148 Acccmnt of Harris. 



to fall flat, on hearing it approach, and cling to the ground. 

 But, if there be much gloom, there are also glimpses of sunshine. 

 And he who, from the summit of CHsheim, can view the long 

 range of islands laid out at his feet, sending up their thousand 

 thin streams of white smoke from the kelp-kilns ; and, turning 

 toward the east, behold the mountains of Skye, and, beyond 

 them, of the mainland from Knoydart to Cape Wrath, like the 

 unconquerable barrier of some enchanted land, with the smooth 

 waters of the Minch flowing between ; or, directing his view to 

 the west, see the magnificent ocean, glowing with the splendour 

 of the setting sun, and the lofty isles of St Kilda rearing their 

 giant heads afar, — can look and not be moved to extasy, is of a 

 more leaden temperament than is commonly to be met with. In 

 the short nights of summer, the sweet and melancholy song of 

 the throstle has scarcely ceased on the hill-side, when the merry 

 carrbl of the lark, couched among the soft herbage, commences, 

 and the snipe and curlew sound their shrill notes. To enliven 

 the long nights of winter, the northern heavens are sometimes 

 illumined by the polar lights. At one time, a great arch, of a 

 white and cloudy aspect, stretches from east to west ; at another, 

 flashes of pale light emanate from the pole to vanish in the ze- 

 nith, sometimes a thousand streamlets spread over the starry 

 sky, ever changing with inconceivable rapidity ; armies, as it 

 were, are seen encountering in the heavens ; and I have been 

 gravely told by the natives, that, after such exhibitions, the moss 

 on the moors has been seen tinged with red from the blood that 

 has fallen during the conflict *. Again, how delightful a mid- 

 night walk by moonlight on the lone sea-beach of some secluded 

 isle, the glassy sea sending, from its surface, a long stream of 

 dazzling light, no sound, save the small ripple of the wavelet, or 

 the scream of a sea-mew watching the fry which swarms along 

 the shores. Even in this desolate land there is beauty ; and even 

 here might man be happy, did not selfishness mar the bounty of 

 providence -f-. 



* Tufts of Sphagnum obtusifolium on the moors are frequently of a bright 

 red colour, which the natives attribute to the cause mentioned. 



-|- The effects of mirage, as exhibited among the islands, are often extreme- 

 ly striking ; but, as they are well known, it is unnecessary to describe them 

 here. I shall only remark, that this phenomenon is best seen the nearer the 



