54 a hii? to the Hebrides.» May 16, 
unlefs the salt be exempted from duty. If exempted 
from duty for fifh, numberlefs’ regulations must be a- 
dopted to prevent the abuse of this indulgence. These 
are so many cobwebs, in which the poor feeble fishers 
are liable to beentangled totheir destruction. Thirdly, 
the want of towns, where people might freely settle, 
is absolutely fatal to industry. Fort William and 
Stornaway, are the only spots where a freeman could. 
build a house ; whereas, lots of this kind fhould be 
laid out in every sea loch.—Perhaps nothing has tend- 
ed more to force emigration than this defect. On.our 
eastern coasts, where improvements in agriculture oc- 
casioned joining many small lots into one farm, the 
ancient occupiers of them betook themselves to 
towns, and became useful citizens, as artizans and ma- 
nufacturers ; in the Highlands that is impofsible, be- 
cause there are no towns. An obvious improve- 
ment on the condition of the people, would be that of 
making all the subtenants tenants to the proprietor, 
and granting them leases for life; and encouraging 
them to settle their children round them on the waste 
lands of their farms. For it is certain there are 
large tracts of very improveable land in an unculti- 
vated state. This will be obvious on considering the 
state of the Isle of Sky, which is said to be sixty miles 
long, and thirty-five broad, and a most beautiful and 
improveable island, every where intersected by arms 
of the sea.” It may contain six hundred thousand 
acres. The rents are said to be L 6000 rear: or 
about twopence sterling per acre. 
T irough the Highlands and Hebrides, wate little 
ground is cultivated lies near the coasts, This 3s 
