sented to general improvement. 
TRE GAZETTEER OF SCOTLAND, &C. 
duous trees are not wanting. These forests, 
some of which extend no less than 3 or 40 
miles in length, would doubiless be a source 
of great riches to the proprictors, and to the 
country at large, did not the want of roads, 
and the distance from the sea, preclude the 
possibility of land carriage ; and the plan of 
floating down the rivers is not so practicable, 
owing to the risk of being shivered by the 
frequent and high falls. Notwithstanding 
these obstacles, however, several companies 
have succeeded in floating down the Spey 
and Dee, by cutting canals where the falls 
are so high as to injure the wood.” 
The climate, soil, water, and vegetable 
productions, are described under separate 
heads; and we are pleased to find, that 
_ the Scotch nobility and gentry have emu- 
lated their English neighbours, in esta- 
blishing “the Highland Society,” for the 
promotion and encouragement of agri- 
' culture. 
Premiums are given for the cultivation 
of waste lands, for advancing the breed 
of black cattle and sheep, and for pro- 
moting other important objects apper- 
taining toagriculture. The nobility and 
eomanry of the country, not only set 
loadable examples of improvement, but 
encourage it in others, “ Still,” says 
the editor, “from the well known prin- 
ciple of human nature, the reluctance to 
change old customs, and to relinquish 
habits sanctioned andestablished by time, 
an almost insuperable obstacle is _pre- 
This 
aversion to new plans, or, as they are 
’ termed, ‘ innovation of established cus- 
. 
if 
_ tothe conviction I have of the import- 
' toms,’ ‘is now wearing off; and it is 
hoped, from the improvements already 
introduced, and the exertions of the board 
of agriculture lately established, that a 
spirit of improvement will be diffused, 
which will surmount any obstinacy that 
remains, and make the practical far- 
mers open their eyes to their true inte- 
rests. Let them be taught, that the num- 
ber of true citizens, and not the extent of 
territory, is the true criterion of national 
wealth; and that the increase of popula- 
tion can be supported only by resources 
drawn from their own territory, raised 
and augmented by the improvement of 
agriculture.” In speaking of this sub- 
ject, we could almost adopt the words of 
a late author, in a survey of a county 
given in to the board of agriculture:— 
_ © Had J,” says this almost enthusiastic 
writer, “the powers of persuasion equal 
. 
391 
ance-of the maxim, I would proclaim it 
to my country, from the Point of Shet- 
land to the Land’s-end of England, un- 
til it were heard and understood, and 
felt by every man that eateth bread, 
that he who makes two ears of corn grow 
where only one grew before, does more 
good to mankind than the whole race of. 
politicians together*.” The soil of Scot- 
land produces wheat, rye, barley, oats, 
peas and beans, flax,hemp, hay, potatoes, 
turnips, carrots ; and, in general, all the 
sorts of crops which are raised in the 
southern part of the island. Of late, 
many extensive tracts of waste land have 
been planted. In every district, the can- 
did observer will find proofs of the illt- 
berality of Dr. Johnson’s account of 
Scottish trees, which has certainly been 
founded in ignorance, dictated by pre- 
judice, and written without considera- 
tion. 
The mineralogy of Scotland is con- 
cisely described, and the principal mines 
and minerals are mentioned. Though 
there are not many precious metals ob- 
tained from this part of the kingdom, 
yet, when “ James V. married the French 
king’s daughter, a number of covered 
dishes, containing coins of Scottish gold, 
were presented to the guests by way of 
desert ; and it appears by the public re- 
eords, that in one year-there was coined 
in the mint of Scotland 48,000]. sterling, 
of Scottish gold.’ There are no silver 
mines at present, but much of this metal 
is obtained from the lead mines. “ Of 
late, a very rich mine of antimony has 
been opened in Westerkirk, in Dumfries- 
shire, supposed to be richer than any at 
vesent known in the world. The other 
metallic substances hitherto. discovered 
are cobalt, bismuth, manganese, wolfram, 
plumbago, and mercury ; the latter in 
very small quantities. Limestone, free- 
stone or sandstone, and slate, are found 
in every district in the greatest abund- 
ance. Of late too, some attention has 
been paid to the marbles, which prove no 
way inferior in colour or polish to those 
of Italy.” ‘hese latter assertions savour 
too much of national partiality, which 
also depreciates many other parts of the 
book. A political or a geographical 
historian, should have a mind free from 
local and general prejudice; for wher- 
ever either appear, it excites suspicion 
and mistrust. Dr. Johnson, as already 
observed, and some other writers, have 
* Dr. Robertson's survey of Perthshire. 
Cct 
