Butthisistheage,inwhichthosewhocouldnotread,havebeensupposedtowrite;inwhichthegiantsofantiquatedromancehavebeenexhibitedasrealities。IfweknowlittleoftheancientHighlanders,letusnotfillthevacuitywithOssian。IfwehadnotsearchedtheMagellanickregions,letushoweverforbeartopeoplethemwithPatagons。
HavingwaitedsomedaysatArmidel,wewereflatteredatlastwithawindthatpromisedtoconveyustoMull。Wewentonboardaboatthatwastakinginkelp,andlefttheIsleofSkybehindus。Weweredoomedtoexperience,likeothers,thedangeroftrustingtothewind,whichblewagainstus,inashorttime,withsuchviolence,thatwe,beingnoseasonedsailors,werewillingtocallitatempest。Iwassea-sickandlaydown。Mr。Boswellkeptthedeck。Themasterknewnotwellwhithertogo;andourdifficultiesmightperhapshavefilledaverypathetickpage,hadnotMr。
MacleanofCol,who,witheveryotherqualificationwhichinsularliferequires,isaveryactiveandskilfulmariner,pilotedussafeintohisownharbour。
COL
InthemorningwefoundourselvesundertheIsleofCol,wherewelanded;andpassedthefirstdayandnightwithCaptainMaclean,agentlemanwhohaslivedsometimeintheEastIndies;buthavingdethronednoNabob,isnottoorichtosettleinowncountry。
Nextdaythewindwasfair,andwemighthavehadaneasypassagetoMull;buthaving,contrarilytoourownintention,landeduponanewIsland,wewouldnotleaveitwhollyunexamined。Wethereforesufferedthevesseltodepartwithoutus,andtrustedtheskiesforanotherwind。
Mr。MacleanofCol,havingaverynumerousfamily,has,forsometimepast,residedatAberdeen,thathemaysuperintendtheireducation,andleavestheyounggentleman,ourfriend,togovernhisdominions,withthefullpowerofaHighlandChief。BytheabsenceoftheLaird'sfamily,ourentertainmentwasmademoredifficult,becausethehousewasinagreatdegreedisfurnished;
butyoungCol'skindnessandactivitysuppliedalldefects,andprocuredusmorethansufficientaccommodation。
HereIfirstmountedalittleHighlandsteed;andiftherehadbeenmanyspectators,shouldhavebeensomewhatashamedofmyfigureinthemarch。ThehorsesoftheIslands,asofotherbarrencountries,areverylow:theyareindeedmusculousandstrong,beyondwhattheirsizegivesreasonforexpecting;butabulkymanupononeoftheirbacksmakesaverydisproportionateappearance。
FromthehabitationofCaptainMaclean,wewenttoGrissipol,butcalledbythewayonMr。HectorMaclean,theMinisterofCol,whomwefoundinahut,thatis,ahouseofonlyonefloor,butwithwindowsandchimney,andnotinelegantlyfurnished。Mr。Macleanhasthereputationofgreatlearning:heisseventy-sevenyearsold,butnotinfirm,withalookofvenerabledignity,excellingwhatIrememberinanyotherman。
Hisconversationwasnotunsuitabletohisappearance。Ilostsomeofhisgood-will,bytreatingahereticalwriterwithmoreregardthan,inhisopinion,aheretickcoulddeserve。Ihonouredhisorthodoxy,anddidnotmuchcensurehisasperity。Amanwhohassettledhisopinions,doesnotlovetohavethetranquillityofhisconvictiondisturbed;andatseventy-sevenitistimetobeinearnest。
MentionwasmadeoftheEarsetranslationoftheNewTestament,whichhasbeenlatelypublished,andofwhichthelearnedMr。
MacqueenofSkyspokewithcommendation;butMr。Macleansaidhedidnotuseit,becausehecouldmakethetextmoreintelligibletohisauditorsbyanextemporaryversion。FromthisIinferred,thatthelanguageofthetranslationwasnotthelanguageoftheIsleofCol。
Hehasnopublickedificefortheexerciseofhisministry;andcanofficiatetonogreaternumber,thanaroomcancontain;andtheroomofahutisnotverylarge。ThisisalltheopportunityofworshipthatisnowgrantedtotheinhabitantsoftheIsland,someofwhommusttravelthitherperhapstenmiles。Twochapelswereerectedbytheirancestors,ofwhichIsawtheskeletons,whichnowstandfaithfulwitnessesofthetriumphoftheReformation。
Thewantofchurchesisnottheonlyimpedimenttopiety:thereislikewiseawantofMinisters。AparishoftencontainsmoreIslandsthanone;andeachIslandcanhavetheMinisteronlyinitsownturn。AtRaasatheyhad,Ithink,arighttoserviceonlyeverythirdSunday。Alltheprovisionmadebythepresentecclesiasticalconstitution,fortheinhabitantsofaboutahundredsquaremiles,isaprayerandsermoninalittleroom,onceinthreeweeks:andeventhisparsimoniousdistributionisatthemercyoftheweather;
andinthoseIslandswheretheMinisterdoesnotreside,itisimpossibletotellhowmanyweeksormonthsmaypasswithoutanypublickexerciseofreligion。
GRISSIPOLINCOL
AfterashortconversationwithMr。Maclean,wewentontoGrissipol,ahouseandfarmtenantedbyMr。Macsweyn,whereIsawmoreoftheancientlifeofaHighlander,thanIhadyetfound。
Mrs。MacsweyncouldspeaknoEnglish,andhadneverseenanyotherplacesthantheIslandsofSky,Mull,andCol:butshewashospitableandgood-humoured,andspreadhertablewithsufficientliberality。Wefoundteahere,asineveryotherplace,butourspoonswereofhorn。
ThehouseofGrissipolstandsbyabrookveryclearandquick;
whichis,Isuppose,oneofthemostcopiousstreamsintheIsland。
Thisplacewasthesceneofanaction,muchcelebratedinthetraditionalhistoryofCol,butwhichprobablynotworelaterswilltellalike。
Sometime,intheobscureages,MacneilofBarramarriedtheLadyMaclean,whohadtheIsleofColforherjointure。WhetherMacneildetainedCol,whenthewidowwasdead,orwhethershelivedsolongastomakeherheirsimpatient,isperhapsnotnowknown。Theyoungerson,calledJohnGerves,orJohntheGiant,amanofgreatstrengthwhowastheninIreland,eitherforsafety,orforeducation,dreamedofrecoveringhisinheritance;andgettingsomeadventurerstogether,which,inthoseunsettledtimes,wasnothardtodo,invadedCol。Hewasdrivenaway,butwasnotdiscouraged,andcollectingnewfollowers,inthreeyearscameagainwithfiftymen。InhiswayhestoppedatArtorinishinMorvern,wherehisunclewasprisonertoMacleod,andwasthenwithhisenemiesinatent。Macleantookwithhimonlyoneservant,whomheorderedtostayattheoutside;andwhereheshouldseethetentpressedoutwards,tostrikewithhisdirk,itbeingtheintentionofMaclean,asanymanprovokedhim,tolayhandsuponhim,andpushhimback。Heenteredthetentalone,withhisLochabar-axeinhishand,andstrucksuchterrorintothewholeassembly,thattheydismissedhisuncle。
