首页 >出版文学> A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland>第2章
  YetwhattheRomansdidtoothernations,wasinagreatdegreedonebyCromwelltotheScots;hecivilizedthembyconquest,andintroducedbyusefulviolencetheartsofpeace。IwastoldatAberdeenthatthepeoplelearnedfromCromwell'ssoldierstomakeshoesandtoplantkail。
  Howtheylivedwithoutkail,itisnoteasytoguess:Theycultivatehardlyanyotherplantforcommontables,andwhentheyhadnotkailtheyprobablyhadnothing。Thenumbersthatgobarefootarestillsufficienttoshewthatshoesmaybespared:
  Theyarenotyetconsideredasnecessariesoflife;fortallboys,nototherwisemeanlydressed,runwithouttheminthestreets;andintheislandsthesonsofgentlemenpassseveraloftheirfirstyearswithnakedfeet。
  IknownotwhetheritbenotpeculiartotheScotstohaveattainedtheliberal,withoutthemanualarts,tohaveexcelledinornamentalknowledge,andtohavewantednotonlytheelegancies,buttheconveniencesofcommonlife。LiteraturesoonafteritsrevivalfounditswaytoScotland,andfromthemiddleofthesixteenthcentury,almosttothemiddleoftheseventeenth,thepoliterstudieswereverydiligentlypursued。TheLatinpoetryofDeliciaePoetarumScotorumwouldhavedonehonourtoanynation,atleasttillthepublicationofMay'sSupplementtheEnglishhadverylittletooppose。
  Yetmenthusingeniousandinquisitivewerecontenttoliveintotalignoranceofthetradesbywhichhumanwantsaresupplied,andtosupplythembythegrossestmeans。TilltheUnionmadethemacquaintedwithEnglishmanners,thecultureoftheirlandswasunskilful,andtheirdomesticklifeunformed;theirtableswerecoarseasthefeastsofEskimeaux,andtheirhousesfilthyasthecottagesofHottentots。
  Sincetheyhaveknownthattheirconditionwascapableofimprovement,theirprogressinusefulknowledgehasbeenrapidanduniform。Whatremainstobedonetheywillquicklydo,andthenwonder,likeme,whythatwhichwassonecessaryandsoeasywassolongdelayed。ButtheymustbeforevercontenttoowetotheEnglishthateleganceandculture,which,iftheyhadbeenvigilantandactive,perhapstheEnglishmighthaveowedtothem。
  Heretheappearanceoflifebegantoalter。IhadseenafewwomenwithplaidsatAberdeen;butatInvernesstheHighlandmannersarecommon。ThereisIthinkakirk,inwhichonlytheErselanguageisused。ThereislikewiseanEnglishchapel,butmeanlybuilt,whereonSundaywesawaverydecentcongregation。
  Wewerenowtobidfareweltotheluxuryoftravelling,andtoenteracountryuponwhichperhapsnowheelhaseverrolled。Wecouldindeedhaveusedourpost-chaiseonedaylonger,alongthemilitaryroadtoFortAugustus,butwecouldhavehirednohorsesbeyondInverness,andwewerenotsosparingofourselves,astoleadthem,merelythatwemighthaveonedaylongertheindulgenceofacarriage。
  AtInvernessthereforeweprocuredthreehorsesforourselvesandaservant,andonemoreforourbaggage,whichwasnoveryheavyload。Wefoundinthecourseofourjourneytheconvenienceofhavingdisencumberedourselves,bylayingasidewhateverwecouldspare;foritisnottobeimaginedwithoutexperience,howinclimbingcrags,andtreadingbogs,andwindingthroughnarrowandobstructedpassages,alittlebulkwillhinder,andalittleweightwillburthen;orhowoftenamanthathaspleasedhimselfathomewithhisownresolution,will,inthehourofdarknessandfatigue,becontenttoleavebehindhimeverythingbuthimself。
  LOUGHNESS
  WetooktwoHighlanderstorunbesideus,partlytoshewustheway,andpartlytotakebackfromthesea-sidethehorses,ofwhichtheyweretheowners。Oneofthemwasamanofgreatlivelinessandactivity,ofwhomhiscompanionsaid,thathewouldtireanyhorseinInverness。Bothofthemwerecivilandready-handed。
  CivilityseemspartofthenationalcharacterofHighlanders。
  Everychieftainisamonarch,andpoliteness,thenaturalproductofroyalgovernment,isdiffusedfromthelairdthroughthewholeclan。Buttheyarenotcommonlydexterous:theirnarrownessoflifeconfinesthemtoafewoperations,andtheyareaccustomedtoendurelittlewantsmorethantoremovethem。
  WemountedoursteedsonthethirtiethofAugust,anddirectedourguidestoconductustoFortAugustus。ItisbuiltattheheadofLoughNess,ofwhichInvernessstandsattheoutlet。Thewaybetweenthemhasbeencutbythesoldiers,andthegreaterpartofitrunsalongarock,levelledwithgreatlabourandexactness,nearthewater-side。
  Mostofthisday'sjourneywasverypleasant。Theday,thoughbright,wasnothot;andtheappearanceofthecountry,ifIhadnotseenthePeak,wouldhavebeenwhollynew。Wewentuponasurfacesohardandlevel,thatwehadlittlecaretoholdthebridle,andwerethereforeatfullleisureforcontemplation。Ontheleftwerehighandsteeprocksshadedwithbirch,thehardynativeoftheNorth,andcoveredwithfernorheath。OntherightthelimpidwatersofLoughNesswerebeatingtheirbank,andwavingtheirsurfacebyagentleagitation。Beyondthemwererockssometimescoveredwithverdure,andsometimestoweringinhorridnakedness。Nowandthenweespiedalittlecornfield,whichservedtoimpressmorestronglythegeneralbarrenness。
  LoughNessisabouttwenty-fourmileslong,andfromonemiletotwomilesbroad。ItisremarkablethatBoethius,inhisdescriptionofScotland,givesittwelvemilesofbreadth。Whenhistoriansorgeographersexhibitfalseaccountsofplacesfardistant,theymaybeforgiven,becausetheycantellbutwhattheyaretold;andthattheiraccountsexceedthetruthmaybejustlysupposed,becausemostmenexaggeratetoothers,ifnottothemselves:butBoethiuslivedatnogreatdistance;ifheneversawthelake,hemusthavebeenveryincurious,andifhehadseenit,hisveracityyieldedtoveryslighttemptations。
  LoughNess,thoughnottwelvemilesbroad,isaveryremarkablediffusionofwaterwithoutislands。Itfillsalargehollowbetweentworidgesofhighrocks,beingsuppliedpartlybythetorrentswhichfallintoitoneitherside,andpartly,asissupposed,byspringsatthebottom。Itswaterisremarkablyclearandpleasant,andisimaginedbythenativestobemedicinal。Weweretold,thatitisinsomeplacesahundredandfortyfathomsdeep,aprofundityscarcelycredible,andwhichprobablythosethatrelateithaveneversounded。Itsfisharesalmon,trout,andpike。
