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stress on the statistical account given by the minister of Harris, regarding the state of possession in that country. It is therefore necessary to offer a few explanatory remarks respecting that parish.

A few years ago, Mr Hume of Harris, on his return from India, visited his estate for the first time after his accession to it. The estate was then, with the exception of twenty-three small tenants, wholly held in lease by tacksmen. The whole income amounted only to L.895 per annum; and so little prospect had he of augmenting his rent-roll, that he resolved on a sale of the whole property at a very moderate price.

On farther consideration, it occurred, that his estate might be of greater value than he was, at first, inclined to believe. He saw a numerous body of tacksmen, who occupied only small shares of their farms, living in af fluence and splendour, and amassing considerable wealth, on the labours of the subtenants and cottars. It occurred to him, that by letting the farms to the subtenants and cottars themselves, he might relieve his people from many vexatious burdens, and pocket the profits, formerly intercepted by the tacks

men.

This resolution was no sooner

formed than executed. He let all his arable farms to small tenants, at speci. fied money rents, and abolished all kinds

of services or duties.

The first year he received about one hundred and eighty new tenants upon his list, and raised the rent to L.3500. The next year, some new openings occurring, he received about fifty addition al tenants, some of them from other estates, and was thereby enabled to raise the rent to upwards of L.4000 per annum. A considerable part of his estate is yet under lease; and it is likely, as the leases expire, that the remainder is destined to undergo a similar change, and that his income will be very much increased by the change.

On Clanranald's estate of Uist and Benbecula, a similar change has been lately effected; and most of the lands are held by small tenants directly from the proprietor. These pay a specified money-rent, and are subjected to no services, or burdens of any description, except the making of kelp; for which they receive a high rate per ton. This

change has enabled Clanranald, not only to augment his rent-roll, but also nearly to double the quantity of kelp manufactured upon his estate, which is made solely on his account.

The estates of Boisdale, Barra, and the still more extensive estate of North Uist, belonging to Lord Macdonald, are mostly rented by small tenants, and by the judicious management of these proprietors, yield very great revenues, considering their extent. The Island of Lewis, Lord Seaforth's property, with the exception of some hill-pasture let to shepherds, is mostly occupied by small tenants. The system of crofting having been already adopted with success on small tenant farms, is likely to be pursued in these districts, until each ten. ant shall have a separate division to himself. Strictures p. 44•

author of Remarks, p. 134-7. This A similar account is given by the practice, however, seems hitherto to have been confined to the islands, and some of the most uncultivated parts of the Highlands; and we do not see any likelihood of a complete pro. vision being made by it for the whole population. The author of Remarks, in describing the conversion of a large estate into pasture, only asserts that, out of humanity, some of the former inhabitants were accommodated with pieces of ground. In fact, though the practice may perhaps be suited to the present state of certain parts of the Highlands, it does not seem very favourable to the most improved and profitable system of agriculture.

The fact, that none of these crofters have been prevailed upon to emigrate, clearly confutes the sup. position of the Highlanders having any natural disposition to go abroad, when they can be comfortably accommodated at home.

Much stress is laid upon the inprovement of the fisheries; yet, even by their own statements, it appears to us that the improvement of these can only be gradual. The following

obser

observations seem deserving of attention.

The absolute necessity of an exemp tion from duty for all salt used in the fishery, in order to encourage this ri sing and most lucrative manufacture, has induced the legislature to allow the fisheries to enjoy this privilege. But in order to obtain this exemption, it is necessary to go through so many troublesome and expensive forms, that a poor fisherman is often disappointed when he least expects it. Besides, he must go so far to the custom house, (often forty or fifty miles) to perform all the requisites for obtaining the exemption, that before he can return, the fish may have left the ground where their appearance made him prepare himself for the adventure. If he should fail in the minutest tittle of the multifarious Custom House regulations, he forfeits his claim, which very often is attended with his ruin. This most effectually deters him and those of the neighbourhood who hear of his misfortune (the justice of which they have perhaps the misfortune to be dull e nough not to apprehend) from again embarking in so perilous an undertak ing. Remarks, p. 174. The same author instances elsewhere.