WhenhelandedatCol,hesawthesentinel,whokeptwatchtowardsthesea,runningofftoGrissipol,togiveMacneil,whowastherewithahundredandtwentymen,anaccountoftheinvasion。HetoldMacgill,oneofhisfollowers,thatifheinterceptedthatdangerousintelligence,bycatchingthecourier,hewouldgivehimcertainlandsinMull。Uponthispromise,Macgillpursuedthemessenger,andeitherkilled,orstoppedhim;andhisposterity,tillverylately,heldthelandsinMull。
Thealarmbeingthusprevented,hecameunexpectedlyuponMacneil。
Chiefswereinthosedaysneverwhollyunprovidedforanenemy。A
fightensued,inwhichoneoftheirfollowersissaidtohavegivenanextraordinaryproofofactivity,byboundingbackwardsoverthebrookofGrissipol。Macneilbeingkilled,andmanyofhisclandestroyed,MacleantookpossessionoftheIsland,whichtheMacneilsattemptedtoconquerbyanotherinvasion,butweredefeatedandrepulsed。
Maclean,inhisturn,invadedtheestateoftheMacneils,tookthecastleofBrecacig,andconqueredtheIsleofBarra,whichheheldforsevenyears,andthenrestoredittotheheirs。
CASTLEOFCOL
FromGrissipol,Mr。Macleanconductedustohisfather'sseat;aneatnewhouse,erectedneartheoldcastle,Ithink,bythelastproprietor。Herewewereallowedtotakeourstation,andlivedverycommodiously,whilewewaitedformoderateweatherandafairwind,whichwedidnotsosoonobtain,butwehadtimetogetsomeinformationofthepresentstateofCol,partlybyinquiry,andpartlybyoccasionalexcursions。
Coliscomputedtobethirteenmilesinlength,andthreeinbreadth。BoththeendsarethepropertyoftheDukeofArgyle,butthemiddlebelongstoMaclean,whoiscalledCol,astheonlyLaird。
Colisnotproperlyrocky;itisratheronecontinuedrock,ofasurfacemuchdiversifiedwithprotuberances,andcoveredwithathinlayerofearth,whichisoftenbroken,anddiscoversthestone。Suchasoilisnotforplantsthatstrikedeeproots;andperhapsinthewholeIslandnothinghaseveryetgrowntotheheightofatable。Theuncultivatedpartsareclothedwithheath,amongwhichindustryhasinterspersedspotsofgrassandcorn;butnoattempthasyetbeenmadetoraiseatree。YoungCol,whohasaverylaudabledesireofimprovinghispatrimony,purposessometimetoplantanorchard;which,ifitbeshelteredbyawall,mayperhapssucceed。Hehasintroducedthecultureofturnips,ofwhichhehasafield,wherethewholeworkwasperformedbyhisownhand。Hisintentionistoprovidefoodforhiscattleinthewinter。ThisinnovationwasconsideredbyMr。Macsweynastheidleprojectofayounghead,heatedwithEnglishfancies;buthehasnowfoundthatturnipswillreallygrow,andthathungrysheepandcowswillreallyeatthem。
Bysuchacquisitionsasthese,theHebridesmayintimeriseabovetheirannualdistress。Whereverheathwillgrow,thereisreasontothinksomethingbettermaydrawnourishment;andbytryingtheproductionofotherplaces,plantswillbefoundsuitabletoeverysoil。
Colhasmanylochs,someofwhichhavetroutsandeels,andothershaveneveryetbeenstocked;anotherproofofthenegligenceoftheIslanders,whomighttakefishintheinlandwaters,whentheycannotgotosea。
Theirquadrupedsarehorses,cows,sheep,andgoats。Theyhaveneitherdeer,hares,norrabbits。Theyhavenovermin,exceptrats,whichhavebeenlatelybroughtthitherbysea,astootherplaces;andarefreefromserpents,frogs,andtoads。
TheharvestinCol,andinLewis,isripesoonerthaninSky;andthewinterinColisnevercold,butverytempestuous。IknownotthatIeverheardthewindsoloudinanyotherplace;andMr。
Boswellobserved,thatitsnoisewasallitsown,fortherewerenotreestoincreaseit。
Noiseisnottheworsteffectofthetempests;fortheyhavethrownthesandfromtheshoreoveraconsiderablepartoftheland;anditissaidstilltoencroachanddestroymoreandmorepasture;butIamnotofopinion,thatbyanysurveysorlandmarks,itslimitshavebeeneverfixed,oritsprogressionascertained。Ifonemanhasconfidenceenoughtosay,thatitadvances,nobodycanbringanyprooftosupporthimindenyingit。Thereasonwhyitisnotspreadtoagreaterextent,seemstobe,thatthewindandraincomealmosttogether,andthatitismadecloseandheavybythewetbeforethestormscanputitinmotion。Sothickisthebed,andsosmalltheparticles,thatifatravellershouldbecaughtbyasuddengustindryweather,hewouldfinditverydifficulttoescapewithlife。
Fornaturalcuriosities,Iwasshownonlytwogreatmassesofstone,whichlielooseupontheground;oneonthetopofahill,andtheotheratasmalldistancefromthebottom。Theycertainlywereneverputintotheirpresentplacesbyhumanstrengthorskill;andthoughanearthquakemighthavebrokenoffthelowerstone,androlleditintothevalley,noaccountcanbegivenoftheother,whichliesonthehill,unless,whichIforgottoexamine,therebestillnearitsomehigherrock,fromwhichitmightbetorn。Allnationshaveatradition,thattheirearliestancestorsweregiants,andthesestonesaresaidtohavebeenthrownupanddownbyagiantandhismistress。Therearesomanymoreimportantthings,ofwhichhumanknowledgecangivenoaccount,thatitmaybeforgivenus,ifwespeculatenolongerontwostonesinCol。
ThisIslandisverypopulous。Aboutnine-and-twentyyearsago,thefenciblemenofColwerereckonedonehundredandforty,whichisthesixthofeighthundredandforty;andprobablysomecontrivedtobeleftoutofthelist。TheMinistertoldus,thatafewyearsagotheinhabitantswereeighthundred,betweentheagesofsevenandofseventy。Roundnumbersareseldomexact。Butinthiscasetheauthorityisgood,andtheerrourlikelytobelittle。Iftotheeighthundredbeaddedwhatthelawsofcomputationrequire,theywillbeincreasedtoatleastathousand;andifthedimensionsofthecountryhavebeenaccuratelyrelated,everymilemaintainsmorethantwenty-five。