  ItwassaidatfortAugustus,thatLoughNessisopeninthehardestwinters,thoughalakenotfarfromitiscoveredwithice。
  Indiscussingtheseexceptionsfromthecourseofnature,thefirstquestionis,whetherthefactbejustlystated。Thatwhichisstrangeisdelightful,andapleasingerrorisnotwillinglydetected。Accuracyofnarrationisnotverycommon,andtherearefewsorigidlyphilosophical,asnottorepresentasperpetual,whatisonlyfrequent,orasconstant,whatisreallycasual。IfitbetruethatLoughNessneverfreezes,itiseithershelteredbyitshighbanksfromthecoldblasts,andexposedonlytothosewindswhichhavemorepowertoagitatethancongeal;oritiskeptinperpetualmotionbytherushofstreamsfromtherocksthatincloseit。Itsprofunditythoughitshouldbesuchasisrepresentedcanhavelittlepartinthisexemption;forthoughdeepwellsarenotfrozen,becausetheirwaterissecludedfromtheexternalair,yetwhereawidesurfaceisexposedtothefullinfluenceofafreezingatmosphere,Iknownotwhythedepthshouldkeepitopen。NaturalphilosophyisnowoneofthefavouritestudiesoftheScottishnation,andLoughNesswelldeservestobediligentlyexamined。
  Theroadonwhichwetravelled,andwhichwasitselfasourceofentertainment,ismadealongtherock,inthedirectionofthelough,sometimesbybreakingoffprotuberances,andsometimesbycuttingthegreatmassofstonetoaconsiderabledepth。Thefragmentsarepiledinaloosewalloneitherside,withaperturesleftatveryshortspaces,togiveapassagetothewintrycurrents。Partofitisborderedwithlowtrees,fromwhichourguidesgatherednuts,andwouldhavehadtheappearanceofanEnglishlane,exceptthatanEnglishlaneisalmostalwaysdirty。
  Ithasbeenmadewithgreatlabour,buthasthisadvantage,thatitcannot,withoutequallabour,bebrokenup。
  Withinoursightthereweregoatsfeedingorplaying。Themountainshavereddeer,buttheycamenotwithinview;andifwhatissaidoftheirvigilanceandsubtletybetrue,theyhavesomeclaimtothatpalmofwisdom,whichtheeasternphilosopher,whomAlexanderinterrogated,gavetothosebeastswhichlivefurthestfrommen。
  Neartheway,bythewaterside,weespiedacottage。ThiswasthefirstHighlandHutthatIhadseen;andasourbusinesswaswithlifeandmanners,wewerewillingtovisitit。Toenterahabitationwithoutleave,seemstobenotconsideredhereasrudenessorintrusion。Theoldlawsofhospitalitystillgivethislicencetoastranger。
  Ahutisconstructedwithloosestones,rangedforthemostpartwithsometendencytocircularity。Itmustbeplacedwherethewindcannotactuponitwithviolence,becauseithasnocement;
  andwherethewaterwillruneasilyaway,becauseithasnofloorbutthenakedground。Thewall,whichiscommonlyaboutsixfeethigh,declinesfromtheperpendicularalittleinward。Suchraftersascanbeprocuredarethenraisedforaroof,andcoveredwithheath,whichmakesastrongandwarmthatch,keptfromflyingoffbyropesoftwistedheath,ofwhichtheends,reachingfromthecenterofthethatchtothetopofthewall,areheldfirmbytheweightofalargestone。Nolightisadmittedbutattheentrance,andthroughaholeinthethatch,whichgivesventtothesmoke。
  Thisholeisnotdirectlyoverthefire,lesttherainshouldextinguishit;andthesmokethereforenaturallyfillstheplacebeforeitescapes。Suchisthegeneralstructureofthehousesinwhichoneofthenationsofthisopulentandpowerfulislandhasbeenhithertocontenttolive。Hutshoweverarenotmoreuniformthanpalaces;andthiswhichwewereinspectingwasveryfarfromoneofthemeanest,foritwasdividedintoseveralapartments;anditsinhabitantspossessedsuchpropertyasapastoralpoetmightexaltintoriches。
  Whenweentered,wefoundanoldwomanboilinggoats-fleshinakettle。ShespokelittleEnglish,butwehadinterpretersathand;
  andshewaswillingenoughtodisplayherwholesystemofeconomy。
  Shehasfivechildren,ofwhichnoneareyetgonefromher。Theeldest,aboyofthirteen,andherhusband,whoiseightyyearsold,wereatworkinthewood。HertwonextsonsweregonetoInvernesstobuymeal,bywhichoatmealisalwaysmeant。Mealsheconsideredasexpensivefood,andtoldus,thatinSpring,whenthegoatsgavemilk,thechildrencouldlivewithoutit。Sheismistressofsixtygoats,andIsawmanykidsinanenclosureattheendofherhouse。Shehadalsosomepoultry。Bythelakewesawapotatoe-garden,andasmallspotofgroundonwhichstoodfourshucks,containingeachtwelvesheavesofbarley。Shehasallthisfromthelabouroftheirownhands,andforwhatisnecessarytobebought,herkidsandherchickensaresenttomarket。
  Withthetruepastoralhospitality,sheaskedustositdownanddrinkwhisky。Sheisreligious,andthoughthekirkisfourmilesoff,probablyeightEnglishmiles,shegoesthithereverySunday。
  Wegaveherashilling,andshebeggedsnuff;forsnuffistheluxuryofaHighlandcottage。
  SoonafterwardswecametotheGeneral'sHut,socalledbecauseitwasthetemporaryabodeofWade,whilehesuperintendedtheworksupontheroad。Itisnowahouseofentertainmentforpassengers,andwefounditnotillstockedwithprovisions。
  FALLOFFIERS
  Towardseveningwecrossed,byabridge,theriverwhichmakesthecelebratedfallofFiers。ThecountryatthebridgestrikestheimaginationwithallthegloomandgrandeurofSiberiansolitude。
  Thewaymakesaflexure,andthemountains,coveredwithtrees,riseatonceonthelefthandandinthefront。Wedesiredourguidestoshewusthefall,anddismounting,clamberedoververyruggedcrags,tillIbegantowishthatourcuriositymighthavebeengratifiedwithlesstroubleanddanger。Wecameatlasttoaplacewherewecouldoverlooktheriver,andsawachanneltorn,asitseems,throughblackpilesofstone,bywhichthestreamisobstructedandbroken,tillitcomestoaverysteepdescent,ofsuchdreadfuldepth,thatwewerenaturallyinclinedtoturnasideoureyes。
