第5章

ThusEnglandhasforseveralyearsbeenfilledwiththeatchievementsofseventythousandHighlandersemployedinAmerica。 IhaveheardfromanEnglishofficer，notmuchinclinedtofavourthem，thattheirbehaviourdeservedaveryhighdegreeofmilitarypraise；buttheirnumberhasbeenmuchexaggerated。Oneoftheministerstoldme，thatseventythousandmencouldnothavebeenfoundinalltheHighlands，andthatmorethantwelvethousandnevertookthefield。ThosethatwenttotheAmericanwar，wenttodestruction。OftheoldHighlandregiment，consistingoftwelvehundred，onlyseventy-sixsurvivedtoseetheircountryagain。 TheGothickswarmshaveatleastbeenmultipliedwithequalliberality。Thattheyborenogreatproportiontotheinhabitants，inwhosecountriestheysettled，isplainfromthepaucityofnorthernwordsnowfoundintheprovinciallanguages。Theircountrywasnotdesertedforwantofroom，becauseitwascoveredwithforestsofvastextent；andthefirsteffectofplenitudeofinhabitantsisthedestructionofwood。AstheEuropeansspreadoverAmericathelandsaregraduallylaidnaked。 Iwouldnotbeunderstoodtosay，thatnecessityhadneveranypartintheirexpeditions。Anation，whoseagricultureisscantyorunskilful，maybedrivenoutbyfamine。Anationofhuntersmayhaveexhaustedtheirgame。Ionlyaffirmthatthenorthernregionswerenot，whentheirirruptionssubduedtheRomans，overpeopledwithregardtotheirrealextentofterritory，andpoweroffertility。Inacountryfullyinhabited，howeverafterwardlaidwaste，evidentmarkswillremainofitsformerpopulousness。ButofScandinaviaandGermany，nothingisknownbutthataswetracetheirstateupwardsintoantiquity，theirwoodsweregreater，andtheircultivatedgroundwasless。 ThatcausesweredifferentfromwantofroommayproduceageneraldispositiontoseekanothercountryisapparentfromthepresentconductoftheHighlanders，whoareinsomeplacesreadytothreatenatotalsecession。Thenumberswhichhavealreadygone，thoughlikeothernumberstheymaybemagnified，areverygreat，andsuchasiftheyhadgonetogetherandagreeduponanycertainsettlement，mighthavefoundedanindependentgovernmentinthedepthsofthewesterncontinent。Noraretheyonlythelowestandmostindigent；manymenofconsiderablewealthhavetakenwiththemtheirtrainoflabourersanddependants；andiftheycontinuethefeudalschemeofpolity，mayestablishnewclansintheotherhemisphere。 Thattheimmediatemotivesoftheirdesertionmustbeimputedtotheirlandlords，maybereasonablyconcluded，becausesomeLairdsofmoreprudenceandlessrapacityhavekepttheirvassalsundiminished。FromRaasaonlyonemanhadbeenseduced，andatColtherewasnowishtogoaway。 Thetravellerwhocomeshitherfrommoreopulentcountries，tospeculateupontheremainsofpastorallife，willnotmuchwonderthatacommonHighlanderhasnostrongadherencetohisnativesoil；forofanimalenjoyments，orofphysicalgood，heleavesnothingthathemaynotfindagainwheresoeverhemaybethrown。 ThehabitationsofmenintheHebridesmaybedistinguishedintohutsandhouses。Byahouse，Imeanabuildingwithonestoryoveranother；byahut，adwellingwithonlyonefloor。TheLaird，whoformerlylivedinacastle，nowlivesinahouse；sometimessufficientlyneat，butseldomveryspaciousorsplendid。TheTacksmenandtheMinistershavecommonlyhouses。Whereverthereisahouse，thestrangerfindsawelcome，andtotheotherevilsofexterminatingTacksmenmaybeaddedtheunavoidablecessationofhospitality，orthedevolutionoftooheavyaburdenontheMinisters。 Ofthehouseslittlecanbesaid。Theyaresmall，andbythenecessityofaccumulatingstores，wheretherearesofewopportunitiesofpurchase，theroomsareveryheterogeneouslyfilled。Withwantofcleanlinessitwereingratitudetoreproachthem。Theservantshavingbeenbreduponthenakedearth，thinkeveryfloorclean，andthequicksuccessionofguests，perhapsnotalwaysover-elegant，doesnotallowmuchtimeforadjustingtheirapartments。 Hutsareofmanygradations；frommurkydens，tocommodiousdwellings。 Thewallofacommonhutisalwaysbuiltwithoutmortar，byaskilfuladaptationofloosestones。Sometimesperhapsadoublewallofstonesisraised，andtheintermediatespacefilledwithearth。Theairisthuscompletelyexcluded。Somewallsare，I think，formedofturfs，heldtogetherbyawattle，ortextureoftwigs。Ofthemeanesthuts，thefirstroomislightedbytheentrance，andthesecondbythesmokehole。Thefireisusuallymadeinthemiddle。Buttherearehuts，ordwellingsofonlyonestory，inhabitedbygentlemen，whichhavewallscementedwithmortar，glasswindows，andboardedfloors。Oftheseallhavechimneys，andsomechimneyshavegrates。 Thehouseandthefurniturearenotalwaysnicelysuited。Weweredrivenonce，bymissingapassage，tothehutofagentleman，where，afteraveryliberalsupper，whenIwasconductedtomychamber，IfoundanelegantbedofIndiancotton，spreadwithfinesheets。Theaccommodationwasflattering；Iundressedmyself，andfeltmyfeetinthemire。