Thisproportionofhabitationisgreaterthantheappearanceofthecountryseemstoadmit;forwherevertheeyewanders,itseesmuchwasteandlittlecultivation。Iammoreinclinedtoextendtheland,ofwhichnomeasurehaseverbeentaken,thantodiminishthepeople,whohavebeenreallynumbered。Letitbesupposed,thatacomputedmilecontainsamileandahalf,aswascommonlyfoundtrueinthemensurationoftheEnglishroads,andweshallthenallotnearlytwelvetoamile,whichagreesmuchbetterwithocularobservation。
Here,asinSky,andotherIslands,aretheLaird,theTacksmen,andtheundertenants。
Mr。Maclean,theLaird,hasveryextensivepossessions,beingproprietor,notonlyoffarthegreaterpartofCol,butoftheextensiveIslandofRum,andaveryconsiderableterritoryinMull。
RumisoneofthelargerIslands,almostsquare,andthereforeofgreatcapacityinproportiontoitssides。Bytheusualmethodofestimatingcomputedextent,itmaycontainmorethanahundredandtwentysquaremiles。
ItoriginallybelongedtoClanronald,andwaspurchasedbyCol;
who,insomedisputeaboutthebargain,madeClanronaldprisoner,andkepthimninemonthsinconfinement。Itsownerrepresentsitasmountainous,rugged,andbarren。Inthehillstherearereddeer。Thehorsesareverysmall,butofabreedeminentforbeauty。Col,notlongago,boughtoneofthemfromatenant;whotoldhim,thatashewasofashapeuncommonlyelegant,hecouldnotsellhimbutatahighprice;andthatwhoeverhadhimshouldpayaguineaandahalf。
TherearesaidtobeinBarraaraceofhorsesyetsmaller,ofwhichthehighestisnotabovethirty-sixinches。
TherentofRumisnotgreat。Mr。Macleandeclared,thatheshouldbeveryrich,ifhecouldsethislandattwo-pencehalfpennyanacre。Theinhabitantsarefifty-eightfamilies,whocontinuedPapistsforsometimeaftertheLairdbecameaProtestant。TheiradherencetotheiroldreligionwasstrengthenedbythecountenanceoftheLaird'ssister,azealousRomanist,tilloneSunday,astheyweregoingtomassundertheconductoftheirpatroness,Macleanmetthemontheway,gaveoneofthemablowontheheadwithayellowstick,Isupposeacane,forwhichtheEarsehadnoname,anddrovethemtothekirk,fromwhichtheyhaveneversincedeparted。Sincetheuseofthismethodofconversion,theinhabitantsofEggandCanna,whocontinuePapists,calltheProtestantismofRum,thereligionoftheYellowStick。
TheonlyPopishIslandsareEggandCanna。EggistheprincipalIslandofaparish,inwhich,thoughhehasnocongregation,theProtestantMinisterresides。Ihaveheardofnothingcuriousinit,butthecaveinwhichaformergenerationoftheIslandersweresmotheredbyMacleod。
Ifwehadtravelledwithmoreleisure,ithadnotbeenfittohaveneglectedthePopishIslands。Poperyisfavourabletoceremony;
andamongignorantnations,ceremonyistheonlypreservativeoftradition。SinceprotestantismwasextendedtothesavagepartsofScotland,ithasperhapsbeenoneofthechieflaboursoftheMinisterstoabolishstatedobservances,becausetheycontinuedtheremembranceoftheformerreligion。Wethereforewhocametohearoldtraditions,andseeantiquatedmanners,shouldprobablyhavefoundthemamongstthePapists。
Canna,theotherPopishIsland,belongstoClanronald。Itissaidnottocomprisemorethantwelvemilesofland,andyetmaintainsasmanyinhabitantsasRum。
WewereatColundertheprotectionoftheyoungLaird,withoutanyofthedistresses,whichMr。Pennant,inafitofsimplecredulity,seemstothinkalmostworthyofanelegybyOssian。Whereverweroved,wewerepleasedtoseethereverencewithwhichhissubjectsregardedhim。Hedidnotendeavourtodazzlethembyanymagnificenceofdress:hisonlydistinctionwasafeatherinhisbonnet;butassoonasheappeared,theyforsooktheirworkandclusteredabouthim:hetookthembythehand,andtheyseemedmutuallydelighted。HehastheproperdispositionofaChieftain,andseemsdesiroustocontinuethecustomsofhishouse。Thebagpiperplayedregularly,whendinnerwasserved,whosepersonanddressmadeagoodappearance;andhebroughtnodisgraceuponthefamilyofRankin,whichhaslongsuppliedtheLairdsofColwithhereditarymusick。
TheTacksmenofColseemtolivewithlessdignityandconveniencethanthoseofSky;wheretheyhadgoodhouses,andtablesnotonlyplentiful,butdelicate。InColonlytwohousespaythewindowtax;foronlytwohavesixwindows,which,Isuppose,aretheLaird'sandMr。Macsweyn's。
Therentshave,tillwithinsevenyears,beenpaidinkind,butthetenantsfindingthatcattleandcornvariedintheirprice,desiredforthefuturetogivetheirlandlordmoney;which,nothavingyetarrivedatthephilosophyofcommerce,theyconsiderasbeingeveryyearofthesamevalue。
Weweretoldofaparticularmodeofunder-tenure。TheTacksmanadmitssomeofhisinferiorneighbourstothecultivationofhisgrounds,onconditionthatperformingallthework,andgivingathirdpartoftheseed,theyshallkeepacertainnumberofcows,sheep,andgoats,andreapathirdpartoftheharvest。Thusbylessthanthetillageoftwoacrestheypaytherentofone。
TherearetenantsbelowtherankofTacksmen,thathavegotsmallertenantsunderthem;forineveryplace,wheremoneyisnotthegeneralequivalent,theremustbesomewhoselabourisimmediatelypaidbydailyfood。
Acountrythathasnomoney,isbynomeansconvenientforbeggars,bothbecausesuchcountriesarecommonlypoor,andbecausecharityrequiressometroubleandsomethought。Apennyiseasilygivenuponthefirstimpulseofcompassion,orimpatienceofimportunity;
butfewwilldeliberatelysearchtheircupboardsortheirgranariestofindoutsomethingtogive。Apennyislikewiseeasilyspent,butvictuals,iftheyareunprepared,requirehouseroom,andfire,andutensils,whichthebeggarknowsnotwheretofind。
Yetbeggarstheresometimesare,whowanderfromIslandtoIsland。
Wehad,inourpassagetoMull,thecompanyofawomanandherchild,whohadexhaustedthecharityofCol。ThearrivalofabeggaronanIslandisaccountedasinistrousevent。Everybodyconsidersthatheshallhavethelessforwhathegivesaway。
Theiralms,Ibelieve,isgenerallyoatmeal。