The inhabitants of Kenmore profit most amply of the advantage of their situation curing the whole fishing season, their attention is exclusively bestowed upon that lucrative employ. ment; from which, and from the produce of their looms, they have acquired a considerable capital. They have improved also a great deal of excellent ground which formerly produced nothing but heath. The town of LochGilphead, in the same district of country, which at present affords very promising prospects of becoming a place of great importance, might also have satisfied him, that where attempts are properly made they will not fail of success. But of all the omissions which are met with, the total silence with regard to Oban, can least of all be accounted for. Begun about 40 years ago, without any very peculiar advantages except the possession of a custom house, and the abilities and

enterprise of its two first settlers, it has risen into eminence with a success unparalleled in any other village in similar circumstances. It now contains above 2000 inhabitants. The commerce which it carries on, enables the neighbourhood to exchange the commodities it can spare, for those it stands in need of; the wealth acquired for this barter has given an additional value to the ground for some miles round, and additional cultivation to it: and the people it has collected together have relieved the adjoining district of any excess in its population. Remarks, p. 184.

One of these modes was simply to collect the people into fishing villages, leaving them, in a great measure, to

their own exertions for future success. It was adopted by Lord Seaforth on the estates of Kintail and Lochalsh. Upon the latter, a village was established at the opening of Loch Duich, in a situation extremely favourable for the fishery of the Minch, at a place called Plock, with the view of providing for the tenantry of the estate a new source of emulative industry, which might serve to draw off from an unskilful and too subdivided agriculture, the superfluity of persons employed as farmers on their own account. The village of Plock was planned in 1793; and so rapid has been its success, that it now contains many settlers possessing decked vessels engaged in the fishery, who are in the way of accumulating considerable wealth, and thereby holding out a proof, that the possession of a farm is not the sole source of a comfortable Another similar institumaintenance. tion has been formed at Dornie, on the estate of Kintail, upon the shore of the same Loch; but as it is less favourably situated (being more remote from the Minch) this village is less advanced in its progress than Plock. There exists, however, no doubt of its ultimate and complete success. Remarks, p. 188.

As we never could doubt of the benevolent and patriotic intentions of the Highland Society, so we have the satisfaction to find, that their regulations for the accommodation of passengers are by no means so unreasonable as we had been led to

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suppose. The space required for each individual is stated to be not much greater than that which is fixed by act of Parliament for the African negroes: and though it be somewhat more than is generally allowed for the military, yet, when we compare the slovenly and dirty habits of the Highlanders (increased as they must be by their new situa tion,) with that cleanliness which forms an indispensible part of the soldiers duty, we shall see clearly the necessity of making some distinction between them. As to the large allowance of animal food, this is a less bulky article, and it is one to which the Highlanders are said to be much accustomed at home.

If the statements in these pamphlets be correct, it appears to us more clearly than before, that there is no necessity for such an interference on the part of government as Lord Selkirk recommends. In our number for April last, we introduced a table of Mr Brown's, from which it appears, that by far the greatest number of emigrants now direct their course to the British settlements. The stocking a transatlantic estate with emigrants is said to have now become a lucrative concern, in which individuals engage with a view to their private emolu

ment.

Several vessels sailed from the north of Scotland last season with emigrants, and some are preparing to leave it in the course of the ensuing summer. A Mr Rabbi of London, broker and agent for James Hodges, Esq. of the house of Bouchea, Hodges, and Co. Cheapstow, Monmouthshire, has engaged several cargoes of emigrants in Mull, Skye, and other districts, for Prince Edward's Isle, to whom he has sold many thousand acres, in thirty three and other lots, in that island, at a rate of 500 per cent. above the London wholesale prices. From a copy of his contract of agreement, in my possession, I find that he is to give the passage, furnish provisions and every requisite, at

the rate of 61. for each passenger. In the year 1801, the rate of freight to America was 1ol. per passenger; and it is supposed the traders had a profit of at least 51. on each. But in 1802, from a competition among the traders, the freights were reduced so low as to be, at an average, from 5l. to 61.; and the rate was similar in 1803. The traders, however, by crowding immense numbers of passengers in small ships, the melancholy effects of which are but too well ascertained, still continued to draw a profit, varying from 20s. to 50s. ahead. Since the passing of the act, the rate has been, for 1804 and 1805, at 9l. per passenger.

But Rabbi, the modern Moses, is to deliver the Highlanders out of the house of bondage, and carry them to the wilderness of Prince Edward's, without the benent of manna, or any other supernatural assistance, for 61. a-head. If he is equally prudent with the rest of his brethren, it is presumed, notwithstanding the regulations of the act, his carrying of emigrants will not prove a losing speculation. On the contrary, he will have a profit of ros. a-head on the pasStrong and Company of Leith and some sengers; as I know that Messrs James other merchants, have chartered their ships to him at 5l. 1os. per passenger, allowing at the rate of two tons register for each passenger, with the other statutory provisions. Strictures, p. 99.

