It is difficult to ascertain the original shape of this venerable structure; there being but two walls now remaining. At the end of one of these walls is a circular tower, of great strength and solidity, which, probably, was intended for the defence of the palace. Although the Earl and the Bishop had their residences so near to each other, yet the temporal and ecclesiastical Chiefs were ever at variance, and their quarrels and intrigues occupy a large portion of the Orkney history.

The town of Kirkwall consists of one long narrow street, which, from its proximity to the sea, and its central situation, was chosen to be the metropolis of the Orkneys many years ago: it is now a royal burgh, and it sends one member to Parliament. The street is generally damp and muddy, and there are very few good-looking houses in it. The house of a gentleman of the name of Baikie has five or six trees growing before it; and these are, I believe, almost the only trees in Orkney; although it be proved, from the number of roots dug up occasionally, that the Orkneys, in former times, were by no means destitute of wood[44].

The town is badly lighted; but, in this respect, it is superior to Stromness; which place cannot boast of a single lamp. When we mentioned this inconvenience, during a conversation with one of the magistrates, he most ingeniously parried the attack, by asserting that the inhabitants were all so sober and good, that they never quitted their houses after dark; consequently the lighting of the town would be attended with unnecessary expense and trouble.

The people of Kirkwall boast much of the Ayr, a public promenade belonging to the town. The Ayr is a natural embankment, projecting like a pier into the sea, and it is washed on both sides by the water. In summer time, the Ayr must prove a very refreshing walk, and an agreeable escape from the filthy street of Kirkwall.

With regard to the people of Orkney, it will be only necessary to add, that a most unbounded hospitality is their leading characteristic; and perhaps an eager curiosity is also an equally prominent trait. When a stranger enters the town of Kirkwall, the intelligence of his arrival flies with the rapidity of wild-fire: the old women, with their knitting apparatus in their hands, stand staring at the doors; and they hardly suffer him to pass, before his ears are assailed by a general inquiry of “D’ye ken wha that chiel is?” This exclamation is repeated by a dozen voices at once, at every door he passes in his route; and he will perhaps feel uneasy in thus becoming an object of scrutiny to the whole population.

The people of Orkney are naturally grave and sober, with much outward appearance of devotion; yet, at the annual fair which is held at Kirkwall, they suddenly relax into the most unbridled licentiousness: neither are they in general to be admired for the honour or liberality of their dealings, as they delight in making what is called a “gude bargain;” and they feel no hesitation in overcharging a stranger, to accomplish this desirable end.

I shall here conclude this Narrative; merely adding, that the Rosamond and her convoy again sailed from the Orkneys on the 7th of November, and arrived safe at the Nore on the 17th of the same month; when an inspection having been made of the Rosamond’s defects, she was reported to be totally unfit for sea, in consequence of the damage she had sustained amongst the ice of Hudson’s Straits; and she was accordingly put out of commission, and immediately advertised to be sold out of His Majesty’s service.

Appendix (A).
STATEMENT of the VARIATION of the COMPASS,
WEST FROM LONDON.

From the Latitude of 59° 00 N.
From the Longitude of 3° to 6° 28°
6° ... 12° 31°
12° ... 16° 32°
16° ... 18° 34°
18° ... 22° 36°
22° ... 26° 38°
26° ... 30° 40°
30° ... 34° 42°
34° ... 39° 44°
39° ... 42° 45°
42° ... 60° 45°
60° ... 63° 47°
63° ... 78° into Lat. 63° N. 48° & 49°
78° ... 81° 62° 40′ 48°
81° 45′ ... — 62° 38′ 46°
82° — ... — 62° 36′ 44°
82° 15′ ... — 62° 34′ 42°
82° 00′ ... — 62° 32′ 40°
82° 45′ ... — 62° 30′ 38°
83° — ... — 62° 25′ 36°
83° 30′ ... — 62° 00′ 33°
85° 00′ ... — 61° 30′ 28°
87° 00′ ... — 60° 45′ 22°
89° — ... — 59° 45′ 19°
91° — ... 92° 59° 00′ 11°
92° — ... 95° 59° 00′ 5°
Lat. of Hoy Head 58° 58′ N. Long. 3° 30′ W.
—— of York Factory 57° 2′ N. —— 92° 40′ W.
—— of Cape Churchill 58° 50′ N. —— 93° 4′ W.
—— Where the Ships lay at York 57° 8′ N. —— 92° 30′ W.