Thebedstooduponthebareearth，whichalongcourseofrainhadsoftenedtoapuddle。 Inpastoralcountriestheconditionofthelowestrankofpeopleissufficientlywretched。Amongmanufacturers，menthathavenopropertymayhaveartandindustry，whichmakethemnecessary，andthereforevaluable。Butwhereflocksandcornaretheonlywealth，therearealwaysmorehandsthanwork，andofthatworkthereislittleinwhichskillanddexteritycanbemuchdistinguished。Hethereforewhoisbornpoornevercanberich。Thesonmerelyoccupiestheplaceofthefather，andlifeknowsnothingofprogressionoradvancement。 Thepettytenants，andlabouringpeasants，liveinmiserablecabins，whichaffordthemlittlemorethanshelterfromthestorms。 TheBoorofNorwayissaidtomakeallhisownutensils。IntheHebrides，whatevermightbetheiringenuity，thewantofwoodleavesthemnomaterials。Theyareprobablycontentwithsuchaccommodationsasstonesofdifferentformsandsizescanaffordthem。 Theirfoodisnotbetterthantheirlodging。Theyseldomtastethefleshoflandanimals；forherearenomarkets。Whateachmaneatsisfromhisownstock。Thegreateffectofmoneyistobreakpropertyintosmallparts。Intowns，hethathasashillingmayhaveapieceofmeat；butwherethereisnocommerce，nomancaneatmuttonbutbykillingasheep。 Fishinfairweathertheyneednotwant；but，Ibelieve，manneverliveslongonfish，butbyconstraint；hewillratherfeeduponrootsandberries。 TheonlyfeweloftheIslandsispeat。Theirwoodisallconsumed，andcoaltheyhavenotyetfound。Peatisdugoutofthemarshes，fromthedepthofonefoottothatofsix。Thatisaccountedthebestwhichisnearestthesurface。Itappearstobeamassofblackearthheldtogetherbyvegetablefibres。Iknownotwhethertheearthbebituminous，orwhetherthefibresbenottheonlycombustiblepart；which，byheatingtheinterposedearthredhot，makeaburningmass。Theheatisnotverystrongnorlasting。Theashesareyellowish，andinalargequantity。Whentheydigpeat，theycutitintosquarepieces，andpileituptodrybesidethehouse。Insomeplacesithasanoffensivesmell。Itislikewoodcharkedforthesmith。Thecommonmethodofmakingpeatfires，isbyheapingitonthehearth；butitburnswellingrates，andinthebesthousesissoused。 Thecommonopinionis，thatpeatgrowsagainwhereithasbeencut； which，asitseemstobechieflyavegetablesubstance，isnotunlikelytobetrue，whetherknownornottothosewhorelateit。 TherearewatermillsinSkyandRaasa；butwheretheyaretoofardistant，thehouse-wivesgrindtheiroatswithaquern，orhand- mill，whichconsistsoftwostones，aboutafootandahalfindiameter；thelowerisalittleconvex，towhichtheconcavityoftheuppermustbefitted。Inthemiddleoftheupperstoneisaroundhole，andononesideisalonghandle。Thegrindershedsthecorngraduallyintotheholewithonehand，andworksthehandleroundwiththeother。Thecornslidesdowntheconvexityofthelowerstone，andbythemotionoftheupperisgroundinitspassage。ThesestonesarefoundinLochabar。 TheIslandsaffordfewpleasures，excepttothehardysportsman，whocantreadthemoorandclimbthemountain。Thedistanceofonefamilyfromanother，inacountrywheretravellinghassomuchdifficulty，makesfrequentintercourseimpracticable。Visitslastseveraldays，andarecommonlypaidbywater；yetIneversawaboatfurnishedwithbenches，ormadecommodiousbyanyadditiontothefirstfabric。Conveniencesarenotmissedwheretheyneverwereenjoyed。 Thesolacewhichthebagpipecangive，theyhavelongenjoyed；butamongotherchanges，whichthelastRevolutionintroduced，theuseofthebagpipebeginstobeforgotten。Someofthechieffamiliesstillentertainapiper，whoseofficewasancientlyhereditary。 MacrimmonwaspipertoMacleod，andRankintoMacleanofCol。 Thetunesofthebagpipearetraditional。TherehasbeeninSky，beyondalltimeofmemory，acollegeofpipers，underthedirectionofMacrimmon，whichisnotquiteextinct。TherewasanotherinMull，superintendedbyRankin，whichexpiredaboutsixteenyearsago。Tothesecolleges，whilethepiperetaineditshonour，thestudentsofmusickrepairedforeducation。Ihavehadmydinnerexhilaratedbythebagpipe，atArmidale，atDunvegan，andinCol。 ThegeneralconversationoftheIslandershasnothingparticular。 IdidnotmeetwiththeinquisitivenessofwhichIhaveread，andsuspectthejudgmenttohavebeenrashlymade。Astrangerofcuriositycomesintoaplacewhereastrangerisseldomseen:heimportunesthepeoplewithquestions，ofwhichtheycannotguessthemotive，andgazeswithsurpriseonthingswhichthey，havinghadthemalwaysbeforetheireyes，donotsuspectofanythingwonderful。Heappearstothemlikesomebeingofanotherworld，andthenthinksitpeculiarthattheytaketheirturntoinquirewhencehecomes，andwhitherheisgoing。 TheIslandswerelongunfurnishedwithinstructionforyouth，andnonebutthesonsofgentlemencouldhaveanyliterature。Therearenowparochialschools，towhichthelordofeverymanorpaysacertainstipend。