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。