132 A V I E W OF 



giflatiire wifely difiblved the moft obnoxious feudal 

 tenures, broke the authority of the chieftains over 

 their vaflfals, and vefted the produce of the forfeited 

 eftates in truftees, for the eftablifhment of charity 

 fchools, and civilizing the people. The beneficial 

 effects of thefe meafures greatly exceeded the ex- 

 pectations of thofe who had propofed them ; info- 

 much that, throughout the annals of mankind, 

 there is fcarcely an inftance of a great body of peo- 

 ple having been reclaimed fo rapidly, from bar- 

 barifm to inoffenfive, peaceable fubjefts. The 

 tranfition was almoft inftantaneous, and ilrongly 

 marks the difcernm'ent and good fenfe of the inha- 

 bitants, as well as the pious, indefatigable labours 

 of the few clergymen who were appointed, upon 

 very flender falaries, to reclaim their manners, to 

 fuperintend their morals, and to enforce, by precept 

 and example, obedience to divine and human laws. 

 Thus far, the legislature were entitled to the tri- 

 bute of applaufe ; but after having ma4e a fuccefsful 

 beginning in the great work of provincial refor- 

 mation, they at once abandoned the Highlanders, 

 civilized indeed, but otherwife in a more diilrefsful 

 fituation than while under the immediate controul 

 of their chieftains. No .villages, magazines, or 

 harbours were formed, or manufactures introduced, 

 by which the people 'might be ufefully employed, 

 and a permanent, valuable colony eftablifhed. Suc- 

 ceeding admin iilrations have feen, and acknow- 

 ledged, their fidelity and importance ; but have 

 taken no effectual fteps to meliorate their diftreffes, 

 to reconcile them to. their inhofpitabie fho'res, to 

 give protection to the injured, bread to the hungry, 

 employment to the induilrious ; nor hath the fmallefl 

 ray of hope been held out, whereby they might ex- 

 pect to lee better days. * On the contrary, it feems 

 to be a political maxim with many peribns, that the 

 Highlands of Scotland are to be confidered merely 



* When this part was firft printed, in 1782, no meafures had 

 been propofed or fpoke of, by government, or in parliament, re- 

 fpeting the Highlands, and the nflieries. 



