88 PRESENT STATE 



don. On this alfo, they bring tip, educate, and 

 fit out for the world, thofe adventurous, intelligent 

 people, who abound throughout Europe, Afia, 

 and America. 



There is another clafs in Scotland, whofe induf- 

 try, and laudable pride, enable them to maintain 

 themfelves without troubling the parifhj and at 

 the fame time contribute materially to the great 

 flaple of the kingdom. Thefe are females of all 

 ages, and under various diftreffing circumftances ; 

 the orphan, the widow, and the aged mother -, all 

 thofe who have out-lived their kindred, or who 

 receive no fupport from them. By unremitting 

 application at the wheel, they gain two (hillings 

 weekly, in or near the manufacturing towns ; but 

 thofe of the northern parts, and who are chiefly 

 employed in knitting {lockings, cannot, with the 

 elofeft application, clear above eighteen pence. So, 

 flender an income implies a fcanty fubfiftence, con- 

 fiding of barley-meal, greens, potatoes, butter- 

 milk, whey, or water. A fmall moiety is referved 

 for a decent apparel, of home manufacture, wherein 

 to appear at church -, and though worn down with 

 age, infirmities, or neglect, they hold out with fur- 

 prizing chearfulnefs and fortitude, having always 

 in contemplation*, the profpect of a happier ex- 

 iilence throughout eternity. This is alfo the con- 

 folation of the great body of people in that king- 

 dom 5 the favourite fubject of their converfation 

 when in health, and the fupport of their minds, in 

 the days of affliction. 



Upon the whole, when we condder the Lowlands 

 of Scotland in a general view ; the difpofition, in- 

 duftry, and fober manners of the inhabitants ; the 

 many acres yet in a ftate of nature ; the nume- 

 rous decayed fea-ports, which might be reftored ; 

 the abundance of fifh, cattle, fheep, vegetables, and 

 roots; and that of 32 counties, 18 export grain, 

 jjot from the extraordinary crops^ but ;he thinnefs 



of 