  Butwevisitedtheplaceatanunseasonabletime,andfounditdivestedofitsdignityandterror。Naturenevergiveseverythingatonce。Alongcontinuanceofdryweather,whichmadetherestofthewayeasyanddelightful,deprivedusofthepleasureexpectedfromthefallofFiers。Theriverhavingnownowaterbutwhatthespringssupply,showedusonlyaswiftcurrent,clearandshallow,frettingovertheasperitiesoftherockybottom,andwewerelefttoexerciseourthoughts,byendeavouringtoconceivetheeffectofathousandstreamspouredfromthemountainsintoonechannel,strugglingforexpansioninanarrowpassage,exasperatedbyrocksrisingintheirway,andatlastdischargingalltheirviolenceofwatersbyasuddenfallthroughthehorridchasm。
  Thewaynowgrewlesseasy,descendingbyanunevendeclivity,butwithouteitherdirtordanger。WedidnotarriveatFortAugustustillitwaslate。Mr。Boswell,who,betweenhisfather'smeritandhisown,issureofreceptionwhereverhecomes,sentaservantbeforetobegadmissionandentertainmentforthatnight。Mr。
  Trapaud,thegovernor,treateduswiththatcourtesywhichissocloselyconnectedwiththemilitarycharacter。Hecameouttomeetusbeyondthegates,andapologizedthat,atsolateanhour,therulesofagarrisonsufferedhimtogiveusentranceonlyatthepostern。
  FORTAUGUSTUS
  Inthemorningweviewedthefort,whichismuchlessthanthatofSt。George,andissaidtobecommandedbytheneighbouringhills。
  ItwasnotlongagotakenbytheHighlanders。Butitssituationseemswellchosenforpleasure,ifnotforstrength;itstandsattheheadofthelake,and,byasloopofsixtytuns,issuppliedfromInvernesswithgreatconvenience。
  WewerenowtocrosstheHighlandstowardsthewesterncoast,andtocontentourselveswithsuchaccommodations,asawaysolittlefrequentedcouldafford。Thejourneywasnotformidable,foritwasbutoftwodays,veryunequallydivided,becausetheonlyhouse,wherewecouldbeentertained,wasnotfurtheroffthanathirdoftheway。Wesooncametoahighhill,whichwemountedbyamilitaryroad,cutintraverses,sothataswewentuponahigherstage,wesawthebaggagefollowingusbelowinacontrarydirection。Tomakethisway,therockhasbeenhewntoalevelwithlabourthatmighthavebrokentheperseveranceofaRomanlegion。
  Thecountryistotallydenudedofitswood,butthestumpsbothofoaksandfirs,whicharestillfound,shewthatithasbeenonceaforestoflargetimber。Idonotrememberthatwesawanyanimals,butweweretoldthat,inthemountains,therearestags,roebucks,goatsandrabbits。
  Wedidnotperceivethatthistractwaspossessedbyhumanbeings,exceptthatoncewesawacornfield,inwhichaladywaswalkingwithsomegentlemen。Theirhousewascertainlyatnogreatdistance,butsosituatedthatwecouldnotdescryit。
  Passingonthroughthedrearinessofsolitude,wefoundapartyofsoldiersfromthefort,workingontheroad,underthesuperintendenceofaserjeant。Wetoldthemhowkindlywehadbeentreatedatthegarrison,andaswewereenjoyingthebenefitoftheirlabours,beggedleavetoshewourgratitudebyasmallpresent。
  ANOCH
  EarlyintheafternoonwecametoAnoch,avillageinGlenmollisonofthreehuts,oneofwhichisdistinguishedbyachimney。Hereweweretodineandlodge,andwereconductedthroughthefirstroom,thathadthechimney,intoanotherlightedbyasmallglasswindow。
  Thelandlordattendeduswithgreatcivility,andtolduswhathecouldgiveustoeatanddrink。Ifoundsomebooksonashelf,amongwhichwereavolumeormoreofPrideaux'sConnection。
  ThisImentionedassomethingunexpected,andperceivedthatIdidnotpleasehim。Ipraisedtheproprietyofhislanguage,andwasansweredthatIneednotwonder,forhehadlearneditbygrammar。
  Bysubsequentopportunitiesofobservation,Ifoundthatmyhost'sdictionhadnothingpeculiar。ThoseHighlandersthatcanspeakEnglish,commonlyspeakitwell,withfewofthewords,andlittleofthetonebywhichaScotchmanisdistinguished。Theirlanguageseemstohavebeenlearnedinthearmyorthenavy,orbysomecommunicationwiththosewhocouldgivethemgoodexamplesofaccentandpronunciation。BytheirLowlandneighbourstheywouldnotwillinglybetaught;fortheyhavelongconsideredthemasameananddegeneraterace。Theseprejudicesarewearingfastaway;
  butsomuchofthemstillremains,thatwhenIaskedaverylearnedministerintheislands,whichtheyconsideredastheirmostsavageclans:'Those,'saidhe,'thatlivenexttheLowlands。'
  Aswecamehitherearlyintheday,wehadtimesufficienttosurveytheplace。Thehousewasbuiltlikeotherhutsofloosestones,butthepartinwhichwedinedandsleptwaslinedwithturfandwattledwithtwigs,whichkepttheearthfromfalling。
  Nearitwasagardenofturnipsandafieldofpotatoes。Itstandsinaglen,orvalley,pleasantlywateredbyawindingriver。Butthiscountry,howeveritmaydelightthegazeroramusethenaturalist,isofnogreatadvantagetoitsowners。Ourlandlordtoldusofagentleman,whopossesseslands,eighteenScotchmilesinlength,andthreeinbreadth;aspacecontainingatleastahundredsquareEnglishmiles。Hehasraisedhisrents,tothedangerofdepopulatinghisfarms,andhefellshistimber,andbyexertingeveryartofaugmentation,hasobtainedanyearlyrevenueoffourhundredpounds,whichforahundredsquaremilesisthreehalfpenceanacre。
  Sometimeafterdinnerweweresurprisedbytheentranceofayoungwoman,notineleganteitherinmienordress,whoaskeduswhetherwewouldhavetea。Wefoundthatshewasthedaughterofourhost,anddesiredhertomakeit。Herconversation,likeherappearance,wasgentleandpleasing。WeknewthatthegirlsoftheHighlandsareallgentlewomen,andtreatedherwithgreatrespect,whichshereceivedascustomaryanddue,andwasneitherelatedbyit,norconfused,butrepaidmycivilitieswithoutembarassment,andtoldmehowmuchIhonouredhercountrybycomingtosurveyit。
  ShehadbeenatInvernesstogainthecommonfemalequalifications,andhad,likeherfather,theEnglishpronunciation。Ipresentedherwithabook,whichIhappenedtohaveaboutme,andshouldnotbepleasedtothinkthatsheforgetsme。