NeartoColisanotherIslandcalledTireye,eminentforitsfertility。ThoughithasbuthalftheextentofRum,itissowellpeopled,thattherehaveappeared,notlongago,ninehundredandfourteenatafuneral。TheplentyofthisIslandenticedbeggarstoit,whoseemedsoburdensometotheinhabitants,thataformalcompactwasdrawnup,bywhichtheyobligedthemselvestograntnomorerelieftocasualwanderers,becausetheyhadamongthemanindigentwomanofhighbirth,whomtheyconsideredasentitledtoallthattheycouldspare。Ihavereadthestipulation,whichwasinditedwithjuridicalformality,butwasnevermadevalidbyregularsubscription。
IftheinhabitantsofColhavenothingtogive,itisnotthattheyareoppressedbytheirlandlord:theirleasesseemtobeveryprofitable。Onefarmer,whopaysonlysevenpoundsayear,hasmaintainedsevendaughtersandthreesons,ofwhomtheeldestiseducatedatAberdeenfortheministry;andnow,ateveryvacation,opensaschoolinCol。
Lifeishere,insomerespects,improvedbeyondtheconditionofsomeotherIslands。InSkywhatiswantedcanonlybebought,asthearrivalofsomewanderingpedlarmayaffordanopportunity;butinColthereisastandingshop,andinMulltherearetwo。AshopintheIslands,asinotherplacesoflittlefrequentation,isarepositoryofeverythingrequisiteforcommonuse。Mr。Boswell'sjournalwasfilled,andheboughtsomepaperinCol。ToamanthatrangesthestreetsofLondon,whereheistemptedtocontrivewants,forthepleasureofsupplyingthem,ashopaffordsnoimageworthyofattention;butinanIsland,itturnsthebalanceofexistencebetweengoodandevil。Toliveinperpetualwantoflittlethings,isastatenotindeedoftorture,butofconstantvexation。IhaveinSkyhadsomedifficultytofindinkforaletter;andifawomanbreaksherneedle,theworkisatastop。
Asitis,theIslandersareobligedtocontentthemselveswithsuccedaneousmeansformanycommonpurposes。Ihaveseenthechiefmanofaverywidedistrictridingwithahalterforabridle,andgoverninghishobbywithawoodencurb。
ThepeopleofCol,however,donotwantdexteritytosupplysomeoftheirnecessities。Severalartswhichmaketrades,anddemandapprenticeshipsingreatcities,areherethepracticesofdailyeconomy。Ineveryhousecandlesaremade,bothmouldedanddipped。
Theirwicksaresmallshredsoflinencloth。TheyallknowhowtoextractfromtheCuddy,oilfortheirlamps。Theyalltanskins,andmakebrogues。
AswetravelledthroughSky,wesawmanycottages,buttheyveryfrequentlystoodsingleonthenakedground。InCol,wherethehillsopenedaplaceconvenientforhabitation,wefoundapettyvillage,ofwhicheveryhuthadalittlegardenadjoining;thustheymadeanappearanceofsocialcommerceandmutualoffices,andofsomeattentiontoconvenienceandfuturesupply。ThereisnotintheWesternIslandsanycollectionofbuildingsthatcanmakepretensionstobecalledatown,exceptintheIsleofLewis,whichIhavenotseen。
IfLewisisdistinguishedbyatown,Colhasalsosomethingpeculiar。TheyoungLairdhasattemptedwhatnoIslanderperhapseverthoughton。Hehasbegunaroadcapableofawheel-carriage。
Hehascarrieditaboutamile,andwillcontinueitbyannualelongationfromhishousetotheharbour。
Oftaxeshereisnoreasonforcomplaining;theyarepaidbyaveryeasycomposition。Themalt-taxforColistwentyshillings。
Whiskyisveryplentiful:thereareseveralstillsintheIsland,andmoreismadethantheinhabitantsconsume。
Thegreatbusinessofinsularpolicyisnowtokeepthepeopleintheirowncountry。Astheworldhasbeenletinuponthem,theyhaveheardofhappierclimates,andlessarbitrarygovernment;andiftheyaredisgusted,haveemissariesamongthemreadytoofferthemlandandhouses,asarewardfordesertingtheirChiefandclan。ManyhavedepartedbothfromthemainofScotland,andfromtheIslands;andallthatgomaybeconsideredassubjectslosttotheBritishcrown;foranationscatteredintheboundlessregionsofAmericaresemblesraysdivergingfromafocus。Alltheraysremain,buttheheatisgone。Theirpowerconsistedintheirconcentration:whentheyaredispersed,theyhavenoeffect。
Itmaybethoughtthattheyarehappierbythechange;buttheyarenothappyasanation,fortheyareanationnolonger。Astheycontributenottotheprosperityofanycommunity,theymustwantthatsecurity,thatdignity,thathappiness,whateveritbe,whichaprosperouscommunitythrowsbackuponindividuals。
TheinhabitantsofColhavenotyetlearnedtobewearyoftheirheathandrocks,butattendtheiragricultureandtheirdairies,withoutlisteningtoAmericanseducements。
Therearesomehoweverwhothinkthatthisemigrationhasraisedterrourdisproportionatetoitsrealevil;andthatitisonlyanewmodeofdoingwhatwasalwaysdone。TheHighlands,theysay,nevermaintainedtheirnaturalinhabitants;butthepeople,whentheyfoundthemselvestoonumerous,insteadofextendingcultivation,providedforthemselvesbyamorecompendiousmethod,andsoughtbetterfortuneinothercountries。Theydidnotindeedgoawayincollectivebodies,butwithdrewinvisibly,afewatatime;butthewholenumberoffugitiveswasnotless,andthedifferencebetweenothertimesandthis,isonlythesameasbetweenevaporationandeffusion。
Thisisplausible,butIamafraiditisnottrue。Thosewhowentbefore,iftheywerenotsensiblymissed,astheargumentsupposes,musthavegoneeitherinlessnumber,orinamannerlessdetrimental,thanatpresent;becauseformerlytherewasnocomplaint。Thosewhothenleftthecountryweregenerallytheidledependantsonoverburdenedfamilies,ormenwhohadnoproperty;
andthereforecarriedawayonlythemselves。Inthepresenteagernessofemigration,families,andalmostcommunities,goawaytogether。Thosewhowereconsideredasprosperousandwealthyselltheirstockandcarryawaythemoney。Oncenonewentawaybuttheuselessandpoor;insomepartsthereisnowreasontofear,thatnonewillstaybutthosewhoaretoopoortoremovethemselves,andtoouselesstoberemovedatthecostofothers。
OfantiquitythereisnotmoreknowledgeinColthaninotherplaces;buteverywheresomethingmaybegleaned。
