux of the Belly in Summer and doth not cease till it hath consumed the very Marrow of the Bones but they dye thereof Though the greatest part are Healed by the Providence of God having no other Remedy against it In the third place this cold and moist Temperature together with their dwelling on the Sea side causeth especially in Flegmatick Folks that do not much stir themselves this dangerous Sickness the Scurvy that sort of people not being here able to preserve themselves easily from it they Cure themselves usually with new Milk wherein hath boiled Scurvy-grass and many with new Milk alone For the Fourth the said Aire giving the Scurvy to some causeth also in some few according to their Complexion and Dyet that Incurable Disease the Leprosie for Scorbutus and Lepra according to the opinion of Physicians being as Brother and Sister it followeth that they have either a Father or Mother together Of which Leprosie and its Causes and Quallities we will make further mention in a fitter place CHAP. II. Of the Lands Fertility OTher Countryes are justly esteemed for their great riches namely several Mettals Minerals Pretious Stones Pearles Wine and Corn but God and Nature have denyed all this to these Islands here might possibly be found some Copper and Iron Mines which might be concluded by reason of some small Rivolets running down the Hills in Summer which are found to grow Green in dry weather as Verdigrease but I dare not undertake to affirm any thing about it amongst Mineralls here is found Talke in the North Islands but in very little quantity I have found here two sorts of Salt-Peter stones whereof Salt-Peter can be prepared though not in great quantity On the Sand near the Sea-side there are found in some places a kind of Pellucide-stones so hard that one can Write on Glass with them they are white or of a blewish white calour some of them yellow some of them are so
even Polished that they serve to put in Rings whereunto they are used by some It is found that they grow in the Clifts and are washed off by the Sea-waves no body could yet know whether they be of any worth for some of them have by curiosity been carried to Jewelers but they have not been esteemed any thing My late private precept or the Learned and Famous Olaus Normins at my departure for Feroe shewed me amongst other Rarities in his Cabinet that sort of Stones sent him from Feroe and conceived they were Jaspis stones telling me also that they had lost their colour since he had them and desired me that I would send him some more of them which I did accordingly perform The Pearles whereof Mr. Peter Clauson writes in his Description of Norway that they are found in Muscles here are no other then those that are found in the Muscles of Denmark concerning the Stone which he also writes is found here by the sea side shaped like a Heart o Kidney called by the Inhabitants a Fairies Kidney that as Mr. Peter writeth according to the received opinion of the Inhabitants doth bring forth another Stone when it is kept long it is very certain that Fairies Kidneys ore found here but the Inhabitants have not that superstitious opinion of them neither is it any Stone but a West India Bean as hath been told me by a very knowing man for it hath a hard outward shell of a Chestnut brown colour and within a sweet Kernell This doubtless falls in other places off from its stalk into the Sea and is brought hither by the Stream They are carryed to Forreign Countreys and there carved to make Boxes for Sunff Tobacco here is also found but in small quantities some brittle Chrystal which cannot be wroâ—â—ht Though God hath denyed this land the riches aforesaid it hath nevertheless pleased him to enrich it with what can hardlyer be wanted in nature if the Land could be till'd every where as in other places it would in Fertility of Corn go beyond other Countreys equally large but here a Countryman cannot sow above one or two Tuns of Corn but in many places they Reap again 20 or 30 Tuns for one Tun of Seed specially in the Southerly Islands where they reap so much Corn that it need none to be imported from forreign Countryes Here is nothing sowed but Barley for other Seeds will not come to maturity and there being here but little sowed there is the more ground for Pastures In several places Grass is found so abundant and juicy that Oxen feed thereon both Winter and Summer growing sometimes so Fat that one can get in an Ox that is not big of growth 100 pound of Tallow and such places they call Feidelands It is very remarkable that where there are such Feidelands they ever turn to the North East and North wherefore would not think that the North or North East Wind could cause any Fertillity they being cold but rather the South West or West these being warm and moist and having more the Suns assistance to operate with them whence it comes that the old Grecians called the West Wind Zephirus as that which caused life in Plants Nevertheless the contrary is found in these pastures It is also observed that in Island the North part is more Fertile with Grass and Cattell then the South Greenland is also found to be given with Grass on the North East side whence it hath also received its name but on the West side there is found little or no grass If you will inquire the natural cause of this we must consult the Chymists who write much of their great Monarch or Lyon of the North especially mentioned by Theophrastus Paracelsus whereby they mean nothing but