  Intheeveningthesoldiers,whomwehadpassedontheroad,cametospendatourinnthelittlemoneythatwehadgiventhem。Theyhadthetruemilitaryimpatienceofcoinintheirpockets,andhadmarchedatleastsixmilestofindthefirstplacewhereliquorcouldbebought。Havingneverbeenbeforeinaplacesowildandunfrequented,Iwasgladoftheirarrival,becauseIknewthatwehadmadethemfriends,andtogainstillmoreoftheirgoodwill,wewenttothem,wheretheywerecarousinginthebarn,andaddedsomethingtoourformergift。Allthatwegavewasnotmuch,butitdetainedtheminthebarn,eithermerryorquarrelling,thewholenight,andinthemorningtheywentbacktotheirwork,withgreatindignationatthebadqualitiesofwhisky。
  Wehadgainedsomuchthefavourofourhost,that,whenwelefthishouseinthemorning,hewalkedbyusagreatway,andentertaineduswithconversationbothonhisowncondition,andthatofthecountry。Hislifeseemedtobemerelypastoral,exceptthathedifferedfromsomeoftheancientNomadesinhavingasettleddwelling。Hiswealthconsistsofonehundredsheep,asmanygoats,twelvemilk-cows,andtwenty-eightbeevesreadyforthedrover。
  Fromhimwefirstheardofthegeneraldissatisfaction,whichisnowdrivingtheHighlandersintotheotherhemisphere;andwhenI
  askedhimwhethertheywouldstayathome,iftheywerewelltreated,heansweredwithindignation,thatnomanwillinglylefthisnativecountry。Ofthefarm,whichhehimselfoccupied,therenthad,intwenty-fiveyears,beenadvancedfromfivetotwentypounds,whichhefoundhimselfsolittleabletopay,thathewouldbegladtotryhisfortuneinsomeotherplace。YetheownedthereasonablenessofraisingtheHighlandrentsinacertaindegree,anddeclaredhimselfwillingtopaytenpoundsforthegroundwhichhehadformerlyhadforfive。
  Ourhosthavingamusedusforatime,resignedustoourguides。
  Thejourneyofthisdaywaslong,notthatthedistancewasgreat,butthatthewaywasdifficult。WewerenowinthebosomoftheHighlands,withfullleisuretocontemplatetheappearanceandpropertiesofmountainousregions,suchashavebeen,inmanycountries,thelastsheltersofnationaldistress,andareeverywherethescenesofadventures,stratagems,surprisesandescapes。
  Mountainouscountriesarenotpassedbutwithdifficulty,notmerelyfromthelabourofclimbing;fortoclimbisnotalwaysnecessary:butbecausethatwhichisnotmountainiscommonlybog,throughwhichthewaymustbepickedwithcaution。Wheretherearehills,thereismuchrain,andthetorrentspouringdownintotheintermediatespaces,seldomfindsoreadyanoutlet,asnottostagnate,tilltheyhavebrokenthetextureoftheground。
  Ofthehills,whichourjourneyofferedtotheviewoneitherside,wedidnottaketheheight,nordidweseeanythatastonisheduswiththeirloftiness。Towardsthesummitofone,therewasawhitespot,whichIshouldhavecalledanakedrock,buttheguides,whohadbettereyes,andwereacquaintedwiththephenomenaofthecountry,declaredittobesnow。IthadalreadylastedtotheendofAugust,andwaslikelytomaintainitscontestwiththesun,tillitshouldbereinforcedbywinter。
  Theheightofmountainsphilosophicallyconsideredisproperlycomputedfromthesurfaceofthenextsea;butasitaffectstheeyeorimaginationofthepassenger,asitmakeseitheraspectacleoranobstruction,itmustbereckonedfromtheplacewheretherisebeginstomakeaconsiderableanglewiththeplain。Inextensivecontinentsthelandmay,bygradualelevation,attaingreatheight,withoutanyotherappearancethanthatofaplanegentlyinclined,andifahillplaceduponsuchraisedgroundbedescribed,ashavingitsaltitudeequaltothewholespaceabovethesea,therepresentationwillbefallacious。
  Thesemountainsmaybeproperlyenoughmeasuredfromtheinlandbase;foritisnotmuchabovethesea。Asweadvancedateveningtowardsthewesterncoast,Ididnotobservethedeclivitytobegreaterthanisnecessaryforthedischargeoftheinlandwaters。
  Wepassedmanyriversandrivulets,whichcommonlyranwithaclearshallowstreamoverahardpebblybottom。Thesechannels,whichseemsomuchwiderthanthewaterthattheyconveywouldnaturallyrequire,areformedbytheviolenceofwintryfloods,producedbytheaccumulationofinnumerablestreamsthatfallinrainyweatherfromthehills,andburstingawaywithresistlessimpetuosity,makethemselvesapassageproportionatetotheirmass。
  Suchcapriciousandtemporarywaterscannotbeexpectedtoproducemanyfish。Therapidityofthewintrydelugesweepsthemaway,andthescantinessofthesummerstreamwouldhardlysustainthemabovetheground。Thisisthereasonwhyinfordingthenorthernrivers,nofishesareseen,asinEngland,wanderinginthewater。
  OfthehillsmanymaybecalledwithHomer'sIda'abundantinsprings',butfewcandeservetheepithetwhichhebestowsuponPelionby'wavingtheirleaves。'Theyexhibitverylittlevariety;
  beingalmostwhollycoveredwithdarkheath,andeventhatseemstobecheckedinitsgrowth。Whatisnotheathisnakedness,alittlediversifiedbynowandthenastreamrushingdownthesteep。Aneyeaccustomedtoflowerypasturesandwavingharvestsisastonishedandrepelledbythiswideextentofhopelesssterility。
  Theappearanceisthatofmatterincapableofformorusefulness,dismissedbynaturefromhercareanddisinheritedofherfavours,leftinitsoriginalelementalstate,orquickenedonlywithonesullenpowerofuselessvegetation。
  Itwillveryreadilyoccur,thatthisuniformityofbarrennesscanaffordverylittleamusementtothetraveller;thatitiseasytositathomeandconceiverocksandheath,andwaterfalls;andthatthesejourneysareuselesslabours,whichneitherimpregnatetheimagination,norenlargetheunderstanding。Itistruethatoffarthegreaterpartofthings,wemustcontentourselveswithsuchknowledgeasdescriptionmayexhibit,oranalogysupply;butitistruelikewise,thattheseideasarealwaysincomplete,andthatatleast,tillwehavecomparedthemwithrealities,wedonotknowthemtobejust。Asweseemore,webecomepossessedofmorecertainties,andconsequentlygainmoreprinciplesofreasoning,andfoundawiderbasisofanalogy。