Howladieswereportioned,whentherewasnomoney,itwouldbedifficultforanEnglishmantoguess。In1649,MacleanofDronartinMullmarriedhissisterFingalatoMacleanofColl,withahundredandeightykine;andstipulated,thatifshebecameawidow,herjointureshouldbethreehundredandsixty。Isupposesomeproportionatetractoflandwasappropriatedtotheirpasturage。
Thedispositiontopompousandexpensivefunerals,whichhasatonetimeorotherprevailedinmostpartsofthecivilizedworld,isnotyetsuppressedintheIslands,thoughsomeoftheancientsolemnitiesarewornaway,andsingersarenolongerhiredtoattendtheprocession。Nineteenyearsago,attheburialoftheLairdofCol,werekilledthirtycows,andaboutfiftysheep。Thenumberofthecowsispositivelytold,andwemustsupposeothervictualsinlikeproportion。
Mr。Macleaninformedusofanoddgame,ofwhichhedidnottelltheoriginal,butwhichmayperhapsbeusedinotherplaces,wherethereasonofitisnotyetforgot。AtNew-year'seve,inthehallorcastleoftheLaird,where,atfestalseasons,theremaybesupposedaverynumerouscompany,onemandresseshimselfinacow'shide,uponwhichothermenbeatwithsticks。Herunswithallthisnoiseroundthehouse,whichallthecompanyquitsinacounterfeitedfright:thedooristhenshut。AtNew-year'sevethereisnogreatpleasuretobehadoutofdoorsintheHebrides。
Theyaresuresoontorecoverfromtheirterrourenoughtosolicitforre-admission;which,forthehonourofpoetry,isnottobeobtainedbutbyrepeatingaverse,withwhichthosethatareknowingandprovidenttakecaretobefurnished。
VerynearthehouseofMacleanstandsthecastleofCol,whichwasthemansionoftheLaird,tillthehousewasbuilt。Itisbuiltuponarock,asMr。Boswellremarked,thatitmightnotbemined。
Itisverystrong,andhavingbeennotlonguninhabited,isyetinrepair。Onthewallwas,notlongago,astonewithaninscription,importing,that'ifanymanoftheclanofMaclonichshallappearbeforethiscastle,thoughhecomeatmidnight,withaman'sheadinhishand,heshalltherefindsafetyandprotectionagainstallbuttheKing。'
ThisisanoldHighlandtreatymadeuponaverymemorableoccasion。
Maclean,thesonofJohnGerves,whorecoveredCol,andconqueredBarra,hadobtained,itissaid,fromJamestheSecond,agrantofthelandsofLochiel,forfeited,Isuppose,bysomeoffenceagainstthestate。
Forfeitedestateswerenotinthosedaysquietlyresigned;Maclean,therefore,wentwithanarmedforcetoseizehisnewpossessions,and,Iknownotforwhatreason,tookhiswifewithhim。TheCameronsroseindefenceoftheirChief,andabattlewasfoughtattheheadofLochNess,neartheplacewhereFortAugustusnowstands,inwhichLochielobtainedthevictory,andMaclean,withhisfollowers,wasdefeatedanddestroyed。
Theladyfellintothehandsoftheconquerours,andbeingfoundpregnantwasplacedinthecustodyofMaclonich,oneofatribeorfamilybranchedfromCameron,withorders,ifshebroughtaboy,todestroyhim,ifagirl,tospareher。
Maclonich'swife,whowaswithchildlikewise,hadagirlaboutthesametimeatwhichladyMacleanbroughtaboy,andMaclonichwithmoregenerositytohiscaptive,thanfidelitytohistrust,contrivedthatthechildrenshouldbechanged。
Macleanbeingthuspreservedfromdeath,intimerecoveredhisoriginalpatrimony;andingratitudetohisfriend,madehiscastleaplaceofrefugetoanyoftheclanthatshouldthinkhimselfindanger;and,asaproofofreciprocalconfidence,MacleantookuponhimselfandhisposteritythecareofeducatingtheheirofMaclonich。
Thisstory,likeallothertraditionsoftheHighlands,isvariouslyrelated,butthoughsomecircumstancesareuncertain,theprincipalfactistrue。MacleanundoubtedlyowedhispreservationtoMaclonich;forthetreatybetweenthetwofamilieshasbeenstrictlyobserved:itdidnotsinkintodisuseandoblivion,butcontinuedinitsfullforcewhilethechieftainsretainedtheirpower。Ihavereadademandofprotection,madenotmorethanthirty-sevenyearsago,foroneoftheMaclonichs,namedEwenCameron,whohadbeenaccessorytothedeathofMacmartin,andhadbeenbanishedbyLochiel,hislord,foracertainterm;attheexpirationofwhichhereturnedmarriedfromFrance,buttheMacmartins,notsatisfiedwiththepunishment,whenheattemptedtosettle,stillthreatenedhimwithvengeance。Hethereforeasked,andobtainedshelterintheIsleofCol。
Thepowerofprotectionsubsistsnolonger,butwhatthelawpermitsisyetcontinued,andMacleanofColnoweducatestheheirofMaclonich。
TherestillremainsintheIslands,thoughitispassingfastaway,thecustomoffosterage。ALaird,amanofwealthandeminence,sendshischild,eithermaleorfemale,toatacksman,ortenant,tobefostered。Itisnotalwayshisowntenant,butsomedistantfriendthatobtainsthishonour;foranhonoursuchatrustisveryreasonablythought。Thetermsoffosterageseemtovaryindifferentislands。InMull,thefathersendswithhischildacertainnumberofcows,towhichthesamenumberisaddedbythefosterer。Thefatherappropriatesaproportionableextentofground,withoutrent,fortheirpasturage。Ifeverycowbringsacalf,halfbelongstothefosterer,andhalftothechild;butiftherebeonlyonecalfbetweentwocows,itisthechild's,andwhenthechildreturnstotheparent,itisaccompaniedbyallthecowsgiven,bothbythefatherandbythefosterer,withhalfoftheincreaseofthestockbypropagation。Thesebeastsareconsideredasaportion,andcalledMacalivecattle,ofwhichthefatherhastheproduce,butissupposednottohavethefullproperty,buttoowethesamenumbertothechild,asaportiontothedaughter,orastockfortheson。
Childrencontinuewiththefostererperhapssixyears,andcannot,wherethisisthepractice,beconsideredasburdensome。Thefosterer,ifhegivesfourcows,receiveslikewisefour,andhas,whilethechildcontinueswithhim,grassforeightwithoutrent,withhalfthecalves,andallthemilk,forwhichhepaysonlyfourcowswhenhedismisseshisDalt,forthatisthenameforafosterchild。
