

T H E H I G H L A N D S. 141 



manufacture, or veflel beyond the fize of a fifhing 

 bufs. The Orkneys contain one provincial fynod, 

 three prefbyteries, twenty-eight parifhes, and eigh- 

 teen minifters. In Sky, one of the Hebride iflands, 

 double the fize of all the Orkneys, there are only 

 feven parifties ; and, of late, the flatcd houfes did 

 not exceed three, though (lone and lime abound 

 in the ifland, and (late, at no great diftance. 



As a conclufion to .this comparative review, it 

 may be remarked, that the town of Kirkwall in the 

 Orkneys is rated higher in the tax roll, than all the 

 towns of the Highlands united. 



The Produce of the Highlands by Sea and Land. 



Throughout the globe, nature feems to have dif- 

 tributed her favours with a very impartial hand. 

 To fome parts fhe hath afiigned mildnefs of climate ; 

 to others, luxuriancy of foil, the precious metals, 

 valuable timber, or the riches of the ocean. If we 

 except the frozen extremities of the earth, towards 

 the poles, her gifts will be found admirably adapted 

 to the various fpecies of the animal creation, parti- 

 cularly man, who holds the higheft rank in nature, 

 and who fancies himfelf entitled to the unlimited 

 ufe of whatever it contains. In conformity to this 

 univerfal lav/, thofe diftricls of Scotland, called the 

 Highlands, though little indebted to climate and 

 foil, abound in riches, which put them upon an 

 equality with the moft fertile regions of the jvorld. 

 Gold, lilver, wine, filks, fpices, and the riner 

 fruits, they have none : but the produce of the 

 Highlands; of their feas, lakes, bays, and rivers; 

 may, with proper management, obtain an influx of 

 thole valuable articles, and whatever is neceflary for 

 tjie fupport and comfort of life. 



Grain is raifed, though at prefent with much 

 difficulty, fufficient to maintain one third of the 

 people ; and, whenever the more fertile parts (hall 



be 