  Regionsmountainousandwild,thinlyinhabited,andlittlecultivated,makeagreatpartoftheearth,andhethathasneverseenthem,mustliveunacquaintedwithmuchofthefaceofnature,andwithoneofthegreatscenesofhumanexistence。
  Asthedayadvancedtowardsnoon,weenteredanarrowvalleynotveryflowery,butsufficientlyverdant。Ourguidestoldus,thatthehorsescouldnottravelalldaywithoutrestormeat,andintreatedustostophere,becausenograsswouldbefoundinanyotherplace。Therequestwasreasonableandtheargumentcogent。
  Wethereforewillinglydismountedanddivertedourselvesastheplacegaveusopportunity。
  Isatdownonabank,suchasawriterofRomancemighthavedelightedtofeign。Ihadindeednotreestowhisperovermyhead,butaclearrivuletstreamedatmyfeet。Thedaywascalm,theairsoft,andallwasrudeness,silence,andsolitude。Beforeme,andoneitherside,werehighhills,whichbyhinderingtheeyefromranging,forcedthemindtofindentertainmentforitself。WhetherIspentthehourwellIknownot;forhereIfirstconceivedthethoughtofthisnarration。
  Wewereinthisplaceateaseandbychoice,andhadnoevilstosufferortofear;yettheimaginationsexcitedbytheviewofanunknownanduntravelledwildernessarenotsuchasariseintheartificialsolitudeofparksandgardens,aflatteringnotionofself-sufficiency,aplacidindulgenceofvoluntarydelusions,asecureexpansionofthefancy,oracoolconcentrationofthementalpowers。Thephantomswhichhauntadesertarewant,andmisery,anddanger;theevilsofderelictionrushuponthethoughts;manismadeunwillinglyacquaintedwithhisownweakness,andmeditationshowshimonlyhowlittlehecansustain,andhowlittlehecanperform。Therewerenotracesofinhabitants,exceptperhapsarudepileofclodscalledasummerhut,inwhichaherdsmanhadrestedinthefavourableseasons。WhoeverhadbeenintheplacewhereIthensat,unprovidedwithprovisionsandignorantofthecountry,might,atleastbeforetheroadsweremade,havewanderedamongtherocks,tillhehadperishedwithhardship,beforehecouldhavefoundeitherfoodorshelter。YetwhatarethesehillockstotheridgesofTaurus,orthesespotsofwildnesstothedesartsofAmerica?
  Itwasnotlongbeforewewereinvitedtomount,andcontinuedourjourneyalongthesideofalough,keptfullbymanystreams,whichwithmoreorlessrapidityandnoise,crossedtheroadfromthehillsontheotherhand。Thesecurrents,intheirdiminishedstate,afterseveraldrymonths,afford,toonewhohasalwayslivedinlevelcountries,anunusualanddelightfulspectacle;butintherainyseason,suchaseverywintermaybeexpectedtobring,mustprecipitateanimpetuousandtremendousflood。Isupposethewaybywhichwewent,isatthattimeimpassable。
  GLENSHEALS
  Theloughatlastendedinariverbroadandshallowliketherest,butthatitmaybepassedwhenitisdeeper,thereisabridgeoverit。BeyonditisavalleycalledGlensheals,inhabitedbytheclanofMacrae。HerewefoundavillagecalledAuknasheals,consistingofmanyhuts,perhapstwenty,builtallofdry-stone,thatis,stonespiledupwithoutmortar。
  Wehad,bythedirectionoftheofficersatFortAugustus,takenbreadforourselves,andtobaccoforthoseHighlanderswhomightshowusanykindness。Wewerenowataplacewherewecouldobtainmilk,butwemusthavewantedbreadifwehadnotbroughtit。ThepeopleofthisvalleydidnotappeartoknowanyEnglish,andourguidesnowbecamedoublynecessaryasinterpreters。
  Awoman,whosehutwasdistinguishedbygreaterspaciousnessandbetterarchitecture,broughtoutsomepailsofmilk。Thevillagersgatheredaboutusinconsiderablenumbers,Ibelievewithoutanyevilintention,butwithaverysavagewildnessofaspectandmanner。Whenourmealwasover,Mr。Boswellslicedthebread,anddivideditamongstthem,ashesupposedthemnevertohavetastedawheatenloafbefore。Hethengavethemlittlepiecesoftwistedtobacco,andamongthechildrenwedistributedasmallhandfulofhalfpence,whichtheyreceivedwithgreateagerness。YetIhavebeensincetold,thatthepeopleofthatvalleyarenotindigent;
  andwhenwementionedthemafterwardsasneedyandpitiable,aHighlandladyletusknow,thatwemightspareourcommiseration;
  forthedamewhosemilkwedrankhadprobablymorethanadozenmilk-cows。Sheseemedunwillingtotakeanyprice,butbeingpressedtomakeademand,atlastnamedashilling。Honestyisnotgreaterwhereeleganceisless。Oneofthebystanders,asweweretoldafterwards,advisedhertoaskformore,butshesaidashillingwasenough。Wegaveherhalfacrown,andIhopegotsomecreditforourbehaviour;forthecompanysaid,ifourinterpretersdidnotflatterus,thattheyhadnotseensuchadaysincetheoldlairdofMacleodpassedthroughtheircountry。
  TheMacraes,asweheardafterwardsintheHebrides,wereoriginallyanindigentandsubordinateclan,andhavingnofarmsnorstock,wereingreatnumbersservantstotheMaclellans,who,inthewarofCharlestheFirst,tookarmsatthecalloftheheroicMontrose,andwere,inoneofhisbattles,almostalldestroyed。Thewomenthatwereleftathome,beingthusdeprivedoftheirhusbands,liketheScythianladiesofold,marriedtheirservants,andtheMacraesbecameaconsiderablerace。
  THEHIGHLANDS
  Aswecontinuedourjourney,wewereatleisuretoextendourspeculations,andtoinvestigatethereasonofthosepeculiaritiesbywhichsuchruggedregionsasthesebeforeusaregenerallydistinguished。
  Mountainouscountriescommonlycontaintheoriginal,atleasttheoldestraceofinhabitants,fortheyarenoteasilyconquered,becausetheymustbeenteredbynarrowways,exposedtoeverypowerofmischieffromthosethatoccupytheheights;andeverynewridgeisanewfortress,wherethedefendantshaveagainthesameadvantages。Iftheassailantseitherforcethestrait,orstormthesummit,theygainonlysomuchground;theirenemiesarefledtotakepossessionofthenextrock,andthepursuersstandatgaze,knowingneitherwherethewaysofescapewindamongthesteeps,norwheretheboghasfirmnesstosustainthem:besidesthat,mountaineershaveanagilityinclimbinganddescendingdistinctfromstrengthorcourage,andattainableonlybyuse。