Herethechildrenaretaughttoread；butbytheruleoftheirinstitution，theyteachonlyEnglish，sothatthenativesreadalanguagewhichtheymayneveruseorunderstand。Ifaparish，whichoftenhappens，containsseveralIslands，theschoolbeingbutinone，cannotassisttherest。ThisisthestateofCol，which，however，ismoreenlightenedthansomeotherplaces； forthedeficiencyissuppliedbyayounggentleman，who，forhisownimprovement，travelseveryyearonfootovertheHighlandstothesessionatAberdeen；andathisreturn，duringthevacation，teachestoreadandwriteinhisnativeIsland。 InSkytherearetwogrammarschools，whereboardersaretakentoberegularlyeducated。Thepriceofboardisfromthreepounds，tofourpoundstenshillingsayear，andthatofinstructionishalfacrownaquarter。Butthescholarsarebirdsofpassage，wholiveatschoolonlyinthesummer；forinwinterprovisionscannotbemadeforanyconsiderablenumberinoneplace。Thisperiodicaldispersionimpressesstronglythescarcityofthesecountries。 Havingheardofnoboarding-schoolforladiesnearerthanInverness，Isupposetheireducationisgenerallydomestick。Theelderdaughtersofthehigherfamiliesaresentintotheworld，andmaycontributebytheiracquisitionstotheimprovementoftherest。 Womenmustherestudytobeeitherpleasingoruseful。Theirdeficienciesareseldomsuppliedbyveryliberalfortunes。A hundredpoundsisaportionbeyondthehopeofanybuttheLaird\'sdaughter。Theydonotindeedoftengivemoneywiththeirdaughters；thequestionis，Howmanycowsayoungladywillbringherhusband。Arichmaidenhasfromtentoforty；buttwocowsareadecentfortuneforonewhopretendstonodistinction。 ThereligionoftheIslandsisthatoftheKirkofScotland。ThegentlemenwithwhomIconversedareallinclinedtotheEnglishliturgy；buttheyareobligedtomaintaintheestablishedMinister，andthecountryistoopoortoaffordpaymenttoanother，whomustlivewhollyonthecontributionofhisaudience。 TheythereforeallattendtheworshipoftheKirk，asoftenasavisitfromtheirMinister，orthepracticabilityoftravellinggivesthemopportunity；norhavetheyanyreasontocomplainofinsufficientpastors；forIsawnotoneintheIslands，whomIhadreasontothinkeitherdeficientinlearning，orirregularinlife: butfoundseveralwithwhomIcouldnotconversewithoutwishing，asmyrespectincreased，thattheyhadnotbeenPresbyterians。 Theancientrigourofpuritanismisnowverymuchrelaxed，thoughallarenotyetequallyenlightened。Isometimesmetwithprejudicessufficientlymalignant，buttheywereprejudicesofignorance。TheMinistersintheIslandshadattainedsuchknowledgeasmayjustlybeadmiredinmen，whohavenomotivetostudy，butgenerouscuriosity，or，whatisstillbetter，desireofusefulness；withsuchpolitenessassonarrowacircleofconversecouldnothavesupplied，buttomindsnaturallydisposedtoelegance。 Reasonandtruthwillprevailatlast。ThemostlearnedoftheScottishDoctorswouldnowgladlyadmitaformofprayer，ifthepeoplewouldendureit。Thezealorrageofcongregationshasitsdifferentdegrees。InsomeparishestheLord\'sPrayerissuffered: inothersitisstillrejectedasaform；andhethatshouldmakeitpartofhissupplicationwouldbesuspectedofhereticalpravity。 Theprincipleuponwhichextemporaryprayerwasoriginallyintroduced，isnolongeradmitted。TheMinisterformerly，intheeffusionofhisprayer，expectedimmediate，andperhapsperceptibleinspiration，andthereforethoughtithisdutynottothinkbeforewhatheshouldsay。Itisnowuniversallyconfessed，thatmenprayastheyspeakonotheroccasions，accordingtothegeneralmeasureoftheirabilitiesandattainments。Whatevereachmaythinkofaformprescribedbyanother，hecannotbutbelievethathecanhimselfcomposebystudyandmeditationabetterprayerthanwillriseinhismindatasuddencall；andifhehasanyhopeofsupernaturalhelp，whymayhenotaswellreceiveitwhenhewritesaswhenhespeaks? Inthevarietyofmentalpowers，somemustperformextemporaryprayerwithmuchimperfection；andintheeagernessandrashnessofcontradictoryopinions，ifpublickliturgybelefttotheprivatejudgmentofeveryMinister，thecongregationmayoftenbeoffendedormisled。 ThereisinScotland，asamongourselves，arestlesssuspicionofpopishmachinations，andaclamourofnumerousconvertstotheRomishreligion。Thereportis，Ibelieve，inbothpartsoftheIslandequallyfalse。TheRomishreligionisprofessedonlyinEggandCanna，twosmallislands，intowhichtheReformationnevermadeitsway。IfanymissionariesarebusyintheHighlands，theirzealentitlesthemtorespect，evenfromthosewhocannotthinkfavourablyoftheirdoctrine。 ThepoliticaltenetsoftheIslandersIwasnotcurioustoinvestigate，andtheywerenoteagertoobtrude。Theirconversationisdecentandinoffensive。Theydisdaintodrinkfortheirprinciples，andthereisnodisaffectionattheirtables。