304 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Newhaven.
~~~~~ ~
being inadmissible from the broad belt which supports
the creel, that is, fish-basket, crossing the
forehead. A sort of woollen pea-jacket with vast
amplitude of skirt, conceals the upper part of the
person, relieved at the throat by a liberal display
of handkerchief The under part of the figure is
endued upon a masculine but handsome form, notwithstanding
the slight stoop forward, which is
almost uniformly contracted-fancy the firm and
elastic step, the toes slightly inclined inwardsand
the ruddy complexion resulting from hard
exercise, and you have the beau idiab of fishwives."
REV. DR. FAIRBAIRN. (A&r a Photagrajh 6y John Mojat, Elnburgh.)
invested with a voluminous quantity of petticoat,
of substantial material and gaudy colour, generally
yellow with stripes, so made as to admit of a very
free inspection of the ankle, and worn in such
numbers that the bare mention of them would be
enough to make a fine lady faint. 'One half of
these ample garments is gathered over the haunches,
puffing out the figure in an unusual and uncouth
manner. White worsted stockings and stout shoes
complete the picture. Imagine these investments
The unmarried girls when pursuing the trade of
hawking fish wear the same costume, save that
their heads are always bare.
The Buckhaven fisher people on the opposite
coast are said to derive their origin from Flemish
settlers, and yet adhere to the wide trousers and
long boots of the Netherlands; but there is no
reason for supposing that those of Newhaven or
Fisherrow are descended from any other than a
good old Scottish stock.