By this means, the business of emigration seems to be placed on a much more satisfactory footing than formerly. The persons who used to take the lead on these occasions were the captains of vessels, who had no other object than the profit which was to be made on the pas sage. The worse, therefore, that the passengers fared, and the more that died by the way, the greater was their profit. Arrived in America, they found no one to take any interest in them, or afford them the least assistance. The only resource often proved to be that of selling themselves as slaves at least for a certain period of years; rise to what is called the

which gave white slave

trade.

trade. But when emigration is conducted by proprietors who wish to stock their own estates, it must be their evident interest, both that the emigrants should be safely conveyed over to America, and that they should be furnished, when there, with the means of subsistence, till they have cleared ground sufficient for their own accommodation.

Upon the whole, we are disposed to think, that emigration, in its present state, forms no exception to the general rule of leaving every thing to take its natural course.

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In time o' prayers: up, ye lazy sheep! Oh, sirs! your corrupt nature whan ye eat,

I never see ye noddin' at your meat ; Na faitha! but fu' aften ane, alas,"

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II. The Falls of the Clyde, or the May see folk sleep in time o prayer and

Fairies; a Scottish dramatic Pastoral, in five Acts. With three Preliminary Dissertations. 8vo. 5s. THIS appears to be the produc

tion of a man of very considerable learning and genius, and who is well qualified both for instructing and amusing the public; yet we are sorry to say, that its merit does not at all correspond with what might be expected from these qualifications. Esteeming as we do his talents, we should be sorry to give him pain by our criticisms; yet as he has alluded, with much complacency, to future works of which this is only the forerunner, it becomes of the utmost importance to point out without reserve the rocks on which he appears now to have split.

That the Scottish language may be employed with advantage, both in dramatic and descriptive poetry, has been abundantly proved by the productions of Ramsay, Burns, and Macniell. But we must observe that these writers made only a judicious and distinguishing use of it. They selected such expressions only as were in some degree, elegant and expressive; and by applying these to interesting and pleasing objects and passions, have communicated to our na

grace!

Waesucks! your corrupt nature!+Katrine, thou

Hast gotten a base trick o' rising now, Frae prayer, to steer the sweens.

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Deed! I could not

Do less, for they were sticking to the
Set in the supper, Ann.
Ann, going to the dresser,

has lick'd the milk
Is there nae mair?

The cat *

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Such is the elegant dialogue, which is continued through the greater part of this drama. Yet the characters of Adam and Catharine, and the scenes where they appear, are declared by the author to be his own favourite; which proves clearly, if any proof were wanting, how completely unfit an author is to judge of his own productions. The preference of these passages may have arisen. from their calling to his recollection the happiness of that period in which the characters were known and deli

neated, (for we are informed that some part of this pastoral was a boyish production,) but to us, on whom such associations have no influence, the effect is far different. He states also that the characters of Adam and Catherine were drawn from particu Iar life, and he was afraid, by softening the features, of destroying the resemblance. But here we can apply his own rule against himself, for, as he justly observes, "it is not nature that is to be copied, it is select na

ture."

But tho' the greater part of the poem be of this description, or little bet ter, there are some passages in a differ., ent stile, which redeem the character of the author, and shew that he has failed, not from want of genius, but from its misapplication. These are chiefly the passages in which he shakes off the Scottish dialect, and rises to a higher tone of poetry. The represen tation of natural scenery is the subject on which his powers have most happily displayed themselves. We June 1806.

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The songs of the Fairies (a difficult subject) are extremely well exe. cuted, and, with a great deal of fine imagery, unite that wildness which is to be expected from their visionary natures.

A Fairy (alone.) See the silver moon on high, Glidin' through the azure sky! Gleamin' on the roarin' floods, Beamin' on the silent woods; Shinin' on the mountains steep, On the sleepin' lambs an' sheep. Fairies! now's the time to sing, And trip it nimbly in a ring; Trip and sing these woods among! Silence is the friend of song.

Chorus of Fairies.

Oh how happy, happy, we,
Little fairy bodies be.
Another Fairy.

Free from every mortal ail,
Light we trip o'er hill and dale;
Without stockin', without shoe,
Through the grass and through the
dew.

Hurry! hurry! quick and fleet
Are our little nimble feet,
Hurry! hurry! forth we go,
Winds to follow are too slow;

Dat

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