Nitre a special Agent in Chymical Operations The cause wherefore they call Nitre a Monarch and Lyon of the North is that in the Snow coming from the North or North East there is naturally found Salt Peter Wherefore when one cannot have other more convenient liquors to make Salt Peter of or sor other Chymical Operations they make use of North or North East Rain and Snow Besides there is found in their writings that Salt peter is not only used in the particular transmutation of Mettals but also that being dissolved and Corn dipt in it it may be sowed without dunging in the very leanest ground giving it an extraordinary production all dunging whereby the Earth is made Feftile having its inward vertue and essence consisting in Nitre or the Salt thereof which is clearly proved by an example known almost every where for those that make Salt Peter dig up old Floors from under Cattel or Sheep whereof they extract the Nitre that is ingendred there of the Beasts virtue whence it comes that Dunghills where Cattels Urine remains and rots are better for Dâ—ngning then dry dung it self For a further example it is seen here in Feroe that they take Sea weeds from the Shoare and lay them on heaps to â—ot wherewith afterwards they lung their ground which then bearâ—th abundance of Corn that effect proceeding doubtless of the Salt in â—he Sea weeds since Salt Peter can naturally be prepared of Salt from the premises North East Snow and Rain having Salt Peter in it self and all lunging consisting in Nitre The Reader may easily conclude that such plaâ—es as are exposed to North East Winds must consequently be more fruitful then others But here is also â—o be observed that the said places are Valleys arising usually with a high Promontory against the Sun which also helps to their Fertility the Scorching Beams of the Sun being hindred thereby One might here well imagine that since it Snoweth and Raineth from the North East or North over the whole Island and the Sun draweth Plants out of the Earth it might be most fruitful where the Sun doth shine the whole day with its beams it is found in nature that the Sun it self doth not produce the Plants from the Earth but warmeth nature and the night cooleth and moistneth what the Sun hath dryed and scorch'd whence principally Plants are produc'd In the Lands which lye under the torrid Zone nothing at all could grow because of the heat of the Sun if the night was not as long as the day and by its cooling and dew did not temperate the Plants It is observed here in Feroe that in the midst of Summer when in two months time there is almost no night Corn groweth but very little though it rainethâ— nor herbs though they be watered in dry weather and when the night beginneth to be longer Corn and Herbs grow more in a night and day then otherwise in fourteen from whence it is seen that the Sun at certain times doth indamage Plants and where it striketh directly down with its gathered Beams consumeth the moisture and fatness of the ground but where by a moderate reflexion it warmeth the Earth which happeneth in the Valleys aforesaid where
King Sigurt the Hierosolomites Brother being then but 5 year old went over with his Mother Gonild and his Father in Law Vnas to Bishop Roar in Feroe who was his Father in Laws Brother and stayed there till he should be ordained Priest But hearing then of his Mother that he was the â—on of King Sigurd Haroldson he said he would not change the Kingdom of Norway for a Priests living in Feroe and therewith threw aside his Gown and went to Norway to take in the Hereditary Kingdome of his Fore-fathers After this King Suerre a man of Feroe called Erling raised up himself giving out that he was this King Suerre's Son and went to Norway on the Ship of Hiner a districts man whereof see further the Chron. of Norway in the 589 page From which example it appeareth plainly that not only Bishops but also districts men that should take care of the Kings affairs and gather his contributions were constituted in Feroe by the Kings of Norway and therefore Feroe hath since that time been subject to the Kings of Norway with contributions and all other duties but it cannot be known in what year this begun neither is it much worth enquiring after For as this Bishop Roar is not found in the description of Norway amongst the Bishops of Feroe in the Catalogue and the Historian hath neither mentioned that this Bishop was the first nor when or by whom he was established so the Author hath neither cared for when Feroe was laid under the Crown of Norway as a thing which did not properly belong to the scope of his Treatise Feroe having ever since the time mentioned been a Province subject to the Kingdom of Norway it hath not only happened that the principal men thereof as Members of that Kingdom have been made use of in businesses of great importance as we read in the Chronicle of Norway pag 635. that in King Hagen Hagensens time who was King Suerres Grandchild Swerke Bishop of Feroe was with others in the Assembly of the States in the year of Christ 1223. when King Hagen Hagenson was by all the States sworn and judged to be the true Heir of the Kingdom of Norway but they have also as faithful subjects received Justice from the Kings of Norway in doubtful causes as appeareth by a particular Law called Soide-Breffvet or an ordinance about Sheep declaring how one must deal therewith that the one may not wrong the other There is a great errour in the date thereof