I neverheardahealthofferedbyaHighlanderthatmightnothavecirculatedwithproprietywithintheprecinctsoftheKing\'spalace。 Legalgovernmenthasyetsomethingofnoveltytowhichtheycannotperfectlyconform。Theancientspirit，thatappealedonlytothesword，isyetamongthem。ThetenantofScalpa，anislandbelongingtoMacdonald，tooknocaretobringhisrent；whenthelandlordtalkedofexactingpayment，hedeclaredhisresolutiontokeephisground，anddriveallintrudersfromtheIsland，andcontinuedtofeedhiscattleasonhisownland，tillitbecamenecessaryfortheSherifftodislodgehimbyviolence。 Thevariouskindsofsuperstitionwhichprevailedhere，asinallotherregionsofignorance，arebythediligenceoftheMinistersalmostextirpated。 OfBrowny，mentionedbyMartin，nothinghasbeenheardformanyyears。BrownywasasturdyFairy；who，ifhewasfed，andkindlytreated，would，astheysaid，doagreatdealofwork。Theynowpayhimnowages，andarecontenttolabourforthemselves。 InTroda，withinthesethree-and-thirtyyears，milkwasputeverySaturdayforGreogach，or\'theOldManwiththeLongBeard。\' WhetherGreogachwascourtedaskind，ordreadedasterrible，whethertheymeant，bygivinghimthemilk，toobtaingood，oravertevil，Iwasnotinformed。TheMinisterisnowlivingbywhomthepracticewasabolished。 Theyhavestillamongthemagreatnumberofcharmsforthecureofdifferentdiseases；theyareallinvocations，perhapstransmittedtothemfromthetimesofpopery，whichincreasingknowledgewillbringintodisuse。 Theyhaveopinions，whichcannotberankedwithsuperstition，becausetheyregardonlynaturaleffects。Theyexpectbettercropsofgrain，bysowingtheirseedinthemoon\'sincrease。Themoonhasgreatinfluenceinvulgarphilosophy。InmymemoryitwasapreceptannuallygiveninoneoftheEnglishAlmanacks，\'tokillhogswhenthemoonwasincreasing，andthebaconwouldprovethebetterinboiling。\' Weshouldhavehadlittleclaimtothepraiseofcuriosity，ifwehadnotendeavouredwithparticularattentiontoexaminethequestionoftheSecondSight。Ofanopinionreceivedforcenturiesbyawholenation，andsupposedtobeconfirmedthroughitswholedescent，byaseriesofsuccessivefacts，itisdesirablethatthetruthshouldbeestablished，orthefallacydetected。 TheSecondSightisanimpressionmadeeitherbythemindupontheeye，orbytheeyeuponthemind，bywhichthingsdistantorfutureareperceived，andseenasiftheywerepresent。Amanonajourneyfarfromhomefallsfromhishorse，another，whoisperhapsatworkaboutthehouse，seeshimbleedingontheground，commonlywithalandscapeoftheplacewheretheaccidentbefallshim。 Anotherseer，drivinghomehiscattle，orwanderinginidleness，ormusinginthesunshine，issuddenlysurprisedbytheappearanceofabridalceremony，orfuneralprocession，andcountsthemournersorattendants，ofwhom，ifheknowsthem，herelatesthenames，ifheknowsthemnot，hecandescribethedresses。Thingsdistantareseenattheinstantwhentheyhappen。OfthingsfutureIknownotthatthereisanyrulefordeterminingthetimebetweentheSightandtheevent。 Thisreceptivefaculty，forpoweritcannotbecalled，isneithervoluntarynorconstant。Theappearanceshavenodependenceuponchoice:theycannotbesummoned，detained，orrecalled。Theimpressionissudden，andtheeffectoftenpainful。 BythetermSecondSight，seemstobemeantamodeofseeing，superaddedtothatwhichNaturegenerallybestows。IntheEarseitiscalledTaisch；whichsignifieslikewiseaspectre，oravision。 Iknownot，norisitlikelythattheHighlanderseverexamined，whetherbyTaisch，usedforSecondSight，theymeanthepowerofseeing，orthethingseen。 Idonotfindittobetrue，asitisreported，thattotheSecondSightnothingispresentedbutphantomsofevil。Goodseemstohavethesameproportionsinthosevisionaryscenes，asitobtainsinreallife:almostallremarkableeventshaveevilfortheirbasis；andareeithermiseriesincurred，ormiseriesescaped。Oursenseissomuchstrongerofwhatwesuffer，thanofwhatweenjoy，thattheideasofpainpredominateinalmosteverymind。Whatisrecollectionbutarevivalofvexations，orhistorybutarecordofwars，treasons，andcalamities?Death，whichisconsideredasthegreatestevil，happenstoall。Thegreatestgood，beitwhatitwill，isthelotbutofapart。 Thattheyshouldoftenseedeathistobeexpected；becausedeathisaneventfrequentandimportant。Buttheyseelikewisemorepleasingincidents。Agentlemantoldme，thatwhenhehadoncegonefarfromhisownIsland，oneofhislabouringservantspredictedhisreturn，anddescribedtheliveryofhisattendant，whichhehadneverwornathome；andwhichhadbeen，withoutanypreviousdesign，occasionallygivenhim。 Ourdesireofinformationwaskeen，andourinquiryfrequent。Mr。 Boswell\'sfranknessandgaietymadeeverybodycommunicative；andweheardmanytalesoftheseairyshows，withmoreorlessevidenceanddistinctness。 ItisthecommontalkoftheLowlandScots，thatthenotionoftheSecondSightiswearingawaywithothersuperstitions；andthatitsrealityisnolongersupposed，butbythegrossestpeople。