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。