Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-03

1t will probably be news to most
people that there are still living in re-
mote, and, for the most part, out
lying portions of the British Isles, peo-
pie whose dwelling places, and mode
of life in general, are but very little
removed from those of saVages.
In many of the lesser-knOwn
Hebrides, for instance, the people are
as much cut off from civilization as
are the Inuits, or The kongo dWarts.
Their houses are so far as outward
appearance goes, exactly like kattlr
huts-just rough heaps OF stones a
few feet high, surmounted by clrcu-
lar straw roofs. Chimneys, as a rule,
are conspicuous by their absence, and
the reek of the peat smoke fills each
interior Men, women and children
20 barefoot, even in the depths or
winter
Whisk up the average stay-at-home
Englishman, set him down suddenly
among these strange folks, and then
ask him to guess what part OF the
world he is in. He would probably
name half hundred outlandish
places in Asia, Africa and America;
but it is practically certain he would
never once guess that he was on
British island. Even the language OF
the natives-Gaelic-w be quite
unintelligible to him.
Not, of course, be it understood,
that these hardy fishermen are
savages in the sense of being de-
graded, gluttonous or cruel. On the
contrary, they are fine, healthy
race and exceedingly religious and
temperate. But it is doubtful If their
standard of living is even up to that
of many aboriginal tribes, and it is,
certain that they know, for the most
part quite as little of what is going on
In the great world around them.
similar remark applies to not a
few remote islands off the west coast
of Ireland, where may be studied
primitive habits of life which have
remained unaltered since the days
of the semi-legendary Firbolgs. The
dwellings on many of these remote
outposts Of Britain do not even pre-
tend to be weather-proof. They are
merely rough, blackstone novels, with
matched roofs tied on by stone
weighted wisps, and, of course no
chimneys. Men, women and children
are all obliged to work at the fishing
and in the fields.
In parts of Connemara, too, is pre-
served a curious custom, which is ex-
actly akin to the summer migration of
the savage Samoyeds and their rein
deer. With the coming of spring the
entire population of several villages
will close their winter dwellings, tie
their infant children on their backs,
carry with them their shovels, some
corn and potatoes, with few pots
and cooking utensils, drive their cat
tie before them, and migrate into the
hills in search of fresh pasture for
their fiocks.
Arrived there, they build mud huts.
or summer houses of sods and wat
ties, and proceed to cultivate and SOW
with corn a few fertile spots in the
neighboring valleys. They remain
thus for about two months of the
spring and early summer, till the corn
is sown. Then, their stock of pro-
visions being exhausted and the pas
ture consumed by their cattle, they
return to the shore and exc out a
precarious condition by fishing. No
further attention is devoted to the
crops until they return to reap them
In the autumn in manner similar to
the spring migration.
The goddess Flora is worshipped an
nually on May 8 at Helston, in Corn
wall, with much pomp, ceremony and
rejoicing. On the evening of the
previous day practically the entire
adult population sallies forth into the
surrounding countryside for garlands
and green branches, just as did the
ancier. Romans eighteen centuries
ago. The main feature of the festi
val is curious dance performed to q
sprightly tune, said to be used also
in Wales and in Brittany, and on
Flora Day" as it is locally termed
both doors of all houses are kept open
In order that the strings of dancers
may pass through them at pleasure
For any householder to close his doors
would be to invite misfortune and i'll
luck throughout the ensuing year.
Nearly all travellers in Central
Africa have referred to the curious
custom, prevalent among almost al
most all the pagan tribes, of driving
quantities of nails into sacred trees
and other objects that have been ad
Judged worthy of veneration; anG
this not in malice, but as a religious
rite, the nails in question being in
tended as votive offerings
Exactly the same thing may be wit
messed today at the sacred well of St
Maebrubha, in Loeb Maree, Ross-shire
where Is an ancient oak tree Studded
with countless nails of all sizes, The
offerings of Invalid pilgrims wht
came to worship and be cured. Pen
MES and half-pennies, also are to b,
seen IN enormous quantities driver
edgeways into the tough bark; AM
a friend of the writer's, who visited
the spot some little time back. dis
covered in cleft high up in the trunl
what he took to be a shilling. On he
ing extracted, however, it proved II
be counterfeit. Probably the donor
finding that he could get no value fo
his coin in the natural world con
Guided he might as we'll try. as las