  Ifthewarbenotsoonconcluded,theinvadersaredislodgedbyhunger;forinthoseanxiousandtoilsomemarches,provisionscannoteasilybecarried,andarenevertobefound。Thewealthofmountainsiscattle,which,whilethemenstandinthepasses,thewomendriveaway。Suchlandsatlastcannotrepaytheexpenceofconquest,andthereforeperhapshavenotbeensoofteninvadedbythemereambitionofdominion;asbyresentmentofrobberiesandinsults,orthedesireofenjoyinginsecuritythemorefruitfulprovinces。
  Asmountainsarelongbeforetheyareconquered,theyarelikewiselongbeforetheyarecivilized。Menaresoftenedbyintercoursemutuallyprofitable,andinstructedbycomparingtheirownnotionswiththoseofothers。ThusCaesarfoundthemaritimepartsofBritainmadelessbarbarousbytheircommercewiththeGauls。Intoabarrenandroughtractnostrangerisbroughteitherbythehopeofgainorofpleasure。Theinhabitantshavingneithercommoditiesforsale,normoneyforpurchase,seldomvisitmorepolishedplaces,oriftheydovisitthem,seldomreturn。
  Itsometimeshappensthatbyconquest,intermixture,orgradualrefinement,thecultivatedpartsofacountrychangetheirlanguage。Themountaineersthenbecomeadistinctnation,cutoffbydissimilitudeofspeechfromconversationwiththeirneighbours。
  ThusinBiscay,theoriginalCantabrian,andinDalecarlia,theoldSwedishstillsubsists。ThusWalesandtheHighlandsspeakthetongueofthefirstinhabitantsofBritain,whiletheotherpartshavereceivedfirsttheSaxon,andinsomedegreeafterwardstheFrench,andthenformedathirdlanguagebetweenthem。
  Thattheprimitivemannersarecontinuedwheretheprimitivelanguageisspoken,nonationwilldesiremetosuppose,forthemannersofmountaineersarecommonlysavage,buttheyareratherproducedbytheirsituationthanderivedfromtheirancestors。
  Suchseemstobethedispositionofman,thatwhatevermakesadistinctionproducesrivalry。England,beforeothercausesofenmitywerefound,wasdisturbedforsomecenturiesbythecontestsofthenorthernandsoutherncounties;sothatatOxford,thepeaceofstudycouldforalongtimebepreservedonlybychusingannuallyoneoftheProctorsfromeachsideoftheTrent。Atractintersectedbymanyridgesofmountains,naturallydividesitsinhabitantsintopettynations,whicharemadebyathousandcausesenemiestoeachother。Eachwillexaltitsownchiefs,eachwillboastthevalourofitsmen,orthebeautyofitswomen,andeveryclaimofsuperiorityirritatescompetition;injurieswillsometimesbedone,andbemoreinjuriouslydefended;retaliationwillsometimesbeattempted,andthedebtexactedwithtoomuchinterest。
  IntheHighlandsitwasalaw,thatifarobberwasshelteredfromjustice,anymanofthesameclanmightbetakeninhisplace。
  Thiswasakindofirregularjustice,which,thoughnecessaryinsavagetimes,couldhardlyfailtoendinafeud,andafeudoncekindledamonganidlepeoplewithnovarietyofpursuitstodiverttheirthoughts,burntonforageseithersullenlyglowinginsecretmischief,oropenlyblazingintopublicviolence。Oftheeffectsofthisviolentjudicature,therearenotwantingmemorials。ThecaveisnowtobeseentowhichoneoftheCampbells,whohadinjuredtheMacdonalds,retiredwithabodyofhisownclan。TheMacdonaldsrequiredtheoffender,andbeingrefused,madeafireatthemouthofthecave,bywhichheandhisadherentsweresuffocatedtogether。
  Mountaineersarewarlike,becausebytheirfeudsandcompetitionstheyconsiderthemselvesassurroundedwithenemies,andarealwayspreparedtorepelincursions,ortomakethem。LiketheGreeksintheirunpolishedstate,describedbyThucydides,theHighlanders,tilllately,wentalwaysarmed,andcarriedtheirweaponstovisits,andtochurch。
  Mountaineersarethievish,becausetheyarepoor,andhavingneithermanufacturesnorcommerce,cangrowricheronlybyrobbery。
  Theyregularlyplundertheirneighbours,fortheirneighboursarecommonlytheirenemies;andhavinglostthatreverenceforproperty,bywhichtheorderofcivillifeispreserved,soonconsiderallasenemies,whomtheydonotreckonasfriends,andthinkthemselveslicensedtoinvadewhatevertheyarenotobligedtoprotect。
  Byastrictadministrationofthelaws,sincethelawshavebeenintroducedintotheHighlands,thisdispositiontothieveryisverymuchreprest。Thirtyyearsagonoherdhadeverbeenconductedthroughthemountains,withoutpayingtributeinthenight,tosomeoftheclans;butcattlearenowdriven,andpassengerstravelwithoutdanger,fear,ormolestation。
  Amongawarlikepeople,thequalityofhighestesteemispersonalcourage,andwiththeostentatiousdisplayofcouragearecloselyconnectedpromptitudeofoffenceandquicknessofresentment。TheHighlanders,beforetheyweredisarmed,weresoaddictedtoquarrels,thattheboysusedtofollowanypublickprocessionorceremony,howeverfestive,orhoweversolemn,inexpectationofthebattle,whichwassuretohappenbeforethecompanydispersed。
  Mountainousregionsaresometimessoremotefromtheseatofgovernment,andsodifficultofaccess,thattheyareverylittleundertheinfluenceofthesovereign,orwithinthereachofnationaljustice。Lawisnothingwithoutpower;andthesentenceofadistantcourtcouldnotbeeasilyexecuted,norperhapsverysafelypromulgated,amongmenignorantlyproudandhabituallyviolent,unconnectedwiththegeneralsystem,andaccustomedtoreverenceonlytheirownlords。Ithasthereforebeennecessarytoerectmanyparticularjurisdictions,andcommitthepunishmentofcrimes,andthedecisionofrighttotheproprietorsofthecountrywhocouldenforcetheirowndecrees。Itimmediatelyappearsthatsuchjudgeswillbeoftenignorant,andoftenpartial;butintheimmaturityofpoliticalestablishmentsnobetterexpedientcouldbefound。Asgovernmentadvancestowardsperfection,provincialjudicatureisperhapsineveryempiregraduallyabolished。