Fosterageis,Ibelieve,sometimesperformeduponmoreliberalterms。Ourfriend,theyoungLairdofCol,wasfosteredbyMacsweynofGrissipol。MacsweynthenlivedatenanttoSirJamesMacdonaldintheIsleofSky;andthereforeCol,whetherhesenthimcattleornot,couldgranthimnoland。TheDalt,however,athisreturn,broughtbackaconsiderablenumberofMacalivecattle,andofthefriendshipsoformedtherehavebeengoodeffects。WhenMacdonaldraisedhisrents,Macsweynwas,likeothertenants,discontented,and,resigninghisfarm,removedfromSkytoCol,andwasestablishedatGrissipol。
TheseobservationswemadebyfavourofthecontrarywindthatdroveustoCol,anIslandnotoftenvisited;forthereisnotmuchtoamusecuriosity,ortoattractavarice。
Thegroundhasbeenhitherto,Ibelieve,usedchieflyforpasturage。Inadistrict,suchastheeyecancommand,thereisageneralherdsman,whoknowsallthecattleoftheneighbourhood,andwhosestationisuponahill,fromwhichhesurveysthelowergrounds;andifoneman'scattleinvadeanother'sgrass,drivesthembacktotheirownborders。Butothermeansofprofitbegintobefound;kelpisgatheredandburnt,andsloopsareloadedwiththeconcretedashes。Cultivationislikelytobeimprovedbytheskillandencouragementofthepresentheir,andtheinhabitantsofthoseobscurevallieswillpartakeofthegeneralprogressoflife。
TherentsofthepartswhichbelongtotheDukeofArgyle,havebeenraisedfromfifty-fivetoonehundredandfivepounds,whetherfromthelandortheseaIcannottell。Thebountiesoftheseahavelatelybeensogreat,thatafarminSouthuisthasrisenintenyearsfromarentofthirtypoundstoonehundredandeighty。
HewholivesinCol,andfindshimselfcondemnedtosolitarymeals,andincommunicablereflection,willfindtheusefulnessofthatmiddleorderofTacksmen,whichsomewhoapplaudtheirownwisdomarewishingtodestroy。Withoutintelligencemanisnotsocial,heisonlygregarious;andlittleintelligencewilltherebe,whereallareconstrainedtodailylabour,andeverymindmustwaituponthehand。
Afterhavinglistenedforsomedaystothetempest,andwanderedabouttheIslandtillourcuriositywassatisfied,webegantothinkaboutourdeparture。ToleaveColinOctoberwasnotveryeasy。Wehoweverfoundasloopwhichlayonthecoasttocarrykelp;andforapricewhichwethoughtlevieduponournecessities,themasteragreedtocarryustoMull,whencewemightreadilypassbacktoScotland。
MULL
Asweweretocatchthefirstfavourablebreath,wespentthenightnotveryelegantlynorpleasantlyinthevessel,andwerelandednextdayatToborMorar,aportinMull,whichappearstoanunexperiencedeyeformedforthesecurityofships;foritsmouthisclosedbyasmallisland,whichadmitsthemthroughnarrowchannelsintoabasonsufficientlycapacious。Theyareindeedsafefromthesea,butthereisahollowbetweenthemountains,throughwhichthewindissuesfromthelandwithverymischievousviolence。
Therewasnodangerwhilewewerethere,andwefoundseveralothervesselsatanchor;sothattheporthadaverycommercialappearance。
TheyoungLairdofCol,whohaddeterminednottoletuslosehiscompany,whiletherewasanydifficultyremaining,cameoverwithus。Hisinfluencesoonappeared;forheprocuredushorses,andconductedustothehouseofDoctorMaclean,wherewefoundverykindentertainment,andverypleasingconversation。MissMaclean,whowasborn,andhadbeenbredatGlasgow,havingremovedwithherfathertoMull,addedtootherqualifications,agreatknowledgeoftheEarselanguage,whichshehadnotlearnedinherchildhood,butgainedbystudy,andwastheonlyinterpreterofEarsepoetrythatIcouldeverfind。
TheIsleofMullisperhapsinextentthethirdoftheHebrides。
Itisnotbrokenbywaters,norshotintopromontories,butisasolidandcompactmass,ofbreadthnearlyequaltoitslength。OfthedimensionsofthelargerIslands,thereisnoknowledgeapproachingtoexactness。Iamwillingtoestimateitascontainingaboutthreehundredsquaremiles。
MullhadsufferedlikeSkybytheblackwinterofseventy-one,inwhich,contrarytoallexperience,acontinuedfrostdetainedthesnoweightweeksupontheground。Againstacalamityneverknown,noprovisionhadbeenmade,andthepeoplecouldonlypineinhelplessmisery。Onetenantwasmentioned,whosecattleperishedtothevalueofthreehundredpounds;alosswhichprobablymorethanthelifeofmanisnecessarytorepair。Incountrieslikethese,thedescriptionsoffaminebecomeintelligible。Wherebyvigorousandartfulcultivationofasoilnaturallyfertile,thereiscommonlyasuperfluousgrowthbothofgrainandgrass;wherethefieldsarecrowdedwithcattle;andwhereeveryhandisabletoattractwealthfromadistance,bymakingsomethingthatpromotesease,orgratifiesvanity,adearyearproducesonlyacomparativewant,whichisratherseenthanfelt,andwhichterminatescommonlyinnoworseeffect,thanthatofcondemningthelowerordersofthecommunitytosacrificealittleluxurytoconvenience,oratmostalittleconveniencetonecessity。
Butwheretheclimateisunkind,andthegroundpenurious,sothatthemostfruitfulyearswillproduceonlyenoughtomaintainthemselves;wherelifeunimproved,andunadorned,fadesintosomethinglittlemorethannakedexistence,andeveryoneisbusyforhimself,withoutanyartsbywhichthepleasureofothersmaybeincreased;iftothedailyburdenofdistressanyadditionalweightbeadded,nothingremainsbuttodespairanddie。InMullthedisappointmentofaharvest,oramurrainamongthecattle,cutsofftheregularprovision;andtheywhohavenomanufacturescanpurchasenopartofthesuperfluitiesofothercountries。Theconsequenceofabadseasonisherenotscarcity,butemptiness;
andtheywhoseplenty,wasbarelyasupplyofnaturalandpresentneed,whenthatslenderstockfails,mustperishwithhunger。
Alltravelhasitsadvantages。Ifthepassengervisitsbettercountries,hemaylearntoimprovehisown,andiffortunecarrieshimtoworse,hemaylearntoenjoyit。
Mr。Boswell'scuriositystronglyimpelledhimtosurveyIona,orIcolmkil,whichwastotheearlyagesthegreatschoolofTheology,andissupposedtohavebeentheplaceofsepulturefortheancientkings。I,thoughlesseager,didnotopposehim。
