^-fj^l. on the HighlanJs, 2« 



people. Ill consequence of a succefsion of absurdities iu 

 their system of legislation, they are diminifhed now to 



^eight. And, by an opposite management, the United Pro- 

 vinces, which, at the first mentioned peiiod, contained not 

 perhaps two thousand inhabitants, contain now more than 

 two millions. 



Some will object to the pofsibility of ever sustaining a 

 numerous population in the Highlands and Isles of Scot- 

 land. The soil, they will tell you, is poor, and the climate 

 unfavourable-, it is therefore in vain to hope that this 

 part of the country can ever become populous or wealthy. 

 Those, however, who argue thus, do not seem to be suffici- 



, ently aware of what can be eftected by man, when under 



- a rational and mild system of government. Countries much 

 more destitute of resources, under the vivifying influence 

 of a wise system of legislation, have become much more 

 populous than the most fertile kingdoms in Europe. 

 " The canton of Appenzel," says Mr Robert in his Voyage 

 dans les xiii. cantons Suifses, p. 229, "a small district, part of 

 which is occupied by glacieres, inaccefsible rocks, ravines, 

 and precipices, offers a population of fifty-five thousand 

 inhabitants, which, in proportion to its extent, greatly sur- 

 pafses the most fertile countries. The canton of Appen- 

 zel contains seventeen hundred inhabitants for every 

 square league j neither the rich plains of the Milanese, nor 

 the most fertile provinces of France, nor even the United 

 Provinces, vivihed by an immense commerce, does present 

 such a population. 



" I had seen," says he with surprise," the multitude of 

 habitations scattered along the mountains, on approaching 

 towards St Gall ; my astonishment redoubled, and was 

 carried to the highest pofsible pitch, when I entered into 

 the canton of Appenzel. In places which are not suscep- 

 tible of any culture, in.an immense valley, where they nei- 

 ther gather wheat, nor wine, nor legumes, nor barley, nor 