Howfaritsprevalenceeverextended，orwhatgroundithaslost，Iknownot。TheIslandersofalldegrees，whetherofrankorunderstanding，universallyadmitit，excepttheMinisters，whouniversallydenyit，andaresuspectedtodenyit，inconsequenceofasystem，againstconviction。Oneofthemhonestlytoldme，thathecametoSkywitharesolutionnottobelieveit。 Strongreasonsforincredulitywillreadilyoccur。Thisfacultyofseeingthingsoutofsightislocal，andcommonlyuseless。Itisabreachofthecommonorderofthings，withoutanyvisiblereasonorperceptiblebenefit。Itisascribedonlytoapeopleverylittleenlightened；andamongthem，forthemostpart，tothemeanandtheignorant。 Totheconfidenceoftheseobjectionsitmaybereplied，thatbypresumingtodeterminewhatisfit，andwhatisbeneficial，theypresupposemoreknowledgeoftheuniversalsystemthanmanhasattained；andthereforedependuponprinciplestoocomplicatedandextensiveforourcomprehension；andthattherecanbenosecurityintheconsequence，whenthepremisesarenotunderstood；thattheSecondSightisonlywonderfulbecauseitisrare，for，consideredinitself，itinvolvesnomoredifficultythandreams，orperhapsthantheregularexerciseofthecogitativefaculty；thatageneralopinionofcommunicativeimpulses，orvisionaryrepresentations，hasprevailedinallagesandallnations；thatparticularinstanceshavebeengiven，withsuchevidence，asneitherBaconnorBaylehasbeenabletoresist；thatsuddenimpressions，whichtheeventhasverified，havebeenfeltbymorethanownorpublishthem；thattheSecondSightoftheHebridesimpliesonlythelocalfrequencyofapower，whichisnowheretotallyunknown；andthatwhereweareunabletodecidebyantecedentreason，wemustbecontenttoyieldtotheforceoftestimony。 BypretensiontoSecondSight，noprofitwaseversoughtorgained。 Itisaninvoluntaryaffection，inwhichneitherhopenorfearareknowntohaveanypart。Thosewhoprofesstofeelit，donotboastofitasaprivilege，norareconsideredbyothersasadvantageouslydistinguished。Theyhavenotemptationtofeign； andtheirhearershavenomotivetoencouragetheimposture。 Totalkwithanyoftheseseersisnoteasy。ThereisonelivinginSky，withwhomwewouldhavegladlyconversed；buthewasverygrossandignorant，andknewnoEnglish。Theproportioninthesecountriesofthepoortotherichissuch，thatifwesupposethequalitytobeaccidental，itcanveryrarelyhappentoamanofeducation；andyetonsuchmenithassometimesfallen。ThereisnowaSecondSightedgentlemanintheHighlands，whocomplainsoftheterrorstowhichheisexposed。 TheforesightoftheSeersisnotalwaysprescience；theyareimpressedwithimages，ofwhichtheeventonlyshewsthemthemeaning。Theytellwhattheyhaveseentoothers，whoareatthattimenotmoreknowingthanthemselves，butmaybecomeatlastveryadequatewitnesses，bycomparingthenarrativewithitsverification。 Tocollectsufficienttestimoniesforthesatisfactionofthepublick，orofourselves，wouldhaverequiredmoretimethanwecouldbestow。Thereis，againstit，theseeminganalogyofthingsconfusedlyseen，andlittleunderstood，andforit，theindistinctcryofnationalpersuasion，whichmaybeperhapsresolvedatlastintoprejudiceandtradition。Inevercouldadvancemycuriositytoconviction；butcameawayatlastonlywillingtobelieve。 AstheresubsistsnolongerintheIslandsmuchofthatpeculiaranddiscriminativeformoflife，ofwhichtheideahaddelightedourimagination，wewerewillingtolistentosuchaccountsofpasttimesaswouldbegivenus。Butwesoonfoundwhatmemorialsweretobeexpectedfromanilliteratepeople，whosewholetimeisaseriesofdistress；whereeverymorningislabouringwithexpedientsfortheevening；andwhereallmentalpainsorpleasurearosefromthedreadofwinter，theexpectationofspring，thecapricesoftheirChiefs，andthemotionsoftheneighbouringclans；wheretherewasneithershamefromignorance，norprideinknowledge；neithercuriositytoinquire，norvanitytocommunicate。 TheChiefsindeedwereexemptfromurgentpenury，anddailydifficulties；andintheirhouseswerepreservedwhataccountsremainedofpastages。ButtheChiefsweresometimesignorantandcareless，andsometimeskeptbusybyturbulenceandcontention；andonegenerationofignoranceeffacesthewholeseriesofunwrittenhistory。Booksarefaithfulrepositories，whichmaybeawhileneglectedorforgotten；butwhentheyareopenedagain，willagainimparttheirinstruction:memory，onceinterrupted，isnottoberecalled。Writtenlearningisafixedluminary，which，afterthecloudthathadhiddenithaspastaway，isagainbrightinitsproperstation。Traditionisbutameteor，which，ifonceitfalls，cannotberekindled。 Itseemstobeuniversallysupposed，thatmuchofthelocalhistorywaspreservedbytheBards，ofwhomoneissaidtohavebeenretainedbyeverygreatfamily。