8 Rctrospccthe View cfAg}ic:iLiurC'--Cnithness. Feb. 



but of domestic colonization, which will be found iniinitely 

 preferable to the cultivation o;c distant settlements. But the 

 iK^ls which were passed, granting certain sums for carrying on 

 the Caledonian Canal, and for making roads and buildirg 

 bridges in tiie northern counties, under the direction of Com- 

 missioners appointed to oversee the expenditure of tlie money, 

 were enacted too late in the season, to expect that much could 

 be done in carrying on such great undertakings, in the course 

 of the present year. In consequence, hov/ever, of the corre- 

 spondence that has been establi-.hed between the Commission- 

 ers, and the gentlemen of Caithness, there is reason to hope 

 that considerable progress will be made in the course of the 

 ensuinof season. It cannot be doubted, if this district 

 were made accessible, and proper communications carried 

 through it, that it would soon rival more southern districts in 

 every species of improvement. 



It is proper here to add, that a thousand poimds have been 

 granted, from tlie public funds of Scotland, for erecting a har- 

 bour at Wick; and there is every reason to hope, that that 

 important undertaking will be carried on with proper spirit in 

 the course of next year. As Wick is tlie true centre of the 

 deep sea herring fishery, the erection of a harbour there, is 

 perhaps one of the most important objects to which the public 

 attention could be directed, or in which the public money could 

 be employed. 



10. Miscellaneous Articles. 



T. The establisVin-ient of an Woollen Manufacture, at the 

 new villi --e of Halkirk, has taken place this year. The 

 machinery lias been already erected, and from the prices which 

 Mr Walker the manufacturer has demanded, the farmers in 

 the neighbourhood are satisfied, that they cannqt manufacture 

 their wool so chcai), by their own servants, as by him; whilst, 

 at tile same time, it is done by his machinery, in a manner greatly 

 superior. 



?. Tliio year alsp a post chaise and a pair of horses have 

 been set up by Mr Ryrie, innkeeper at Thurso, which ij 

 likely to answer. It is singular, though there had been 

 some attempts to keep post chaises at Inverness, yet that they 

 Avere all given up in the year 1773* Mr. Ettles set oric up in 

 1775 ' wli'ch was then the only one so far north. There are 

 now seven kept in Inverness alone, one or two at Tain, and 

 one at K-ssock. It is proposed to have, next year, a diligence 

 on the Hi„ddand roid from Perth to Inverness, and it is to be 

 hoped that, in due time, the plan will be extended to Caithjiess. 

 The advantages of having such modes of conveyance from 

 •n-j end of flie kiiigdom to the other are inestiniable. 



3. Mr 



