36 a voyage to the Hebrides. “May 16, 
merchants are to be found, who, if they make rich by 
their traffic, cannot easily find land to employ their 
money in improving, as we see done round our 
towns on the east side of the island. Such is the ac- 
counts given of the state of the Highlands and He- 
brides. These may be exaggerated, although they 
seem to be confirmed by the actual state of these 
countries. Are the people unhappy? That is ano- 
ther question. Do riches constitute happinefs? These 
inquiries are rather directed to the prosperity of the 
country than the happinefs of its inhabitants. It is 
justice to them to say they do not seem unhappy. 
They are contented with their houses such as they are. 
They dispense with all kind of furniture except a 
black cast iron pot. They in general have plenty of 
fuel ; and potatoes and fifh supply them. reasonably 
well with food. When they have no salt, which is a 
scarce article, to cure their winter provisions, they 
can eat them sour. It may be added, that whether © 
protestants or papists, they seem deeply imprefsed 
with 4 religious turn, and attend public worfhip when 
within reach very pointedly ; nor are they lefs dist 
tinguifhed by their bravery in war, than by their 
gentle, kind, and affectionate disposition in time of 
peace. One cannot help wifhing such a people hada 
larger {hare of what are generally reckoned comforts, 
liberty, and money. One would with all the inhabi- 
tants of a high taxed country like ours, to take a rea- 
sonable fhare of the burdens of the state in time of peace 
as well as war. The inhabitants of the six northern 
counties of Scotland, exclusive of the land-tax, pay 
about the seventy-fifth part. of a penny yearly, one 
or tiie 