  Thosewhohadthusthedispensationoflaw,werebyconsequencethemselveslawless。Theirvassalshadnoshelterfromoutragesandoppressions;butwerecondemnedtoendure,withoutresistance,thecapricesofwantonness,andtherageofcruelty。
  IntheHighlands,somegreatlordshadanhereditaryjurisdictionovercounties;andsomechieftainsovertheirownlands;tillthefinalconquestoftheHighlandsaffordedanopportunityofcrushingallthelocalcourts,andofextendingthegeneralbenefitsofequallawtothelowandthehigh,inthedeepestrecessesandobscurestcorners。
  Whilethechiefshadthisresemblanceofroyalty,theyhadlittleinclinationtoappeal,onanyquestion,tosuperiorjudicatures。A
  claimoflandsbetweentwopowerfullairdswasdecidedlikeacontestfordominionbetweensovereignpowers。Theydrewtheirforcesintothefield,andrightattendedonthestrongest。Thiswas,inrudertimes,thecommonpractice,whichthekingsofScotlandcouldseldomcontrol。
  EvensolatelyasinthelastyearsofKingWilliam,abattlewasfoughtatMullRoy,onaplainafewmilestothesouthofInverness,betweentheclansofMackintoshandMacdonaldofKeppoch。Col。Macdonald,theheadofasmallclan,refusedtopaytheduesdemandedfromhimbyMackintosh,ashissuperiorlord。
  Theydisdainedtheinterpositionofjudgesandlaws,andcallingeachhisfollowerstomaintainthedignityoftheclan,foughtaformalbattle,inwhichseveralconsiderablemenfellonthesideofMackintosh,withoutacompletevictorytoeither。Thisissaidtohavebeenthelastopenwarmadebetweentheclansbytheirownauthority。
  TheHighlandlordsmadetreaties,andformedalliances,ofwhichsometracesmaystillbefound,andsomeconsequencesstillremainaslastingevidencesofpettyregality。Thetermsofoneoftheseconfederacieswere,thateachshouldsupporttheotherintheright,orinthewrong,exceptagainsttheking。
  Theinhabitantsofmountainsformdistinctraces,andarecarefultopreservetheirgenealogies。Meninasmalldistrictnecessarilyminglebloodbyintermarriages,andcombineatlastintoonefamily,withacommoninterestinthehonouranddisgraceofeveryindividual。Thenbeginsthatunionofaffections,andco-operationofendeavours,thatconstituteaclan。Theywhoconsiderthemselvesasennobledbytheirfamily,willthinkhighlyoftheirprogenitors,andtheywhothroughsuccessivegenerationslivealwaystogetherinthesameplace,willpreservelocalstoriesandhereditaryprejudices。ThuseveryHighlandercantalkofhisancestors,andrecounttheoutrageswhichtheysufferedfromthewickedinhabitantsofthenextvalley。
  Sucharetheeffectsofhabitationamongmountains,andsuchwerethequalitiesoftheHighlanders,whiletheirrockssecludedthemfromtherestofmankind,andkeptthemanunalteredanddiscriminatedrace。Theyarenowlosingtheirdistinction,andhasteningtominglewiththegeneralcommunity。
  GLENELG
  WeleftAuknashealsandtheMacraesitstheafternoon,andintheeveningcametoRatiken,ahighhillonwhicharoadiscut,butsosteepandnarrow,thatitisverydifficult。Thereisnowadesignofmakinganotherwayroundthebottom。Upononeoftheprecipices,myhorse,wearywiththesteepnessoftherise,staggeredalittle,andIcalledinhastetotheHighlandertoholdhim。Thiswastheonlymomentofmyjourney,inwhichIthoughtmyselfendangered。
  Havingsurmountedthehillatlast,weweretoldthatatGlenelg,onthesea-side,weshouldcometoahouseoflimeandslateandglass。Thisimageofmagnificenceraisedourexpectation。Atlastwecametoourinnwearyandpeevish,andbegantoinquireformeatandbeds。
  Oftheprovisionsthenegativecataloguewasverycopious。Herewasnomeat,nomilk,nobread,noeggs,nowine。Wedidnotexpressmuchsatisfaction。Herehoweverweweretostay。Whiskywemighthave,andIbelieveatlasttheycaughtafowlandkilledit。Wehadsomebread,andwiththatwepreparedourselvestobecontented,whenwehadaveryeminentproofofHighlandhospitality。Alongsomemilesoftheway,intheevening,agentleman'sservanthadkeptuscompanyonfootwithverylittlenoticeonourpart。HeleftusnearGlenelg,andwethoughtonhimnomoretillhecametousagain,inabouttwohours,withapresentfromhismasterofrumandsugar。Themanhadmentionedhiscompany,andthegentleman,whosename,Ithink,isGordon,wellknowingthepenuryoftheplace,hadthisattentiontotwomen,whosenamesperhapshehadnotheard,bywhomhiskindnesswasnotlikelytobeeverrepaid,andwhocouldberecommendedtohimonlybytheirnecessities。
  Wewerenowtoexamineourlodging。Outofoneofthebeds,onwhichweweretorepose,startedup,atourentrance,amanblackasaCyclopsfromtheforge。Othercircumstancesofnoelegantrecitalconcurredtodisgustus。WehadbeenfrightedbyaladyatEdinburgh,withdiscouragingrepresentationsofHighlandlodgings。
  Sleep,however,wasnecessary。OurHighlandershadatlastfoundsomehay,withwhichtheinncouldnotsupplythem。Idirectedthemtobringabundleintotheroom,andsleptuponitinmyridingcoat。Mr。Boswellbeingmoredelicate,laidhimselfsheetswithhayoverandunderhim,andlayinlinenlikeagentleman。
  SKY。ARMIDEL
  Inthemorning,Septemberthesecond,wefoundourselvesontheedgeofthesea。Havingprocuredaboat,wedismissedourHighlanders,whomIwouldrecommendtotheserviceofanyfuturetravellers,andwereferriedovertotheIsleofSky。WelandedatArmidel,whereweweremetonthesandsbySirAlexanderMacdonald,whowasatthattimetherewithhislady,preparingtoleavetheislandandresideatEdinburgh。
  Armidelisaneathouse,builtwheretheMacdonaldshadonceaseat,whichwasburntinthecommotionsthatfollowedtheRevolution。Thewalledorchard,whichbelongedtotheformerhouse,stillremains。Itiswellshadedbytallashtrees,ofaspecies,asMr。Janesthefossilistinformedme,uncommonlyvaluable。ThisplantationisveryproperlymentionedbyDr。
