l8c53. Preventing Em'igra lion from the Highlands* 255 



expelled that tlie old Hij^hland fyftcm will continue to be gra- 

 dually given up -, and, did not reafons, not in the Icail connected 

 with agriculture, influence many proprietors, it is evident that a3 

 faft as leafcs ended, it would be utterly forfaken. 



The new huibandry confifts in devoting the ground to the paf- 

 turage of fhcep ; under which, it has been fufRciently afcertained, 

 that much more rent may be gained by proprietors, fhcep bein^ 

 better calculated than cattle for exploring high and upland fitua- 

 tions, and will thrive, where the other would ftarve. Sheep 

 farms muil nccefTarily be of confiderable fize; which, of courfe, 

 at all events, icllens the number of farmers. Befides, in few in- 

 ftances are the old pofTeflbrs qualified for carrying on this hul- 

 bandry : their ftocks are inferior to what is required for extenfive 

 undertakings; and thiscauftrs an importation of new tenants, and 

 even fervants, into the diftricls fo circumftanced. Attempts 

 have been made to combine various itocks \ but repeated trials 

 have fliewn, that it was not practically ufeful. In a word, every 

 attempt to manage a townfliip flock has failed, becaufe fuccefs in 

 farming depends entirely upon individual exertion. 



From what is faid, it may be hoped that people, unacquainted 

 with the ftate of the Highlands, will be able to form a tolerable 

 notion of what inevitably takes place when the new hufbandry 

 is introduced. In the cafe which I argue upon hypotheticalJy, 

 I fhall fuppofe that there are 150 families upon the eitate in 

 queftion; that each family confills of 5 individuals; that the 

 population altogether amounts to 750; and that 100 families, or 

 500 of the inhabitants, are dependent upon the land, and will be 

 deprived of fubfiftence in the event of the new liufljandry being 

 introduced. Now, while 1 do not attach a particle of blame to 

 the proprietor v/ho introduces this hufbandry, feeing his intereft 

 is thereby fo much promoted, I mufl maintain, that the future 

 lot of the people removed ought to engage his attention; becaufe 

 lie is the primary, though innocent, caufe of their removal. No 

 fubje(St whatever calls more loudly for his confidcration. It 

 fhould occupy his firil thoughts when he awakes in the morning, 

 and his lafh when he clofes his eyes at night. In fa<St, a refponfi- 

 bility clings to him, impoflible to be difcharged, but by the 

 mofl active exertions. 



So far as I have gone, it may be warrantably expected that I 

 will be joined by every perfon, except fuch as are influenced by 

 the moft fordid and felhlh principles : but, whether the fteps, 

 which I am going to pvopofe for It-'iTening the evils of the new 

 fyftem, will be generally viewed as wife and pra<i\icablc, may be 

 fafely doubted. Every political regulation admits of difpute, 

 and may l?e oppofsd on various grounds, by thpfe who conlider 



C c c i themfelves 