AftertheseBardsweresomeofmyfirstinquiries；andIreceivedsuchanswersas，forawhile，mademepleasemyselfwithmyincreaseofknowledge；forIhadnotthenlearnedhowtoestimatethenarrationofaHighlander。 TheysaidthatagreatfamilyhadaBardandaSenachi，whowerethepoetandhistorianofthehouse；andanoldgentlemantoldmethatherememberedoneofeach。Herewasadawnofintelligence。 Ofmenthathadlivedwithinmemory，somecertainknowledgemightbeattained。Thoughtheofficehadceased，itseffectsmightcontinue；thepoemsmightbefound，thoughtherewasnopoet。 Anotherconversationindeedinformedme，thatthesamemanwasbothBardandSenachi。Thisvariationdiscouragedme；butasthepracticemightbedifferentindifferenttimes，oratthesametimeindifferentfamilies，therewasyetnoreasonforsupposingthatI mustnecessarilysitdownintotalignorance。 SoonafterIwastoldbyagentleman，whoisgenerallyacknowledgedthegreatestmasterofHebridianantiquities，thattherehadindeedoncebeenbothBardsandSenachies；andthatSenachisignified\'themanoftalk，\'orofconversation；butthatneitherBardnorSenachihadexistedforsomecenturies。Ihavenoreasontosupposeitexactlyknownatwhattimethecustomceased，nordiditprobablyceaseinallhousesatonce。Butwheneverthepracticeofrecitationwasdisused，theworks，whetherpoeticalorhistorical，perishedwiththeauthors；forinthosetimesnothinghadbeenwrittenintheEarselanguage。 Whetherthe\'Manoftalk\'wasahistorian，whoseofficewastotelltruth，orastory-teller，likethosewhichwereinthelastcentury，andperhapsarenowamongtheIrish，whosetradewasonlytoamuse，itnowwouldbevaintoinquire。 Mostofthedomestickofficeswere，Ibelieve，hereditary；andprobablythelaureatofaclanwasalwaysthesonofthelastlaureat。Thehistoryoftheracecouldnootherwisebecommunicated，orretained；butwhatgeniuscouldbeexpectedinapoetbyinheritance? Thenationwaswhollyilliterate。NeitherbardsnorSenachiescouldwriteorread；butiftheywereignorant，therewasnodangerofdetection；theywerebelievedbythosewhosevanitytheyflattered。 Therecitalofgenealogies，whichhasbeenconsideredasveryefficacioustothepreservationofatrueseriesofancestry，wasancientlymade，whentheheirofthefamilycametomanlyage。 Thispracticehasneversubsistedwithintimeofmemory，norwasmuchcreditduetosuchrehearsers，whomightobtrudefictitiouspedigrees，eithertopleasetheirmasters，ortohidethedeficiencyoftheirownmemories。 WheretheChiefsoftheHighlandshavefoundthehistoriesoftheirdescentisdifficulttotell；fornoEarsegenealogywaseverwritten。Ingeneralthisonlyisevident，thattheprincipalhouseofaclanmustbeveryancient，andthatthosemusthavelivedlonginaplace，ofwhomitisnotknownwhentheycamethither。 ThushopelessareallattemptstofindanytracesofHighlandlearning。Noraretheirprimitivecustomsandancientmanneroflifeotherwisethanveryfaintlyanduncertainlyrememberedbythepresentrace。 Thepeculiaritieswhichstrikethenativeofacommercialcountry，proceededinagreatmeasurefromthewantofmoney。Totheservantsanddependentsthatwerenotdomesticks，andifanestimatebemadefromthecapacityofanyoftheiroldhouseswhichIhaveseen，theirdomestickscouldhavebeenbutfew，wereappropriatedcertainportionsoflandfortheirsupport。Macdonaldhasapieceofgroundyet，calledtheBardsorSenachiesfield。 Whenabeefwaskilledforthehouse，particularpartswereclaimedasfeesbytheseveralofficers，orworkmen。WhatwastherightofeachIhavenotlearned。Theheadbelongedtothesmith，andtheudderofacowtothepiper:theweaverhadlikewisehisparticularpart；andsomanypiecesfollowedtheseprescriptiveclaims，thattheLaird\'swasatlastbutlittle。 ThepaymentofrentinkindhasbeensolongdisusedinEngland，thatitistotallyforgotten。ItwaspractisedverylatelyintheHebrides，andprobablystillcontinues，notonlyinSt。Kilda，wheremoneyisnotyetknown，butinothersofthesmallerandremoterIslands。 Itwereperhapstobedesired，thatnochangeinthisparticularshouldhavebeenmade。WhentheLairdcouldonlyeattheproduceofhislands，hewasunderthenecessityofresidinguponthem；andwhenthetenantcouldnotconverthisstockintomoreportableriches，hecouldneverbetemptedawayfromhisfarm，fromtheonlyplacewherehecouldbewealthy。Moneyconfoundssubordination，byoverpoweringthedistinctionsofrankandbirth，andweakensauthoritybysupplyingpowerofresistance，orexpedientsforescape。Thefeudalsystemisformedforanationemployedinagriculture，andhasneverlongkeptitsholdwheregoldandsilverhavebecomecommon。 TheirarmswereancientlytheGlaymore，orgreattwo-handedsword，andafterwardsthetwo-edgedswordandtarget，orbuckler，whichwassustainedontheleftarm。Inthemidstofthetarget，whichwasmadeofwood，coveredwithleather，andstuddedwithnails，aslenderlance，abouttwofeetlong，wassometimesfixed；itwasheavyandcumberous，andaccordinglyhasforsometimepastbeengraduallylaidaside。