Thatwemightperformthisexpedition,itwasnecessarytotraverseagreatpartofMull。WepassedadayatDr。Maclean's,andcouldhavebeenwellcontentedtostaylonger。ButColprovidedushorses,andwepursuedourjourney。Thiswasadayofinconvenience,forthecountryisveryrough,andmyhorsewasbutlittle。Wetravelledmanyhoursthroughatract,blackandbarren,inwhich,however,therewerethereliquesofhumanity;forwefoundaruinedchapelinourway。
Itisnatural,intraversingthisgloomofdesolation,toinquire,whethersomethingmaynotbedonetogivenatureamorecheerfulface,andwhetherthosehillsandmoorsthataffordheathcannotwithalittlecareandlabourbearsomethingbetter?Thefirstthoughtthatoccursistocoverthemwithtrees,forthatinmanyofthesenakedregionstreeswillgrow,isevident,becausestumpsandrootsareyetremaining;andthespeculatisthastilyproceedstocensurethatnegligenceandlazinessthathasomittedforsolongatimesoeasyanimprovement。
Todropseedsintotheground,andattendtheirgrowth,requireslittlelabourandnoskill。Hewhoremembersthatallthewoods,bywhichthewantsofmanhavebeensuppliedfromtheDelugetillnow,wereself-sown,willnoteasilybepersuadedtothinkalltheartandpreparationnecessary,whichtheGeorgickwritersprescribetoplanters。Treescertainlyhavecoveredtheearthwithverylittleculture。TheywavetheirtopsamongtherocksofNorway,andmightthriveaswellintheHighlandsandHebrides。
Butthereisafrightfulintervalbetweentheseedandtimber。Hethatcalculatesthegrowthoftrees,hastheunwelcomeremembranceoftheshortnessoflifedrivenharduponhim。Heknowsthatheisdoingwhatwillneverbenefithimself;andwhenherejoicestoseethestemrise,isdisposedtorepinethatanothershallcutitdown。
Plantationisnaturallytheemploymentofamindunburdenedwithcare,andvacanttofuturity,saturatedwithpresentgood,andatleisuretoderivegratificationfromtheprospectofposterity。Hethatpineswithhunger,isinlittlecarehowothersshallbefed。
Thepoormanisseldomstudioustomakehisgrandsonrich。Itmaybesoondiscovered,whyinaplace,whichhardlysuppliesthecravingsofnecessity,therehasbeenlittleattentiontothedelightsoffancy,andwhydistantconvenienceisunregarded,wherethethoughtsareturnedwithincessantsolicitudeuponeverypossibilityofimmediateadvantage。
Neitherisitquitesoeasytoraiselargewoods,asmaybeconceived。Treesintendedtoproducetimbermustbesownwheretheyaretogrow;andgroundsownwithtreesmustbekeptuselessforalongtime,inclosedatanexpencefromwhichmanywillbediscouragedbytheremotenessoftheprofit,andwatchedwiththatattention,which,inplaceswhereitismostneeded,willneitherbegivennorbought。Thatitcannotbeplowedisevident;andifcattlebesufferedtograzeuponit,theywilldevourtheplantsasfastastheyrise。Evenincoarsercountries,whereherdsandflocksarenotfed,notonlythedeerandthewildgoatswillbrowseuponthem,butthehareandrabbitwillnibblethem。Itisthereforereasonabletobelieve,whatIdonotrememberanynaturalisttohaveremarked,thattherewasatimewhentheworldwasverythinlyinhabitedbybeasts,aswellasmen,andthatthewoodshadleisuretorisehighbeforeanimalshadbrednumberssufficienttointerceptthem。
SirJamesMacdonald,inpartofthewastesofhisterritory,setorsowedtrees,tothenumber,asIhavebeentold,ofseveralmillions,expecting,doubtless,thattheywouldgrowupintofuturenaviesandcities;butforwantofinclosure,andofthatcarewhichisalwaysnecessary,andwillhardlyeverbetaken,allhiscostandlabourhavebeenlost,andthegroundislikelytocontinueanuselessheath。
HavingnotanyexperienceofajourneyinMull,wehadnodoubtofreachingtheseabyday-light,andthereforehadnotleftDr。
Maclean'sveryearly。Wetravelleddiligentlyenough,butfoundthecountry,forroadtherewasnone,verydifficulttopass。Wewerealwaysstrugglingwithsomeobstructionorother,andourvexationwasnotbalancedbyanygratificationoftheeyeormind。
Wewerenowlongenoughacquaintedwithhillsandheathtohavelosttheemotionthattheyonceraised,whetherpleasingorpainful,andhadourmindemployedonlyonourownfatigue。Wewerehoweversure,underCol'sprotection,ofescapingallrealevils。TherewasnohouseinMulltowhichhecouldnotintroduceus。Hehadintendedtolodgeus,forthatnight,withagentlemanthatliveduponthecoast,butdiscoveredontheway,thathethenlayinbedwithouthopeoflife。
Weresolvednottoembarrassafamily,inatimeofsomuchsorrow,ifanyotherexpedientcouldhefound;andastheIslandofUlvawasover-againstus,itwasdeterminedthatweshouldpassthestraitandhaverecoursetotheLaird,who,liketheothergentlemenoftheIslands,wasknowntoCol。Weexpectedtofindaferry-boat,butwhenatlastwecametothewater,theboatwasgone。
Wewerenowagainatastop。ItwasthesixteenthofOctober,atimewhenitisnotconvenienttosleepintheHebrideswithoutacover,andtherewasnohousewithinourreach,butthatwhichwehadalreadydeclined。
ULVA
Whilewestooddeliberating,wewerehappilyespiedfromanIrishship,thatlayatanchorinthestrait。Themastersawthatwewantedapassage,andwithgreatcivilitysentushisboat,whichquicklyconveyedustoUlva,wherewewereveryliberallyentertainedbyMr。Macquarry。
ToUlvawecameinthedark,andleftitbeforenoonthenextday。
Averyexactdescriptionthereforewillnotbeexpected。Weweretold,thatitisanIslandofnogreatextent,roughandbarren,inhabitedbytheMacquarrys;aclannotpowerfulnornumerous,butofantiquity,whichmostotherfamiliesarecontenttoreverence。
Thenameissupposedtobeadepravationofsomeother;fortheEarselanguagedoesnotafforditanyetymology。MacquarryisproprietorbothofUlvaandsomeadjacentIslands,amongwhichisStaffa,solatelyraisedtorenownbyMr。Banks。
WhentheIslanderswerereproachedwiththeirignorance,orinsensibilityofthewondersofStaffa,theyhadnotmuchtoreply。
Theyhadindeedconsidereditlittle,becausetheyhadalwaysseenit;andnonebutphilosophers,northeyalways,arestruckwithwonder,otherwisethanbynovelty。Howwoulditsurpriseanunenlightenedploughman,tohearacompanyofsobermen,inquiringbywhatpowerthehandtossesastone,orwhythestone,whenitistossed,fallstotheground!
