134 A V I E W O f 



ever nation, who have lately vifked the Highlands 

 of Scotland. * 



To fum up the whole, they are a hardy, brave 

 race of men, equally qualified for the domeftic, the 

 naval, and military line; nor is there an inftance 



* The character of the Highlanders may, by foftie perfons, be 

 Confidered as too flattering : I have been twice amongft them iince 

 it was firfl printed ; and, upon reviewing it over and over, I can- 

 not, in jufiice, retrench a {ingle word. It is the language of 

 truth, inter ted as a memorial of virtues which do honour to the 

 prefent age, and worthy of imitation by poiterity. 



. Intrepidity. In rapid marches and ludden attacks, the High- 

 landers are unequalled. During along march, a regiment of thefe 

 men keeps up with the cavalry. If a diitant coaft is invaded, or 

 a pofl in danger, the Highlanders are collected at an hour's notice : 

 they let off, and continue their march with incredible fwiftncis, 

 leaving all other troops, panting and breathlefs, far behind. The 

 French tremble at the fight of them, calling out, the Engtifi //, 



ions 



Fidelity.- The fidelity of the Highlanders would appear incre- 

 dible to Chriftians and Philofophers of more happy climates. 

 Were it not fully authenticated by the experience of many ages. 

 Among a variety of inftances, the following may be depended upon ; 

 Hector Mackintofh having, in 1 527, carried fire and fword through 

 the lands of the Murrays and Ogilvies, fled immediately from the 

 hand of juiHce ; 200 of his followers were hanged, and fuch was 

 their fidelity, even in a bad caufe, that, though each of them was 

 feparately offered his pardon, if he would difcover where Hedlor 

 was fkulking, yet all of them rejected the condition, and fub- 

 jnitted to their fete. 



A more {hiking inftance of their fidelity happened after the bat- 

 tle of Culloden, when the young Pretender found fafety during 

 five months amongil thefe people, though perfonally known to 

 fome hundreds of the lovveft ranks, and a re\\ ard of thirty thoii- 

 fand pounds had been offered to any perfon who would deliver 

 him up. Two perfons of the name of Kennedy, not only rejected 

 this immenfe fum, with difdain, but alfo hazarded their lives in 

 Collecting provisions and linen for the ufe of the prince, whjle the 

 Highlands, and the Hebride ifles, were over-.run with foldiers in 

 purfuit of him. 



Hofpitalit.y. " Kindnefs and hofpitality pofTefs the people of 

 thefe parts. We fcarce patted a farm but the good woman, long 

 before our approach, fajlied out and flood on the road fide, 

 holding out to us a bowl of milk or whey. " Pennant. 



" It need not, I fuppofe, be mentioned, that in countries fo 

 little frequented as the iilands, there are no houfes where travellers 

 are entertained for money, jle that wanders about thefe wilds, 

 either procures recommendations to thofe whofe habitations lie 

 Kfiar his way, or, when night and wearinefs come upon him, takes, 

 *h chancy of general hoipitality. If he finds only a cottage, he 