VeryfewtargetswereatCulloden。Thedirk，orbroaddagger，Iamafraid，wasofmoreuseinprivatequarrelsthaninbattles。TheLochaber-axisonlyaslightalterationoftheoldEnglishbill。 AfterallthathasbeensaidoftheforceandterrouroftheHighlandsword，Icouldnotfindthattheartofdefencewasanypartofcommoneducation。Thegentlemenwereperhapssometimesskilfulgladiators，butthecommonmenhadnootherpowersthanthoseofviolenceandcourage。Yetitiswellknown，thattheonsetoftheHighlanderswasveryformidable。Asanarmycannotconsistofphilosophers，apanickiseasilyexcitedbyanyunwontedmodeofannoyance。Newdangersarenaturallymagnified；andmenaccustomedonlytoexchangebulletsatadistance，andrathertoheartheirenemiesthanseethem，arediscouragedandamazedwhentheyfindthemselvesencounteredhandtohand，andcatchthegleamofsteelflashingintheirfaces。 TheHighlandweaponsgaveopportunityformanyexertionsofpersonalcourage，andsometimesforsinglecombatsinthefield； likethosewhichoccursofrequentlyinfabulouswars。AtFalkirk，agentlemannowliving，was，IsupposeaftertheretreatoftheKing\'stroops，engagedatadistancefromtherestwithanIrishdragoon。Theywerebothskilfulswordsmen，andthecontestwasnoteasilydecided:thedragoonatlasthadtheadvantage，andtheHighlandercalledforquarter；butquarterwasrefusedhim，andthefightcontinuedtillhewasreducedtodefendhimselfuponhisknee。AtthatinstantoneoftheMacleodscametohisrescue；who，asitissaid，offeredquartertothedragoon，buthethoughthimselfobligedtorejectwhathehadbeforerefused，and，asbattlegiveslittletimetodeliberate，wasimmediatelykilled。 Funeralswereformerlysolemnizedbycallingmultitudestogether，andentertainingthematgreatexpence。Thisemulationofuselesscosthasbeenforsometimediscouraged，andatlastintheIsleofSkyisalmostsuppressed。 OftheEarselanguage，asIunderstandnothing，IcannotsaymorethanIhavebeentold。Itistherudespeechofabarbarouspeople，whohadfewthoughtstoexpress，andwerecontent，astheyconceivedgrossly，tobegrosslyunderstood。AfterwhathasbeenlatelytalkedofHighlandBards，andHighlandgenius，manywillstartlewhentheyaretold，thattheEarseneverwasawrittenlanguage；thatthereisnotintheworldanEarsemanuscriptahundredyearsold；andthatthesoundsoftheHighlanderswereneverexpressedbyletters，tillsomelittlebooksofpietyweretranslated，andametricalversionofthePsalmswasmadebytheSynodofArgyle。Whoeverthereforenowwritesinthislanguage，spellsaccordingtohisownperceptionofthesound，andhisownideaofthepoweroftheletters。TheWelshandtheIrisharecultivatedtongues。TheWelsh，twohundredyearsago，insultedtheirEnglishneighboursfortheinstabilityoftheirOrthography； whiletheEarsemerelyfloatedinthebreathofthepeople，andcouldthereforereceivelittleimprovement。 Whenalanguagebeginstoteemwithbooks，itistendingtorefinement；asthosewhoundertaketoteachothersmusthaveundergonesomelabourinimprovingthemselves，theysetaproportionatevalueontheirownthoughts，andwishtoenforcethembyefficaciousexpressions；speechbecomesembodiedandpermanent； differentmodesandphrasesarecompared，andthebestobtainsanestablishment。Bydegreesoneageimprovesuponanother。 Exactnessisfirstobtained，andafterwardselegance。Butdiction，merelyvocal，isalwaysinitschildhood。Asnomanleaveshiseloquencebehindhim，thenewgenerationshavealltolearn。Theremaypossiblybebookswithoutapolishedlanguage，buttherecanbenopolishedlanguagewithoutbooks。 ThattheBardscouldnotreadmorethantherestoftheircountrymen，itisreasonabletosuppose；because，iftheyhadread，theycouldprobablyhavewritten；andhowhightheircompositionsmayreasonablyberated，aninquirermaybestjudgebyconsideringwhatstoresofimagery，whatprinciplesofratiocination，whatcomprehensionofknowledge，andwhatdelicacyofelocutionhehasknownanymanattainwhocannotread。ThestateoftheBardswasyetmorehopeless。Hethatcannotread，maynowconversewiththosethatcan；buttheBardwasabarbarianamongbarbarians，who，knowingnothinghimself，livedwithothersthatknewnomore。 TherehaslatelybeenintheIslandsoneoftheseilliteratepoets，whohearingtheBiblereadatchurch，issaidtohaveturnedthesacredhistoryintoverse。Iheardpartofadialogue，composedbyhim，translatedbyayoungladyinMull，andthoughtithadmoremeaningthanIexpectedfromamantotallyuneducated；buthehadsomeopportunitiesofknowledge；helivedamongalearnedpeople。 AfterallthathasbeendonefortheinstructionoftheHighlanders，theantipathybetweentheirlanguageandliteraturestillcontinues；andnomanthathaslearnedonlyEarseis，atthistime，abletoread。 TheEarsehasmanydialects，andthewordsusedinsomeIslandsarenotalwaysknowninothers。