14,689. But it was not unusual to ask them?-We might ask them if they required anything, and sometimes they bought something from us after settlement.
14,690. In that case would it be added to their account at the time, or would there just be a handing back of the cash to you for the goods?-Just a handing back of the cash.
14,691. Such purchases are usually made after settlement?-They are always made after settlement, at least almost invariably; but occasionally I have seen men purchasing goods and laying them aside until they got their money, and then paying for them. In that case the goods were not entered into any book, but were just put up into a parcel and laid aside for them.
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Lerwick, January 29, 1872, Dr. ROBERT COWIE, examined.
14,692. You are a medical practitioner in Lerwick?-I am.
14,693. Are you a native of Shetland?-Yes; a native of Lerwick.
14,694. Have you lived here almost all your life?-Yes; except when I was south for my education.
14,695. I presume you have had many opportunities of mixing with all orders of people here in the course of the practice of your profession, and also previously to some extent?-I have.
14,696. You are acquainted with the fact that a system of barter prevails very extensively in different parts of the islands?-Yes, almost universally.