mentioning it to be given at Opsloâ— in the year of Christ 1040. which time is but a short while after Charles the Tender was kill'd in Feroe whereas it hath been proved that Feroe was not then under the Kings of Norway And this error is not only proved hereby but also by these arguments First it is mentioned in the Sheep Ordinance that it was Hagen Duke of Norway King Magnus the Crowned Son that gave it out and there is found no King Magnas before then till the time of King Magnus Oluffson The first King Magnus that was Crowned was King Magnus Erlingson who reigned in the year of Christ 1164. and had one Son called Hagen neither did any of his Children rule in Norway being himself kill'd by Suerre and all his Progeny driven out and destroyed Secondly there is named in the Sheep-Ordinance Bishop Erlander who in the Catalogue of the Bishops of Feroe is the third after Suerquire of whom is said above that he was in the year 1223. in the general Assembly of the States whence it plainly appeareth that there is a great errour in the time it was given out But that we may come to some certainty about the date of this Sheep-Ordinance we find in History that King Magnus Hagenson Lagebetter who Reigned over Norway in the year 1263. had two Sons Erick and Hagen Erick became King after his Father and was called Erick Priesthater who reigned 19 years and died in the year 1299. In this King Ericks 19 years reign his Brother Hagen was as a Duke in Norway though History doth not speak plainly of it yet it can be easily concluded by the circumstances for antiently since the time of Harolds Pulchricomus the Kings of Norway's Sons were called Graves or Earls but Hagen Hagenson the Father of King Magnus the Crowned brought first the Title of Duke over into Norway making his Queen's Father who was before an Earl or Count to be a Duke After which the Title of Duke was ever given to the Kings Sons whence it appeareth that this Sheep Ordinance was given out in the 19 year of that Duke when his Brother Erick dyed and he became King that is in the year 1299. The circumstances of History does much confirm this opinion in other manner for as Duke Hagen calls himself for Honors sake the son of King Magnus the Crowned so there are none of the former Kings so remarkable by their Coronation as this King Magnus who was Crowned during his Fathers Life without any contradiction but rather with the desire of all which never happened before for which reason it may be he was called King Magnus the Crowned This King Magnus bettered the Law wherefore he was called Law-betterer He writ also a particular law for those of Island as also the Ordinance of Christianity which was sent over to those of Feroe whereupon it seems they found something to complain of as appeareth by the Proeme to the Sheep-Ordinance of which it seems those of Feroe took then occasion to desire of his Son that particular ordinance concerning Sheep much misdemeanour being used therein which had in that long space crept amongst the commonalty of which law we will further speak in the sixth Chapter when we treat of their Policy This ordinance concerning Sheep was confirmed by Christian the IV. King of Denmark of happy Memory and Printed upon the humble desires of the Inhabitants of Feroe though this fault was left uncorrected but this must be imputed to the simple negligence of the Inhabitants who have had a Copy of that Law kept by them during so long time the original having been robb'd away As they have received Laws and particular ordinances from the Kings of Norway so they have from time to time sworn Allegiance to the said Kings for one readeth in the Chronicle of Norway pag. 707. that in the year of Christ 1240. the Inhabitants of Norway Orkeny Hetland Feroe and Island swore Allegiance and Fidelity to young King Hagen Hagenson which custome may well have been followed as well in regard of the succeeding Kings of Norway as of those of Denmark though nothing of it be noted in the Annals The same duty being also performed in our days for in the year 1649. the high and mighty Prince Frederick the Third King of Denmark Norway of the Gothes and Vandalis now Deceased sent to Island and Feroe the Right Honourable Lord Henry Bialk Lord of Elling-Guard Knight Governour of Island his Majesties Rix
wool into stockings and instead that only some hundred pairs of stockings were then every year transported out of the Country there are now and carried out yearly above 60000 pairs when it pleaseth God to preserve their sheep by giving a mild Winter The Wares that are either sold or exchanged here are reduced into mony of Feroe namely Skins and Gilders a Skin is as much as 4 Danish Shillings so that a Sheepskin or 4 Marks of fish doth cost one skin a Gilder is as much as 5 Danish Marks so that 20 Sheepskins or a load of fish maketh a Gilder a load is 36 pounds or two Lis pounds and four single pounds so that though two single pounds or 4 Marks make but one skin and 36 single pounds are really but eighteen skins the load nevertheless according to the old Tax either in fish or other wares that are sold by the Load is worth a Gilder and though the Law of Norway ordereth that the Ell of Zeland and the the Tun of Copenhagen shall be made use of all over Norway they use here nevertheless from antient time the Ell of Hamborough and the Tun of Rostock which by an old custom is shaken three times It may be the Germans who had the first Priviledge of Commerce have brought