OftheancestorsofMacquarry,whothuslieshidinhisunfrequentedIsland,Ihavefoundmemorialsinallplaceswheretheycouldbeexpected。
Inquiringafterthereliquesofformermanners,IfoundthatinUlva,and,Ithink,nowhereelse,iscontinuedthepaymentoftheMerchetaMulierum;afineinoldtimesduetotheLairdatthemarriageofavirgin。Theoriginalofthisclaim,asofourtenureofBoroughEnglish,isvariouslydelivered。Itispleasanttofindancientcustomsinoldfamilies。Thispayment,likeothers,was,forwantofmoney,madeancientlyintheproduceoftheland。
Macquarrywasusedtodemandasheep,forwhichhenowtakesacrown,bythatinattentiontotheuncertainproportionbetweenthevalueandthedenominationofmoney,whichhasbroughtmuchdisorderintoEurope。Asheephasalwaysthesamepowerofsupplyinghumanwants,butacrownwillbringatonetimemore,atanotherless。
Ulvawasnotneglectedbythepietyofardenttimes:ithasstilltoshowwhatwasonceachurch。
INCHKENNETH
Inthemorningwewentagainintotheboat,andwerelandedonInchKenneth,anIslandaboutamilelong,andperhapshalfamilebroad,remarkableforpleasantnessandfertility。Itisverdantandgrassy,andfitbothforpastureandtillage;butithasnotrees。ItsonlyinhabitantswereSirAllanMacleanandtwoyoungladies,hisdaughters,withtheirservants。
RomancedoesnotoftenexhibitascenethatstrikestheimaginationmorethanthislittledesertinthesedepthsofWesternobscurity,occupiednotbyagrossherdsman,oramphibiousfisherman,butbyagentlemanandtwoladies,ofhighbirth,polishedmannersandelegantconversation,who,inahabitationraisednotveryfarabovetheground,butfurnishedwithunexpectedneatnessandconvenience,practisedallthekindnessofhospitality,andrefinementofcourtesy。
SirAllanistheChieftainofthegreatclanofMaclean,whichissaidtoclaimthesecondplaceamongtheHighlandfamilies,yieldingonlytoMacdonald。Thoughbythemisconductofhisancestors,mostoftheextensiveterritory,whichwouldhavedescendedtohim,hasbeenalienated,hestillretainsmuchofthedignityandauthorityofhisbirth。WhensoldierswerelatelywantingfortheAmericanwar,applicationwasmadetoSirAllan,andhenominatedahundredmenfortheservice,whoobeyedthesummons,andborearmsunderhiscommand。
Hehadthen,forsometime,residedwiththeyoungladiesinInchKenneth,wherehelivesnotonlywithplenty,butwithelegance,havingconveyedtohiscottageacollectionofbooks,andwhatelseisnecessarytomakehishourspleasant。
Whenwelanded,weweremetbySirAllanandtheLadies,accompaniedbyMissMacquarry,whohadpassedsometimewiththem,andnowreturnedtoUlvawithherfather。
Weallwalkedtogethertothemansion,wherewefoundonecottageforSirAllan,andIthinktwomoreforthedomesticksandtheoffices。Weentered,andwantedlittlethatpalacesafford。Ourroomwasneatlyfloored,andwelllighted;andourdinner,whichwasdressedinoneoftheotherhuts,wasplentifulanddelicate。
IntheafternoonSirAllanremindedus,thatthedaywasSunday,whichheneversufferedtopasswithoutsomereligiousdistinction,andinvitedustopartakeinhisactsofdomestickworship;whichI
hopeneitherMr。Boswellnormyselfwillbesuspectedofadispositiontorefuse。TheelderoftheLadiesreadtheEnglishservice。
InchKennethwasonceaseminaryofecclesiasticks,subordinate,I
suppose,toIcolmkill。SirAllanhadamindtotracethefoundationsofthecollege,butneitherInorMr。Boswell,whobendsakeenereyeonvacancy,wereabletoperceivethem。
Ourattention,however,wassufficientlyengagedbyavenerablechapel,whichstandsyetentire,exceptthattheroofisgone。Itisaboutsixtyfeetinlength,andthirtyinbreadth。OnonesideofthealtarisabasreliefoftheblessedVirgin,andbyitliesalittlebell;which,thoughcracked,andwithoutaclapper,hasremainedthereforages,guardedonlybythevenerablenessoftheplace。Thegroundroundthechapeliscoveredwithgrave-stonesofChiefsandladies;andstillcontinuestobeaplaceofsepulture。
InchKennethisaproperpreludetoIcolmkill。Itwasnotwithoutsomemournfulemotionthatwecontemplatedtheruinsofreligiousstructuresandthemonumentsofthedead。
Onthenextdaywetookamoredistinctviewoftheplace,andwentwiththeboattoseeoystersinthebed,outofwhichtheboat-menforcedupasmanyaswerewanted。EvenInchKennethhasasubordinateIsland,namedSandiland,Isupposeincontempt,wherewelanded,andfoundarock,withasurfaceofperhapsfouracres,ofwhichoneisnakedstone,anotherspreadwithsandandshells,someofwhichIpickedupfortheirglossybeauty,andtwocoveredwithalittleearthandgrass,onwhichSirAllanhasafewsheep。