  Campbell,inhisnewaccountofthestateofBritain,anddeservesattention;becauseitprovesthatthepresentnakednessoftheHebridesisnotwhollythefaultofNature。
  AswesatatSirAlexander'stable,wewereentertained,accordingtotheancientusageoftheNorth,withthemelodyofthebagpipe。
  Everythinginthosecountrieshasitshistory。Asthebagpiperwasplaying,anelderlyGentlemaninformedus,thatinsomeremotetime,theMacdonaldsofGlengaryhavingbeeninjured,oroffendedbytheinhabitantsofCulloden,andresolvingtohavejusticeorvengeance,cametoCullodenonaSunday,wherefindingtheirenemiesatworship,theyshutthemupinthechurch,whichtheysetonfire;andthis,saidhe,isthetunethatthepiperplayedwhiletheywereburning。
  Narrationslikethis,howeveruncertain,deservethenoticeofthetraveller,becausetheyaretheonlyrecordsofanationthathasnohistorians,andaffordthemostgenuinerepresentationofthelifeandcharacteroftheancientHighlanders。
  UnderthedenominationofHighlanderarecomprehendedinScotlandallthatnowspeaktheErselanguage,orretaintheprimitivemanners,whethertheyliveamongthemountainsorintheislands;
  andinthatsenseIusethename,whenthereisnotsomeapparentreasonformakingadistinction。
  InSkyIfirstobservedtheuseofBrogues,akindofartlessshoes,stitchedwiththongssoloosely,thatthoughtheydefendthefootfromstones,theydonotexcludewater。Brogueswereformerlymadeofrawhides,withthehairinwards,andsuchareperhapsstillusedinrudeandremoteparts;buttheyaresaidnottolastabovetwodays。Wherelifeissomewhatimproved,theyarenowmadeofleathertannedwithoakbark,asinotherplaces,orwiththebarkofbirch,orrootsoftormentil,asubstancerecommendedindefectofbark,aboutfortyyearsago,totheIrishtanners,byonetowhomtheparliamentofthatkingdomvotedareward。TheleatherofSkyisnotcompletelypenetratedbyvegetablematter,andthereforecannotbeverydurable。
  Myinquiriesaboutbrogues,gavemeanearlyspecimenofHighlandinformation。OnedayIwastold,thattomakebrogueswasadomestickart,whicheverymanpractisedforhimself,andthatapairofbrogueswastheworkofanhour。Isupposedthatthehusbandmadebroguesasthewifemadeanapron,tillnextdayitwastoldme,thatabrogue-makerwasatrade,andthatapairwouldcosthalfacrown。Itwilleasilyoccurthattheserepresentationsmaybothbetrue,andthat,insomeplaces,menmaybuythem,andinothers,makethemforthemselves;
  butIhadboththeaccountsinthesamehousewithintwodays。
  Manyofmysubsequentinquiriesuponmoreinterestingtopicksendedinthelikeuncertainty。HethattravelsintheHighlandsmayeasilysaturatehissoulwithintelligence,ifhewillacquiesceinthefirstaccount。TheHighlandergivestoeveryquestionananswersopromptandperemptory,thatskepticismitselfisdaredintosilence,andthemindsinksbeforetheboldreporterinunresistingcredulity;but,ifasecondquestionbeventured,itbreakstheenchantment;foritisimmediatelydiscovered,thatwhatwastoldsoconfidentlywastoldathazard,andthatsuchfearlessnessofassertionwaseitherthesportofnegligence,ortherefugeofignorance。
  Ifindividualsarethusatvariancewiththemselves,itcanbenowonderthattheaccountsofdifferentmenarecontradictory。Thetraditionsofanignorantandsavagepeoplehavebeenforagesnegligentlyheard,andunskilfullyrelated。Distanteventsmusthavebeenmingledtogether,andtheactionsofonemangiventoanother。These,however,aredeficienciesinstory,forwhichnomanisnowtobecensured。Itwereenough,ifwhatthereisyetopportunityofexaminingwereaccuratelyinspected,andjustlyrepresented;butsuchisthelaxityofHighlandconversation,thattheinquireriskeptincontinualsuspense,andbyakindofintellectualretrogradation,knowslessashehearsmore。
  Intheislandstheplaidisrarelyworn。ThelawbywhichtheHighlandershavebeenobligedtochangetheformoftheirdress,has,inalltheplacesthatwehavevisited,beenuniversallyobeyed。Ihaveseenonlyonegentlemancompletelyclothedintheancienthabit,andbyhimitwaswornonlyoccasionallyandwantonly。Thecommonpeopledonotthinkthemselvesunderanylegalnecessityofhavingcoats;fortheysaythatthelawagainstplaidswasmadebyLordHardwicke,andwasinforceonlyforhislife:butthesamepovertythatmadeitthendifficultforthemtochangetheirclothing,hindersthemnowfromchangingitagain。
  Thefillibeg,orlowergarment,isstillverycommon,andthebonnetalmostuniversal;buttheirattireissuchasproduces,inasufficientdegree,theeffectintendedbythelaw,ofabolishingthedissimilitudeofappearancebetweentheHighlandersandtheotherinhabitantsofBritain;and,ifdressbesupposedtohavemuchinfluence,facilitatestheircoalitionwiththeirfellow-
  subjects。
  Whatwehavelongusedwenaturallylike,andthereforetheHighlanderswereunwillingtolayasidetheirplaid,whichyettoanunprejudicedspectatormustappearanincommodiousandcumbersomedress;forhanginglooseuponthebody,itmustflutterinaquickmotion,orrequireoneofthehandstokeepitclose。
  TheRomansalwayslaidasidethegownwhentheyhadanythingtodo。
  Itwasadresssounsuitabletowar,thatthesamewordwhichsignifiedagownsignifiedpeace。Thechiefuseofaplaidseemstobethis,thattheycouldcommodiouslywrapthemselvesinit,whentheywereobligedtosleepwithoutabettercover。
  InourpassagefromScotlandtoSky,wewerewetforthefirsttimewithashower。ThiswasthebeginningoftheHighlandwinter,afterwhichweweretoldthatasuccessionofthreedrydayswasnottobeexpectedformanymonths。ThewinteroftheHebridesconsistsoflittlemorethanrainandwind。Astheyaresurroundedbyanoceanneverfrozen,theblaststhatcometothemoverthewateraretoomuchsoftenedtohavethepowerofcongelation。Thesaltloughs,orinletsofthesea,whichshootveryfarintotheisland,neverhaveanyiceuponthem,andthepoolsoffreshwaterwillneverbearthewalker。Thesnowthatsometimesfalls,issoondissolvedbytheair,ortherain。