FAROE, the name given to a group of islands in the Northern Ocean, belonging to Denmark.
The early history of these islands, though they were colo nized by the same people who rendered that of Iceland so extraordinary, presents nothing in the least degree interest ing. They appear to have been resorted to lung before Ice land was discovered ; and the same cause, the subjugation of the petty states of Norway by Harold the fair-haired, led to the colonization of both in the 9th century. Those inhabitants of Norway who (lid not chose to submit to that victorious monarch, left their native country, and settled in Iceland, Fame, Zeeland, and Orkney. Lucas Debes, iti his curious work Feroa Reserata, very justly remarks, that had the peo ple of Faroe, who were of the same rank with those who betook themselves to Iceland, been equally diligent in the cultivation of letters as their western neighbours, we might have had better and more interesting information handed down to us. It is not improbable that, as the Faroese em ployed themselves in piracy, they were objects of jealousy and attack ; and being thus constantly engaged either in molesting their neighbours, or in defending themselves, education and literature would of course be neglected.
The islands were at first the property of various chiefs, whose petty warfare seems to have lasted a long time, un til they were finally subdued by the kings of Norway. The Christian religion was introduced in the year 1000 by a native, Sigismund Bresteson, who was employed by king Olave Trygeson. The reformed religion appears to have been established about the middle of the 16th century.
In the last century, a very close connection between va rious parts of Britain and Faroe subsisted during the Ame rican war, and for some time after. They were found to be a most convenient depot for goods intended to be smug gled into this country; and regular establishments were made for carrying on a contraband trade. The frequent intercourse between the people of the two countries, ren dered the English language familiar to the Faroese, of whom a considerable number is yet to be met with who speak it with fluency. The war with France, and the destruc tion of the Dutch and Danish East India trade, put a final stop to smuggling, and reduced the islands to a state of great poverty. In the year 1808, Captain Baugh was sent
to Faroe with the Clio sloop of war, and the fort at Thors havn was destroyed, to prevent its being a protection to privateers. Some time afterwards, a German, assuming the title of Baron Hompesch, who had obtained a letter of marque, landed at Thorshavn, plundered the inhabitants of every thing, and broke into the church where the public chest was deposited. A small crucifix of silver, which stood on the altar, was seized with eagerness, but when it was found to be hollow, and of no great value, it was re stored. The British government very properly and hu manely refused to sanction these proceedings ; and some disturbances having happened in the year 1809, between some British merchants and the Icelanders, an order in council was issued, commanding British subjects to consi der the Icelanders, Faroese, and the people of the Danish settlements in Greenland, as stranger friends, and permit ting a trade between these places and the ports of London, Leith, and Liverpool, on certain conditions. The money, and the value of all the goods of which Faroe and Iceland had been robbed, were restored.
In 1811, Lieutenant Banks of the Forward gun brig, was dispatched from Leith to make a report on the state of the Faroe islands, representations having been made to govern ment, that the inhabitants were in great distress on account of the scarcity of provisions. Two ships, in consequence of Mr Banks' report, were permitted to carry corn and other articles from Denmark to Fame, and to take Faroe goods in return, provided they touched at Leith to have their licences annually renewed. The peace concluded with Denmark in January 1814, and the recent arrange ments with Norway and Sweden, will save the inhabitants from the risk of famine; but unless the Danish govern ment becomes a little more liberal, and a little more en lightened, in regard to the management of their distant possessions, the people must continue in a state of misera ble dependence, and without the means of improving the little soil capable of cultivation.