these measures into Feroe where they have remained ever since Besides this the Inhabitants have a particular greater price of things amongst themselves which is called a Mark of Feroe that is worth 16 Gilders or currant Dollars They call it a Mark because a Mark of ground in Feroe by the antient Tax is reckoned for 16 Gilders of Feroe The Inhabitants pay also their Rents to his Majesty in the Rent-chamber according to the Tax aforesaid yet his Majesties Bayliff taketh one skin more in the Load of his Majesties Revenue which the late Provincial Judge Jonas Heineson granted his Brother Magnus Heineson who then received and transported away his Majesties Revenue may be lest he should come short upon the Merchandises for the great Leakage there is on Butter and Tallow whence it is since come into perpetual custom and whereas all his Majesties Tenants have in their houses the Kings Inventory consisting principally in sheep and Kine which is called the Kings Furniture they give therefore to his Majesty besides their Rents a a yearly Revenue namely for every sheep a sheepskin or the worth in Tallow and for every Cow a load of Butter for every Mark of ground where there is no Kine ten skins in other Wares and some Countrymen having 3 or 400 and above of Furniture sheep it is too difficult for them to pay all in sheepskins wherefore they lay down the half part in skins and the other half in tallow and whereas a skin or 4 Marks of Tallow are worth a skin and a half and a Tun of Tallow 10 Gilders the Tun of Tallow is taken by the weight viz. when it weigheth 6 loads and 2 Bismar-pounds which weight a Tun of Butter ought also to weigh since likewise it is worth 10 Gilders of Feroe III. Of providing for the Poor Besides the portion which poor indigent old and helpless men have of the 4 th part of Tythes every one in his place the able Inhabitants assist them according to their power but besides these here are also found poor leprous men with whom one cannot converse by reason that sickness is infectious wherefore deceased Christian Kings have founded a particular place called Arge near Thors haven whereunto belongeth 4 Marks of ground to feed their Catâ—le upon and besides have gratiously perpetuated 100 Gilders of Feroe that are paid by his Majesties Bayliff The infected are brought and kept there both by the said Annuity of the King as also by what the Inhabitants out of Charity give thereunto as also what can be brought in by their particular diligence wherewith they are now so plentifully maintain'd that almost as many may be entertained there as are infected whereas before there were yearly but 12 persons admitted therein The word of God is Preached unto them and the Sacraments administred by the Parish Priest of Thors haven when they send him word they have their own inspector that takes care for the Tilling of the Mannor provides the sick what they have need of and travels yearly through the Land to gather for the Hospital what charitable people do freely give the poor His Sallary to maintain himself and his servants is the third part of the Kings annuity and what else is gathered round about in the Country As for Leprosie it self I would not omit for the Readers sake to mention something of its nature Physicians write that there are three so it s of Leprosies namely Tyriâ— from the Serpent Tyrâ—â— In this Leprosie the Patients skin is soft and sometimes falleth off in shells and they have many spots and white Wartes thereon The second is called Alopesia by reason the hairs fall off as those of a Fox he that is infected with this Leprosie hath a red face and his Beard and Eye-brows fall off The third sort is called Elephantiaâ—â—â— from the Elephant to whom they become like on their skin the body and face of him that is infected with this Disease is full of knobs The Leprosie wherewith they are troubled in this Country is usually Elephantiasis for the face and limbs of almost all the infected are full of blew knobs that break sometimes out as Boyls whereby they look very deform'd in the face being besides all Hoarse and speaking through their Noses the sickness taketh them most in the Spring and in Autumn and then many of them dye thereof I find the cause of this Leprosie to be the air and dyet for as we said above here is usually a pretty cold and moist air which usually causeth the Scurvy to those that lead a solitary life and this hath a great affinity with Leprofy Besides the meat of all specially of the poorer sort is half rotten flesh or fish all their nourishment in Summer being likewise fresh fish and sweet Milk without any Salt wherfore he that is not of a strong and good complexion may easily have his blood corrupted the sickness gnawing then it self throught he body before it breaketh out and when any one is so infected he may easily give it to another that is of the same complexion with the sick Now that Disease acting a great while in a man before it breaketh out it happeneth that many that think they be clean on both sides do marry together and yet afterwards the one is found to be infected God and nature deals wonderfully with such people in their marriage for amongst the children they beget some clean and some unclean I have 3 examples in my Parish of Women that have been unclean and have brought forth many Children whereof most are married none of them being yet found to be unclean wherefore the Inhabitants take but little care in their woing whether their Parents