Inliteratenations，thoughthepronunciation，andsometimesthewordsofcommonspeechmaydiffer，asnowinEngland，comparedwiththeSouthofScotland，yetthereisawrittendiction，whichpervadesalldialects，andisunderstoodineveryprovince。Butwherethewholelanguageiscolloquial，hethathasonlyonepart，nevergetstherest，ashecannotgetitbutbychangeofresidence。 Inanunwrittenspeech，nothingthatisnotveryshortistransmittedfromonegenerationtoanother。Fewhaveopportunitiesofhearingalongcompositionoftenenoughtolearnit，orhaveinclinationtorepeatitsooftenasisnecessarytoretainit；andwhatisonceforgottenislostforever。Ibelievetherecannotberecovered，inthewholeEarselanguage，fivehundredlinesofwhichthereisanyevidencetoprovethemahundredyearsold。YetI hearthatthefatherofOssianboastsoftwochestsmoreofancientpoetry，whichhesuppresses，becausetheyaretoogoodfortheEnglish。 HethatgoesintotheHighlandswithamindnaturallyacquiescent，andacredulityeagerforwonders，maycomebackwithanopinionverydifferentfrommine；fortheinhabitantsknowingtheignoranceofallstrangersintheirlanguageandantiquities，perhapsarenotveryscrupulousadherentstotruth；yetIdonotsaythattheydeliberatelyspeakstudiedfalsehood，orhaveasettledpurposetodeceive。Theyhaveinquiredandconsideredlittle，anddonotalwaysfeeltheirownignorance。Theyarenotmuchaccustomedtobeinterrogatedbyothers；andseemnevertohavethoughtuponinterrogatingthemselves；sothatiftheydonotknowwhattheytelltobetrue，theylikewisedonotdistinctlyperceiveittobefalse。 Mr。Boswellwasverydiligentinhisinquiries；andtheresultofhisinvestigationswas，thattheanswertothesecondquestionwascommonlysuchasnullifiedtheanswertothefirst。 Wewereawhiletold，thattheyhadanoldtranslationofthescriptures；andtoldittillitwouldappearobstinacytoinquireagain。Yetbycontinuedaccumulationofquestionswefound，thatthetranslationmeant，ifanymeaningtherewere，wasnothingelsethantheIrishBible。 Weheardofmanuscriptsthatwere，orthathadbeeninthehandsofsomebody\'sfather，orgrandfather；butatlastwehadnoreasontobelievetheywereotherthanIrish。MartinmentionsIrish，butneveranyEarsemanuscripts，tobefoundintheIslandsinhistime。 IsupposemyopinionofthepoemsofOssianisalreadydiscovered。 Ibelievetheyneverexistedinanyotherformthanthatwhichwehaveseen。Theeditor，orauthor，nevercouldshewtheoriginal； norcanitbeshewnbyanyother；torevengereasonableincredulity，byrefusingevidence，isadegreeofinsolence，withwhichtheworldisnotyetacquainted；andstubbornaudacityisthelastrefugeofguilt。Itwouldbeeasytoshewitifhehadit； butwhencecoulditbehad?Itistoolongtoberemembered，andthelanguageformerlyhadnothingwritten。Hehasdoubtlessinsertednamesthatcirculateinpopularstories，andmayhavetranslatedsomewanderingballads，ifanycanbefound；andthenames，andsomeoftheimagesbeingrecollected，makeaninaccurateauditorimagine，bythehelpofCaledonianbigotry，thathehasformerlyheardthewhole。 IaskedaverylearnedMinisterinSky，whohadusedallartstomakemebelievethegenuinenessofthebook，whetheratlasthebelievedithimself?buthewouldnotanswer。Hewishedmetobedeceived，forthehonourofhiscountry；butwouldnotdirectlyandformallydeceiveme。Yethasthisman\'stestimonybeenpublicklyproduced，asofonethatheldFingaltobetheworkofOssian。 Itissaid，thatsomemenofintegrityprofesstohaveheardpartsofit，buttheyallheardthemwhentheywereboys；anditwasneversaidthatanyofthemcouldrecitesixlines。Theyremembernames，andperhapssomeproverbialsentiments；and，havingnodistinctideas，coinaresemblancewithoutanoriginal。ThepersuasionoftheScots，however，isfarfromuniversal；andinaquestionsocapableofproof，whyshoulddoubtbesufferedtocontinue?Theeditorhasbeenheardtosay，thatpartofthepoemwasreceivedbyhim，intheSaxoncharacter。Hehasthenfound，bysomepeculiarfortune，anunwrittenlanguage，writteninacharacterwhichthenativesprobablyneverbeheld。 Ihaveyetsupposednoimposturebutinthepublisher，yetIamfarfromcertainty，thatsometranslationshavenotbeenlatelymade，thatmaynowbeobtrudedaspartsoftheoriginalwork。Credulityononepartisastrongtemptationtodeceitontheother，especiallytodeceitofwhichnopersonalinjuryistheconsequence，andwhichflatterstheauthorwithhisowningenuity。 TheScotshavesomethingtopleadfortheireasyreceptionofanimprobablefiction；theyareseducedbytheirfondnessfortheirsupposedancestors。AScotchmanmustbeaverysturdymoralist，whodoesnotloveScotlandbetterthantruth:hewillalwaysloveitbetterthaninquiry；andiffalsehoodflattershisvanity，willnotbeverydiligenttodetectit。NeitheroughttheEnglishtobemuchinfluencedbyScotchauthority；forofthepastandpresentstateofthewholeEarsenation，theLowlandersareatleastasignorantasourselves。Tobeignorantispainful；butitisdangeroustoquietouruneasinessbythedelusiveopiateofhastypersuasion。